Located in Parksville, British Columbia, on beautiful Vancouver Island, Tigh-Na-Mara Resort has been a seaside retreat for tourists and locals alike for over thirty years. The resort is situated on three kilometers of sandy, tidal flat beach, making it some of the warmest ocean waters to swim in during the summertime in the entire country. During all months of the year, guests relax in the property’s expansive (20,000 square-foot) Grotto Spa, which is the number one full-service spa in Western Canada. The spa’s most famous attraction is its Grotto Mineral Pool, which all spa guests receive access to on the day of their treatment.

Designed to emulate a natural stone grotto, this 2,500 square foot warm water pool is infused with natural minerals and trace elements which detoxify the body and rejuvenate the spirit. The Grotto Spa Mineral Pool includes a two story waterfall, an invigorating glacial plunge cascade and a non-mineralized whirlpool. After a treatment or dip in the Mineral Pool, guests make their way to the third floor Relaxation Lounge to relax by the fire in their robes and sandals as they enjoy complimentary teas and fresh fruit. For a unique dining experience available exclusively for guest of the spa, try Endless Tapas at the Grotto Spa’s Treetop Tapas & Grill, overlooking the surround forest.

Follow Grotto Spa on Facebook and Twitter for special offers.

Grotto Spa @ Tigh-Na-Mara Resort
1155 Resort Drive, Parksville, BC, Canada
www.tigh-na-mara.com ~ www.grottospa.com

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We had the opportunity to experience the serene Touch Spa during our Buick Encore Adventure courtesy of GM Canada. From the moment we stepped through the doors, we were swept away to an oasis of tranquility. We began our journey toward ultimate relaxation in the provided cozy slippers and luxurious bath robes. We sipped refreshing cucumber infused water to hydrate our bodies while we took in the panoramic view of Lake Muskoka.

Professional staff provided impeccably personalized service by guiding us to our treatment rooms where we experienced soothing Touch Signature Massage with warm essential oils and steamed towels. The 75 minute therapy relaxed our tired muscles, de-stressed our minds and rebalanced our bodies. After our treatment, we were granted access to the steamroom and sauna, along with the outdoor hot tub located beside the striking infinity swimming pool in order to unwind even more!

A nurturing haven, Touch Spa offers other types of massages, including hot stone massages, and a full spa menu featuring hydradermie facials, fruit body wraps, and classic manicures & pedicures. For the complete treatment menu click here. Touch Spa is open 7 days a week by appointment, so book in advance by calling 705-641-4009. Visit Touch Spa on Facebook for specials on treatment packages.

*Many thanks to GM Canada, Odyssey International, Touch Spa, and Touchstone Resort.

Touch Spa
Touchstone Resort on Lake Muskoka
1869 Muskoka Road 118 West
Bracebridge, ON, Canada
(705) 641-4009
www.touchstonelakemuskoka.com

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When Booking Flights
Try to schedule your flight to arrive in the morning or early afternoon at Male International Airport. This is important when you have to transfer to your resort by seaplane or speedboat. FYI: For the Maldives, pre-arrival Visas are not required!

Speedboat or Seaplane?
If you arrive past 3PM and you have to transfer to a seaplane, you may have to stay the night in Male as seaplanes do not fly at night. Please check with your resort and also Maldivian Air Taxi, the main seaplane operator in the Maldives.

The first thing we did to narrow our resort search is to decide the mode of transportation from Male International Airport. We loved how Velassaru Maldives was only 30 minutes away from Male International Airport by speedboat and we were excited to soak as much beach time as possible within 3 days.

Family Vacation
Maldives is known to be the destination for honeymoons and romantic getaways. Most resorts are child friendly, but there are some “couples-only” resorts. There are numerous articles highlighting family-friendly resorts in the Maldives and check with the resort.

Honeymoon Packages
Take the stress out of planning out accommodations, meals and activities. Special honeymoon packages, ranging from all-inclusive to customizable experiences, are available on resort websites making your special vacation unforgettable.

For the Budget Conscious
Book your stay in May to June, the shoulder season, where accommodations may drop over 50%. If it rains, it quickly passes. If you are planning to go during peak season, book 1 or 2 nights in a water bungalow/water villa for the overwater accommodation experience, but for the remaining nights book beach or poolside accommodations.

Read more about our experience at Velassaru Maldives resort (click here) and Velassaru Water Villa (click here).

For additional information, here are some of the sites we visited before booking our trip:

• TripAdvisor – Maldives Hotel Deals

• Lonely Planet – Maldives Introduction and Thorn Tree Forum

• Visit Maldives – National Tourism Office

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Located just two hours north of the city, Muskoka has been a summer vacation and winter holiday destination of choice for over 100 years. It’s an acclaimed region for its natural beauty and myriad of activities to suit all tastes. Luxury resorts dot the shores of pristine lakes, while artisan boutiques and gourmet restaurants attract the most discerning travelers. With such high accolades, we were excited to get the chance to visit the impressive locale during our Buick Encore Experience courtesy of GM Canada.

Where to stay:

The top accommodation in the area, and where we highly recommend booking, is Touchstone Resort on Lake Muskoka. We had the opportunity to stay and fully experience everything this luxury resort has to offer during our trip. A highlight of the expansive property’s beautiful facilities is the outdoor infinity pool. We also love the Cascade Villa as its master bedroom’s large ensuite boasts a romantic jacuzzi tub for two with a picturesque lake view.

What to do:

Tranquility seekers can book relaxing treatments, such as a hot stone massage, at the world-class Touch Spa. And then spend the evening indulging in gourmet dishes prepared with local ingredients at Taste Restaurant.

Adventurers can visit Muskoka Outfitters to arrange plenty of summer and winter outdoor activities. Summer time fun in the sun includes kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding on calm Lake Muskoka, while backcountry skiing, ice climbing, snowshoeing and “fat biking” are exciting experiences during the colder months.

How to get there:

You can fly direct to Muskoka Airport (YQA) via helicopter or private jet, travel by train on The Northlander, or hire a lux coach with chauffeur services at Hammond Transport. But the best way to get to Muskoka is to drive on Ontario Highway 400.

We drove the brand new fully loaded 2013 Buick Encore luxury crossover SUV from Toronto to Bracebridge, which is the heart of Muskoka. The scenic winter drive took us through rolling farmland and quaint little towns. OnStar effortlessly guided us to our destination, while all wheel drive and traction/stability control easily aided us through some snowy side roads. We stayed toasty during the winter road trip in the Encore’s heated leather seats along with its heated steering wheel. The rear vision camera system made maneuvering a breeze, while the voice activated IntelliLink connected our iPhone and SiriusXM radio stations in a full-colour touchscreen display. With a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity seamlessly integrated into the system, it became our own personalized infotainment centre. The whole experience was so enjoyable that we can’t wait to do it again!

*Many thanks to GM Canada, Odyssey International, and Touchstone Resort for our unforgettable trip!

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New York City’s famous French brasserie, Balthazar, originally opened in Manhattan’s SoHo district back in the spring of 1997. (You can read our review of this excellent eatery here). And now the acclaimed restaurant has expanded across the pond!

Balthazar’s London, England edition opened this week on the corner of Russell Street & Wellington Street in the heart of Covent Garden, just down the road from The Royal Opera House.

Like its New York counterpart, Balthazar London will offer food throughout the day and evening. Currently, however, the restaurant is only open for dinner. Its menu, created by executive chef Robert Reid, includes abundant seafood platters as well as a wide selection of classical French bistro and brasserie dishes such as côte de boeuf. Balthazar’s bakery will be housed next door (just like in NYC) serving its own house-baked artisan breads, as well as a wide selection of house-made pastries. Bon Appetit!

Balthazar London
4-6 Russell Street, London WC2B 5HZ, UK
+44 (0)20 3301 1155
www.balthazarlondon.com

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The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort is a secluded hotel tucked away on spectacular Redang Island, Malaysia. For guests who prefer further privacy or a larger residential retreat, a Private Villa is perched high up on the cliff top overlooking the ocean, white sand beach, and resort below. The five bedroom villa more than meets the necessities of exclusivity, including private access, a chef, a butler at your ‘beck and call’, and twenty four hour security. The villa also contains its own sixteen meter infinity swimming pool, personal fitness room and both interior and exterior lounge decks. For additional photos of this breathtaking bay view, click here.

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Proceed to ORU Restaurant, where the chefs collaborated to create the ultimate five course Aphrodisiac Menu to stimulate the senses. Looking for something a bit more sparkling? Then treat your Valentine to the Moet et Chandon four course dinner, exclusively on February 14th ($130 per person). From oysters and caviar to lobster and foie gras, give your date to the very best! Reservations can be made online or by calling 604-695-5500.

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Package Includes:

• Oysters and champagne for two in the Lobby Lounge

• Dinner for two in ORU Restaurant

• Ritual for Two Massage treatment in Willow Stream Spa

• One night Accommodation

This special offer is available until Thursday, February 28, 2013, and starts from $799++ per night, based on double occupancy. Visit Fairmont.com to book.

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Attention seafood lovers: The Sensational Seafood Buffet is making its triumphant return to Singapore’s Ellenborough Market Café! Every evening from March 15 through 31, on the lobby level of Swissôtel Merchant Court, dive into an extravagant spread of oceanic delights.

Start your meal with fresh cold favorites such as snow crab, scallops and lobster. And for a taste of Japan, enjoy a scrumptious selection of sashimi. Plenty of seafood salads, along with hot soups such as seafood bouillabaisse and crab bisque are also offered for appetizers.

Main dishes consist of stir fry flavors like crunchy prawns with celery in traditional xo sauce and black pepper bamboo clams. You most definitely will not want to miss out on tasting the popular chilli crab with mantou. Alongside these tempting items, discover Ellenborough Market Café’s local and Peranakan (Nonya) specialties such as the savory oyster omelette, Penang fried kway teow, ayam (chicken) buah keluak and babi (pork) pongteh.

For dessert, delight in an assortment of sweet treats like the light and fluffy mango mousse cake, rich crème brûlée and Ellenborough Market Café’s signature durian pengat – a pungent yet pleasing dish. Lastly, finish off the meal with a group of hot desserts such as sweet potato soup and bubur cha cha. Click here to read our review of this delicious buffet.

Dinner Buffet for adults is $58++ SGD per person, and for ages 4 to 12 years it is $29++ SGD per child. FYI: Exclusively for HSBC cardholders, one person dines free with every three paying adult buffet diners. Also, it is advisable to make reservations by calling +65 6239 1848/ 1847 or emailing emc.reservations@swissotel.com.

Ellenborough Market Café
Swissôtel Merchant Court
20 Merchant Road
Singapore 058281
T: +65 6239 1848/ 1847
www.swissotel.com

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The spectacular private bay of the luxurious Taaras Beach & Spa Resort on tropical Redang Island, Malaysia.

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