Have you been looking for love in all the wrong places? The Ritz Carlton in Fort Lauderdale, Florida understands your pain and is inviting Casanovas, lovers and single ladies…

… to sail into their luxury hotel on Wednesday, February 8, for a midweek moonlight soiree filled with sultry libations, tantalizing treats and a tarot card reader to reveal a year of luck in love and much more, at the monthly Full Moon party, named “THE Party in Fort Lauderdale” by Conde Nast Traveler.

We think it would be fun to combine the Moon Party with another Ritz Carlton special offer, the “Newly Single” Package. Get the girls together, get ready to party and add to the fun with this sweet deal.

“Newly Single” package tailored to the newly single, for those looking to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter, bringing out the best in what can sometimes be a difficult transition. A detoxifying spa treatment or glam session in the salon, a poolside cabana bed (with Tanning Butler™ visit if staying on a weekend), cocktail session with the Master Mixologist Ramsey Pimentaland and luxury accommodations are all included in the Newly Single package.

Available until March 31, 2012.

Who knows, maybe you and your girlfriends will discover new romance just in time for Valentine’s Day!

The Ultimate Telluride Experience – Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Women’s Ski Week!

Click here to book this package or to find out more information.

The March Women’s Week (March 4-8, 2012) program includes:

~ Welcome Reception Sunday morning with Coffee and bagels (and perhaps something sweet)
~ 5 day lift ticket
~ Three full day & two half-days of expert instruction by our leading women instructors
~ NEW THIS YEAR! 2 breakout sessions to work on specific topic (moguls, carving, TBD)
~ Use of top-of-the-line gear, compliments of Telluride Ski and Sport
~ Use of Slopeside lockers
~ Assessment of alignment and ski equipment
~ Video analysis of ski technique
~ Use of NASTAR course and timing
~ Après-ski event and Celebration Dinner
~ Gift bag, raffle & shopping discounts

$1075
includes instruction, entertainment
AND lift tickets for lesson days

$875
includes instruction and entertainment

Looking for a fun ski trip with the girls? Explore the spectacular Canadian Rocky Mountains this winter with the Jasper Spa & Ski Package at The Jasper Park Lodge. One of our most popular spa vacation packages, the Jasper Spa & Ski Package lets you hit the slopes for a day at Marmot Basin Ski Hill and then return to The Lodge for a rejuvenating spa experience at the new Fairmont Spa. Treat yourself to a great Rocky Mountain Ski Getaway, and head to toe pampering while staying in beautiful Jasper National Park.

Click here to get this deal or for more info about the package.

Package Includes:

Winter Ski Accommodation for a minimum of two nights
Evening bath turndown gift
One 60 Minute Spa Treatment of choice (per room, per day) as outlined below:

Spa and Ski Massage Experiences
– Relaxation
– Reflection
– Stress Relief
– Joint Relief
– Motherhood (Pre and Post Natal)

Spa and Ski Body Experiences
– Jasper Wrap
– Chamomile Scrub
– All Canadian Body Buffer
– Feet Retreat

Spa and Ski Facial Experiences
– Customized Deep Cleansing Facial
– The Great Canadian Facial

Marmot Basin Lift Tickets:

– If staying for a two night ski package, one day of skiing at Marmot Basin (two adult lift tickets are given)

– If staying for a three night ski package, two days of skiing at Marmot Basin (four adult lift tickets are given)

– If staying for a four night ski package, three days of skiing at Marmot Basin (six adult lift tickets are given)

Availability

Available from Marmot Basin ski hill opening 2011 (approx. Nov. 11) to ski hill closing 2012, subject to availability. Blackout dates may apply.

Who doesn’t love Bollywood? Finnair shows their love for all things Bollywood by breaking out in song and dance during a flight from Helsinki, Finland, to New Delhi, India. Passengers were treated to flight attendants belting out the performance number “Deewangi Deewangi” from the 2007 movie Om Shanti Om.

I think it’s all kinds of cute when blond flight attendants sing and dance to Bollywood tunes. Finnair not only wins some brownie points by way of cultural bonding but also positions itself as a fun brand. Virgin Air better watch out!

Why the Bollywood spectacular? The flight attendants wanted to honor India’s Republic Day (January 26). Helena Kaartinen, the flight attendant who came up with the idea, told the New York Times: ‘It was a good way to show respect.’

Here’s the original dance performance, which do you prefer?

Thinking of a Caribbean getaway with the girls but not into a generic ‘am I in Aruba or Jamaica’ all-inclusive resort? Here’s two lovely, intimate hotels in Jamaica, both of them run by wonderful and extremely capable women. They want women travelers to experience the real Jamaica and so share with us a few insider tips to the best attractions on the island.

Jamaica Inn Hotel, Ocho Rios

Complete relaxation with five star service.

Jamaica Inn is an elegant and intimate resort located in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Ideally situated on what many consider to be the best private beach in Jamaica, the inn is a perfect choice for any luxury girl’s getaway. General manager, Mary Philip’s favorite off duty activity is a blissful visit to the Inn’s spectacular spa perched on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean. Our favorite? Hanging out with the Inn’s rasta dogs!

Mary’s Guide to the Best of Jamaica

Jamaican Jazz and Blues Festival

This year’s Jazz Festival aims to commemorate Jamaica’s 50th year as an independent nation, and opening night, Thursday, January 26, is dedicated solely to the country’s music and musicians.

The opening day line-up includes Shaggy, Mykal Roze, Etana, Yellow Man, Marcia Griffiths, Derrick Morgan, Maxi Priest, Assassin, Half Pint, Pluto Shervington, Kymani Marley, George Nooks, Christopher Martin, AJ Brown, Lloyd Parks and We The People, Bryon Lee’s Dragonaires, and Marcia Barrett.

Special guest Celine Dion will perform at the Festival on January 27th, and the ever so cool Cee Lo Green will be there on the 28th. Wow, what a line-up! With this star studded event, Jamaican hotels are filling up fast so if you’re thinking of attending, reserve your hotel room soon!

Good Hope Plantation

Sitting high in the lush secluded landscape of Jamaica stands an Eighteenth Century Great House named Good Hope. On 2,000 acres 600′ above sea level, Good Hope is surrounded by dramatic blue–gray mountains and is renowned for its exquisite gardens and hiking trails, this is the Jamaica that most tourists do not see or even realize exists.

Good Hope Plantation in Falmouth has been lovingly restored as a fabulous estate, and is perfect place to stop for an elegant tea service or lunch. Take the time to wander the plantation, head out on one of the many hiking trails or visit David Pinto’s pottery studio. The more adventurous visitor can try out the zipline or go tubing down the Martha Brae River.

Noël Coward’s FireFly

Firefly Estate was Sir Noël Coward’s vacation home, it was renamed Firefly by the famous author because of the abundance of the cute little glowing insects on the property during the evenings. The house is now listed and maintained as a National Heritage Site by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust.

The view from the estate, now a museum dedicated to the English playwright, is magnificent. The property was originally owned by pirate and one-time governor of Jamaica, Sir Henry Morgan. Crafted as the perfect lookout spot, the estate has the best views of St. Mary harbour. Captain Morgan had used it over 3 centuries ago for dastardly piratey deeds and he even dug a secret escape tunnel to Port Maria.

Hotel Mocking Bird Hill, Port Antonio

Imagine a dazzling white villa high up on a hill surrounded by lush tropical greenery, cooled by gentle breezes scented with garden perfume, and tantalizing views of turquoise blue ocean. Add in mouthwatering wonderful Jamaican inspired meals, secluded gardens, and staff so friendly they feel like family.

Then overlay on top of this a strong philosophy of sustainable tourism, and two remarkable innkeepers who understand that thinking green doesn’t have to mean doing without, just doing things differently.

The hotel?

Mocking Bird Hill, a small eco-chic hotel, is nestled into the northeast coast of the island near the town of Port Antonio.

Owners Shireen Aga and Barbra Walker’s vision for Hotel Mocking Bird Hill is one of “guiltless indulgence” They believe that hotels should not provide luxury at any cost but should instead concentrate on sustainable luxury. With Mockingbird Hill’s full Green Globe Certification and recent award from Virgin Holiday’s initiative for promoting eco tourism, the hotel has proven itself a leader in sustainable tourism in Jamaica.

They also provide an unforgettable travel experience for their guests.

Shireen and Barbra’s Guide to the Best of Jamaica

Reich Falls

Waterfalls appear around every bend of the river, caves to explore and secluded little pools of cool turquoise water for swimming. All this beauty and we were the only ones there, priceless.

Shireen and Barbara recommended a visit to Reich Falls during our visit to Jamaica. It is still one of the most memorable parts of our travels on the island. They suggest getting to the Falls before mid-morning to enjoy the best light as the sun hits the river.

Blue Mountain Hike to Old Tavern Coffee Estate

The drive to Blue Mountain is guaranteed to provide tons of stomach clenching excitement, with cars twisting and turning up a tiny road hugging the side of the mountain, the hike up to the coffee plantation with guide Roger (Park Ranger and budding musician) is both educational and entertaining, but watching the clouds drift in and surround the estate while you sip Blue Mountain coffee… magical.

Rio Grande Rafting

The adventure begins at Grant’s Level, which is about six miles north of Port Antonio. Here, rafters board the two-person bamboo rafts for the two- to three-hour trip downstream to Port Antonio.

You’ll drift slowly along the Rio Grande River on the long Bamboo rafts, encountering enough rapids to add a bit of excitement. Half way down the river, the river captains will stop so you can cool off with swim, and lunch at Belinda’s Riverside Café.

This day trip in Jamaica is a perennial favorite, taken by all sorts of folks from the Queen of England to yours truly!