PRIME INDULGENCE
For a truly personal spa experience, head to Southern California, where the specialized treatments are as individual and eclectic as the breezy lifestyle. Check out our list of favorites to find the perfect niche for you — or your valentine.
Manly Spa
La Quinta Resort & Club lists more than a dozen treatments in its Men’s Spa Service Guide, including back scrubs and massages geared to work stress and sports aches. Open-air showers, outdoor soaking tubs, and private massage patios provide a picturesque setting.
49499 Eisenhower Dr., La Quinta
800.598.3828
laquintaresort.com
Business Travelers’ Spa
At the InterContinental Los Angeles in Century City, Frequent Traveler and Road Rage Recovery treatments relieve hand, shoulder, and neck tension caused by hunching over a steering wheel. Afterwards, soothe weary muscles in the infinity-edge jetted tub in your personal spa villa.
2151 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles
888.424.6835
intercontinental.com/losangeles
Get Away From It All Spa
Hollywood elites, VIPs, couples on a romantic getaway, or anyone who’d rather not mingle with the masses can reserve The Spa Sanctuary at Desert Springs Resort & Spa. The retreat is staffed with a butler and has a private entrance, courtyard, and changing rooms. You’ll also find a two-person hydrotherapy tub, programmable shower, and living area with a fireplace and HDTV.
74855 Country Club Dr., Palm Desert
800.255.0848
desertspringsresort.com
Sweet 16 Spa
The Sea Spa at Loews Coronado Bay Resort understands teen angst. After all, spa-ing with adults might cause death from embarrassment. The hip teen area has bright decor, anti-acne facials, sports massages, and a class in Teenage Skincare 101.
4000 Coronado Bay Rd., Coronado
619.628.8770
loewshotels.com
Bun in the Oven Spa
The spa at the Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey pampers moms-to-be with a half-dozen treatments. The Yummy Tummy is like a facial for the belly and promises to soothe the abdomen, while treatments like Free Loader and Lighten Up relieve leg heaviness, tired muscles, water retention, and stressed skin. The 4th Trimester Healing Hour is a full massage that helps realign the body after delivery.
4375 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey
310.823.1700
ritzcarlton.com
Do It Yourself Spa
It really is all about you in the O.C. The Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Newport Beach has set aside a “U Room” that’s all yours — you don’t even share it with a therapist. You have exclusive DIY access to your own steam shower, whirlpool, exfoliating scrubs, moisturizing muds, and aromatic bath salts.
4500 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach
949.476.2001
fairmont.com/newportbeach
— Maryann Hammers
Map by Laura Coyle
LAS VEGAS
NOW APPEARING
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BOSTON
NOODLING IN
Wagamama, the successful chain of noodle bars, is an international affair. Founded in London, the restaurants have helped spread the popularity of Japanese cuisine all over the world, from Sydney to Istanbul. Now, Wagamama’s delicious ramen and udon dishes have landed in the U.S. — in Bean Town.
By staying true to the Japanese tradition of a bright, clean, and communal dining environment, Wagamama offers guests a meal as fast as “fast food,” but with much healthier fare. A popular standard is the Ginger Chicken Udon, cooked with ginger, garlic, and lemongrass. New visitors might want to keep it simple with an appetizer of Steamed Edamame and a main course of Chicken Ramen made with grilled breast slices served in a light broth.
Wagamama plans to continue its expansion in the U.S., but the chain’s next location remains a secret. For now, Boston has branches in Faneuil Hall and Harvard Square. Check them out at wagamama.us.
— John Scott Lewinski
SCOTTSDALE
ON THE ROCKS
Most people dine out to avoid cooking, but not at Scottsdale’s Taneko Japanese Tavern. The restaurant is modeled after the Japanese-style izakaya (friendly neighborhood bar), and one of its most popular menu items is the Hot Rock appetizer. A ceramic rock, which has been warming all day in a wood-fired oven at 600 degrees, arrives at your table first, followed by your choice of marinated fish or beef. Your server presents the thinly sliced raw meat sprinkled with Okinawa sea salt in a bamboo basket and shows you how to use your chop sticks to grill each slice on the hot rock (20 seconds for medium rare). Pair your meal with shochu, a distilled alcoholic beverage that’s often made from sugar cane, barley, buckwheat, or sweet potatoes. For reservations, visit tanekotavern.com.
— Jackie Dishner
PHILADELPHIA
A LOT FOR A LITTLE
Taking a page from Ben “A penny saved is a penny earned” Franklin, Philadelphians love a deal. Which is why a happy hour spot that offers free or discounted food is a great idea. Lots of bars offer reduced prices on drinks from 5 to 7 p.m. But if you’re hungry, here’s where to go.
Rae
Named one of the Best New Restaurants of 2007 by Esquire, Rae’s happy hour fare is as eclectic as chef Daniel Stern’s smart American menu. Graze on complimentary hors d’oeuvres, as well as a selection of artisan cheeses and the charcuterie du jour (available Wednesdays and Fridays). Then try the smoked rabbit nachos or truffle pizza.
2929 Arch St., 215.922.3839
raerestaurant.com
McCormick & Schmick’s
This place may be one of the city’s best-kept happy hour secrets. From 3:30–6 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.–midnight Monday through Friday, there’s an amazing $1.95 menu. That’s right — less than two bucks for tasty fare like a half-pound cheeseburger with fries, or a blackened chicken quesadilla. On Wednesdays, $2 gets you a Philly cheesesteak with fries.
1 South Broad St., 215.568.6888
mccormickandschmicks.com
Snockey’s
A South Philly seafood institution since 1912, Snockey’s weekday “clammy hour” from 4–6 p.m. (also Saturday and Sunday from 2–4 p.m.) is a steal. Pay just 50 cents each for raw or steamed clams, 75 cents for raw or fried oysters, and $3.99 for a Clam Mary (a Bloody Mary garnished with three littlenecks).
1020 S. 2nd St., 215.339.9578
snockeys.com
Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti
The menu of happy hour fare falls in the $1.50–$5 range and includes spoons of crudo (think Italian sushi) along with small plates of shrimp, lamb chops, crab cakes, and crostini. The restaurant boasts a sleek modern lounge and floor-to-ceiling photo-murals offering dizzying views of Italy’s Positano coastline.
212 Walnut St., 215.238.0499
lambertis.com
— Beth D’Addono
Map by Laura Coyle
pittsburgh
ON THE BUBBLE
If you haven’t tried bubble tea, it’s time. The drink saves the best for last. When sipped through a large straw, the black tapioca balls at the cup’s bottom make this beverage addictive. Once a Taiwanese craze, bubble (or boba) tea is now making its mark on Pittsburgh.
Rose Tea Cafe
A few years ago, Pittsburgh’s first — and many say the best — bubble-tea stand expanded to add a traditional Taiwanese menu. Sup while sipping on one of Rose Tea’s many tried-and-true bobas, or, for a lighter treat, check out their latest menu additions — like the mango yogurt smoothie.
5874 ½ Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill
412.421.2238
Asia Tea House
This kiosk in Schenley Plaza’s beautiful acre-long lawn and garden serves boba plus Chinese and Japanese food. For a break from sightseeing at the nearby Carnegie Museum of Natural History, relax with a glass of green Matcha in the park.
4100 Forbes Ave., Oakland
412.681.1974
The Green Mango Noodle Hut
The home of the best Thai food in Pittsburgh also pours a great boba. Drop in for a drink (you’ll love the ginger punch), or make an evening of it: dinner plus an art flick at Regent Square Theater up the street.
1109 S. Braddock Ave., Regent Square
412.244.3310
Lulu’s Noodles
The diverse menu at this Pan Asian spot will satisfy any appetite, from vegetarians to meat lovers. Choose from over a dozen bubble-tea flavors, either with your meal or as an encore.
400 S. Craig St., Oakland
412.681.3333
Orient Express
Get fast, wallet-friendly Cantonese chow as well as bubble tea served hot, cold, or smoothied. Wet your whistle on boba flavored with taro (a kind of purple potato); it’s a real crowd pleaser among the regulars.
4609 Forbes Ave., Oakland
412.622.7232
— Elaine Vitone
Map by Laura Coyle
DENVER
SHE BLINDED ME WITH SCIENCE
Anytime is a good time for a science lesson in Denver. The Mile-High City is packed with attractions bound to raise your IQ.
1. Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Founded in 1900, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is now one of the largest museums of its kind in the country. In addition to Egyptian mummies and rare gems and minerals, more than 90 dioramas built in painstaking detail depict animals from around the world in their natural habitats. The Prehistoric Journey exhibit features life-size “enviroramas” that duplicate the sights and sounds of prehistoric Earth, complete with fighting dinosaurs.
dmns.org
2. Dinosaur Ridge
Ten miles west of Denver you’ll find the spot where the world’s first large dinosaur bones were discovered in 1877. Today, Dinosaur Ridge, a designated National Natural Landmark, preserves more than 300 dinosaur footprints. Scientists discovered the world’s first Stegosaurus here, along with bones from the Allosaurus and Brontosaurus.
dinoridge.org
3. Butterfly Pavilion & Insect Center
Get up close and personal with some creepy-crawlies at the nation’s first standalone nonprofit insect zoo. Brave souls can hold a tarantula, or inspect the scorpions, beetles, giant cockroaches, centipedes, and giant African millipedes on display at the Insect Center. Inside the Butterfly Pavilion you’ll find a tropical forest that’s home to more than 1,200 butterflies representing more than 50 species from around the world. The five-acre facility also features a half-mile nature trail that includes a visit to butterfly and cactus gardens.
butterflies.org
4. Denver Botanic Gardens
Recognized as one of the top botanic gardens in the country, this urban oasis comprises 23 acres of colorful flowers and exotic plants from around the globe. The facility is home to more than 32,000 plants from more than 90 countries (the water lily collection has received national recognition), as well as world-renowned conservatories such as the Rock Alpine Garden. The display’s 500 tons of rock and 5,000 plant species make it a premier example of rock gardening.
botanicgardens.org
5. Denver Zoo
With nearly 4,000 animals representing over 700 species, the Denver Zoo’s animal collection is one of the most diverse in the nation. Among the zoo’s most popular attractions is the Primate Panorama, a seven-acre facility housing 29 different species of primates. The Denver Zoo is also home to the world’s biggest indoor Komodo dragon exhibit. These huge lizards, the largest in the world, grow up to ten feet in length and can weigh up to 250 pounds.
denverzoo.org
— Julie Moore
WHISTLER
OFF-MOUNTAIN MAGIC
Just a couple of hours from Vancouver, Whistler boasts skiing into spring and even summer. But non-schussers needn’t sit on the sidelines. Here are six ways to love Whistler, without skis.
1. Eagle Watch
The Eagle Safari rafting trip is a peaceful float down the Squamish River. Wildlife sightings are guaranteed; see seals, gulls, ducks, maybe a bear or beaver, and bald eagles galore.
When: November–February
Who to call: Canadian Outback Adventures
800.565.8735
canadianoutback.com/rafting.php
2. Recline & Ride
Sit back in a comfy chair-like sled while your personal chauffeur on skis guides you down the runs. You get the skier’s highs and mountain views — no skills or skis necessary.
When: December–May
Who to call: Sno-Limo Mountain Ecotouring
888.568.5466
sno-limo.com
3. Paddle
As you drift along in a canoe or kayak, blue herons streak by, fish jump, and snow-dusted, pine-covered peaks loom overhead. Paddle from mirror-like Alta Lake along the River of Golden Dreams, where a light current, a little whitewater, and a few beaver dams add excitement.
When: May–September
Who to call: Whistler Eco-Tours
604.935.4900
whistlerecotours.com
4. Explore New Heights
The Whistler Gondola climbs to 6,000 feet above sea level in an enclosed car. At the end of the 20-minute ride, you can snowshoe in winter, hike in summer, or stop for a bite at the Roundhouse Lodge. The open-air Peak Adventure Chair picks up where the gondola ends, climbing an additional 1,000 feet to the summit, where you’ll find 360-degree views and miles of alpine trails.
When: January–June
Who to call: Tourism Whistler
800.944.7853
tourismwhistler.com
5. Pedal
The 20-mile Valley Trail is a scenic, family-friendly paved bicycle path winding past beaches, lakes, rivers, and golf courses. For more of a challenge, head to Whistler Mountain Bike Park. With single-track trails rated green, blue, and black, there’s something for everyone, from novices to hard-core cyclists.
When: May–October
Who to call: Whistler Mountain Bike Park
866.218.9690
whistlerbike.com
6. Fly High
Race along steel zip-lines — including one that’s over 2,200 feet long — above an old-growth rainforest and a whitewater river. If you’re brave, you can even hang upside down.
When: All year
Who to call: Ziptrek Ecotours
866.935.0001
ziptrek.com
— Maryann Hammers
WASHINGTON D.C.
ALL AFLUTTER
The buzz at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is about a brand-new exhibit where visitors walk among hundreds of live butterflies. Located next to the museum’s popular insect zoo, Butterflies and Plants: Partners in Evolution provides a closeup look at how butterflies and their plant partners have adapted and changed over tens of millions of years. The exhibit features a 1,200-square-foot pavilion housing more than 400 butterflies that have been raised on farms in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and North America. Guests see the butterflies emerge from chrysalises, roost, and sip nectar from flowers. The exhibit is scheduled to open February 14. There is an admission charge for the pavilion. To learn more, visit mnh.si.edu.
— Julie Moore
LAS VEGAS
EVERYBODY IS A STAR
Vegas is packed with celebrities, but you’d better look closely. All may not be what it seems. Some of those VIPs may be just plain folks getting “celebritized” for the day. For a fee, King of Clubs Las Vegas will provide John or Jane Doe with the accouterments of public adoration. You can get a limo, very visible bodyguards (complete with ear pieces), faux paparazzi, and even a gaggle of hired fans to swivel their heads and clamor for autographs on cue. It’s all designed to give regular people a taste of life on the other side of the velvet rope.
Prices start at $1,500 for the minimum one- to two-hour session; from there, the cost can go through the roof. Learn more online at kingofclubslasvegas.com.
— Judith Ritter
Illustration by Jon Flaming
LIVERPOOL
GET BACK
Money can’t buy you love, but it can buy you a night with the Beatles. Just book a room at the new Fab Four–inspired Hard Days Night Hotel, opening February 1. The 110-room boutique sleepover is a stone’s throw from the famed Cavern Club, where the bandmates launched their careers.
The hotel is lined with striking reminders of the local lads who made good. Along with archived photos and evocative paintings — some created by Paul and Ringo — the world’s favorite band is permanently reunited in Together Again, a set of four life-sized bronze statues perched on the Victorian-era property’s refurbished exterior.
Inside, each room combines retro cool and high-end flourishes. Raindrop showers and flat-screen TVs are standard, while mod swivel chairs and king-size beds (ideal for sleeping like a log) make guests feel like pop stars. If you’re a true star, you’ll likely book the swanky Lennon Suite, complete with white piano, or the McCartney Suite, featuring a set of armor suitable for a knight.
While you’re there, pop into Blakes, an on-site restaurant lined with Sgt. Pepper–inspired artwork, or nip into the Bar Four lounge for cocktails. Don’t drink too much, of course, or it’ll be a long and winding road back to your room.
For info or reservations, visit harddaysnighthotel.com.
— John Lee
CHARLOTTE
DESIGNED TO PLEASE
It took a train running south from Charlotte 150 years ago to create one of the Queen City’s first bustling suburbs. Today, the area more recently dubbed South End has emerged as a major design center of the southeast. And a rail line is still the neighborhood’s ticket to cool.
Just south of downtown, South End is an enclave of industrial-style buildings connected to Uptown by a recently restored trolley line, one of the few remaining in operation in this part of the country. An afternoon in this community will put you on board for a unique shopping and dining experience and give you a chance to see many innovative examples of design. The neighborhood has attracted more than 100 design-related businesses, including architects, textile manufacturers, high-end kitchen and bath suppliers, tile vendors, and art galleries.
Depart on your tour of South End at the historic Atherton Mill, the current home of Charlotte Trolley Inc. This volunteer organization is responsible for restoring the city’s last original streetcar and getting it running again for a short jaunt into Uptown and back. The trolley is currently on hiatus while the city works to prepare the rail lines for the first leg of a new light-rail public train, but Charlotte Trolley hopes to have the streetcar running again by the end of this month. In the meantime, don’t miss the trolley museum (open by appointment only).
The area is full to the brim with unique galleries and shops. Don’t miss Atherton Mill for everything from antiques to pottery — and anything that adds a designer’s touch. Check out all things skateboarding at Black Sheep Skate Shop on Camden Road. Browse rows of stunning orchids and find an arrangement to take home at Campbell’s Greenhouses on McDonald Avenue. From there, top off a busy afternoon with a tall draft of Carolina Blonde and a wood oven-fired pizza from Woods on South, where the giant beer vat outside has become a neighborhood icon.
Visit historicsouthend.com or charlottetrolley.org for more info.
— Laura Williams-Tracy
TRAVEL TREND
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Parents-to-be worried that they’ll never again leave the house once the baby comes may want to take one last trip alone together. A “babymoon,” the name that’s used to describe what is now a travel trend, allows expectant parents to celebrate their impending new addition while enjoying some serious prenatal pampering. Here are three worth checking out.
Jumby Bay Resort
Antigua, West Indies
The four-night Babymoon Getaway at this private island resort has everything you could crave — ice cream, homemade cookies, chocolates. You name it and they’ll deliver. With only 40 suites and 12 villas, Jumby Bay is the perfect hideaway for a romantic rendezvous. For mom there’s an in-room prenatal massage, and you can both relax with a private beach dinner by candlelight.
jumbybayresort.com
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
Scottsdale
This resort, one of the first to perfect the babymoon concept, continues to impress with its Bundle of Joy package. With a couple’s massage, a goodie bag filled with cool baby gifts, an in-room ice cream sundae station, and chocolate-covered strawberries, this is one sweet setup. There’s even a 24-hour Cravings Chef standing by…just in case.
kierlandresort.com
Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort
Miami
The resort’s new two-night babymoon package lets couples enjoy a fine-dining experience before the little one arrives and makes those romantic dinners challenging. You’ll feast on a Trump Tasting Dinner for two in Neomi’s Grill, then retire to your bay- or ocean-view suite. Mom also gets a massage in the Aquanox spa.
sonesta.com/SunnyIsles
— Karen Schaler
Illustration by Jon Flaming
PHOENIX
COFFEE BREAK
Need a little pick-me-up while in the Valley of the Sun? Here are top recommendations for Phoenix’s coolest coffee bars.
Lux
The day starts here at 7 a.m., when lawyers, architects, business owners, and artists pack in for meetings and to enjoy Lux’s famous ciabatta toast. As evening falls, the crowd skews younger, and local hipsters and students hang out until they cut off the music at 10 p.m. Lux serves what is arguably the best coffee in town, a blend of organic beans roasted in-house by owner Jeff Fischer, who compares the process to winemaking.
4404 N. Central Ave., 602.696.9976
luxcoffee.com
Royal Coffee Bar
The family that owns this shop believes roasting is an art. That’s why they love chatting about the beans they source from local roaster Cortez Coffee — whose blend could easily hold its own against some of the best in the Pacific Northwest. Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon stops by on a regular basis to grab an espresso and some of Royal’s fresh-baked scones, muffins, and cookies. The century-old space Royal occupies was originally a train maintenance depot, but throughout the years it has served as a carriage house for the police, a farmers’ market, and a machine shop.
209 W. Jackson St., 602.374.8044
royalcoffeebar.com
Copper Star Coffee
For another look at a rehabbed downtown space, check out this java hot spot, where a vintage gas station has been transformed into a hip neighborhood hangout. But you don’t even have to get out of your car to sample Copper Star’s coffee. Just pull up to one of the original gas pumps (which now read “Premium Blend”), and a carhop will take your order.
4220 N. 7th Ave., 602.266.2136
copperstarcoffee.com
— David Tyda
NEW YORK CITY
STATE OF BLISS
At the two-level, 56-seat wine bar in SoHo’s Vintage New York, it’s all about the Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley, the eastern end of Long Island, and Lake Erie. No Burgundy or Napa. And that’s exactly what the owners had in mind when opening the combination wine shop and bar.
New to New York wines but familiar with other grape-growing regions, I put my palate to the test and sampled the wine flights (three wines in each, a dozen options, $9–$13). I paired my selections with a plate of New York artisan cheeses containing Ewe’s Blue, Swiss, Camembert, and Toussaint varieties ($7–$16, selections change daily). The bartender even offered suggestions on where to stay when making a trip to the Finger Lakes region.
The wine shop stocks 200-plus bottles from 165 producers, all located in New York state. (Many of these wines aren’t available outside the state.) Vintage New York operates three locations: in SoHo, the Upper West Side, and at Rivendell Winery in Hudson Valley. Learn more at vintagenewyork.com.
— Kristine Hansen
STOCKHOLM
A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE
Spirits abound in Sweden’s stylish capital. Visit The Historical Museum of Wines & Spirits to experience the “scent organ,” where you can gauge your sense of smell with 55 herbs and spices used to flavor vodka (such as fennel, coriander, caraway seeds, and cinnamon). This is also the place to learn how medieval Swedes used vodka to make gunpowder and medicines. There’s a replica of a wine shop where gloomy dramatist August Strindberg sought liquid solace, and you’ll find an English audio tour on topics such as wine, romance, and whiskey. Brush up on your singing with a multimedia presentation that plays 200 Swedish drinking songs (and provides the lyrics to some 2,000 more), and don’t forget to top off your spirit quest with a group tasting of whiskey, wine, vodka, or champagne. If you’re a purist, stop by the gift shop, which carries vodka spice blends from 18th-century cookbooks. Find out all the details at vinosprithistoriska.se.
— Sharon McDonnell
HOUSTON
CREATIVE LICENSE
With a roadside sculptural tribute to the Beatles, a bungalow covered in beer cans, and one man’s idiosyncratic, museum-like tribute to his favorite fruit, Houston may well deserve the title of folk art capital of America. So what’s behind such an odd jumble of creativity? Location, theorizes Susanne Theis, executive director of the city’s Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. “We’re part of the South, part of the West, and influenced by Mexico, and all of those cultures have in them sort of an eccentric or individualistic tradition,” she says. Here’s where to find the best examples of Houston’s quirky artistic treasures.
The Orange Show
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this rambling, folk art–filled marvel is not so much a museum as a tour of one man’s mind. From 1954 until 1979 (a year before his death), one-time seller of oranges Jeff McKissack transformed his nursery and worm ranch into a whimsical and entertaining oasis. Wagon wheels at this attraction look like sliced oranges, and tractor seats provide perches near a steam boiler McKissack hoped would someday power his dream invention: a better orange juicer.
2401 Munger St.
713.926.6368
orangeshow.org
Art Car Museum
Known locally as the Garage Mahal, this gleaming, carport-fronted, Byzantine temple of contemporary art rotates shows (including uncurated open exhibitions) every three months. Recently on display: a full-sized papier-mâché pickup truck and a giant popcorn kernel hanging from the ceiling piñata-style.
140 Heights Blvd.
713.861.5526
artcarmuseum.com
David Adickes Studio
“People have said this is like Mt. Rushmore meets Easter Island,” says painter turned mega-statue maker David Adickes, gesturing outside his workshop to a parking lot lined with 20-foot-tall cement busts of all 43 presidents. Thinking big like a true Texan, Adickes is also responsible for the 36-foot sculpture of a cello player outside the city’s Lyric Centre and statues of the Beatles. At 36-feet tall, the Fab Four now turn heads near I-10 close to downtown.
2500 Summer St.
713.523.3009
Beer Can House
Houstonian John Milkovisch wet his whistle while siding his entire house with flattened beer cans. He even created additional aluminum flourishes like the outdoor curtains fashioned from hanging strands of disk-shaped can tops. Recently restored by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art with some 10,000 vintage beer cans, Milkovisch’s humble homage to hops is scheduled to open to the public next month.
222 Malone St.
713.926.6368
beercanhouse.org
— John Grossmann
MOAB, UTAH
EASY DOES IT
Imagine a family trip to the great outdoors that doesn’t require any work — think of it as no-schlep camping. All we had to do for our Avid4adventure family camping excursion was show up. Everything else — planning, cooking, getting the proper equipment, even pitching the tent — was taken care of. Plus, counselors were there to accompany the kids (ages five and up) on daily activities like hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, and biking, while we were free to enjoy nature any way we wanted.
The company is the brainchild of David Secunda, an outdoor adventure specialist and former director of outdoor education at the University of Colorado. Avid4adventure offers several annual camping and lodge-based trips for families, beginning with spring break in Moab in late March. Other excursions include camping and hiking in Utah’s Arches National Park and sea kayaking in Monterey Bay, California.
The princess in me didn’t enjoy the long walk to the latrine or the lack of a comfortable bed, but my heart smiled when my daughters raved about the zillions of stars in the Utah sky. Prices for each trip range from $175 to $850 per person; trips can be booked for up to six days. Customized outings are also available. Log on to avid4.com for more info.
— Kate Meyers
FLORIDA
DO NOT DISTURB
I dip my paddle into the warm, green water, gently breaking a surface that looks like glass. Pelicans and snowy egrets fly by as I glide past purple swamp aster and oaks dripping with Spanish moss. What I’m really here to see, though, is the endangered West Indian manatee, or “sea cow.”
About 350 manatees migrate each winter from the chilly waters of the Gulf of Mexico to the naturally warm springs of Crystal River, Florida, a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Tampa or two hours from Orlando. Before we kayak too far from shore, our guide Matt Clemons lays out the house rules.
“We believe the manatees need to stay wild. And as with any wild animal, the true eco-tourist should look but not touch,” says Clemons, owner of Aardvark’s Florida Kayak Company.
A former state researcher of manatees and current board member of the Save the Manatee Club, Clemons may have a point. According to research from Texas A&M University, tourists who come here to snorkel, swim, and play with manatees may be causing changes in the animals’ natural behavior. Clemons strives to share the experience of interacting with these gentle giants in a way that he believes won’t cause long-term damage.
It’s only a few minutes into our three-hour tour before we spot one — all 1,000 or so pounds of it — swimming just in front of our boats. We stop moving and watch, mesmerized. The manatee’s rotund body is intimidating, but its slow, peaceful movements are charming, even sweet. Later I see two manatees nuzzling each other, appearing to swim and spoon at the same time.
Though it’s tempting to glide my fingers over a manatee’s barnacle-covered body as it floats by, I resist. Clemons’s message has hit home. I’m already planning to return for another glimpse of the way Florida used to be — and should remain.
— Alisa Blackwood
PHILADELPHIA
SIMPLY DIVINE
It turns out the anti-aging properties of wine might work just as well when applied to the skin. That’s the theory behind vinotherapy: the use of winemaking ingredients in facials, massages, scrubs, and wraps. A favored treatment in Europe’s wine regions for nearly a decade, vinotherapy has now come to Philly. Center City’s Body Restoration day spa teamed up with Chaddsford Winery, located in the nearby Brandywine Valley, to offer the region’s first vinotherapy program.
During the Pinot Noir Wrap ($100), a warm, shaken blend of Chaddsford Pinot Noir, yeast, and honey is drizzled down the back and over the limbs and is then massaged into the skin for intense hydration. The Crushed Chianti Scrub ($110) is made from pressed Sangiovese grapes left over from the winemaking process; the fruit is dehydrated, ground, and mixed with honey, wine yeast, and grape seed oil.
Spa vinotherapy packages include a Chaddsford Winery gift basket with cheese, a bottle of wine, and passes for winery tours. To learn more, call the spa at 215.569.9599 or visit bodyrest.com.
— Theresa Gawlas Medoff
MOBILE, ALABAMA
BOUNTY BY THE BAY
After an economic downturn in the 1980s and ’90s, Mobile is now experiencing a renaissance. Of all the buildings undergoing renovation, The Battle House hotel is the most prominent. Built in 1852, the hotel was the center of Mobile’s social scene until the 1950s. The historic 238-room property has been restored to its former glory. It connects to the state’s tallest building, RSA Battle House Tower, which features a dramatic lobby with carved granite walls, a stained-glass cathedral ceiling, and a grand staircase.
Just a few blocks away, in the middle of Mobile’s bustling downtown, is Fort Condé, a replica of the fort built by the French in the early 1700s to fend off British and Spanish invasions. The equipment and stores necessary for the fort’s operations are on display, and guides in period costumes provide cannon and musket firing demonstrations. At the Museum of Mobile you can relive the city’s history through fascinating exhibits like the one focused on the H.L. Hunley. The small hand-powered submarine was built in Mobile during the Civil War and later became the first sub to sink a surface ship in wartime. A scale model lets museum visitors sit inside and get an idea of how difficult it was to power the 40-foot sub in such cramped conditions.
While Mobile’s historic downtown is enjoying a resurgence, the city is also reclaiming its many natural resources, most notably via the new 5 Rivers Delta Center. This $10 million facility offers opportunities for outdoor recreation as well as educational resources, including hiking trails, a 4,000-square-foot exhibition hall, and a 90-seat widescreen theater. Boaters can launch for free from the center’s floating dock and explore the Bartram Canoe Trail, part of the 200,000-acre Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Like a pot of water on slow boil, the surface of the river constantly burbles with life — including the occasional alligator — as shadowy shapes disturb the surface of the brackish water.
— Sam Boykin
CLEVELAND
RAISING THE BAR
Want in on the best-kept secret in Cleveland? It’s the Velvet Tango Room, an upscale cocktail lounge tucked in the middle of an industrial neighborhood on the city’s west side. Loyal patrons know where to look, but for newcomers it’s well worth the trouble to seek out this advertising-shy club.
Once inside this 1940s-inspired lounge, you’ll find that owner Paulius Nasvytis is translating the slow-food movement to the world of cocktails. It may take as long as 15 minutes for your drink order to arrive (it’s laboriously concocted), but it’s worth the wait. Nasvytis is a cocktail purist and the bartenders at Velvet Tango understand his passion. They shake egg whites into soft peaks for the Gin Fizz Ramos, slivers of orange peel are set on fire to garnish the daiquiris, and house-made ginger ale is always on hand for teetotalers.
Nasvytis, a native Clevelander and the son of Lithuanian immigrants, has created an atmosphere as unique as his personality. He has strict rules for patrons: Signs outside announce “no big hair” and “no golf shoes.” Inside, Nasvytis ensures an old-school atmosphere of genial formality as he floats throughout the bar in a three-piece suit, presenting long-stemmed roses to female patrons and offering cups of chicken consommé to departing customers on cold winter nights. In the members-only area, guests sit by a roaring fire in the winter, and they use the outdoor patio to practice their putts in the summer.
Like Cleveland, the Velvet Tango Room’s tough exterior belies a surprisingly warm and sophisticated interior. Add phenomenal drinks and you’ve got a perfect night out.
Want to know more? Get the inside scoop at velvettangoroom.com or call 216.241.8869.
— Anne Trubek
- JAMAICA / by Dean Blaine
- GOLDEN STATE ORGANIC / by Christopher Percy Collier
- OVER THE HUMP / by Dan Oko
- VERBATIM: DEAN KOONTZ / by J. Rentilly
- ALTER EGO: TONY BENNETT / by Michele Shapiro
- 9 HOLES WITH… TOM PERNICE JR. / by John Maginnes
- MATERIAL WORLD
- OUR DIGITAL LIFE / by Dan Tynan
- FOOD FROM THE EDGE / by John T. Edge
- SAVE MY CAREER / by Donald Asher
- SMART BUSINESS / by C. J. Prince
- DEPARTURE
- ALL OVER THE MAP
