Trying to find a clever way to trick out your house with paraphernalia that not only illustrates your love for travel, but can also showcase some of your fave cities?  We found just the decoration solution!  Enter Ork Posters. Donning cool simple designs, the city neighborhood posters would complement any existing décor you’ve got going.  With hip cities to choose from Ork recommends, “Put this on your wall and stare at it, addictively.”  Fun!

End this summer with a giant splash, or cannonball, in the world’s largest pool. Located in Chile at the San Alfonso del Mar Resort this pool is big enough to float anyone’s boat, literally.  It’s so long that it’s not uncommon to see sailboats floating by.  The pool is over 1,000 yards long and holds 66 million gallons of water, while also featuring transparent turquoise water to replicate the tropical seas. The water is so clear that the bottom of the pool is visible even in the deepest sections. The water is pumped, filtered, and treated directly from the Pacific Ocean, ensuring its freshness. The pool was developed by the company Crystal Lagoons, whose tagline is “idyllic beach life anywhere.” They claim to be able to transform “any location in the world into an idyllic beach paradise,” and they’ve certainly impressed us with their work at San Alfonso.  If the largest pool in the world isn’t enough, the resort also features private white sand beaches and heaps of activities to entertain. Chile anyone?
 

Paris, ah, good ole' Paris.  Lazing at a café with a glass of wine, a fresh baguette, and a divine slice of cheese sure does sound blissful.  Every trip to the French capital is sure to include indulging in some of the world renown French cuisine.  However, we're sharing with you a tip on how you can savor that Parisian taste for just a little while longer - Cook'n With Class.  "A taste of France, a love of cooking" is their slogan and in their own words Cook'n With Class "is not only a French cooking school, it is also a place to have fun, to learn some French dishes, to taste new foods and also to interact with people".  Choose from the "Morning Market Class" where you interact with local merchants and learn how to pick out the best ingredients, the "Evening Class" which includes wine and dessert, the "Pastry Class" where you'll prepare, from scratch, 6 pastries or desserts, or a private lesson where you call the shots.  Whatever you choose we're sure your taste buds will be sure to thank you for the trip.

How do you pack?  Are you a start-putting-things-out-the-week-before type?  Or, are you a frantic-chaotic-tossing-into-the-suitcase-the-night-before type?  Whether you enjoy being organized or desperately need help getting organized, we have just the packing solution for you.  It’s a holiday checklist service that is fittingly called “Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush.”  You can do both a “planning list” (arrange mail pick-up, get travel insurance, book dog at kennel, etc) and a “packing list” (reading material, makeup remover, toothbrush, etc).  The “planning list” is broken down into perfectly structured timeframes, while the “packing list” is organized by categories (cosmetics, literature, amusement, etc).  You’ll get reminders and can even print your list for easy access.  All this order and peace of mind brought to you by the “Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush” checklists might just be worth checking into.   

Heavenly displays of shoes and bags on pins and needles creates eye candy that is right on point at Kymka boutique.  This divine Netherlands establishment carries an impressive range of brands including Dolce & Gabbana, Etro, Stella McCartney, Dsquared, YSL, Giuseppe Zanotti, Luciano Padovan, and Theory.  The talented designer Maurice Mentjens dons a wall of well-deserved awards making his selection for interior designer on this project a no-brainer.  If you have the pleasure of making it to the Netherlands, be sure to highlight Kymka on your shopping map.  It's design decadence from the structure to the merchandise.

In the midst of a blurry eyed Monday morning cup of coffee and yearning to be back in our beds, we stumbled across an interesting website that we just had to feature.  It's called "The Guide to Sleeping in Airports."  The site is for the frugal traveler who is "looking for a way to skim a few bucks off their travel expenses."  They pose the question, "Why spend money on a night in the airport hotel when an inflatable raft on airport floor is free?"  While we don't find the idea of sleeping in an airport appealing, many of us have found ourselves doing just that, though not necessarily by choice.  So, if you think there might be the potential for an unplanned sleepover at the airport due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances you will most likely find the site useful .  The Guide to Sleeping in Airports offers up aiport reviews, travel advice, and "how-to" tips for readers who are planning the sleepover and for those with no choice.  Their top five recommendations for the best hotel airports to catch a snooze in are Singapore, Seoul, Hong Kong, Amsterdam, and Helsinki.  They recommend not having a pajama party in airports in Paris, Moscow, London, Los Angeles, and New York City.  So rather than finding yourself sleepless in the airport the next time your flight is delayed, plan ahead.  Check out "The Guide to Sleeping in Airports."

Weighting in one measly pound, this sleek slender device promises to solve all of your wrinkle woes.  Meet the SteamFast SF-717 Mini Steam Iron.  She’s a hand-held feather weight wonder that is also becoming the well-informed flyer’s best friend.  In addition to her perfectly designed physique that seamlessly cruises its way through tricky pleats and pockets, she sports a heat-resistant travel bag for worry-free encounters with your lipsticks and other meltables sharing the bag.  While a lot of friends ask if they can jump in our bags and join our travels, this friend we'll actually make room for.

Give me an "S." Give me an "H." Give me an "O." Give me a "P." What's that spell?  Yes, one of our favorite pastimes.  And, depending on our destination, a high priority on our travel itinerary.  Exclaim the word "SHOP" with a "LET'S" just before it and you'll have most girls smiling and jumping out of their seats, bags on shoulder, before they can even ask "where".  So, when we learned about the website LetsShop.com we were intrigued at the concept, but confused that we didn't have to spring out of our seats.  Nor would we have to kick off our flats and throw on our heels.  No need for throwing our bag on the shoulder and skipping for the door.  We just nestled deep into our seats, put our feet up and engaged in a divine fashion and beauty portal that could have only been started by girls who think just like us.  And better yet, we didn't have the credit card guilt afterwards....only inspiration and in-the know tips on the latest fashion trends, beauty buys, gossip news, and retail happenings.   So, LetsShop...anytime...anywhere.   

The Baltic’s biggest, and many would argue, best city, Riga is fearlessly emerging from the Soviet rule of its past to find its own unique identity.  Despite its composed and cool manner, Riga is indeed the hotspot of the Baltics.  Known for its cleanliness, superb Art Nouveau architecture and having exceptional manners, Riga’s identity in the modern world is undeniably enticing to tourists.  The distinct Russian feel is combined with a medieval charm that is entirely Latvian.  It’s easy to escape the cold weather Riga is known for by settling into a cozy café and never want to leave.

Whether you're a teacher spending your summers at the beach, a parent taking the kids on a summer vacation, or a newly wed couple looking for some fun in the sun, there is one thing that is common to all beachgoers - the ocean.  Who doesn't love a good splash in the sea?  Before you drift off on a beachy day dream, all you beach bums may want to listen up.  A report released by the Natural Resources Defense Council rates the water quality of 200 U.S. beaches.  And the results were rather ewwwwy (yes, with an upturned nose and some extra high pitch).  According to Nancy Stoner, co-director of the NRDC's water program, "Nationwide, 7 percent of beach water samples are so contaminated with human or animal waste that they're not conducive for swimming." G-R-O-S-S!  Beaches high on the "do-not-dip" list are Doheny and Avalon Beaches in California, both of which hailed more than 25 percent of their water quality tests.  Add the Great Lakes region to the avoid list as well. According to Ms. Stoner, "From 2005 to 2008, the Great Lakes consistently tested the dirtiest.  In 2008, 13 percent of beach water samples violated public health standards."  While we are definitely thinking twice about the H2O frolicking that was once so mindless, if we stick to the east coast, things tested a bit less worrisome.  Congratulations are in order for Ocean City, Maryland and nearby Dewey and Bethany beaches in Delaware who earned positive ratings from the NRDC.  On that note, if your destination for summer, sun, and sand is still up in the air, you may want check the water first.

Condensed perfectly for your exploration pleasure, York is an inviting place that tends to captivate its visitors.  Enchanting, enriching, and easily walkable there’s no reason not to fall in love with England’s medieval gem.  Get some shopping done in “The Shambles,” Britain’s most picturesque street and move on to marvel at the York Minster, easily one of the world’s most beautiful cathedrals.  York is a place straight from the fairytales with cobbled streets out of a Harry Potter movie, inspiring architecture, and a café culture where lingering is way of life.  York may be quaint and contained, but it promises to delightfully entertain.

Though it’s been relatively low on the tourism radar, Bratislava is certainly making a name for itself as a charming haven of European culture.  With some of the world’s most renowned museums, including the Museum of Folk Music and Clocks & Decorative Art, Bratislava is a city seeped with knowledge to be had.  However, like its neighbor, Vienna, Bratislava knows how to elegantly mix her culture with classic European fun.  The city is teeming with upscale bars, clubs and you-haven’t-lived-until-you’ve-tried-this-place restaurants.  Enjoy an elegant evening of fine dining and then go join in the energetic nightlife.  It’s OK to mix sophisticated culture with dancing that ends at dawn when you’re in Bratislava.

Meet fabsearch.com, your fab new friend, for real.  She is “your private secretary who reads glossy magazines, speaks with local trendsetters, then reports valuable info to you.”  She allows you to save “clippings” from a search, browse destinations for fun, or get down to business with a “serious search.”  Fabsearch spent years combing through old magazines and documenting their finds here just for your perusal…how fabulous!  There’s content from Elle, Vanity Fair, New York Social Diary, and many more trusted publications, so you know you are getting your info from all the reliables.  It saves you time, clips the important stuff and there’s no print waste as it’s all online.  Fabulous.

The Plaza’s most famous six-year-old guest, the fictional Eloise, now has a room dedicated in her honor.  Since 1955 when “Eloise at The Plaza” was first published children have marveled at the appealing Eloise and her experiences at the Plaza.  Designer Betsey Johnson collaborated with The Plaza to design the Eloise Suite that “blends luxury and whimsy for a charmingly original result.”  The suite is on the 18th floor and dons pink and black decor, as Eloise would have wanted it.  Johnson’s very astute eye for detail has produced a room that is eloquently Eloise.  The Plaza also offers Eloise-style tea time downstairs as well an Eloise shop for souvenirs.  Wonder if they offer special rates for guests named Eloise…

It’s hump day.  In order to get through the rest of the week, we decided to pick a dreamy destination to write about in hopes of daydreaming ourselves over the hump and into the end of the week.  That said, we are heading south for sun and sand.  Marking the southeastern most part of the Yucatan Peninsula, the Mayan Riviera - Mexico's Caribbean gem - is idyllic in every sense of the word. From the sunny skies to the crystal blue water, the weather is perfection. Stretching from the fishing village of Puerto Morelos to the town of Carrillo Puerto, the activities and culture are in abundance.  Add in the wealth of beautiful flora and fauna, as well as the fascinating ecological parks and archeological sites, and you’ve found the perfect destination…and mid-week diversion.  Sigh.