Next time you’re stuck in the airport and are about to shove a giant, overpriced Toblerone bar down your throat out of sheer frustration, take a deep breath and head- where else?- to the spa.
Forget Duty Free and cheesy airport bars. The newest place for jetsetters to seek salvation is at one of the many spas located in airports around the world, offering everything from quickie manicures and pedicures to waxes and massages.
Every year, right before “swimsuit season” strikes, thousands of women (and men) begin to diet, detox, and de-junk their kitchen cabinets in a feeble attempt to lose their winter flab. And then suddenly, they wake up and it’s mid-July, and all they’ve got to show for it is a few fleeting tan lines and broken-in pair of flip flops.
Even though summer is well underway, it’s not too late to recharge your life with an invigorating week of exercise, healthy eating, and the great outdoors, all of which will help you lose that spare tire (or at least feel good enough not to care).
The Red Mountain Spa and Resort in St. George, Utah, is offering a special “July- August Super Deal.” Book at least two nights at this luxurious resort and enjoy the included benefits of three gourmet meals a day, unlimited fitness classes ranging from tai chi to pilates, cooking demonstrations and nutrition classes, and more.
A Delux Room starts at $209 per night, per person, and a Luxury Villa starts at $279 per night, per person. There is a 2-night minimum and teens ages 12-17 can be added at a reduced rate.
For some extra pampering, head to the Sagestone Spa & Salon within the resort, where they are celebrating their 10th Anniversay by offering up to 40% savings on treatments like facials, massages, acupuncture, and more.
Rates available through August 31, 2008 only. Additional nights may be reserved at current promotional rates to extend your Red Mountain Adventure!
There are only three weeks left to book your dream vacation to Peru- and it comes with snacks! Join A Taste of Peru from October 17 to October 25, 2008, and find out the secrets of traditional Peruvian cooking and agriculture.
Sample the cuisine in Lima, Cusco, and everything in between for 7 days and 8 nights with professional tour guides, chefs, and group no larger than 15. The trip begins in Lima where guests will dine in some of Peru’s best restaurants, visit local markets, have demos and hands-on cooking classes, visit musuems and ruins, and tour the city. Next up is Cusco, where the group will visit Urubamba Valley, a setting of picturesque communities, impressive terraces and important archaeological sites. Guests will taste the ancient, traditional NovoAndino dishes made with seasonal and local produce. Finally, the tour heads to Machu Picchu, the archaeological wonder of the world. Back in Lima, guests commence for a farewell Pachamanca banquet celebration.
Tour Price: $3,300 per person, for twin share accomodation. Single supplement add $685.
Price includes airfare to and from Lima and Cusco, all local transportation, all meals on the itinerary, and twin-share accomodation.
If you can’t catch one of Tom Waits’ concerts this summer, you can still get an exclusive peak into his mysterious past and relive all of his shenanigans and adventures in Los Angeles- without the risk of getting arrested!
Esotouric, the L.A. tour bus company, has designed Crawling Down Cahuenga: Tom Waits’ Los Angeles, a tour on August 20th that will take you through the footsteps of Waits’ youth, revealing his formative creative life, and the people, places, and late-night pastries that shaped it.
The four hour long adventure will be lead by hosts and collaborators David Smay, author of the new 33 1/3 series book on Waits’ “Swordfishrtombones”, and Kim Cooper, author and veteran Esotouric guide. David and Kim will reveal the true story behind some of Waits’ most notorious memories, including the Trashing of the Troubador and his epic nights at the Tropicana Hotel.
Saturday, August 20th at 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Bus tour departs from The King Edward Saloon, 131 E. 5th Street, L.A.
Cost is $62 per person.
For more information on the Tom Waits tour, to make a reservation, and to view information other Esotouric tours, visit http://www.esotouric.com/waits or call 323-223-2767
Recently named one of Wine and Spirits’ “Top 100 Wineries” in the world, Beckmen Vineyards of Los Olivos, CA, is the ultimate destination for wine-lovers in or near Santa Barbara County (or anywhere!).
Founded in 1994, Beckmen Vineyards produces estate-grown wines with a strong emphasis on the importance of biodynamics, contributing not only to the environment but also to the quality and taste of the wine.
Visit the Beckmen Vineyards tasting room to sample an array of their wines, including Grenache Blank, Grenache Rose, Marsanne, and Le Bec Blanc.
While you’re in the area, plan a picnic in one of the Vineyard’s gazebos near their duck pond, and then explore the galleries and shops of Los Olivos (where Sideways was filmed!).
Looking for a trendy new place to have a cool cocktail this summer? We found it. But you can’t actually go there; it comes to you!
Nic’s of Beverly Hills owner Larry Nicola has created the new VODkART, an uber-luxe mobile bar that’s rolled up right to your table. Choose one of the ice-chilled bottles of luxury vodka on the top shelf of the cart and an elaborate glass from the candle-lit bottom shelf and watch as an exotic vodka concoction is mixed before your eyes.
The VODkART is the second vodka-inspired masterpiece created by Nicola. Nic’s of Beverly Hills also features the swanky VODBOX, a freezing-cold “walk-in/drink-in” vodka exhibit, in which women brave the cold with the faux leopard fur coats on hand and sample vodka from around the world.
The VODkART is available at Nic’s of Beverly Hills and are for sale to the public. Price upon request.
According to Malgorzata (Sarna) Rose, the best way to get to know a country is by exploring local cuisine, which is why Rose founded Poland Culinary Vacations, Inc., a company that provides unique, escorted cooking vacations in Poland. Tango Divas receive a 10 percent discount and are exempt from the $350 single supplement!
This August and September, Poland Culinary Vacations will be leading two trips through Silesia, in the southwest region of Poland, an area known for its hearty traditional fare as well as its hospitality and rich culture of cuisine, music, and dance.
At local farmhouses in the country and at modern city restaurants, guests will participate in cooking classes conducted by top chefs, using the freshest local ingredients.
Guest accommodations are in castles or palaces during the agricultural part of the trip, and in first-class hotels in urban areas- any Tango Diva would approve!
Also on the agenda are blubeerry and mushroom hunting trips, visits to neighborhood markets and Polish food festivals, and countless opportunities to sample the best local cuisine, including breads, cheeses, preserves, sausages, wild game dishes, beer, honey wine, and of course, vodka.
Available dates:
August 31 to September 6, 2008
September 14 to September 20, 2008
Tango Divas get TEN PERCENT OFF of the usual $2,650 per person. Divas are also exempt from the $350 single supplement. So the grand total for a traveling Diva is…$2,385 for the entire week! HURRY because offer is only good through the end of July 31, 2008!
Grab your girlfriends and head to the Jamaican Inn for their exclusive Girlfriend Retreat package offered from now until December 19, 2008. This 5 day, 4 night package includes private roundtrip transportation from Montego Bay Airport, a stay in a deluxe verandah suite, daily breakfast, and a special 2 hours and 20 minutes marathon spa treatment including:
KiYara Deep Stress Relief Massage
Hydrating Aroma Facial
Cooling Aloe Mint Body Cleanser
The four night stay in a single occupancy verandah suit costs US$1,608, while the four night stay in a double occupancy verandah suit costs US$2,276 — so it’s best to grab a girlfriend and split the difference on fabulous beachwear and gourmet, beachside meals. Those looking for a true escape will rest contently in the pastel and white toned rooms free of television, radio, and clocks. And for those who don’t want a total departure from modern technology, air conditioner, hairdryers, and telephones (for delicious room service) are included.
Girls who want more activity than just sun and sand can use the snorkeling, kayaking, and sunfish sailing equipment available on site. There are also tennis courts, a golf course, and horseback riding all nearby and accessible.
Campfires, sing-alongs, canoe rides, bunk beds– those are so retro. Today’s summer camp of choice? A totally bug-free Spa Camp.
It’s never too early to start learning about the importance of caring for one’s body, which is why Flying Beauticians founder Nona Daron and Team LOLA founder Kim Juarez decided to create the Spa Camp For Kids. This summer, for three separate weeks in June, July and August, young girls can attend a Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. camp that offers girls a fun and educational program which promotes a healthy and active lifestyle.
The camp includes:
One daily hour of stretching and outdoor exercise
Nutrition facts lessons
Vegan manicure/pedicure
Natural, homemade skin care remedies
Massages, foot and hand treatments
Aromatherapy
Dates: July 14 to 18, and August 18 to 22, 2008
Cost: $375 per person (meals not included)
Location: Flying Beauticians Skin Care Studio 18 E. Blithedale, Suite 11 Mill Valley, CA
For Reservations and information, call 415-381-8134
Daron founded Flying Beauticians in 1981 with her mother, Polina Gerardo. Flying Beauticians has studios in San Francisco and in Mill Valley that offer beauty services including facials, waxings, massages, and more. For more information, visit http://www.flyingbeauticians.com/
Team LOLA, founded by Juarez, offers nutrition and fitness education for women and girls in a non-competitive team environment which encourages camaraderie and fun. Juarez, a mother of four, created Team LOLA to address the need for sound nutrition education and physical activity programs for children and their families. For more information, visit http://www.teamlola.com/
It seems that the economy and romance go hand in hand. Buy one, get another one half-off. Our daily purchases are a constant reminder of our romantic status. Family-size is the enemy.
It’s hard enough being a single gal, and the last thing we need is to financially suffer just because we’re going it alone. Vacations, in particular, often pose a fiscal dilemma. Many travel and hotel packages end up being a lot cheaper when traveling in pairs rather than solo.
For over 25 years, Singles Travel International has provided uniquely designed trips for single male and female travelers over 35 looking for adventure with other thrill-seeking singles. But until now, participants have had to pay a higher rate for a requested single room instead of bunking up with an appropriately-matched roommate.
Now, the discrimination has finally come to an end with the organization’s new Solo Super Saver program. This program offers several winter departures with no added supplement for single rooms, so that you still have the freedom to mingle with the group while maintaining the luxury of retreating to your very own room. The trips include first-class hotel accommodations, several gourmet meals, and guided sightseeing tours of main attractions. Details vary by trip.
The following trips are being offered:
British Winter Sampler- February 22, 2009 to February 28, 2009
Winter Taste of Italy- March 1, 2009 to March 8, 2009
Spanish Winter Fiesta- April 10, 2009 to April 19, 2009
If the dates don’t fit your calender, check with STI for additional departure dates for each trip.
To reserve your place on one of STI’s trips, or for more information, call 877-SOLO-TRIP x 705 or visit www.singlestravelintl.com.
