http://wandermelon.com Updates and insights on the world's best experiences. Fri, 17 May 2013 23:25:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 http://wandermelon.com/2012/02/29/guide-santiago/ http://wandermelon.com/2012/02/29/guide-santiago/#comments Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:53:34 +0000 Michael Webb http://wandermelon.com/?p=17952
Michael Webb explores the bustling capital of Santiago, Chile and makes a few new discoveries. Sleep Aubrey: Stylish new boutique hotel in Bellavista, run by friendly Australians. If you cannot secure a room, stop by for a drink or dinner. (Constitucion 299-317; 02 940 2800) Austral Suites: Located in Providencia, 16 apartments of varied sizes for $80 a night and up. (Francisco Encina 1781 at Concepcion; 02 567 6052) Eat & Drink Providencia Le Flaubert: French bistro. (Orrego Luco 125;...]]>
Michael Webb explores the bustling capital of Santiago, Chile and makes a few new discoveries. Sleep Aubrey: Stylish new boutique hotel in Bellavista, run by friendly Australians. If you cannot secure a room, stop by for a drink or dinner. (Constitucion 299-317; 02 940 2800) Austral Suites: Located in Providencia, 16 apartments of varied sizes for $80 a night and up. (Francisco Encina 1781 at Concepcion; 02 567 6052) Eat & Drink Providencia Le Flaubert: French bistro. (Orrego Luco 125;...]]> http://wandermelon.com/2012/02/29/guide-santiago/feed/ 0 http://wandermelon.com/2011/12/03/paris-last-minute-holiday-shopping-trip-to-paris/ http://wandermelon.com/2011/12/03/paris-last-minute-holiday-shopping-trip-to-paris/#comments Sun, 04 Dec 2011 04:59:29 +0000 Jennifer Gardner http://wandermelon.com/?p=17013
Francophile Jennifer Evans Gardner hits the City of Lights for a festive gift-buying spree. It’s that time of year again. The malls are packed with shoppers converging upon the usual suspects like The Pottery Barn, Banana Republic, and Victoria’s Secret in search of holiday gifts. The thing is, I’ve never been a mall girl, preferring to do my gift buying in charming sidewalk boutiques. Imagine the thrill I got last week when I got a call...]]>
Francophile Jennifer Evans Gardner hits the City of Lights for a festive gift-buying spree. It’s that time of year again. The malls are packed with shoppers converging upon the usual suspects like The Pottery Barn, Banana Republic, and Victoria’s Secret in search of holiday gifts. The thing is, I’ve never been a mall girl, preferring to do my gift buying in charming sidewalk boutiques. Imagine the thrill I got last week when I got a call...]]> http://wandermelon.com/2011/12/03/paris-last-minute-holiday-shopping-trip-to-paris/feed/ 3 http://wandermelon.com/2011/07/29/guide-seoul-spa-and-shopping/ http://wandermelon.com/2011/07/29/guide-seoul-spa-and-shopping/#comments Fri, 29 Jul 2011 15:24:12 +0000 Angela Sun http://wandermelon.com/?p=15884
Spas 24/7: When in Korea...you must do as the Koreans do. These 24-hour-spas, or jimijilbangs, are where much socializing and relaxation occurs. Most spas in Seoul offer a full menu of services and are a very grandiose version of western spas. Dragon Hill Dragon Hill is the largest of the jimjilbangs. It has a family feel to it with the kitschiness of 80s Vegas meets an amusement park. Sprawled across seven floors, it includes a golf driving range, restaurants,...]]>
Spas 24/7: When in Korea...you must do as the Koreans do. These 24-hour-spas, or jimijilbangs, are where much socializing and relaxation occurs. Most spas in Seoul offer a full menu of services and are a very grandiose version of western spas. Dragon Hill Dragon Hill is the largest of the jimjilbangs. It has a family feel to it with the kitschiness of 80s Vegas meets an amusement park. Sprawled across seven floors, it includes a golf driving range, restaurants,...]]> http://wandermelon.com/2011/07/29/guide-seoul-spa-and-shopping/feed/ 0 http://wandermelon.com/2011/06/23/guide-cartagena-colombia/ http://wandermelon.com/2011/06/23/guide-cartagena-colombia/#comments Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:03:56 +0000 Terena Thyne Eisner http://wandermelon.com/?p=15432
Sleep The Tcherassi Hotel + Spa (Calle Del Sargento Mayor N 6-21; +575 664 4445) With only seven guest rooms, this renovated 250-year-old colonial mansion at the heart of Cartagena feels more like a stylish home than a boutique hotel. The expansive hacienda-style suites feature dramatic yet calming décor, each room crafted by fashion designer Silvia Tcherassi. For fun, you can head to the hotel’s restaurant which specializes in Italian costal cuisine, or check out the full-service...]]>
Sleep The Tcherassi Hotel + Spa (Calle Del Sargento Mayor N 6-21; +575 664 4445) With only seven guest rooms, this renovated 250-year-old colonial mansion at the heart of Cartagena feels more like a stylish home than a boutique hotel. The expansive hacienda-style suites feature dramatic yet calming décor, each room crafted by fashion designer Silvia Tcherassi. For fun, you can head to the hotel’s restaurant which specializes in Italian costal cuisine, or check out the full-service...]]> http://wandermelon.com/2011/06/23/guide-cartagena-colombia/feed/ 0 http://wandermelon.com/2011/03/17/guide-venice-italy/ http://wandermelon.com/2011/03/17/guide-venice-italy/#comments Thu, 17 Mar 2011 19:47:50 +0000 Terena Thyne Eisner http://wandermelon.com/?p=14092
Sleep La Residenza (Campo Bandiera e Moro - Castello 3608; +39 041 5285315) The Hotel La Residenza, an affordable gem on the Campo Bandiera e Moro in Castello, is perfect for Venetian visitors seeking a hotel off the tourist track. This restored 15th-century pink marble palace stands in the middle of a quiet neighborhood square, with small rooms opening off a central hall. This location proves ideal for  sightseers as public canal transportation is readily available. Additionally,...]]>
Sleep La Residenza (Campo Bandiera e Moro - Castello 3608; +39 041 5285315) The Hotel La Residenza, an affordable gem on the Campo Bandiera e Moro in Castello, is perfect for Venetian visitors seeking a hotel off the tourist track. This restored 15th-century pink marble palace stands in the middle of a quiet neighborhood square, with small rooms opening off a central hall. This location proves ideal for  sightseers as public canal transportation is readily available. Additionally,...]]> http://wandermelon.com/2011/03/17/guide-venice-italy/feed/ 0 http://wandermelon.com/2011/02/23/guide-mali-west-africa/ http://wandermelon.com/2011/02/23/guide-mali-west-africa/#comments Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:17:04 +0000 Michelle White http://wandermelon.com/?p=13935
Enigmatic Mali is a land of ancient history, endless dunes, rivers and various cultures. When planning your trip, many hotels and restaurants in Mali, especially outside of Bamako, do not have websites or publicly listed phone numbers, making our Mali Guide by writer/photographer Michelle White extremely valuable for travelers interested in traveling here. Once there, Malian tour guides and numerous English-speaking locals offer comprehensive knowledge, assistance and directions. Sleep Hôtel Tamana (BP E 985 Bamako; +223 2021...]]>
Enigmatic Mali is a land of ancient history, endless dunes, rivers and various cultures. When planning your trip, many hotels and restaurants in Mali, especially outside of Bamako, do not have websites or publicly listed phone numbers, making our Mali Guide by writer/photographer Michelle White extremely valuable for travelers interested in traveling here. Once there, Malian tour guides and numerous English-speaking locals offer comprehensive knowledge, assistance and directions. Sleep Hôtel Tamana (BP E 985 Bamako; +223 2021...]]> http://wandermelon.com/2011/02/23/guide-mali-west-africa/feed/ 3 http://wandermelon.com/2011/02/17/guide-aspen-colorado/ http://wandermelon.com/2011/02/17/guide-aspen-colorado/#comments Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:36:46 +0000 Terena Thyne Eisner http://wandermelon.com/?p=13729
Aspen Guide Eat & Drink Matsuhisa 303 East Main Street, 970 544-6628 Nestled beneath a charming victorian house, this outpost of world famous chef Nobu Matsuhisa is always packed full, so be sure to call ahead for a reservation. Campo de Fiori 205 South Mill Street, 970 920-7717 This affordable restaurant features Northern Italian cuisine, with such Tuscan specialties as frutti de mare and linguine positano in a warm, cozy space. 'J' Bar Hotel Jerome, 330 E. Main St., 970-920-1000 Tourists now outnumber...]]>
Aspen Guide Eat & Drink Matsuhisa 303 East Main Street, 970 544-6628 Nestled beneath a charming victorian house, this outpost of world famous chef Nobu Matsuhisa is always packed full, so be sure to call ahead for a reservation. Campo de Fiori 205 South Mill Street, 970 920-7717 This affordable restaurant features Northern Italian cuisine, with such Tuscan specialties as frutti de mare and linguine positano in a warm, cozy space. 'J' Bar Hotel Jerome, 330 E. Main St., 970-920-1000 Tourists now outnumber...]]> http://wandermelon.com/2011/02/17/guide-aspen-colorado/feed/ 0 http://wandermelon.com/2010/12/23/guide-australias-central-coast/ http://wandermelon.com/2010/12/23/guide-australias-central-coast/#comments Thu, 23 Dec 2010 23:01:38 +0000 Kate Ayrton http://wandermelon.com/?p=13164
See & Do Bushwalks There are plenty of local, coastal bushwalking tracks in the area surrounding Bells: Bombi Moor, Little Beach, Bullimah Spur and Lobster Beach. See Indigenous rock paintings, magnificent scenery and Australian wildlife like the spiky Echidna. Local Beaches Palm Beach is a 20 minute cruise from Wagstaff wharf and there are regular FantaSea ferries. Barrenjoey House is great for lunch or have fish & chips by the water. There are a few boutique shops...]]>
See & Do Bushwalks There are plenty of local, coastal bushwalking tracks in the area surrounding Bells: Bombi Moor, Little Beach, Bullimah Spur and Lobster Beach. See Indigenous rock paintings, magnificent scenery and Australian wildlife like the spiky Echidna. Local Beaches Palm Beach is a 20 minute cruise from Wagstaff wharf and there are regular FantaSea ferries. Barrenjoey House is great for lunch or have fish & chips by the water. There are a few boutique shops...]]> http://wandermelon.com/2010/12/23/guide-australias-central-coast/feed/ 0 http://wandermelon.com/2010/05/11/palm-springs/ http://wandermelon.com/2010/05/11/palm-springs/#comments Wed, 12 May 2010 03:40:12 +0000 Terena Thyne Eisner http://wandermelon.com/?p=10030
Few desert locations possess the glamour of Palm Springs.  This stylish city, which as early as 1936 boasted polo, tennis, gaming, night clubs and more swimming pools than any other city in the U.S., was thought of as the Palm Beach of the West. Many Hollywood stars considered this exclusive desert enclave their own private hideaway—Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and Kirk Douglas all built homes during the early days of the city. Today, this archetypal...]]>
Few desert locations possess the glamour of Palm Springs.  This stylish city, which as early as 1936 boasted polo, tennis, gaming, night clubs and more swimming pools than any other city in the U.S., was thought of as the Palm Beach of the West. Many Hollywood stars considered this exclusive desert enclave their own private hideaway—Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and Kirk Douglas all built homes during the early days of the city. Today, this archetypal...]]> http://wandermelon.com/2010/05/11/palm-springs/feed/ 0 http://wandermelon.com/2009/11/12/florence/ http://wandermelon.com/2009/11/12/florence/#comments Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:59:34 +0000 Terena Thyne Eisner http://wandermelon.com/?p=7006
Sleep Four Seasons (Borgo Pinti, 99; +39 055 26 261) It feels like you’re staying in a museum at this sprawling new resort situated just minutes from the center of the city.  After an extensive renovation, the 15th century Palazzo della Gherardesca and the ‘Conventino”, a 16th century Palazzo, have been restored to their Renaissance glory. Stroll through the massive gardens or book a facial in the spa using products from the world's oldest pharmacy, Florence's Officina...]]>
Sleep Four Seasons (Borgo Pinti, 99; +39 055 26 261) It feels like you’re staying in a museum at this sprawling new resort situated just minutes from the center of the city.  After an extensive renovation, the 15th century Palazzo della Gherardesca and the ‘Conventino”, a 16th century Palazzo, have been restored to their Renaissance glory. Stroll through the massive gardens or book a facial in the spa using products from the world's oldest pharmacy, Florence's Officina...]]> http://wandermelon.com/2009/11/12/florence/feed/ 0