Bucket List O'travel!

Hello my gnomes! I hope everyone had a fabulous New Year celebration and welcomed 2012 with happy open arms. This is my first blog of the year! Everyone throw some confetti and dance the jig. Alright now that's enough. I have been stewing over what to write in my blog  all week. Should I write about my goals as the newest most amazing travel blogger of all time? No. Should I speak my mind about the hardships mankind faces? No. Should I write about the Mayan's calendar stating that this is the end of time and we are all doomed?! No.

No!

Let's look to a happier subject.... These are the places I want to travel to before I die. I understand that the subject of death isn't sunshine and flowers but we're all going to come to a demise, so let's try and see as much of the world and explore our dream locations before we meet our makers. Let's face it, there are certain things and places you can visit at a certain age. Like I want to go snorkeling in Fiji, not something to do when I'm eighty. I'm not saying no one CAN go snorkeling at eighty in Fiji, but I think it's an act of kindness after seeing how.... fluffy my grandmothers were at that age to just go ahead and do it now. Remember folks, spandex is a privilege, not a right.

The list one makes about where they want to go can be a looking glass into their soul. I always dreamed of being a princess living in a beautiful castle when I was a child. So it would seem logical that on my list is... Well every castle ever in the world, and Red Square. I also dreamed of being a mermaid, hence my desire to go to all the most luxurious beaches in the world.

It's more important to have a desire to travel than it is to have a set list of places you want to trek to. We have this life, just the one, to see what out there in the world makes your heart soar, and brings sense of accomplishment to your life. I often find myself wondering what would have happened if my parents had put me in ballet, it's odd but I really reflect on that often. It's a vanished dream because I can't go back to being five and try it, the chance to be a ballerina has long passed me (I still think I can wear a tutu).

I don't want to be old and look back in... some years and wonder why didn't I take the chance to go see Red Square when I had the chance. I'm not going to let my ballerina let down also be my travel let down. Yeah I realize I was suppose to make a list but I got a little side tracked. Next time my gnomes you will have a list you can dream over.

Local Leisure? Really?

What does one do when they live in Dallas and all they want is it to lay by some gorgeous water and drink some fruity umbrella drinks? Where do you find the sultry escape like in the photo below (look now).

I know I said in my first blog that I now dream of the Red Square, but it doesn't mean that I don't still drool over a white sandy escape where I can float around all day and just relax. Yes my eyes have been opened to the fascinating world of travel where a diving board and a cabana boy aren't always present, but it's hot in Texas and I need my splashy escape pronto! Well rather than just flail around in my office chair pouting adorably about how I'm so hot and I want a resort-ish get away I hit the computer and did what I would do for any of my clients... RESEARCH!

Listed below you will find some of the most tantalizing poolside get-aways in the Dallas area: 

Hotel Zaza Dallas

First we have the luxurious Hotel Zaza. The fancy boutique hotel is known for it's social poolside interaction. All the sexiest and hard bodies of Dallas can be found in this quaint 4ft deep pool. It may not be ideal for those looking to swim some laps, but it's got great scenery and I'm not just talking about the palm trees surrounding the pool. 

Palomar Pool

Next on the list is Hotel Palomar, a Kimpton hotel. When the words Kimpton are attached to a hotel I am sold, it's horribly bias I know and I apologize for my great faux pax, but it is true, Kimpton does it right! They are luxurious and classy, they know how to bring together a fresh feel on hotels while making them feel cutting edge yet still lavish and refined. I am saving all my pennies and dimes so I can afford to stay at one when I finally wrangle my boyfriend into settling down. But to be honest I would have never suggested this hotel had it not been listed on the top hotel swimming pools for 2010. It's earned it's right to be on my blog! 

Now I could continue to list pools like the ones above all being small and intimate great for laying out and drinking while getting that bronze glow. But these are not what I considered the best pools to swim in. Are they divine and have amazing views? Yes, but they don't have the feel of a pool you can play chicken in with your friends (yes I can appreciate a 5 star restaurant and good game of chicken, I'm versatile). With that said I offer you the last two pools with the Wide Eyed stamp of approval. 

Award Winning Four Seasons Dallas

First up, the award winning (I don't know what award exactly but it says that on all thier headers) Four Season Hotel in Las Colinas. It's a beautiful resorts with pools made in the mindset that it's intended for family. And family fun means big splashes and lots of swimming. I love the fact that it's HUGE it's a massive pool area and you can always find a cozy spot just for you and your's, and if you get there early enough you can have the whole pool to yourself. 

Hilton Bella Harbor

Finally we move onto the last but not least in the slightest, the Hilton Bella Harbor. Right in my back yard is the wonderful lake front Hilton resort... ish.  I only say "ish" because there is no spa there, and sorry Bella Harbor I love you bunches but you don't get the resort stamp until I can get my mani/pedi's in a zero gravity chair at your location, it's just not right! But the pool is AWESOME! It's a massive fun pool with a walk up to the circular indoor bar, or you can just go get a fantastic umbrella drinks from the cabana, which you don't have to even walk up to, because the cabana boys will come to you as you float in the water. It's a great addition to the Rockwall community, and it's a great get-away for those who can't afford to fly away from the metroplex.

So there you have it, my little underpants gnomes. Four great watery get-aways just next door. Enjoy your weekend, I will see you all Monday a little tanner than today!