The Ultimate Body Holiday!

Hi, it's Marion here. I've recently returned from an amazing week on the tropical island of St Lucia and thought I'd tell you a bit about one of the resorts I toured. I was fortunate enough to visit one of my favorite luxury resorts that I often recommend to my special discerning clients. After a multi million dollar renovation, I cannot wait to share this amazing experience with anyone wishing a very personal, relaxing and rejuvenating retreat.


"THE BODY HOLIDAY" is ultra-inclusive of treatments at the Wellness Center, tennis, golf, scuba, water sports, yoga, pilates, sailing and fencing, not to mention the fine cuisine with award winning dining and healthy fresh choices to compliment any dietary needs.

The Wellness Center boasts a tranquil environment offering one of the most amazing spa facilities that I have had the pleasure of visiting in the Caribbean Islands. The revolutionary resort has designed a holiday with the key pillars of relaxation, restorative beauty, exercise and good diet in mind.

If this sounds like the type of vacation that you have been looking for, please give me a call to organize the best schedule to put you in this picture. And speaking of pictures... here's just a few from this amazing property!

5 Best Spa Hotels in Europe

I don't know about you, but by mid-January, my busiest time of the year for work, I start daydreaming about a good, hour-long massage, or even a day at the spa. If you're looking to include some culture in that spa experience, take a look at these 5 Spa Resorts in Europe.

Grand Hotel des Barromees, Lake Maggiore Italy
- It's hard not to feel relaxed and rejuvenated when you stay at this 5* resort in the Italian Lakes. Situated close to town where you can explore the 18th century architecture they also have a zoological park. Best known for their mud wraps and aromatherapy massages.

Le Meurice Hotel, Paris France
- Overlooking the Tuileries Gardens, this is a glitzy full-service spa offering the ultimate spa menu of pampering, plus fine dining and shopping on the nearby rue St-Honore. Best known for their signature potion, Glaciers Moisturizing Vitality Treatment, great to get rid of tired puffy eyes and give them a lift.

Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona Spain
- Located on the prestigious Passeig de Gracia, this property offers a rooftop pool and luxury spa, as well as a top rated restaurant and glamourous rooms. Best known for their herbal steam room, and detoxifying wraps.

Pierre Loti Hotel, Istanbul Turkey
- For those seeking a traditional and affordable spa hotel, the Pierre Loti is the perfect oasis. Located in the heart of Istanbul, you enjoy not only the fabulous spa treatments, but can explore all the sights including the Grand Bazaar, which are only minutes from your doorstep. Best known for their salt scrub and wash in a traditional hamman.

San Clemente Palace Hotel, Venice Italy
- Located just a short hop across the lagoon from St. Mark's Square, this resort is situated on its own private island and offers a tranquil haven away from the bustle of the city. Best known for their premium range of anti-stress, anti-ageing, weightloss and cellulite busting treatments. (Sign me up!)

10 Things Every Traveller Should Do

Testing out these 10 things that every traveller should do on their vacation will allow you to have more fun, and enjoy the experience to the fullest.

1. Savour your first few hours after arrival - First impressions really are worth a thousand others.. I often take tons of photos and notes when I travel, but it's always the first few that truly capture something vivid and memorable. So.. forget your email, forget CNN, and just soak up the place.

2. Embrace being a tourist - Some people would rather consider themselves "travellers", instead of "tourists", but if seeing every attraction that makes a town unique is considered touristy, what's wrong with that?

3. Check out your hotel literature - Don't ignore all those glossy brochures and flyers that are stuffed in your nightstand drawer. Often times you'll find or learn something about your destination that you never knew existed!

4. Run an errand for a friend - Remember that friend that asked you to pick up macadamia popcorn in Hawaii, or track down that silk scarf in China? Often times when searching out something that is important for others, it will lead you to the most amazing and memorable experiences on your trip.

5. Take in a performance or sporting event - Now you dont' necessarily need to attend the bullfights in Spain, but taking in an event or performance really allows you to rub elbows with the locals, and take in all the ambiance.

6. Check out a bookstore - Find that little bookshop tucked away in a corner that only the locals know about. Have fun browsing the shelves to see what the locals are interested in.

7. Ride a bus to the end of the line - Well, maybe not exactly the end of the line, but atleast 6 stops past where you intended. You'll definitely get a bigger view of the city, and perhaps see some otherwise forgotten places.

8. Read the daily newspaper - If you can! Seriously, almost every major city worldwide will have an English language paper. Reading the local news will always give you a much bigger picture about a place than you ever knew.

9. Go to McDonald's - Did I say that? Now it might not be as interesting if you're off to Chicago or Miami, but stopping at a McDonald's in Tokyo or Bolivia would definitely give you a good mix of strange and familiar.

10. Get Lost - In the nicest way, of course... Wandering without any intended destination is sometimes the best way to see and experience the true culture of a destination.

Top 5 "Not so Ordinary" hotels

After travelling regularly over the years, sometimes you get a little tired and bored with the standard resort settings and features. If you're seeking something a little more off beat, or unusual, check out these crazy hotels found around the globe.

The Inntel Hotel in the Netherlands - Zaandam, a famous Dutch city houses this hotel that appears like houses on top of each other and offers the appearance of a pile of houses. The Inntel Hotel boasts a height of 40 meters, and has 11 floors.

V8 Hotel in Germany - Stuttgart in Germany is not only famed as an international hub for car dealers, but is also known for housing the V8 hotel, which is themed on a car. The rooms and beds of the hotel are made from various vehicles. The very design of the hotel offers guests to sleep in every well-known car from a Morris Minor to a Mercedes, and enjoy the ride of a lifetime!

Hamster Hotel in France - This legendary 18th century structure is located in the French city of Nantes. This building is known for housing an exclusive suite, known as the "Hamster Villa". The guests welcomed in the Hamster hotel can taste Hamster grain. They can also do some exercise by working out on a giant wheel. Guests are provided with comfortable haystacks, as there are no beds.

Tianzi Hotel in China - The Tianzi hotel in the city of Langfang in Hebei of China will arrest the visitors attraction at first sight. The 10 story hotel, popularly known as "The Emperor's Hotel" and "Son of Heaven" hotel was constructed in 2000. The hotel depicts 3 Gods, Lu, the God of Opulence, Fu, the God of Destiny, and Shou, the God of Longevity. This hotel has been names in the Guiness Book of World records as the "biggest image building".

Corona Save the Beach Hotel in Italy - This hotel is a true surprise for guests as it's entirely built of garbage. 12 Tons of trash were used to construct the hotel, which houses 5 rooms and a reception desk. The total garbage was collected from different sea beaches, located all over Europe.

10 Best Places to Escape Walt Disney Crowds

There comes a time when even the most die-hard Walt Disney visitor needs a break from the hustle and bustle of all that is Disney. If you find yourself in need of a breather, check out these 10 less-populated spots at Disney.

Wildlife Express Train - Animal Kingdom Park

Living with the Land - Epcot

The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavillion - Epcot

Tom Sawyer Island - Magic Kingdom

Backstage Safari Tour - Animal Kingdom

Festival of the Lion King - Animal Kingdom

Harmony Barber Shop - Magic Kingdom

United Kingdom Pavillion - Epcot

Hall of Presidents - Magic Kingdom

China Pavillion - Epcot

Unusual Foreign Laws to Know before you Go!

It's not often you run into to troubles while on vacation, but if you're visiting any of the destinations below, here's a few tips you might want to keep in mind.

- Over the counter medicines you find at home, may actually be illegal in some countries. For instance, Vicks, Sudafed or any product containing pseudoephedrine is illegal in Japan, and if authorities at customs catch you with these products, you may be detained.

- Singapore puts a great deal of effort into keeping their public restroom facilities pristine. Visitors are expected to keep them this way, and one failure to flush might result in fines.

- Travelling by scooter in the Philappines has it's challenges. Not just the traffic, but get caught riding in barefeet or sandals, you will be ticketed.

- In Finland, taxi drivers playing music are expected to pay copyright fees. The idea is that music is being presented to the public, the cabs paying customers. So to save a few euros, ride in silence.

London Attractions in Winter

London's winter season offers a plethora of cultural activities. Here are a few ideas on what to see if you'll be visiting London this winter!

Check out The Roundhouse in Camden. Instead of tinsel this season they've brought in the exceedingly popular off-beat cabaret ensemble "La Soiree for Christmas". The show runs until Jan 23rd, and attendees can expect to see drag burlesque, acrobats and some sensational roller skating.

Winter Wonderland is now an annual fixture running until Jan 3rd in Hyde Park. You can stroll through without a ticket and enjoy the atmosphere, twinkly Christmas Market, the big wheel, ice rink and Zippo's Circus. You can also purchase tickets for these individual attractions.

Houses of Parliament - Saturday tours are now available in the winter, they take 75min and cover the Lords and Commons.

Next year is Charles Dicken's bicentenary.. to celebrate, Dickens in London at the Museum of London runs from Dec 9th to June 10th. Festive food, music and much more.

Take to the Streets - the Regent/Oxford Street axis has "Traffic Free" shopping days on December 10th, 11th and 26th. You'll be surprised at how different the atmosphere will be.