Asia, Europe, Middle East, Travel
Asia, China, Dubai, England, Hong Kong, London, Singapore, Sunscreen, Swimming Pools, Swimsuits
You’ll want to wear your best swimsuit when you go off the deep end at this transparent pool in Dubai. The curved, plexiglass pool extends from the hotel allowing swimmers to peer out into the city area and people passing by to look up, making for a thrilling show-and-tell. Put on your most glamorous travel clothes for a romantic getaway for couples or singles at the Michelin rated Reflets Par Pierre Gagnaire for a night you won’t forget. (MS)
On the Kowloon side sits one of the world’s hottest infinity pools that appears to be spilling out into Victoria Harbour. The spectacular view of the Hong Kong skyline will leave you speechless during your romantic getaway. Both the pool and jacuzzi are lined with LED candles at night to match the city’s glow. You won’t need your usual travel wear here, just a party dress and blue open-toe pump by Chrissie Morris! (MS)
Down under in London. With their dramatic lighting and long pewter bar, this indoor pool exhibits the hippest vibe from across the pond. Commonly used for glamorous parties and film premieres, you’ll definitely feel like a star here at this romantic hotel. Save your most elegant travel outfit to make a splash at this pool! (MS)
(Courtesy of Google Images)
Marina Bay Sands Hotel Singapore
Voted one of the world’s best rooftop pools by the Huffington Post, this breathtaking infinity pool is not for the faint-of-heart. 57 stories high, the Sands Sky Park sits on top of the hotel connected by three towers offering the best view of Singapore. Don’t forget to indulge yourself at their equally exciting Chocolate Bar on the rooftop because a girl always needs her chocolate! (MS)
What2Bring to the pool? Check out our “must haves” for traveling in comfort & chic poolside accessories. We even included an animal beach towel for added attention!
CLICK ON ANY ITEM TO SHOP
Co-authored by: Tiffany Do
Europe, Travel
Barrio del Carmen, Bullfighting, City of Arts and Sciences, Madrid, Paella, Spain, Spicy
WhyGoNow? Because Valencia, Spain’s third largest city, is the country’s rising star. Travel to this seaside city for its modern edgy culture mixed with Spanish tradition. A gastronomical adventure, amazing nightlife with the raw excitement of bullfighting added in. Home to the breathtaking City of Arts & Sciences (a dizzying blur of beauty), high spirited cafes, great wine & the birthplace of paella. It’s also less than two hours away from Madrid by Spain’s AVE high-speed rail!
Does being married or single influence Where2Stay? Do you want your hotel hip & modern (perfect for singles (S)) or quiet & elegant (perfect for married (M)). Sometimes you want to “marry” the two (MS).
Where2Stay
SH Inglés Boutique Hotel – Located in Valencia’s financial and business district, staying here is like living in a mini, modern Spanish castle. (MS)
Palau de la Mar – Luxuriously chic w/ modern, elegant rooms housed in a refurbished palace. Perfect location, in the heart of the city. Fabulous interior & huge marble staircase lets you descend in style. Great spa and restaurant. (MS)
The Westin Valencia – Classic Westin style with a traditional Spanish twist. The front and lobby will make any architecture junkie swoon. This hotel is in walking distance of the Mercat Central Market and has all the classic luxury facilities. (M)
Hotel Neptuno – Fit for a king. King Neptune, that is. Directly connected to the beach and boardwalk, the outside looks like Miami Beach, inside pure Spanish. This hotel is perfect for a hot beach getaway with the girlfriends. (S)
Photos courtesy of I-Escape
What2Do
Valencia is split into two completely different districts: City of Arts & Sciences (modern) and La Seu (traditional). Walk through the beautiful, modern district and check out the 45,000 aquatic creatures at L’Oceanografic, visit museums like L’Almoina or the Museu de Belles Arts. Don’t forget Spanish bullfighting at the Plaza de Toros (men look hot in tights)! Party all day and night when you celebrate the Summer Solstice in late June during the Fiesta de San Juan & Noche de San Juan – fireworks, concerts & beach bonfires. Go for a ride in Turia Park with Valencia’s public bike system (much like City CarShare).
Where2Dine
Try paella at La Pepica or L’Estimat on Malvarrosa Beach. Valencia is also Horchata’s birthplace, so go to Horchatería El Siglo in the Carmen to sample the tiger nut drink (not those kinds of nuts) along with another of the city’s creations: the farton, a fluffier version of the ladyfinger. Try Carosel in the Carmen for a new take on traditional Spanish tapas. Alma del Temple is the perfect place for groups of 3+ for their set menu. Don’t worry, wine included! Ca Sento & La Sucural for the best seafood. Small energetic bars are more the norm than large venues, so just walk up and down the streets of the Carmen if you can’t decide!
Where2Shop
Barrio del Carmen is the oldest, most diverse, cosmopolitan area in Valencia. Full of local boutiques, bars and bohemian nightlife. Graze in the Mercat Central Market which is one of the largest indoor food markets in Europe. Shop for art at My Name’s Lolita, Riff, Galería Rosa Santos & the Museu de Belle Arts. Calle Don Juan de Austria is home to boutiques and high-fashion brands like Gucci and Chanel. Calle Colon, on the other hand, is more focused on the works of local designers.
The Wear Girls Go Fishing!
Co-authored by: Tiffany Do & a special thanks to our foreign correspondent Marina Carbonell
Europe, Travel
Alps, Europe, Food Festival, Park Hyatt, skiing, Switzerland. Bankers, Zurich, Zurich Film Festival, Zurich Street Parade
Why Go Now?
Because Zurich is a perfect blend of old and new. The combination of an avant-garde city mixes w/ the quaint cobblestone streets of Alstadt (old town) A picture perfect city combining medieval churches, modern architecture, a red light district (Kreis 4) & a contemporary industrial art district (Kreis 5). A state of the art transportation system of trains, buses, riverboats & streetcars, (remember things really do run on time) takes you anywhere on one ticket. Balanced by the picturesque Limmat River running through the city and situated against a backdrop of jaw dropping snow covered alps, Zurich is not just efficient, clean & safe but vibrant, trendy & enchanting.
Does being married or single influence Where2Stay? Location, cost, size & child friendly all play a part. Do you want your hotel, hip & modern with sexy dark lounges, a DJ spinning “singles” on the roof? Or do you prefer a quiet, elegant & romantic hotel? Sometimes you might want to “marry” the two which is the hardest to find. You will see an M (married), S (Single), or an MS (married/single) next to each hotel.
Where2Stay
Baur Au Lac – The grand dame of Zurich, run by the 6th generation of the family’s founders. Representing a timeless elegance of a bygone era the hotel mixes art deco w/ a French modern decor. Indulgent and expensive so be prepared. But can you put a price on excellence? (MS)
Park Hyatt Zurich– If modern, contemporary & location is your desire the Park Hyatt is perfect. With the largest guest rooms in Zurich ” this boutique hotel on a grand scale” provides luxury with all the creature comforts that all Park Hyatt’s provide. Situated steps away from the fashionable Bahnhofstrasse shopping street, (not sure if that’s good or bad.) From its enticing lobby, fashionable Onyx Bar & restaurants (see pics below) you can’t go wrong. (Book now for their 2013 Masters of Food & Wine Event June 20th & 23rd.) Ideal for both (MS)
Dolder Grand -Old world elegance (think castle fantasies) w/ an impressive art collection, a 4000 sq. ft spa situated between the edge of the city and the green zone. Elegant, refined and fabulous. (M)
25 Hours Zurich West – contemporary hip hotels & Zurich may be something of an oxymoron but this German owned, whimsical & cutting edge hotel is setting a new standard. Located 10 minutes outside city center this industrial area is surrounded by art galleries, bars & restaurants. Rooms named silver, gold & platinum show its humorous side. An affordable ( relatively) value hotel. (S)
B2 Boutique Hotel & Spa – in one word – wow!. Opened in 2012 this former brewery kept the historic outside and gutted the inside into a state of the art boutique hotel. Cool rooms, mosaic glass bathroom floors, the piece de resistance is the bar library w/floor to ceiling lined bookshelves & the rooftop bath. Not pool but actual baths w/ views of the city. (S)
Where2Dine
Aura -THE hip restaurant for fusion food, Nine for Mediterranean food, Kronenhalle – a beer hall turned local institution w/original Chagall, Picasso’s & Miro’s on the wall, book ahead. Terrasse– Zurichs latest hot spot w/ views of the river, Canitetta Antinori – great Italian. Acqua for its unique location jutting out onto a lake. Don’t miss Sprungli Confiserie – best pasteries & chocolate, need I say more? Lets not forget fondue at Chaesalp, La Salle in trendy Zurich West, you dine in an enclosed glass box, Bodega Espanola an underground lunch place & Globus – noodle bar for lunch. And what is a visit to Zurich without experiencing a beer hall? Try Zeughauskeller w/ its communal tables, sausages & huge beer steins.
Where2Shop
Stroll Bahnhofstrasse street for luxury brands, Old Town – local boutiques & Zurich West – furniture & textiles. Try JAP & Claudia Zuber for unique designers, Entre Deux for consignment, Och Sport – ski attire the Swiss way, Monies – one of a kind jewelry, TA-Bou for swimwear, Cold? Shop Grieder/Bongenie for furs. Don’t miss Jelmoli, Zurich’s largest premium department store along with a visit to Globus, Switzerland’s premier store.
What2Do
Day-Kunsthaus Museum or Landesmuseum, the Frauenkirche Church, Burkliplatz Farmers Market, Uetliberg for a view of the city & don’t miss Seebad Enge an open air lakeside bath, in evening turns into a trendy bar
Nighttime – Aura -2nd floor private club. Note the camel video & colored lights. Kaufleuten, the most famous clib in Zurich & Limmatstr & Adajio for salsa dancing. For local color stroll the Kreis 4, the red light district.
Special events not to miss
Spring Festival– April 15th, Festival Tropical Caliente, largest Carnivale outside of Rio July 5-7, Zurich Street Parade – 2nd Saturday in August is the largest street party in all of Europe. Food Festival– June 27th to June 30. Zurich Film Festival September 26th -October 6th.
Warming up for Zurich