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    Go Ahead. Pamper Yourself!

    What I'm Reading

     

    Lots of bloggers want to make money online but few really know how to do it. This ebook by fellow professional wanderer, Nomadic Matt, is filled with tips, tricks and advice on how to build a successful travel blog, gain lots of traffic, and rank high in Google search results, as well as how to make money through advertising for travel blog owners.

    I was already doing well as a travel blogger, but this book helped crank up my rankings and revenue to a whole new level. Thanks Matt!

    Click here to view more details

    Travel Chic & Smart

     

    New to EllenBarone.com! ‘The Pampered Passenger’ is all about the good life. What to take and what to wear on your next getaway. 

     

    Joining me in helping you travel stylishly, I’m thrilled to bring you recommendations from our new resident globetrotting lifestyle expert, Johnica Reed.  From South Africa to France, to Baltimore and back, she is in the know on all things travel and lifestyle. You can also find her travel, fashion and beauty tips on www.urbanethings.com.

    Now, off you go - in style!

    Have a favorite won’t-leave home-without-it fave to share? I’d love to hear it. Email me*.

    Wednesday
    20Jan2010

    Wish You Were Here: The Tiara Park Atlantic Porto

    With an eye open for the best, the authentic, the innovative and the irresistible, I’m just back from Portugal’s famed Vinho Verde wine region.

    Home for the week was the scrumptious Tiara Park Atlantic Porto hotel, an elegant landmark of the Avenida Bonavista area in Porto (yes, just like that delicious drink, port wine, which happens to have originated there).

    Learn more about Portugal’s up-and-coming wine country in ‘Rota Vinho Verde: Following Portugal’s Green Wine Trail.

    Don’t miss a thing! Get the scoop straight to your inbox. Subscribe. It’s FREE.

    Wish you were here,

    Ellen

    Click to read more ...

    Wednesday
    23Dec2009

    Winter Rest Stop: JW Marriott Starr Pass Tucson Resort & Spa

    Brrrrrrr. It was beginning to look a lot like winter: chapped lips, scaly skin and glow-in-the-dark-white legs begging for sunshine. It was time to go online and find a winter rest stop.

    Until recently Tucson was little more than a blip on my car’s GPS screen en route to somewhere else. But with winter barking at my New Mexican doorstep, it seemed as good a time as ever to fend off the winter ailments with a pit stop in the warm-weather mecca.

    ARRIVED: parched as a winter raisin.

    DEPARTED: sexy smooth and tequila tranquil.

    THE CURE: two-night spa stay, JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa

    The resort’s Hashani Spa is designed to go more than skin deep. This is NOT the closet-convert that some resorts try to pass off as a spa. Hashani is home to 20,000 healing square-feet featuring 23 custom treatment rooms, relaxation and mediation rooms, private lap pool, steam bath, hot tub, spa bistro, and full service beauty salon.

    Relaxation offerings include hot stone massage, sun-kissed aloe wrap, and a delicious Hashani Hand and Foot Ritual. Their customized desert exfoliation uses a blue corn rub and goatsmilk shea body butter that sent me home with just the warm-weather glow I came for.

    Check out the complimentary Tequila Toast to the “Legend of Arriba, Abajo” every evening beginning at 5:30pm at Salud. With its breathtaking views, patio firepits, extensive menu of tequilas and creative margaritas made from freshly squeezed juices, it’s an inviting hangout for appetizers, happy hour or post dinner drinks.

    Click to read more ...

    Wednesday
    16Dec2009

    JetSet Check-In: Air Canada Concierge Service

    Mayday, Mayday! Missed your connection in L.A.. No time to snag a Starbucks. On the brink of a demotion for not getting the boss’s birthday gift - a bottle of single malt you promised to bring back but didn’t. 

    Stop stressing! If you’re an Air Canada Super Elite member - or travelling in Executive First on an International flight - a personalized and dedicated Concierge agent is at your service.

    Stationed at the departure gates and Maple Leaf Lounges in 20 airports around the world, they’ll pretty much do whatever they can to help you get from here to there without a meltdown: meet and greet you and make alternative plans if your flight is canceled or delayed, assist you with ticketing, connections, upgrades, baggage handling and customs clearance.  

    They’ll also make hotel and restaurant bookings, theatre ticket reservations and arrangements for ground transportation and have even been to known to score a bottle of duty free Scotch for the boss. Shssh. We’ll never tell. 

    Think of the bliss: Getting there really could be half the fun.  

    Click to read more ...

    Sunday
    13Dec2009

    Fly Away Essentials

    I’ve met lots of great travel friends and brands on Twitter, and Lady Primrose is one my favorites. For close to 20 years, Lady Primrose has created custom guest amenity programs for four and five star hotels worldwide - St. Petersburg’s Grand Hotel EuropeRitz Carlton Half Moon Bay, and Capella Ixtapa to name a few.

    Now you can travel in style with Lady Primrose products while avoiding delays at security and uncomfortable fights. The Fly Away Essentials kit complies with TSA regulations, is filled with Lady Primrose necessities and has room for your other favorite carry on items, too. The kit contains the line signature Liquid Cream Soap, Lip Full-Fill Balm, Hand Renewal Hydra-Creme and Revitalizing Foot Creme. For in-flight comfort snuggle up with the Lady Primrose Bamboo Travel Blanket and Pillow, a luxurious travel set with a smart blanket pocket - a cozy place to tuck feet for extra warmth.

    Wednesday
    09Dec2009

    Tech Savvy: HP Tord Boontje Netbook

    A beauty with brains, the HP Netbook by Studio Tord Boontje keeps you chic and connected, even when you’re on the go! The stylish Tord Boontje design and sleeve make the netbook half cool accessory, half computer.  At first glance the 10.1” casing looks like just another intricate pattern printed on the lid, but it’s actually a brand new process called “HP Imprint 3D” which adds layers and depth to the design.

    I tested the netbook on my jaunt to Ceiba del Mar Spa Resort and it was a stylish travelers dream come true. You can opt to run Windows 7 or use HP Instant Web for easy access to wifi, email and online media. Managing files is so much easier and speedier with enhancements like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews. Plus, great new features like HomeGroup, Windows Media Center, and Windows Touch take you into the future of computing.

    If you want to stay chic on the go I suggest checking out the Netbook by Studio Tord Boontje and HP’s other darling, the HP Mini Vivienne Tam Edition.

    Wednesday
    02Dec2009

    East Coast Escape: Lansdowne Resort

    Full from Thanksgiving eats and in need of a quick getaway, I headed to Lansdowne Resort in the scenic Hunt Country of Loudoun County, Virginia. Designed to exude the casual elegance of a country manor, Lansdowne is located just 35 miles from Washington, D.C. and is the premier, full-service resort of the capital region.

    A AAA Four Diamond property, the resort recently underwent a $55 million renovation and features 305 guest rooms, 14 suites, five restaurants, a 12,000 square foot spa, two championship golf courses and more. During my stay I experienced the fabulous Three Dimensional Hydrating Facial at Spa Minérale, homemade sorbets at the Golf Club, signature cocktails from the resident mixologist and  wine pairings at the resort’s upscale On The Potomac restaurant.

    EAT - Select On The Potomac at Lansdowne Resort for fine regional American cuisine, utilizing fresh local ingredients, The Riverside Hearth for regional specialties served buffet or a la carte style, or enjoy casual fare in Stonewalls Tavern. After a round of golf, venture over to the clubhouse (resort guests and members only) and dine at the Crooked Billet and enjoy the views of the beautifully groomed golf course or enjoy sports and a burger at the Pub 46.

    Click to read more ...

    Saturday
    28Nov2009

    Pamper Yourself Silly This Holiday Season at Pan Pacific Seattle

    After all the stress of planning and hosting the Thanksgiving meal, you may want to treat yourself to this Spa-Tacular Holiday Package from the Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle and Vida Spa.


    The spa package includes:

    • overnight accommodations in a Premier King room, 
    • $100 gift certificate from Vida Spa,
    • choice of valet parking or breakfast for two
    • Winter Essential Kit (retail value of $129) conveniently packed in a Lug travel bag (as featured in O magazine) filled with $100 spa gift card as well as wonderful all-natural goodies by Niche including Whipped Body Butter, Hydrating Face Serum, Hand, Foot & Heel Crème, and Nail Fuel.


    Rates start at $269*, and are valid before January 31, 2010.

    For reservations and additional information, visit www.panpacific.com/seattle or call 877-324-4856.

     

    *Rates are based on availability and may fluctuate due to seasonal demand. Rates are also subject to prevailing government taxes as well as service charges, where applicable. 

    Source: Seattle Travelgram (http://www.seattletravelgram.com)