I would recommend talking a break from the hot weather at Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice. The flavors run from the traditional to the unexpected, and a favorite local treat is shaved ice on top of macadamia nut ice cream.

The Lahaina Fudge Company offers some great chocolate desserts, but you need to line up alongside the locals. Diners flock here for the amazing handmade fudge treats, which features unusual flavors like lava.

When you want something a little more upscale, head to Mama’s Fish House. Locally caught seafood brings the locals out in droves, and depending on when you visit, you might need a reservation.

The Lahaina Grill is another upscale restaurant that appeals to foodies. With dishes like tuna poke and steak on the menu, everyone in your group will find something they love.

Mana Foods is a little more down home, and this takeout restaurant serves dishes that you can use for a picnic with someone special. In addition to prepared foods like energy raw balls, you will also find a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. The Breakwall Shave Ice Co. is another casual favorite. While it serves hot dogs and sandwiches, most come out for the handmade ice creams and shaved ices.

If you have a sweet tooth, stop by the Pineapple Grill. Best known for its pineapple upside down cake, it serves that cake with ice cream and a delectable rum sauce. Those who love chocolate prefer the Hula Grill, which serves a flourless chocolate cake topped with whipped cream and a berry sauce. The cake is the perfect finish to a seafood or steak meal served with homemade bread.

Maui is also home to a few modern Hawaiian restaurants like Market Fresh Bistro. Led by Justin Pardo, the restaurant serves locally caught and sourced seafood and meats and in-season fruits and vegetables. You can also head over to Mala Ocean Tavern for the extensive wine list and Mediterranean-inspired dishes from Mark Ellman.

No matter which restaurant you visit, you will enjoy some of the best food that Maui has to offer for travelers and locals. However, where you rest your head at night is just as important as your day-to-day activities. So find some of the top hotels in Maui to make your stay just a little more like paradise!

Antiqua

Antiqua is the perfect destination for couples in love. The island’s romantic, nautical feel is a far cry from other “kid friendly” Caribbean destinations. Honeymooners are sure to enjoy the island’s secluded beaches and upscale, sophisticated resorts.

 Nevis

One of the Caribbean’s smallest islands is also one of the friendliest. Nevis features quaint villages and landscapes ranging from sugarcane plantations to volcanoes. Honeymooners will enjoy escaping to this tropical paradise for a vacation filled with deep-sea fishing, golfing, horseback riding and relaxing on the beach.

Turks & Caicos

This chain of 40 islands and cays is perfect for a quick getaway since it is just a one hour flight from Miami. The area is home to the world’s third-largest barrier reef, which makes it an ideal spot for snorkeling. Couples may also enjoy kayaking to some of the area’s small, secluded islands.

Anguilla

Anguilla is an ideal vacation destination for foodies. The 35 square mile island offers over 100 eateries ranging from upscale seafood to local specialties. The island boasts a laid-back, casual vibe perfect for relaxing and taking in the local culture. Vacationers will enjoy activities such as bird watching, glass bottom boat tours or watching one of the area’s many regattas.

Curacao

 This tiny island is the most cosmopolitan of the Caribbean islands. Nature lovers will enjoy hiking and biking in Curacao’s rugged landscapes while shoppers will enjoy the island’s high end retailers. The island also boasts quaint Dutch-colonial architecture and a rich historical heritage.

Martinique

A charming mix of French culture and Caribbean landscapes makes Martinique a perfect honeymoon destination. The island’s scenery features lush rainforest, black sand beaches and mountain regions. For a history lesson, tour the ruins of the former capital, Saint-Pierre, which was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in the early 1900’s. After a relaxing day of soaking in the sun and the European culture, travelers can enjoy dining on the island’s French Creole cuisine.

Dominica

This largely undeveloped island is a far cry from the luxury resort of some of the Caribbean island. Dominica is perfect for couples interested in ecotourism. Much of the island is covered in rainforest and pristine national parks which makes it a perfect destination for hiking. Couples in love will also enjoy frolicking in the area’s many waterfalls. Along the coast, Dominica offers some of the world’s best whale watching.

When planning your honeymoon, if you want to skip the tried and true and opt for unique honeymoon destinations, the Caribbean is sure to deliver something special.

Author’s Byline:

Sidney Bankes works in the bridal industry and enjoys using her knowledge to write articles that are helpful for brides. She spends an unbelievable amount of time browsing online wedding resources and travel resources to provide her clients with the best wedding and honeymoon destination suggestions.”

Québec Winter Carnival, Québec City

This winter carnival is the most famous in North America. Beyond being one of the most historically fascinating cities in North America, Québec has a traditional winter carnival with a ton of fun winter activities. There are snow and ice sculpture competitions, a race across the St-Lawrence river in traditional canoes, and a fun street parade where the Queen of the Carnival appears with the mascot, the Bonhomme Carnaval. You will want to stop by the Ice Hotel, the only one in North America and rebuilt every year out of pure ice and snow. You can also take advantage of the great skiing and snowboarding around the Québec region.

Pacific Northwest

It might always rain in Seattle, but it has among the nicest winter temperature in the northern part of the United States. It rarely gets below freezing, and the locals know how to handle the constant rain and drizzle. There are a ton of museums to visit, from the Experience Music Project to the Sci-Fi Museum. And nothing really compares to sitting down with your friends with a hot cup of coffee in Pike Place Market on a foggy morning. Winter in Seattle is perfect to absorb the unique, indie vibe of this underestimated city.

The Alps

If you’re a ski afficionado, you know that winter rhymes with skiing in the Swiss or French Alps. Of course, these resorts might be expensive, but saving up for them is well worth the while. And there are a ton of youth hostels throughout Europe to help you with housing costs. In any case, a ski trip in Europe is always a good thing to do during the winter. And given how small it is, if you get tired of the snow, you can drive for only a few hours and be on the beach in the Mediterranean. Talk about the best of both worlds!

These are all suggestions for people who don’t mind a little cold in their life. Of course, you are always free to go to the tropics or the southern hemisphere; Sydney hostels are always a welcoming place to stay if you decide to go down under. But for those who like to cozy up near a fireplace or go to the after-ski parties, then staying north of the Equator can definitely be fun.

Uncle Bill’s in Manhattan Beach

Uncle Bill’s Pancake House is a family owned establishment and has been around for a long time. Steps from Manhattan Beach, this is the ideal place for a weekend breakfast or brunch. They serve breakfast or lunch till 2:30p so be aware that it is not open in the evenings.

Food is great. My favorites being JD’s French Toast and Mitch’s Scramble. Orange Juice is fresh. Prices are very reasonable too.

This place is so popular that anytime you go on weekends, you will encounter long lines outside.  And they don’t take reservations, so when you get there, put your name on the wait list and go for a walk on the beach.

Blu Jam Cafe

Blu Jam Cafe is a very unique spot for breakfast. Located in Beverly Hills off Melrose Ave, Blu Jam is another privately owned joint run by owner Kamil Majer who also happens to be the chef.

The decor is casual and fun with brick walls and dark wood furniture. Service is fast and friendly and the place is relatively inexpensive. Expect to spend about $35 for two.

As for the menu, the French Brioche Toast with Yogurt, Blackberry Jam, banana and strawberries is perhaps the best French toast you will ever have. The Eggs Florentine will also tickle your taste buds.

Jinky’s Cafe

Jinky’s has a huge menu and it gets confusing at times. Once you figure out what works for you though, they are consistent and you will find yourself returning often. They have 3 locations in SoCal (Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks and West Hollywood) so you can head to the one closest to you.

While I have found service to be a little slow, they have great stuffed pancakes with bananas and blueberries stuffed inside the pancakes. It comes very hot and goes great with a little syrup.

Jack n’ Jill’s

This place is really good. It is slightly expensive, but considering it is smack in the middle of Beverly Hills (there is also a location in Santa Monica) with a view of the finest cars outside its windows, it is perfectly reasonable.

The food is amazing. Specially the Beverly Frittata and the Cinnamon Croissant French Toast. Portions are large so you might be able to share with friends.

Service is quick, but the wait is long. Be ready to put your name down and go for a walk. Expect to run into some of the Hollywood elites at this place too.

Free 2 hour parking is available up the street on Beverly Drive.

Toast Bakery and Cafe

Toast is a bakery and cafe in the heart of Beverly Hills, a few blocks east of the Beverly Center.

First, parking was a pain. They have valet parking but it is quite expensive ($5.50) given that I went for breakfast.

I was surprised to find it was so busy for breakfast even during a weekday but fortunately, we were seated after 10 minutes.

We ordered the eggs florentine, which came on bread rather than the usual english muffin, but it was creamy and delicious. It had extra emphasis on the spinach so you know what to expect.

We also ordered the Stuffed French toast which is apparently one of their specialties, and while the banana pudding and the sliced bananas were great, the french bread itself was a little dry – needed to be a little moist.

Overall, a good place for a Sunday afternoon brunch.

Happy brunching!

Aspen, Colorado
Aspen, featured in the Jim Carey comedy classic “Dumb and Dumber”, is the place to be if you want to ski with the rich and famous. Aspen is an ideal upscale ski vacation destination for all types of skill levels.

Banff National Park, Alberta
Banff is one of the most spectacular looking mountain resorts in the world. With Sunshine Village and Ski Norquay in close proximity, Banff is the tallest place in Canada. With plenty of nature and slopes, Banff has a lot more than winter sports. In fact, it has one of the best golf courses in North America as well.

Banff National Park, Alberta

Vail, Colorado
With a slogan of “Like nothing on earth”, Vail surprisingly lives up to its name, and then some. It is one of the largest ski terrains in North America with 5,289 acres of ski terrain. In fact, only Whistler/Blackcomb eclipse Vail’s ski area in size. In the heart of Colorado, a couple of hours from Denver, Vail is one popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Whistler/Blackcomb, British Columbia
Consistently voted “Best North American Ski Resort”, Whistler is a winter destination for anyone and everyone. Skiing, shopping, golfing, pampering and culinary experiences, Whistler offers all that and a great social scene with plenty of night life. And of course, it is the largest ski terrain in all of North America.

Whistler Mountain, British Columbia

Park City, Utah
Utah is a surprising consideration for conferences and gatherings. But one look at Park City and you will know why. Park City consists of three main resorts – Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, and The Canyons Resort. The Park City and Deer Valley ski resorts were the major locations for ski and snowboarding events at the 2002 Winter Olympics even though they receive less snow and have a shorter ski season than do other destinations in this list. The biggest draw of Park City is that it is the primary location of the Sundance Film Festival. Among its other accolades – it is also the home of the United States Ski Team. Just one thing I should warn you about. Utah has strict laws regarding alcohol consumption. As such, all drinks served are typically diluted and have a much lower percentage of alcohol.

Taos, New Mexico
In north New Mexico, near the Colorado border, lies Taos Ski Valley, with one of the best Ski schools in the country. Until recently, snowboarding was prohibited here but in 2008, that restriction was listed. Family owned and smaller than most of the other ski destinations on this list,  Taos has an equal ratio of expert and beginner terrains, but don’t let that fool you. The terrain seldom straightens out and remains steep for the most part.

Mammoth, California
Mammoth Mountain is home to the tallest ski resort in California. It is notable in that it gets an unusually large amount of snow, about 400″ annually.  At 3,500 acres, it’s more than three times the size of the so-called “Beast of the East”, (Killington), and certainly lives up to its name. Mammoth lies in close proximity to the Oregon stateline to the north and Nevada to the east. So it is accessible by road from major cities like Sacramento, Portland and Reno.

Killington, Vermont
Killington is considered the largest ski area in the east. It offers the largest variety of terrain with seven interconnected mountains which makes it a haven for snowboarders and cross-country skiers.

Beaver Creek, Colorado
The third Colorado favorite is Beaver Creek, which has won the Best Overall Customer Service Award from the National Ski Association four years in a row. This is a quaint area which, while not as vast as Vail nor as celebrated as Aspen, remains a fast fave for those looking for peace, seclusion and skiing with their families. At the base of the slopes lies a large skating rink, the Family Ice Arena, where kids and adults can warm up before heading to the slopes.

So, now that winter is here and you have this list of top ski resorts, where will you be going? Book now to get great deals on ski vacations.

But one name that I flew last year, made me a fan for life. Air New Zealand flies directly from Los Angeles to London in around 10 hours, with three key features in their economy class (called Pacific Economy) which puts its American counterparts to shame:

1. Extra leg room – the flight I was on, had much more leg room than any other economy class I have been on in recent memory.
2. Comfortable head rests – adjustable head rests ensure you don’t end up drooling over your neighbor’s shoulder during that post dinner food coma.
3. Personal TV – each seat has a personal TV that allows you to select your own entertainment, whenever you want. This includes games, movies, TV shows or even music.

Now if you are wondering what this flight cost me, it was back in summer of 2008 and it cost me $650 round-trip including taxes and fees. So a pretty sweet deal. I should mention that I don’t remember whether this was a 767 or a 777 (I think the latter) and it is possible that not all flights will have the above mentioned economy class features. How was the food you ask? Well the food on the flight I took was average, and the wine selection mediocre. But if you want to travel in that kind of luxury, a better option is a middle-eastern carrier like Gulf Air or the Emirates.

Meanwhile, I cannot think of a more comfortable, yet economical way of flying from Los Angeles to London (or back) than Air New Zealand.

I am not a typical foodie but it seems lately that everywhere you look, there are new establishments selling fresh baked cupcakes, and not just the kind that you buy at a typical bakery. Cupcakes are now being used as the dessert of choice at parties, showers, as wedding favors and even as alternatives to a wedding cake and centerpieces. Whats more, cupcakes keep getting bigger and bigger, to where eating your own cupcake takes some over-indulgence. Quite frankly, this cupcake craze reminds me of the smoothie revolution of a few years back when the Robeks’, the Jamba Juices and the Juice Stops of the world were coming into their own. Having eaten at a few of these new cupcake spots in town, I thought I’d let you in on my favorite places for cupcakes. Ready?

Crumbs Bake Shop – Located in the heart of Glendale, right next to the new and prestigious Americana at Brand, Crumbs is one of the more spacious cupcake establishments, that also happens to smell like heaven. With over 30 distinct flavors including rare creations not seen anywhere else including treats like Devil Dog, Butterfinger, Watermelon and Caramel Apple, Crumbs Bake shop offers decadence without the crazy. Incidentally, I learnt from their site that they are not just local to Los Angeles. In addition to the 5 locations in Los Angeles, they also have locations across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Flavor of the Month

Sprinkles is next on my list. With the first store opened in Beverly Hills, Sprinkles quickly became famous for its star power much like Pinkberry a few years back. On weekends, lines can be very long indeed. Perhaps best known for their Red Velvet cupcake, Sprinkles also has a wide assortment including Banana, Pumpkin and Chai Latte. However, some of these flavors are only offered on certain days of the week. While I have not been to other locations, I can say this about the Beverly Hills one, that it is a tiny little place, with hardly room to stand, let alone sit and enjoy your treat. This is a little frustrating because after waiting in line for as much as 30 minutes, you’d think one should be able to enjoy their cupcake and a glass of milk sitting down. Unfortunately, most of the time, you will end up taking it to go.

Sprinkles Display

Violets Cakes – I was first introduced to this local Pasadena shop by a friend and colleague. Violets has a distinctively home feel to it and are great for parties and home orders. Their chocolate frosting is some serious business and I love that they wrap their cupcakes in foil. Owned, operated and run by Pasadena local Denise Weber, this place is as local as it gets and a must try for those in the vicinity.

Dots Cupcakes – Even before I fell in love with Sprinkles, Crumbs and Violets, I loved Dots. Their Chocolate on Chocolate is moist and melts in your mouth. Health concious folks have the option to buy a mini cupcake, which I think is a nice touch. Having said that, I must say that the service is less than stellar and the place is the size of a large cubicle. There is no room to stand more than 5 people at their Arroyo Parkway location (they have two locations in Pasadena). And more often than not, they are out of your favorite flavor and their “excuse” is that they don’t run a retail business, rather they are  primarily a catering business and don’t bake extras for foot traffic. So you get the feeling you are getting left overs. With three others to choose from, this place is last on my list, not for the quality, but rather the experience. Despite not being a chain, it gives you the feel of a chain store.

Do you feel that I may have missed out on your favorite cupcake place in LA? I am always open to new places, so if you feel strongly about a place, send me a note or write your comment below and I will check it out.

John Traveler

Unless you have a small business, and plan a lot of travel in Sept and early Oct,  and you have a stake in the business where saving every penny matters, this deal might not be for you. During this mad rush, you may not get seats on your preferred flight. You also need to book 3 days in advance, so you cannot just travel spur of the moment. Assuming that an average flight on Jetblue costs $99 each way, you would need to complete 3 round-trip flights just to break even.

So before you rush out and make this impulse buy, price your vacation using JetBlue’s stand-alone prices, and even compare to Southwest Airlines. You might be surprised that this deal is not such a great deal after all.

You truly are free to move about the country. I expect Southwest to come out with something similar soon.

Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills – the street made famous by the brand names that live on it, not to mention Julia Roberts’ shopping destination on Pretty Woman. You will find expensive cars lining the curbs and a celebrity or two getting their favorite latte at Starbucks. Have a hearty breakfast at Jack n’ Jills, then walk up and down Rodeo Drive a couple of times and try a red velvet cup cake from Sprinkles before leaving.

Venice Beach – This place is crowded on the weekends but thats when you want to go to Venice Beach. Volleyball, Painting, Art, Tattoos, Basketball, Shopping and Performing – there isn’t another beach anywhere that you can find such a diverse array of things to do as you can on Venice Beach. It is quite a spectacle.

Venice Beach, Los Angeles

Newport Beach / Huntington Beach – they are in Orange County but they are some of the most clean and pristine beaches anywhere. Spend a peaceful afternoon and evening on either of these beaches and enjoy the beachy restaurants in the area.

Manhattan Beach – located in an upscale part of Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach is famous for beach volleyball. Try Uncle Bills here for breakfast (I recommend the Mitch’s Scramble), then walk along the shoreline and admire the beach houses that you will never be able to afford.

Santa Monica Pier / Malibu – these are the main beaches where Baywatch was filmed. Santa Monica is more crowded with an amusement park while Malibu is quieter. There is a Promenade at 3rd street in Santa Monica which I highly recommend for a casual stroll. If you like seafood, Bubba Gump Shrimp is a good spot here.

Pacific Coast Highway is arguably the most scenic highway in the US. Catching even a part of this long stretch road (even better if you have a convertible) is worth it. You can stop at any point for a great view of the ocean. After a heavy shrimp lunch, you might want to drive up the PCH from Santa Monica to the Pacific Palisades and back.

Hotel Huntley in Santa Monica, very close to the Promenade has a bar/lounge at the top floor which is a fabulous hang out. I have often seen celebrities here and it is a good place to chill at the bar or hang out with friends after a day of lazing around at the beach.

Hollywood – Hollywood is the largest icon of Los Angeles. It defines LA. However, most of the movie studios have now moved away from Hollywood and are located in other parts of the city. Nevertheless, the Kodak Theatre (home of the Oscars), the Chinese Mann theatre and the Avenue of the Stars still call Hollywood their home. If you like sushi, Geisha House in Hollywood is an expensive but well-worth-it place for sushi.

At night, Sunset Boulevard is a haven for party seekers. House of Blues for Jazz and creole, Laugh Factory to spot new and upcoming comic talent and the Standard for clubbing is a good way to drink the night away.

Universal Studios – whether you are young or old, Universal Studios is a must-see on your visit to LA. The famous tram ride takes you through the various parts of the campus offering some thrills along the way. Jurassic Park and Revenge of the Mummy are just some of the other thrills you can experience at Universal Studios. If you want to break away from the pack and have a drink, the City Walk right outside the studios has some good restaurants and bars.

Marina Del Rey – Living on a boat – you may have seen it in movies, but you can see it in person here in Marina del Rey. Tahiti Way, Panay Way and Bora Bora Way are all streets lined with condos and townhomes on one side, and boats on the other. You can also rent a kayak or a paddle board and row your self from one end of the Marina to the other.

San Diego– This is a city that perhaps deserves a column of its own, but given its close 2 hour proximity to Los Angeles, including it in this list is certainly warranted. San Diego has something for everyone. Coronado Island and Mission Bay for sightseers, and the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park (safari) for animal lovers and kids alike. For kids, there is also Sea World, but I must say I quite enjoy it myself.

Also, the vibrancy of the best nightlife in San Diego CA can equal those of other major American cities.

Theme Parks – The first theme park that comes to mind is Disneyland but if you are too old for that, there is Six Flags Magic Mountain with death defying roller-coasters and Raging Waters and Hurricane Harbor for wet water thrills.

Now I know I left out a few specialty things that LA is famous for. The Lakers at Staples Center for sports enthusiasts, Nokia Theatre and Disney Concert Hall for concerts, Getty Center Museum and LACMA for art lovers and Griffith Park for hiking and even budding astronomers. There are also some world famous golf courses in Los Angeles (including Trump National Golf Club in Palos Verdes and Torrey Pines Golf Course close to San Diego). If you are planning a trip to LA, just make sure you have enough time. There is much to do here and you will need a few days to recover when you get home.

Get Great Deals on Hotels in Los Angeles.

While Arizona is mostly known for the Grand Canyon, there are a few more notable places to see there.

Montezuma’s Castle – This is a national monument which is a 1000 year old cliff dwelling and preserved for the historian in you. In December 1906, when President Theodore Roosevelt declared this among our many national monuments, visitors were allowed inside the castle, but in order to preserve it, visitors have only been able to view this from the outside for the last few decades. The limestone cliffs and the dwellings within are said to be based on the Aztec architecture, and hence called Montezuma’s Castle.

Montezuma's Castle

Meteor Crater – 35 miles east of Flagstaff, the Meteor Crater is one of the best preserved sites of a meteor crater anywhere on Earth. Approximately 50,000 years ago, this crater struck our planet with a velocity of 40,000 miles per hour, and create a crater at the site of impact over 4,000 feet across and 2.4 miles in circumference. Today, this crater attracts tourists and science enthusiasts alike. A museum has been erected which tells you a compelling story of what occurred to cause this crater, how it occurred and when. The museum also houses pieces from the meteor that was excavated from this site in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Meteor Crater near Flagstaff, AZ

Sedona – a short but scenic drive from Flagstaff, Sedona is also known as Red Rock City. The city is a geological marvel with red mountains, red sand, red rocks – pretty much a red landscape. Most people going to the Grand Canyon make a stop here to experience an almost Mars like territory. If you plan to ski in Flagstaff or visit the Grand Canyon, you should definitely spend a few hours in Sedona.

Sedona, AZ

Jerome – Regarded as America’s largest ghost city and located high on a mountain (Cleopatra Hill) almost a mile above sea level (5200 feet), Jerome is a town of 500 odd people living there simply to serve as hosts to tourists looking to visit this ghost town. Nesled on Cleopatra Hill between Prescott and Flagstaff, Jerome is a historic copper mining town, which once thrived on copper mining, with over 15,000 residents back in the 1920’s. Today it is often a biker hangout and a souvenier stop for those heading to Sedona or Flagstaff.

Ghost Town of Jerome, AZ

Arizona boasts plenty of opportunity and things to do while you visit (Lake Havasu definitely comes to mind), however, the four sites above, along with the Grand Canyon, capture the historical importance and geological diversity of Arizona. No trip there is complete without a visit to these four places.

Safe travels!