Round the World in 30 Days

Photo of the Day – The Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Jenny — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:57:01 +0000

Located 45 minutes outside of Reykjavik, Iceland’s most famous attraction, the Blue Lagoon, is a steamy combination of mineral-rich freshwater and seawater from deep within the earth, naturally heated to between 98-102 degrees Fahrenheit. The milky-blue waters flow over vast black lava fields giving the whole place an other-worldly feel. The futuristic-looking Svartsengi geothermal plant in the distance serves as the R&D center for the spa skin care line and adds to the cosmic effect. You really do feel like you could be on another planet, I’ve never seen anything quite like it. When I visited in late summer, a chill in the air signaled the fall weather just around the corner making the hot-tub-like waters even more difficult to leave. A soak in the Blue Lagoon was one of the many highlights of my 30-day trip around Europe and my first visit to Iceland.

A lifeguard keeps a watchful eye over Blue Lagoon bathers

Photo of the Day – Flamingo Beach, Aruba

Jenny — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:19:46 +0000

When visiting the Caribbean island of Aruba, most people head straight for the mega-resorts along the expansive stretch of white sand known as Palm Beach. But there are some advantages to staying in the main town of Oranjestad. One of the best perks of staying downtown at the Renaissance Aruba is the access to the resort’s private island, Renaissance Island, just a short boat ride away. The island has two beaches, Iguana Beach for families and Flamingo Beach for adults. While both are equally fabulous in sand and surf, Flamingo wins the prize for wildlife. About a dozen pink flamingos prance around the shoreline drinking seawater and searching for food. In fact, if you buy a few pellets of food from one of the nearby machines, they will eat right out of your hands. Definitely one of my favorite beach-side animal encounters anywhere and the highlight of my stay on Aruba!

Flamingo Beach, Aruba

Photo of the Day – Flic en Flac, Mauritius

Jenny — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:02:20 +0000

More than 1,200 miles off the African coast, the island nation of Mauritius is one of the Indian Ocean’s top destinations. This multi-cultural island is known for spectacular beaches and Flic en Flac is one of its best. With soft white sands and an emerald lagoon protected by a coral reef, Flic en Flac is home to several luxury resorts making it a great place to base for exploring the island or just to spend an afternoon. Nearby, take a walk on the wide side at Casela Nature Park. It’s one of only three places in the world where you can get up close and personal with lions, tigers and cheetahs. Be sure to book in advance for their popular “Walk with Lions” experience, it often fills up fast!

Flic en Flac, Mauritius

Photo of the Day – Molokini Canoe, W Maldives

Jenny — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:44:34 +0000

It is perhaps the world’s most magnificent airport transfer. Within minutes of landing at the international airport on the island of Malé, you’re comfortably seated in the tranquil serenity of the W seaplane lounge. In a blink, you’re up in the air again and getting your first glimpse of the hundreds of idyllic rings of sand that make up this tiny island nation as a barefoot pilot navigates your seaplane over paradise. As you touch down with a spray of turquoise sea and taxi to the W-embossed dock of the W Retreat & Spa Maldives you quickly realize you’ve arrived…in more ways than one. It’s your own private island surrounded by vibrant reefs and sparkling lagoons, dotted with luxurious retreats perched over the sea. Dive, snorkel, try out the Molokini “transparent glass” canoe or simply do nothing at all as you gaze upon the endless blues of the Indian Ocean. It truly is…heaven on sand.

Molokini “transparent glass” canoe, W Maldives

Photo of the Day – The Burj Al Arab, Dubai

Jenny — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:06:52 +0000

It’s often referred to as the world’s only 7-star hotel and when I spent one extravagant night here on Round the World #1, it was easy to see why. Sitting just offshore on a private, man-made island, the billowing architecture of the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab has defined the Dubai skyline since 1999 and just might be the most luxurious hotel on the planet. All rooms are spacious 2-story suites ranging from 1,800 square feet to over 8,000 square feet. Looking down from the 18th floor in this picture, the concierge desks visible on each floor are just one aspect of the personalized service provided. Each suite also comes with a personal butler to cater to your every whim. From the Rolls-Royce pick-up at the airport to the panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf to the full-size Hermès bath products, this hotel was first-class all the way and truly made me feel like a princess for a day. It wasn’t just a hotel, it was an experience.

A look inside the exclusive Burj Al Arab, Dubai

Photo of the Day – Positano, Italy

Jenny — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:44:54 +0000

It was late January, 2009, and I was three stops in to my 4th annual trip around the world. For my Europe stop that year, I chose a region of Italy that I had always dreamed of visiting, the Amalfi Coast. Since it was the middle of winter and many of the hotels were closed, I stayed in nearby Sorrento and took advantage of the local bus to visit Amalfi and Positano. While Amalfi was lovely, it was the beauty of Positano that really captured my heart. I wandered the twisting, narrow, staircase-like streets that day discovering new wonders around every corner. It was completely absent of tourists and it was magic. Perhaps John Steinbeck said it best in his 1953 essay for Harper’s Bazaar when he wrote, “It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.”

Exploring the Amalfi Coast on Round the World #4

Photo of the Day – Hill Inlet, Whitsunday Island, Australia

Jenny — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:24:23 +0000

Situated just off the central coast of Queensland, Australia, the collection of continental islands known as the Whitsunday Islands are a popular home base for visitors to the Great Barrier Reef. At the center of the island group, the largest and arguably the most beautiful, is Whitsunday Island. Stretching more than 4 miles along the coast of the island, the sand of Whitehaven Beach is made up of 98% pure silica and was named the world’s top Eco Friendly Beach by CNN.com in 2010. The dramatic swirls of sand and sea known as Hill Inlet are a stunning sight from the air and made an already incredible helicopter flight over the Great Barrier Reef one of my most memorable travel experiences ever.

Flying high over Hill Inlet, Whitsunday Island, Australia

Photo of the Day – Stone Town, Zanzibar

Jenny — Wed, 01 May 2013 12:16:25 +0000

As the historic center of Zanzibar’s capital city, Stone Town is a World Heritage site and said to be the only functioning ancient town remaining in East Africa. One of the most prominent examples of early Christian architecture in the region is Stone Town’s landmark Anglican cathedral, Christ Church. Built in 1873 on the site of the largest slave market in Zanzibar, its construction was intended to celebrate the end of slavery. In the nearby square stands a well-known monument to the slaves and a museum of slavery. It’s an historic part of the Spice Island’s past and a must-visit while exploring the capital city.

Christ Church, Stone Town, Zanzibar

Photo of the Day – Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Jenny — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:20:46 +0000

Towering over Singapore’s skyscrapers, the Marina Bay Sands opened in 2011 forever changing the city’s skyline. Billed as the world’s most expensive standalone casino project, the hotel features 2,500 rooms, a 1.3 million square foot convention center, a casino, a mall, two theaters and an ice skating rink. But its most stunning feature is undoubtedly the world’s longest elevated swimming pool perched a staggering 57 stories high above the city streets. Limited exclusively to guests of the hotel, the infinity pool is one of the best places on the planet to go for a swim high above a city skyline. But for those not staying at the hotel, the nearby observation deck is open to all (for a fee) and offers the best view of Singapore you’ll find anywhere.

The view over Singapore from the world’s highest infinity pool

Photo of the Day – Times Square, New York City

Jenny — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:24:20 +0000

My week of balancing a business trip to New York City with quick bursts of tourism continues! Since my meetings are in Midtown Manhattan this week, my daily commute to and from the hotel includes a stroll through the theater and commercial heart of the city, Times Square. Called the world’s most-visited tourist attraction by Travel & Leisure Magazine in a 2011 survey, Times Square is known as the “Crossroads of the World.” From Broadway shows and souvenir shops to gigantic illuminated signs and naked cowboys, Times Square is true sensory overload and one of New York City’s most iconic spots.

Times Square, New York City