Hint #1: This room is one of the most famous rooms in the worldHint #2: The place where this room is, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Hint #3: More than 2.5 million tourists from around the world visit this place every year
Cold Spring is located on the Hudson River. It is a very walkable town. Mostly all of the antique shops, chic boutiques, restaurants and cafes are located right on Main Street. I think it is a perfect destination if you live in the city (1&1/2 hour drive or a little over an hour train ride on Metro-North's Hudson Line) for a little weekend getaway. I'll admit it was a bit chilly this time of year (due to it's proximity to the water), but that's all the more reason to snuggle up to the person you are with. However, I would really like to go back in the summer when things are in bloom and you can sit outside at one of the cafes, or in the fall when the leaves are changing. For those who like adventure...Cold Spring has hiking trails, and there are kayaking tours along the Hudson that you can easily arrange as well.
Where to Stay:
Hudson House River Inn (where we stayed): This Inn is located right on the water, so its a little bit more of a walk (I really do mean little) to where the action is on Main Street.
But, if you are a person who doesn't like B&B's, then this is where you should stay.
Your breakfast is included in the morning, and it's served in their restaurant. You must order their Blueberry pancakes...they are delicious! They are light and fluffy inside, with a nice crispy crust around the edges.
The rooms are a bit small, but they all have bathrooms.
I would honestly have to say that the rooms in this place are in need of a makeover...some of the carpets are stained, and the bathrooms aren't the greatest, and I did think to myself, "boy the potential for what this place could be is incredible." That being said, that would probably also raise the prices to be more comparable to what you would expect to pay for a place in the Hamptons. It was good enough, and would I stay here again? Yes. The rates here start at $179 a night.
The Kittleman House (only open from May 1st-October 31st) Another charming B&B right on Main Street. The place has a lot of history- in 1850, The Kittleman House was a small hotel catering to Cold Spring's foundry workers and their friends. Rates start at $175 for a weekend night.
Where to Eat:
Le Bouchon- Classic French Brasserie cuisine. The Chef/Owner is Pascal Graff, formerly of Les Halles in New York City (Tony Bourdain's restaurant)
Cathryn's Tuscan Grill- Supposedly one of the greatest restaurants in this town!
Cold Spring Depot- This is a former train station that's a popular spot especially in the summer months.
Happy Monday Jet Setters! Hope you all had a great weekend! For those of you that follow Jet Set Smart on Twitter, then you should know that JSS went to check out a quaint little town this weekend...Cold Spring! The little town of Cold Spring, New York is located about an 1 and 1/2 drive north of New York City. It's a great town with lots of antique stores, boutiques, cute little restaurants and cafes that is a perfect destination for a little weekend getaway. Have any of you guys been there? It's located on the Hudson River and is nestled right in the mountains. It's such a beautiful place, and I couldn't believe as someone who grew up in New York City, that I've never been. I'll tell you more about where we stayed and what we did on our little overnight trip tomorrow...stay tuned!
Vieques Island is a municipality of Puerto Rico and is located just 6 miles off the southeast coast. It is often referred to as one of the Spanish Virgin Islands because it's one of the few islands that remains like the Caribbean of the past; tranquil, lush, uncrowded, with natural beauty all around. In fact, the beaches are ranked among the top beaches in the Caribbean because of the amazingly blue water and white sand. For many years, the United States Navy used the island as a bombing range and testing ground, but they left in 2003. I've been meaning to go, and now I have good reason...the W Vieques Retreat and Spa opens today!
This is a view looking down at the pool/beach area...
The hotel will have 157 "sand-sational" rooms. This is where you can rest your weary head...
There will also be a restaurant from Chef Alain Ducasse called miX on the Beach. Other ways to indulge at the resort include relaxing at the Spa Chakra, playing tennis, doing yoga, kayaking, scuba diving and eco-tours through the Bio-luminescent Bay.
Here are the main areas you'll want to wander around:
Sonsie- (327 Newbury St Boston, MA 02115(617) 351-2500) Great pizza, clam chowder, paninos and pasta...all around great spot!
Cheers Boston- (84 Beacon Street Boston, MA 02108-3421(617) 854-7667)Yes, from the t.v. show! A bit cheezy, but it is the spot "where everybody knows your name," so if you've never been, I suggest you check it out. I love their boneless Buffalo Chicken Wings!
B&G Oysters, Ltd.- (550 Tremont Street Boston , Massachusetts 02118 Tel: (617) 423-0550) This is the place to go for excellent lobster rolls and bivalves.
Boston Duck Tours- (Prudential Center 800 Boylston Street Boston , Massachusetts 02199 Tel: (617) 267 3825) A fun and informative way to see the city both on land and along the Charles River.
Fenway Park- (4 Yawkey Way Kenmore Square Boston , Massachusetts 02215 Tel: (617) 226-6000) Even though I was raised as a Yankees fan, I have to say that when in Boston, you must check out Fenway Park...one of the smallest stadiums in the major league. Try to catch a game and snack on a Fenway ballpark dog.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace- Also known as the Quincy Market, this is the tourist-oriented mall downtown. Go here to shop, eat, and to see the famous Faneuil Hall which has been a marketplace and meeting hall since 1742.
Where to Shop:
One article is called "Should You Eat Like an Icelander?" and it talks about how Icelanders are some of the healthiest and happiest people on this planet because of their diet. They talk about their food including their fresh grazing lamb, their puffin, their ammonia-reeking fermented shark and their skyr. If you remember, Jet Set Smart was in Iceland in November and tried all of these foods! Click here to read more about it.
The other article from Food & Wine is called "Art in Philly," and talks about what to see, where to eat, and where to stay in Philadelphia. What does Food & Wine recommend? Well, that you see the Philadelphia Museum of Art, that you eat at the Village Whiskey, and that you stay at the new Kimpton Palomar Hotel...all of the things I said you should do too! Click here to read more about what Jet Set Smart says.
It's nice when JSS is ahead of the gang, and it feels good to know that I keep my jet setters well informed. Stick with Jet Set Smart so you too can be ahead of the gang when it comes to travel and food!
This is the place to find anything that's related to wine for your home like beautiful wine glasses, a wine rack, fancy bottle corks, or wine openers. There's also other great home goods like place mats, furniture, pretty paintings and some antiques.
If you have an outdoor space (like a patio or backyard) where you live, then you will probably love some of their planters and Adirondack chairs...don't worry, they do ship!
Next, visit the Tin Roof Boutique. This women's clothing store has been voted "The Best Clothing Store of the Valley" four years in a row. It's the must stop shop for clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories.
The style of what you will find at the Tin Roof Boutique is very California...easy to wear clothing with lots of basic wardrobe-building pieces, but also lots of fun, colorful and different pieces and tons of fun accessories to complete the look. This store reminded me a lot of one of my all time favorite stores- Anthropologie. I very easily could have done a lot of financial damage in this store...I wanted everything I saw!
Another clothing store in Los Olivos that is worth paying a visit to when you are there is Details Fine Women's Apparel.
I have to say that I was a bit skeptical at first if I would find anything that I like in this store, (I thought it catered more to something my mom would be in the market for than me) but I am so glad that I went in because they carry beautiful clothing, jewelry and handbags. If you are looking for some classic pieces like a "go-to" sweater, or a wrap or shawl, you will certainly find it here.