St Regis, Mardavall

Mallorca’s timeless beauty is visible across the landscape, from the secret coastal coves and turquoise waters to the fairytale villages of the interior.

The island possesses stunning natural beauty along with a surprisingly vibrant and inspiring culture; a colorful yet modest hideaway perfect for a weekend retreat. Teamed with the luxury resorts and services offered there, stunning scenery and professional pampering lie in easy distance of each other.

Finding the perfect place to wind down in Mallorca, Spain is of optimum importance. Luxury hotels in Mallorca like the St Regis, Mardavall offer a multitude of services and spa therapies within the resort, so you won’t have to worry about travel or planning on a short break. A wide range of opportunities and services are available, eliminating any planning stress or time wasting.

The Arabella Spa is a sanctuary of natural medicines and holistic therapies, drawing upon a rich variety of traditions and bringing together specialists from around the globe. Facilities like a spa and pool provide the perfect setting to relax at the beginning of a weekend break.

Mallorca’s stunning coast is a wonderful place to recline and refresh; a succession of curves and bays with an abundance of sandy coves and shallow emerald waters for swimming. The extent of the island’s coastline makes the beach easily accessible, with secluded, sandy spots to discover away from the popular stretches.

The range of dining possibilities will leave you suitably spoiled on a weekend break without being overwhelmed. Restaurants cover a host of cuisines from light snacks and tapas to a la carte and gourmet. Many local dishes are available, including freshly caught seafood and mouth-watering paella.

Fine wines from local grapes are served in the restaurants, the Balearics having been a major wine producer in classical times. Beautifully bodied Spanish favorites such as Rioja are also widely available.

If you would prefer to take in something of the Mallorcan culture and lifestyle then Spanish lessons are a fun way to immerse yourself. Qualified locals lead sessions, giving visitors the opportunity to pick up phrases to use when out and about. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by what can be learned in a couple of hour-long sessions, and the rich beautiful language adds to the rolling, sensual landscape which surrounds you.

There are plenty of opportunities for interesting day trips if you are thirsty for culture and adventure rather than relaxation. Beautifully picturesque villages dot the mountainous landscape, with prehistoric ruins and iconic monasteries hidden in the interior.

There are also a number of hiking trails revealing stunning scenery and ranging from easy strolls to serious work-outs. Mallorca is home to some of the Mediterranean’s most magnificent mountain scenery.

A day hike will also allow you a look at village life which retains the customs and traditions of generations past; a real glimpse into the timeless elegance of Mallorca.

The Spa at Black Rock is the island of Maui’s newest and most luxurious day spa. The spa can be found at the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa, just off the white sand beach near famous Black Rock on Kaanapali Beach.

The Spa at Black Rock is without a doubt, Kaanapali Beach’s premier spa and salon experience. The spa offers a wide selection of full service spa treatments, skin treatments, and massage therapy.

Due to the tropical setting of its environmental surroundings, the Spa at Black Rock offers individuals, couples and families an intimate and renewing boutique spa experience.

The spa features a combination of indoor and outdoor treatment rooms. There are 10 total treatments rooms including 3 specialty indoor/outdoor lanai suites, where you can relax listening to the soothing sounds of the nearby Pacific Ocean.

From the moment you step into the lobby / reception, it’s obvious that the mission of The Spa at Black Rock is to relax, rejuvenate and allow patrons to experience the magical and natural healing powers of Hawaii. A comfortable Waiting Room begins your transition with a welcome and relaxing environment.

Massage Treatment:
There’s a Lehua Wet-Room for Lomi Lomi massage, wraps and a specialty Maui Mambo body scrub. The Hibiscus Lanai Suite offers his/hers Jacuzzi soak tubs, and the gardenia Lanai for a romantic couples massage.

Be sure to try their popular Aromatic Reprieve massage treatment an select from a variety of private-labe blend, aroma oils such as: Cocunut Lemongrass, and Mango Pomegranate. The Pu’u Keka’a Stone Massage is another must. Receive a nurturing experience with the energy of warm, smooth stones to relieve your body’s tension areas.

For honeymooners or couple in love, try the Couples Massage and experience the feeling of togetherness with a personalized massage in comfort and privacy of the spa’s indoor/outdoor couples room.

Skin Care
The Spa at Black Rock offers an array of natural skin enhancement treatments including an Enzymatic Age Definer, Aromatic Healing Facial, Refreshing Facial, Balancing Facial, Skin Enhancements and Hair Removal Services.

There are 6 full-service manicure / pedicure stations available. Select from a Seaside Manicure, Sole Smoothie, Black Rock Pedicure or Tropical Delight Manicure, which includes a warm mango scrub.

Body Selections
If you are looking for a full body treatment, then try either the Hydrating Maui Mambo, Island Surf and Sun Relief, or Ocean Pure which includes seaweed and deep ocean mud that heals the body from the inside out.

Bath Selections
Soak in the Jacuzzi soak tubs and choose from one of the following treatments: Couples Aromatherapy, Oligo Seawater Therapy, or Pampered Indulgence where you enjoy a “Me Bath Ice Cream” soak. Pick from your choice of Hawaiian Lei, Ripe Mango, Coconut Cove, Papaya or Lavender Lullaby bath treats.

To further unwind after your fabulous treatment, sit in one of the indoor and outdoor treatment gardens and enjoy the sounds of running water and lush tropical vegetation.

If you fall in love with one of wonderful treatment products, then browse the retail store and purchase them for your own use once you return home from Maui. Choose from an exclusive line of unique, all-natural Spa at Black Rock skin and body products.

Spa at Black Rock
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
2605 Kaanapalli Parkway
Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761
(808) 667-9577

Back in ancient times, the primary method to document was to scratch pictures and images onto rock. On Maui, because of the relatively soft lava rock, it made for an excellent tablet for such ancient drawings.

A short walk behind the Olowalu General Store and about 1/2 mile past the water tower, exists the amazing Olowalu Petroglyphs for all to see. These ancient Hawaiian stone carvings capture a moment in history on the island of Maui.

The path is fairly easy to follow. Once there, climb to see the 300-year-old rock carvings made by early Hawaiians. Also look for remains of an old wooden stairway.

Similar to other ancient carvings on Maui, the Olowalu Petroglyphs are carved into the vertical sides of cliffs instead of the horizontal lava on the Big Island of Hawaii.

One of the Olowalu petroglyphs displays several figures that are grouped together. Many believe they are depicting a family.

The large body, human figures are most likely Ali’i (royalty). The basic stick figures are probably denoted as commoners. One can also view various weavings, tools, canoes and animals.

AmaWaterways is proud to announce a variety of luxury Rhone wine cruises onboard the AmaDagio, which is one of AmaWaterways owned and operated ships.

Beginning March 25, the new wine cruise will travel through captivating Provencal Wine Country on the Rhone River.

To celebrate the debut of the AmaDagio on its first cruise on the Rhone, AmaWaterways’ President and Co-Owner Rudi Schreiner and Executive Vice President and Co-Owner Kristin Karst will host a President’s Wine Cruise on the maiden wine cruise.

Schreiner was quoted, “The Rhone wine cruises feature the world’s most popular regions and wine makers in Europe. Guests have the opportunity to celebrate wine culture in a unique and enriching way.”

The cruise will also feature renowned wine hosts Carissa Chappellet, Owner and Managing Director of Chappellet Winery and Archie McLaren, Founder and Chairman of Central Coast Wine Classic.

Each wine cruise features:
· Excursions to historic vineyards and cellars to learn firsthand about the “Old World” wine traditions of each region
· Complimentary wine lectures with renowned host(s)
· Wine tastings and the opportunity to sample award-winning vintages both onboard and on shore
· Fine dining with special wine pairings

This 7-night “In Celebration of Wine” cruise is part of AmaWaterways’ 15-day Provence and Spain itinerary.  Begin with 3 nights in Paris, prior to embarking your cruise in Lyon.  The excursions include the Beaujolais wine region; tours of Roman ruins and stops at UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Avignon and Arles, where many artists spent much of their life, including Vincent Van Gogh.  After the 7-night cruise, guests will visit the medieval town of Perpignan, France before ending their voyage in Barcelona.

Including the new Rhone destination, AmaWaterways offers eight customized “In Celebration of Wine” themed cruises that also showcase wine regions along the Rhine and the Danube Rivers. These special sailings feature exclusive wine-themed excursions, such as a traditional “Heuriger” tasting of new wine in the villages of Grinzing and Neustift on the outskirts of Vienna; an introduction to Alsatian wines at the “Wunsch et Mann” winery in Wettolsheim and an unforgettable “Oktoberfest” in the village of Vilshofen created specifically for the guests.

The “In Celebration of Wine” program selected dates and itineraries are as follows:
· PROVENCE AND SPAIN – 3 nights in Paris, 7-night cruise & 3 nights in Barcelona (or reverse.) USA/CANADA departs: Mar. 25, Nov. 4 & 11, 2012
· THE ROMANTIC DANUBE – 7-night Danube cruise & 3 nights in Prague (or reverse) USA/CANADA departs: Nov. 3 & 13, 2012
· THE LEGENDARY DANUBE – 3 nights in Prague & 7-night Nuremberg – Budapest cruise. USA/CANADA departs: Oct. 31, 2012
· THE ENCHANTING RHINE – 7-night Rhine cruise, 2 nights Lucerne & 2 nights in Zurich (or reverse.) USA/CANADA departs: Nov. 7 & 10, 2012

To take advantage of one of these great wine themed voyages or receive additional information about AmaWaterways, please contact a local travel agent or visit www.amawaterways.com.

Castle Philipsruhe – Hanau, Germany

2012 is the year of music in Germany.  Frankfurt Rhine-Main region is celebrating the spirit of music with a German Choir Festival.  From June 7^th through the 12^th, thousands of singers will gather at Frankfurt into on majestic stage.   Joined by individual concert sponsors and churches, the eclectic fusion of music ranges from classical to hip-hop and experimental.  With over 400 ensembles of over 20,000 singers will participate in this choral event.

For Jazz lovers, there are three jazz festivals to choose from: the annual Jazz Festival in Bingen located in the famed UNESCO World Hertiage Site “Upper Middle Rhine Valley,” taking place from June 22^nd to the 24^th; swing, boogie, blues and jazz surrounded by the romantic atmosphere of local vineyards and gardens; Jazz Week in Oestrich Winkel from July 20^th to the 29^th; and open-air music festival known as Idstein JazzFestival from June 15^th through the 17^th at the rustic, romantic city center.

No music festival is complete without this one genre: rock and roll.  Feeding your inner Rock n’ Roll is the four-day European Elvis Festival from August 16^th to the 19^th.  Concerts, exhibitions, parades, guided tours will be offered to commemorate the life and art of Elvis.  Other concerts taking place is the Rheingau Music Festival and the Bach Festival in nearby Aschaffenburg.

Coinciding with the music festivals are culinary events with gourmet cuisine and wine tasting.  Internationally known art exhibitions and museums such as the “dOCUMENTA,” Städel Museum, Jugendstil Festival, and Castle Philippsruhe in Hanau, the Fairy Tale City will also be available to satisfy your artistic desires.

Cleopatra’s Barge is a small, but very unique nightclub set in part on a floating barge.

Located in Caesar’s Palace — you can actually feel it rocking. The bandstand includes a small dance floor, and a few, usually reserved tables are also here. There are other tables set around the boat on “land.”

Cleopatra’s Barge is quite a popular nightspot and if you’re looking for great fun, you’ll definitely find it here! This Egyptian-themed dance club has long been a favorite of Las Vegas’ older crowd, which has spent the last 30 or so years parading around with their favorite cocktails while having fun to classic rock, R&B, and dance hits.

There are plenty of dark makes for romance, but blaring volume levels mean you will have to scream those sweet nothings.

In recent years, the Cleopatra’s Barge lounge experienced a total facelift, reinventing itself as a haven for the younger tourist crowd and featuring weekend dance parties led by the R&B styling of Anita Sarawak and the Rhythm Nation.

It’s still a local Vegas landmark so if you’re in town, check it out.

Cleopatra’s Barge
3570 Las Vegas Blvd S
Caesar’s Palace
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-731-7110

Photo: Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas

Smith’s Tropical Paradise Luau

After you enjoy an evening at Smith’s Tropical Paradise Luau, you will find out why this popular luau was named “Best Luau on the Island” by The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed, 5th edition. We couldn’t agree more!

Unlike other Kauai luaus, what’s unique about this luau is its spectacular setting. Smith’s Luau is the only luau in Hawaii that is set in a botanical garden. Here you will be surrounded by 30 acres of lush landscapes in the sacred Wailua River Valley, which was once reserved for Hawaiian royalty.

On Kauai (The Garden Isle), Smith’s Tropical Paradise Luau takes place along the scenic Wailua River and has been giving its guests the memorable opportunity to enjoy terrific food, drinks and live entertainment for many years.

Enjoy lagoons teeming with a variety of fish and exotic peacocks and view over 20 types of tropical fruits in their orchard.

After your shell lei greeting, you will have time to stroll through their beautiful botanical gardens. Guest can either take a narrated tram tour or stroll around at your own pace.

Later on you will witness the traditional imu ceremony, in which the kalua pig is unearthed from the underground oven. Afterward, enjoy a glass of wine, beer or Mai Tai tropical drink at the open bar while the Smith Family entertains you with traditional Hawaiian songs.

Then it is time for the pa‘ina, the luau feast. Enjoy the all-you-can-eat Buffet and sample many authentic Hawaiian delicacies, including: lomi lomi salmon, kalua pig (from the imu ceremony), teriyaki beef, mahi mahi (island fish), chicken, Hawaiian sweet potato, garden isle greens, island fruits, macaroni salad, and namasu salad.

Of course, don’t forget to try the poi. End your meal with several choices of mouthwatering tropical desserts.

As the Smith’s say, food may be the heart of a luau, but music is the soul. After the feast, your unforgettable evening will continue with the entertaining “Rhythm of Aloha Show” featuring Hawaiian hula, Tahitian drum dances, traditional dances from New Zealand, China, Japan, the Philippines and the exciting Samoan fire-knife dance!

The show takes place in their spacious, torchlit lagoon theater named “Pele Amphitheater,” which even has an incredible erupting volcano!

Smith’s Tropical Paradise Luau – show

Clink here to make reservations and find more information on Smith’s Tropical Paradise Luau on “The Garden Isle” of Kauai.

Scenic Tours – Rhine River

When people think romance, Paris and Venice tend to be the first destinations that pop into most people’s heads.  But the splendor of Amsterdam can definitely give Paris and Venice and run for their money.  Rhine and Moselle River Cruise is offering a 15-day scenic cruise that takes passengers through the picturesque canals.  The liveliness of the vibrant city centers, small towns with rustic cobblestone streets and historic seaports are all part of the itinerary of the luxury ship known as the scenic “Space Ship”.

Ports visited include Venlo and its once-a-decade World Floriade Exposition; the fairytale town of Cochem; Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace wine region of France; and Luxembourg, one of Europe’s smallest and most prosperous countries.

Included optional excursions give guests the option of sightseeing according to their interests, whether it is a visit to a German home for Kaffeklatsch (“coffee and conversation”) or a wine tasting in the French countryside of Barr Fares for the April 2, April 4 and Aug. 20, Oct 8 and 15 departure dates – and the reverse itinerary departures on April 18, July 23 and Sept. 3, Oct 22 and 29.

Scenic Tours – Rhine River

Guided tours include the Anne Frank House, bike tour or a sightseeing canal cruise.  For the engineer-minded, the Middleburg’s Delta Works offers insiders’ look into the complex structure of dams, locks and barriers, built to protect a large area from the sea and declared one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Engineers.  For offers on Scenic Tours’ other European, Russia, and Egypt destinations, please visit their website, http://www.scenictoursus.com.

The Wolf course, being dubbed as the most difficult course in the Las Vegas valley, is a golf lovers delight at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort.

Pete Dye thought of what creature a golfer would not want to come across in the desert (other than a rattle-snake) and that would be a wolf. That is a perfect name for this course, because it is scary and does make you feel like its teeth are snarling at you dripping with saliva. In other words, this track is tough. Utilizing every aspect of the desert landscaping, Wolf was designed to give the most skilled players a run for their money.

With the fairways being tight and the greens small, there is little room for error if you want a good score for your handicap. The natural desert wash areas are strategically used on each hole forcing long hitters to hit it straight or work the ball to find the short stuff.

The signature hole and the one you will always remember is number 15. It is a par-3 that plays 182 yards from the tips. Doesn’t sound tough huh, how about a true island green to go along with that?

Not hard enough, how about a three-tiered greenfor ridiculously hard putts. Even though the green is generous in size, for some reason the island green makes it look smaller. This hole is picture worthy.

The Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort is located roughly 30-40 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. This is a full featured resort including all of the normal amenities: driving range, chipping and putting greens, full bar and restaurant, generous sized golf shop, and full banquet or reception accommodations.

The course is designed with rye fairways, fescue rough, and bentgrass greens. The greens come with moderate to severe breaks and undulations. Enjoy your round at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort.

Imagine the perfect escape where the only criteria are good food and drink in a relaxed, carefree environment. Sound like wishful thinking?

Not at Tommy Bahama’s, where the purveyor of island lifestyles has evolved their successful men’s and women’s upscale casual sportswear, golfwear, accessory and home furnishings collections into a well respected restaurant and retail operation that serves up island-inspired fare and lots of tropical fun.

The cafe is located on the second level above a Tommy Bahama retail shop.  The immediate view is of the parking lot, however, the distant views of the Mauna Lani resort grounds are pleasant.

There are tables on the lanai and tables indoors, though the restaurant was open air throughout.   As you would expect, the restaurant is very tastefully decorated in an island motif. I did find it odd that the decor was Caribbean themed.  When in Hawaii, I prefer a Hawaiian theme.

Live music was playing, which was pleasant, however it was also more of a Jimmy Buffet type music.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I like Jimmy Buffet music, but when I’m in Hawaii, I want to soak up all things Hawaiian.  So, I would have preferred music with a local vibe.

A lounge made entirely of ice is open at Mandalay Place in Las Vegas, located adjacent to Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

The first permanent ice lounge of its kind in the U.S., the 2,000 sq. ft. Minus 5 Experience is a sub-freezing ice lounge that is owned and operated by the Minus 5 Group, a New Zealand-based company that has “ice-cool” attractions with six other Minus 5 ice lounges currently in operation in three countries around the globe.

Guests are invited to come in from the Las Vegas 100-degree heat and don Minus 5-issued parkas and booties over their t-shirts and flip-flops. Then the arctic adventure begins, as patrons enter the ethereal blue and white world of the shimmering Minus 5 ice lounge.

An icy wonderland of intricately hand-crafted ice sculptures and architecture, guests are promptly served an ice glass filled with exotic vodka-based cocktails (”mocktails” are also available for the kids or non-drinkers). Then, guests can relax on ice couches and enjoy what is literally the coolest lounge on the planet where the temperature is a constant -5 degrees Celsius or 23 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Our focus at Minus 5 is the art of ice,” said founder and president, Craig Ling.

We have our own ice carvers who change the lounge and sculptures every six-to-eight weeks. This also provides us with the ability to tailor-make sculptures for any function or event. With the ability to create anything from a company logo to an actual-sized replica automobile that you can sit in, the possibilities for the Minus 5 ice experience are only limited by your imagination.”

After enjoying the wonders of the sub-freezing environment, visitors can make their way to the Minus 5 Lodge, a warm, rustic pub adjacent to the Minus 5 Experience that is themed after great arctic explorers. The Minus 5 Lodge features ironwood beams, river stones, leather seats and an open-hearth to create an earthy, natural environment and a welcoming ambiance that also features artifacts from famed explorers and ski huts of old.

Restrain yourself from making jokes about cold feet, but Minus 5 will certainly be the only Las Vegas venue to perform “ice wedding” ceremonies. With colorful stained “ice” windows and pews, beautiful ice sculptures and ice candelabra, the Minus 5 ice-chapel creates an unparalleled setting for a romantic wedding ceremony. Brides are outfitted with an elegant white satin fur-trimmed cape to keep warm, and all ceremonies are organized in conjunction with the wedding professionals from the Mandalay Bay wedding department.

The Las Vegas location will be the first of many U.S.-based Minus 5 ice lounges, with other locations currently in the development stage in New York, Miami, Hawaii, and Los Angeles. Admission into the ice lounge is $30 and includes a cocktail.  Source: Ski Rebel