Boston, Mass: The Bike Program & Market Fresh Food

Located along Boston’s Charles River, we spotted one earth-friendly activity that reminded us of a summertime spent lingering in the heart of Harvard Square. Members of Harvard's elite played chess as my father regaled me with stories of secret societies and ambitious scholarly pursuits.

The Charles Hotel, nestled in the heart of this fine area, celebrates it's own love of such summers, with a simple, yet earth-friendly activity we always enjoy. A complimentary bike program and annual Kids Summer Music Series! These family-friendly programs, along with the hotel’s proximity to Harvard Yard, history museums and Fenway Park, make the Charles an ideal spot for summer fun. Six Electra Amsterdam Classic Bicycles are equipped with shopping baskets available complimentary to hotel guests. Additionally, the Hotel has partnered with The Liberty Hotel in Beacon Hill, encouraging guests of both hotels to take the eight mile scenic ride along the river to and from the hotels, while touring the historic streets of Beacon Hill and Harvard Square. The option to ride one-way and return by taxi or public transportation is also available.
The Executive Suite

Summer is also the season for the freshest foods. While staying at the Charles, guests can enjoy its weekly Farmers’ Markets to try some of the area’s very best seasonal ingredients. The Down to Earth Package includes:

• Overnight accommodations in a deluxe guestroom, featuring custom signature quilts and sumptuous down duvets, Séura® in-mirror televisions, and Bose Wave® radios.

• A signed copy of Chef Peter Davis’ cookbook, Fresh & Honest. Chef Peter Davis of Henrietta’s Table at The Charles Hotel released Fresh & Honest this past fall. His restaurant was recognized by Gourmet magazine as one of America’s “Best Farm-to-Table” restaurants in 2007.

• Use of the Electra Amsterdam Classic Bicycle, along with helmet, map of the city and U-style lock and key.

• Picnic lunch for two from Henrietta’s Table to take on your bike ride.

Down to Earth Package starts at $235/night, based on double occupancy, not including taxes and gratuity. The package is based on availability... so get cycling and brush up on your chess while you're at it, will ya?

Regular room rates start @ $199/night

www.charleshotel.com

Maui, Hawaii: Eco-Travel with the Fairmont Kea Lani

Feel like staying closer to home, but need a tropical 'feel good' getaway? We love the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea, Maui. Huge comfortable rooms, an exotic all-white mediterranean design, not too many kids (but just enough for families), and delicious restaurants right onsite. There's a reason why they named it "Kea Lani" since it means "Heavenly Whiteness." Their new organic restaurant, Ko, where 100% of its fish are from sustainable fisheries and their island classic, Nick's Fish Market, make it a solid go-to getaway for in-the-know Maui eco (yet chic-o) vacationers.

We like them because they're giving back in an interesting way. Through their Recycling Cents program, they donate their HI-5 recyclables to local non-profit charities, raising, to date, over $20,000. One school group used the funds to build an electric car and, in addition to that mad giving, the hotel donates bath amenities to the women's shelter on Maui and hosts a Mother’s Day and Christmas dinner. If that's not enough... the hotel's Director of Engineering goes to the shelter once a month to fix things like door locks and plumbing. With nearly 50 environmental programs going on at the hotel (and others in the Fairmont portfolio), their latest initiative, converting to the just-on-the-market Eco-Mode Thermostat, is connected to the hotel’s database and automatically turns on when a guest checks in and shuts off when a guest checks out. The motion detectors scan the room for movement and, if there is no motion detected, the thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature 5 degrees higher than either the default setting, or the temperature the guest set. The thermostat also shuts off when doors to the lanai are opened, monitors humidity, and allows the hotel to ensure all air conditioning units are in good working order. Installing the eco-MODE thermostat is yet another progressive initiative emphasizing The Fairmont Kea Lani’s dedication to waste reduction, energy management, and water conservation.

So we say... heavenly whiteness, in more way than one, in the house.

Rates from $340/night.

www.fairmont.com/kealani

Honeymooning in the Maldives: Luxury Over Water Villas

The first "Floating Resort" in the Indian Ocean... does it get any better than this? The perfect exotic escape for honeymooners and discerning families alike, check out The Banyan Tree's 'Angsana Velavaru' located in the pristine South Nilandhe Atoll in the Maldives, known as ‘Turtle Island’ in the local Dhivehi language. We're excited to be one of the first to announce that they're launching their first standalone collection of water villas in July 2009! Feted for its turquoise lagoon, spacious pool villas, and one of the few resorts in the secluded southern reaches of the Maldives, it's a scenic 40-minute seaplane (yes, seaplane!) journey from Malé island. The 34 uber-luxurious InOcean Villas are located just a half a mile from the island of Velavaru where the resort’s original 79 villas are located and range from 1,885 square feet to 3,122 square feet. We love that the sliding glass doors along the living, sleeping, and bathing areas offer an absolutely unobstructed panoramic view of the Indian Ocean. Each swanky two-story villa is also reminiscent of a stylish loft with contemporary design accents. We think you ought to relax on an airy outdoor deck with a hammock suspended over the sparkling azure waters and swim in a 200 square-foot infinity pool. Like this...
The Premier InOcean Villas and two-bedroom Sanctuary InOcean Villas each have extended decks into the ocean, complete with a cozy pavilion for lounging or yoga practice (since we know how much you all love your yoga). Modern amenities include a flat screen TV, stereo system with iPod docking station, and wireless internet. Hell, it's hard enough to find a reliable wireless connection on the mainland!

In addition, Azzurro, the resort’s new gourmet Italian restaurant and bar, has been added toward one end of the InOcean Villa cluster and guests can enjoy complete access to the facilities at the main resort on Velavaru Island like dining at Funa and Kaani restaurants, cocktails at Kuredhi Bar, culinary classes, Angsana Spa treatments, diving, guided snorkeling safari, wakeboarding, and, our favorite eco-resort feature... a dedicated Marine Lab which organizes hands-on activities for environmentally-minded travelers like coral planting, reef cleaning and marine biology classes.

Angsana, managed by The Banyan Tree, truly caters to the modern traveler seeking style, luxury, and eco-awareness. Comprising of contemporary chic retreats, each property is designed to deliver vibrant experiences which also exude the spirit and conscience of its environment. A stylish eco-resort in the Maldives with one of the only Marine Research Labs in the world onsite... along with a hammock suspended in the ocean? Does honeymooning (or canoodling) get any more high-end and feel-good than this?

$750 per night, per villa.

www.angsana.com
1(800) 591-0439
Email: reservations-velavaru@angsana.com.

Cape Town, South Africa: 'The Nelly' aka. The Mount Nelson Hotel

Is that really? No... it couldn't be. I think I've found... The Gates of Heaven?
Or close. It's... The Nelly! Can a hotel's nickname get any better than that? Bono, Alicia Keys, Kate Moss... if they're gonna fly off on a jaunt to Cape Town, they say, 'Might as walk through the pearly white gates' (or rather, the fancy white columns). This is where they rest their weary heads: The Orient-Express' iconic Mount Nelson Hotel (also known as 'The Nelly'). Just check out that prime location with sweeping views of South Africa's famous Table Mountain.
South Africa... what can we say? It brought us Nelson Mandela and the hope for freedom, now realized. So we say, begin the day with a stroll through their gardens and you'll no longer need to imagine yourself 'Out of Africa' because, yes, you've arrived. Next, head to the renowned Librisa Spa for The African Wellbeing Experience beginning with a lavender soak and concluding with a vanilla and wild ginger massage. That should work up your appetite. We also recommend, for those who can (and can't) afford to stay the night, tea time with five different kinds of teas, tiny finger sandwiches, savory quiches, scones, cakes of every shape and size, and big bowls of strawberries, fruit salad and blueberries.
Prepare for a night of stars at the Mount Nelson’s Planet Champagne Bar where you can mingle with stylish Capetonians and other guests from across the globe while sipping exotic cocktails under a twinkling fiber optic Milky Way.

It won't come cheap, but we can tell you this much... you'll be hard pressed to find a better spot overlooking Table Mountain on the tip of this promising continent.

Room rates begin at $650/per night.

www.mountnelson.co.za or call 800-237-1236

San Francisco: InterContinental Hotel's Hot Deal "The First Anniversary Package"

InterContinental San Francisco Guest Room

Since we love luxury, particuarly when it's on a budget, we had to fill you in on this sweet deal good until... the end of the year! As a tribute to the InterContinental San Francisco's First Anniversary, InterContinental San Francisco is offering their First Anniversary Package, an amazingly low nightly rate of just $88.80 per person, 2 person minimum.

The package includes a lavish Buffet Breakfast for 2; cocktails in Bar 888 for 2; overnight valet parking (a $50 value); an I-Spa gift bag and a $50.00 gift card for use in the I-Spa.

For Reservations: Call 415.616.6500 and make sure you mention 'The First Anniversary Package.'

A Moveable Feast: Silversea's Luxurious Food & Wine Cruise

Here at Jaunt we think one of two ways. 'Only the best' or 'Only the most authentic.' When we find something that marries the two together (and involves five-star culinary fare), we get hungry to share with the masses. Yes, Silversea is the best cruise line in the world and we say, "If it's good enough for Isabella Rossellini, it's good enough for the jauntiest of the jaunty." Voted "World's Best" by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure, Silversea is offering a foodie lover's wetdream (get it?), a collection of the world's most flavorful destinations expertly paired with the culinary world's hottest talents.
These moveable feasts are perfect for sophisticated travelers who enjoy high-end dining as much as the adventure of luxury travel. In case you've never hit the high seas aboard their ultra-luxury liners, Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities in an intimate setting. The best part? All-suite vessels! The Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, and recently launched in December, the Silver Spirit. With the addition of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II, the company's itineraries encompass all seven continents.
Silver Shadow Room

The enlightening café lifestyle of Paris in the 1920s (immortalized in A Moveable Feast) stayed with American writer Ernest Hemingway throughout his life … wherever he traveled … and for Silversea guests, this year's 11 Culinary Arts voyages promise similar opportunities for personally enriching experiences that will linger after the journey ends. These unique culinary theme cruises showcase the artistry of award-winning chefs of top dining establishments from around the world, including the internationally acclaimed chefs of Relais & Châteaux, the exclusive collection of 480of the finest hotels and gourmet restaurants in 56 countries.
Dining on the Silver Whisper

Established in France in 1954, the family of hoteliers and Grands Chefs from all over the world share a passion for exceptional quality. From the vineyards in Napa valley to the beaches in Bali, from the olive trees in Provence to the lodges in South Africa, Relais & Châteaux offers a chance to explore the Route du Bonheur and discover a special place in a variety of destinations.
On the culinary sailings, celebrity chefs will display their talents during dynamic and informative cooking demonstrations where guests can taste and learn firsthand the secrets of enticing signature dishes. Chefs include the likes of Rick Tramonto, partner and executive chef of Chicago’s Tru, a Mobil Four Star and AAA Five Diamond restaurant; Eyvind Hellstrøm, owner and chef of Michelin Two Star Bagatelle in Oslo; and Anne Desjardins, the chef/co-owner of CAA Four Diamond L'Eau à La Bouche in Ste-Adèle, Québec. The Culinary Arts enrichment voyages also feature escorted provisioning trips to international markets, food and wine pairings, creative regional dishes, and a five-course grand gourmet dinner. Throughout these special voyages, the featured guest chef and Silversea’s executive chef are on hand to share their culinary expertise and answer any questions.

Below, with the handy help of Silversea's excellent staff, we've put together a list of the Culinary Arts voyages around the world.

Now hit the high seas and relish the good (foodie) life!

ALASKA & PACIFIC COAST

Voyage 3912: Silver Shadow, May 28 - June 7, Seward to Vancouver, 10 days. Early Booking Incentive fares start at $7,050. Jonathan Lindenauer -- Bon Appétit magazine's chef de cuisine will be in residence to bring the Bon Appétit Supper Club to life and offer guests a taste of his signature recipes. This avant-garde concept of a stylish, limited-time dining experience will transform La Terrazza into a New York-inspired restaurant.

Voyage 3917: Silver Shadow, July 20 - August 1, San Francisco (roundtrip), 12 days. Silver Sailing fares start at $4,747. Gregory Short -- Executive chef of Masas, San Francisco.

CARIBBEAN

Voyage 1926: Silver Cloud, October 19 - 29, New York to Barbados, 10 days. Silver Sailing fares start at $3,397. Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef Anne Desjardins -- Co-owner of L'Eau à La Bouche Ste-Adèle, Québec, Canada.

Voyage 3929: Silver Shadow, November 13 - 22, Barbados to Fort Lauderdale, 9 days. Silver Sailing fares start at $3,047. Relais & Châteaux Chef Stéphane Mazières -- Executive chef of Le Gaïac restaurant at Hôtel Le Toiny, St. Bart's.

FAR EAST & SOUTH PACIFIC

Voyage 3909: Silver Shadow, April 11 - 29, Sydney to Singapore, 18 days. Silver Sailing fares start at $10,496. Relais & Châteaux Chef Mathew Macartney -- Executive chef of Chateau Yering, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

MEDITERRANEAN

Voyage 2915: Silver Wind, May 14 - 21, Barcelona to Nice, 7 days. Silver Sailing fares start at $3,197. Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef Rick Tramonto -- Executive chef/partner of Tru, Chicago.

Voyage 2922: Silver Wind, July 18 - 28, Monte Carlo (roundtrip), 10 days. Silver Sailing fares start at $6,177. Relais & Châteaux Chef Vincent Nattress -- Executive chef of Meadowood Resort, St. Helena, California.

Voyage 4931: Silver Whisper, October 3 - 10, Venice to Rome, 7 days. Silver Sailing fares start at $4,616. Lidia Bastianich -- Author, TV chef and co-owner of Felidia and Becco restaurants, New York City.

Voyage 4933: Silver Whisper, October 17 - 24, Monte Carlo to Athens, 7 days. Silver Sailing fares start at $3,297. "World of Relais & Châteaux" -- Over seven days, these five Relais & Châteaux chefs are set to take part in what is sure to be the ultimate culinary festival at sea:

Jacques Thorel, Auberge Bretonne (La Roche-Bernard, Britanny, France)
Eyvind Hellstrøm, Bagatelle (Oslo, Norway)
Julien Lahire, Auberge du Moulin Hideux (Noirefontaine, Belgium)
Christian Gölles, Gasthof Post (Lech am Arlberg, Vorarlberg, Austria)
Erwan Louaisil, El Castell de Ciutat (La Seu d'Urgell, Lleida, Spain)

Voyage 2933: Silver Wind, October 18 - 30, Istanbul to Rome, 12 days. Silver Sailing fares start at $5,847. Anton Mosimann -- Chef/owner of Mosimann's, London.

NORTHERN EUROPE

Voyage 1916: Silver Cloud, July 11 - 26, Copenhagen (roundtrip), 15 days. Early Booking Incentive fares start at $11,396. Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef Eyvind Hellstrøm -- Chef/owner of Bagatelle, Oslo.

Fares listed are per person based on double occupancy for a Vista Suite and do not include port charges and handling fees that range from $100 to $500 per person, depending on the itinerary.

www.silversea.com

For information on Relais & Châteaux:
Tel: (800) 735-2478 (U.S./Canada)
TeL 00 800 2000 00 02 (U.K.)
www.relaischateaux.com

Prague, Czech Republic: The Buzz at The Four Seasons

How sweet it is! The buzz in the kitchen at Four Seasons Hotel Prague is starting to spread. In addition to the 27 (yes, 27!) talented cooks at Allegro, the Hotel's Michelin-star Italian restaurant, there's a rumour that 9.6 million specialty "chefs" have been recruited to make the food even sweeter. But these chefs don't chop, sauté or bake.
In fact, they're bees — literally! — property of Allegro's longtime saucier, Vladimir Milfait. Go Vlad. We love a unique twist on luxury. During prime honey-producing months, he maintains 60 hives, each of them occupying up to 160,000 bees, because that's what it takes to make the 500 kg that'll keep the restaurant dripping in deliciously sweet honey for about a year.
Four Seasons Hotel, Prague

Why so much liquid gold? Well, from pastries to meat marinades and sauces, honey is a key ingredient on the menu. What makes this stuff so special is variety: Vladimir's workforce creates oak, pine, and linden tree honey, all of which differ in scent, colour and consistency. This allows the restaurant's other chefs — vastly outnumbered by their bee counterparts — to select the right flavour for the right dish.

Talk about a sweet retreat for you and your honey.

www.fourseasons.com/prague/dining.html

Chicago's Best Eco-Boutique Hotel

We fell in love with Chicago when we went to see Cats at the Shubert Theater as a small kiddie. Deep-dish pizza, jazz, Carmine's and good old Midwestern values... what's not to love? So when we hunted around for the best boutique digs in Chi-Town, a little birdie alerted us to a European inspired hotel just a block off of Michigan Avenue. Unique among it's competitors in that it's still family-owned, The Talbott Hotel has all the sophisticated charm of a bygone era coupled with the modern conveniences of today.

A cozy wood-lined lobby, roaring fireplace, large rooms, plasma TV's and superlative service make this property feel like you're in an upscale English club. The best part? It's just one of five hotels to receive Green Seal Certification by the City of Chicago in recognition of their commitment to "sustainability without compromise." Their "greenficient" efforts stretch beyond the basics - it's 100% carbon neutral. Having just completed a multi-million dollar refurbishment of all the hotel's 149 rooms and suites, it's the warm, luxurious base from which you can enjoy all of Chicago's shopping, restaurants and entertainment.
Owner, Basil Kromelow, inherited the property when he and his dad Jack bought it together as Basil's first project back in 1965. Apparently, Basil always wanted to own a boutique hotel so he converted the old apartment hotel into a luxury boutique hotel that reflected the boutique hotels he fell in love with across Europe as a kid. As such, many of the antiques inside are purchases from Kromelow's own shopping trips to Europe. Still visible in the hotel, Basil even greets and interacts with guests, unlike far too many Blackberry-obsessed proprietors these days.

On the corner of Rush street, you'll find famous restaurants like Gibsons (www.gibsonssteakhouse.com) and Carmine's (www.rosebudrestaurants.com) where we recommend the Baked Clams, Chicken Marsala, and Eight-Finger Cavatelli. No, we won't tell you what it that is, you'll just have to find out for yourself.

Guests also have free access to the 55,000 sq foot Equinox in the 900 North Michigan building just a block away. If that's not swanky enough, those who participate in the Green program by selecting the "eco-mode" on their thermostats (which automatically adjusts the room temp when guests come and go, in addition to alerting housekeeping not to change sheets everyday), they'll receive a 1 month carbon credit for their home to continue the Green lifestyle they embraced at the hotel.

If our staff wasn't galavanting around the globe right at this very moment, we'd stop by again just to give Basil a big old Chicago bear hug.

www.talbotthotel.com
Rates start at $179 (in low season)

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: The Holistic Yoga Wellness Retreat

This just in from The Marquis Los Cabos, one of our favorite Cabo properties, located right off 'The Corridor' on the southernmost tip of the Baja península where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific. To celebrate it's ability to soothe you, they're now offering the first of its transformational travel events. The Guru Getaway Series with renowned mind/body wellness instructor Kent Burden will take place from May 17-21, 2009. The 230 + room resort, just minutes from the Old World village of San Jose del Cabo and the town of Cabo San Lucas, has one of the best spas and fitness centers in the area (a 15,000 square foot retreat to be precise).
In addition, their exclusive gourmet restaurant, Canto del Mar, has one of the only Michelin-pedigreed chefs in Cabo. Our EIC stayed here about two years ago and was blown away by the fresh bread and fruit basket delivered each morning, the fantastic dinner service, and the excellent views. Since its 2003 opening, Marquis Los Cabos has earned the travel industry's most coveted awards including "World's Best" (Travel + Leisure); "Gold List Award" (Conde Nast Traveler); and the Five Star Diamond Award for its Canto del Mar restaurant. Marquis Los Cabos is also a member of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World and the only member of Leading Spas of the World in Los Cabos.
The Holistic Wellness Getaway incorporates yoga, Qi Gong and Pilates instruction; a visit to an organic farm with cooking lesson; an art walk and progressive dinner in San Jose del Cabo; a waterfall hike and tai chi instruction; Real Food, Aztec Calendar and Modern Day Hunter/Gatherer lectures, and a horseback meditation ride into three days of mind/body activities that promise to encourage "personal growth" and "self-actualization." Who couldn't use some of that in these trying times?

With more than 25 years of fitness experience, Kent Burden has worked one-on-one with Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy winners and NFL and NBA champions alike. His mind/body program created at California's Ojai Valley Inn & Spa was voted by Spa Finder Magazine's Reader's Choice Awards as one of North America's top mind/body fitness programs. A certified personal trainer, Pilates instructor, Yoga instructor, Spinning instructor, water fitness instructor, Systematic Touch Trainer and Massage Therapist, you're, you guessed it... in really good hands. For more information on Kent, check out his website:

www.mylifefitness.com

The 5 day/4 night Holistic Wellness Getaway is $2,550 per person, based on single occupancy, and includes all lectures and mind/body activities, suite accommodations, a signature welcome drink made of natural local fruits, breakfast daily, gifts upon arrival and departure, box lunches for all activities, VIP roundtrip airport/hotel transportation, and all service charges and taxes.

www.marquisloscabos.com

Four Seasons Seychelles: By the Sea Shore

Good news, lads and lassies! The Four Seasons Resort Seychelles has opened it's doors. Said to be a 'remote, hillside retreat that embraces the natural simplicity of treetop living,' this brand spankin' new property occupies an isolated position overlooking the idyllic bay of Petite Anse, just 30 minutes from the Mahé international airport. The Republic of Seychelles, East of Africa and North of Madagascar, is a tropical haven of 115 islands scattered across 530,000 square miles of the western Indian Ocean, an archipelago of 41 hilly, granite islands surrounded by low-lying coral islands. Covering a secluded area of 170 acres on the southwest coast of Mahé, the Four Seasons Seychelles consists of 67 villas and suites and 28 Four Seasons Private Residences that descend down a lush forested incline to the private, horseshoe beach of Petite Anse. Creole-inspired design complements the dramatic topography with granite boulders, steep jungle slopes and a shoreline indented with pirate coves. That's right... argghhh, who goes there, Matey? Back in the day, these waters were a favorite among the Jack Sparrows of the water world.
Four Seasons Seychelles Room

Get this... each of the 67 tree-house villas and suites is perched on stilts amid a jungle of coconut, mango, jackfruit and cinnamon trees. How disgustingly exotic is that? Standard features in all villas also include an infinity-edge plunge pool, open-air shower, glass-walled bathroom and expansive private outdoor living space with sunset views over the Indian Ocean or surrounding landscape. At the base of the Resort, black granite boulders, powder-white sand and tropical foliage combine with the azure blues of the sea and sky to create a vivid image of exotic island perfection. To keep you looking good and feeling good, there are also plenty of water sports, water trails and off-site activities like tennis, trekking, hiking, bird watching, mountain biking and paragliding. It's also a perfect paradise location for weddings, from a simple blessing on the private powder-white beach to a civil ceremony among the frangipani. Say it again after me... frangipani. Now isn't that fun?
Four Seasons Seychelles Exterior

The Resort’s main restaurant, ZEZ (Creole for a zither), offers a breakfast buffet of Continental and Asian dishes with a full American breakfast and speciality dishes available à la carte. Dinner takes on a Mediterranean air, featuring Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Greek, Turkish and Lebanese dishes. The restaurant focuses on simple cuisine and deep flavours and offers a wide variety of fresh seafood, extra virgin olive oils, tapas, mezzes and speciality Arabic breads. An extensive wine list features 250 wine labels from the Old and New World since no vacay is complete without a lonnnngggg list of fine wines.

Oh, and their beach... one of the top ten beaches in the world. So stop complaining about the snow, the economy, your husband, and your weight and get lost in the Seychelles by the sea shore.

Rates from €1,000/night

www.fourseasons.com/seychelles/

New York City: Another Valetine's Day Getaway

Trump International New York City

Talk about a room with a view. Does it get any better than feeling on top of the world, Trump style? We're feeling so amorous lately that we're pulling out all the stops and preparing you for the Big V Day. Check this baby out. Trump Hotel Collection is offering an ‘Enchanted Evening’ Package where guests staying at any Trump Hotel Collection property can make this Valentine’s Day even more special with a trio of romantic amenities – a bottle of chilled Champagne, decadent handcrafted chocolates, and a bouquet of one dozen long stem roses – included with a one-night stay. The “Enchanted Evening” Valentine’s Day Getaway package is being offered at Trump International Hotel & Tower New York, Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago and Trump Hotel Las Vegas Feb. 13-15, 2009. Take in the stunning city views from spacious residential-style rooms with fully equipped gourmet kitchens where you can whip up your own little treats a la Martha Stewart (only imagine yourself looking more like Alessandra Ambrosio). If cooking isn't your thing, you'll have access to world-class dining, spas, and the signature services of a Trump Attaché, your own majordomo, ready to fulfill (almost) all of your aching whims.

Trump International Hotel & Tower New York rates start at $595. Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago rates start at $595. Trump Hotel Las Vegas rates starting at $209.

Isn't your Boo worth it?

www.trumpintl.com

Adventures in Bhutan: COMO's Uma Paro

Welcome back, kiddies! It's been a long holiday, but we're back from all the eggnog, champagne, latkes, holiday hams, and cakes to give you news on the one of the hottest locations for yogi starlets and young lovers… the always beautiful Bhutan.
The Terrace at COMO's Uma Paro

So, as sugar levels start to stabilize, the new year leaves us hungry for something invigorating, authentic, and meaningful. That leaves us with Uma Paro’s eleven Adventure Retreats that are sure to shake off the post-holiday blues. Expanding from the nine programs in its inaugural season last year, the series includes two new itineraries – A Multi-Activity Adventure (August 1-8) and Bhutan Through a Lens (November 21-28). In the former, thrill-seekers may choose from any or all of the following: whitewater rafting, fly fishing, a round of golf in the grounds of Trashi Choe fortress, an overnight camping trek, mountain biking, and a Bhutanese archery tournament while the latter has guests traversing the beautiful kingdom with camera in tow. Aspiring photographers could not ask for better subjects than the landscapes, prayer flags, monasteries, and villagers of the region; however, guests will want to save a few frames for the Uma Punakha lodge. This retreat will be the first to utilize COMO’s new 11-room lodge that’s complete with a restaurant and COMO Shambhala spa and is a five-hour’s drive from Uma Paro.
Bukhari Restaurant at COMO Uma Paro

Rates range from $3,280 - $6,112 for single occupancy to $5,292 to $10,054 for double, depending on the package selected. All rates include 7,10, or 12 nights accommodation at a combination of Uma Paro and other tourist standard hotels or camps previously set up for trekking adventures. Meals, excluding beverages, are included as well as picnics and mineral water on days out. Government taxes, royalties, visas, and entry permits are all arranged by Uma Paro in advance; these costs are factored into the published rates along with all transport within Bhutan.

Sign up now while there’s still space!

www.uma.como.bz/paro/default.asp?section=545

Loreto Bay, Mexico - Spa and Yoga Retreat

Step out from the protective shade of a thickly thatched palapa, greet the day with a sun salutation, and feel the warm rays carry over majestic mountains as they dance upon the glistening waves.

Say Namaste to Loreto Bay in Baja Sur, Mexico, the UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the western shore of the Sea of Cortez and home to The Mission of Our Lady of Loreto, the first of the California missions and the 300-year-old jewel of Loreto.

Imagine if Cabo was still the blush on the peach. This is Loreto Bay. No group of fanny-pack wearing tourists slamming shots, no waiting an hour in line for Customs. Here, you can do yoga, take in serenity, do a little whale watching, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and even explore some local cave paintings.

Accommodations are available in a variety of full-service hotels, charming inns, and privately-owned one- and two-bedroom condominium residences.

Conveniently positioned between the Sierra de la Giganta mountains, The Loreto Bay Resort, a 8,000-acre community, neighbors the quiet fishing town of Loreto and offers its newest escape: a three-night spa and yoga package introducing guests to the quieter side of Baja.
So check out three nights of luxurious guest room accommodations at the Inn at Loreto Bay; a full meal of healthy offerings, multiple yoga sessions with a certified instructor; one facial and reflexology treatment; a full one-hour massage; a choice of one manicure or pedicure with foot or hand therapy; one back and neck massage; and other relaxation services. And did we also mention... the resort is eco-friendly?
Alaska Airlines also announced an increase in scheduled service from Los Angeles to Loreto. The new scheduled service will double the number of seats flown into the destination on a weekly basis beginning November 9, 2008 via two flights (Sundays and Thursdays) with 144-passenger, 737-400 equipment, and two additional 70-passenger flights on Tuesdays and Fridays operated by Horizon Air.

$880/per person
Based on double occupancy and valid for travel now through December 20, 2008

Vaya con Gurus.

www.discoverloretobay.com
www.gotoloreto.com
Tel: 1-877-522-9466

St. Barth's Baby: The Hotel Guanahani & Spa

Nestled in the middle of the Caribbean Sea on a private 16-acre peninsula is just the piece of paradise you've been saving for. Catherine Zeta Jones, Paul McCartney, and P. Diddy... they're all big fans of this laidback, yet so chic it's elite, 8 mile island. With fourteen beaches, a year-round temperature of anywhere from 72 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and enough beautiful people to fill several clubs in NY and LA, St. Barths is simply one of those 'Places To Go Before You Die.'
Hotel Guanahani Aerial View

Jaunt Magazine's hot hotel pick for honeymooners, the jet-set, and loaded families alike is The Hotel Guanahani & Spa, a charming, luxurious paradise with the only full-service spa on the island. Set amid lush tropical gardens in between two white sand beaches; one facing a reef-protected lagoon, the other facing the Atlantic ocean, Guanahani's 68 rooms are all in bungalows facing the sea. Hollah! Or, to be a bit more hoity-toity (after all, we are talking about St. Barth's) we say, "Bon Jour, Bebe!"
Hotel Guanahani Butler Suite

For the truly exclusive, try out the Butler Suites, each with a private pool, large dining area, and sun terraces with full views of the sea. All rooms are fashioned in modern Creole style - rare dark woods and pastel shades. Pampering is one of our most popular pastimes so that means, unwinding at the full service Clarins Spa and getting coiffed at Frederic Fekkai's onsite full-service salon.

Since we're also fans of more adventurous pursuits, we love their full range of land and sea activities including boat rentals, kite surfing, water sports and tennis. Hungry too? Not a problem, the superb global cuisine is overseen by world traveled, French Chef Philippe Masseglia, at the Guanahani's restaurants, Le Bartolomeo, and L'Indigo. The Hotel Guanahani & Spa is also known for catering to families and couples, providing both Kindergarten and Junior’s programs free of charge, offering couples with kids a welcome respite in an idyllic setting on a coconut grove.
Hotel Guanahani Garden Suite

Room rates range from:
$462 to $7,327
360€ to 5,700€

www.leguanahani.com

Pst... a little fairy also told us about two other hot spots not to be missed:

Le Ti, located in Pointe Milou, where you can eat and party with a different theme every night of the week. On Mondays, you can feel like you're in two places at once... St. Barth's and Marrakesh with their 'Marrakesh Party.' On Tuesday night, the theme? 'Night Fever' and the dress code is appropriately 'wigs and color.' The owner, Carole, even goes retro on Wednesdays for the notorious Plastic Boots Party. Expect to dance on some tables. In a very Euro chic kind of way, of course.
Reservations are recommended: 05 90 27 97 71 or info@ksplaces.com

Maya's is another local dining favorite. Elegant, yet beautifully understated, the menu boasts all the fresh fish and Creole cooking you can handle in a delicious and 'uncluttered' fashion.
www.st-barths.com/mayas

So, if you've got the dollah bills or the Euros, this is how you ought to be spending it, nay?

We say, "Oui."

Santa Fe: Your Romantic Vacation Cheat Sheet

We bet you've never contemplated your belly button in the center of Tent Rocks before.

Or how about made love in an adobe den under the multi-hued skies of Santa Fe?

So what, we ask, are you waiting for?




It's not hard to feel like you're on vacation in a place where the calm envelops you with a warm embrace. Here, fine art and dining are as approachable - and enjoyable - as that lovely girl with a wide grin smiling from across the crowded room. Ladies and gentlemen, Santa Fe, New Mexico, is the next best place to vacation (and invest your retirement money). There's a reason stars like Harrison Ford and Julia Roberts love this state so here are Jaunt Magazine's top picks for a great spa/art/adventure away from this rat race.

Santa Fe Hotels

The Inn and Spa at Loretto is one of our top picks right in the center of town. Impressive adobe architecture and easy access to all of Santa Fe's attractions, makes this property a favorite for Jaunt staffers. Special packages with spa, ski, and golf amenities are also available for Girl's or Boy's Getaways. Priced around $300-$400/night.

www.innatloretto.com

Inn of the Anasazi, a Rosewood Hotel, has massive hand-carved doors, sculpted stairways and sandstone walls as part of their authentic Southwestern Pueblo touches characterizing an intimate 57-room hotel. They also offer award-winning dining and an ideal location near the city’s historic central Plaza. Four-poster beds and other handcrafted furnishings grace each of the beautifully decorated rooms, along with cozy gas-lit kiva fireplaces. Rooms start at $309/night.

www.innoftheanasazi.com

Encantado, an Auberge Resort: This exceptional new retreat opened this August in a spectacular setting at the foothills of the Sangre de Christo Mountains, seven miles north of downtown near the Santa Fe Opera. Featuring 65 casitas luxuriously appointed in New Mexican native adobe style with private terraces, outdoor fireplaces, state-of-the-art technology and sweeping views of the Rio Grande, Los Alamos, and the Jemez Mountains, Encantado also introduced Santa Fe’s first world-class resort spa, a gourmet restaurant and an expansive outdoor sculpture garden. For those wishing to explore Santa Fe, Encantado also offers complimentary Mercedes-Benz car service and easy access to the city's famed art galleries and restaurants with its centrally located Concierge Lounge offering VIP services. Rates start $425/night.

www.encantadoresort.com

Galleries/Museums
Leading galleries of contemporary art have quickly made a home in the new Railyard District, including Zane Bennett Contemporary Art, which has moved from Canyon Road to a striking new two-story gallery space on South Guadalupe Avenue. The gallery has represented contemporary masters from Richard Serra to Robert Motherwell, and Louise Nevelson to Robert Rauschenberg.

Gebert Contemporary recently expanded from its Canyon Road gallery and sculpture garden to add a Railyard District location with 6,000 square feet of “project space” that can encompass monumental sculpture and painting as well as video and installation pieces. Gebert specializes in the contemporary abstract painting and sculpture of an international group of established and emerging artists.

The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, which recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary, is the only American museum devoted to a female artist. Hollah! One of the most significant artists of the 20th century, Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986) was devoted to creating imagery that expressed what she called “the wideness and wonder of the world as I live in it.” The largest single repository of O'Keeffe's work in the world, with a collection of nearly 3,000 works, including more than 1,000 O’Keeffe paintings, drawings, and sculpture, the museum displays works by this great American modernist. Over 140 artists have been also exhibited at the Museum including Frank Stella, Jackson Pollack, Andy Warhol and Arthur Dove.

Santa Fe Restaurants
Learn about the rich culinary history of the "City Different” with a restaurant walking tour and progressive lunch starting at the Santa Fe School of Cooking, the authority on Southwestern cuisine. The tours are led by native Santa Fean, television host, and chef/guide, Rocky Durham. Then it’s out for a guided tour to three of Santa Fe 's most prestigious dining destinations:

Amavi, recently voted 'most romantic restaurant in Santa Fe' in the May 2008 issue of the Santa Fean. Chef/owner, David Sellers and his wife, Heather highlight regional specialties from the cuisines of Italy, Spain and France.

www.amavirestaurant.com

Tom Kerpon, Executive chef of Rio Chama, will share some of his secrets about his award-winning regional cuisine that has made him one of Santa Fe's favorite chefs!

www.riochamasteakhouse.com

Coyote Café, where the new chef/owner Eric DiStefano, formerly of Geronimo, will prepare a dish and share some of the rich history of the world famous Coyote Café. Phenomenal food and the chefs were so charismatic and generous with time, preparation instruction and portions!)

www.coyotecafe.com

Napa Valley, CA: The Yoga Boot Camp Retreat

Yoga. There's simply nothing like stretching, breathing, meditating, and focusing on your inner-core. Forgetting to remember. Aligning oneself with peace. And, since most members of our trusty staff at Jaunt love their yoga (and their wine), we recently thought, 'Hey, wouldn't it be great to do a yoga retreat in Napa?'


After careful consideration, this Napa Valley Yoga Boot Camp caught our eye.















It's a 4 day - 4 night upscale "Napa Style" Boot Camp Training Program at a Private Vineyard Residence Estate in the beautiful Wine Country of Northern California. Consistently rated as one of the "Top Ten Travel Destinations" in the world, the vineyard country climate and relaxing atmosphere is the perfect place to shape up your Body and have fun doing it Napa-style.

Morning hikes through the vineyards, aerobics, yoga, hatha, power, pilates, swimming, and yes, massage, The Napa Yoga Boot Camp is an all Inclusive package, offering only the freshest, healthiest foods. Meals are personally prepared by an in-house Gourmet Chef where you'll learn the hottest tips of diet, supplementation, and fitness. 'Experience a spiritual journey you'll never forget!' they say.

We believe 'em.

Camp is limited to 10 women per session so, as they say, get with "The Program" and book your training dates early in advance.

www.NapaValleyYogaRetreats.com

Hong Kong: Your Hotel & Hot Spot Cheat Sheet

Part III, the last of Jaunt Contributor, Victoria Yanakos's Asia Series, is a special little treat. Your Cheat Sheet to a weekend around Hong Kong.

From decadent restaurants with sweeping city views to all-night bar hopping, this is the perfect city to satisfy every lavish Eastern craving. By Victoria Yanakos



A great way to start your jaunt is to check into the sumptuous Shangri-La Hotel. Excessive elegance, from the ubiquitous chandeliers to the world-class dining at Nadaman and Petrus, this hotel is the personification of five star. You must check out the pool on the 8th floor for an afternoon dip surrounded by the towering skyscrapers of the financial district.


















Island Shangri-La
56/F Pacific Place,
Supreme Court Rd
Central, Hong Kong
www.shangri-la.com

Petrus - amazing views, impeccable service
852 2820 8590

Nadaman -life changing sushi
852 2820 8570

Another option is the hip LKF hotel located in the busy Lan Kwai Fong area. A modern boutique hotel with big soaking tubs and easy access to Hong Kong nightlife, this hotel can be a great jumping off point for a tastefully boozy weekend.

Hotel LKF
33 Wyndham Street
Lan Kwai Fong,
Central, Hong Kong
www.hotel-LKF.com.hk
(852) 3518 9688

Just outside the LKF hotel you are surrounded by dozens of upscale restaurants, galleries, bars and a slew of ex-pats ready to party. A few places to check out are....













Zee Stone Gallery
43-45 Wyndham Street
Central, Hong Kong
www.zeestone.com

Wagyu - lounge, restaurant
No. 3 G/F The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street
OR 3-5 Old Bailey Street
Central, Hong Kong
wagyu@biznetnigator.com

Tivo Wine Bar
G/F Yu Yuet Lai Building
43-55 Syndham Street
Central HK

Vino Restaurant
G/F Egin Building
41-43 Elgin Street
Soho, Central Hong Kong
(about a 10 minute walk from LKF area)





Outside of the central district, two other awe-inspiring restaurants are Pearl and Aqua. Both with spectacular city views and food to match, they submerge your senses in the addictive energy that is Hong Kong.

Pearl
1F Peak Tower
128 Peak Rd
The Peak, Hong Kong
852 2849 5123

Aqua
"addictive cuisine"
"uber glam bar"
29=30 Floors, 1 Peking Rd
Tsimshatsui, Kowloon
852 3427 2288
www.aqua.com.hk



And after the night out, be kind to your liver and throbbing head, and make a stop at the Flying Pan for eggs and other hangover helpers. With three locations, stumbling to one of them should be relatively easy.

The Flying Pan
Central- G/f 9 Old Bailey St
Wan Chai - 85 Lockhart Rd
Discovery Bay- The Plaza
www.the-flying-pan.com

From the sushi at Nadaman to the views at Aqua, the cocktails in LKF and shopping in Kowloon, finding an outlet to let go in Hong Kong is easy and well worth the trip. When it comes to shopping in Hong Kong, it's as prevalent as the hangovers. For art and antiques, check out the area along Hollywood Road.
For designer wares, the Landmark Mall is a predictable option (both of these are in the Central District). For more interesting and varied shopping, head to Kowloon across the river. Check out the Aberdeen and Harbour at night by taking a cruise or hit Repulse Bay which offers a popular beach. Hopefully, it won't be too messy from the excessive littering left over by the visitors over the weekends. Victoria Park, which was built in 1888, also leads to Victoria peak which is 1350 ft above the sea level, and here you can get that awesome panoramic view of the city.

For more nightlife suggestions, the editors at Jaunt Magazine recommend checking out:

www.hiphongkong.com
www.hkclubbing.com
www.lifestyle.hk

And, if you really want to get in the mood, Layla Revis, our trusty Editor-in-Chief says (with a wink), "I once had a crush on Hong Kong Fever. If you don't know who he is, I have two words for you. Notorious. MSG."