jauntsetter

Three Ways to "Cleanse" That Are Worth It

jauntsetter Staff — April 18, 2012

Lately it seems like everyone we know is juicing, detoxing or going on a yoga spree in the name of a spring "cleansing." And though there are plenty of expensive systems, programs and fasts that are willing to take your money and run (or, let's be honest, at least give you the Goop-y runs), we decided to check in with some of our favorite Jauntsetters of the Week to find out what really works when your body is calling for a fine-tuning.

Whether you want to get in tip top shape for a summer of jaunting, or are simply inspired by the recent amazing weather to get a little bit healthier, keep reading to find out how you can do something good for your body without breaking the bank.

And if you've got any of your own ideas about how to spring into the warmer months a little fitter, more energetic, and all around healthier, let us know in the comments below. Of course, if you think the whole concept of cleansing is silly, we'd love to hear from you on that, too!

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Three Jauntsetter Endorsed Wellness Escapes

Affordable Yoga Retreat In The Woods

If you're a regular yoga practitioner who's looking to take her practice a little deeper, consider taking a weekend away to Ananda Ashram, where shared room and board starts at $60/night.

Says Jauntsetter Doree Shafrir of the ashram, "It's cheap, close to NYC and totally cleansing - really simple vegetarian meals, great yoga classes and a bucolic (seriously) setting. Think: walks in the woods, a lake, and quiet. The people who live there are slightly cult-y, but you can participate in as much or as little of that as you want. (I participated in a little and found the guided meditation to be really relaxing.) There's also a pool that's open in the summer."

Indulgent Detox Weekend

Believe it or not, indulging and detoxing don't have to be mutually exclusive, especially if you check in to The Standard in Miami, where your bartender won't raise a (perfectly waxed) eyebrow when you order a mojito made with Splenda after your lymphatic massage. Which isn't to say The Standard (outdoor treatment area pictured above) is not a real destination spa - in fact, "It's one of the best I've been to," says Jauntsetter Editor Dorothy McGivney, "what with its huge Turkish hammam, Meditarreanean-diet inspired menus, acupuncture therapy, and amazing spa treatments and yoga classes."

Check out their $225/night special that includes a Juice Cleanse sample, spa credit, yoga class and room upgrade, good till September 1st, 2012.

Easy In-City Cleansing

For those who can't take a trip but want to do a little body repair, New York City offers a bevvy of options, especially when it comes to juicing. So what works? Though we didn't love our time with The Blueprint Cleanse, Jauntsetter Kate Duffy can't say enough good things about Organic Avenue, which has programs for as little as one day at $50, and includes a day of juice as well as solid foods. Kate used a short Organic Avenue cleanse to kickstart a whole month of healthier living.

If you're going to do the same, we suggest adding in a platza treatment at Great Jones Spa, where your body will be vigorously brushed with oak leaves in a eucaplytus-scented steam room. It's one of the most invigorating and detoxifying experiences we've ever had, and well worth the $50 it costs (in addition to a regular spa treatment).

Cindy Laning

jauntsetter Staff — April 18, 2012

Business Development, Fancy Hands

Easy weekend getaway: I love the Berkshires for great hikes, music at night and its fantastic restaurants. There's a rustic lodge that I love to stay at there, Race Brook, though if you're looking for more of a splurge, the Red Lion Inn is right out of a Rockwell painting and worth every penny.

Anywhere you love to go in the summer? When it gets nice and warm, there's nothing better than the low bay tides and the picturesque town of Wellflleet, MA. Stop for Lobster rolls at Mac's Shack, try Yoga with Joan, make a quick visit to see Jim Holland's at Left Bank Gallery, and enjoy oysters and live music at the Bookstore. You'll want time to stop at each of these places, so try and sneak a summer Friday if you can to really make the most of a weekend trip.

One place everyone should go: Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Regardless of whether you visit in summer or winter, the Tetons are always gleaming and you can't beat the area's cowboy feel. Top off an active day of hiking or skiing with a meal at the Snake River Grill.

Best hotel you've ever stayed at: It's a toss up between Finca Adalgisa in Mendoza, Argentina and the Hapuku Lodge in Kaikoura, New Zealand.

Meal you would travel for: Banh Mi Phuong. Pick any of the ones sold in the stalls of the market in Hoi An (Bourdain found his favorite here). It's the best sandwich ever... oh and it costs just 15,000 Dong, or $.78 cents. I also daydream about the empanadas we had at El Cuartito in Buenos Aires.

Most interesting thing you've eaten on a trip: Iskembe soup in Instanbul. It's a tripe based soup that claims to prevent hangovers as long as you eat it at 3am. Stumbling on this was a life saver after a night out in the Ortakoy...

Recommended travel resources: Jauntsetter of course! I've been a fan for years and have planned so many trips from all the recommendations. I even got my wedding dress made at Yaly in Vietnam from a Jauntsetter tip.

Favorite souvenirs: I love bringing back home goods. In particular, I love the bowls, placemats, and gorgeous beer glasses from our travels in Munich, Germany. It's always fun to serve guests with items that have a story behind them.

Last vacation you really loved: Last December, my husband and I had an epic 3 week adventure starting with 10 days for our wedding in Hanalei, Kauai and then when we had enough of our family we jetted to our honeymoon - a road trip tour of the South Island in New Zealand. We hiked over 100 miles easy. My favorite spots include the Kalalau trail and Waimea Canyon in Kauai and the 3 day Routeburn trek in New Zealand.

Any recommended accommodations there? Holly and her husband run these properties in Kauai, Hawaii and seem to have the most charming homes to get you the real island feel.

In-flight drink of choice: Ginger Ale - calm stomach, calm mind.

Single? Love Food? This Fire Island Deal Is For You!

jauntsetter Staff — April 18, 2012

We're not normally into share houses but we do make a couple of exceptions, especially when they involve Fire Island and food. Enter, The Epicurean Singles' House (also known as the Chance House). It's been featured in New York Magazine (and once on this site last year!) and it looks totally perfect for anyone into eating, the beach and fun (and who's also between the ages of 28 to 38).

Shares of the house come with full access to things like house bicycles (pictured), kayaks, and gourmet BBQs. Actually, for $2,750, all of your food and drink is provided for 6 weekends and 6 midweek nights.

That breaks down to $152/night, but you'll be getting so much more than a place to stay when you end up here. You'll also get tons of other perks, like bike and kayak access, and a spot for a guest for one weekend as well, plus the chance that you could find that significant other (supposedly 8 marriages have resulted from staying at the Chance House).

For a condensed version of the house and its benefits, click on its Craigslist listing. For more info and photos of the home, click through to its website here.

Don't Miss This Giveaway: Get In Shape For Warmer Weather Jaunting!

jauntsetter Staff — April 25, 2012

Just a reminder that you could win a free week of amazing yoga at YogaWorks here in New York City if you enter our latest giveaway, which is sponsored by Alignyo. By participating, not only will you get a chance to score a week of unlimited classes, but you'll be signed up for Aligyno's free, fantastic newsletter, which brings you in-the-know yoga information, recommendations and inspiration daily.

By the way, YogaWorks is one of the most respected yoga studios here in New York (and even the country) and every class we've ever attended there has left us feeling truly refreshed, both physically and mentally. A week of classes here would surely kickstart a spring cleanse or otherwise leave you in tip top shape for travel during the warmer months ahead.

If this sounds good, sign up for Aligyno here to be automatically entered. Even if you don't win, you'll have discovered Alignyo, which we promise is a prize all its own.

Deal Alert: One Night Gourmand Getaway, No Car Required

jauntsetter Staff — March 20, 2012

Looking for an easy escape that won't break the bank? You're in luck. The Tarrytown House Estate, a picturesque hotel reachable by train from the city, is on sale with SniqueAway with prices as low as $109/night from now through the first week in June.

Considering rooms regularly start at $159/night at this well-reviewed hotel on TripAdvisor, vacationing at this Hudson Valley estate with 11 mansions is a serious value for your money. And the best part is (and, to be honest, the real reason we're really excited about the sale), the hotel is just a 10 minute cab ride from Blue Hill at Stone Barns. This elegant restaurant is a destination unto itself, located at a four-season farm and educational center.

The only menu at the restaurant is a "Farmer's Feast," which is a 4, 5, 8 or 12-course meal starting at $88/person. The feast is seasonal, so the menu is always changing, but one thing remains constant: the ingredients are as local as you can get - they're handpicked from the field and market.

By the way, though Blue Hill is pretty easily visited without an overnight stay, the one time we went up for dinner, we almost missed the last train back to the city for the evening. We actually had to run over a pedestrian bridge, high heels in hand, to make it on board. Needless to say, ending our evening with a long and stressful commute wasn't the nightcap we were looking for, so we recommend splurging on a sleepover if you make the trek up. After all, room rates at the Estate are 30% off.

Interested in the sale but not a member of SniqueAway? No worries - you can join for free here.

Insider Spain Suggestions, From Tasty Tapas To Surf Friendly Cities

jauntsetter Staff — February 28, 2012

Alisha, our current Jauntsetter of the Week, told us how much she loved Spain, and particularly Barcelona, in her original interview. Luckily for us, when we followed up for some more recommendations, it turned out that Alisha had traveled to 5 different cities in Spain, and was all too happy to share her tips on all the places she visited in greater detail.

Keep reading for her insider tips, on everything from where to dance on the beach with locals to what to order during a tapas crawl in San Sebastian.

And if you've got your own suggestions on enticing Espa�a, please let us know! Especially Barcelona - can you believe we've never done a Trip Pick for the city?

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Spain Suggestions from Alisha, our JOW

The Best of Barcelona

As I mentioned in our original chat, I loved Barcelona. If you go and you're on a longer trip like I was, I highly recommend a stay at Backpacker's Casanova Hostel. Yes, it's a hostel, but if you're up for that sort of thing, it's pretty ideal - really cheap rooms and super friendly people.

Some other Barcelona tips:

Skip Las Ramblas; it's a creepier version of Times Square full of pickpocketers
Take the metro everywhere you can - train rides are cheap, fast, and on time!
Follow Gaudi's steps; the architecture he's left behind will blow your mind

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Tarragona, Bourdain Style

After I visited Barcelona, I checked out Tarragona, where I stayed with a friend back from New York who introduced me to life by the sea. We drank too much vermouth, ate patatas bravas in ancient forums, and danced above the beach at night with locals. Let me just say, I never felt more like Anthony Bourdain - in the best way possible - than during that visit.

Tarragona tips:

Drive out to see the Roman Wall
Have lunch outside in Roman ruins

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San Sebastian - Surf (and Turf!)

Onward to the Basque Country, I stayed in San Sebastian's surfer dude hostel, Kaixo Hostel, run by two mid-20s expats from California. I came here solely for the coastal views and amazing food culture I've heard about on countless shows. For three days I traveled with strangers around town on bike tours, mountain hikes, and tapas crawls way into the night. If you want some outdoorsy, laid-back fun and plenty of amazing food to fuel your days, don't miss San Sebastian.

I also took time out for a day trip from San Sebastian - Donostia to Bilbao purely to see The Guggenheim Museum. The hour-ish bus ride for under 10 Euroes (roundtrip) is worth buying to check out a completely different city and enjoying the landscape along the way. In Bilbao I walked from the bus station winding down through plazas admiring industrial architecture that led me to the high-wired bridge above the Guggenheim. Finally, seeing the giant steam-punk designed spider in person was a huge moment for me.

More San Sebastian tips:

Take a hike up Monte Urgell to see the giant statue of Jesus (there's a free historical museum inside!)
Order pinxtos and "siete y tres" during bar crawls
Sun bathe at La Concha

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Madrid, From Sunrise to Sunset

Madrid blew my mind. I loved walking all day in the sun and taking breaks for tapas and drinks whenever I felt like it. The night life is insatiable as locals start partying heavily as soon as the sun goes down.

Madrid tips:

Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring lots of suntan lotion
Spend an afternoon picnicing at Parque de Buen Retiro
If you have one, use a student ID to get into the best museums

One major tip I'll leave you with about Spain in general is if you order a drink at some bars, you got a free appetizer with it. Amazing.

Giveaway Alert: Win 4 Nights At A Tuscan Villa, Plus A Private Wine + Cheese Tasting

jauntsetter Staff — February 28, 2012

Just a reminder that you could win a free stay at the beautiful Corzano e Paterno vineyard if you enter our latest giveaway. By participating, not only will you get a chance to score 4 free nights in a private apartment in one of the Tuscan vineyard's villas, you'll also get a personal tour of the estate and farm, and a private wine and cheese tasting, too.

By the way, this is a destination that former Jauntsetter Taylor Cocalis says is the one place in the world "everyone should go" so we went, and we wrote up an entire Trip Pick on it because we also loved our visit that much.

If this sounds good, to enter, reconfirm your subscription to our newsletter here .

New subscribers can win too, so why not tell a friend and double your chances?

Palm Springs Private Sale: Ace Hotel Discounted $160/Night

jauntsetter Staff — February 28, 2012

One of our favorite hotels - and our #1 lodging pick in Palm Springs - is on sale right now, with rooms discounted to a $160/night.

Yep, you read that right. The Ace Hotel & Swim Club, in one of our top warm weather escapes (it's in the desert, after all), with some of the coolest decor out there, wants you to come visit. And we think you should go, especially with these affordable prices!

The details: though not all room types are discounted through the sale, even the larger rooms through the sale are cheaper than the cheapest rooms regularly available. Take these sample rates for the weekend of March 23rd: King Standard rooms are marked down from $339/night to $213/night and Garden Patio rooms are marked down from $419/night to $259/night.

The cheapest room available when booking through the hotel for the same dates? A Standard Double (which is smaller than a King Standard) is $359/night. Personally speaking, we'll take the Garden Patio for $100 less, thanks very much.

After all, one of our favorite memories of staying at the Ace is ordering room service breakfast and enjoying our AM repast in their super comfy robes in our private outdoor space in the sun ... ah, to be there now! And we're not the only ones who love it at the Ace; it's the personal favorite of OfAKind's Erica Cerulo, photographer Manami Tosh, and Videogum's Gabe Delahaye. Ah, a Jauntsetter of the Week seal of approval - it doesn't get much higher than that.

If all this sounds good, hurry to book - though these rooms are on sale through May 24th, and the sale ends in 2 days.

Not a member of Tablet? Get your invite here.

JOW: More Travel Talk With Brooke Williams

jauntsetter Staff — February 21, 2012

[This is Part 2 of our interview with featured Jauntsetter of the Week, Brooke Williams. If you missed Part 1, check it out here.]

Recommended travel resource: I'm headed to Mumbai on Friday (so excited; I'm going to photograph kids in a public school there) and I've been checking out lots of guides. After doing so, I must say I’m standing firmly behind the Time Out guides which, for some inexplicable reason, I was prejudiced against before now. It is the one guide where the background info didn't put me to sleep and it's chock full of great ideas for all types of travelers, from the eco-hippies to the luxe-addicted (I fall into both camps!).

Do you collect anything when you travel? Paperclips and other mundane stationary supplies. They are always a bit different and serve as a beautiful daily reminder of all of the places I've been. I still prize my slightly square edged cuban paperclips above all others.

Pre-flight routine: It pretty much consists of running around like a crazy person until the absolute last minute and then, once I've finally gotten to the airport (after guiding the taxi through the "local-streets" route to avoid the inevitable bumper to bumper traffic), wandering around the terminal cursing the fact that there is no good food to be had and that I'm going to have to survive the flight on terra chips and water again. Except when I fly JetBlue out of JFK. Then I have sushi and am happy.

In-flight drink of choice: Water. Or ginger ale if I'm really living it up.

Nervous flyer or calm? I was a very calm flyer before I had a kid. Now that I've really got something to lose I get much more jittery. But then I just repeat the stats about how much safer it is to travel by air than by car and get over myself.

Our Next Parisian Food Adventure: Guided By Pastries

jauntsetter Staff — February 21, 2012

While we've already got a solid list of wine bars we love in Paris, we're now adding to our to-do's of edible treats thanks to David Leibovitz, one of our favorite food bloggers, who recently released his e-guide to pastries in the City of Lights.

Writes David, "With over 300 addresses for the best places in Paris for chocolates, pastries, and other confections, this comprehensive guide is the perfect sweet companion for your trip to Paris. But even if you’re not planning a trip, there’s plenty of pictures to so you can enjoy the scrumptious pastries of Paris – wherever you are!"

The best part? Because this guide is an e-book (and available on all sorts of readers from Kindle to iPhone and iPad), the guide's map is synched to GPS. Meaning if you have WiFi or an internet connection, any time you tap on a link, directions will automatically pop up to the sweet spot you're reading about.

The guide will also be regularly updated, so the info won't be out of date by the time you next make it for a visit.

Of course, Americans on the street in Paris rarely have access to the web without hefty mobile surcharges, so if you're on the go and using the guide sans Wi-Fi, there are also static, detailed maps that you can view at any time.

For more details, visit David's blog here, and check out a free (lite) version of the app in the iTunes store.