For you undersea adventure enthusiasts, head to Australia to explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef! Known as one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is home to the world’s largest coral reef system teeming with abundant sea life. From sea turtles and whales to dolphins and more than 1,000 kinds of fish, travelers can book a wide array of reef tours about chartered yachts or catamarans for spectacular snorkeling and scuba diving adventures.
Stay at the Pumpkin Island Eco Retreat. Nestled within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Pumpkin Island boasts five eco-friendly and stylish cottages powered by wind and sun, overlooking a pristine beach. The stand-alone beach cottages can accommodate between four and six guests (with a maximum of 30), and features a fully-equipped modern kitchen, private bathrooms and double size beds and single beds. The cottages offer comfortable furnishings for both indoor and outdoor, along with: solar lights, drinkable rain water, gas hot water showers, gas cooking, gas refrigerator/freezer and a gas BBQ on the deck. Cottages start at $300 a night.
Travelzoo (one of our favorite travel deal sites!) is reporting that flights from L.A. to Cairns on Qantas Airways are $449 each way based on roundtrip travel. The fare also includes a bonus flight to Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne. Valid travel dates: May 1 - June 8 or July 24 - Sept. 21. The sale ends Feb.23.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner – it’s not too late to book a quick and romantic rendezvous! Consider The Belamar, a stylish boutique hotel located in sun-kissed Manhattan Beach.
The 127-room hotel features seven suites, complimentary WIFI, marble-appointed bathrooms and decadent FeatherBorne beds.
Book the “Let’s Get It On” package with your special someone and receive a goodie bag filled with an assortment of adult toy products. Relax and sleep in with a 1 p.m. checkout and also wake up to two Good Morning Manhattan breakfasts delivered to your room. There’s also the “Light My Fire” package – stay in a deluxe King room and receive a romantic essentials kit that includes: scented candles, rose petals, massage oils and classic love songs. Relax and sleep in with a 1 p.m. checkout and two breakfasts delivered to your room. Rates are $176 Sunday-Thursday and $140 Friday-Saturday.
Reservations can be made by visiting: http://www.larkspurhotels.com
The West Coast meets the Far East at The Miyako Hybrid Hotel in Torrance. The new hotel (sister location in downtown Los Angeles) recently opened in the epicenter of South Bay’s burgeoning Japanese business and tourist market.
The Miyako Hybrid is an green eco-friendly hotel with a solar-powered electrical system, environmentally responsible construction materials, and recycled materials. Each of the 208 rooms in the 7-story hotel feature Japanese-style oversized baths, separate showers and heated water bidets. There’s also a hot stone day spa.
Enjoy fusion Japanese cuisine from the renowned Gonpachi restaurant, where guests will be treated to a three-course tasting menu featuring Ebi Shinjo, a crispy fried shrimp dumpling with sweet yuzu chili sauce; Asari Miso Shiru, an organic Japanese miso broth with manila clams, wakame, and tofu; Gindara Saikyo, kushiyaki grilled black cod in miso served on hijiki brown rice; Gonpachi Temptation, tuna, salmon, yellowtail, halibut, and unagi sushi with spicy tuna and shrimp tempura cut rolls. Desserts include: Pumpkin Zenzai, chilled sticky rice balls in a roasted kabocha pumpkin custard sauce with vanilla bean ice cream and red bean paste, topped with almonds; and a Gonpachi Crème Brulee infused with Grand Marnier liqueur served with a ginger snap cookie.
Gonpachi also brings the Far East and the West together with its extensive breakfast buffet. A wide variety of over 40 traditional Japanese and American breakfast items are offered including, yakizakana, kinpira, hand-made soba and udon, inari sushi, and made to order omelets, pancakes, waffles, and eggs.
Book the “Experience Japan” package for $149 per person (based on double occupancy), which includes an overnight stay in deluxe accommodations, signature three-course menu, sake tasting, and breakfast. To book a room, go to http://miyakohybridhotel.com/ or call
310.212.5111
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