Grey skies, slushy streets, and a lack of Vitamin D can leave even the most cold-tolerant of us feeling the winter blues. Luckily, thoughts of a spring visit to Nantucket can brighten the dreariest of days. Spring on Nantucket means perfect temperatures, festive events, and amazing rates. If that’s not reason enough, here are 10 Reasons to visit Nantucket in the spring.
1. Great Rates
A spring trip to Nantucket doesn’t have to break the bank – Nantucket Island Resorts offers fantastic spring rates. For instance, rates at The Wauwinet after it opens for the season on May 9 start at just $225 per night. Want to stay closer to Main Street? Not a problem! Stay at the White Elephant, opening on April 19, for just $195 per night.

2. Easy Access
Jet Blue begins direct service from New York City to Nantucket on May 17, meaning Nantucket is just a hop, skip, and a jump away. The only hard part will be finding room to pack all of those spring clothes you’ve been dying to pull out of hibernation!

3. Daffodil Festival (April 27-29)
Every year, Nantucket kicks off spring by honoring the trumpeted flower with the Nantucket Daffodil Festival Weekend. Over three million daffodils bloom on Nantucket from early-April to mid-May, and the yellow, orange, white, and pale pink blooms bring new life to the island. It’s a full-scale celebration of winter’s thaw and includes fun and festive activities such as the Antique Car Parade, featuring over 100 vintage cars decked out in bright yellow daffodils.

4. Wine Festival (May 2012)
For over 12 years, 100 wineries visit Nantucket for a weekend and host special events including hosted dinners, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, seminars, and auctions.  Make sure to pop by and sample TOPPER’S at The Wauwinet’s extensive wine list. With over 1450 selections, wine connoisseurs won’t be disappointed!

5. Expansion of the White Elephant Hotel Residences
Just a few steps away from the White Elephant, Nantucket Harbor, Jetties Beach, and Brant Point Lighthouse, the White Elephant Hotel Residences has always been one of the chicest spots to stay on island. This spring, the Residences are getting even better with the addition of 14 new suites and six new guest rooms.

6. Nantucket Spring Restaurant Week
Dine on prix fixe menus at participating Nantucket fine dining establishments, including the Brant Point Grill at the White Elephant and TOPPER’S at The Wauwinet.

7. Outdoor Activities
Being cooped up inside all winter isn’t good for your mind or body, and Nantucket has the cure! Rent a bike and roll down the 6.4 miles of bike paths. Bike rentals typically cost around $30/day; complimentary bikes are available for guests of White Elephant Hotel Residences, The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin, and The Wauwinet. Or tee off at one of Nantucket’s top-notch golf courses –  Miacomet Golf Course or Sankatay Head Golf Club.

8. Nantucket Film Festival (June 20-24)
The annual film festival draws celebrities and movie buffs alike to the island. Instead of velvet ropes and Hollywood glamour, the festival honors the art of substantive screenwriting, offering celebrity panels and readings.

9. Dining Al Fresco
Spring means finally being able to enjoy a dinner al fresco again. Brant Point Grill at the White Elephant’s Harborside Terrace is the perfect place to do just that. Dine on fresh seafood and sip on one of the bar’s new specialty beer cocktails while admiring the stunning views of Nantucket harbor.

10. Movie Time
We all know that April showers bring May flowers, and the perfect place to wait out a spring rain shower is at the only year round movie theater, Starlight Theater. Be sure to warm up with some New England Clam Chowder before the show at the Starlight’s café.

Isn’t a romantic getaway or a luxurious product more fun than a crowded, over-priced restaurant? Here are our top ten Valentine’s Day gift picks.

Instead of a box of chocolates…
Guinot
There’s nothing sexier than a bronzed leg in February! Skip the beach and try Auto Bronzant Corps d’ Éte self-tanning spray by Guinot. The spray is easy to apply and provides an instant golden tan to have you looking hot for your valentine!
Price: $38.00 for 5.2 fluid ounces

Instead of a romantic dinner…
The Halkin
London, England

What could be more romantic than the breathtaking view of London from the famous London Eye. Wander the city then return to The Halkin, hidden in the heart of London, for an intimate meal at nahm. Dinner at the award-winning Thai restaurant will cap off an already perfect day in the bustling city.
Rates: COMO Daily Rates start from £240 for a Double Room (exclusive of tax, room only)

Acqualina Spa by ESPA
Miami, FL

Looking for a romantic spa-cation? Treat yourself to a special Valentine’s Day vacation package at the Acqualina Resort & Spa. The package includes an oceanfront room with spectacular views, a private beachfront dinner for two, a bottle of champagne, and two ESPA Treatments.  If you can’t make it to Miami, try an at-home massage using ESPA’s Nourishing Body Oil! The soothing oils are scented with sandalwood and frankincense and are completely natural.
Rates: from $825 per night for an oceanfront room.
Price for the oils: $67.00 for 3.38 fluid ounces

Park Hyatt Washington D.C.
Washington D.C.
Valentine’s Day always calls for a little bubbly, and Park Hyatt Washington D.C.’s Romance at the Park package is full of bubbles – bath bubbles that is. The package now includes a dedicated bath butler who will greet guests upon arrival to learn when and how they would like their luxurious bubble bath based on individual schedule and needs. The butler will then create a soothing bath, complete with bath salts and tea lights, white rose petals, a bottle of sparkling wine, and chocolate truffles. The package is perfect for a romantic Valentine’s Day tryst and is also offered throughout the year.
Rates: From $309 per night

GoldenEye Hotel & Resort
Oracabessa, Jamaica
GoldenEye‘s Beach Cottages provide easy access for late night strolls in the sand, while the Lagoon Cottages and Suites offer private docks with chaise lounges and king size beds facing the water. Dine at The Gazebo during a fiery sunset, rejuvenate at the FieldSpa, or venture out on the “Romantic Escape-Ski,” – GoldenEye is the perfect lover’s paradise.
Rates: From $672 per night, based on double occupancy

Jared Coffin House
Nantucket Island, Massachusetts
While most think of Nantucket as a summer spot, February is the perfect month for lovebirds to enjoy the island’s charms together, sans the summer crowds. Couples will love long walks on the beach and wine tasting at Cisco Brewery by day, and snuggling up in front the fireplace at the Jared Coffin House at night!
Rates: From $125 per night

Parrot Cay
Turks & Caicos, British West Indies
Leave the snow behind and head to Parrot Cay for the Romantic Escape package. Enjoy chilled Champagne upon arrival, an hour-long couple’s massage, and a candlelit lunch or dinner for two at the COMO Shambhala Cottage. For an intimate adventure, try a castaway picnic, a private yoga session on the beach, or a snorkeling excursion!
Rates: From $545 per night; package available only for three-night minimum stay

Instead of that “we’ll get there someday” promise…
Orient-Express Trains & Cruises
Thailand
Looking for an over-the-top gift this year for Valentine’s Day to share with your loved one? Book a trip with Orient Express on the Eastern and Oriental Express’s Epic Thailand. This 7-day journey departs from Bangkok and takes guests through some of Thailand’s most remote and awe-inspiring landscapes.
Rates: From $9,200 per person

Anantara Bophut Resort & Spa
Koh Samui, Thailand
Leave the chocolate hearts at home and instead try a Dining By Design dinner for two at Anantara Bophut Resort & Spa. Guests craft their own unforgettable dining experiences choosing among several Thai or international menus and selecting the perfect location, be it on a sandy beach or on a secluded private platform with a lofted shoreline view.
Rates: From $165 per night

One&Only Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa
Using V-day as an excuse to propose to your one-and-only? Do it in style aboard One&Only Cape Town’s new 76-ft motor yacht with Table Mountain in the background and surrounded by Table Bay. (One can even return to tie the knot at sea.) Sure beats hiding the ring in a box of chocolates!
Rates: From $618 per night

The Halkin
London
Nothing says ‘I love you’ like an afternoon of bliss and chocolate. Since November, London’s famed boutique hotel, The Halkin, offers Couture Chocolate Afternoon Tea. The concept was created by William Curley, four-time winner of ‘Britain’s Best Chocolatier,’ for The Halkin as part of the hotel’s 20^th anniversary celebrations. The exclusive new menu gives traditional afternoon tea an unexpected twist and is to be found in the hotel’s lobby bar. In addition to the English teatime classic of freshly-made scones with clotted cream and jams and a selection of sandwiches, guests can choose from William Curley’s à la carte selection, that includes a Chocolate Financier with Passion Fruit Curd and a Sea Salt Caramel and Raspberry Tart.
Priced from £37.50 per person, the tea is available daily between 3 and 6pm.

Crazy Horse Cabaret, the avant-garde icon of provocative Parisian nightlife, continues the celebration of its 60^th anniversary with Le Pavillon des Lettres, extending an invitation to see the show and get a room. In a perfect marriage of the arts (literature and burlesque go hand in hand, non?), the literary hotel and the legendary theater are offering a package that includes amour-inducing accommodations, VIP tickets to Crazy Horse’s 60^th anniversary celebration show, Désir, and some take-home memorabilia.

In order to get the most bang for your burlesque buck, we suggest some pre-Paris homework… In a documentary showing at the Film Forum in New York City now through Tuesday, February 7, and currently available anytime, anywhere on Netflix, acclaimed documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman has captured the mystique of the most famous nude dance show in the world with “Crazy Horse: Désir.” Wiseman’s new film takes a behind-the-scenes look at the painstaking creation, grueling rehearsals, and ultimate unveiling of the 60^th anniversary show.

Radiating the timeless elegance of Paris, Le Pavillon des Lettres features 26 intimate rooms, each dedicated to a letter of the alphabet that pays homage to corresponding French and international literary geniuses. A stay in a room named for, and decorated with the works of such writers of passion and romance as F for Flaubert (Madame Bovary), S for Shakespeare (Romeo & Juliet), or T for Tolstoy (Anna Karenina) is sure to enhance the experience.

This offer includes :

- Deluxe Room accommodations

- Daily breakfast

- Two VIP tickets to Crazy Horse

- Crazy Horse photo book

- Rates start at 440 euros per night ($570 USD)

- Valid for travel now through December 31, 2012

- Minimum two-night stay; based on double occupancy

For additional information visit:

www.pavillondeslettres.com or call +33 (0)1 49 24 26 26

While there is something magical about that first snow of the season, let’s face it, the rest of winter is spent dreaming about sand between your toes and a warm sea breeze. And now, thanks to the National Geographic Top 10 Beaches, we’re dreaming in overdrive. While any beach sounds amazing, we’ve got a couple that we can’t stop thinking about. In fact, we’ve already dreamed up our spring, summer, and next winters’ vacations there.

First on our list, and number two on NatGeo’s list, is the Maldives. With over 1,102 islands, forming 26 atolls, there is plenty of beach to go around. We’re dreaming of a nice long stay in an over-water bungalow at Cocoa Island. Not only does the crystal clear water make for some of the world’s greatest scuba diving and snorkeling, there’s also surfing, fishing, and other incredible water sports to keep you busy. Then again, we’d be happy just to sunbathe on the pristine beach all day.

After spring break in the Maldives, we’re heading to number six, Nantucket, for our summer vacation. This magical little island 27 miles off the coast of Massachusetts is the ultimate place to visit, whether for a weekend or the entire summer. While the island itself is less than 50 square miles, there are over 80 miles of beaches, but our desired beach is located at our favorite inn by the sea, The Wauwinet. There are actually two beaches to choose from – one at the head of the Nantucket Harbor, for shallow water and no waves, and the other on the Atlantic Ocean, with deep, soft sand and gentle waves. Don’t forget to collect some shells, you’ll find some beautiful ones to take home with you.

Next December, we want our early Christmas present to ourselves to be a luxurious cruise aboard Crystal Symphony. The “South Pacific Sojourn” will stop at several incredible ports, but the one we’re most excited about is Bora Bora, number three on NatGeo’s list. Dubbed the “Romantic Island”, this lush little slip of land is protected by a lagoon and has 18 miles of white sandy shore. The beautiful lagoon provides a wide array of activities, from windsurfing to scuba diving, and the two towering peaks of sheer black rock make an impressive backdrop to the dazzling blue waters. While some consider it the most beautiful island in the world, we can’t wait to find out for ourselves!

Last night’s Golden Globes kicked off the 2012 Awards season, and Hollywood prep teams are hard at work ensuring our favorite starlets are putting the best foot, and face, forward on the Red Carpet.  On a smaller scale, we all have our own versions of a Red Carpet moment, and without a prep team, we need to rely on the products in our cabinets to help us achieve that picture-perfect look.  From anti-wrinkle creams to redness reducers, these products will leave your skin flawless, and of course, Red Carpet ready!

The problem: Red, blotchy skin
The cure: Guinot Crème Red Logic, 1.3oz $40 
Avoid caking on too much makeup to mask unwanted red spots; opt instead for one layer of this dream cream. Ingredients like arnica extracts and esculosides work instantly to reduce the appearance of redness and tone capillary veins, leaving your complexion refreshed and spot free.

The problem: Fine lines
The cure: Guinot Mini-Lift Éclat Beauté, .06oz $22
This day of skin saver relies on a complex of natural sugars and witch hazel to smooth away fine lines and even out the complexion.  Soy protein forms a protective barrier over the skin’s surface to shield the epidermis from external irritants and prolong makeup application, so your face is flawless throughout your big night.

The problem: Dull complexion
The cure: ESPA Skin Radiance Mask, 25ml $68
Revive skin’s natural radiance with this instantly illuminating face-saving mask. Mulberry, bearberry, and liquorice work together to help visibly brighten and even out skin tone, while pumpkin enzymes dissolve dull cells clean away, breathing instant luminous light into skin.

The problem: Shiny skin
The cure: Guinot Matizone Moisturizer, 1.7oz $60
Eliminate shine while you prime with this mattifying moisturizer. Matti-sponges act to trap and neutralize shine by absorbing the oil on your face, and, unlike makeup powders, water is left behind ensuring the skin is not dried out. Hydrocyte complex works to lock in moisture by forming a protective barrier over the upper layers of the epidermis, which also makes it an ideal primer.

The problem: Messy makeup
The cure: Guinot Youth Time Treatment Foundation, 30ml $55
Covering up the problem is only half the battle. Now you can win the war on aging with Guinot’s new foundation. While may feel light, this long-lasting cover-up definitely pulls its weight! The Youth Time Treatment does double duty by masking the signs of aging and also decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time. Green tea extracts and vitamin E work together to protect and sooth the skin, while hyaluronic acid spherical fillers penetrate the epidermis to plump out wrinkles and smooth facial features.

The problem: Dry cracked lips, smudged lipstick, and fine lines
The cure: Guinot Longue Vie Lèvres, .51oz $34
Nourish and plump up lips with this cellular regenerating treatment. Guinot’s replenishing spheres, which contain 56 cellular active ingredients, provide an anti-wrinkle effect by filling out fine lines around the lips, and camomile extract and vitamin E work together to ward off free radicals and moisturize the lip surface.

The problem: Tired eyes, crow’s feet, and puffiness
The cure: ESPA Lift and Firm Eye Moisturizer, 15ml $79
You don’t need to go under the knife to reduce the appearance of fine lines around the eye area. This potent line smoother provides an instant lifting effect beta glucan and chitin boost elasticity, while tightening argania spinosa extract and firming algae help recontour the delicate eye area. Golden root brightens dark circles, while summer snowflakebulb actively smoothes lines for a more youthful appearance.

The problem: Puffy eyes and dark circles
The cure: Guinot Anti-fatigue Yeux, .5oz $42
Alleviate the appearance of tired eyes with this revitalizing gel that gives the one-two punch to dark circles and puffiness. Plant extracts, horse chestnut, and ivy decongest and strengthen the capillary walls, while allantoin softens the epidermis and encourages cellular regeneration. Keep this gel in the refrigerator for a cooling effect that soothes heavy eyelids. 

Find ESPA products at us.espaonline.com.
Find a store that carries Guinot at guinotusa.com.

In the Chinese calendar, January 23^rd marks the end of the Year of the Rabbit, and the beginning of the Year of the Dragon. It’s the start of the 15 days of celebration for Southeast Asia’s most fêted holiday – the Chinese New Year. It’s a time to welcome longevity, wealth and prosperity and to eliminate any negative “chi” from the past year. It also predicts what the next year will have in store for us. For this year, the return of the Dragon characterizes 2012 to be a year of excitement, unpredictability, exhilaration, and intensity. It is said that people respond to the spirit of the Dragon with “energy, vitality, and unbridled enthusiasm, often throwing all caution to the wind,” according to Chinese legend, so this should be a very interesting year!

The New Year is traditionally rung in with a fabulous feast – and you can join in at several Anantara properties! Anantara Bangkok Riverside, Anantara Bangkok Sathorn, Anantara Phuket Villas, and Anantara Si Kao are all celebrating in their own distinctive way:

Anantara Bangkok Riverside – Welcome in the Chinese New Year of the Dragon with a vibrant cultural occasion overlooking the majestic River of Kings at the Riverside Terrace! Feast on an endless buffet of the finest cuisine from all over the world, enhanced by a thematic dim sum counter and other mouthwatering Chinese delicacies. Watch a calligraphy expert write beautiful Chinese greetings and enjoy an impressive lion dance show. Then open traditional Chinese red envelopes filled with indulgent Anantara surprises, such as a complimentary meal or discount vouchers to be used for amazing experiences.

Anantara Bangkok Sathorn – Invite friends and family to the stylish 100˚East restaurant to ring in the Chinese New  Year! Share a delicious Chinese and International buffet prepared by a team of highly trained chefs both from Thailand and abroad. Featuring items from the most delectable Asian fare to freshly stone-baked pizza, there is sure to be something for everyone on the menu.

Anantara Phuket Villas – Savour a grand BBQ buffet of Chinese, Thai, and international cuisine, as Chinese lanterns sway overhead in the soft sea breeze on the Beach Lawn. Open traditional red envelopes to find wonderful gifts of discovery. Watch a colorful lion dance performance, a spectacular fire show, and auspicious Chinese crackers welcome in the Year of the Dragon.

Anantara Si Kao – Ring in the Chinese New Year at Leelawadee, Anantara Si Kao’s signature outdoor restaurant. Experience laid back Andaman luxury and Anantara Si Kao’s international buffet on the terrace, decorated with fantasy lighting and red envolopes hanging from mandarin trees. Then retire to your room or suite to find a mandarin orange and red envelope containing an indulgent surprise.

Located in the eastern province of Zhejiang, Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa is a relaxing retreat set on the banks of Dong Qian Lake. Just two and a half hours from Shanghai, the culturally rich and scenic region is dotted with tea plantations, ancient Buddhist temples, caves, stone carvings, and working fishing villages.

The lakeside resort features 236 guestrooms, including 17 suites and 10 freestanding villas. All guestrooms have a double daybed next to a large picture window, ideal for relaxing with a view. Each oversized bathroom has a bathtub, vanity area, rain shower, and dressing room.  Designed in the style of a traditional Chinese water village, the low-level, standalone villas have simple plastered exteriors and tiled, gabled roofs. Open courtyards, sky wells, and ponds are scattered throughout the property, echoing Chinese architectural principles.

At Seafood House, the resort’s signature restaurant, enjoy fresh seafood in a fun yet elegant setting. Choose to dine in the main dining room, al fresco, or in one of the ten private pavilions. Most of the pavilions offer a private entrance, lounge, and dedicated butler. For some richer fare, visit the Dining Room, a residential-style restaurant serving Western and Chinese comfort food all day.

Tea House, located in a former ancestral family mansion, is the perfect spot for an authentic Chinese tea experience. In the afternoon, sip on the house’s collection of Chinese and Western tea while nibbling on authentic desserts, cakes, and Chinese savouries. In the evening, visit the Tea House for a stronger blend – signature cocktails, wine, and champagne.

With a heated indoor pool, fully equipped gym, reflexology facilities, steam rooms, saunas, whirlpool baths, and an 85-foot outdoor infinity pool with panoramic lake views, the resort’s Fitness Pavilion is perfect for total body health.

If the serene lakefront setting isn’t relaxing enough, unwind at the Yue Hu Spa which is dedicated to holistic wellness. Treatments incorporate the principles of an ancient Chinese wellness philosophy centered upon the meridian system and on balancing qi (vital energy).

Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa offers a total of 14,122 square feet of sophisticated event venues, including The Ballroom, a pillar-less event space able to accommodate up to 400 people. For a more intimate gathering, The Salon and The Pavilion are perfect for any exclusive event. www.ningbo.park.hyatt.com

Photo courtesy of worldtennismagazine.com

It’s that time of the year again… time for lists. To-do’s, resolutions, and the New York Times 45 Places to Go in 2012, of course. So, if you’re resolved to travel more this year, use this to check a few things off your list. Here are some of our favorites!

#3 Myanmar – After the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from 15 years of house arrest and the lifting of the boycott against the authoritarian regime that kept the country isolated, Myanmar is ready to share cultural treasures and deserted beaches. Experience the remarkable beauty, romance, and mystery of Myanmar aboard the luxurious Orient-Express’ “Road to Mandalay” as it cruises down the Ayeyarwady River.

#4 London – Between the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Queen’s 60^th year on the throne, the summer Olympic Games, and the 200^th birthday of Charles Dickens, there is a bevy of reasons to visit London this year. For the ultimate posh location, we recommend the Metropolitan London with its incredible views of Hyde Park and award-winning Nobu restaurant. For a more sanctuary-like hotel, the 5-star Halkin in discreet Belgravia may be more up your alley.

#6 Tokyo – It’s no secret that Tokyo had a tough 2011, which is why there is no better time to travel there than 2012. Due to a decrease in tourism and business travel, rates are down without sacrificing luxury and attention to detail. Staying at the “Lost in Translation”  Park Hyatt Tokyo is now better than ever.

#11 Moscow – For those who love history and art, this is the city to visit. Between the reopening of the extravagantly renovated Bolshoi Theater in October and the opening of the Russian Icon Museum, you will find no shortage of things to do here. Located just yards away from the Bolshoi Theater, the five-star Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow is in the prime location to explore this unique city.

#14 San Diego – If you’re looking for good times, good people, and great beer, San Diego should definitely be on your list of places to go this year. If you want to throw in a game of golf before or after your tastings, definitely stay at the Park Hyatt Aviara.

#27 Maldives – It seems that everyone is traveling to the Maldives now-a-days, and it’s no secret why. It’s necklace of 26 tropical atolls in the Indian Ocean make it a place where you can find something that everyone in the family wants to do – scuba dive, fish, surf, or just relax in the pristine sand. There are so many different resorts to choose from – here are our favorites: Park Hyatt Maldives, Anatara Dhigu Resorts & Spas, Anantara Veli Resorts & Spas, Anantara Kihavah Villas, Naladhu, and Cocoa Island.

If you like to “kill two birds with one stone”, you’ll need to check out Crystal Cruises. Their ships plan to drop anchor in each of these destinations in 2012: #1 Panama City; #22 Paraty, Brazil; and #36 Dubrovnik, Croatia.