Having grown up and lived in Manhattan for awhile, I never thought about staying at a hotel in New York City, but when the opportunity presented itself for New Years Eve, I figured why not? I wouldn’t have to worry about hailing a cab when there are none available, and could just crawl into bed right after the party next door. I stayed at the Kimberly Hotel, a beautiful luxury suite hotel on 50th street between Lexington and 3rd Avenue, had a great dinner at the hotel restaurant, Ferros, and partied into the night at Nikki Midtown, a hot trendy nightclub which is also next door. I had everything I needed for the perfect New Years Eve all in one place. The Kimberly Hotel is a great choice for a getaway any time of year, and the suites make it an attractive option when looking for a spacious hotel room in New York City. Come back and read my travelogue about the hotel which will be posted soon.
New Years Eve in New York City
Daytona Beach
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when I say Daytona Beach? Whether or not you’re a racing fan, I’ll bet it’s the Daytona 500 and the racetrack. While racing is a big part of the heritage of Daytona Beach, there is so much more to this beautiful beach town and is perfect for a family or friends getaway. Rent a bike and ride up and down the beach to the boardwalk, kayak though the beautiful Spruce Creek Preserve, deep sea fish or go horseback riding, climb aboard an aqua safari, take a catamaran ride on the ocean, go deep sea fishing, or check out St. Johns River and DeLeon Springs State Park.
I’m a big outdoors person, but how could I go to Daytona Beach without checking out the Daytona 500 Experience? Even if you’re not a racing fan and don’t know anything about Nascar, like myself, you’ll thoroughly enjoy the 3D IMAX movie that teaches you how the cars are made. With so much to do at this attraction, you can easily spend half a day learning about the history of Nascar, taking a tram tour around the racetrack or my favorite part, riding a simulated racecar at 150 mph. At the end of the race, you receive a print out of your standing in the race and how fast you went with each lap. I crashed twice, but still managed to place 15th out of 31 drivers. Not bad for my first time on the track!
Daytona Beach is a great destination if you’re looking for outdoor adventure. Get your blood flowing in the morning with a kayak or canoe ride with Cracker Creek Canoeing. While getting your muscles warmed up, you’ll have the opportunity to see wildlife in its natural surroundings. While there, you can tour James Gamble’s (of Proctor and Gamble) hunting lodge and see replicas from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which supposedly inspired Walt Disney to build Disneyland. There are many other opportunities to get out on the water and experience the region’s ecosystems. The Daytona Beach Aqua Safari is led by a licensed captain and marine biologist and consists of a red double decker bus ride to Ponce Inlet, where you’re experience an eco-tour of the area’s scenic inlet. Additional attractions at Ponce Inlet include the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, which is the second largest lighthouse in the country, but surprisingly fairly easy to climb and the marine science center which has a whole section for turtle and seabird rehabilitation. After a day of exploring, relax and have fun on the ocean with a catamaran ride as you watch the beautiful sunset.
DeLeon Springs State Park is a must see for two reasons. One is “The Old Spanish Sugar Mill Grill and Griddle House” and the other one is the Fountain of Youth Eco and History Tour. The Sugar Mill Grill and Griddle House is a great breakfast spot and fun for the whole family. In the rustic restaurant, you make your own pancakes and eggs. For the pancakes, you can choose whole grain or regular and can add whatever kind of fruit you’d like. The Fountain of Youth Eco/History Tour is run by an entertaining older couple who know exactly where to take you to see crocodiles and dolphins.
Another wonderful option for your trip includes a day with Captain Eric West and his 36-foot Eagle Yacht for hands on sailing instructions. He is a great instructor and makes it fun for people of all ages. He told stories about the ninety year old he taught to sail, as well as the four year old. He’s also been a part of many special moments, including taking couples out for proposals. If you love horseback riding, or even if you’ve never been, you can experience a guided tour on the quiet trail of Shenandoah Stables.
Daytona Beach has some wonderful restaurants for all kinds of palates. The Hyde Park Steakhouse, while it’s a chain, serves up delicious steak and fish dishes inside the Daytona Beach Hilton Hotel with a very friendly and informative wait staff. Martinis Chophouse serves up delicious creative dishes and a wide array of you guessed it…martinis…and on some nights, for just a dollar! Le Crepe en Haunt is a landmark French restaurant in Ormond Beach with a quaint dining area perfect for a romantic night out. If you’re looking for a great place for breakfast, the Dancing Avocado serves up fresh smoothies and delicious meals made with only the finest, healthiest ingredients. They also serve lunch and dinner with a menu consisting of standard and vegetarian options.
Daytona Beach is lined with hotels for all budgets. If you’re on a budget, and who isn’t in this economy, check out the Emerald Shores Hotel. Located on the beach, the management is extremely friendly and makes you feel at home. The rooms have a kitchenette with a stove, microwave, and refrigerator, so it’s perfect for long visits. Plus, their general manager, Libby Gallant, promises readers of this article a 15% discount off their stay if you ask for her and mention this travelogue.
So if you’re looking for a weekend or week long getaway, visit Daytona Beach for one of their many events throughout the year, or to just relax on the beach and enjoy the many aquatic activities. And did you know you can even drive your car onto parts of the beach? Definitely one of the features that makes Daytona Beach memorable!
New Travelogues!
Check out the new travelogues to the right from my trips to Cozumel and Cancun. While in Cancun, we took the ferry to Isla Mujeres and drove down to Playa del Carmen, so there’s some information in the Cancun article about the beautiful island of Isla Mujeres and a show you must see at Xcaret in Playa del Carmen. Come back soon to read about my recent trip to Daytona Beach. You can find more of my travel articles under the media section of this site as well. Enjoy!
Los Cabos and Nashville Audio
October and November were filled with great trips to Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Nashville, and Daytona Beach. I have a bit a of catching up to do on my travelogues for Cancun, Cozumel and Daytona Beach, so in the meantime, I thought I’d post my segments from recent appearances on “The Travel Show with Erik Hastings.” I always have a lot of fun with him, as he’s one of those hosts with a great sense of humor who always makes his guests feel welcome. Below are the segments from Los Cabos and Nasville. Enjoy!
Erik has also just launched http://www.dinner-for-six-nyc.com/. He’s teamed up with a professional NYC chef to teach you how to prepare and the cook for the perfect dinner party. He’s taking reservations now for his December classes, so check it out!!
Pesos and La Playa
It’s been awhile since I’ve posted, as I’ve been traveling a bunch, but I couldn’t ask for anything more! I just got back from a wonderful trip in Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. I had been to the Riviera Maya a few months ago, so this was great because I got to go do a few things I had missed the last time around, such as the Mexican Spectacular show at Xcaret, which was amazing. In the eco archaeological park of Xcaret, we also swam through caves and saw beautiful fishes of many colors in the ocean.
The part of the trip in Cancun was really romantic, as we stayed at the Bel Air Collection, which did a great job in putting together a spa package incredible enough to relax even me, who sometimes has a tough time unwinding. This was the first trip my boyfriend joined me on, and they really made it a special one.
We took a ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, and had a great time. Cozumel is so much more than a cruise port. At Chankanaab Park, we swam with the dolphins and saw beautiful fish while Snuba diving. It’s a combination of snorkeling and scuba diving…similar to diving, but without the tank on your back. Cozumel has gorgeous beaches, especially at Punta Sur, which also is home to a lighthouse with a beautiful view. Near our hotel, La Ceiba, we snorkeled and fed the sting rays, which was a lot of fun. It was a definite challenge to get to the bottom of the ocean to feed the sting rays before the fish grabbed the fish food out of our hands for themselves!
If your heading to Cancun, you must check out Isla Mujeres, which is a quick ferry ride from Cancun. We took a moped around the island, which was a great way to see a lot in a short amount of time. I could write so much more about our incredible trip, but I must finish packing, as I’m off to Daytona tomorrow. Check back soon for the full travelogue on these and future destinations!
Two step over to my travelogue on Nashville!
I recently was in Nashville and had a blast! From the Grand Ole Opry to the honky tonks downtown, Nashville is definitely a fun city! Check out my Nashville travelogue to the right.
Hi y’all from Nashville!
I am here in Music City…Nashville, TN, and having a blast! I’m very excited to go to the Opry tomorrow night. Craig Morgan is getting inducted, and there is going to be a great lineup of performers. Today, I toured RCA Studio B, where Elvis recorded for so many years, and I got to bang out a few notes on the Steinway piano he played. Our group also recorded one of his songs in studio. It’s amazing how well we can sound with the right recording equipment! I had the opportunity to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and had a delicious bbq dinner at the famous Wildhorse Saloon in downtown Nashville last night. Later tonight, we’re headed to the Bluebird Cafe, a real cool spot for local muscians and songwriters.
The Opryland Resort is where we’re staying and it is huge! With 2,881 rooms, it is the largest non gaming property in the country! We took a boat down the 1/4 mile that runs through the hotel through the lush gardens. Since eating is one of my favorite pastimes, I enjoyed the buffet breakfast at the Waters Edge…an omlet station, cereals, fruits, as well as the usual breakfast fare. They even have a few fresh squeezed juices, like the detox drink for those who party it up a little too much the night before at their nightclub, Fuse, which has quickly become the hottest nightclub in Nashville. I hope to check it out tonight and try their signature cotton candy drink. Sugar and alcohol…should be interesting! Tomorrow, I’m looking forward to spending time at the Ryman Auditorium and the honky tonks downtown. No matter when you go into places like Tootsies, you will always hear a wanna be performer. It’s pretty neat how many talented people are here in Nashville. The city has a great energy…lots of entertainment minus the craziness of NYC or LA.
The Riviera Maya
Once again I am up way too late, but there’s so much to do! Do you ever feel like your mind is always racing with so much to do but you never enough time? I am gearing up for my trip to Los Cabos in a few days, so very excited about that, but of course that means packing. You’d think I’d have it down to a science already, but of course I don’t. The big debate…do I check a bag so I have extra room in the suitcase or just try to squish everything into a carry-on so I don’t have to worry about lost luggage or the new charges for checking your bags?
Before heading to Los Cabos, I made sure to write up my Riviera Maya article. A copy of it is listed on the right side of the blog. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to place it in it’s own travel category, so for now, it’s with my other fitness pages. Here is the link from the radio segment that aired on WABC Radio in NYC.
Los Cabos
Tranquility, beauty, exquisite cuisine, and an exhilarating nightlife…what more could you ask for in a vacation destination? Los Cabos, located at the tip of the Baja California Sur Peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez, consists of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.
While you’ll find several upscale peaceful resorts in Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo tends to be a little more sophisticated, while those looking for a bit of the party atmosphere would prefer Cabo San Lucas.
With many gorgeous resorts to choose from, you really can’t go wrong. The Sheraton Hacienda del Mar is located in the exclusive Cabo del Sol Golf Complex, thirty five minutes from the airport, ten minutes from the nightlife in downtown Cabo, and twenty minutes from San Jose del Cabo. I loved the perfect blend of comfort, hospitality, and fun. The Sheraton, like most of the resorts has the Sea of Cortez as its backdrop and is surrounded by twenty eight oceanfront acres.
The resort consists of 270 spacious guest rooms including 31 suites and the ultra comfy Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed, a Jacuzzi, large walk in shower, and a private balcony or patio. The wonderful bed and extra large shower made it very easy to relax and feel rejuvenated. Dinner the first night was at the D’Cortez Grill, situated almost right on the beach. The mixed seafood soup and grilled shrimps were muy delicioso. I couldn’t have asked for a nicer ambiance than the sound of the huge waves crashing against the shore in front of us. Their international restaurant, Tomatoes, serves breakfast, lunch, and a different themed dinner each night. They offer a choice of their breakfast menu or an extensive buffet of fresh fruits, cereals, yogurt, a made to order omelet station, and traditional Mexican dishes.
For golfing enthusiasts, Ocean Course (The Pebble Beach of Baja) and the Desert Course are world class. The extensive beachfront features four swimming pool, Jacuzzis, and a swim up bar. The 11,000 foot Cactus Spa, a member of the Starwood Spa Collection, features a fitness center, beauty salon, 11 treatment rooms, and an outdoor lounge and plunge pool. Speaking of spas, if you are visiting Cabo, you’d be remiss not to pamper yourself with a spa treatment or two. In 2007, Travel and Leisure listed the top ten hotel spas in Mexico and Central and South America, and four of the ten are located in Los Cabos. I had a wonderful sixty minute massage at the Esperanza Resort and Spa, which was rated number one. With celebrities escaping to the exclusive property, it’s easy to see why. The spa at Esperanza has a steam cave, plunge pools and a cooling waterfall to enjoy before your treatment, as well as an outdoor shower in your own private treatment area. If it’s a nice day, you can opt for the sliding door to your room to stay open so you can enjoy the peaceful sounds of the ocean around you. After you’re left floating from your massage, relax in their lounge as long as you’d like. The aguas frescas, made from indigenous Mexican fruits, vegetables, and desert plants are made fresh for you before your spa experience and are delicious and great for cleansing and energy. Since the Esperanza Resort is carved into the bluffs overlooking the Sea of Cortez, the restaurants offer an amazing view and atmosphere. Be sure to try their cerviche!
The Cuisine of Cabo is really phenomenal. The chefs are top notch from all around the world. Many who are hired to a hotel end up staying in Los Cabos to open their own restaurants. Casianos, located in San Jose del Cabo, is a true dining experience. With no set menu, you inform them of any foods you don’t eat, and Chef Casiano Reyes takes it from there. He will surprise you with delectable dishes, drinks, and desserts in a multi course dinner. Everything was truly mouthwatering and satisfying. Another unique dining experience can be found beachfront at the Fiesta Americana. We sat around a large wooden table and listened to the sounds of the guitarist and vocalist over the crashing waves of the Sea of Cortez. Dinner was delicious and featured creative dishes for the most discriminating palate.
The Villa del Arco is a hotel and time share property and features the largest gym in Los Cabos, a big pirate ship in the pool area, and delicious cuisine at your choice of restaurants. The service was impeccable. I was impressed by the attentiveness of the wait staff and how they all worked in unison to serve us our meals.
Cabo is so beautiful, and with such beaches as Medano and Lovers Beach, you’ll definitely want to kayak or take a glass bottom boat out to the famous arch and the surrounding areas. There are plenty of ways to explore the various beaches with activities such as kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, or taking out a wave runner. Baja Wild Outfitters is a tour and rental company and offers everything from snorkeling and kayaking to ATV riding, surfing lessons, hiking trips, jeep expeditions, and whale watching during peak season. Sportfishing is also very popular in Cabo San Lucas.
While in Cabo, you must go swimming with dolphins at Cabo Dolphins. Maya was our dolphin and she had me smiling the whole time we were with her. She let us feel her belly, gave us each a kiss, jumped over a pole we held over the water, and for the big finale, I took hold of her fin and rode her back across the pool. There was a professional photographer taking pictures throughout with an option to purchase them at the end.
After relaxing all day, be sure to party all night in downtown Cabo San Lucas. Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina is a favorite nightspot for drinks and dancing. Inside the cantina is a 24 hour internet radio station, Cabo Wabo Radio, which broadcasts rock and classic hits. The DJ sits in the radio studio looking out into the club, while fans can watch the live broadcast through the glass windows. The downtown area is also a good spot for shopping and bargaining with merchants for your favorite Cabo souvenir.
So if you’re looking to get away for a long weekend or an extended vacation to relax in gorgeous surroundings, enjoy delectable cuisine and party the night away, head south of the border to Los Cabos, Mexico! Have a shot of tequila for me!
Riviera Maya
If you’re looking to get away to a place full of natural beauty, culture and adventure, look no further than the paradise of the Riviera Maya. Located on the northeast corner of the Yucatan Peninsula, with pristine turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, lush jungles, and historical Mayan ruins, the Riviera Maya has plenty of outdoor activities which allow you to explore this breathtaking section of Mexico. While there, I had the opportunity to experience so much in my five day/four night stay.
With so many hotels in the Riviera Maya, there is a place to suit everyone’s needs, from all inclusive properties on the beach to remote boutique hotels. I stayed at the Sandos Playacar Riviera Hotel and Spa, right off of the beautiful white sandy beach of Playacar, and next to the Sandos Playacar Beach Resort and Spa. The all inclusive is 45 minutes from Cancun International airport, and close to Playa del Carmen, where you’ll find great shopping and restaurants on Fifth Avenue. They have more than fifteen bars and restaurants, including delicious buffets, as well as top notch à la carte restaurants. All of the food was really delicious. I didn’t have one bad meal. The resort also includes a spa and fitness center, disco, tennis courts, gift and jewelry shops, and a few outdoor pools, one of which is for adults only. Non-motorized sports are included, and they do a great job of organizing activities by the pool by day and putting on a spectacular show at night. I went for a 25 minute spa treatment, which was tremendous. They offer a wide array of services for a reasonably good price. Usually spa treatments are a bit pricey at vacation resorts, but their fair prices was a nice surprise. With so much to do at the resort, you can easily spend your entire vacation there. However, I do think you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not experiencing some of the enchanting activities, scenery, and history the Riviera Maya has to offer.
Altournative organizes adventurous activities such as zip-lining through the jungle, along with its newest hidden treasure, Rio Secreto. They give you the option of a hotel pickup or meeting at their location, about five minutes from Playa del Carmen. Once there, you’ll ride in a unimog through the jungle and arrive near the entrance to the underground river. They will give you your gear, including a wet suit, helmet with a light and water shoes. A guide will lead you on a 600 meter tour through a spectacular cave of stalagmites and stalactites. At the end of the hour and a half tour, the guide turns out the lights and lets you float in the water in total darkness, which was incredibly peaceful and serene. Once you’re out of the cave, you’re treated to a lunch of fresh fruit and sandwiches.
Xcaret and Xel-Ha are two natural amusement parks in the Riviera Maya that are not to be missed. The founder of the land around Xcaret uncovered cenotes formed by collapsed cave ceilings, weakend by 3 million years of erosion from underground rivers running through them and flowing into the sea, and decided that this incredible beauty should be shared with the public. In Xcaret, be sure to see the incredible aquarium, which includes some hands-on exhibits, and learn about the turtle release program. They also have a spectacular performance in the evening. After we left Xcaret, we went to Xcacel and took part in a turtle release at the beach. We were handed a baby turtle that had just hatched. We each gave our turtle a name and a kiss and wished them the best as they started their journey into the ocean.
The natural wonder that is Xel-Ha is an open-sea aquarium with over 70 recorded species of freshwater and seawater fish, and offers a variety of land and water activities and ecological attractions. After a scrumptious Mexican buffet, fully covered in the all-inclusive price of admission, it was off on a bike ride to see some local wildlife before snorkeling in the combination of sea and fresh water. Despite my fear, I even jumped 15 feet off the cliff of courage into the water below. Other water activities at Xel-Ha include swimming with the dolphins, kayaking, and snuba, which uses a combination of snorkel and scuba equipment. If you’re more in the mood for relaxation, you can float away the day in a tube.
Punta Venado is another place filled with beauty and adventure. There are various activities to choose from, including horseback riding, snorkeling and ATV Adventure. I took a guided tour through the jungle on an ATV, explored a cave along the way, swam in a fresh water centote, rode the ATV along the beach, and then snorkeled in the beautiful Mexican Caribbean waters. While snorkeling, I saw all kinds of exciting fish and sea turtles and felt the difference in water temperature as I swam over the cenotes. The adventure ended with a great fruit platter and some snacks.
For a bit of a unique experience, you’ll want to check out Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. The largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean, Sian Ka’an is approximately 1.3 million acres in size and spans 120 kilometers from north to south, comprising almost one third of the Caribbean coast of Mexico. Community Tours Sian Ka’an is the only locally-run tour operator working in the reserve. The guides are from local surrounding communities whose Mayan ancestors have made Sian Ka’an an historic destination for its culture and its beauty. Named to Conde Nast’s Green List in September 2005 as one of the top three ecotourism destinations in the world, the guides do a great job of explaining the Mayan culture and ways of life.
The Muyil Forrest and Float tour combines the ancient Mayan culture, flora and fauna. Through the one hour tour of the Mayan ruins, the guide speaks of his personal experiences living in the area. After walking through the jungle for a bit, we climbed up an observation tower, which displays amazing views of the ruins and lagoons from above the trees. We then took a boat ride into the lagoon to a man-made canal, which we floated down in our lifejackets for about an hour. Definitely a peaceful way to spend the day! Before completing our journey, we took the boat back and went for a dip in the freshwater cenote. To top off an already wonderful experience, they had delicious tamales waiting for us when we got off the boat.
While the trip was absolutely breathtaking and adventurous, it wouldn’t have been complete without a little shopping along Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen. However, be prepared to bargain! Never pay full price on any item, especially in the jewelry shops. Shop owners are expecting you to bargain with them, so they start out with a price that is quite inflated. However, if you’re good at driving a hard bargain, you can get some really nice items for a good price. I bought a few pairs of earrings and a necklace.
While in Playa del Carmen, you must experience the nightlife. Many restaurants have a live performer outside, while such clubs as “The Blue Parrot” have an impressive fire show at 11pm, and great music and dancing throughout the rest of the night.
So if you’re looking for a long weekend getaway or better yet, can sneak away for a bit longer, I would highly recommend the Riviera Maya. With so much beauty and culture, you can relax at the beautiful beaches with a drink in hand or partake in the many adventurous activities. With direct flights from many of the major airports, your trip to paradise is closer and easier than you think.
