Escape to romantic Calistoga.

Calistoga is the ideal setting for a romantic love story:  Enchanting castles, a secluded mountain setting, hand-crafted luscious wines, steaming mineral springs, mouth-watering delicacies and picturesque surroundings. Below is a complete itinerary for a weekend hideaway.

Friday

Romantic Quarters – However you choose to arrive, make sure to check into the Mt. View Hotel & Spa located in heart of Calistoga. Rule number one of seduction is setting the scene and Mt. View Hotel & Spa happily succeeds. This newly renovated art-deco cosmopolitan hotel seduces every guest effortlessly. Set in a historical 1917 building, it boasts a variety of artist cottages, balcony suites and guestrooms and is the backdrop to many loves stories, including the romance between the proprietors, Michael & Stephanie Woods. With amenity-filled rooms, including winery suites which are paired with local romantic wineries, there are numerous packages to choose from, lovingly created by General Manager Andrea Hoogendoorn, giving guests endless reasons to cuddle and kiss. 1457 Lincoln Avenue (800) 816-6877

Vino & Cuisine – BarVino offers an extensive wine list, three-course menu specials and small plates with big bites. Once you’ve checked into your hotel, BarVino is conveniently located next to Mt. View Hotel & Spa with an entrance in the front lobby. The ambience is hip, modern which translates into a city vibe. Either as a local hoping to escape or a tourist wanting to unwind BarVino provides the best of the both, city sprawl, and urban crawl.

Saturday

Morning Jolt – Start your morning off right and increase your personal karma by supporting a local poet who also owns the most popular organic roasting house in town. Coffee at Yo el Rey is the best in town and a great place to meet and converse with locals. Located right off Lincoln avenue, Yo el Rey also features local underground art on its walls. Some examples are large stunning photographs by local travel photographer Liza Gershman, and poems hand written by the eccentric owner, J. Kirk Feiereisen. 1217 Washington Street (707) 942-1180

Quintessential Romantic Wineries – Sterling Vineyards, “one of the more spectacular wineries in Napa Valley,” according to Frank Prial of The New York Times. At this hilltop winery, the reserve tour and tasting at 11 a.m. starts with a tram ride up the hill to the winery, where you will gasp at a nearly 360° aerial view of the valley. These stunning views are sure to set the perfect tone for your romantic day. Your experience at Sterling will also include vintage wine tasting and an escorted winery tour lead by an experienced guide.  1111 Dunaweal Lane (707) 942-3300

Larkmead Vineyards embodies the picture perfect wine country atmosphere; an astonishing 90 plus wines scored by Robert Parker for their 2006 collection, an on-premise wine dog, picturesque vineyard views and a contemporary interior, there is no need to go beyond Calistoga to experience Napa Valley. Make an appointment in advance and allow time to unwind, learn about wine and soak up the wine-country lifestyle. 1100 Larkmead Lane (888) 743-7446

On weekends, every half an hour, there is a tasting tour at an incredible new winery, Castello di Amorosa, the castle of love. Allow yourself to be guided through this Italian-inspired castle to explore the stairway-filled towers, a medieval torture chamber, vast wine cellars, and Italian artisan hand-painted murals,  “where no detail was overlooked,” says The Boston Globe.  If you have never had the pleasure of exploring ancient European castles, this is your chance to tour an accurately replicated version crafted entirely from select materials imported from Italy.  The result has every ounce of character inherent to an authentic Italian castello. 4045 Saint Helena Highway (707) 942-8200

Sunday

Relaxation & Leisure – Center your spirit and bond over the “couples indulgence” package to start your morning off right at Mt. View Spa where they practice the ‘art of relaxation’ daily. Enjoy an array of hydrotherapy baths, personal steam rooms and well-deserved massages in their blissful green-friendly spa that is accessible by appointment to anyone seeking the sublime.

Calistoga is a walking town and it allows you to spend a day without having to drive, which is rarity nowadays. After your treatments, start with walking down to the Calistoga Bike Shop and rent a bike for a self-guided bike tour. 1318 Lincoln Ave (707) 942-9687.  Pick up some picnic supplies at Palisades Deli, also located on Lincoln Avenue, and hit the two hottest wineries within biking distance.

Newly-opened Lava Vine Winery & Tasting Room is the perfect spot to ride your bike up to, park and drink some amazing wine. Syrah is their signature hand-crafted wine however the Viognier is worth noting as well, and my personal favorite. This small production winery has a laid back vibe, an outside seating area and friendly staff making your intimate tasting a delightful experience. The best part is that they hand deliver any wines you’d like purchase to your hotel so you can continue biking without the hassle. 965 Silverado Trail (707) 942-9500

At the foot of Mount St. Helena resides a world-class winery that takes serious winemaking to a revolutionary level — literally.  Notoriously know as the inspiration for the recent movie Bottle Shock, Chateau Montelena remains grounded in a traditional beauty that honors its beginnings.  At the legendary Paris Tasting of 1976, Chateau Montelena’s ’73 Chardonnay defeated the French Meursault-Charmes ’73, history was born and California wine started on the path to its well-deserved fame. Hidden behind the winery under layers of green ivy emerges a classic stone castle carved into the hillside, reminiscent of an old French chateau.  More than a simple tourist attraction, it functions as a unique wine tasting facility; and a serious winery calls for serious tasting, so make sure to experience the Library and Current Release Tasting, which feature some of the rarest and most highly-sought California wines. 1429 Tubbs Lane (707) 942-5105

Keep on Romancing….

About Autumn Millhouse

Autumn Millhouse is a local travel writer, international trekker and self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic”. Author of the hugely popular Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, she is currently working on two books with similar themes dealing with travel and romance. In Calistoga, her book is available at Copperfield Book Store, Solage Spa, Castello di Amorosa and Sterling Winery. Check out her blog at www.romanticnapavalleybook.com.

Pop the question with lovely libation at SF's famed Top of the Mark

Top Of The Mark At the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Begins Search for Most Romantic Marriage Proposal On April 15

The Destination to “Pop The Question” Seeks Submissions for Best Proposal Stories at The Top of The Mark for a Chance to Win a Romantic Weekend for Two

San Francisco, CA (April 14, 2010) – Beginning on Thursday, April 15, the Top of the Mark at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins kicks off the search for the most romantic marriage proposal made at the legendary sky lounge. Since opening in 1939, hundreds of couples have proclaimed their love at this famed destination. Whether you were engaged as the sun set behind the city or popped the question over late night cocktails with the twinkling lights of San Francisco as the backdrop, the Top of the Mark wants to hear your story and see your photo.

Through June 15, 2010, couples from around the country are asked to share their fairytale proposal with the Top of the Mark. Selected stories will be playfully featured on the cocktail napkins at the lounge, inspiring romantic proposals for generations to come.  The couple with the most remarkable story will receive a romantic weekend getaway for two at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins.

Perched on the 19th floor of the hotel, the world-renowned sky lounge affords a near 360-degree vista of San Francisco with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands. These views combined with evening entertainment, a menu of 100 martinis and light bites have made the Top of the Mark one of the most romantic destinations in the Bay Area and one of the top for popping the question to that special someone.

Submissions can be emailed to gail.gerber@ihg.com or mailed to the attention of Gail Gerber at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins, One Nob Hill, San Francisco, CA 94108. All stories and photos become property of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins and materials will not be returned. Submissions must be received by June 15, 2010 for consideration and must contain proper contact information.

For more information, please visit www.topofthemark.com.

About InterContinental Mark Hopkins

Located on the top of prestigious Nob Hill at the intersection of California and Mason Streets, the InterContinental Mark Hopkins, an historic landmark, is a regular stop on the California Street cable car line.  Just minutes away from the financial and theatre districts as well as Union Square and Chinatown, this four-star, four-diamond hotel is also home to the Top of the Mark, the world-renowned 19th floor skylounge that offers panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay Area.  For more information and to make reservations, contact the Mark Hopkins, Number One Nob Hill, San Francisco, Calif. 94108, at 415.392.3434 or 800.NOB HILL (662-4455), or by visiting http://www.intercontinentalmarkhopkins.com.

Living like Jane Bond aboard the luxe Virgin Australia International Business Class - probably the only time I did not want to get off a plane in recent memory.

One afternoon, while running to studio at my university, I was stopped dead in my tracks by a poster: blazing orange sun, rugged, caramel-colored hills, and a headline demanding action: Australia Needs Designers!

In that moment, I became bitten and smitten by the idea of Australia. Fast forward, the Eurail Pass years: I consistently found myself falling in with Australians – witty and irreverent travel compatriots with an easy, breezy approach to life. A lifelong aficionado of its independent music and film scene, (Nick Cave, Radio Birdman, Mad Max), I was unprepared for the sheer size, scale, isolation, and vast untrammeled frontier that is Australia.

A few years, books, and magazine articles later, the press opportunity came: a romance travel experience from Perth to the Margaret River. Feeling like a modern-day Dorothy, I fairly skipped to SFO to embark on a 26-hour journey to a modern-day Eden: West Oz.

Journalists: Carolyn Gerin, Eric Rosen, Jamie Stringfellow and Ty Bentsen channel our inner hesher.

“Ms. Gerin, your boarding pass.”

Looking down, I realized there must be some mistake. It was issued to Britney Spears for her upcoming tour to Oz.

“No worries, Ms. Gerin! Here’s your pass for the VIP Lounge pre-flight, and your ticket for International Business Class, LA to Perth. Enjoy your stay in Oz, G’day!”

And enjoy it I did, road testing one of the best romantic adventures ever. This is the honeymoon you have been waiting for, mate, so get ready to have a good ‘un, because we’re going “down under.”

Must Wine Bar Private Lounge, champagne and witty repartee.

Airborne ambiance, 10,000 feet: Welcome to Virgin Australia International Business Class. Have a few glasses of Moet in the lounge, some foie gras, a lamb chop, a good film, a brandy, pima-cotton pajamas and don a pair of Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones, snooze on your fully horizontal bed, and awake, fully rested, 1 hour from Brisbane. It’s like space travel for hipster astronauts with great food and wine. I didn’t want to get off the plane.

G’day Australia! Whatever you’ve heard about the brutality of travel to Oz, you can now banish. It’s a hike, but it’s your honeymoon, so spend intentionally and reap the rewards of no jet lag and an in-flight vacation.

Fly Virgin Blue Brisbane to Perth, crossing the vast, haunting, Outback, and head to the Richardson Hotel and Spa, a unique boutique: Asian influence, expansive views of the skyline, luxe rooms and an opulent coffee buffet. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the zen-garden pool. Head to Opus for some of the best farm to fork offerings, by Chef Todd Cheavin – the grilled lamb, with local wine pairings a stand out.

Later, it’s Freemantle, a bustling port city with goldrush-era architecture, ghosts of rock stars, and the industrial, edgy Little Creatures Brewery. A converted boat shed and working brewery, it’s hophead heaven, with kangaroo and fresh seafood served alongside of freshly pulled pints right from the conditioning tank. Thursday afternoon, may as well be a Saturday night, the place is as hopping as the brew tanks.

Feeling rebellious and randy we embark on the ACDC Highway to Hell tour, Freemantle Trams winds us through the haunts, history, and final resting place of everyone’s favorite head banger, Bon Scott. Channel your inner 16-year-old while belting out “TNT,” and “Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap” at the top of your lungs.

The rules are the tools: when it’s pints for lunch, it’s either a power nap or a coffee at Freo’s Cappuccino Strip. A little jolt will do you, before your romantic night at the hippest “regency meets retro” spot in Perth: Must Winebar and Champagne Lounge. Champagne bubble walls, flocked wallpaper, vintage mirrors, dark and gothy interiors make date night downright decadent. Sip a divine elixir and gaze into each other’s eyes before a bite….at the Must Bistro downstairs where Chef Blaikie serves up contemporary French cuisine – the short ribs and gnocchi being a stand out.

The next morning, hop on the Rottnest Express to Rottnest Island, 18 kms west of Perth, tool around on mountain bikes by Wadejemup lighthouse, coral reefs, tide pools and interact with the locals: Quokas, marsupials resembling miniature kangaroos. Stop into Aristo’s for a freshly caught seafood lunch and a glass of chilled Sauvignon while you gaze over the water and each other.

Rockingham Wild Encounters, Causeway Bay offers a life altering experience -interact with wild dolphins in their natural habitat. Snorkel, and observe in close proximity, these wild, majestic  creatures in their idyllic underwater community. This relationship between RWE and the dolphins has been lovingly fostered for 17-years and the awestruck sense of wonderment will pervade your senses.

Lose the wetsuits and head for the Margaret River, pro surfer haunt, West Oz wine mecca, and a coastline perched on cliffs dotted with so many type of flowers, rocks and vegetation, it looks like a Van Gogh painting. The Injiup Spa Retreat, Yallingup, a glorious 10-villa seaside resort surrounded by a national park, is where modern meets magnificent minimalism. Whale watch from your private deck and enjoy local wine in your private dipping pool as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean across a deserted beach. Enjoy peaceful pampering with a couples spa treatment and handmade aromatherapy products. Slip into something more comfortable (a glass of bubbly at Bouzy The Champagne Bar?). Enjoy modern Australian cuisine at Bathers Restaurant – the oysters and seafood are standouts.

Live large with the devilishly stylin’ Nola Gaebler and her vintage Bentley, as you wind through sun dappled roads and forests on her Wine Lovers of Margaret River Tour guiding you through tastings at award winning Cape Grace Wines, bio-dynamic Cullen Wines, and culminating in the Margaret River’s first commercial vineyard Vasse Felix Winery for a Bacchus-worthy gourmet lunch overlooking pastoral vineyards.

Absolve your culinary sins with a vigorous private surf session at Josh Palmateers Surf Academy. A former pro, he’s an intuitive instructor who can get you riding down the face of a wave you might not believe you can handle. He’s funny, he’s good, and he’s rad. Kelly Slater and you have now surfed River Mouth, Margaret River…..

Get ready for the stunningly stylish Cape Lodge, a small, luxury, vineyard hotel located in the heart of Margaret River wine country on 40 acres of lush forest. Voted best boutique hotel in Oz, 2009, and Worlds Best 100 Hotels, 2010, it’s a visual and victual experience – a new generation in gourmet establishments. Attend cooking school with surfing chef Tony Howell, and later consume your handiwork with wine pairings. Luxuriate in your bucolic balcony overlooking a lazy creek. We almost expect Helena Bonham Carter to come bounding out of the woods in crinolines and corset on a stallion – it’s otherworld.

Head inland, to the Wine and Truffle Company in Manjimup between the Jarrah and Karri forest. The largest trufferie in the southern hemisphere, they also produce fabulous wine. Enjoy a tremendous truffle-inspired lunch with flight of wines overlooking the vineyards, and sigh…..

Reluctantly, your journey comes to a close. Relax in your spacious Executive Suite Club Rooms at the Sheraton, Perth and enjoy modern Australian cuisine at Origins.

More than a honeymoon, this is a lifetime adventure. Yes, it’s a hike to get here, but the rewards are magnificent: a little slice of paradise that hasn’t been overrun or over developed. Everything looks shiny, bright and fresh: blue skies, carpets of flowers, glorious landscapes, and unusually private coastline of staggering beauty, and sublime dining and wining experiences. The highlight? Western Australians– who seem to have perfected the fine art of living and are only too happy to share a libation, a joke, and a hug after meeting you once. Take a little page from their book back home – your new marriage is also an adventure, and living it Oz style will ensure it’s one that lasts for a lifetime (like the memory of your perfect honeymoon….).

Perth To Do: Links

Richardson Hotel and Spa

www.therichardson.com.au

Kings Park Indigenous Heritage Tour

www.indigenouswa.com

Cottesloe Beach

Must Wine Bar

www.must.com.au

Rottnest Express

www.rottnestexpress.com.au

Aristo’s Restaurant

www.rockinghamwildencounters.com.au/

Sheraton Perth Hotel: www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=240

Freemantle To Do:

www.littlecreatures.com.au

www.fremantletrams.com/

Margaret River To Do:

Injidup Spa Retreat

www.injidupsparetreat.com.au/

Quay West Bunker Bay

Bushtuckertours.com

Ngilgi Caves

www.geographebay.com

Josh Palmateers Surf Academy

www.mrsurf.com.au

Bathers Restaurant

Bouzy The Champagne Bar

www.smithsbeachresort.com.au

Lifestyle Margaret River

www.lifestylemargaretriver.com.au

www.cullenwines.com.au

www.capegracewines.com.au

www.vassefelix.com.au

Cape Lodge

www.capelodge.com.au

Manjimup: To Do

www.wineandtruffle.com.au

Work sucks. So when it comes time for your wedding, you’ve probably been saving up vacation days like a squirrel saves up acorns. Your natural inclination will probably be to dart out of work as soon as you can and make a beeline for the airport for an evening flight out of town. I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Stick with morning flights and you’ll be happier.

I realize that waking up at 0-dark-thirty and dragging yourself to the airport before the sun comes up is not your idea of fun, but you’ll thank me in the end. Morning flights tend to go on time more often than afternoon or evening flights. It’s worth waking up early if it means things go smoothly.

Think about how airplanes spend their days. The goal for an airline is to keep planes in the air as often as possible. When they’re in the air, they make money. When they’re on the ground, they don’t. Airlines would fly their planes 24 hours a day except for two problems.

1. Nobody is willing to pay for a 3am flight to Jackson, Mississippi.
2. They have to maintain those planes sometime, so the airlines do most of their maintenance at night when demand is lowest.

Simply put, most planes start the day fresh each morning. Then they fly like crazy until late at night when they go back to sleep for a few hours.

But what happens when there’s bad weather? Or there are 25 sets of new parents with strollers to be checked on that flight from Omaha? Planes get bogged down during the day as traffic increases and things conspire to really mess up schedules. By the end of the day, you’re paying for all the problems that happened earlier. But each night, the planes get to where they’re supposed to be going, sometimes very late, and the airline is able to reset for the next day.

Sometimes flights get canceled, planes break, etc and things don’t work out as planned. So when you’re running to the airport after work on a bad day, that plane is falling behind and your flight may end up being canceled. That’s not a big deal if there’s another flight five minutes later with an empty seat on it, but in an era of very high load factors, that’s a rarity. Sometimes, you can be out of luck for several days and your trip may be ruined.

So spend that last night in eager anticipation of what lies ahead and then wake up early and enjoy that on time departure. Oh, and on the way home? Who cares. You don’t want to go back to work anyway.

Cute, flirty, sexy and fiscally savvy: Affinitas...

Affinitas Intimates Sexy or sweet?  Take your pick with fun, flirty and affordable lingerie, sleep & lounge wear perfect for brides this Spring/Summer.

Producing high quality lingerie at refreshingly accessible prices, the Affinitas Intimates label is comprised of bras, panties, camisoles, babydolls, chemises, and bustiers, each item designed by the Affinitas team to be stylish, comfortable, well-made and most importantly well-fitting.  Currently retailing at specialty, boutique and online stores in the U.S. and Canada, bras retail for $23-$35, panties from $8 – $18, camisoles $25-$58, and babydolls, chemises and bustiers for $25-$45.  The collection utilizes high-quality, soft materials sourced from all over the world to provide maximum comfort, such as cotton, microfiber, satin, French embroidered laces and even technologically advanced seamless materials that are stitch free, seam free and label free. Affinitas offers consumers a wide range of basic, everyday styles as well as special occasion pieces, targeting young, fashionable women aged 20 – 35 years old with an annual income level of $25,000 and up who want stylish, comfortable, high-quality lingerie at prices that won’t break the bank. Affinitas Intimates’ bras and bustiers span a size range of 30-38 A-DD, with all other items sized XS-XL.

Pieces retail from $8 – $58 in numerous boutiques throughout the United States as well as online at HerRoom.com and LaurenSilva.com.  Please visit www.affinitasintimates.com for the full store locator.

Have a cocktail and take The Plunge this V-day.

Intimate, romantic Deluxe Suite.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, and having just returned from a luxe press trip in NYC courtesy of the Thompson Hotel Group, the Hotel Gansevoort and Destination I Do for my magazine, , I am thrilled to report back on what to do in the Big Apple for V-day. Sifting through the best and the hippest travel options out there to save you time and energy with the most amenities (see below) in the best part of town is the goal. In my humble opinion, this V-day package is power loaded with goodies. Throw a  romantic neighborhood meal into the mix (Spice Market and Pastis) and you are good to go. Having stayed in a Deluxe Suite, perusing a view of the city over a glass of delicious wine in my adjoining living room, or a complimentary cocktail at Plunge Bar and roof garden, the only thing missing was my sweetie (okay, it was a press trip). Breakfast at Tanuki Tavern is delish (try the small plates for an intimate tete a tete around happy hour time too)….Next time around, I’ll be sure to bring him (maybe next Valentines Day?). I heart the Hotel Gansevoort and hope you can take advantage of this hip and happening V-day special. Happy Travel Tuesday!

Hotel Gansevoort V-Day Package

Hotel Gansevoort, a chic, full-service urban resort in New York City’s Meatpacking district, is offering a Valentine’s Day Indulgence Escape Package with all the items necessary for creating some naughty distractions this winter.

With prices starting at $615.00* for a Deluxe room and $855.00* for a Suite, this package is offered from January 15, 2010 – February 21, 2010 and includes:

•    Early check-in (1pm)
•    Deluxe Room or Suite accommodations
•    A dozen red roses
•    Chocolate-covered strawberries
•    Pool access and two complimentary poolside beverages
•    Bottle of chilled Moet champagne
•    Mile High Kit
•    Twister
•    Book of Erotic Games
•    Complimentary Continental breakfast in Tanuki Tavern
•    Late check-out (2pm)

About Hotel Gansevoort

Sleek and stylish, Hotel Gansevoort is the first luxury, full-service hotel in Manhattan’s vibrant Meatpacking District.  Located on Ninth Avenue at 13th Street, Hotel Gansevoort’s signature rooftop offers stunning 360-degree river and city views and features a 45-foot heated outdoor pool with underwater music; Plunge Bar and roof garden; and an event loft with soaring 20-foot ceilings. Generously appointed guestrooms blend chic design with hi-tech and include sumptuous feather beds, flat screen TVs, CD players, and complimentary Wireless Internet. The 187-room hotel includes 20 corner suites, one duplex Penthouse, exhale Spa; and Tanuki Tavern Japanese restaurant.

Eat, Stay, Play on Valentines Day at Thompson Lower East Side

This Valentines Day slip into something more comfortable: a sleek and sexy room at the Thompson Hotel, Lower East Side. Once you settle in and peruse the options, you may never need to set foot outside (and isn’t that kind of the point?) -  it has everything your heart and art desires.

The multiplex of options include: a poolside lounge, a see-and-be-seen party hotspot on the 7th floor with a private terrace, Above Allen, and a poolside lounge. Crave a nibble before you hit that box of chocolates? Head to Shang and sample Susur Lee’s global Chinese culinary wizardry.

When you’ve had enough hobnobbing, head back to your sleek, industrial chic, modern room decorated with Ryan McGinness graphics and sweeping views of NYC.

The rest of Valentines Day at the Thompson, is totally up to you…..

Winter Exclusive:

Stay 2 Nights, Get 3rd Night Free
Queen Superior: Total Rate $499
Studio King Suite: Total Rate $599
Complimentary Bottle of Wine on the Shang Terrace

Must be Booked by 1.31.10 for stays until 3.31.10
Does not include taxes

ReservationsLES@thompsonhotels.com or call 212.460.5300

Book Here:

https://www.reservations-page.com/C00157/H01289/be.ashx?pc=JANLES

This holiday season, beat the winter chill in style and “cozy up” with that special someone at one of Los Angeles’ most stylish urban retreats– Chamberlain West Hollywood . Travelers are invited to enjoy a special dinner for two at The Bistro and repose in a Grand King Suite complete with a cozy Chamberlain throw blanket and two winter inspired cocktails to be enjoyed by the in-room fireplace.

Tucked off the lobby in a setting reminiscent of a garden greenhouse, Chamberlain’s exclusive hotel-guest only dining destination, The Bistro, offers the finest in West Hollywood restaurant dining. Executive Chef Mark Pierce treats guests to a 5-course tasting menu of winter comfort foods complete with wine pairings.

After dinner, guests settle into a luxurious Grand King Suite, styled to evoke the feel and spirit of a private home and are invited to “cozy up” with their special someone and enjoy winter inspired cocktails by the in-room fireplace. A Chamberlain throw blanket completes the experience and can be kept as a souvenir.

After the November-December holiday season has come and gone, Chamberlain West Hollywood keeps the fireplaces roaring, offering the “Cozy Up” Package for a romantic Valentine’s Day retreat.

Chamberlain West Hollywood’s “Cozy Up” Holiday Package is available at $550 for two people, including room tax and service charges. Available dates are November 1, 2009 to February 28, 2010, with blackout dates of December 31, January 17 and 31.

About Chamberlain West Hollywood

Chamberlain West Hollywood combines the comforts of a metropolitan boutique hotel with the eclectic ambience of a residential pied-à-terre. With classic styling updated for the contemporary eye and stone’s throw proximity to the pulse of the Sunset Strip and Robertson Boulevard, Chamberlain has been carefully crafted to appeal to style-conscious business and vacation travelers alike. The hotel’s 114 guest suites combine residential touches such as high-thread count sheets, gas log fireplaces and designer body products. The rooftop deck is classic California with a heated swimming pool and 360-degree city views, while the stylish lobby offers a modern Bistro with light meals and cocktails. A fully equipped fitness facility and distinctive indoor and outdoor event venues round out this distinctive L.A. property. Chamberlain was named to Condé Nast Traveler’s Hot List in 2006.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR IMAGES, PLEASE CONTACT
WAGSTAFF WORLDWIDE AT 323.871.1151

Honeymoon luxe Moorrea Retreat.

Tahiti Tourisme North America announces upcoming seven night specials to the famed islands of Moorea and Bora Bora.

Beginning January 5, 2010, travelers can book their very own couples retreat to the world’s most romantic islands. Amazing savings will include a 30% discount on international air.

Packages must be purchased between January 5 and January 19, 2010.

We'll take a little more-a Bora Bora.

Luxury Seven Night Moorea Retreat includes: $1799 per person
•    Round trip economy class airfare from Los Angeles (LAX) on Air Tahiti Nui
•    One night at Le Meridien Tahiti; garden view room
•    Six nights at Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa; garden bungalow with private pool
•    Daily American breakfast
•    Round-trip ferry from Tahiti to Moorea
•    Transfers, baggage handling and welcome flower leiAll land taxes and fuel surcharges included

Exclusive Seven Night Couples Retreat to Bora Bora includes: $1899 per person
•    Round trip economy class airfare from Los Angeles (LAX) on Air Tahiti Nui
•    One night at InterContinental Tahiti Resort (standard room)
•    Six nights at Le Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora; ocean view room; includes 2 free nights
•    Daily American breakfast in Bora Bora
•    All transfers, including domestic air to/from Bora Bora
•    Meet and greet with flower lei on arrival
•    Upgrade to beach bungalow; add $75 per person, per night

Packages are valid for travel from January 5 – March 31, 2010 and must be purchased by January 19, 2010. For more information after January 5, 2010 visittahititourisme.com or call (877) GO -TAHITI.

With time comes change and with change comes a fresh perspective on weddings and that includes hair. The Updo is a classic wedding hair do that is as timeless as the rite itself, but change is a good thing. Upgrade your glamour hairstyles by leaving the Ringlets (Spirals Curls) Updos to sweet sixteens/proms and modernize your look for your day. Embellish your do’s with feathers, jewels and even headbands. Set-up a consultation with your selected hair stylist and bring them a few tear sheets to customize your own couture updo. GLAMARIZE a new do that will help you look and feel like the elegant sophisticated romantic modern bride you are, and not a debutante at her “SWEET SIXTEEN.”

Old world romanticism

HAIRSTYLE DETAILS
Look : updo
Type: straight, wavy, curly
Style : classic, romantic
Length : medium
Photo by Jennifer Robbins

High flying fashionista

HAIRSTYLE DETAILS
Look : updo
Type: straight, wavy
Length: all
Style: modern
Photo by Dan Lecca

Sixties Siren.

HAIRSTYLE DETAILS
Look : updo
Type : straight
Length : long
Style : glamorous
Photo by Michael Waring

Classic curls

HAIRSTYLE DETAILS
Look : updo
Length : short
Style : classic
Type : curly
Photo by Michael Waring