Although this attraction is sometimes referred to as “Seven Sacred Pools,” there are many more pools than that, and none of them were sacred to the ancients. Still, the basins and waterfalls are a stunning sight within the Haleakala National Park and are a terrific way to cool off after a long day on the Road to Hana.

These beautiful waterfalls and tranquil pools trail through the Ohe’o Gulch and flow into the nearby ocean. The Pipiwai Streams flow into these falls and pools starting inland about 2 miles, with the nicest and easiest to reach pools closer to the shore.

The land where the pools are situated was donated to the Haleakala National Park so that the pools would always be open to the public.

Visited by tourists and locals alike, there are many things to do here such as hiking, sightseeing, cliff jumping, swimming, and people watching. The area is always crowded, so come early to get a spot or stay 10 miles away in Hana to arrive by 10 am.

The Pipiwai trail is one of the best hikes in the island of Maui. It is 4 miles long and takes anywhere from 2 ½-5 hours. There are many stunning waterfalls along the trail, with the last being 400-foot Waimoku Falls.

Please be aware of the weather situation though, as the area is prone to dangerous flash floods, especially if it is raining hard at the higher elevations of Haleakala .

Directions:
Take Highway 30 to Hana which turns into Highway 31 after Hana. The parking lot is located just past Mile Marker #42 on the ocean side of the road.

As 2011 winded down, another New Year celebration – Hawaiian style, is in store for both locals and visitors to Hawaii.

Hawaii has many venues with plans for wonderful New Years celebrations. Hawaii will definitely be a great holiday to spend the New Year.

Anybody lucky enough to be in Hawaii for the the New Year will experience Hawaii in all its festive glory. Enjoy the many island celebrations as well as take time to explore the ravishing beauty of the exotic islands.

The celebration of New Year in Hawaii is unique. There are the awesome fireworks displays but also more traditional events due to the cultural heritage the Hawaiian Islands offer.

In the Hawaiian language, the phrase for “Happy New Year” is “Hau’oli Makahiki Hou”.

Hawaiians celebrate this time of the year and honor the earth for the plentiful food it provides. Since it coincides with the western Christmas and New Year, it’s a special time on the islands.

This particular period of resting and feasting is called Makahiki (mah-kah-HEE- kee) and it lasted about four months in length.

During this period, historically there were no wars or conflicts. Because makahiki also means “year”, the Hawaiian phrase for “Happy New Year” became “Hau’oli (happy) Makahiki (year) Hou (new)”(how-OH-lee mah-kah-hee-kee ho).

Courtesy of: The Spa at Squaw Creek

For the ultimate in Lake Tahoe pampering and a little relaxation, then try The Spa at Squaw Creek.

The Spa at Squaw Creek, which recently completed a $1.5 million renovation, definitely represents the serene beauty of the entire Squaw Valley area.

The Spa at Squaw Creek is a slope-side resort spa and offers its guests 10 treatment rooms, both men’s and women’s locker rooms, plus a pre-treatment sanctuary.

Enjoy this luxury spa by choosing from a deluxe menu of massage, facial, body and salon services.

The spa offers spectacular local, Lake Tahoe mountain views. In fact, The Spa has taken this alpine heaven one step further and actually integrated the various natural colors, textures and materials into its design.

As you enter the luxurious Squaw Valley spa, you walk beneath a bronze-colored branch awning and view beautiful artwork of glass encasing bronze trees and leaves.

All throughout the spa, you will enjoy the tranquil sounds of various, soothing water features.

During the popular winter ski season, The Spa at Squaw Creek provides convenient lift service to and from the mountain.

Courtesy of: The Spa at Squaw Creek

The Spa at Squaw Creek is a full-service spa and definitely North Lake Tahoe’s most luxurious spa.

A sampling of some of the available treatments and services include – the Tahoe Hot Stone Massage, a spa boutique, salon and beauty services, new relaxation room, and the updated state-of-the-art fitness center.

The Spa at Squaw Creek
400 Squaw Creek Rd.
Olympic Valley, CA
(530) 581-6624
www.squawcreek.com

Salzburg Castle in or better known as Festung Hohensalzburg or Hohensalzburg Fortress in Austria, is the mightiest fortress of Central Europe.

This powerful castle sits in a prominent position, as Salzburg Austria’s prime attraction and most dominant feature of the city’s skyline. The historic Salzburg Castle should not to be missed during any visit to Salzburg.

The first record of a fortification on the southern side of the Mönchsberg Mountain dates back to Roman time, but this is not certain. However, it would make sense: from the position of Hohensalzburg Castle one can see the surroundings of Salzburg and the Salzach river better than anywhere else in the entire city.

Prince Archbishop Eberhard (1060 to 1088) built the first castle on the Festungsberg in 1077. Initially, this was little more than a bailey with a wooden wall, serving mostly for the protection of Imperial troops of the Holy Roman Empire. However, during the “Investiturstreit”, a struggle for power between Pope Gregor VII. and Emperor Henry IV., Prince Archbishop Eberhard decided to stand by the Pope.

After 1933, Salzburg became one of the areas in Austria that were most fiercely targeted by Nazi underground terrorists, many of them exiled Austrians themselves, fighting for a union with Nazi Germany.

When some Nazis launched an attack in Lamprechtshausen near Salzburg, they were imprisoned in the fortress in 1934. This was the last time that Hohensalzburg Castle held prisoners. In more recent years, Hohensalzburg was renovated extensively and so looks into a shiny future.

There are many different golf destinations that you have to choose from including Ireland which is one of the greatest golf destinations in the world. Ireland is filled with over three hundred golf courses.

There are many golf course scattered across Ireland including the Ballybunion Golf Club in Ballybunion, Co. Kerry, Ireland which was founded in 1893. The designer of the course was Tom Watson. The championship length of the course is six thousand six hundred and thirty eight yards.

The course has seventy one pars in all. This particular golf course is extremely popular with golf enthusiasts all round for world and is even rated as one of the ten best golf courses in the world.

Located in Drogheda, Ireland is the Baltary Golf Club which is one of the most popular golf courses in all of the Ireland. The course is extremely popular among the locals. This course was founded in 1892 but the layout was changed in 1938. This golf course was designed by Tom Simpson. The Baltary Golf Club course is a seventy three par course that consists of seven thousand and thirty one yards. The golf course can be found five miles north of Dublin and just five miles northeast of Drogheda.

Founded in 1901 the Castlerock Golf Club is one of the most popular golf courses in Ireland. The course can be found in Castlerock, Co. Derry, Ireland. This course was designed by Ben Sayer and Harry Colt. Castlerock Golf Club is a seventy three par course that consists of six thousand seven hundred and forty seven yards in all. The golf course is located a few minutes from Portstewart. It is an extremely popular golf course.

Founded in 1993 is the European Golf Club which is one of the newest courses in all of Ireland. Pat Ruddy designed the course which is located in Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow, Ireland. The European Golf Club course is a seventy one par course and spans an area of seven thousand one hundred and forty nine total yards. This golf course has become extremely popular in a short period of time. It is one of the finest links golf courses in all of Ireland.

Designed by J. Carr, R. Kirby, E. Hackett and P. Merrigan, the Old Head of Kinsale Golf Club was founded in 1997 and is one of the newest courses in Ireland. The golf course is located in Old Head, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland. The Old Head of Kinsale Golf Club course which spans an area consisting of seven thousand one hundred and twenty one yards is a seventy two par course. Many people say that his golf course is considered by most people to be one of the most amazing golf creations of all time.

The Royal Dublin Golf Club is a seventy two par course and was founded in 1889. The Royal Dublin Golf Club consists of an area that spans an area of seven thousand three hundred and ten yards. The course was designed by H.S. Colt. This is an extremely old golf course and ranks as the second oldest course in Ireland. The Royal Dublin Golf Club is among the best Irish link course. The golf course is located in Dollymount Ireland. It can be found approximately five miles northeast of Dublin City.
Courtesy of: Richard E Baly – GolfCocktail.com

Photo by: Mirage

In most parts of the world, fall has arrived, temperatures are dropping and people are saying goodbye to summer.

Well don’t pack away those bathing suits and dig out the heavy coats just yet. Beat the approaching winter chill and enjoy sun-drenched Las Vegas !

Las Vegas is the city that never sleeps, in addition to being the city that never freezes. From pools to outdoor dining, check out some of the fun-in-the-sun activities still to be had in Sin City.

• Pool season in Las Vegas doesn’t stop until the holiday décor starts to come out.  Experience the ultimate in aquatic relaxation at Mandalay Bay Beach which features a wave pool, lazy river, three swimming pools, jogging track and 2,700 tons of real sand.  Or unwind in a tropical paradise with wandering interconnected lagoons, the clear cool depths of two pools and three soothing whirlpools at The Mirage.  With so many complimentary amenities including the amazing pools, the best summer experience to be had in Las Vegas is at the properties of MGM Resorts International.
• It’s not too cold to sit and bask in the sun while enjoying an amazing meal at one of many outdoor dining patios dotted along The Strip.  Take in The Fountains of Bellagio and savor Mediterranean-style fare at Olives featuring house-made pastas, steaks, rotisserie dishes and brick-oven pizzas in this rustic restaurant.  For a more casual experience, check out Nine Fine Irishmen at New York-New York.  This rowdy Irish pub’s outdoor balcony and patio overlook The Strip providing great people watching and serves authentic Irish pub food featuring shepherd’s pie, bangers and mash, and beer battered cod and chips.
• Skip the hot chocolate and indulge the inner child while satiating adult cravings.  The Pub at Monte Carlo serves grown up milkshakes such as the Chocolate-Covered Strawberry created with Stoli Strawberry Vodka, chocolate ice cream, white crème de cacao and raspberry liquor.  As an alternative, chill out with a strawberry or original flavor margarita popsicle at Diego at MGM Grand.  Especially popular with guests after spending a sizzling afternoon by the pool, these popsicles combine a beloved summer treat with an all-time favorite party cocktail.

“O” – Cirque du Soleil

The most famous attraction at the Bellagio is the “O” experience. “O” offers viewers a theatrical performance with vivid color, breathtaking special effects, and mesmerizing costume, set design, and troupe performances.

In French, the native tongue of Cirque du Soleil, the word for water is eau, pronounced “O”, and there’s plenty of it in this breathtaking theatrical extravaganza conceived by Franco Dragone.

Most of the stage floor is given over to a large pool that, thanks to some theatrical magic, appears, changes shape, and disappears at the director’s will. In, around, under, and (most spectacularly) above this transmutable stage Dragone has created a surrealistic dream of wonder.

In typical Cirque du Soleil fashion, an oddball assortment of clowns and “characters” runs through the entire show occupying the margins of the action and hinting at some mysterious storyline that may or may not exist. In any event, they are window dressing to the major circus acts that form the core of the show. And what acts they are!

“O” – Cirque du Soleil

Most of them are aerial acts taken to amazing lengths of imagination and bravado. Occasionally, the action descends to pool level, on floating islands or small platforms that rise from the watery depths. Here acrobats and contortionists hold forth, diving into the water and performing intricate water ballets.

In one exhilarating number, a succession of divers soar aloft from wildly swinging platforms to perform stunning, and occasionally funny, dives into the pool. In another, acrobats perform on a ghostly ship swaying high overhead.

The depth and breadth of theatrical imagination on display here is seemingly limitless and even the simple act of raising the curtain when the show begins can take your breath away.

Like many Cirque du Soleil shows, this is one where it helps to get some distance from the stage. That way you can better take in the staggeringly beautiful stage pictures that follow one after the other in this truly magical production.

O will no doubt run forever at the Bellagio. For more Las vegas show information or tickets call 800-963-9634, 702-796-9999, or log on to the Cirque du Soleil site at http://www.cirquedusoleil.com

Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa – One 80 Suite

The Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas is west of the famous Strip, but has attracted a strong customer base who are looking for luxury, but not at the expensive of dealing with throngs of rowdy people.

The Red Rock Resort offers over-the-top elegance that rivals any luxury resort in the world. For an ultra-luxurious stay, consider the One 80 Suite.

This lavish suite features floor-to-ceiling windows that provide incredible views of the Vegas Strip toward the east, as well as Red Rock Canyon to the west. It’s truly an unbelievable 180 degree, million dollar view.

One 80 Suite opened back in 2006 and features 6,500 square feet of luxury living space.

It has only two bedrooms, but the One 80 Suite has plenty of room to party and has been aptly decorated to the nines.

The sophisticated decor includes a stylish combination of stainless steel, custom black and brown wood, unique mood lighting, plus fine velvet and silk.

One 80 Suite includes a large terrace that is equipped with a huge Jacuzzi tub, large rotating sofa, billiards table, dining table with seating for 12 people, plus a party-sized bar for any type of celebration.

For sports nuts who want to ensure not missing anything on that big game, enjoy the suite’s amazing, 103-inch plasma-screen TV !

Corinthia Hotels Budapest

Corinthia Hotels Luxury Property in Europe

Corinthia Hotels offers a luxury collection of five-star properties located in some of the most beautiful European cities including: London, Prague, Lisbon, Budapest, St. Petersburg, plus the Mediterranean island of Malta.

If you are considering a luxury getaway to Europe, for the Christmas and New Year’s Eve holidays, a stay at one of the Corinthia Hotels should be your choice.

It doesn’t matter if you want to enjoy your holiday festivities from elaborate Christmas dinners to red carpet New Year’s Eve balls, or prefer to spend quiet time getting pampered in a spa and indulging in world class dining, the Corinthia Hotels are prepared to make this a “holiday to remember.”

Corinthia Hotel London – newly opened April 2011
Experience the festive season in unrivaled luxury and elegance at the recently opened Corinthia Hotel London.  The hotel boasts some of the largest rooms and suites in the very heart of London with Trafalgar Square on the north bank of the Thames, across from the London Eye.  Corinthia’s new flagship offers a variety of culinary delights, including contemporary modern British cuisine in The Northall and Mediterranean seafood in Massimo Restaurant and Oyster Bar.  Packages start at £299 per night (approx $467) for two including breakfast and dinner.

Enjoy a traditional British Afternoon Tea with a festive twist in the Corinthia Hotel London’s Lobby Lounge – whose chic, serene surroundings have you seated beneath the stunning Baccarat crystal ‘Full-Moon’ Chandelier. The seasonal menu reflects classic British Christmas foods in miniature form alongside traditional afternoon tea treats, carefully crafted using premium British produce with all recipes overseen by world renowned Pastry Chef Claire Clark, MBE.  With Laurent-Perrier and Louis Roederer Brut Rosé available, in addition to an array of teas, including bespoke blends created especially for Corinthia London.  Afternoon Tea starts at £35 (approx $55).

After a holiday of indulgence, embrace the New Year with a renewed dedication to wellbeing at the four-story ESPA Life at Corinthia, the largest hotel spa in London.   Starting at £195 (approx $300), a one-day detox will clarify and revitalize body and mind, melting away accumulated stress, leaving you fresh for the New Year.

Corinthia Hotel Budapest, Hungary
Capture the spirit of Christmas with a special two-night package at the Corinthia Hotel Budapest, the only hotel in Hungary included in TripAdvisor’s list of the top 25 hotels in Europe, which has been a city landmark for over a century.  Enjoy comfortable accommodation, traditional food with live entertainment and pampering at the Royal Spa, from €374 (approx $506) for two nights.

The Corinthia Hotel Budapest’s Royal Spa, which first opened in 1886, has been beautifully restored to the original splendor of the 19^th century, while offering the latest state-of-the-art features of the 21st century, such as a 15 meter swimming pool, several relaxation areas, saunas, steam bath, Jacuzzis, a fitness room, multisensory shower, as well as a variety of therapeutic and massage treatments.

Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg, Russia
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Russian opulence at Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg with its special three-night New Year’s package, starting at €998 (approx $1350) for two people, including airport transfers.  Enjoy deluxe accommodations, sumptuous buffet breakfast and New Year’s Eve celebration at the Imperial Restaurant with an exquisite gala buffet featuring a seafood bar, wide selection of International and Russian delicacies, free-flowing wines, vodka, champagne for the midnight toast and live entertainment.

Ideally located in the heart of St. Petersburg on Nevsky Prospect, the 400-room Corinthia Hotel St Petersburg, following extensive refurbishment and restructuring work, now boasts more rooms and more facilities under one roof than any other luxury hotel in the city. 

Corinthia Hotel Prague, Czech Republic
Escape to the Corinthia Hotel Prague and enjoy upscale accommodation, pampering at the Apollo Day Spa and a 30-minute massage starting from €79 (approx $106) per night, valid for stays of at least two nights. On New Year’s Eve, attend the Red Carpet Glamour Party to kick off 2012 in style. Walk down the red carpet, sip champagne and feel the glitz at the Corinthia Hotel Prague with a live band playing famous movie title songs.

Standing on top of one of Prague’s seven hills, the Corinthia Hotel Prague offers stunning panoramic views of the colorful city from its top floor ballroom as well as from the indoor swimming pool.

Corinthia Hotel Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon, one of the most fashionable European capitals, is the backdrop for a special Christmas. For € 145 (approx $196) per person, guests can enjoy a two-night stay at Corinthia Hotel Lisbon, including a special Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas lunch at Sete Colinas Restaurant with live music with a duo New Jazz Band.

The Award-winning Corinthia Hotel Lisbon is located in the heart of the financial district, a short distance from the historic city center, as well as the Lisbon International Airport.  The modern, stylish hotel offers stunning views of the 18^th century Aqueduct and beautiful Monsanto Natural Park.

Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, Malta
Celebrate an exquisitely traditional Christmas at Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa with gourmet cuisine, live entertainment and a Christmas stocking from Santa starting at €261  (approx $353) for two nights.

Set in the beautifully landscaped gardens of a 19^th century restored villa the Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa was the very first property in the Corinthia portfolio. Located across the street from the Presidential Palace and Botanical Gardens, it is in close proximity to the capital, Valetta, and the ancient walled city of Mdina

Corinthia Hotel St George’s Bay, Malta
Corinthia Hotel St George Bay offers a New Year’s countdown you will never forget in a Mediterranean atmosphere. Usher in the New Year at Corinthia, with its fun atmosphere and diverse entertainment starting at €532 (approx $720) based on two guests sharing for three nights. The New Year Eve’s package includes sumptuous buffet breakfast at Fra Martino restaurant, VIP treatment of truffles and liqueur in your room upon arrival, New Year’s Eve buffet dinner in the hotel’s main dining room with live entertainment, and free use of the facilities at the Apollo day Spa, which include the indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and fitness studio.

Every room at the Corinthia Hotel St. George’s Bay has a terrace offering stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and an architectural landscape that reflects the many cultural influences on this lovely, charming, Island.

For additional information, please visit www.corinthia.com/christmas.

Universal Whisky Experience

I have a love/hate relationship with Las Vegas. I’ve experienced two disastrous work-related conferences, lost all of the cash I had on me, and had my shoes vomited on by a drunken stranger. But on the flip side, I was astounded by multiple amazing Cirque du Soleil shows, tasted the most exquisite food and wine, and most importantly, Vegas was where my fiance proposed.

I vowed to never return to Vegas after each calamitous encounter, but the allure of luxury and the promise of adventure always kept me revisiting Sin City. It looks like next March would be another excuse for me to escape my day job for a weekend and sneak away to the Universal Whisky Experience at the Wynn Las Vegas.

Taking place on between 2-3 of March in 2012 is world’s first premier luxury whisky show, the Universal Whisky Experience. Created by commercial real estate mogul, Mahesh Patel, these shows are designed to promote super-premium whisky.

Mahesh’s great passion in life is whisky, namely “Scotch” whisky. A connoisseur and enthusiast, he frequently attends exclusive whisky events and gatherings both domestically and abroad. He has been a collector of fine and rare whiskies for more than 20 years.

An event unlike any other, it attracts globe trotting whisky aficionados, collectors, and industry experts to one location where guests can share their passion for high-end whiskies. Taking place between March 2-3, 2012 at the Wynn Las Vegas, the Universal Whisky Experience consists of over 25 distilleries, exclusive VIP tasting events, Master Classes and gourmet dinners. In addition, attendees have the rare opportunity to savor samples from Mahesh’s distinctive whisky collection.

Just remember to drink responsibly. No woman likes having their shoes vomited on.

Hotel Amigo – Belgium

My favorite company that I have marketed was a high-profile architectural design studio based in Europe. I reported directly to the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing; a warm, gregarious, and charismatic Belgian man.  He always had a story about snow days in his hometown, near-death sales calls, or the misadventures of an overzealous family member.  We always left our weekly sales and marketing meetings wide-eyed in disbelief.

Even though I know most of his stories are highly exaggerated, that still doesn’t diminish my desire to find out once and for all whether eating the snow in Belgium would burn all excess body fat.  I’d do it in style in Brussels, with the help of Rocco Forte.

Known for classical luxury and elite extravagance, Rocco Forte Hotels is a family of 13 highly individual properties spread out all over Europe; each hotel features the unique style and ambiance from which the local city inspires.

Located in the heart of Brussels sits one of the thirteen: Hotel Amigo.  Rated as the best luxury hotel in Brussels, Hotel Amigo enjoys the view of the Grand Place and within easy walking distance to the artistic antiques district of Le Sablon.

In celebration of the much anticipated Steven Spielberg film, “The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn,” Rocco Forte’s Hotel Amigo and Moulinsart are rolling out the red carpet for Belgium’s favorite comic book hero and his loyal sidekick Snowy with two new exciting Tintin experiences.

Armed with a detailed Tintin map provided by the hotel, guests would begin their adventure tracing Tintin’s steps around the Belgian capital and walk through the Brussels’ park depicted in King Ottokar’s Sceptre, visit the concert hall that inspired the Hippodrome in The Seven Crystal Balls, and browse antiques at the daily flea market on the Place du Jeu de Ball – the setting for the film’s opening scene in which Belgium’s national hero buys his best friend Captain Haddock a model ship.

Guests can also visit the Hergé Museum, located 30 minutes from Brussels’ city center.  With tickets included in both of Hotel Amigo’s Tintin experiences, guests can explore this astounding piece of architecture which contains more than 80 original print plates along with a plethora of documents and photographs, highlighting the work and life of the comic book mastermind.

I encourage you to visit Hotel Amigo in Brussels.  If not for Tintin’s adventures, the scenery, or the bliss of opulence, then surely for the rumored fat-dissolving snow, however little there are.