Archive for the Category »Beaches «

Jan
13th		   Hotels of the Week: Those to Watch in 2012
Leave a Comment Category: Beaches, Cool Hotels, Italy, London, Luxury Travel, Travel, WIne, Winetasting abroad, hotels Tags: , , , , , , ,

There are so many hotels opening in 2012 – good news for travelers. More rooms = more destinations to explore, & lower prices if there are more rooms than demand.

What are your new year’s resolutions? If to travel fully and transport yourself so completely is one of them, you’ll want to see these special places. Bon Voyage my friends – wake up your passion.

Here are some intriguing hotels that either just opened … or will open in 2012.

AMANRUYA, TURKEY

On the “off the radar” Turkish Riviera is the new Amanruya. Part of the exclusive Aman Resorts, this hotel on the Aegean Coast is romantic experience.

Amanruya, Turkish Riviera

It is a collection of five-star cottages – each with a pool, private garden, outdoor shower, and lounging pergola. Let it roll off your tongue “I am retreating to my lounging pergola…”

Inside, the design is smashing and classic.

The hotel is on the Bodrum Peninsula…and has a small beach.

http://www.amanresorts.com/amanruya/home.aspx

SIX SENSES CON DAO, VIETNAM

Speaking of beautiful beaches, what also comes to mind is the Six Senses Con Dao in Vietnam – a country on my must see list.

This is the first five start resort on these Vietnamese islands – remote, but accessible – just take a 45  minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City.

There are 50 villas on this property – each with it’s own infinity pool… ranging in size from single level to duplex, and one bedroom to four.

Six Sense Con Dao offers water sports, snorkeling, diving, cooking classes, and trips to remote beaches. This will work for Valentine’s Day.

http://www.sixsenses.com/SixSensesConDao/

CASTELLO DI CASOLE, ITALY

Heading to the country…. we’ve got Castello di Casole in Tuscany. This dramatic 4200 acre estate will open in 2012.


Castello di Casole entices those who would love to vacation among enchanting vineyards and olive groves. The estate has more than 100 acres of organic vineyards dotting its gorgeous landscape.

In addition to vineyard tours, wine tastings, winemaker dinners and events on property with the winemaking team, the resort offers Italian winery tours at some of Italy’s most prestigious wineries.

One can also expand his or her wine cellar, manage a collection and experience the world’s fine wines through the resort’s partnership with specialty wine retailers.

A little bit of luxury in the Italian countryside… and there are residencies too for those looking to spend even more time there.

http://www.castellodicasole.com/

SCRUB ISLAND RESORT, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

The British Virgin Islands are near and dear to me… I shot a few shows there and always want to return. Scrub Island Resort would be a good reason!

Ocean view rooms… secluded, crystal clear beaches with seriously turquoise waters.. Can’t ya just feel the gentle breeze? The resort is right ona marina, so for those of you with yachts, ahem,  you are welcome. Water sports abound here, and the resort also hosts weddings.

Scrub Island

The rooms are tasteful and tropical.It is officially an island resort with one of those beautiful ceiling fans.

http://www.scrubisland.com/

BVLGARI HOTEL, LONDON

If you are craving city life, you will get your fill of London this year since this world class city is host to the 2012 Olympics. One new hotel opening is the BVLGARI – classy, but hopefully not too stuffy.

BVLGARI Hotel, London

It is a joint venture between Italian jeweller BVLGARI and Marriott International, located in the Knightsbridge area. The BVLGARI stamp doesn’t mean bling comes with the room, and by the looks of the brand’s design, it is not too flashy. This photo is of a room at the Bvlgari in Milan, since the London hotel is not open yet.

BVLGARI in Milan

http://www.bulgarihotels.com/en-us/london-2012/london-2012

As always, happy travels and have a great weekend.

 
Jan
05th		   January in California
Leave a Comment Category: Beaches, California, Travel Tags: ,

Jan 4 and 5 – 80 degrees in So Cal. A beautiful Cali winter!

 
Sep
21st		   Where to Take Your Kids Before They Move Out.
Leave a Comment Category: African Safari, Amusement Parks, Beaches, Educational Travel, Family Travel, Hawaii, History, Italy, New York, Travel, Walt DIsney World Tags: ,

School is back in session.. life is getting back to routine. My oldest started middle school… so last spring’s 5th grade graduation was a milestone for me: He was leaving the nurturing nest of our sweet elementary school.

Actually, it was compounded by the fact that my youngest graduated kindergarten just the day before… the stark contrast between the 5 year olds and 10 year olds made me realize they grow so fast. So me, being sentimental, started to think that – OMG – the empty nest doesn’t seem too far away. A bit dramatic? Maybe.

Have you thought about what you want your life to be when you are an empty-nester? (That is another blog post!) Or…have you thought about what you want to do with your kids while you still have them at home? Where would you like to take family vacations before they are too busy… or have moved away? You only have so many chances to create indelible travel moments together.

I have thought about this. Everyone is different, but there are some general themes that would make for memorable family get aways.

1) I will start with the most obvious, and probably easiest: Hit the beach. Rent a beach house, plant your toes in the sand, BBQ at sunset, play on the beach, and bring board games. With just simple pleasures, there are many opportunities for bonding time. Hawaii will also work here – there is nothing like getting to an island – can’t recreate that vibe as much as I have tried. Hawaii is the easiest for many reasons: With kids you want things simple, and it is an English speaking, American state…. everything is pretty convenient. Cue the sea breeze please.

2) Brave a World-Class Big City or Two. World class museums, taxis zipping by, wonderful parks. I would put New York City, Paris, London, and Rome on that list. San Francisco too – but it is more laid back.

You can also find many free things to do in large cities – take advantage of free days at museums, the many free activities in parks from puppet shows to concerts to playgrounds. When I took my kids to Paris, it was unbelievable how long we could sit in a park and watch our kids play on all the play areas so different than anything we have in America, as well as multi-generational pick-up games of soccer that they joined.

3) Sneak in a History Lesson: Everyone would love their children to have a sense of the world, and historic moments. Seeing is believing over just learning in textbooks. Some locations steeped in history make awesome family vacations. Did I mention Rome? I am again. The birthplace of Western civilization, there are many a history lesson to be found here. There are tours about Julius Caesar… and standing relics of ancient Rome like the Forum and Coliseum. Vatican city is important whether you are a practicing Catholic or not  - what a statement it makes about organized religion, and it’s importance to many people. No to mention, the art history lesson there…the Sistine Chapel and the architecture of Basilica di San Pietro.

Also on my list: Greece, Washington DC – tour the capitol and White House, visit the monuments, and if you have time go to Gettysburg, Boston, or London.

4) Lions and Tigers and Bears and Nature. Expose your kids to the good old outdoors, and all the creatures that call  it home. Kids love animals – even teens find them interesting. In Alaska, I met some teens who said Alaska was their best family vacation – believe me, if you’ve been to Alaska, you know how original it is compared to the rest of America. Bear viewing, kayaking with bald eagles, hiking glaciers are all possible in the Last Frontier.

Easier to get to for most, are our national parks. Yellowstone may be one of the best I’ve visited for animal viewing, along with being an incredible geological lab for all! Your kids will love the spouting geysers, bubbling mudpots, and hissing steam vents… Yellowstone has the greatest concentration of thermal features in the country—nearly 10,000 of them.

There is also the Galapagos Islands – home of the blue-footed booby, the Great Barrier Reef for some amazing viewing of marine life, and Africa for an organized safari, which is better for older kids.

5) Lastly – it is a rite of passage for a child to visit a theme park. You only capture that thrill for a short time, so indulge them, no matter how crowded and how bad the food.:)

Some of these trips can be done on a budget. Forgive me if I have missed some other potential trips.

But now, you have time, and hopefully inspiration to plan for next summer… these are trips that will last a lifetime.

 
Aug
11th		   Ever Dream of Spending a Week on a Beautiful Deserted Island with Every Amenity Possible?
Leave a Comment Category: Beaches, Belize, Luxury Travel, Travel Tags:

It’s a dirty job, but someone had to do it.

See the latest in therapeutic spa treatments on your own private island…”Islands For Rent” airs this Saturday August 13 at 3PM E/P time on the Travel Channel…(some Time Warner customers on Pacific time may see it air at 6PM.) You won’t believe some of these islands – turquoise blue water, and no one else around.

 
Jun
17th		   Hotel of the Week: Laguna Beach Love
2 Comments Category: Beaches, California, Cool Hotels, Luxury Travel, Travel, hotels Tags: , ,

I can’t really think of many more special places than Laguna Beach in Southern California. I visited recently, and every time I go, I appreciate it more. Almost 200 art galleries within 5-10 miles, and some of the most spectacular beaches California has to offer. That being said, I did go BEFORE the summer crowds starting piling up. The road getting into Laguna from the freeway is long and one lane…. you could end up moving very slowly on sunny summer days.

But it’s worth it! We stayed at the beautiful Montage Resort ….

At the Montage Resort, Laguna Beach

Best way to describe it is waaay upscale, but it doesn’t lose it’s beach vibe. Probably because of the Craftsman -style architecture, instead of so many of the overdone new hotels in Orange County.

The hotel itself is located on an oceanfront bluff, so the views are pretty darn nice from practically everywhere.

The hotel has teen and kids programs…. and is offering some specials – one is a night night stay plus breakfast starting at $595.00. www.montagelagunabeach.com. It is not a cheap chain… but a lesser hotel doesn’t have the great cocktail hour with the piano and view at sunset in the main lobby :) That, and the cabanas by the pool, were my favorite elements. There are board games poolside, and your cabana comes with a TV if you just can’t miss that HGTV show.

If you are lucky enough to be part of the Exclusive Resorts program, you will have your own personal concierge, who is fabulous – we lifted the telephone for the most ridiculous reasons, and she was there to help :)

The town of Laguna has plenty to offer – take some time to stroll through the village. The restaurants are plentiful and varied -

But … we visited some  restaurants recommended by the resort.. and were terribly disappointed. One was not what we expected a nice resort to suggest  – it was up the coast a few miles, and the crowd was predominantly overly-coiffed blonds with too much make-up and bad plastic surgery wearing short skirts, leaving with aging men…or pro-athlete types with multiple body piercings. And I LOVE a good time – but I felt like I needed to take a shower after having margaritas here. We should have stayed on campus at any of the Montage’s nice restaurants where I’ve had great meals.

One special “only in Laguna Beach” activity is to get tickets to the “Pageant of the Masters” running in July and August. My words will not do this production justice – it is performed and run by volunteers, and couldn’t be more entertaining. I can’t even describe what these people do – but that photo above is NOT a painting – it is the actors recreating the painting. They basically reproduce a masterpiece painting with live bodies and set decor…all in an outdoor theater. Lovely at night under the stars. www.foapom.com

Laguna is a great destination for the Fourth of July… or anytime to kick off your summer.

Have a great weekend and happy travels!

 
Jun
15th		   Tuesday Travel Tip: Suggestions for Good Vacation Reading?
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It’s time to find a good beach read…. some delicious novel or biography in which to immerse yourself on your vacation…because carefree summer is upon us.

I love getting tips from others on good books – anyone have any suggestions? Please share.

The New York Times published a pretty thick summer reading list in its “Book Review” section…. http://www.nytimes.com/indexes/2011/06/04/books/review/index.html?smid=tw-nytimesbooks&seid=auto

But for a more personal touch, here are some favorites that some girlfriends and I were just talking about, even if they aren’t new for this season:

“The Glass Castle, ” by Jeannette Walls. A MUST read.

“Eat, Pray, Love,”by Elizabeth Gilbert…. get over her not being happy without a man, it is pure fun, and great travel accounts.

“Hunger Games, ” by Suzanne Collins

***And for those loves of non-fiction or historical fiction, here are a few good ones:

“The Russian Concubine,” by Kate Furnivall

“Loving Frank,” by Nancy Horan

“Three Cups of Tea,” by Greg Mortenson and David Olivier Relin – a good travel journey!

“The Outliers,” by Malcolm Gladwell

Whatever your summer plans are, I hope you find something enriching to read. :)

 
Jun
01st		   What’s Your Best Locals’ Tip? An Insider’s Beach For Kayaking And Paddling…
Leave a Comment Category: Beaches, Family Travel, Hawaii, Travel Tags: , ,

How many of you bother to ask the locals what you should do on a trip to their home town? On my last trip to Hawaii, I peppered my friend who lives there for suggestions. We had a car the whole time on Oahu and I was ready to use it.

It is rare that a local’s suggestion isn’t a good one. Usually if it is a bad suggestion it is because they tell you what they think you want to see a.k.a. touristy destinations instead of authentic gems.

The tip to go to Kailua Beach on Eastern Oahu was a treasure. It didn’t feel like Hawaii…. fine white sand… warm light blue water… and not a tourist I could spot for miles.

It was quiet and peaceful – get me out of Waikiki – and as a parent I could actually relax. My kids were playing in the water, but the tide broke close to where I was laying on the sand, and the waves were gentle.

The beach is a great beach for swimming….

Or if you arel up for a more active day, it is a big kayaking beach (this photo makes it look crowded, but really it wasn’t.)…and good for stand up paddling. It is also famous for windsurfing, but I didn’t see many the day I went.

You can find rentals for all the equipment right down near the beach, or in the nearby village. Some places even offer lessons. Try www.hawaiianwatersports.com, or www.kailuasailboards.com.

There is a big grass area near the beach to toss a ball too…. surprisingly clean bathrooms for a beach… and plentiful parking.

AND – it is right across the street from Buzz’s Original Steakhouse- another local favorite. Feels like Jimmy Buffet should be right there on the wrap around porch with a margarita. This joint is way casual, but has loads of personality. The food wasn’t outstanding, but the place grew on me after one of their strong drinks. A convenient and fun way to grab lunch… or appetizers. Buzz’s closes between 3 and 4:30 so make sure you go during the open hours…. dinner time no tank tops are allowed.

Got a favorite locals’ tip? Please share!

 
May
27th		   Hotel of the Week: An Unusual Combo of Chic, Elegant, and Family-Friendly
One Comment Category: Beaches, Hawaii, Luxury Travel, Travel, hotels Tags: ,

My new favorite hotel of the moment is the Kahala Resort in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. Not far from Waikiki…. but it feels like a different island itself. The Kahala is not only gorgeous, but peaceful since it is away from the hubbub of Honolulu.

The interior of the main lobby is open and airy – and the beach is picturesque…great for swimming as it doesn’t get too deep fast.

The Kahala Resort is in one of the nicest neighborhoods in Hawaii. We stayed in that neighborhood recently and could ride our bikes to the Kahala – the hotel is notorious for its Sunday brunch which attracts locals from nearby.

The kids love the dolphin quest program.. and the rays who live at the hotel. Even though other hotels I’ve seen with dolphin programs seem a little commercial, the Kahala is able to maintain its authenticity, In fact, it is far from being similar to some of the mega ornate hotels that have spouted up in Hawaii.

There are a few great restaurants – the Plumeria is high on my list even if you don’t stay at the hotel. It is what a meal in Hawaii should be – right on the beach… a very relaxed environment -kids were running around on the grass lot right near the tables… and fairly priced for a nice hotel. The Plumeria is not the highest end restaurant at the hotel, and frankly I think it is the prettiest.

Look how cute the menu and centerpieces are.  It has a kids menu too.

The hotel has a great package for families who want joining rooms – and right now is running a last minute spring deal… as well as a “4th night free” special that we’ve been seeing at a lot of other hotels.

Yes, airfare to Hawaii is costly right now – but it is to many other places too….. so if you are thinking about a summer vacation on this weekend to kick off the sunny season, the Kahala won’t disappoint. Aloha and have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. :)

www.kahalaresort.com

 
May
26th		   Where the Rich and Famous Go…
Leave a Comment Category: Beaches, Belize, Luxury Travel, Television, Travel Tags: , , , , ,

http://www.tracygallagher.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/img_0020.jpg

If you can’t go where the A-listers go, at least it is fun to learn about the gorgeous destinations… and even better, watch them on TV!!

This weekend one of my favorite shows I ever hosted is on the Travel Channel Sunday at 12 noon. It is called “Islands for Rent”… and is about – you guessed it, private islands you can rent for you and 10 of your best friends. Or maybe all you need is one.

From Fiji… to the British Virgin Islands…. to Belize…there are some mind-blowingly gorgeous little atolls in the middle of turquoise blue. One featured in the show is Richard Branson’s Necker Island. Pure paradise – I was pinching myself the whole time I was there because at about $200,000 a week, I knew I probably wouldn’t be back. This is where Oprah, Steven Speilberg, Mel Gibson have all reportedly stayed. I remember a funny story – the staff told me they will never say no to any guest’s request… however the one time they did say no was when a nudist colony rented the island, and asked all the staff to bare all also.

One of my personal favorite private islands is Lalati  in Fiji. Affordable too – just a trek to get there.

You can learn about all these indulgent escapes by armchair traveling this Sunday at 12 noon Eastern and Pacific… on the Travel Channel. Set your TIVOS. Just in time for summer.

I think it is time for “Islands for Rent II” !!!

 
Apr
27th		   Sun Bathing…Surfing…Snorkeling..and Snuba: One Week in Hawaii off the Resort.
Leave a Comment Category: Beaches, Family Travel, Hawaii, Travel, sports travel Tags: , , ,

It is SO easy to go to Hawaii and just chill. Completely relax on the beach, or by the pool. But… don’t ya sometimes want a little more action? I discovered that you can have balance – relax, AND do something out of the ordinary.. even when you bring the kids.

During the next week or two, my posts will reveal some fun things to do with (or without) your kids on the island of Oahu. Oahu is MUCH more than Waikiki (thank goodness.) You can spend a week there and never even visit Waikiki and still see beautiful beaches. No offense to those who love Waikiki – it just has become overrun with tourists and very very commercial.

Waikiki Beach, Honolulu with Diamond Head in background

One of my very favorite things to do in Hawaii, and you can do this on most Hawaiian islands, is to take a surf lesson if you aren’t already a skilled wave rider. There are a few different groups who teach – some are stationed right on the beach of Waikiki. But it is always best to try and reserve a lesson in advance with a phone call because lessons do fill up. I have used Ty Gurney Surf School twice now and had a blast. They make standing up on the board seem so easy, and are patient, encouraging teachers…plus just a plain fun bunch of guys. www.tygurneysurfschool.com

You first get an instruction on dry land of where to lay on your board when you paddle, how you stand up, and where you put your feet. move . Then it’s time to paddle out.

The lesson comes with a surfboard… Beginners get a long board, with a soft top like the one above.  TIP: You WILL feel sore the next day. It is quite a work out, even though you don’t realize it because you are having too much fun.

Since the waves break pretty far out off the Waikiki shore, you gotta paddle  a while.  The guys had to tow me at one point so we could actually catch some waves before my one hour lesson ended. It is truly amazing to see how these guys pulled me out – me, laying on my board, with one instructor laying on his board right ahead of me, so I am looking a the bottom of  his feet.  His toes are securely wedged onto my board, pulling me – with the sheer strength of his toes!! Seriously – even when we went through waves head on to get out farther, his toes still stayed attached to my board!!

Once we got far enough out, the instructors helped me read the waves. In my experience Waikiki is a great place to learn because the waves aren’t too big, and they come in rapid sets. Once the boys decided the wave was a good one, I had to face the shore and paddle. The most valuable thing the instructors do is give you a little push at that point so you can “catch” the rhythm of that wave… then standing up on the board is “all you.”

TIP: You  have more time than you would think to stand up – don’t be impatient and rush it.

Once you get it, it is exhilarating and addictive. And that’s good… because Ty Gurney offers you a surf photographer to document your little adventure. James of 83 East Productions was fun and never got in my way (smart guy avoiding the rookie) – so much so that I didn’t think he was even taking photos of me. If you can afford it, I would buy the video/photo package if you take the lesson. Even if you have someone on shore taking pictures, they would never be as close up as these, for example. He shoots video too!! Super fun.

You GOTTA check out the surfing bulldog on his YouTube page. I wish I could embed it here. www.youtube.com/83eastproductions

Incorporating lessons would make a great girls trip… or a gift for someone’s special birthday. It’s never too late to try something new. There are kids lessons too! Yes, your kids should be strong swimmers.

TIP: What to wear:

–The heaviest sunscreen you can find, then layer it with make up. You can get really scorched and not realize it while you are out there for a while.

–Rash guard is appropriately named. Wear one.  The friction of your body against the board every time you move on it causes an annoying rash – feels kinda like a rug burn. If you have a wetsuit, that would be the ultimate protection.

–Beware of your feet too… I know it is only best to wear surf booties in cold water, but I thrashed my toes from the friction of transitioning from laying on my board, to sliding my feet into standing position.

Most important tip: Have fun! Everyone learns at a different pace so don’t expect to stand up your first wave. Remember, we all take our spills so hang in there :)

 
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