TERRANEA

L.A. is one of my favorite cities, but like all cities, from time to time, you want to venture outside of the hustle and bustle to a more relaxing place. On my last trip to L.A, my family and I got to escape to one of the most serene places...the Terranea Resort.Terranea is a brand new resort (opened just seven months ago) which is located in Rancho Palos Verdes, California (about a 45-minute drive south of L.A.). Terranea Resort is a 102-acre resort which sits right on the Pacific Ocean, so your views from just about everywhere at this resort are of ocean and sky. You will be hard-pressed to find a place more beautiful, more romantic and more relaxing than this, especially this close to L.A.!

Terranea Resort has 360 rooms and suites, 20 bungalows, 32 villas and 50 casitas...90% of them are ocean-front. The decor of the resort is Mediterranean-style, and let me tell you, you could truly mistake this setting for being on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. We stayed in a three bedroom casita which was so big, it felt like a house. Our casita had three bedrooms, each with their own bathroom with jacuzzi tub and private balconies facing the Pacific.

We had a great kitchen with fabulous appliances. The kitchen was also stocked with dishes, glassware and pots, so if you wanted to you could cook and entertain just like you were in your own home.

Just off of the kitchen was the beautiful living room with a fireplace, and another balcony facing the Pacific Ocean. Words cannot do this place any justice! As soon as we arrived and checked out our beautiful casita, we headed to Nelson's to have a bite. Terranea Resort has eight dining spot options ranging from a coffee house to a high-end French restaurant. Nelson's is a great place for lunch, and like almost all the views from Terranea Resort, the view from Nelson's is just perfect...right on the ocean.

The food includes a lot of Southern California favorites. We had chipotle shrimp tacos, seared ahi tuna sandwiches, great bbq salads and sweet potato fries. Afterwards, we walked around Terranea to check out all of the great amenities including three pools...

The Spa at Terranea which has a Spa, Fitness and Wellness Center and Salon...There's also a 9-hole, par 3, oceanfront golf course...And hiking and walking trails that line the Pacific.

We stayed at Terranea Resort for only one night, and while the stay was short, because the place is so incredible, it felt as though we were there for days by the time we checked out. I can tell you that we will be back here for sure in the future. If you get the chance, make sure you spend some time at Terranea Resort, it will quickly become one of your favorite jet set destinations too!

JET SET SWEETHEARTS: THE TIDES RIVIERA MAYA

One of my friends is getting set to walk down the aisle really soon. After the wedding, she and her fiance will be jet setting to The Tides in Riviera Maya, Mexico for their honeymoon. This is a beautiful and secluded resort that is described as the seductive resort counterpart of being invited to an exclusive private villa and stunning spa. This hotel is located on the Playa Del Carmen white sand beaches that spread out for seven miles. After the craziness of planning their wedding...this is where they'll get to relax while sipping Pina Coladas...And a honeymoon wouldn't be complete without a couple's massage in their gorgeous Maya Spa...Some of their villas come with private pools... And if you book one of their honeymoon packages, you will enjoy a bottle of champagne while dining by candlelight and overlooking the ocean...What most people don't realize about honeymooning in Mexico is that it's pretty easy to get to if you live in the U.S. From J.F.K. airport in New York City, it's only a 4 and 1/2 hour non-stop flight to Cancun. Once you arrive in Cancun, you can take a taxi- the drive is about 40 minutes.

There are two honeymoon package options at The Tides in Riviera Maya:
1- A Poetic Honeymoon Package:
- Six days and five nights in a Luxury Riviera Maya Villa with a private pool

- Round-trip transfers to and from the Cancun International Airport to Riviera Maya

- Daily Breakfast

- Fresh flowers upon arrival.
- 1 Asparalove massage for the couple in our special spa suite
- Good Wish Mayan Ceremony
- 1 Private, candle-light dinner in the villa
- 1 Bottle of Moet et Chandon for the private dinner

2- Timeless Honeymoon Package:

- Eight days and seven nights in a Luxury Riviera Maya Villa with a private pool

- Round-trip transfers to and from the Cancun International Airport

- Daily Breakfast
- Fresh flowers upon arrival
- 1 Asparalove massage for the couple in our special spa suite
- Performance of Good Wish Maya Ceremony
- 1 Private, candle-light dinner in the villa
- 1 Bottle of Dom Perignon for the first dinner
- Horseback riding for two

I can help you book your honeymoon package or vacation to The Tides in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Email me and let me know when you would like to jet set...

GAGA FOR GREECE

Usually this time of year we are running around like crazy trying to figure out what to buy everyone for the holidays. Instead of doing that, I've suggested to my family that we skip shopping for the gifts we don't really need and plan a vacation somewhere all together. I've always been gaga for Greece. So if and when I get the chance to jet set there, I would include the Cavo Tagoo Hotel on Mykonos as part of my itinerary. I’d set up shop on one of these comfy lounge beds and soak up the Mediterranean sun for hours while sipping on an exotic drink.
A little T.L.C. on vacation is always nice, especially when your hotel spa looks like this!
How about coffee and breakfast here every morning for a few days? I could definitely get used to that.

Check out their beautiful rooms...


I'm loving these sinks...how cool are they?


Some rooms even come with private eternity plunge pools overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Now doesn't this seem better than getting another gift card or sweater that you have to pretend you like when you really don't? Yes, it will cost more, but you will have memories of a trip that will last a lifetime.

BLUE LAGOON

No visit to Iceland would be complete without a dip in the Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa that is filled with hot water (38*C) fed from the adjacent geothermal plant.

Believe it or not, the silver plant towers are your backdrop as you sit in the hot steam and cover yourself in white silica mud. The lagoon is filled with hot pots, and the algae and minerals condition and exfoliate your skin- you come out feeling as soft as a newborn baby. You should know that like the other geothermal pools in Iceland, you must shower naked before entering, and also know that the water makes your hair feel like straw...so you will need tons of conditioner afterwards. Nonetheless, it's amazing, we loved it so much that we went at night one day (so cool & romantic) and during the daylight on another day. Also, it's very close to the airport, so depending on when your flight lands or departs, it may be a good time to go.