Archive for Beach Travel
We’ve Got Spring Fever!
It’s March. In most parts of the country the sun is starting to peak through the clouds, temperatures are starting to warm up and you’re seriously in need of a break! When we were kids, we had Spring Break. Now, unless you have kids or are reliving your college days, that little escape may not exist. Well, I’m here to offer a little spring inspiration with some of my favorite destinations that will warm up those winter bones and get you ready for some summer fun!
$$$: $301 +
$$: $201-$300
$: < $201
Scottsdale, AZ
The red rocks and desert temps of Arizona, mixed with the style and flare of Los Angeles = Scottsdale. Great restaurants, awesome nightlife and totally relaxing spas await those looking for a quick, inexpensive (for the most part) escape!
** Don’t forget to download The Secret List: Scottsdale **
$$$: The Sanctuary at Camel Back
$: W Scottsdale
Mexico
Mexico is a cheap Spring Break heaven for the college coeds. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find an amazing, luxury property sans boozing-it-up boneheads. Here are my three favorite Mexican getaways for any budget! (Book during the end of April, first of May for non-spring break prices)
$: Mosquito Beach Adult Only Hotel
Southern California
I love Spring on the West Coast. Whether it’s an Santa Monica, Laguna or San Diego; So-Cal has coastal towns offer great temps, plenty of sunshine and the perfect flip-flop experience that you need to help you mentally come out of Winter hibernation. (Avoid May Gray & June Gloom in parts of Southern California)
** Don’t forget to download The Secret List: Los Angeles **
$$: Shutters on the Beach – Santa Monica
Paris, France
This may sound a bit cliché, yes – but Spring in Paris is AMAZING! This is one of my favorite times to visit this incredibly modern, romantic and exciting city of love!
$$$: Hotel Daniel
$$: Hotel Le A
Marrakech, Morocco
Marrakech? Really? YES!!!! If you want something different and exciting- Marrakech offers the most bang for your buck! Culture & history mixed with a seductive sexiness that is found NO place else in this world!
** Don’t forget to download The Secret List: Marrakech **
$$$: Riad Lotus Privilege
$: Riad 72
5 Tips to be Bikini Ready in 90 Days
Picture Above: Bikini Beach in Punta del Este, Uruguay
Bikini season? Again! She must be crazy! Nope, in the Southern Hemisphere, summer is on it’s way and it’s coming whether you are ready or not! So, if you’re heading South to an exotic destination like Buzios, Punta del Este or Sydney (or want to just look like you are), here are my tips on getting a bikini-ready-bod in 90 days or less.
1. Let’s Get That Butt “High & Tight”
If you live above the equator then that probably means your 2008 bikini body is getting ready for plush sweaters, warm Winter coats and maybe a couple of extra pounds to keep you warm at night (or maybe that’s just what you tell yourself as you eat your way through the holidays). My suggestion is to find a workout that keeps kicking (and lifting) your butt year round. For me, it’s P90X. This home workout is tough and not meant for the beginning exerciser. You’ll need a chin up bar, free weights or bands and a lot of dedication. Three days per week you’ll focus on different body parts such as “Chest & Back” or “Arms & Shoulders” plus “Ab Ripper X”. The other three days you’ll do either “Kenpo X” (think cardio-kickbox), “Yoga X” (1.5 hours of ass-kicking yoga) or “Plyo X” (various jumping exercises for one-hour straight). Every three weeks it’s a different phase, total muscle confusion. Between each phase you do one week of “Core”, “Yoga” and “Stretch X”. The program has many variations such as classic, fat burning and even a double-day workout program for the psychos. It’s enough to keep you interested, not to mention it keeps your heart rate up and your body fat down. Stop making excuses.
2. Finding the Perfect Fit + Personal Style = Bikini Nightmares
It’s almost impossible to find bikinis that fit your shape and personal taste. Add to that the desire to wear a swimsuit that isn’t on every other girl at the pool and you’ve got one complex situation! I’ve complied a list of my favorite swimsuit designers and shops worldwide. You’ll be sure to find great fits and unique styles. Just double check the return policies!
Tooshie Bikini
Sold in eight stores worldwide or buy online at Net-A-Porter
Salinas Swimwear
Shipping Worldwide, No Returns
Stephanie Hoos
Shipping to US & Europe
Tica London
Shipping Worldwide
Flamingo Sands
Contact directly for purchase and shipping options.
Ave Swimwear
Contact directly for purchase and shipping options.
Nina Swimwear
Free Shipping to Continental US States & Fed Ex to UK, Canada & Other territories worldwide.
Brett Sandler
Purchase online at Shop Bop, Intermix (US) and many other local retailers worldwide.
Sugar Free Swim
Purchase at many local retailers worldwide or call to order directly.
Loér Bikinis
Purchase online.
3. Getting Hair-Free
There’s nothing worse that having to shave your legs (or anywhere else) while on holiday. You have temporary options like Bikini Waxing, or you have permanent options like Laser Hair Removal. You need to plan ahead for both so make a decision and throw away that razor.
4. Smooth Sun Kissed Skin (minus the sun)
No one wants wrinkles, but we all want the golden tan. Sunless is the way to go. Keeping the skin smooth and silky is a must for sunless tanning. I’ve complied a list of my favorite exfoliates and tanners to help you achieve a non-blotchy perfect summer tan.
Exfoliate:
Philosophy Coconut Frosting Salt Scrub
$25 for 23 oz.
Peter Thomas Roth Botanical Buffing Beads
$36 for 8 oz.
Korres Basil Lemon Body Scrub
$17 for 5 oz.
Sunless Tanners
Only in Salons:
Mystic Tan
Fantasy Tan Airbrushing
At Home:
Clarins Radiance-Plus Self Tanning
$51 for 1.7 fl/oz.
Too Faced: Tanning Bed in a Tube
$22.50 for 6 fl/oz.
5. Moisturize & Protect
Taking care of your skin is especially important during and after a day in the sun. You want to make sure your skin stays protected from the sun’s harmful rays, as well as the chemicals in pools or the drying salt in the ocean. Here’s a list of my favorite moisturizers and sunscreens.
Moisture:
La Mer Body Creme
$130-$190 for 6.7-10 fl/oz.
Fresh Sugar Lemon Body Lotion
$28 for 10 fl/oz.
Bliss Body Butter
$35 for 8.5 fl/oz.
Sunscreen for the Face:
Natura Bisse Oil Free SPF 30
$95
Shiseido Ultimate Sun for Face
$33 for 2 fl/oz.
Sunscreen for the Body:
Peter Thomas Roth: Sunscreen Mist SPF 30
$28 for 6 fl/oz.
Shiseido Extra Smooth Sun Protection SPF 33 PA++
$28 for 3.3 fl/oz.
Fresh Sun Shield SPF 30 for Face & Body
$48 for 5.1 fl/oz.
# # # #
Rob and I are headed to Buenos Aires & Rio de Janeiro over the next couple of months. Let us know if you’ll be in the neighborhood!
Ciao!
Kimberly
The Top Eleven Beautiful Beaches of Mykonos
Kalo Livadi Beach Mykonos from Jet Set Life on Vimeo.
Mykonos has so many beaches, all with completely different personalities. There are beaches for gays, families, locals, the jet set, crazy parties, campers or total seclusion.
The biggest mistake people visiting Mykonos make is not renting a scooter. Without a scooter you are left to the mercy of the Taxi’s (there’s only 31 so getting one can be quite difficult) or worse, you are stuck just walking around Mykonos Town every day.
Here are the beaches that I want you to know about:
1. Psarou: The Jet Setters beach. You’ll be lucky if you can get a beach chair. Many Athenians will book the chairs for a month and well in advance. But slip Yannis a 20 euro and you’ll probably end up with a spot somewhere. A beautiful and popular restaurant, Nammos, is on this beach. If you want to see and be seen this beach and Nammos are the place to do it.
2. Paranga: Very popular beach with everyone including couples, families, singles, locals and extremely beautiful water. A great restaurant on this beach is Tasos. Great traditional Greek classics, especially the delicious and tender octopus.
3. Super Paradise: This beach has a crazy and well deserved party reputation because of the late afternoon beach club parties . However, if you’re young and sexy then during the day this is the perfect place to park your beach bag and enjoy the Mykonos sun before the party kicks off around 5pm.
4. Kalo Livadi: This larger beach is a great destination for the whole family as well as well tanned and toned bodies. Beach chairs are easily available, Tai massage is offered under your umbrella and the Greek Isle cruising yachts stop by to enjoy the food of Sol Y Mar restaurant.
5. Fokos: This is an extremely secluded beach only found by driving down a very bumpy and winding dirt road. Most tourists will never see this beach, but those that do will love it. No beach clubs, no tourists, no umbrellas, just you, the sand, the surf and the sun. Fokos Taverna serves up cold salads, daily Greek pies and grilled meats and seafood to those who are a little more adventurous and are willing to venture out.
6. Aghios Sostis: Lovely small local beach water of the bluest blues and striking teals that are amazing to loose yourself in. No umbrellas, loungers available. A real In The Know restaurant called Kiki’s is on this beach. The restaurant has no sign, no electricity and serves grilled meats, fish and fresh salads.
7. Ag. Ioannis: Great local beach with a popular sunset taverna which is the place that the movie Shirley Valentine was filmed. You can literally watch the fisherman carry the fish from the sea into the restaurant. This is a spectacular place to watch the sunset.
8. Elia: Mostly a gay beach and nudist beach. Quieter beach, with a great landscape, clearer water and more upscale environment.
9. Paradise: This beach lived up to it’s name in the past, however in recent years this beach has gone to the hippies and basically become a camp ground.
10. Panormos: More locals than tourists will hit this beach, but it’s very beautiful. There are only umbrellas for rent, no beach chairs. However, there is a lively beach club next to the main taverna called by the same name as the beach, Panormos Taverna. You can order food and drink from the taverna to have on the beach.
11. Ag. Stefanos: Set away from the crowds of Mykonos Town and the port. Few venture to this area on the island from town. Beach chairs and lounges can be found, along with local tavernas. This beach is more for families and people looking to just relax.
There you go, a break down of the beaches of Mykonos.
80°F Sunny & No Humidity
Next Trip: 
