Art Hotel Spotlight

Art hotels are becoming increasingly popular, especially in Europe. They're an opportunity to experience the creative expressions of multiple artists under one roof. At Hotel Puerta America in Madrid, each of the thirteen floors has been transformed by a different artist into a fantasy land. Right from the its own lobby entrance (shown above) to the rooms, each floor takes on its own theme and meaning. If nothing else, I'd certainly put this hotel on my sight-seeing list for Madrid.

Glass of the Maharajas

I've never really been into glass but this exhibition I would love to see. The Corning Museum of Glass in New York brings you Glass of the Maharajas (May 19 - Nov. 30, 2006). The exhibition showcases a little-known chapter of design history when European glass manufacturers fashioned dazzling furniture out of glass for the Indian royalty.

The Museum brochure says that "The very idea that a chair could glitter like a diamond, catch light like a colored gemstone, and still function as seating must have astounded those who first encountered glass furniture in the mid- to late-19th century. Visitors to "Glass of the Maharajahs" will experience that same sense of bedazzlement."

Among the highlights of the exhibition is a unique 11-foot-tall mirrored and intricately faceted glass wall cabinet, on public view in the United States for the first time. Also featured are massive chandeliers, side tables, chairs, a towering candelabrum, and even a crystal and horsehair fly whisk.

Destination Dubai

Dubai is undoubtedly the city of the future. I've been reading here and there about all the new buildings on the rise in this megapolis but only when you list them all out do you realize the sheer scope of these projects. By year 2010, Dubai will be unsurpassed for it's modern architectural wonders. Here is a glimpse.

Buy your own island in The World. There's 300 of them, each named after a country, that collectively form the shape of our world. You can own a piece of the puzzle by dishing out anywhere between US$ 10.8m to $36m. These exclusive islands, accessible only by water or air, can be converted into island resorts, hip communities, theme lands - anything you can dream up!

Burj Dubai will change history and the face of downtown by contributing the world's tallest building. The most exclusive address in the world places Dubai firmly on the tourism map. The current number of 5 million visitors is predicted to reach 10 million by 2007, and an incredible 40 million by 2015. The Burj project also includes the Dubai Mall, largest on earth. Its epic proportions will include an aquarium, fashion arena, and the biggest ever gold souk. Also in the downtown project are residential communities, hotels, and an Old Town that will preserve the Arabic traditions of antique stalls and coffee houses.

The Hydropolis blows any 007 under-water fantasy ever screened. This first-of-its-kind underwater hotel will be located 66 feet below the surface of the Persian Gulf. You can book one of the 220 'ocean view' guest suites towards the end of 2007. The Palms are a set of three man-made islands designed to resemble date palm trees. The fronds of the Palms will house residential projects and a variety of tourist attractions, ranging from spas, diving sites, and theaters.

Dubai will also be ready to host any world class sporting events once its Sports City is completed by the end of 2007. This sprawling, 3 billion square foot complex will offer visitors a staggering variety of athletic venues, from gigantic stadia to state-of-the-art parks for skateboarding, indoor rock climbing, and other activities. Not to mention facilities for polo, car racing, golf, and extreme sports. And despite all this if you're dreaming of complaining about the extreme sun and sand, check out Ski Dubai. Imagine 22,500 square metres covered with real snow all year round and five runs that vary in difficulty, height, and steepness. The longest run is 400 meters with a fall of over 60 meters. Ski or snowboard any time of the year on the world’s first indoor black run or practice your turns on the bunnies.

So you've explored just about the entire world in Dubai, what next. Just when I thought nothing else could blow my mind, I read about Global Spaceport. This $265 million project by Space Adventures has obtained clearance to operate suborbital spaceflights from a spaceport located less than an hour from Dubai.

Faena Hotel + Universe

I cannot seem to take my eyes off the stark white and red colors of this ultra-chic designer hotel. The look is so crisp and vibrant; modern yet classic. Faena Hotel and Universe is situated in one of my favorite cities, Buenos Aires. Designers Faena and Philippe Starck create drama out of the crumbling turn-of-the-century El Porteño building on the Puerto Madero docklands, turning it into a 'temple to pleasure'.

The sophisticated interiors are inspired by early 20th-century transatlantic liners, with a mix of Starck's new designs and antiques picked up at local markets and auctions. The rooms all have views of either the docks or the river. There's a bistro, a cabaret, a spectacular outdoor pool and a gym/spa/hamam with genuine Turkish baths. Priced from $300, the decor itself seems worth every cent.

Don't Get Lost in Translation

The sheer joy of travelling stems from the opportunity to experience a different culture. Yet travellers often forget this core sentiment in a foreign land. Respecting cultural practices and celebrating their uniqueness is not a nice-to-do, it is mandatory. Whether you're travelling on business, pleasure, or relocating to another country, be aware of the local customs and traditions. Check out this cool site, Kwintessential, that delivers insightful snippets on cross cultural differences.

(Source Losses in Translation)

These intercultural fact files from Communicaid are also great pre-travel read. Many countries have strong cultural etiquettes, gestures, and language protocols. It's very cool to learn all these just like it is to learn new phrases in a foreign language. We've had the most fun in our travels living like the locals: renting an apartment, travelling by buses and subways, and experiencing neighborhood eateries. And most of all, respecting and observing the people of that country.

New York + Great Food = Restaurant Week

Hail all epicureans! Here's your chance to savor culinary creations at some of the finest dining rooms in New York. The big apple celebrates its Restaurant Week from July 10-14 and 17-21, 2006. To see a list of restaurants and to make reservations, go to OpenTable.com. Be sure to choose wisely and reserve early since this is a mighty popular event. Enjoy special three-course, prix-fixe menus at $24.07 for lunch (price reflects that the city never sleeps and is always delicious: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) and $35 for dinner (prices per person not including beverage, tax or gratuity). The restaurant week, held twice a year in January and July, is a great way to experience Zagat stalwarts such as 21 Club, Union Square Cafe, or Gramercy Tavern, that may usually be out of budget.

Ode to Road Trips

'Tis the season to take the scenic route, so hurry up and plan a road trip. While soaring gas prices do not provide much of an impetus, it's still a better alternative to prohibitive airfares. Check out Frommer's for tricks and tips to save on gas. You can stick to tradition by heading to the nearest AAA office or go online to download maps and tour books to navigate any piece of highway in the country. Roadtrip America also helps you plan your road style from meals to suggestions on just about anything to do with your life on wheels.

If the destination is more important to you than the journey, then hop on a plane. One of my favorite reasons to take a road trip is to spend "car" time with my husband or dear family and friends. Just the conversations about everything and nothing, no-one-gets-bored games, or listening to the current favorite song over and over again make for the biggest joys. On my last road trip, I learnt how to whistle with two index fingers in the mouth. Anyway, apart from the lessons, nothing can excite me more than food!

No, I'm not talking about pit stops at Mc Donalds or Applebees. Road trip happy Jane and Michael Stern have spent the last 25 years driving around and they call America "a culinary crazy-quilt of unique dishes beloved by locals but little known to outsiders". They entreat travellers to seek out the local specialties. To read about most memorable local eateries along the back roads and highways, check out roadfood.com. Also highly recommended is their currrent book Two for the Road: Our Love Affair with American Food.

Jamie Jensen of the Road Trip USA fame has put together some cool podcasts to get you swinging behind your wheels. So I urge you to build a relationship with the map this summer and make some discoveries of your own.