| In | Out | Don’t even think about it! |
| iPads | Netbooks | Laptops |
| Tumbler | MySpace | |
| Credit Cards for inflight purchases | Cash for inflight purchases | Free Drink Certificates |
| Economy Plus | Coach | Legroom |
| Glamping | Eco-friendly hotels | RV’s |
| Stay Longer, Pay Less | Last Minute Deals | Full Price |
| Carry-on | Check-In | Excess Bags |
| Cartegena | Staycation | Couch potato |
| All inclusive | A La Carte | Meal Plan |
| Px90 | Zumba | Personal Trainers |
| Tru App | Tru Dat | LOL |
| Bear & Bear | Internet | Other travel agencies! |
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
WHAT'S IN and WHAT'S OUT...In the know with Jody!
Here is a grid of some of today's trends, fads, and what has not lasted forever....
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Riviera Maya
Whenever
I return from the Riviera Maya, Mexico, I say the same thing--why go anywhere else? It has fabulous
beaches, class, culture, cuisine and, trust me when I say, there's a hotel
with your name on it...By
the way, I'm a big baby so I'd never go anywhere that wasn't safe---just
saying!
Here are my top picks:
 |
| Check out this courtyard! |
The
lure:
impeccable service, Banyan Tree Spa & Rainforest (request the
masseuse, Chaba-she has magical hands!), their Thai restaurant, Saffron.
Rosewood
Mayakoba:
 |
| You are transported by boat to your suite! My view from the boat. |
Oozing
with elegance and sophistication, the accommodations in this all suite hotel
are on the water with private plunge pools.
The
lure:
Agave Azul Raw Bar & Tequila Library (make sure you renew your
library card for this experience!), 17,000 sq foot spa on its own private
island, ping pong table!
Grand
Velas:
 |
| Their gorgeous infinity pool goes on and on and on.... |
The
lure:
luxurious, family friendly all-inclusive that delivers.
www.rivieramaya.grandvelas.com
Viceroy:
 |
| On the beach with the DoS&M, Jennifer Guevara. |
With
only 41, 1700 sq ft Mayan modern or Mayan jungle suites, this uber-cool, sexy
boutique hotel is the new kid on the block--I mean beach!
The
lure:
La Marea Restaurant with ingredients from their organic garden, shabby
chic outdoor jungle spa and sweat lodge
www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/rivieramaya
Zoetry
Paraiso de La Bonita:
Intimate, upscale all-inclusive with an emphasis on well-being and a healthy
lifestyle.
The
lure:
Thalassotherapy spa, in-house parrot collection!
 |
| Permanent residents at the Zoetry |
 |
| Beef Cheek and Grouper Vera Cruz - Surf & Turf! |
Authentic Mexican style hideaway smack on a glorious stretch of beach--it
doesn't hurt that it's an Orient Express Hotel!
The
lure:
the 1900 sq ft 'Sian Nah' suites each have a private gym, spa and plunge pool.
Fairmont
Mayakoba:
Disney meets the Amazon--for families looking for value, this
can't be beat.
The
lure:
well appointed rooms, Fairmont’s President’s Club Loyalty Program
members receive fantastic amenities instantaneously.
Petit
Lafitte:
Dirt cheap, but delivers.
The
lure:
rooms and bungalows smack on the beach, friendly and helpful staff,
 |
| A view of the quaint beach near Petite Lafitte |
If you’re
looking to go to the Riviera Maya, contact me at info@jodybear.travel
 |
| Stay tuned everyday on Twitter and Facebook |
Don't forget
to follow me on Facebook and follow my
#DailyTravelTip on Twitter
Friday, May 4, 2012
Harbour Island, Bahamas... My new BFF
Harbour Island in the Bahamas is my new BFF…
It’s chic without really trying, has spectacular beaches, fab restaurants all you foodies would approve of and it's uber-friendly and safe.
Why is it still under the radar???...until now, it didn’t have me, the Ambassador of Briland (this is how us locals refer to Harbour Island)!!!!
Dunmore Deli: great sandwiches and salads. Get them to go
Check out my insider info:
SLEEP
Pink Sands: Tucked away on 20 acres of gardens and greenery, these 25 rustic-elegant pastel colored cottages areon the edge of the famous 3 mile Pink Sand Beach; the only thing between you and the ocean is your thatched beach palapa!
The Lure: impossibly romantic & secluded, the ‘Meet & Greet’ flawless service at the airport, Chef James Van Dyke’s coriander crusted Wahoo.
 |
| Check out the pink sand... steps away from the room |
Dunmore Beach: the new owners from Texas transformed this once drab property into a 15 cottage beach hideaway.
The Lure: elegance personified in a Hamptons sort of way,the chef is the new darling of Harbour Island.
 |
| Isn't it charming? |
Rock House: This 10 room boutique hotel in Dunmore Town is eclectic- antique luxury; the sense of detail and design issheer magic.
The Lure: private cabanas, state-of the-art gym, one of the best restaurants on the Island.
 |
| The Decor makes you wanna just stay here all day long...PERFECTION! |
The Landing: The interiors of this privately owned 13 room honey of a hotel were designed by the fabulous and talented India Hicks—it’s all about crisp white linens, canopied beds and dark antique woods.
The Lure: sense of history(built in the 1800’s, this is one of the oldest buildings in Dunmore Town) , the fresh seafood and organic greens in their soulful restaurant and the Afro Head label Rose Petal teas, private label coffees and blended rums.
 |
| Hanging out with Toby Tyler, co-owner of The Landing and Master Blender of Afro Head Rum! |
EAT
Blue Bungalow: newly opened and very cool Tapas bar and lounge
Queen Conch: the best conch salad in the Bahamas (see photos)
The Tent: across from the Pineapple Shop, this is , literally, a tent,
but don’t let that fool you—Miss Sheila’s Bahamian fish stew
and Johnny Cakes will have you crying for more!
Dunmore Deli: great sandwiches and salads. Get them to go Getting Around
Get in your golf cart and go, but beware of carpel tunnel—this is the land of ‘hidy ho’ and everyone will give you a friendly wave no matter how many times you pass them! The locals will take you to your destination if you get lost, engage you in conversation no matter where you are and their sense of genuine friendliness is truly irresistible and highly contagious!!!
The Bottom Line
If you want the real inside scoop, want to learn about the true Harbour Island scene and be seen with the celebs , Isis is your socialite guru. Look for, Island Hopping with Isis coming soon to a website near you. I’ll keep you in the loop and post when the first webcast is available.
 |
| Here I am with Isis (think the Egyptian goddess, Isis). She is The Socialite Guru of Harbour Island |
If you’re looking to go to Briland, contact me at info@jodybear.travel
Don't forget to follow my #DailyTravelTip on Twitter!
for the plane ride home
Monday, April 23, 2012
Lobster Salad from Villa d’Este on Lake Como
Cooking
at Villa d’Este on Lake Como
Luciano Parolari, known as the ‘King of Risotto’ retired at the end of
2011, but don’t despair.
He has passed on his toque—and recipes-to Michele Zambanini, Luciano’s assistant for the past
7 years.
To celebrate Michele’s promotion to Executive Chef and the June opening
of their 2nd restaurant, Non Solo Pasta, please accept this
exclusive recipe with love...
Recipe
Ingredients for 4/6 persons
4 lobsters of about 22 oz each
Cook separately the tails (4/5
minutes) and the claws (6/7 minutes) in water with
white wine, vinegar, carrot,
celery and onion.
When cooked, clean and cut the
tails in round slices.
Vegetable and fruit salad:
8.5 oz ripe tomatoes cut in big
cubes
2 oz cucumber peeled and cut in
big cubes
1 tablespoon of sliced red onion
½ tablespoon of chopped shallot
(not too thin)
6/7 leaves of basil
2 oz mango cut in cubes
½ tablespoon of fresh coriander
Mix all the above ingredients
and season with salt, pepper, lemon juice, extra virgin
olive oil and use to fill 6
(rounded or squared ) moulds each of about 2 and ½
inches.
Preparation of the dish.
One layer of salad (turn one
mould upside down)
Top with lobster slices, then a
second layer of fruits and lobster slices again.
Garnish the dish with salad, the
cleaned claws and grains of pomegranate.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Murder On The Orient Express... Prices, That Is!
Exclusive deals on The Orient Express!
15% off Venice - London Route
15% off Singapore - Bangkok Route
15% off Bagan - Mandalay Route
30% off Grand Northwest Journey
15% off all departures on British Pullman or Northern Bell
25% off onboard Fleur De Lys or Amaryllis
Monday, March 12, 2012
Taste Buds and Science Meet on a Plane
No...this is not a beginning of a joke....
Did you ever know why tomato juice is more popular than beer on a flight? Our taste buds change in the friendly skies....
New York Times Sunday Business section March 11, 2012 explains why and more. You can read it here:
Did you ever know why tomato juice is more popular than beer on a flight? Our taste buds change in the friendly skies....
New York Times Sunday Business section March 11, 2012 explains why and more. You can read it here:
Friday, March 2, 2012
Brazil, watch your back…Colombia will be the next hot destination!!!
Cartagena is brought to you by the letter C: it's all about cool, chic,
colonial and the Sofitel Santa Clara is the leader of the pack!
The Sofitel, you say? You better believe it, baby! I
did a double take when I saw this former monastery transformed into
a fabulous, luxury hotel. The service is superb; everyone gets a
butler, yet they couldn’t be more down to earth. The accommodations have all
the technology known to man, yet you still open your door with those big brass, old fashioned keys. The spa has some remedies passed down through
generations, but when I found out they use Sisley for their treatments,
I was in facial heaven!!! There’s a lot of Yin Yang going on
between old world and modern which adds to the unique charm of the Santa
Clara…
Look for the Botero suite in December 2012…Fernando
Botero (yes, THAT Fernando Botero) designed the suite in collaboration with his
daughter, Lina, who happens to be an Interior Designer. Since this
famous artist was born and bred in Cartagena, what better way
to keep his legacy going!!!
The best kept South American secret has to be the recently
opened Tcherassi Hotel + Spa.
Lia Osorio, General Manager of
Tcherassi Hotel + Spa with Carmen Otero De Millan, International Sales Director
of Sofitel Santa Clara
 |
|
Lia Osorio, General Manager of
Tcherassi Hotel + Spa with Carmen Otero De Millan, International Sales Director
of Sofitel Santa Clara |
If I win the lottery I would commute every weekend to Cartagena just
so I could dine at Don Juan! The young chef, Juan Felipe
Camacho, was trained at San Sebastian’s Michelin-starred Arzak
and the restaurant is sleek, sexy and oh-so sophisticated. If you want a
glimpse of the glamorous nightlife in South America, this is the place to see
and be seen. Luckily for us, the restaurant was gracious enough to share this scrumptuous recipe.
 |
| Me at Don Juan Restaurant—have
to hurry in before Anderson Cooper gets my table! |
Restaurante
Don Juan, Cartagena
BROILED
GROUPER OVER LEMON AND PARMESAN RISOTTO SERVES 4
4 grouper
filets (8 oz each)
9 oz arroz
arboreo1 large onion, finely diced
7 oz white wine
34 oz chicken stock
7 oz parmesano reggiano cheese
2 oz mascarpone cheese
salt and pepper
1 lemon
extra virgin olive oil
Preparation:
1.
Season the fish with olive oil, salt and pepper and let it rest to room
temperature
2.
Prepare the risotto by putting the olive oil in a pan, cook the onion gently
with some salt and pepper
3.
When the onion is clear, add the rice and cook for 3 minutes until the rice
gets coated with the oil, stirring occasionally
4.
Add the wine and reduce for 2 min, then start adding the stock with a ladle and
do not stop stirring.
5.
When the rice is almost done (15 min), put the fish on the broiler and seal it leaving
sear marks. Move it to medium heat side and let it cook completely
(8 min or when all the water is absorbed).
6.
Put the mascarpone in with the other ingredients and stir adding some stock if
necessary. Put the parmesan cheese, the juice of a lemon and also the lemon
zest. Stir and cover with a lid for 1 min.
7.
Serve the risotto on a beautiful dish and put the fish on top with and
some cherry tomatoes.
8.
Drizzle with a bit of extra virgin oil and garnish with some micro greens.
Bon Appétit!
Bogota is an
intriguing mix of culture(there goes the ‘C’word)!, gastronomy, art and beauty
. Look for my review coming soon…
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