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An Iconic Seaside Destination Awaits

An Iconic Seaside Destination Awaits

Monterey County is where your search for excellence begins - and ends.
With its serene valleys, breathtaking coastline, epic resorts and worldclass dining experiences, Monterey County is a destination that feels both welcoming and exclusive. Whether you want to reconnect with Mother Nature, find some indulgent cuisine or discover upscale experiences that aren't found anywhere else, Monterey County has you covered.
Where to StayAccommodations here are as memorable as the landscapes. Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur offers an infinity tub, guided forest meditations and endless ocean views from 1,200 feet above the Pacific. Bernardus Lodge blends wine country and coastal living with vineyard views, spa treatments infused with local herbs and winepaired dining. For golf enthusiasts, The Lodge at Pebble Beach allows one of the world's most legendary courses to serve as a backdrop to your stay. Balancing excitement and relaxation, Carmel Valley Ranch provides a family- and pet-friendly retreat in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Of course, this is just the beginning. You'll find endless options across all of Monterey County: from the redwoods to the seaside, MICHELIN Key-awarded resorts to semi-secret gems. Whatever your preference may be, the perfect stay for you ... is right here.
Where to DineMonterey County's vibrant culinary scene celebrates local land and sea offerings. The Glass House at Alila Ventana Big Sur delivers an intimate cliffside dining experience, while Chez Noir charms with its refined-yetapproachable menu (and has earned itself a MICHELIN Star).
At Coastal Kitchen in Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, guests enjoy oceanfront dining alongside innovative flavors. Sister properties L'Auberge and Carmel Beach Hotel serve up the perfect pairing of upscale lodging with high-end dining in Carmel-by-the-Sea - both featuring restaurants helmed by MICHELIN-Star Chef Justin Cogley. With Monterey County's growing reputation as a premier wine region, every meal is perfectly complemented by expertly crafted local wines. Whether you're craving farm-to-fork or 'ocean-to-plate,' Monterey County has a dish, a glass and a seat waiting just for you.
An elevated escape in Monterey County goes beyond where you stay and what you eat. You'll find experiences across the county where each detail has been considered. Do some upscale shopping. Indulge in a world-class spa. Play an unforgettable round at an iconic golf course. Maybe try a sound bath, some forest meditation or sunrise yoga. Wherever your path leads in Monterey County, you're sure to find something extraordinary.
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When our twins went to camp for the first time, we went to Las Vegas. Taking time to reconnect was the best parenting decision.
When our twins went to camp for the first time, we went to Las Vegas. Taking time to reconnect was the best parenting decision.

Business Insider

time5 hours ago

  • Business Insider

When our twins went to camp for the first time, we went to Las Vegas. Taking time to reconnect was the best parenting decision.

We sent our 10-year-old twins to sleepaway camp for the first time this month. I was nervous, but I realized it gave my husband and me an opportunity to get away, too. We decided to spend two nights in Las Vegas together and had a chance to reconnect. Earlier this month, my 10-year-old twins went to sleepaway camp for the first time — the same Southern California camp I attended for 11 summers in the '80s and '90s. It's a place where I know magic happens, and I knew it would be an important (and hopefully also joyful) rite of passage. There were nerves, of course. My son worried he wouldn't know anyone and might struggle to make friends. I worried they wouldn't brush their teeth or wear adequate sunscreen — typical mom fare. But ultimately, I knew this would help them build independence. And as sentimental as I felt about watching them take this leap, I also realized this rare moment presented a window of opportunity for my husband and me — one we hadn't had in years. So we booked a grown-up getaway to Las Vegas while they were at camp, aiming to reclaim a little space for ourselves during a rare window of opportunity. As any parent of young kids will tell you, carving out time as a couple is a constant struggle. We each travel for work individually, but getting away together is nearly impossible between school, homework, extracurriculars, and emotional support (not to mention physical childcare). The logistics of parenting leave little room for spontaneity — or romance. But with our kids fully supervised and immersed in summer camp life, we had five glorious days to remember what it feels like to be self-actualized people — not just parents. We let ourselves luxuriate, and food was a highlight We decided to spend two of those nights in nearby Las Vegas, staying at Crockfords, the most luxurious of the three hotels within the Resorts World complex. It felt elevated from the moment we stepped into the serene, artfully designed lobby. Both nights, we enjoyed dressing up for dinner. We ate at Nobu in Caesars first night, and the second night, we indulged in dinner at Stubborn Seed, from Michelin-starred chef Jeremy Ford, before heading to see Nas perform with the Las Vegas Philharmonic at the Encore Theater — a genre-defying experience that felt both exhilarating and intimate. We were fully present. And honestly, it felt like a revelation. At brunch, we snagged a table at Pinky's by Lisa Vanderpump inside the Flamingo, a delightfully over-the-top spot that leans into glamour; yes, I had an espresso martini before noon. Afterward, we walked over to the new Go Pool, Flamingo's dayclub-style adults-only pool party, and set up shop in a shaded cabana. At one point, the DJ shouted out all the parents who'd left their kids at home — and we exchanged a knowing smile. We recharged individually and as a couple We spent a couple's afternoon at the expansive Awana Spa, where sprawling co-ed pools and lounges provided a soothing backdrop for tackling topics big and small. While we were there, we even had a breakthrough about a long-simmering plan to expand our house — the kind of epiphany that can only happen when you can hear yourself think for more than five minutes in a stretch. We had long, uninterrupted conversations. We gambled (well, I did — I'd say it's my guilty pleasure, but I feel no shame), ate fabulous meals, and enjoyed the kind of indulgent, unstructured hours that feel impossible when you're deep in the daily grind of parenting. All the while, we were getting photo updates from the camp app. I scanned each image for signs of either joy or homesickness, and was relieved to see the kids grinning, making new friends, and stringing up freshly dipped tie-dye, just as I had done. They were more than OK — they were thriving. By the time we returned, we felt recharged — not just individually, but as a couple. That reconnection was badly needed, and we knew it. The next day, we picked up the kids from camp and saw they'd grown in just five days — a little taller somehow, and a lot more confident. Our grown-folks-only Vegas trip was the best decision we made all summer. Letting our kids have their own adventure gave them a chance to grow — and gave us permission to do the same. I've come to believe that good parenting isn't just about pouring everything you have into your children. It's also about preserving and nurturing the bond that created your family in the first place. When we take time to recharge, we come back to our kids with more patience, more presence, and more gratitude. We parent better when we feel like whole people. For us, that meant two days in Las Vegas — poolside cocktails, roulette tables, long conversations under neon lights. It might not sound like the most traditional form of self-care, but it felt like exactly that — and it was just the type of jolt we needed.

I travelled Europe by myself with a Eurail pass. All over again
I travelled Europe by myself with a Eurail pass. All over again

Hamilton Spectator

time2 days ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

I travelled Europe by myself with a Eurail pass. All over again

We asked Star readers to tell us about trips they have taken and to share their experience and advice: Where: Western Europe When: September 2023 Trip rating: 5 out of 5 What inspired you to take this trip? My first European trip decades ago involved a student rail pass, a clumsy backpack, seeing much, spending little. My friends and I prided ourselves on enduring discomfort. We bedded in cheap hostels and survived on bowls of milky coffee, baguettes, cheese, and the occasional piece of bruised fruit to avoid scurvy. Now older and I hoped wiser, I wanted to do a similar trip, but do it better. An opportunity came following a family wedding in Tuscany. I set off with another rail pass, this time a senior one, first-class, ready to savour the journey, rather than merely survive it. What was the best sight? I boarded the first train in Rome. From there, I visited Venice, and then over the next two weeks I travelled to Salzburg, Prague, Berlin, and finally Utrecht, where my younger son lived. I chose well. Not one city disappointed me with its sights: Venice from Murano island; Salzburg from the crenellated walls of Fortress Hohensalzburg; the rotating 'Head of Franz Kafka' in Prague; Berlin's architecture from a boat on the river Spree; and the Dom Tower of Utrecht would be candidates (for best sight). If I were to pick one, it would simply be the ever-changing view framed by the train windows. What was your favourite activity? Getting acquainted with each city. I walked. I used public transit. Venice's vaporetti (water buses) win the prize on that front. I joined a great guided walking tour in Berlin. In Berlin and Utrecht, I also cycled using bike-share. My trick for staying on the go all day (and into the night) was to take refreshment breaks at beautiful locations: sipping cappuccino in the lagoon-front lounge at the Hotel Danieli in Venice, devouring a tangerine from a market stall in cool shade at Salzburg's Mirabellgarten, lunching at the Pergamonmuseum's riverside terrace in Berlin. What was the most delicious thing you ate? I found fantastic food in every city, from currywurst in Berlin to spaghetti carbonara in Rome to Indonesian rijsttafel in the Netherlands. My favourite meals, though, were on trains: zucchini pancakes with smoked cheese and pickled vegetables (Venice to Salzburg) and chicken paprikash (Prague to Berlin). Waiters served my order on china plates at tables set with silverware, cloth napkins, glasses. I dined gazing at mountains, rivers and castles. I sampled ice cream in every city and loved it. A seagull stole my favourite, licorice and chocolate, as I wandered through the Roman Forum. What was the most memorable thing you learned? Travelling in Europe as a woman alone had benefits; I followed the pace I preferred. Going solo could become quite social; at a Salzburg microbrewery/restaurant, I shared a patio table with a local couple and two women on holiday from Munich. We managed a lively conversation, even though I speak little German. In Prague, I had a long chat with a volunteer tour guide at a medieval synagogue. I built into my itinerary some stops where I joined friends, so I did not spend the entire trip on my own. (But I think I could have.) What is one piece of advice you 'd give? Carry a phone charger, adapter and power bank. Eurail passes have changed since my student years. Back then, a little cardboard-covered booklet let me travel anywhere, anytime, on almost any train, for 30 days. Now they have more restrictions: mine allowed five days of travel in a month, and advance planning is required. For instance, I often had to make seat reservations. Travelling when you're older has advantages. I, for one, definitely learned to do it better. Leslie Carlin, Toronto DO YOU HAVE TIPS ON CANADIAN TRIPS? We've launched a series that invites Star readers to share places they've visited in Canada recently and would recommend, whether it's a weekend getaway in Elora, a Banff canoe trip, or a jaunt to Quebec City. If you've been, loved it and want to tell us about it, we'd like to hear from you. Email us with 'TRAVEL TIPS' in the subject line at travel@ . Please include brief responses to these questions. If your holiday experience is chosen, we'll be in touch. 1. Where did you go and when was it? 2. Where did you stay? 3. What was a highlight of your trip? Why? 4. Any travel tips?

Must-visit foodie spots you can fly to from Manchester Airport with cheap flights
Must-visit foodie spots you can fly to from Manchester Airport with cheap flights

Yahoo

time2 days ago

  • Yahoo

Must-visit foodie spots you can fly to from Manchester Airport with cheap flights

It's summer, and if you're looking for a new place to explore that offers plenty of culinary delights, look no further. Manchester Airport has rounded up some of the key spots all foodies should explore. From Tuscany to Singapore, there are plenty of places you can indulge in – let's take a look. Best foodie spots with flights from Manchester Airport Prices are correct at the time of writing. San Sebastian Flights: Fly to Bilbao with easyJet from £55pp return Manchester Airport said: 'This small coastal city in Spain's Basque region has made a name for itself in the world of gastronomy, with the highest concentration of Michelin star restaurants in the world. 'If you don't have the budget for fine dining every night though, try out the local pintxos bars – a Basque version of tapas. 'San Sebastian's Zurriola Beach, facing out into the North Atlantic with choppy waves, is one of Spain's best beaches for surfing.' To get to San Sebastian, it takes just over an hour from Bilbao. Tuscany Flights: Fly to Pisa with Ryanair from £49pp return The airport explained: 'Some of Italy's most famous gastronomic exports hail from this region, including pappardelle pasta, Florentine steak and Chianti wine – but you'll find favourites from across the country in the open-air eateries that line the streets of cities like Pisa and Florence. 'If you're looking for a quieter time away from the hustle, head to Montecatini Terme, a picturesque spa town outside Pisa beloved by celebrities including Arnold Schwarzenegger and Audrey Hepburn.' Lyon Flights: Fly to Lyon with easyJet from £56pp return Lyon is described as France's culinary capital, with 20 Michelin-starred restaurants, and is home to a number of famous chefs. Manchester Airport added: 'Rustic eateries are popular with the locals and you'll find plenty to get your mouth watering on a budget too, with hearty dishes like coq au vin complemented by local cheese and charcuterie among the best France has to offer.' Singapore Flights: Fly to Singapore with Singapore Airlines from £672pp return The airport said: 'Singapore is a melting pot of cultural influences from across Asia and beyond, with large Chinese, Indian, Southeast Asian and European communities living side by side – so it should be no surprise that its cuisine is something of a fusion of flavours. 'The city is well known for its 'hawker centres', which can be best described as indoor street food markets, with an eclectic mix on offer. Best sellers often include dishes like Hainanese chicken rice, chilli crab and fish ball noodles.' Mumbai Flights: Fly to Mumbai with IndiGo from £425pp return Manchester Airport said: 'The Gateway to India is a large triumphal arch on Mumbai's waterfront, but in many ways it's a metaphor for the city as a whole – and that makes Mumbai a great starting point for a tourist wanting to throw themselves into the world of authentic Indian food. 'People from across the country are drawn to Mumbai, the financial capital – and that means you can find markedly different cuisines here – from Keralan coconut milk-based curries, to Rajasthani thali and Punjabi and Kashmiri dishes, which often dominate the menus of Indian restaurants and takeaways in the UK.' New York City Flights: Fly to New York JFK Airport with Aer Lingus from £340pp return You can look forward to plenty of 'outstanding' food in the city that never sleeps. Manchester Airport said: 'You can find outstanding food here 24/7, with influences from communities that have settled over the past three centuries, from German and Italian to Mexican and Arabic recipes. 'New York's most famous dishes take these inspirations and create something original, however – like buffalo wings, cream cheese bagels, clam chowder and pastrami on rye. Manhattan's Lower East Side is considered the centre of the city's food scene.' Do I need travel insurance? Krakow Flights: Fly to Krakow with Ryanair from £62pp return Manchester Airport explained: 'Pierogi dumplings, kielbasa sausages with mustard, and Zurek soup, served in a hollowed out loaf of rounded bread, are all iconic Polish dishes and few cities do them better than Krakow. Its charming, cobblestoned Old Town is the perfect setting for sampling what Poland's culinary scene has to offer. 'The Jewish Quarter, which has been rebuilt and reinvigorated since the horrors of World War II, hosts restaurants and bakeries serving the traditional fare of the country's Jewish community – and many of these dishes, like jam-filled doughnuts and bagels, are now globally renowned after being introduced to the US by Polish Jewish immigrants. 'The factory of Oscar Schindler, made famous by Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List, is at the heart of the Jewish Quarter and well worth a visit while you're here.' Recommended reading: 9 East Asian destinations you can fly directly to from Manchester Airport Manchester Airport to offer direct flights to 'best-kept secret' spot in 2026 Cheap last-minute summer holiday spots you can fly to from Manchester Airport The airport also suggests foodies should fly to Munich (easyJet flights from £78pp return), Casablanca with Royal Air Maroc from £210pp return or Istanbul with easyJet from £71pp return. Or head to Dubai with Emirates from £605pp return, or choose Thessaloniki with flights from £126pp return. How early should you arrive at Manchester Airport before a flight? The airport encourages passengers to arrive 'at least two hours' before their flight leaves. To get a more specific arrival time, the airport says passengers must follow the guidance issued by their airlines.

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