Napa Valley, CA: The Yoga Boot Camp Retreat

Yoga. There’s simply nothing like stretching, breathing, meditating, and focusing on your inner-core. Forgetting to remember. Aligning oneself with peace. And, since most members of our trusty staff at Jaunt love their yoga (and their wine), we recently thought, ‘Hey, wouldn’t it be great to do a yoga retreat in Napa?’

After careful consideration, this Napa Valley Yoga Boot Camp caught our eye.

It’s a 4 day – 4 night upscale “Napa Style” Boot Camp Training Program at a Private Vineyard Residence Estate in the beautiful Wine Country of Northern California. Consistently rated as one of the “Top Ten Travel Destinations” in the world, the vineyard country climate and relaxing atmosphere is the perfect place to shape up your Body and have fun doing it Napa-style.

Morning hikes through the vineyards, aerobics, yoga, hatha, power, pilates, swimming, and yes, massage, The Napa Yoga Boot Camp is an all Inclusive package, offering only the freshest, healthiest foods. Meals are personally prepared by an in-house Gourmet Chef where you’ll learn the hottest tips of diet, supplementation, and fitness. ‘Experience a spiritual journey you’ll never forget!’ they say.

We believe ’em.

Camp is limited to 10 women per session so, as they say, get with “The Program” and book your training dates early in advance.

http://www.NapaValleyYogaRetreats.com

Hong Kong: Your Hotel & Hot Spot Cheat Sheet

Part III, the last of Jaunt Contributor, Victoria Yanakos’s Asia Series, is a special little treat. Your Cheat Sheet to a weekend around Hong Kong.

From decadent restaurants with sweeping city views to all-night bar hopping, this is the perfect city to satisfy every lavish Eastern craving. By Victoria Yanakos

A great way to start your jaunt is to check into the sumptuous Shangri-La Hotel. Excessive elegance, from the ubiquitous chandeliers to the world-class dining at Nadaman and Petrus, this hotel is the personification of five star. You must check out the pool on the 8th floor for an afternoon dip surrounded by the towering skyscrapers of the financial district.

Island Shangri-La
56/F Pacific Place,
Supreme Court Rd
Central, Hong Kong
http://www.shangri-la.com

Petrus – amazing views, impeccable service
852 2820 8590

Nadaman -life changing sushi
852 2820 8570

Another option is the hip LKF hotel located in the busy Lan Kwai Fong area. A modern boutique hotel with big soaking tubs and easy access to Hong Kong nightlife, this hotel can be a great jumping off point for a tastefully boozy weekend.

Hotel LKF
33 Wyndham Street
Lan Kwai Fong,
Central, Hong Kong
http://www.hotel-LKF.com.hk
(852) 3518 9688

Just outside the LKF hotel you are surrounded by dozens of upscale restaurants, galleries, bars and a slew of ex-pats ready to party. A few places to check out are….

Zee Stone Gallery
43-45 Wyndham Street
Central, Hong Kong
http://www.zeestone.com

Wagyu – lounge, restaurant
No. 3 G/F The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street
OR 3-5 Old Bailey Street
Central, Hong Kong
wagyu@biznetnigator.com

Tivo Wine Bar
G/F Yu Yuet Lai Building
43-55 Syndham Street
Central HK

Vino Restaurant
G/F Egin Building
41-43 Elgin Street
Soho, Central Hong Kong
(about a 10 minute walk from LKF area)

Outside of the central district, two other awe-inspiring restaurants are Pearl and Aqua. Both with spectacular city views and food to match, they submerge your senses in the addictive energy that is Hong Kong.

Pearl
1F Peak Tower
128 Peak Rd
The Peak, Hong Kong
852 2849 5123

Aqua
“addictive cuisine”
“uber glam bar”
29=30 Floors, 1 Peking Rd
Tsimshatsui, Kowloon
852 3427 2288
http://www.aqua.com.hk

And after the night out, be kind to your liver and throbbing head, and make a stop at the Flying Pan for eggs and other hangover helpers. With three locations, stumbling to one of them should be relatively easy.

The Flying Pan
Central- G/f 9 Old Bailey St
Wan Chai – 85 Lockhart Rd
Discovery Bay- The Plaza
http://www.the-flying-pan.com

From the sushi at Nadaman to the views at Aqua, the cocktails in LKF and shopping in Kowloon, finding an outlet to let go in Hong Kong is easy and well worth the trip. When it comes to shopping in Hong Kong, it’s as prevalent as the hangovers. For art and antiques, check out the area along Hollywood Road.
For designer wares, the Landmark Mall is a predictable option (both of these are in the Central District). For more interesting and varied shopping, head to Kowloon across the river. Check out the Aberdeen and Harbour at night by taking a cruise or hit Repulse Bay which offers a popular beach. Hopefully, it won’t be too messy from the excessive littering left over by the visitors over the weekends. Victoria Park, which was built in 1888, also leads to Victoria peak which is 1350 ft above the sea level, and here you can get that awesome panoramic view of the city.

For more nightlife suggestions, the editors at Jaunt Magazine recommend checking out:

http://www.hiphongkong.com
http://www.hkclubbing.com
http://www.lifestyle.hk

And, if you really want to get in the mood, Layla Revis, our trusty Editor-in-Chief says (with a wink), “I once had a crush on Hong Kong Fever. If you don’t know who he is, I have two words for you. Notorious. MSG.”

Carry It On: Dermalogica’s Concealing Spot Treatment

So you’ve just traveled 8+ hours to Paris for a little bit of work (and, okay, one hot inter-continental blind date) and guess what’s staring back at you from the mirror of your humble pension near Les Tuileries? You guessed it. A nasty under-the-skin blemish that won’t come to a head. Have no fear. Dermalogica is here!

During our many travels, the staff at Jaunt has learned a thing or two about packing light. No unnecessary cosmetics, no overstuffed suitcases, but here’s the one thing we can’t travel without. So important to our repertoire of natural beauty, we had to mention our solution to the pesky skin problems that come hand-in-hand with dry cabin air and humid, smoggy cities.

Dermalogica’s Concealing Spot Treatment
An intense treatment with a natural-looking tint that quickly conceals and clears breakouts. Upon contact, concentrated Sulfur and Zinc Oxide help clear skin by eliminating bacteria associated with acne while clearing excess oil and congestion in the follicle. Niacinamide, Zinc Gluconate, Yeast and Cinnamon Bark extracts, Caffeine and Biotin purify and inhibit overactive sebaceous gland activity while soothing irritation. Salicylic Acid sloughs off dead skin cells that contribute to clogged follicles, helping to prevent future breakouts. The best part? There’s no artificial fragrance or color. And trust us, it works. Matte, easily blendable, and drying, it’s the perfect alternative to greasy foundation or traditional concealer.

A little goes a long way.

And really, when you’re traveling the distance, looking flawless sometimes takes a little bit of work.

$31.00

http://www.dermalogica.com

Coronado, CA: The Hotel del Coronado

When it first opened in 1888, The Hotel del Coronado aka. ‘The Del’ was considered the premier vacation destination on the California coast. Visiting as a child, my mother would point to the Navy jets flying overhead, regaling me with stories about the base right next door that my grandfather once commanded. I took in the historic mystique, in awe of a place that really did feel fabled.

Back in the late 1800’s, guests would arrive to The Del by rail, checking into the plush resort on the sea for the crisp salty air that was said to restore the spirit. Now a landmark, its history is impressive. Remember Some Like It Hot?

Yes, Marilyn Monroe stayed here.

It even has its very own ghost.

In 1892, Kate Morgan checked in and never checked out. Possibly jilted by her husband or a lover, she was said to be ‘upset.’ After spending five lonely days waiting for a man who never arrived, she was found, dead on the beach of a gunshot wound. They said she committed suicide, but her death was never solved.

According to Christine Donovan, The Del’s historian and author of the book, Beautiful Stranger: The Ghost of Kate Morgan and the Hotel del Coronado, Kate is a relatively harmless ghost, but more dramatic tales also abound. Like the time a young couple – away for a romantic Valentine weekend – experienced a string of supernatural occurrences, culminating in their covers being ripped off in the middle of the night by a ghostly apparition. Pillows have been stacked strangely, lights have been turned on and off, and Kate has been seen walking down the hallways, through the garden and along the beach.

Ghostly sightings aside, the Del was recently named the ‘best family beach destination in the U.S.’ by The Travel Channel as it offers a little bit for everyone, particularly now, with the year-old development of the new high-end Hotel del Beach Village next door.

The brand-new contemporary villas can fit couples or families that feel like indulging in a bit more privacy (and a bit more luxury) than the main building. With private decks with outdoor fire-pits and plunge pools overlooking the sea, to butler service and full-kitchens, it’s the chance to splurge without having to board a plane to the tropics. Echoing The Del’s famous turrets and red-shingled roof, the Beach Village has already captured the attention of several Hollywood A-listers like Kevin Bacon & Kyra Sedgwick, Josh Hartnett, and Reggie Bush.

Last year, the Del also unveiled a new spa where guests can organize special “after hours” celebrations like bridal showers, anniversaries, or birthdays. Canoodle, munch on canapés, take a sauna, and sip champagne on chaise lounges while some chocolate lava cake and an after dinner foot-massage.

Or head to ENO, a chocolate, cheese, and wine tasting room, where for $13, you can get yourself the ‘SEXY LADIES’ wine flight which includes five different tastings like a 2005 Nora Albariño from Rias Baixas Spain and a 2006 J Vineyards Pinot Gris from the Russian River Valley. I also opted for the ‘EUROPEAN UNION’ cheese tasting with my all-time favorites: Manchego, Old Amsterdam Aged Gouda, and Pecorino Cortones. Before you leave for home, try the famous Hotel Del brunch, an all-you-can eat buffet extravaganza with the most dazzling range of foods I’ve seen in years. You might not want to eat the night before. Or the next day.

Just don’t forget to knock on someone’s door in the middle of the night, run quietly down the hall, and hide. Someone’s got to keep the ghost lore alive, right?

Prices for the Beach Village Villas range from $850-$5,000/night.
Prices for a Spa Terrace 2-hour Reception range from $1,800 to $2,700.

http://www.hoteldel.com/beachvillage