South Beach

What do you get when you mix one of the world’s top ten beaches with a fantasyland of Art Deco architecture, to-die-for weather, mouth-watering cuisine, pulsating nightlife, and some of the most spectacular people-watching anywhere? A South Beach cocktail.

Yes, South Beach. The one and only. Move over Vegas. Watch out New York City. South Beach is one of the hippest, sexiest vacation spots on the scene today, a perfect choice for a long weekend getaway. It’s a 24-hour, chic playground that’s sure to stir up your libido. Definitely geared toward adults, singles, couples, gays, and straight. There’s something for everyone here at what’s been called the “American Riviera.”

So, just what is it that makes South Beach, well, South Beach? Let’s start with the fact that this southern end of Miami Beach is awash in bright, tropically colored buildings with lots of curves, soaring finials and glass galore. In other words, art deco rules, especially all along Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue.

Then, there’s Lummus Park. It buzzes with people on roller-blades or bicycles, carrying boogie boards (heading to the beach), strolling, walking dogs, and just generally strutting their stuff. And, don’t forget the round-robin volleyball games. Once you get to know some of the personalities, you can get caught up in spectating for hours.

In fact, people-watching is what it’s all about on South Beach. One of the best spots is The News Café on Ocean Drive. This 24-hour corner café has indoor and outdoor seating. Any time of day or night, you can comfortably take your place on the patio, sip a cappuccino, and watch the world go by.

Of course, there’s no better place to be in South Beach than the beach (for at least part of the day), which by the way, was named one of the top ten by the Travel Channel. It’s beautiful, clean, white and wide, a sunbather’s dream. The warm, blue-green water rolls gently onto the shoreline. Good for floating in and watching the puffy, white clouds above drift by.

In South Beach, you can shop ‘til your hearts’ content, and the cuisine is mouth-watering.
The nightlife? Well, while South Beach is a social gathering place for bikini-clad sun worshippers by day, it’s the stomping grounds of the “beautiful people” by night. Club-hopping is an art form here, with its non-stop, grown-up party atmosphere. Some of the hot spots for nightlife are: Opium, B.E.D., Mynt, Bliss Club, Pearl Restaurant & Champagne Lounge, Wet Willie’s, Level and Crobar. Best gay bars: Twist, Score, The Palace. The club scene is always changing, so check in with a few of the locals on their top picks.

Las Vegas

There’s no place on earth quite like it…Las Vegas. Filled with larger-than-life creations, this is a city of glorious excess. Where else in the world can you see Lady Liberty, visit the Pyramids, stroll through the streets of Paris, take a gondola ride through a Venetian canal, have dinner with King Arthur, explore Treasure Island, visit the land of Aladdin, and take a ride on the Starship Enterprise – all in the span of a few miles. Vegas is a place to set your senses free, the ultimate destination of X-treme entertainment for people of all ages.

The Strip’s luxurious hotels and casinos are now household names: the Bellagio, Bally’s, Caesars Place, Excalibur, the Luxor, Mandalay Bay, the Venetian, Treasure Island, the Mirage, the Tropicana, MGM Grand, Paris, New York-New York, Aladdin’s, Circus Circus…and more. Each is an experience unto itself. The nightlife is second to none, with stage shows that will excite and thrill you. Topped off by first-class culinary choices.

And Vegas isn’t just for adults anymore. Adapting to the times, it has become a favorite family vacation destination. You’ll find plenty to do, (often free), to amuse every family member. Magic shows, epic battles, light shows, circus performances, theme park rides, and the Fountains.

And, if you need a break from all the glitz and glamour, the great outdoors (Lake Mead) is just 20 miles away. Plus, Red Rock & the Valley of Fire, as well as Hoover Dam are among sightseeing favorites. If you have a few days to spare, take an unforgettable tour of the Grand Canyon. Or, book some tee time at any one of the world-class golf courses in the surrounding area.

San Francisco

You may roll into the aptly-termed “City by the Bay” with a misty morning fog but you’ll be basking in the warm Northern California sunshine in no time. Boasting spectacular views, famous landmarks and neighborhoods full of personality and diverse culture, there’s no wonder why San Francisco is at the top of the list of favorite vacation spots.

Begin your getaway at the symbol of the city, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Traverse the 1.7 mile long span or snap pictures from the park side vantage point. Take a boat ride in the bay to Alcatraz Island to investigate behind the infamous prison walls. Even visit the cell of famed felon Al Capone and other notorious criminals.

Golden Gate Park affords a wealth of enlightening as well as tranquil endeavors for its visitors. Its Conservatory of Flowers is a Victorian-style greenhouse sheltering an extensive assortment of tropical flora and fauna. The M.H. De Young Museum, erected in the late 1800’s, is home to a diverse collection of fine arts. For a taste of Asia, visit the teahouse with its sculptures, bridges, ponds and plants of the serene Japanese Tea Garden. The largest and best-known park in the city also houses a planetarium, aquarium, arboretum and sports facilities.

Head into the streets of San Fran, hopping on and off the historic cable cars at each and every appeal. Stop to peruse the Victorian homes, colorful murals and flower-power shops along hippy-happy Haight Ashbury. Don’t get too dizzy as you meander by foot, and be sure to keep your foot on the break as you drive down Lombard Street, “the crookedest street in the world.” And, the excitement and vibrancy of Chinatown is just a trolley ride away.

Chocolate lovers will be beckoned by Ghirardelli Square to watch the sweets making in action and taste the delectable confections. Next is Fisherman’s Wharf, where non-stop entertainment awaits. Ride the carousel, pay a visit to the aquarium or watch the sea lions belly flop about on Pier 39.

Beyond the picturesque neighborhoods and city streets lie natural splendors as well. Hike through the preserved redwood forests of the Muir Woods or follow other exploring tourists to scenic Sausalito. Cap it off with a day trip to the renowned Wine Country of the Napa or Sonoma Valley to sample merlot and cabernet.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, many of the Victorian homes nestled amidst the brownstones and mansions of the city are actually charming Bed & Breakfast’s. San Francisco possesses some of the most elegant and enchanting B&B’s, beautifully appointed and full of European style and sophistication.

Boston

Take revolutionary history, mix in colonial charm, add urban sophistication and sprinkle with fine dining and great shopping. You have the perfect recipe for a weekend retreat to one of America’s most historic and cultured cities.

You’re in “America’s Walking City” so stroll down the cobbled streets of Beacon Hill or follow the red lined sidewalk of the Freedom Trail. The self-guided tour starts at the Boston Common, ends at the legendary Bunker Hill Monument and tells the story of our nation’s birth in just two and a half miles.

Get your fill of intellect and illumination touring the scores of museum and art complexes scattered throughout the city. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a Venetian palace displaying Gardner’s impressive array of American, Asian and European paintings, sculptures, ceramics and furniture. One of the world’s most comprehensive collections of art can be found along the walls of Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. At the Museum of Science, pet an amphibian or observe chickens hatching. You can also stroll through the Immigration Museum, John F. Kennedy Museum and Library and even visit a Museum of Bad Art.

Make your way down to the Harbor for a cruise to see the sights or even watch the whales. Hop aboard the USS Constitution, better known as “Old Ironsides” because of its legendary ability to repel any shot fired at it. This is the perfect time to feast on fresh seafood. Be sure to get a bowl of New England’s celebrated clam “chowda.”

With Boston College, Boston University, Harvard University, MIT and a few more schools in the surrounding area, there are sure to be crowds of intellectuals around at all times. Also renowned for its rowing, check out one of Boston’s regattas, featuring any of the college crew teams racing to the finish.

Boston is not only the ultimate destination for history buffs and the culturally inclined, but also a family friendly and fun-time town as well. The most visited tourist attraction remains the New England aquarium with the 200,000-gallon Giant Ocean Tank as its centerpiece. Kids will also cherish a day spent in the interactive Children’s Museum.

Or, catch a Red Sox game at the famed Fenway Park and end the evening at a place where everybody knows your name. Cheers, in Beacon Hill, is the original inspiration for the scenery of the favorite American television series.

San Diego

Pack your bags and don’t forget your sandals and swimsuit. With seventy generous miles of sun-soaked, sandy coastline, in San Diego the beach isn’t an attraction. It’s a way of life! Surf, sail, swim or snorkel. Any which way you see it you’ll love it.

With the weather always sunny and mild, San Diego is one big outdoor playground (for kids and adults). Say hello to Shamu and feed the dolphins at SeaWorld or go on a safari at the San Diego Zoo, one of the finest in the world. Check out Legoland, the first park of its kind in the US, for interactive adventure and action-packed rides.

“The Big Bay” is the place to be and there are many ways to navigate it. You’ll find some of the best sailing fleets and big boat racers in the country. Learn how to sail a yacht or just sit back, relax and enjoy a windswept whirl around the harbor. Kayak or windsurf through the bay and hike or bike around the waterfront paths.

Just south of San Diego you will discover the sparkling white beaches of Coronado. For a little down time, saunter through and stop in the quaint shops of Mission Beach. If tee time is in order, drop in on the links at one of the eighty-five championship golf courses (that’s more than any other US city) in the area.

Balboa Park, the largest urban, cultural and recreational complex, has more than enough to do within its walls. Fifteen museums, performing arts concerts, gardens full of horticultural treasures and plenty of picnic areas. “To be or not to be” is the question often asked at the Old Globe Theater, where renditions of Shakespearean plays are staged.

The café, club and pub lined streets of the Gaslamp Quarters offers an eclectic blend of food, culture and fun. This is the premier shopping, dining and entertainment district of the city. For more fun after the sun goes down, head across the border. Tijuana is only 40 minutes away!

Montreal

For a weekend escape full of that “je ne sais quoi,” Montreal is a must. Old world charm and big city style, American modernity and French flavor make Montreal one of the most energetic cosmopolitan areas in all of Canada.

There is a mixture of neighborhoods in Montreal that is unlike anywhere else. Designer boutiques and trendy eateries line Crescent Street. Bring your sweet tooth and “old world” cravings to the cappuccino cafes and traditional trattorias of Little Italy. The Latin Quarter of the city provides an unparalleled vivacity and exhilaration. Run along with the hustle and bustle of Chinatown. Go back in time and feel the warmth of historic Old Montreal.

The city holds an international reputation for outstanding cuisine. The countless restaurants provide a menu for every taste and every budget. Enjoy the flare of a French bistro, take pleasure in a Turkish feast or dine on the delights of Spain, just for starters.

There are so many good reasons to come to Montreal. But don’t quit after a hockey game or a day full of museum tours. Montreal’s nightlife, distinct in its passion and excitement, offers pulsating clubs packed with people. Whatever music you want to hear, beats you want to dance to or people you want to meet Montreal after dark has it all. Or if you prefer a more relaxing evening, take a seat in any of the many piano lounges or cigar bars.

Home to the world-recognized Montreal Jazz Festival, arts and entertainment abound in this city. You can find terrific, live jazz in many of the downtown clubs. You can also catch a movie at the World Film Festival, which comes to town in the late summer.

However you choose to indulge in the magnificence that is Montreal, you will certainly leave with a renewed “joie de vivre.”