Let's try a new spin...

I have been deep within the search for all the most fascinating cruises one can enjoy. I wanted to get away from normal, you know the whole four day cruises around the Caribbean with three stops one always being in Mexico. Yes they are all amazing cruises and you see some of the most breath taking scenery in the world. But it's been done, a lot. It's time to branch out, go for something that is outside of your comfort zone (Ha! Someone has said this to you before, must have been a genius). There's so much to discover and to pigeon hole one's self because you know it a good time from the fifteen times you've all ready done it, well you're robbing yourself.

River cruise, I know they sound a little 'eh' because when you're from this country, rivers are meant for white water rafting, fishing, or providing a ridiculously long word to learn for your third grade spelling bee. But river cruising in Europe and Asian is something to behold. It's one of the ways to see Europe untouched by modern day. You travel down these canal and rivers and see the world as it was ages ago. And the history you learned about as a child is right there. At your finger tips. Not to mention, it really fine cruising, and by fine I mean high end. The restaurants are five star dining, and the cabins are some of the finest accommodations I have ever seen anywhere, and the ships are not filled with thousands of patrons, they're small, and you have this intimacy you cannot get on an ocean liner.

Now let's say, you want an ocean experience, but you're willing to step outside of the box. There's a vast amount of options for you out there. One of them is cruising north to places like Alaska. One of my favorite cruise companies explains cruising around this area is like seeing the world before it was touched by the human footprint. You can see glaciers, go whale watching, even see the aurora borealis. Again, it's top of the line. There's no cramped cabins, packing in a family for four into a closet. No these places are meant for lavish luxury, and the ship fits the bill. It's the perfect marriage of experiencing top end, luxury travel and witnessing nature in it's truest, untouched setting.

So that's two options of two very different types of cruising. And the options are really limitless as to where you can go, what you can see, and what sort of cruising you want to do. It's a matter of know who to contact so they can help you find it. Like I don't know, maybe your favorite wide eyed traveler.

The list is life.

Ok I know it's wrong to use Schindler's List as a title to a blog, but it's gonna be a good, blog! You'll see.

I wanted to start my bucket list off with a bang. Something that when people read this, their jaws would drop and nod silently, awestruck by the flooring discovery I had brought to them, something they too must visit before their end of days. It's a tall order if you think about it, I mean just writing about random thoughts is hard enough but this, this is some heavy hoo-ha. So the only place I can picture living up to such a grand challenge would have to be an oasis of awesome.

I found Emirates Palace Hotel when looking though some of my favorite sites for fascinating locations. It is so astounding that I am contemplating breaking off my love affair with the Augustine to devote all my love and attention to this magnificent desert rose. It's this completely self sustaining morsel of perfection. Allow me to explain.

It took three billion dollars to build this and that's not with a "mmm" it's with a "bah", billions! When you go to most resorts in the world, it's wonderful because you're at the beach, all your needs are met, you can just kick back and relax. Take that philosophy and multiply it by a bajillion and you have the Palace. Unlike most resorts with let's say ten (I'm being generous) places to chose from for your dinner, this place has one hundred and twenty-eight! Where most places when you lay out the staff is happy to get you a refreshing beverage from the bar, this place has a staff who will bring you a cool towel for your face and rotate your umbrella for you to protect you from the sun's devious rays. And it's gorgeous, really, I am happy just to stare at the pictures all day, heck I'm writing this blog so I have another reason to stare at it some more. I'm having a virtual vicarious relationship with this place, yes my very own VVR!

This place is like being taken to another world, a whole new world if you would. I understand that most don't consider Abu Dhabi when they first think of luxury resorts, but I assure you, it's leading in the way of luxury. But it's not just luxury, it's becoming a real hub for every sort of tourism you can think of. From some of the most fascinating ancient archaeological site dating back thousands of years to the world's largest indoor theme park Ferrari World. There isn't a narrow minded view when it comes to travel, if you can imagine it, they probably have it.

Floating on Air.

Ok we all know that New Year's Eve is the night to go out and party, and it is believe me I know (I'm still planning my attack for all the parties I want to attend that night). But what about New Year's Day? I think we all dismiss it as a day to recover from the wild night prior to it, but why can't New Year's Day, be the day you use to set the tone for the rest of the year? I, of course, am going to issue a challenge! Make New Year's Day something special for you so that you start the year off with a bang. I am challenging myself to plan the most romantic date possible for my main squeeze before he has to go back to the desert and get back to his larnin'. 

I sat down with the genius who guides me, Harold (cha-ching!), and we brain stormed over what would make for a wonderful date in good ole big D. Initially we tossed around restaurants, he highly recommended Adelmo's Ristorante off Mckinney, they apparently have a very cozy spot for lovers to dine and smooch on the second floor, the food is out of this world too. But it seemed that if you're planning the perfect date, a bed and breakfast feel is what you want. It has to be something where you feel whisked away from your life and plunked down into a fairy-tale written just for you (and no that doesn't mean go to Medieval Times, put on a crown and run around screaming I'm a princess). 

We narrowed down the list of perfect settings for the perfect date to three locations, the criteria was that the hotel had to be lavish and luxurious, it had to have a restaurant with one of Dallas' finest dining, and it had to be an amazing location. The three who made the list were the Stoneleigh Hotel, the St. Germain, and of course the Adolphus.

Let's start with the Stoneleigh, it's a classic hotel that silver screen actors from the 40's used to flock to as it was the hotspot to visit when one came to Dallas. It's one of the staples of lavish Dallas history as it has been around since the 20's and with it's new reservations it's got the feel of a brand new starlette fresh from a 1920's movie screen. Along with the phenomenal accommodation that will make you stay tucked away in your room, there's the Bolla Restaurant located in the hotel. This uptown dining delight is under the watchful eye of  creative Chef Cesar Gallego's. For those of you who are budgeting after the holidays and worry that such a fine establishment is well outside of your price range, they offer these amazing four for forty menu's, it's a prefixed menu with a four course meal of some of the Chef's most innovative creations for your delight at such an affordable rate that it's ridiculous!

Next is the Adolphus. I shouldn't even have to tell my readers why the Adolphus is amazing because I have loved it so much that I think you have all come to love it too. However, I will never pass up the chance to gush about my beloved. The reason one should stay at the Adolphus is because it's one of the most romantic places in Dallas to be. The rooms are glorious and so comfortable with their french antique inspired themed. There's no need to leave your room because the staff is willing to bend over backwards to do whatever they can to make your room the absolution of a romantic getaway, but you should leave your room. You should get dressed to the nines grab hold of your significant other and go down to the French Room. There's nothing more romantic than sitting in a cozy table in the corner of one of the most beautiful rooms in Texas while serenaded by light piano music and devour eyerolling extraordinary five star dining.

Last on the list is definitely not the least but it is the smallest, which makes for it's very intimate feel and appeal (see what I did there). This hotel comes with the Harold stamp of approval, it's the Hotel St. Germain located on Maple. It's the only one of the three that is an actual bed and breakfast. It's decorated with a french theme throughout the entire estate and is truly marketed to lovers. The dining is a European themed candle lit restaurant that over looks the ivy covered french quarter styled garden courtyard. It's really the perfect place to go if you want the feel of being isolated in a romantic french cottage but still want the option of hitting the town seeing as Dallas has a lot to offer especially in that area. But again, it's the intimacy you're getting here, where the other two are luxurious and classic, this place is very cozy and small, there's only seven rooms in the entire venue!

I hope you all have a great and safe New Year's Eve*, and I truly hope your year starts off bright and inspiring. There's nothing more wonderful than the promise of a clean slate to start fresh. Happy New Year everyone!

*There's no excuse to drink and drive this New Year's Eve. AAA is offering Tipsy Tow: Even for those whithout a AAA membership, from 6pm-6am New Year's Eve/Day they will tow your drunk self and your car home for FREE. Save the number (800) 222-4357