5 FAB GETAWAYS FOR 2012

Happy New Year! I am proud to announce that I am now an published author outside the blogosphere. Check out the article I wrote for Jones Magazine!  

http://jonesmagazine.com/content/lifestyle/407/5.fab.getaways.2012

It’s that time of year again, the time to dismiss the old and ring in the new. For many of us the New Year is about setting new goals, dismissing last year’s bad habits and people for good, and charting new territory. What better way to do that than with a fab vacay? Here is our Fab-5 guide to great getaways to usher in the New Year. After all “(Wo)man cannot discover new oceans unless she has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Andre Gilde 

Koh Samui, Thailand – Despite its up-market luxury trend, Koh Samui something for everyone at every price point. White-sand beaches, swaying palm trees and clear green seas provide the perfect back drop for plotting diva world domination for 2012. Koh Samui offers everything from ridiculous to the sublime to everything in between. There are isolated spots where serenity, water sports, and VIP treatment are the name of the game or you can opt for a boat trip around this picture-perfect archipelago made up of around 40 small islands. Sheer limestone cliffs, white-sand beaches, and hidden lagoons all add to the cosmetic beauty. 

The Maltese Islands - This tiny island packs a big multi-ethnic punch, from its North African and Arabic influences to the Sicilian-inspired cuisine. Yum! With the average temperature ranging from 60 – 70 degrees during the winter, it may not be suitable for beach bumming but there is no shortage of activities. Head to a nearby uninhabited island to unwind, or wander into the interior to check out the megalithic ruins of the island’s conquered indigenous inhabitants. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have been spotted, brood in tow, on one of the islands many beaches.

The Maldives –Perhaps the ultimate in long haul luxury destination , mega-star and Jones covergirl, Beyonce rung in the new year here with her hubby Jay-Z a couple of years ago. A geological eccentricity nestled in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives are a series of ancient coral reefs that jut up around the sides of towering prehistoric volcanoes. These old volcanic structures have long since sunk into the ocean, leaving behind coral islands of jaw-dropping natural beauty, 365 days ofsunshine and lagoons the temperature of bath water. This is no budgetnista destination, prepare to exercise your black card for this trip of a lifetime.

Rancho la Puerta Fitness Resort & Spa in Tecate, Mexico – This two –time winner of Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Destination Spa (2010 -2011) is the perfect place to unwind and set the tone for a healthier you Enjoy 325 days of sunshine and 3,000 acres just for you and 125 other guests each week-space to breathe, stretch, learn, and immerse yourself in serene beauty. You’ll return home with the healthful glow and a pep in your step that comes from a vacation devoted to relaxation, good eating, learning, and exercise. Find your wellspring of energy and maybe even loose a pound or two.

Siena , Italy – Siena, one of Europe’s best kept secrets, bristles with majestic architecture, boutiques, and museums. Wander the snarled lanes of the historic centre, a Unesco World Heritage Site, shopping and eating your through this quaint little city. Siena is filled with one of a kind boutiques and shops at every corner, but you'll want to stroll along three main pedestrian streets for sure: Via di Citta, Banchi di Sopra and Via Dei Montanini. Styles range from trendy to classic. You'll find a gelateria, pizza shop or bar between every few shops, so you can stop for gelato breaks!