Thursday, December 2, 2010

DECADENT WINTER TRAVELS

Forget about Caesars' Palace in the Poconos and Las Vegas in Nevada; why not plan your next vacation to an exotic location suitable for the King and Queen you truly are. Imagine how much better you'd feel with your BFF or main squeeze in tow and a delicious cocktail in your hand.... Winter sun is just the medicine you need to chase away your winter blues. So, blow the dust off your passport and zero balance the cards because every month I will let you in on some of best places to visit around the world.


Glamour
Dubai:  You can expect to rub shoulders with the rich and famous.  The luxury hotels on Jumeira beach are a testament to the rich clientele this spot attracts. The Burj al Arab hotel is a must see it's the world's only seven-star hotel, and don't forget to take a walk through the streets to check out the Persian carpets and gawp at the gold on sale.

Exotic
Canary Islands: Tenerife is the largest of the islands, and it has the most resorts, in contrast to tiny El Hierro and La Gomera, where tourism has had less of an impact. Gran Canaria has the best beaches, while Lanzarote is closer to Western Sahara and Morocco which makes it the hottest of the Canaries.

Romance
Maldives: Is the stuff that dreams are made of: white sand and warm seas. The smaller resorts tend to be quieter and therefore more appealing to couples and honeymooners. Beware there is literally nothing to do apart from swim and gaze into the eyes of your sweetie. Be sure to choose the all-inclusive option, the islands are so small that there really is nowhere else to eat anyway.

City Life
Marrakech: This medieval walled city in Southern Morocco has barely changed over the centuries, with its narrow alleyways and merchants trading from tiny stalls. Sip mint tea in one of the cafés overlooking the bustling Djeema el-Fna market square. Be careful not to shop like crazy, with all your spur of moment purchases you may find yourself trying to stuff carpets, pottery and leather goods into your suitcase.

Adventure
Safari: Going on safari is the ultimate adventure holiday, so taking a trip on the wild side is the ultimate winter getaway. Tanzania is a good choice with Mount Kilimanjaro snow-capped mountain, the plains of the Serengeti, the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, Great Rift Valley and Zanzibar you are sure to be wowed.

A Real Trek
Tonga:  Oldest and last remaining Polynesian Monarchy, and is the only Pacific island nation never brought under foreign rule. Tonga is divided into four main parts: the Tongatapu Group in the south, with the capital, Nukualofa; the Ha'apai Group, a far-flung cluster of low coral islands with soaring volcanoes in the center; the Vava'u Group, with its huge landlocked harbor; and in the north, the isolated, volcanic Niuas. The four island groups are pleasingly diverse, each with resorts and interesting aspects to enjoy; no other Pacific country is made up of components as scenically varied as these.

All of these places seem so far away and you may be thinking out of reach. Next time you feel like spending money on frivolous items like shoes, bags and the latest cell phone, stop and think about really treating yourself to an experience that will last a lifetime. You can start a vacation club with your friends and family; with some planning and commitment you could be off somewhere new every couple of years. Remember the world is your oyster so get out and Live A Lot!

Here's to Living Grand!

~Eslyn

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