United Airlines offers direct flights and the dollar still buys a lot in these parts. The primary tourism area, the West End, has a host of restaurants, hotels and shops.  Aquarium-clear waters, dolphin encounters, world-class diving and glass bottom boats make this Honduran gem a must see.

Many wineries are close by, including Cline Cellars whose stunning grounds are the perfect place to get lost for an afternoon.  For dinner, the Glen Ellen Inn Oyster Grill & Martini Bar serves California-fusion food in a romantic setting.  After a day of tasting, you’ll be familiar with many of the names on the extensive wine list.  Glen Ellen is what Napa and Sonoma used to be before the word got out: peaceful and undiscovered.

Overlooking both Diamond Head and Koko Head craters, the Kahala Hotel and Resort was a favorite of Conrad Hilton when it opened in 1964.  The secluded sandy beaches and spacious rooms are famous with the Hollywood set.  Photos of Frank Sinatra, John Wayne and many more adorn the walls.  When H Texas Weddings visited, we spotted James Gandolfini from “ The Sopranos” and Deborah Lin saying “I Do.”

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Rent a car to peruse Anna Maria Island.  The folks at Cedar Cove Resort will welcome you like old friends.  If you arrive late, the key will be waiting for you by the office door. A casual meal at Ginny & Jane E’s at the Old IGA will kick off your trip.  Searching for manatees?  A guided kayak tour of Palma Sola Bay with Anna Maria Island Eco Tours should top your list.  Dining at The Beach Bistro and dessert at Euphemia Haye are culinary highlights.

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By Christi St. Laurent

Now is the perfect time to discover why Alabama’s Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are known as “Pleasure Island.” Travelers to this southern beach resort have compared it to Hawaii, Laguna Beach and the Bahamas. This breathtaking destination has much to offer – relaxation, fun and entertainment. In a day’s drive, you can awaken your senses as you step onto shimmering quartz white sand (Native Texans refer to it as “the good sand”) and enjoy the magnificent turquoise water.

RESORT DESTINATIONS

The Caribe the Resort, The Beach Club, and Turquoise Place Spectrum Resorts make reservations easy and completely stress free with a nice range of accommodations ranging from the “budget conscious” to the “put me in the lap of luxury” traveler. They provide 24-hour cancellation policy, affordable rates year round with peak rates only in the summer. You can completely pamper yourself in Orange Beach at the spacious Turquoise Place condominiums where you get all the comforts of home and then some. Watch the magnificent Gulf coast sunset from the outdoor hot tub on the private balcony your beautifully decorated 3, 4, or 5 bedroom suite. Each is fully equipped with indoor/outdoor kitchens, wet bar; even washers and dryers. Resort amenities include state of the art exercise area, spa appointments, air-conditioned poolside cabanas, Tiki bar and a 450-foot lazy river. The atmosphere and experience will have you booking your return stay before you get home.

EXPLORE

Sailaway Charters – Step aboard with Sailor Skip for an informative two hour nature cruise and get up close and personal with a variety of marine life as he pulls them aboard and into the aquarium. You will marvel at the baby puffers, play with squid and possibly get snorted on by a passing playful dolphin.

CRUISE

Cetacean Cruises – Cruise out to the Bay with Captain Bill Mitchell for an incredible dolphin experience you will not soon forget. It’s amazing to see the friendship bond between man and dolphin in such a beautiful, natural environment and you will come to understand why I now call Captain Bill “Dolphin Whisperer.”

RELAX

Sanroc Cay Marina – Whether you want to shop, dine at the local restaurants (Café Grazie, Louisiana Lagniappe), listen to live music (Hula Hula Tiki Bar), take a guided fishing trip with Reel Surprise Charters or just stick your toes in the sand, SanRoc Cay Marina has a little something for everybody. If you want to explore your creative side and enjoy interactive arts, then visit Beach Cite Studios, where you can paint, sculpt, make jewelry, dance, sing or take a culinary cooking class.

DISCOVER

Magnolia Springs, Alabama – Grandma Floy Michalka preserved her figs in jars, and Magnolia Springs preserved sweet southern charm in this historic location with original buildings and homes built in the 1800’s. The Magnolia River was once the highway for steamers and paddle wheelers and is currently the only river mail delivery route in the United States. The people who call Magnolia Springs home will wrap you in sincere hospitality and humble generosity. David Worthington found his life’s destiny in 1996 when he renovated the original 1897 Sunnyside Hotel and opened the Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast.

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

Of course at the end of the day, it’s all about just relaxing, enjoying good food and having fun. If you’re looking for a casual beach experience with lots of food and drinks, waterfront views and live music where you can let loose with family and friends, then check out one of these local favorites; the Hangout, Lulu’s, Harbour Grill and Original Oyster House. If you’re feeling more in the mood for ambience, breathtaking views, fine dining, exquisite cuisine, great wines, all served up by some the area’s world renowned chef ’s, then spend some time at Cobalt, South Beach Bar & Grill, and Shipp’s Harbour Grill.

Complimentary Internet?  Check.

Set to a pallet of black, gray and white, the ANA International Lounge in Japan’s Narita airport is a calm respite from the hustle and bustle of international travel.

Unlike other lounges, when you enter the ANA lounge, calming spa-type music subtly sets the relaxation tone.  The lounge is created with low walls similar to upscale office cubes.  The walls create “pods” of six to eight chairs and plush couches.  From this vantage point, you can head to the bar, or simply sit and watch the airplanes prepare for take off.

The food takes center stage here.  H Texas arrived at 8:00am on Thanksgiving Day.  Despite the time, there were several choices of wine and local beer on tap.  Egg salad sandwiches, rice puffs, rice cakes, and several sweets were available along with Pumpkin and Miso soup.

Other amenities include: International money changing machine, payphone, computers, concierge, and duty free shopping.   This lounge helps make International travel a breeze.

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424241 7233

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It takes a full day of travel to arrive in French Polynesia.  It is worth the trip.  Part of the prestigious Relais et Châteaux collection, Le Taha’a Island Resort and Spa transports you to another world.  Stay in a villa on stilts over lagoon waters, snorkel from your back patio and swim to a private motu (island).  When you want to relax, the spa is a well-being haven.

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Vanilla, an important crop in this area, is also an important ingredient in spa treatments.  The Vanira Noa Noa starts with a flower and vanilla foot treatment and is followed by a full body and scalp massage with warm Vanilla oil.  The healing properties penetrate the skin leaving you relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to swim with the sharks (and stingrays).

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The Ritz Carlton Company continues to push the envelope by appointing Tom Hays as the first and only Wellness Concierge at the worldwide company. From his home base at The Ritz Carlton Club and Residences in Vail, CO, he says, ”wellness is very high on people’s list of what’s important to them.” The seed of the Wellness Concierge concept is to anticipate needs. There are so many trends, from hot yoga, Pilates, P90X to the Tracy Anderson Method, active spa goers can have their own, favorite routine. “We cannot provide all of those things internally, so our concept is to provide solutions,” he says. “I do not teach Pilates, but I will schedule it for you.” And so it goes, Hays offers consultations on nutrition, allergies and diet restrictions. “When you come to the Ritz, you should not have to change the lifestyle you are in the course of living,” he says. At the same time, Hays and his team help guests explore new healthy options.

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Poolside Yoga “Sun salutations should take the cue from the early morning sun,” says Hays. When the sun is low in the sky, the temperature is cooler. “We salute the sun with the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop.”

Body Sculpting An older crowd attends this class because the focus is not on lifting weights, but using your own body weight to provide resistance. The class is filled with push-ups, pull-ups, planks and balancing on the stability ball. This low-key class doesn’t result in high sweat; rather, it focuses on neuromuscular training, injury prevention, toning and definition as opposed to physical, functional training.