Although the Bahamas comprise 700 islands, when people think of the hot (literally and figuratively) Caribbean locale, tourist eyesores like Atlantis and tacky cruise port-of-calls often spring to mind. However, there are more than a few secluded, intimate experiences to be had, including a getaway to the stunning, yet remote Green Turtle Cay, nestled deep within the glistening Abacos.

When to Go: High season spans Thanksgiving through April. September through November see frequent hurricanes, but if you don’t mind a few tropical storms, you’ll find lower prices and fewer visitors. Summer months primarily welcome tourists, as the thick humidity and sweltering temperatures (though just 10 degrees hotter on average than winter months) aren’t that ideal. In order to reach Green Turtle Cay, you must first fly into Treasure Cay and take a ferry over.

Where to Stay: On a small island just one-and-a-half miles wide and three-and-a-half wide, there aren’t a whole lot of lodging options. Luckily, the ones that are available will more than suit your needs. Our top pick is Green Turtle Club, where guests sleep . Rates start as low as $180 a night, and all rooms are outfitted with a refrigerator, coffee pot, television/vcr unit, hair dryer, iron & ironing board, ceiling fans, and air conditioning. An added bonus: The ferry from Treasure Cay (where the regional airport is located) stops at the resort’s enrance.

Another comparable option is the Bluff House Beach Hotel & Yacht Club, which while not overly lavish, is extremely comfortable and a favorite of many travelers for its amazing vistas from atop a cliff. Guests can choose to stay in a suite, villa or yachtsman cottage; all offer water views.

Where to Eat: Not surprisingly, you’ll find the most well-prepared food on the island at the aforementioned resorts. Green Turtle Club serves more relaxed meals on its screened-in porch hanging over the water and a fancier dinner inside the club dining room. The dinner menu changes daily, and you need to call in with your order prior to your reservation time. Bluff House’s Club House Restaurant offers comparable dishes in an elegant dining room setting and burgers and sandwiches all day long. For more authentic, Bahamian fare, try Laura’s Kitchen, run by native Laura Sawyer, which serves a lot of fried dishes and some tasty conch salad. A favorite locals’ spot is Pineapples Bar, with cheap eats, great live entertainment, and a promise of fun. Be sure and order a Goombay Smash, which the natives consume like it’s water.

What to Do: Like anywhere in the Caribbean, most activities revolve around the deep blue sea. The diving in the Abacos is simply unmatched in that area of the sea–you’d be crazy to not at least try a Discover SCUBA exploration dive, which doesn’t require certification, through the resident dive shop with legendary divemaster Brendal. Popular dive sites include Coral Caverns, where grouper will follow you curiously as you swim through well-lit caves and its schools of silversides; Coral Condos, home to a dazzling array of microlife; Wreck of the San Jacinto, which sank in the 1800’s; and other spots popular with Caribbean reef and nurse sharks (don’t worry, they won’t harm you!). If being fully submerged scares the bejeesus out of you, opt for a simple snorkel adventure instead. Brendal also offers a myriad of other outings, including sailing excursions and a picnic adventure, in which he free dives for lobster and conch and prepares an outdoor spread on an uninhabited island right in front of you.

Bonefishing is a popular afternoon sport, and many Floridians come down to Green Turtle Cay for spearfishing (a pastime that is not popular with the locals; don’t say we didn’t tell you). Instead of catching the fish, why not frolic with them? Green Turtle Divers offers a wild dolphin encounter on some of the surrounding undisturbed islands.

Or simply find your own unclaimed stretch of sand–there are many spots, like the deserted yet pristine Coco Bay, where you’ll be the only beachgoer in sight–and bask in the Caribbean sun for the remainder of your days.

–Kristin Luna

(All photos by Kristin Luna)

Technorati Tags: bahamas, resort, caribbean, green turtle cay, diving, snorkeling, bonefishing, beach, ocean, sand

Bliss products, featured at W Hotels

Let’s face it: When it comes to staying at hotels, it’s not all about the comfy bed, plush robes and well stocked mini bars (although, those amenities are quite nice). One of my favorite things, especially when I’m staying at a luxury resort, is raiding the hotel toiletries.

Seems the folks over at Hotel Chatter have a similar obsession. They’ve recently started a listing of luxury hotel toiletries, just in case you were thinking of booking a room based on what shampoo you might get. Okay, clearly this isn’t why you’d book a hotel roombut it does help you to decide if you need to throw your own amenities into your bag.

Because, let’s face it, bad hair when traveling is just unacceptableand avoidable.

Check out the entire list of hotel toiletries by clicking here.

Technorati Tags: Travel, hotels, luxury hotels, Hotel Chatter, hotel amenities, hotel toiletries, Bliss, W Hotels

The Live Music Capital of the World–and home to this week’s Austin City Limits–Texas’ capital could easily be considered its heartbeat, with more worthy restaurants, bars and things to do than you’ll have time to accomplish in a single visit.

When to Go: Fall and spring see the mildest temperatures, hitting between 70 and 80 degrees most days. Though be wary of the exuberant University of Texas fans who keep the hotels booked to capacity on all home game weekends. Summer is unbearably hot and muggy, with temperatures rising as high as 110. And even in the dead of winter, days typically reach low 60’s and hover in the mid-40’s once the sun goes down.

Where to Stay: The stately old hotel, the Driskill, is by far the fanciest establishment within the city’s confines. Built in 1886 as the old stomping grounds for a cattle baron, the hotel has been transformed into a historic palace that will forever be a city monument in and of itself. A touch of old elegance–original art, oil paintings, antique furniture, delicate drapery–mixed with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, DVD players, iPod docks, wireless Internet, and Molton Brown bath products make this unique dame a can’t-miss spot. Some of the 189 rooms have vaulted ceilings, whirpools, fireplaces and sprawling balconies. Even if you decide to stay elsewhere, opt for a drink and dinner at the Driskill Bar or breakfast at the 1886 Cafe & Bakery.

Those looking for an even more relaxing retreat flock outside of the city to Barton Creek Resort & Spa–and with good reason: Everything you could possibly need is located on the 4,000 acres of greenery. Top-of-the-line rooms, four golf courses, a state-of-the-art gym, an exquisite dining room, a coffee bar, gift shop and even 18 holes of putt-putt make Barton Creek Texas’ premier resort. Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey loved it so much, they held their wedding reception here. (An added bonus: You just might catch Andy Roddick hitting a ball around on one of the 11 illuminated tennis courts.)

At the very least, venture out to Barton Creek’s spa and indulge in a treatment like the Cooling Cucumber and Green Tea Facial, Strawberry Lemonade Pedicure, Mexican Chocolate Cayenne Scrub or a Hot Stone Massage. You won’t be sorry you did (even if your credit card might). The swimming pool-size hot tub alone makes this spa a gem. The Hotel San Jose is another favorite affordable accommodation option, with its rustic, yet artsy rooms, warm-and-cozy communal feel prime location in SoCo. Around the corner from the Driskill with a view of the Capitol sits the InterContinental Stephen F. Austin, perfect for business travelers and those who prefer a bit of luxury during their getaways.

Where to Eat: Ranch 616 is a locals’ favorite and the perfect starting point for happy hour, with its roomy outdoor patio, especially now that it boasts “the official drink of Austin,” the Fire in the Hole. Appetizers like fried asparagus, frogs legs and crispy oysters with chipotle tartar are the perfect complement to the shot of Paulas Orange Liquor, lime juice, cayenne and chili powder taken from a jalapeo and chased by a Lone Star beer.

Guero’s Taco Bar is one of the most popular joints in town, featuring authentic Tex-Mex and frequently drawing celebrity regulars like Matthew McConaughey, Lance Armstrong and the Wilson Brothers, and Hudson’s on the Bend is likely the nicest. A little outside of town, Salt Lick is the best place to go for some tried-and-true Texas BBQ.

If you want to satsify a sweet craving, you have two options that should trump the rest. Hey Cupcake resides in an Airstream trailer on the east side of South Congress and serves up freshly baked treats just out of the oven, while Texas chain Amy’s Ice Creams has several locations scattered about the city.

What to Do: Austin isn’t lacking in boutiques and shopping centers. While 2nd Street and the University of Austin’s Guadalupe stretch are both dotted with one-off shops, SoCo–or the eclecic South of Congress neighborhood–offers the best variety. If it’s authentic cowboy boots for which you search, try Heritage or Allen’s, both of which sell a mix of vintage and fancy designer varieties.

Outlet aficionados won’t want to miss nearby San Marcos’ Prime Outlets–the godfather of all factory malls–located just 30 miles south of the city on I-35, which not only houses all the outlet regulars (J. Crew, Banana Republic, Coach, Nine West, Gap), but loads of designers (Michael Kors, Escada, Kate Spade, Catherine Malandrino, Gucci, Marc Jacobs) and home stores (Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel), too. It will take you hours–if not days–to cover the whole grounds.

Late night pub crawlers won’t be the slightest bit disappointed in Austin’s bar scene, which seems to be hopping no matter the night of the week. Sixth Street is usually where it’s at, while outdoor bars and music venues like Continental Club are a dime a dozen all along South Congress Avenue. There’s also more than likely always something happening north of the center on the UT campus, which is home to more than 50,000 students.

Alamo Drafthouse–where you can grab a bite to eat while catching a flick, sometimes new, othertimes an oldie but goody–is a popular hangout for Austinites, and now boasts four locations around town. And a trip out to two city staples, BookPeople and the 80,000-square-foot Whole Foods flagship store (complete with 14 restaurants and cooking classes on-site), which are across-the-street-neighbors, isn’t to be missed.

And of course no trip to Texas is complete without a glimpse of the State Capitol, which is more impressive than the national one (and towers 14 feet higher, as well).

–Kristin Luna

(Photos by Kristin Luna, the Austin CVB, and Barton Creek Resort & Spa)

Technorati Tags: america, texas, austin, austin city limits, spa, resort, weekend getaway, staycation, football, historic hotel, state capitol, shopping, cowboy boots, bars, nightlife, regional travel, sixth street, outlet malls, cupcakes, dining, restaurant

Assouline journal

I really do love reading T, the New York Times’ style magazine. Well, if any of you missed yesterday’s edition, it was all about (drum roll, please) travel. From the hottest hotels to newest getaways, T had it covered, all done from a distinctly stylish point of view, of course.

Some of my favorite pieces were about the most drool-worthy travel essentials, from journals (like this cheeky, bright-orange number from Assouline) to a luxurious Macbook Air laptop case to this season’s print-heavy (but completely gorgeous) carry-ons.

To view a slide show of T’s travel must-haves, click here.

Technorati Tags: Travel, T magazine, New York Times Style Magazine, travel essentials, travel journals, new carry-on, Macbook Air, laptop case

Borrowing the best bits of Scandinavian food and culture, Iceland’s capital Reykjavik–meaning “smoky bay”–is cosmopolitan, inviting, and cool–quite literally. But despite the never-ending cold, you’d be crazy to pass up on a jaunt to this party spot, chock full of Viking history and outdoor fun. Just don’t forget your parka!

When to Go: The only time you might strike it lucky with the “warm” weather is from May to September, though, the mercury only ever gets into the 50’s from mid-June through mid-August (when prices as much as triple). The good news is, despite popular opinion, Iceland never gets that cold either: Temperatures bottom out in the mid- and high-30’s during the day in the height of winter, from November to March. Snow birds will want to come during that time period, when the snowfall is dense and perfect for downhill adventures.

Where to Stay: You’ll be lucky to find a room in town–even in a hostel–where you’re paying less than $40 a night for a bed. Reykjavik is, after all, one of the world’s most expensive cities. The centrally-located Salvation Army Guesthouse boasts the cheapest prices; accommodation is basic, but pristine and safe and a better deal than you’ll come across elsewhere. Most rooms are dorm-style with shared hall baths. Another budget option in an even better location, just a block off the main shopping drag, Laugavegur, on Hverfisgata, is Domus Guesthouse, with twin rooms and family apartments. The chicest lodging in the city can be found at 101 Hotel, a contemporary art boutique hotel complete with gallery and rotating exhibits. CenterHotel Klpp and Hotel Bjrk in the city center are viable mid-range options.

Where to Eat: Iceland fare is for the adventuresome eater. Lundi, or puffin, is one of the country’s most sought-after delicacies; hkarl is likely the most unappetizing. Rotten shark meat that has been, I kid you not, urinated upon and buried underground for many months, hkarl is served in cubes and accompanied by a shot of Iceland’s strong signature liquor, brennivin (the only possible way to stomach the gourmet “treat”). You can sample hkarl at the indoor Kolaporti market every weekend. If you seek an experience easier on the tastebuds, Seafood Cellar is one of the more visited restaurants in town, though a meal there will do some damage on the old wallet. More on the budget-friendly side, Prikith, situated on Laugavegur, has a warm pub atmosphere and serves up the perfect mug of hot chocolate with Iceland’s harsh winds have chilled your bones. But the cheapest meal you’ll find by far is at the hot dog stand, Baejarins Beztu Pylsur, on Posthusstraeti by the market, a favorite haunt of Bill Clinton’s from his days in office and one of the best $4 sausages you’ll ever consume.

What to Do: The obvious activity every tourist must start with is a trip to the Blue Lagoon, located 45 minutes outside of the capital. The therapeutic waters are gentle and relaxing, and there’s something about being outdoors splashing around in a bikini when it’s below freezing that’s just indescribable.

If you dont have time to make the 25-mile trip to the Blue Lagoon, you can still warm up via one of the citys prevalent hotpotsoutdoor tubs that remain above 100 degrees to keep the Icelandic chill at bay. The biggest and best around is at Laugardalslaug, with its accompanying geothermal pool.

One of the city’s most recognized landmarks, Hallgramskirkja will give you the most optimal bird’s eye view of the city. (Don’t worry: An elevator deposits you at the top.)

Whale watching is a popular activity and one most tourists engage in (particularly in the height of puffin season, July to August, when you’re almost guaranteed to see the cute multicolored birds), though be warned: If weather conditions are tempestous you’re chances at spotting a whale significantly decrease. But the full body suit you don was enough fun to appease this globetrotter. You’ll find a number of companies offering tours down by the old harbour, though Elding is probably the most prevalent.

Rent a bike at Borgarhjl in the city center and pedal out five miles to the vacant, 1897-built Grtta Lighthouse for stunning views of the city from afar.

If exercising your plastic–not biking–is your favorite form of exercise, you’ll find international labels and Scandinavia’s hottest designers, like Marimekko, Iittala, Filippa K and more, along the main stretch, Laugavegur.

–Kristin Luna

(All photos by Kristin Luna)

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