by Lisa McCallum In late December of 2004, I sat in the foyer of my $5-a-night hotel room in Penang, Malaysia, arguing with an angry night guard who insisted I keep my door closed. I tried telling him I was waiting for a bus. He finally gave up and went back to bed, and my…
by Julie Dupuis Familiarity. Confidence. Sometimes you just have to let them go. How about incompatibility and uncertainty? Transitions aren’t always easy—that’s what I told myself when I decided to crop my hair short before travelling sola to Ecuador and Peru for three months. The locks fell away and I was smitten. Why did I…
The goal of Spa Week is to make the spa experience accessible to everyone by offering discounts from spas around the country. Perfect for those of us who can’t justify shelling out hundreds of dollars for a mani-pedi or massage. Until December 22, you can purchase a $100 gift card for $80! This makes a…
by Kellea Croft Mountain Heritage Hotel & Spa has tured 100 years old. Once known as the California, it is still affectionately called ‘the Cali’ by the Katoomba locals, and it recalls the days of grand guesthouses with elegance and style. Its castle-like tower, spiraling wood staircases, majestic statues and historic photographs lining the walls…
by Allison Neves People in the know, like medico and fitness gurus, say that individuals should partake in 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity at least five times a week to maintain good health. Beyond that many people have personal fitness goals such as losing ten pounds for a reunion or running their first marathon, that…
by Melissa Josue I miss kayaking at dawn on the tranquil sapphire waters of Laguna Bacalar. Here, the faint crows of roosters summon the day. Crystal clear waters ebb and flow beneath hammocks swinging from a thatched-roof dock. Fresh tropical fruit and homemade breads beckon from the open-air dining room. Orchids adorn the trunks and…
by Michelle McAlister I fly down the hallway and frantically dig out the yellow pages from the kitchen drawer. I look under “H” for Hurricane. Hurricane Concrete, Hurricane Fencing, Hurricane Shutters… Sheets of rain slap the King palms that earlier shrouded my rented residence in lush secret coverage. The palms lay flat, flapping, wagging in…