Edited by Nancy Nichols
Additional reporting by Jennifer Chininis,
Laura Kostelny, and Rhonda Reinhart
 |
| Best Place To Run Into a Dallasite You may find yourself deep in the heart of Mexico, but don’t be surprised to hear a few Texan twangs over your breakfast of huevos rancheros at the popular El Pegaso in downtown San Miguel de Allende, Mexico (internetsanmiguel.com). Many Dallasites now have a second (or third) home in this charming 500-year-old town filled with cobblestone streets and Colonial-style buildings painted the same colors as a desert sunrise. Near the Jardin (town square), Old Town, anchored by the Parroquia de San Miguel de Allende, is a cool place to hang with the locals and admire the Gothic-style spires and arches and other architectural wonders. If you want to get a real feel for San Miguel, rent a house (sanmiguelrental.com) complete with maid, cook, and private pool. There are plenty of fine restaurants, day trips (Dolores Hidalgo, a must), and nightclubs with live music. However, our favorite activity in San Miguel is shopping. Maybe that’s why we always run into so many of our Dallas compatriots. photography by R.P. Washburne |
 |
| photography by R.P. Washburne |
Best Private Dining Room With a View
Sure, you have to go almost halfway around the world to get there, but once you check in to suite 3226 at the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore (ritzcarlton.com/singapore), you will never want to leave. The room, high atop the dazzling city, overlooks both the China Sea and the twinkling skyline. Your every wish (and plenty more you didn’t even know you had) will be granted—especially if you indulge in the Bed & Bubbles Package. After a day of combing the city—taking in the culinary delights of Little India and throwing back a Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel, where the legendary drink was invented—you’ll return to find a path of rose petals leading to the marble bathroom, where a bubble-filled tub surrounded by candles and fresh roses awaits. Once you’re soaking, sip a glass of Champagne and dip a strawberry into warm chocolate as you gaze out the 8-foot octagonal window overlooking the sea. Wrap yourself in a terry cloth robe, dim the lights, and leave the door ajar for the butler, who will bring you a 10-course meal paired with wine. Shoes and clothing optional.
 |
| photography by Rhonda Reinhart |
Best Foodie Tour
A guided stroll through London’s Borough Market reveals a foodie paradise. The wildly popular marketplace, which resembles a giant maze, buzzes with shoppers from open to close. So you’ll appreciate having chef and food writer Celia Brooks Brown (celiabrooksbrown.com) around to navigate. Besides teaching you a thing or two about British produce and the history of the market itself, which dates back to 1756, Brown takes you behind the scenes and introduces you to a variety of vendors, all of whom will have a platter of scrumptious samples awaiting your arrival. Try everything from diver scallops and artisanal cheeses to imported truffle oil and roasted tomatoes.
 |
| photography courtesy of Tides South Beach |
Best Seaside Redo
With its spectacular art deco architecture, party-all-night-long attitude, and top-notch people-watching, South Beach is no serene beach hideaway. But, then again, it’s not meant to be. And, should you need a posh place to park your posterior after a long day (or night) of indulging in any of the above activities, we recommend doing so at the fabulously redesigned Tides South Beach (tidessouthbeach.com). Lauded interior designer Kelly Wearstler is the woman behind the redesign, which juxtaposes her trademark glamour with casual beachside elegance. Pops of color and pattern—an orange sofa, a zebra-print rug—create interest among the clean cream-and-taupe color scheme. One-of-a-kind finds, such as vintage brass palm trees and 1920s gold-leaf wall hangings, add a touch of whimsy. After sleeping in—and you will need to sleep in—simply grab a book and a table on the terrace overlooking Ocean Drive for a cup of coffee or late-morning brunch. There is no better seat from which to soak up the scene.
 |
| photography courtesy of Solage Calistoga |
Best Place To Lessen Your Carbon Footprint
The whole world is in a dither about saving the planet—even when traveling. And Solage Calistoga (solagecalistoga.com), the hipper, sister property to Calistoga Ranch, is the perfect destination for eco-conscious travelers. At this casually chic resort on the cusp of Napa Valley, the staff rides around on bicycles rather than motorized carts, geothermal energy heats the spa buildings and pools, and reclaimed water irrigates the grounds, populated with drought-tolerant plants. Rooms are furnished with recycled or sustainably grown materials, and the chef uses organic and locally grown produce. Guests are encouraged to get in on the green action, with two bicycles allotted per room. The town is only minutes away on bike, and it’s just plain silly to drive the quarter-mile to Calistoga Roastery for your morning latté—even though that’s what we would do in Dallas.
 |
| photography by R.P. Washburne |
Best Christmas Vacation for the Family
Tired of decking your own halls? Then take the chaos out of Christmas and give your family the gift of a holiday at The Homestead (thehomestead.com) in Hot Springs, Virginia, a luxury resort deep in the Allegheny Mountains. Once you enter the lobby and gaze upon the twinkling 21-foot Christmas tree, you can check your Santa worries at the front desk, because there is something to keep everyone in your family happy. Mom and Dad can sign up for wine tastings and dance lessons without worrying about the little ones, because there’s a KidsClub with scheduled activities such as ice skating, hikes, arts and crafts, and plays for preschoolers to ’tweens. There is even organized bingo for Grandma and Grandpa. The Homestead has been an American family tradition since 1766, and the surrounding area is steeped in Southern hospitality and history.
 |
| photography by R.P. Washburne |
Best Place To Get Smashed
Here’s what we like best about The Cove (thecoveeleuthera.com) in Eleuthera, Bahamas: it’s an easy hop from Dallas, and if you’re smart, you’ll skip the Miami connection and change planes in Fort Lauderdale. Either way, you will be sitting pretty on the beach only six hours after leaving your house. The Cove sits atop a rock outcropping that juts into the sea, affording spectacular sunrise and sunset views. There are 26 rooms, located in huts along the shore, all with ocean vistas, 600-thread-count sheets, and—here’s the best deal—no phones or TVs. However, the hotel bar has something you need to watch—The Goombay Smash, a delightful concoction made with pineapple juice, ridiculous amounts of various rums, and apricot brandy. The tasty drink is whipped up by Wallace Sands (above), the best bartender in the Caribbean. Thankfully, once you’re ensconced at The Cove, there is no place else to go except a hammock on the beach.
 |
| photography by R.P. Washburne |
Best Caviar & Champagne Bar Overlooking the Kremlin
Moscow has emerged as one of the most sophisticated and glamorous cities in the world. Countless glowing spires of refurbished ancient cathedrals light the night skyline. Red Square, full of Russian history, lies in the heart of the city, and the over-the-top Ritz-Carlton, Moscow (ritzcarlton.com/moscow) sits on its edge. The 11-story hotel’s 334 guest rooms and suites feature dark cherry and burlwood décor as well as Frette linens and Bulgari bath products. ESPA Spa is the perfect place to rest your weary self after a full day of sightseeing. However, nothing can compete with its rooftop bar, which offers a stunning view of the Kremlin while you indulge in fine Champagne and caviar. Life in Moscow has never been so good.
 |
| photography courtesy of Greenwich Hotel |
Best New Boutique Hotel in New York City
Conceived by Robert De Niro and partners, the Greenwich Hotel (thegreenwichhotel.com) in TriBeCa is a celebration of craftsmanship and individuality. No two of the 88 guest rooms are alike—furnishings reflect influences from all parts of the globe, from Morocco to Italy—although all boast upscale Dux beds, soaking tubs, oak floors, and small libraries, which make them feel more like home than a hotel. You can opt to have your hometown paper delivered to your door and your refrigerator stocked with comestibles of your choice. Wi-fi is free, which is oh-so-refreshing in a big city, where hotels often put you on the clock just to check your e-mail. Also special is Shibui, the hotel’s Eastern-inspired spa, with its lantern-lit swimming pool, 250-year-old wood and bamboo farmhouse reconstructed by Japanese craftsmen, and specialized treatment rooms for shiatsu and traditional Japanese bathing rituals. It’s truly a respite from the city that never sleeps.
 |
| photography courtesy of Don CeSar Beach Resort |
Best Poolside Snack
The historic (and pink) architecture of the Don CeSar Beach Resort, A Loews Hotel (doncesar.com), in St. Pete Beach, Florida, isn’t the only thing noteworthy about this retreat. Daily kid-friendly activities, two pools, and a new $11 million spa offer plenty to rave about, but it’s the grilled cheese sandwich, served poolside with skinny fries, that makes a return trip necessary. Sure, it’s a dish off the kids’ menu, but you can add a little maturity to the meal with an adult beverage. A grilled cheese may do nothing for your bathing-suit figure, but trust us: it’s worth the splurge. What makes this one so special? Plenty of American cheese, tons of butter, and Texas toast. As our friend and travel companion put it weeks after the trip was over: “I’ve had a lot of grilled cheese in my time, but I still dream of that thing.” You and me both, sister.
 |
| photography by R.P. Washburne |
Best Place To Elephant Watch
You may have been to Africa and seen herds of elephants, but until you have stayed at Kings Pool Camp (africanexperience.com), on a private reserve in the Linyanti area bordering the Chobe National Park in Botswana, you have not seen elephants up close and personal. The “camp” consists of nine tented rooms with en-suite facilities that overlook the Kings Pool Lagoon and Linyanti River. Each hut has a private deck with dipping pool and outdoor shower. During your stay, you can explore more than 300,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness teeming with impala, lechwe, kudu, zebra, giraffe, sable, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, hyena, and hippo. But the biggest thrill at Kings Pool Camp is taking a trip to one of two underground elephant hides. Once inside, you are eye level with the water in the lagoon, and the elephants walk inches from your face—sometimes taking a trunk full of water and playfully spewing it toward your expensive Nikon. It’s totally worth the cost of replacing your camera.
 |
| photography by R.P. Washburne |
Best Winter Carnival With a French Accent
Each year in February, Montreal, Quebec, throws a citywide celebration, The Montreal High Lights Festival (montrealenlumiere.com), devoted to culture, entertainment, and gastronomy. Events are held all over the city—indoors and out—and activities range from elegant, multicourse dinners to avant-garde dance performances and wild, eclectic activities such as snow bathing. (Believe us when we tell you this is better to watch than to do.) Of course, Montreal’s jazz culture has a huge presence. Paris is the featured city at next year’s festival (February 19–March 1, 2009), and chefs from France will collaborate with local restaurants to present special Parisian-style dinners. Pack your woolies and plan to ice skate on the frozen St. Lawrence River while spectacular firework displays light up the sky.
 |
| photography by R.P. Washburne |
Best Place To Sleep Off a Paula Deen Meal
Honestly, we really don’t care to visit Savannah during the summer; the town is crowded with tourists looking for fudge and candy shops. But in the winter, when the city is quiet, exploring the historic homes becomes a joy. And continuing with our candor, we admit to staying in only one place—the romantic Ballastone Inn (ballastone.com). Located in Savannah’s Historic District, this B&B is sophisticated Southern luxury at its finest. Each of the 16 guest rooms, full of antiques, is decorated uniquely. The parlor is the perfect spot to sip coffee and read the morning paper over a full Southern-style breakfast, enjoy afternoon tea, or partake in pre-dinner hors d’oeuvre. The inn is a healthy walk to Paula Deen’s popular Lady & Sons restaurant (ladyandsons.com) on West Congress Street, where you can gorge on her famous all-you-can-eat Southern buffet or, our favorite, chicken pot pie. After dining, you’ll be thankful for a leisurely stroll back to the comfort of the Ballastone Inn.
 |
| photography courtesy of Hotel del Coronado |
Best Beachside Treats
Located on the grounds of the famous and historic Hotel del Coronado (hoteldel.com) outside San Diego, ENO specializes in the culinary trifecta of wine, cheese, and chocolate. The space is casual and welcoming, and the educated, friendly staff lacks pretense and arrogance. The trio of indulgences, which can also be ordered individually, comes in flights of three with names that reflect ENO’s lighthearted style. A selection of whites dubbed Drawing a Blanc and a group of locally made artisan cheeses called California Dreaming are just a couple of examples. For hotel guests who would like to extend the ENO experience beyond a sip-and-see, weekly pairing classes are also available.
 |
| photography by R.P. Washburne |
Best Ice Cream Shop To Spot a Kennedy
Standing in line for an ice cream cone is never fun, unless you happen to be at Four Seas Ice Cream (fourseasicecream.com), a tiny joint located in an old blacksmith shop in downtown Centerville on Cape Cod, just west of Hyannis, Massachusetts. Founded in 1934 by local W. Wells Watson, this spot is a must-do Cape Cod summer vacation experience. (The shop opens a week before Memorial Day and closes a week after Labor Day.) Regulars flock here daily, but not just for a couple dozen flavors of homemade ice cream or house specialties such as frozen pudding, frappes, and milkshakes. They wait to spot one of the Kennedy family members who frequent the shop. Maria Shriver hangs here among the nautical knickknacks that newish owner Douglas Warren refers to as “hodgepodge Cod.” If you’re not a regular visitor to Cape Cod, be forewarned: a milkshake at Four Seas is flavored syrup and milk, and a frappe is what the rest of us would call a milkshake. It’s like a secret handshake—once you get the hang of it, you’re in the club forever.
 |
| photography by R.P. Washburne |
Best High-Tech Hideaway With Horseback Riding
Who doesn’t love a private hideaway near the mountains on a 4,000-acre ranch in Eastern Idaho? We certainly do. The 10,000-square-foot log cabin in Tetonia is also the sometime home of Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen. When his family isn’t in residence, the five-suite ranch—each outfitted with a wood-burning fireplace and Jacuzzi tub—becomes Teton Ridge Ranch (tetonridge.com), an outdoor adventurist’s dream destination. Summer activities include horseback riding, fishing, sporting clays, fishing on Snake River, hiking, rafting, and bird hunting. During the winter, you can snowshoe, cross-country ski, or take a horse-drawn sleigh ride. If you must leave the comfort of the grand lodge with cathedral ceilings and museum-quality art, the downhill slopes of Grand Targhee are only 45 minutes away. Whatever you do, hit the stables and ask wrangler Kevin to saddle up our favorite horse, Doug, for a ride through the woods. You can thank us when you return.
 |
| photography courtesy of Tides Zihuatanejo |
Best Dinner With a Chill
At The Tides Zihuatanejo (tideszihuatanejo.com), a luxurious seaside haven on Playa La Ropa, guests can beat the relentless Mexico heat by booking an exclusive dinner at La Cava, the resort’s wine cellar. Chef Paco Isordia’s rotating six-course tasting menu, which includes delicacies such as Cornish hen leg stuffed with duck pâté over lentils ragout, features a different wine pairing for each course. And although the food holds its own, the real star is La Cava itself. Housing more than 1,000 bottles, the dining area accommodates no more than six people. That combined with the candlelight and the soft blankets, offered if the room gets too chilly, creates an experience so intimate and cozy you’ll wish you could stay the night.
 |
| photography by R.P. Washburne |
Best Place To Hang With a Hike-aineer
Oh, Canada. We stand in awe of your glorious snow-glazed Canadian Rockies scattered with glaciers. We love to hike the trails leading to the peaks in the heart of Banff National Park, just behind the historic 100-year-old Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (fairmont.com/lakelouise). The half-day hike up to the Tea House is the perfect spot to savor a cup of hot chocolate high above the glistening aquamarine waters of Lake Louise. But what we love even more is taking the trip with a guide who knows every tree, flower, bird, and animal on the trail. Thanks to the hotel’s Mountain Heritage Program, you can take a leisurely stroll around the lake or an all-day adventure through the mountains with one of their Hike-aineers, naturalists who carry on the tradition of the Swiss Mountain Guides who, beginning in 1899, taught hundreds of expeditions how to climb mountains. Dressed in classic garb, these professionals fill your head with interesting stories of the pioneers who braved these peaks. Once you’ve descended, you’ll be happy to know that it is just a short hop to the Escape Spa and Salon for a pedicure and body pampering. Ah, the good life, eh?
 |
| photography courtesy of Parrot Cay |
Best Yoga on the Beach
At Parrot Cay (parrotcay.com), in Turks and Caicos, luxury is a state of mind, rather than a design style. Guest rooms and cottages are simply appointed with mosquito-netted canopy beds, whitewashed walls and ceilings, and turquoise-tiled showers. Beachfront cottages also have a screened-in porch—a perfect place for your morning coffee. But the real draw of Parrot Cay is the center for well-being called COMO Shambala Retreat, named for the mythological sacred place of bliss. And bliss is what you’ll find here. Treatments are primarily Eastern in origin—Thai massage, shiatsu, acupuncture—as are the therapists who perform them. Treatment rooms overlook undisturbed and beautiful wetlands, as does the yoga studio, where complimentary classes are held six days a week. For those seeking total immersion, COMO Shambala offers yoga and Pilates retreat weeks, open to practitioners of all levels, featuring workshops with world-renowned yogis such as Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman. Prices start at $4,590 per person, single occupancy, but isn’t your well-being worth it?
HOW TO GET THERE
Best Place to Run Into a Dallasite
How To Get There
American Airlines (aa.com) and Mexicana (mexicana.com) offer nonstop service to Leon, Mexico. Car service for the 110-mile drive to San Miguel can be arranged through Rafa Tours ([email protected]). Car service is $65 (for up to three passengers) or $95 (for up to seven passengers).
Where To Stay
Villa Rentals
sanmiguelrental.com
Rates: $850–$2,300 per week
Casa de Sierra Nevada
Hospicio No. 42
San Miguel de Allende,
Guanajuato, México
800-701-1561
casadesierranevada.com
Rates: $300–$620 per night
Best Private Dining Room With a View
How To Get There
American Airlines (aa.com) offers daily service to Singapore, with a connection in Tokyo.
Where To Stay
Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
7 Raffles Ave.
Singapore, Singapore
ritzcarlton.com/singapore
Rates: from $280 per night; $340 for Bubbles & Bed package
Best Foodie Tour
How To Get There
British Airways (britishairways.com) flies daily nonstop from DFW to London’s Heathrow Airport.
Where To Stay
The May Fair
Stratton Street, London, W1J 8LT, England
888-201-1718
themayfairsuites.com
Best Seaside Redo
How To Get There
American Airlines (aa.com) flies daily nonstop from DFW to Miami International Airport. The Tides South Beach is an easy cab ride away.
Where To Stay
The Tides Hotel South Beach
1220 Ocean Dr.
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
305-604-5070
tidessouthbeach.com
Rates: $595–$695 per night through December
Best Place To Lessen Your Carbon Footprint
How To Get There
American Airlines (aa.com) flies daily nonstop from DFW to San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento airports. You will need to rent a car, and the Solage Calistoga website (solagecalistoga.com) provides detailed driving directions. The Sacramento airport is easy to get in and out of, and the rental cars there are more affordable.
Where To Stay
Solage Calistoga
755 Silverado Tr.
Calistoga, California 94515
866-942-7442
solagecalistoga.com
Rates: $450–$875 per night (through October); $350–$805 per night
(November–March 2009)
Best Christmas Vacation for the Family
How To Get There
American Airlines (aa.com), Delta Airlines (delta.com), and United (united.com) fly daily nonstop from DFW to Roanoke, Virginia. You can rent a car for the scenic 75-mile drive through the Allegheny Mountains or arrange a pickup through the hotel.
Where to stay:
The Homestead
1766 Homestead Dr.
Hot Springs, Virginia 24445
866-354-4653
thehomestead.com
Rates: $195–$860 per night
(except December 23–26, which is slightly higher)
Best Caviar & Champagne Bar Overlooking the Kremlin
How To Get There
American Airlines (aa.com) flies from DFW to Moscow with a connection at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
Where To Stay
Ritz-Carlton, Moscow
Tverskaya Street 3
Moscow, Russia
7 495 225 8888
ritzcarlton.com/moscow
Rates: $800–$5,100 per night
Best Place to Get Smashed
How To Get There
Continental (continental.com) and US Airways (usairways.com) fly from DFW to bo
