Did you know that Lake Zurich is so clean that its water has been certified by the local government as safe to drink?
February 16th, 2011
Sure we’ve heard of great options for far flung destination weddings, but MarthaStewartWeddings.com just showed us an amazing, real life, destination wedding at Parrot Cay. Lucky newlyweds, Vanessa and Gavin, had a beautiful wedding on the shores of the island and the amazing pictures have us dreaming of a Parrot Cay wedding…
February 8th, 2011
Panama Canal Adventures
The time is now to see this engineering masterpiece, virtually unchanged since 1914 when it transited its first ship, before it undergoes a major expansion beginning early 2011. Connecting two great oceans, it is one of the world’s most sophisticated engineering marvels. Come and see it before the changes happen. Crystal Cruises’ five sailings in 2011 provide a unique opportunity to experience one of the greatest construction feats of the 20th century.
What’s cool: From ground breaking historical achievements to the rapid-fire progress of today’s technology, experts share insight and guidance into navigating the vast and evolving world of science.
Calls: on sailings from 11-19 days, ports can include Grand Cayman, Cartagena, Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta, Tortola, Cabo San Lucas, St. Barts, St. Martin, Aruba, Caldera, Miami, San Diego, Los Angeles and New York City.
Pacific Coast Adventures
Seven days of coastal exploration and western sunsets are the highlights of these newly introduced itineraries. Four Pacific Coast sailings will travel along the spectacularly beautiful West Coast in April and November. This spring and fall, these 7-day sailings cover the “American Riviera” from as far south as Ensenada, MX to as far north as Vancouver, BC and everything in between!
What’s cool: Snow-capped mountains and manicured gardens meet the glitz of Hollywood and the purity of nature. Lively progressive cities follow idyllic coastal towns along with other treasures of the West Coast.
Calls: Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Astoria, Seattle, Victoria, Vancouver, Ensenada, San Diego, and San Francisco.
Alaska – The Final Frontier
Crystal Symphony returns to Alaska this summer for the first time in six years, offering nine 12-day voyages traveling round-trip from San Francisco, making Alaska virtually a drive-in summer holiday idea! Sailings run May 9th through August 25th.
What’s cool: traveling the Inside Passage; walking on a glacier; ziplining in Haines; or rafting on Mendenhall Lake with the glacier towering over you. Especially cool is the Mind, Body & Spirit themed sailing (May 9th) with celebrity trainer Joel Harper. Joel’s unique workouts have been seen on programs such as Oprah and The Dr. Oz. Show, and featured in publications like O magazine and Esquire.
Calls: San Francisco, Victoria, Vancouver, Sitka, Juneau, Haines, Skagway, and Ketchikan
North Cape Voyage
North Cape Panorama: June 13 -27, 2011 – spend the longest day of the year onboard Crystal Serenity while sailing the incredibly scenic Norwegian Sea. Enjoy the sight of the towering fjords at sunset – at midnight!
What’s cool: A spot in this world where a picture is worth 1000 words! Witness stunning fjords and the mystical beauty of the Norwegian archipelago as you travel beyond the Arctic Circle into the land of the midnight sun. A new Steig Larsson-themed shore adventure!.
Calls: Copenhagen, Helleysyit, Honnningsvag, Longyearbyen, Alesund, Bergen, and Stockholm
…to the shores of Tripoli
In a very first, with Libyan authorities lifting its ban on American tourist visas, Crystal Serenity has added the North African capital city of Tripoli to its November 16 “Italian Splendor” Mediterranean cruise. The ship will spend a day in Tripoli, offering a rare opportunity to explore the city and its environs, which represent a true crossroads of cultures, past and present – an experience no world traveler should miss.
What’s cool: everything! While shore adventures have not been finalized, it may be possible to venture to the frontlines of the Sahara! However, highlights will include the ancient ruins of Leptis Magna and Sabratha, the Medina for shopping; the Red Castle Museum, old “khan” hotels and mosques, and tribal culinary arts.
Calls: Venice (overnight), Dubrovnik, Tripoli, Sicily, Naples, Rome, Florence, and an overnight stay in Barcelona.
February 4th, 2011
If the Super Bowl were Balinese instead of American, maybe we’d be watching sloths instead of puppies!
Parties for this Sunday abound, and every event planner (amateur or otherwise) knows that finding the venue is key. Forget the awesome band or to-die-for hors d’œuvres. If the location is lacking, everything else won’t seem quite as special. Don’t let that scare you, though! Anantara Seminyak Resort & Spa now has the best of venues for your Bali bash!
The one-of-a-kind rooftop Penthouse suite promises distinct glamour and cool with an open pool and contemporary indoor-outdoor spaces. Attendees can enjoy views of the beach, local temples and mountains while sipping signature cocktails and enjoying live music. For when the music dies down, the suite offers two bedrooms with beds suspended on marble and stuffed with down. It will be easy to sleep off the party’s effects! Catering for 30 and hosting up to 70 is available beginning at $2,000. Now that’s a touchdown.
February 4th, 2011
jwpjazz.com
Harlem is visiting the Himalayas tonight… or that’s what they are saying at the Rubin Museum of Art. Starting at 7 p.m., Aaron Diehl and the NJMH Allstars featuring trumpeter Dominick Farinacci will play at the Rubin for an intimate crowd. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy Big Band music in a contemporary setting. Tickets are $20 ($16.20 for members) and can be bought at the door. No excuse for no plans tonight!
February 2nd, 2011
If you’re still in need of Valentine’s Day plans, the package from Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. will certainly make you swoon. Couples will receive overnight accommodations in the Presidential Suite, a dedicated butler, welcome amenities including traditional champage, chocolate and strawberries, an in-suite massage with monogrammed robes, a five-course tasting menu with a live pianst, a rose petal drawn path, and breakfast in bed.
However, if you think that’s extravagant, the list continues. As icing on the lavish cake, couples can expect a $2,000 shopping spree at Tiffany’s, chauffeured transportation in Park Hyatt Washington’s BMW7-Series sedan, and a private moonlight tour of the city’s famed monuments. It will be hard not to feel the love with such a sweet package!
January 19th, 2011
Anantara Phuket Villas was sad to say goodbye to Real Madrid’s all time top goal scorer, Raúl González Blanco, and his family, after their recent visit. A three-time winner of the UEFA Champions League, Raúl has long been the competition’s striker (he left Real Madrid in 2010 to join German Club Schalke 04 after having scored 323 goals in 741 appearances for the team).
The villas have become a celebrity haven since opening in 2008. Past all-stars also include, Kevin Spacey, Kate Moss, and Naomi Campbell.
January 14th, 2011
Bargain hunters and shop-a-holics alike should book a ticket for Dubai! The annual Dubai Shopping Festival dates have been announced (January 20-February 20) and the 32-day long shopping bonanza will feature 6,000 retail outlets and 50 shopping malls. Making it easy to shop until you actually drop.
All items will be tax free and the festival will also include discounts of up to 75% off jewelry, perfume, textiles, handicrafts, and electronics. The festival will also host an opening and closing ceremony with fireworks display, International concerts, Lexus Mega Raffle, Nissan Grand Raffle, Creations (Fashion Show), DSF Desert Camps, Night Shopping, and Heritage events.
To pick up a hint of color (to accent all those new clothes, duh.), stay at Park Hyatt Dubai. Located on the water front adjacent to Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, the hotel was voted the best hotel in the Middle East by Conde Nast Traveler!
January 14th, 2011
Western India will be audible along Broadway in New York tonight as the Rhythm of Rajasthan Ensemble performs at Peter Norton Symphony Space (2537 Broadway) at 8 p.m. The ensemble’s folk music blends driving percussion, ecstatic Sufi songs, and hypnotic sarangi (bowed lute) and algoza (double flute). To add a little flair, the group will be joined by Suva Devi, a dancer seen in the film Latcho Drom, who is a master snake charmer.
Sound inciting? Tickets are $35. For more information, call 212-545-7536 or visit www.worldmusicinstitute.org.
January 14th, 2011
Crystal Cruises is excited about their new You Care, We Care initiative now available on every sailing… and even more so after the first was such a success! Guests aboard Crystal Serenity stopped in Cartagena, Colombia on Saturday to help the Foundacion Granitos de Paz plant local organic gardens and general facility repairs.
All participants enjoyed the ability to better interact and learn from the local community – more than one typically gains from just disembarking for the afternoon. Bravo! Upcoming You Care, We Care programs are:
Lima, Peru – Brightening the environment of the children at the ANQUIEM Burn rehabilitation center with arts & crafts
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Assisting the PEACE organization in beach cleanup and community beautification, including possibly helping in light construction at a local green space.
Santa Lucia, Uruguay – Contribute to the SOS-Children’s Village–an NGO village which provides a family-based infrastructure for raising children without parental care—via cookie-baking, handcrafting, painting, or gardening.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Join RIOVOLUNTARIO in engaging local orphans in recreational activities such as face painting or traditional Brazilian games
Marigot Bay, St. Martin – Help the St. Maartin Pride Foundation’s conservation of local culture and historical landmarks via painting a school or community center
Honolulu, HI – Learn about local geology and preservation of ecosystems via weeding at Makapu’u Beach Native Coastal Plant Preserve
Astoria, OR – Assist “Friends of Fort Stevens” with the restoration and cleaning efforts of the grounds, trails, and camping sites at the much-revered, 84 year-old Fort Stevens State Park
January 13th, 2011
Who says thirteen has to be an unlucky combination? U.S. News and World Report recently released its top thirteen destinations for this year – and we felt only fitting to share today!
13. Stockholm, Sweden
12. Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
11. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
10. New York City, U.S.
9. Wellington, New Zealand
8. Valencia, Spain
7. Seoul, South Korea
6. Sri Lanka
5. Copenhagen, Denmark
4. Salta, Argentina
3. Northern Tunisia, Africa
2. Melbourne, Australia
1. Istanbul, Turkey
Park Hyatt is clearly ahead of the curve with hotels in #7 – Seoul, #2 – Melbourne, and #1 – Istanbul (and on the way in #10 – New York) – and for those interested in checking out #6 – Sri Lanka Banyan Tours & Travels offers several itineraries around the up and coming island.
If Stockholm has been recently added to your list thanks to a girl with a striking tattoo, consider taking a Crystal Cruise to the North Cape and relive the action from the pages on the Stieg Larson’s Stockholm Shore Excursion.
Participants will go on a walking tour of the island of Södermalm and a one-hour visit to iconic City Hall, and architectural masterpiece designed by Swedish architect Ragnar Östberg. Continue by bus past the fashionable Östermalm district, the Royale Dramatic Theater, the city center and the colorful Hötorget market, and the island of Kungsholmen. Lastly guests will stop at Fjällgatan to see the Royale Palace, Parliament building, and Royale Opera House.