Destiny Marine Hotel: İstanbul’da Eşsiz Konaklama Deneyimi
Adalar Manzarasıyla Unutulmaz Bir Kaçış
Destiny Marine Hotel, İstanbul’un büyüleyici Adalar manzarasıyla misafirlerine şehrin stresinden uzak, huzurlu bir sığınak sunuyor. Modern mimarisi ve zarif dekorasyonuyla dikkat çeken otelimiz, misafirlerine lüks ve konforun mükemmel bir uyumunu vadediyor. Her detay, konukların evlerindeymiş gibi hissetmeleri için özenle tasarlanmıştır.
Otelimizdeki odalar, Adalar’a nazır manzarasıyla misafirlerine dinlendirici ve ferah bir sabah sunuyor. Rahat yataklarımız ve şık iç dekorasyon, konforu en üst düzeye çıkarıyor. İster iş ister tatil amaçlı seyahat edin, otelimizde geniş oda seçenekleri ile her ihtiyacınıza uygun bir konaklama bulabilirsiniz.
Lüks Spa ve Wellness Hizmetleri
Destiny Marine Hotel’in lüks spa ve wellness alanı, misafirlerimizin bedensel ve ruhsal olarak yenilenmelerini sağlamak için özel olarak tasarlanmıştır. Bali konseptiyle dekore edilen bu alanda, profesyonel masaj terapileri ve özel bakımlar sunulmaktadır. Çift kişilik VIP odalarda jakuzi keyfi yapabilir veya çeşitli masaj ve terapi seçenekleriyle stresten arınabilirsiniz. İsveç masajından aromaterapiye kadar geniş bir yelpazede hizmet veren spa merkezimiz, misafirlerimize huzur dolu anlar sunuyor.
Gurme Lezzetler ve Şık Restoran
Destiny Marine Hotel, konaklama deneyiminizi benzersiz bir gastronomi yolculuğuyla tamamlar. Otelimizin restoranında yerel ve uluslararası mutfaklardan özenle hazırlanmış gurme lezzetler sunulmaktadır. Taze ve kaliteli malzemelerle hazırlanan zengin menümüz, her damak zevkine hitap eden seçeneklerle donatılmıştır. Şık ve konforlu atmosferiyle restoranımız, misafirlerimize unutulmaz bir yemek deneyimi yaşatıyor.
Modern ve Şık Toplantı Alanları
Destiny Marine Hotel, iş dünyasının tüm ihtiyaçlarına cevap verecek şekilde tasarlanmış modern toplantı salonları ve etkinlik alanlarıyla da öne çıkıyor. Yüksek teknolojili ekipmanlarla donatılmış toplantı salonlarımız, hem küçük hem de büyük ölçekli iş toplantıları için uygundur. Otelimizde düzenlenen konferanslar, seminerler ve şirket etkinlikleri, profesyonel hizmet anlayışımızla başarılı bir şekilde gerçekleştirilmektedir.
Toplantı alanlarımız, geniş ve ferah bir yapıya sahip olup, konuklarınızın rahat ve verimli bir şekilde çalışmasını sağlar. Ayrıca, toplantı aralarında sunulan zengin ikram seçenekleriyle de katılımcılarınızın motivasyonu yüksek tutulur. İster küçük bir yönetim kurulu toplantısı, ister yüzlerce kişilik bir seminer planlıyor olun, Destiny Marine Hotel’in profesyonel ekibi her detayı özenle planlayarak mükemmel bir organizasyon sağlar.
Özel Etkinliklerde Profesyonellik ve Şıklık
Otelimiz sadece iş toplantıları için değil, aynı zamanda düğün, nişan, kına gecesi, mezuniyet balosu gibi özel günler için de mükemmel bir mekân sunmaktadır. Muhteşem Adalar manzaralı rooftop balo salonumuz, 350 kişiye kadar olan etkinlikler için mükemmel bir atmosfer sunmaktadır. Şık dekorasyonu ve yüksek tavanlarıyla bu salon, her türlü etkinlikte zarafet ve lüksü bir araya getirir.
Destiny Marine Hotel, her detayın mükemmel olmasını sağlamak için profesyonel bir etkinlik planlama ekibiyle hizmet vermektedir. Misafirlerinize özel olarak hazırlanmış menüler, kusursuz servis ve unutulmaz anılar biriktirmeniz için her şey düşünülmüştür.
Bali Konseptiyle Sakinleşin
Destiny Marine Hotel’in en sevilen alanlarından biri de huzur dolu spa merkezidir. Bali konsepti ile tasarlanmış spa alanı, misafirlerimize kendilerini tropikal bir tatilde hissettiren dingin bir atmosfer sunuyor. Şehir hayatının stresinden kaçmak ve yenilenmek isteyenler için tasarlanan bu alanda, profesyonel terapistler eşliğinde çeşitli masaj ve bakım seçenekleri sunulmaktadır.
Aromaterapi ve Klasik Masajlar
Spa merkezimizde sunulan aromaterapi masajları, kaslarınızı gevşetip zihinsel rahatlama sağlarken, klasik İsveç masajı ile tüm vücudunuzda enerji akışını yeniden dengeleyebilirsiniz. Ayrıca, VIP spa odalarımızda jakuzi keyfi yaparak hem fiziksel hem de ruhsal olarak yenilenebilirsiniz.
Kişiye Özel Bakım ve Hizmetler
Otelimizin spa ve wellness alanında, konuklarımızın bireysel ihtiyaçlarına uygun olarak tasarlanmış masaj ve terapi seçenekleri sunuyoruz. Klasik masajlardan derin doku masajına, çiftler için özel odalardan VIP jakuzili odalara kadar geniş bir yelpazede hizmet sunuyoruz. Özellikle Sultan masajı, iki terapist tarafından aynı anda uygulanan ve vücudunuzu tamamen rahatlatan özel bir deneyim sunmaktadır.
Hamam ve Sauna ile Geleneksel Rahatlama
Spa merkezimizin bir diğer önemli bölümü de Türk hamamı ve saunadır. Geleneksel Türk hamamında, vücudunuzu arındırırken tarihsel bir deneyimi modern konforla birleştiriyoruz. Saunamızda ise yüksek ısının etkisiyle toksinlerden arınarak bedensel rahatlama yaşayabilirsiniz. Destiny Marine Hotel’in spa alanı, ruhsal ve bedensel yenilenme için ideal bir ortam sunar.
Destiny Marine Hotel
İstanbul, dünyanın en büyüleyici şehirlerinden biri olarak ziyaretçilerine unutulmaz deneyimler sunuyor. Bu tarihi ve modern şehri keşfederken, konaklayacağınız otelin konforu ve sunduğu hizmetler de büyük önem taşıyor. Eğer uygun fiyatlı kaliteli otel arayışındaysanız, Destiny Marine Hotel, tam da aradığınız yer olabilir. Otelimiz, lüksü ve konforu bütçe dostu fiyatlarla birleştirerek misafirlerine benzersiz bir konaklama deneyimi sunuyor.
Kaliteli Konaklama: Lüks ve Konforun Buluşma Noktası
Destiny Marine Hotel, konfor ve şıklığı bir araya getiren odalarıyla misafirlerine kaliteli konaklama imkanı sunuyor. Her biri özenle tasarlanmış odalarımızda, rahat bir yatak, modern olanaklar ve şık dekorasyonla kendinizi evinizde hissedeceksiniz. Özellikle deniz manzaralı otel arayışında olanlar için, Marmara Denizi’nin huzur verici manzarasını sunan odalarımız, şehirdeki kalışınızı daha da özel kılacak. Bu manzaraya uyanmak, İstanbul’daki konaklamanızın unutulmaz anlarından biri olacak.
Spa ve Masaj Hizmeti: Yorgunluğunuzu Atın, Yenilenin
Şehrin yoğun temposundan uzaklaşıp rahatlamak istediğinizde, Destiny Marine Hotel’in sunduğu spa ve masaj hizmeti sizin için ideal bir seçenek. Tam donanımlı spa merkezimizde, profesyonel terapistler tarafından sunulan çeşitli masajlarla kendinizi şımartabilirsiniz. Bu hizmetler, konaklamanızı sadece dinlenmekten öteye taşıyarak, bedeninizi ve ruhunuzu yenileyen bir deneyime dönüştürür. Spa masaj hizmeti, şehrin keşfiyle geçen bir günün ardından ihtiyacınız olan tüm rahatlamayı sağlar.
Jakuzili Odalar: Lüksü Uygun Fiyatla Deneyimleyin
Destiny Marine Hotel, misafirlerine hem lüksü hem de ulaşılabilirliği sunan bir konaklama deneyimi vaat ediyor. Jakuzili uygun fiyatlı otel seçeneklerimiz, romantik bir kaçamak ya da iş seyahatinde dinlenme fırsatı arayanlar için mükemmel bir tercih. Jakuzili odalarımızda, stresinizi geride bırakıp lüksün keyfini çıkarabilirsiniz. Her detayı düşünülmüş bu odalar, özel anlarınızı unutulmaz kılmak için tasarlandı.
Deniz Manzaralı Restoran: Lezzetin ve Manzaranın Buluşması
Otelimiz, yalnızca konforlu konaklama değil, aynı zamanda eşsiz bir gastronomi deneyimi de sunuyor. Deniz manzaralı restoranımız, hem yerel hem de uluslararası mutfaklardan özenle seçilmiş lezzetleri misafirlerimize sunuyor. Bu büyüleyici manzara eşliğinde, her öğün bir şölene dönüşüyor. Taptaze malzemelerle hazırlanan yemeklerimiz, hem damak tadınıza hem de ruhunuza hitap ediyor.
Destiny Marine Hotel: İstanbul’da Eşsiz Bir Konaklama Deneyimi
İstanbul’da uygun fiyatlı kaliteli otel arayanlar için Destiny Marine Hotel, mükemmel bir seçim. Konforlu odalarımız, profesyonel hizmetlerimiz ve büyüleyici deniz manzarasıyla, misafirlerimize unutulmaz bir deneyim sunuyoruz. Şehrin büyüsünü tam anlamıyla yaşamak, kendinizi evinizde hissetmek ve aynı zamanda bütçenizi zorlamadan lüksün keyfini çıkarmak için, Destiny Marine Hotel sizi bekliyor.
Her anınızı özel kılacak bu konaklama deneyimini kaçırmayın; İstanbul’da kaliteli konaklama için en doğru adres Destiny Marine Hotel!
With its myriad hills and spectacular bay, San Francisco beguiles with natural beauty, vibrant neighborhoods, and contagious energy. Whether or not you’ve already visited the City by the Bay, it can overwhelm visitors with its offerings. Of course there are the well-trodden spots including Alamo Square, with its Painted Ladies; Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39; and twisting Lombard Street, the “crookedest street in the world.” But there’s much more to see and do, so we’ve selected the 25 top things every visitor should experience in San Francisco. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or the fifth, these recommendations ensure that you’ll have a great trip.
Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco’s signature International Orange entryway is the city’s majestic background, and about 10 million people a year head to the bridge for an up-close look. Walking the 1.7 miles to Marin County—inches from roaring traffic, steel shaking beneath your feet, and only a railing between you and the water 200 feet below—is much more than a superlative photo op (though it’s that, too). Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge under your own power is exhilarating—a little scary, and definitely chilly. From the bridge’s eastern-side walkway, the only side pedestrians are allowed on, you can take in the San Francisco skyline and the bay islands; look west for the wild hills of the Marin Headlands, the curving coast south to Lands End, and the Pacific Ocean.
Ferry Building
Foodies, rejoice! The historic Ferry Building is stuffed to the brim with all things tasty, including cafés, restaurants, a farmers’ market, and merchants peddling everything from wine and olive oil to oysters and mushrooms. The building backs up to the bay, so the views are great—but they’re even better from the decks of the departing ferries. San Franciscans flock to the street-level marketplace, stocking up on supplies from local favorites such as Acme Bread, Scharffen Berger Chocolate, Cowgirl Creamery, Blue Bottle Coffee, and Humphry Slocombe ice cream. Slanted Door, the city’s beloved high-end Vietnamese restaurant, is here, along with highly regarded Bouli Bar. The seafood bar at Hog Island Oyster Company has fantastic bay view panoramas. On the plaza side, the outdoor tables at Gott’s Roadside offer great people-watching with their famous burgers. On Saturday morning the plazas outside the building buzz with an upscale farmers’ market where you can buy exotic sandwiches and other munchables.
Chinatown
If there’s one place in San Francisco that feels like a city unto itself, it’s Chinatown. Here, people dash between small neighborhood stores, their arms draped with plastic totes filled with groceries or souvenirs. Breathe in the scented air as you watch the nimble hands at Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, then kick back with a cocktail at Li Po around the corner, rumored to be haunted by the ghost of an opium junkie still looking to score. At Tin How Temple, climb the narrow stairway to this space with hundreds of red lanterns, then step onto the tiny balcony and take in the alley scene below. And, of course, don’t skip a chance to have dim sum at Yank Sing.
Yerba Buena Gardens
There’s not much south of Market Street that encourages lingering outdoors—or indeed walking at all—with this notable exception. These two blocks encompass the Center for the Arts, the Metreon, Moscone Convention Center, and the convention center’s rooftop Children’s Creativity Museum, but the gardens themselves are the everyday draw.Office workers escape to the green swath of the East Garden, the focal point of which is the memorial to Martin Luther King Jr. Powerful streams of water surge over large, jagged stone columns, mirroring the enduring force of King’s words that are carved on the stone walls and on glass blocks behind the waterfall. Atop the Moscone Convention Center perch a few lures for kids. The historic Looff carousel twirls daily 10–5. South of the carousel is the Children’s Creativity Museum, a high-tech, interactive arts-and-technology center geared to children ages 3–12. Kids can make Claymation videos, work in a computer lab, check out new games and apps, and perform and record music videos. Just outside, kids adore the excellent slides, including a 25-foot tube slide, at the play circle. Also part of the rooftop complex are gardens, an ice-skating rink, and a bowling alley.
Palace of Fine Arts
Perched on a swan-filled lagoon near the Marina’s yacht harbor, this stirringly beautiful terra-cotta-color domed structure has an otherworldly quality about it. Built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition and restored in 2008, the palace is a San Francisco architect’s version of a Roman ruin, and it’s been eliciting gasps for almost a century. The massive columns (each topped with four “weeping maidens”), great rotunda, and swan-filled lagoon have been used in countless fashion layouts, films, and wedding photo shoots. After admiring the lagoon, look across the street to the house at 3460 Baker St. If the maidens out front look familiar, they should—they’re original casts of the “garland ladies” you can see in the Palace’s colonnade.
Golden Gate Park
It may be world-famous, but first and foremost the park is the city’s backyard. Come here any day of the week and you’ll find a microcosm of San Francisco, from the Russian senior citizens feeding the pigeons at Stow Lake and the moms pushing strollers through the botanical gardens to school kids exploring the fabulous California Academy of Sciences and arts boosters checking out the latest at the de Young Museum. Be sure to visit the park’s iconic treasures, including the serene Japanese Tea Garden and the beautiful Victorian Conservatory of Flowers. If you have the time to venture farther into this urban oasis, you’ll discover less-accessible gems like the Beach Chalet and the wild western shores of Ocean Beach.
Macondray Lane
San Francisco has no shortage of impressive, grand homes, but it’s the tiny fairy-tale lanes that make most want to move here, and Macondray Lane is the quintessential hidden garden. Enter under a lovely wooden trellis and proceed down a quiet, cobbled pedestrian lane lined with Edwardian cottages and flowering plants and trees. Watch your step—the cobblestones are quite uneven in spots. A flight of steep wooden stairs at the end of the lane leads to Taylor Street—on the way down you can’t miss the bay views. If you’ve read any of Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City books, you may find the lane vaguely familiar. It’s the thinly disguised setting for part of the series’ action.
City Lights Bookstore
Take a look at the exterior of the store: the replica of a revolutionary mural destroyed in Chiapas, Mexico by military forces; the art banners hanging above the windows; and the sign that says “Turn your sell [sic] phone off. Be here now.” This place isn’t just doling out best sellers. Designated a city landmark, the hangout of Beat-era writers—Allen Ginsberg and store founder Lawrence Ferlinghetti among them—and independent publisher remains a vital part of San Francisco’s literary scene. Browse the three levels of poetry, philosophy, politics, fiction, history, and local zines, to the tune of creaking wood floors. Be sure to check the calendar of literary events.
Coit Tower
Most people assume that this stubby white tower atop Telegraph Hill is supposed to look like a fire-hose nozzle. And considering that a fire truck–chasing, cross-dressing 19th-century socialite donated the funds to build it, maybe it is. The tower itself is of vague interest—it does house the history of San Francisco in murals—but the parking lot at its base and tiny park out back have fantastic views of the city and the bay. The tower sits at the top of Telegraph Hill’s Filbert Steps, a steep stairway through glorious gardens with vistas of transcendent beauty, an only-in-San Francisco spot locals cherish.
Hyde Street Pier
Cotton candy and souvenirs are all well and good, but if you want to get to the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf—boats—there’s no better place to do it than at this pier, one of the area’s best bargains. Depending on the time of day, you might see boat builders at work or children pretending to man an early-1900s ship. Don’t pass up the centerpiece collection of historic vessels, part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, almost all of which can be boarded. The Balclutha, an 1886 full-rigged three-masted sailing vessel that’s more than 250 feet long, sailed around Cape Horn 17 times. Kids especially love the Eureka, a side-wheel passenger and car ferry, for her onboard collection of vintage cars. The Hercules is a steam-powered tugboat, and the C.A. Thayer is a beautifully restored three-masted schooner.
Originally founded in 1888 under the name of Sidney, Buckeye is the westernmost suburb in the Phoenix metropolitan area, with an old west charm.
Located in Arizona’s Maricopa County, it was renamed in 1910 Buckeye due to the importance of the nearby Buckeye Canal.
With a population of almost 60,000 people, Buckeye is considered one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.
A heaven for wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages, Buckeye offers hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and campers the chance of exploring dozen of miles of trails around the city.
Let’s explore the best things to do in Buckeye:
1. Historic Gillespie Dam Bridge
Constructed over the Gila River in 1927 and restored in 2012, the Gillespie Dam Bridge is a unique reminder of Arizona’s rich past and America’s transportation history.
This 1,662 foot long bridge was one of the longest bridges and the largest steel structure in Arizona.
While the bridge no longer serves as a segment of the Old U.S. 80 highway, it is continually used by locals and tourists.
By driving just a quarter of a mile west of the bridge, on the west side of the river, an impressive display of petroglyphs can be found at the base of the cliffs.
2. Skyline Regional Park
With more than 16 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, Skyline Regional Park is a very popular park among the people of Buckeye.
Located in the southern White Tank Mountains, Skyline Regional Park is 8,700 acres and features 5 ramadas and 7 camping sites, offering amazing views of the surrounding mountains.
Opened in January, 2016, this brand new park is dog friendly and offers fresh and new amenities.
Each campsite includes a parking stall, two graded tent pads, a picnic table, cooking grill and a fire ring.
Due to minimal light pollution it is also an excellent spot for stargazing.
3. Desert Botanical Garden
Established in 1939, the Desert Botanical Garden has more than 50,000 plants, with one third of them native to the area.
Located 40 miles away from Buckeye, the garden can be found in Papago Park.
As volunteers were essential in the creation and development of the Garden, they are still considered an important asset.
Working closely with the staff, they share their time, talents and professional expertise in the working and care of the garden and with guests.
4. White Tank Mountain Regional Park
Located in west-central Maricopa County, Arizona, the White Tank Mountain Regional Park is a mix of desert and mountain landscapes.
With nearly 26 miles of hiking trails and an extension of 29,271 acres, this is the largest regional park in the county.
The majority of the park is undeveloped and prohibited to motorised vehicles but in the developed portion of the park picnic areas and campground can be found.
Perfect for stargazing due to regular clear weather and dark skies, the park hosts various stargazing events through the year.
5. Verrado Golf Club
Designed by the Ryder Cup Captain, Tom Lehman, the Verrado Golf Club lies 36 holes of championship golf in two different layouts.
Located in the shadows of the White Tank Mountains, golfers can delight in its amazing views and wildlife while playing an enjoyable round.
Following golf, players can enjoy an unforgettable meal at the Verrado Grille Restaurant, which combines impeccable service, a lively atmosphere, and incredible views.
Weddings and other events can be celebrated in this high-quality golf club.
6. Robbins Butte Wildlife Area
From the top of Robbins Butte hill, located south of the Gila River, visitors can get a broad overview of the river corridor.
Featuring diverse habitats that draw large populations of resident and migratory wildlife, Robins Butte is a popular area to watch the mule deer, bighorn sheep and many other small animals like cottontails.
Although overnight camping is prohibited, the area is also popular for hiking, hunting and birdwatching.
Caution is advised while hiking as several species of rattlesnakes can be found in the area.
7. Buckeye’s Air Fair
Celebrated annually at the Buckeye’s Municipal Airport, Buckeye’s Air Fair features aviation exhibits, aircraft displays and air demonstrations.
Part of the Arizona SciTech Festival where children of all ages can learn about the science of aviation, the Buckeye’s Air Fair is a day of fun for the whole family.
From the latest in space exploration to remote control demonstrations, Top Gun lovers can even book a ride on an authentic World War II aircraft at one of Buckeye’s largest and most exciting events.
Scroll through Instagram and get a load of all the traveling couples: mugging for selfies, star-jumping on piers, and cheers-ing over sickeningly romantic sunsets. If you’ve ever taken a trip with a significant other, you know this is, at best, far more rose-colored than real life on the road with bae, and not just because of the Amaro filter. Truth is, traveling together is hard, and comes with as many pitfalls as it does perks.
These are the mistakes to avoid when you go abroad with a partner, so you can travel the world together and not only live to tell the tale, but do so without bickering too much between sentences.
Doing the deed all wrong
Sex is usually pretty high up the to-do list on a couples getaway, so make sure you’ve got everything you need to start your trip with a (*ahem*) bang. In many countries, you won’t have as easy access to birth control as you do back home — and even if you can find a pharmacy, good luck trying to mime out “prophylactic” in the local dialect.
So now you’ve got the kit, but don’t drop trou just anywhere simply because you’re on an exotic vacation. Make sure you’re on top of the local laws, as well as each other — in some countries, the authorities don’t look kindly on PDA. Get a little too affectionate on a Dubai beach for example, and you might get handcuffed and locked up in jail for the night (and not in the fun way).
Skimping on privacy
A dirty weekend in a tiny hotel room sounds romantic, but it’s actually a pretty intense breakdown of boundaries — especially for a new couple. For the first time, you’re basically obliged to spend 24 hours a day in each other’s company, and you’re finally going to find out if your partner does, indeed, poop like everyone else.
It’s tempting to book the cheapest room, but it’s worth shelling out for a bigger option just to ease yourself into sharing personal space. Go ahead and book a suite or a room with a balcony so you’ve got somewhere to get some fresh air, when the time comes.
Falling prey to scams and ripoffs
Walking around with your hands in each other’s pockets sure looks cute, but it screams “easy target” to people who make a living out of ripping off tourists. Before you can say “Nah, Nah, Nah thanks, NAH,” you’ll be propositioned for average-at-best caricatures, $20 single roses, and upgrades to fancier cars at the rental place. You might feel awkward like you’re obliged to stump up cash or look like a cheapskate in front of your beau. But that’s how these people want you to feel. The truth is, if your partner is halfway worth holding onto, they’ll be a lot more impressed if you politely tell the scammers to move along, sharpish. And have a conversation ahead of time about how you plan to handle any sudden big-ticket expenses.
Taking crazy risks sans travel insurance
There’s nothing quite like a $50,000 hospital bill to sour a romantic trip. If you do get hurt abroad, it’s nice to have a spot of travel insurance, so your partner doesn’t have to play an absolute hero. Juliette Sivertsen, who writes the Snorkels to Snow blog, went exploring ancient burial caves in Fiji with her partner, John. “His first mistake was disturbing the hornets’ nest,” she recalls, “but then he tried to run away, and fell down a cliff, breaking his wrist and smashing the front of his leg on a rock. You could see the bone coming out — I’ve never heard a grown man howl and scream so loudly in my life.” Juliette’s top tip is “if in pain, get on a plane” — in their case, New Zealand was the best option.
Extra tip: Before you go, commit to memory all your other half’s vital statistics — birth date, medications, allergies, blood type, health insurer and so on. And make sure you’ve got a contact number for their family too, in case of hornet nest incidents.
Spending every single waking moment together
No matter how much you wuv your partner, don’t spend 24 hours in their face — you’ll get sick of it eventually, probably about 23 hours after your partner does. Jarryd and Alesha, who have been traveling together for nine years under the joint pen name Nomadasaurus, suggest that couples schedule that time apart. “Go for a solo hike, head to the shops on your own, hit up different bars one night,” they say. “Not only will you get a break from each other, you’ll also have something new to talk about.”
Sucking at sharing
Sharing is one of the best and worst bits of a relationship. There’s nothing more infuriating than ordering a prime steak and then having your partner ask for half of it in exchange for some of their soggy mushroom frittata. But there are bonuses, too. Don’t stuff two sets of boring essentials (sunscreen, toothpaste, shower gel, etc.) in your already-too-heavy backpacks. Pack together, do a pre-trip shop together, or even agree to share some clothes to cut down on luggage.
Oversharing with the rest of us
By all means, post the heck out of that couples selfie at the Eiffel Tower — just be conscientious of your partner, who might start feeling like they’re on a trip with your followers instead of you. There’s a vast difference between being an obnoxiously happy couple and just playing one on Instagram. Lest you spend the better half of your trip staring at your screens instead of each other, make an effort to stow your phones and, I don’t know, talk or something.
Freaking out over the little things
All you need is love. And passports. And money. But everything else is pretty much non-essential, so don’t throw a hissy fit if you forget to pack your fourth-favorite sweater or leave your sister’s headphones on the plane. Frank and Cathy from Roarloud say “We’ve forgotten loads of stuff on our travels, but there’s always a way to figure it out. In fact, it has become a running gag for us to say, ‘Did we forget anything?’ when we set out on a trip. The answer always is ‘Of course.’” Cue chuckles all around, until it turns out Frank’s forgotten Cathy’s birthday.
Splitting up
Cathy offers their surest rule: “Whenever you go off to do different things, arrange a time and place to meet back up — and stick to it.” It’s no use having phones if you hit a signal dead zone, and nothing will melt down a trip like it becoming a missed connection. Of course, if your partner is driving you nuts, this is also an excellent way of making sure they’re elsewhere while you scroll through Tinder.
Florida does a lot of things wrong. We’re terrible at voting. We beat people with lizards. We have alligators in our swimming pools, politicians in our public bathrooms, and an entire Twitter account devoted to stupid things our male citizens do. Also, women dressed as turkeys might just try and rob you. And yet, we’re the third most populated state in the US (behind Texas and California). Why?
Look out the window… if it’s anything other than sunny and 80 degrees, you probably wish you were in Florida right now. Alligators and all. But what is there to do in Florida when you’re not being beaten with reptiles? Go to the beach, of course. And in planning your next Florida fling, here are the 20 best beaches in the Sunshine State.
P.S. We also have a separate handy guide to Florida’s nude beaches right here. Happy tanning.
Daytona Beach
No hecks left to give? Daytona is the beach for you. Yes, it’s cleaned itself up a bit from its biker-and-breaker heyday, but if you want a wide stretch of sand with absolutely zero pretension, Daytona’s it. Here you can drive right up on the shoreline near Ormond and cruise the big beach up to the spot where the famous 500 started racing cars on the sand. You’ll pass by plenty of T-shirt shops full of stuff that’ll make you say, “You can still say that?” and not find a soul who objects.Where you’re staying: The Delta Hotels Marriott, a newly renovated hotel right on the water configured so every room has some sort of view of the ocean. And it’s actually quiet… if you go to Daytona Beach for that sort of thing.
Hollywood Beach
You ever read those hilarious Florida Man stories and wonder, “Just where the HELL do these people come from?” The answer is Hollywood Beach. All of them. If you’re jonesing to see a baby alligator get pedaled up the boardwalk in a bicycle basket, post up at Taco Spot and just wait. Wanna see two geriatric men the color of footballs get in a fight over a spot under a palm tree? It’ll happen in Hollywood. It isn’t just as close to a SoCal beach town as exists in the Sunshine State, it’s also the best people-watching of any beach in Florida. Which considering the stuff our state gets into, is pretty impressive.Where you’re staying: Diplomat Resort and Spa. Hollywood’s king of luxury high rises just completely redid itself, adding a solid burger joint and wine spot across the street at Diplomat Landing, and one of 2017’s best new restaurants in South Florida at Monkitail.
Paname City Beach
Since it banned drinking on the beach and effectively killed Spring Break faster than an ’80s movie villain, Panama City is now probably best known as the home to Ironman Florida, which involves a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile marathon. If you’re into doing things other than inhuman endurance sports on vacation, the beach itself is beautiful, with pristine white sand leading out to lake-like turquoise water. And the town is full of kitschy cultural beach staples like the Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum and the epic Shipwreck Island Waterpark.Where you’re staying: Legacy by the Sea. It’s a little removed from the “main drag” in PCB, but this beach-adjacent spot has upscale rooms — by Panama City standards anyway — and vastly cheaper rates.
Fort Lauderdale Beach
If you were rating beaches solely on spring break, and it was 1987, Lauderdale Beach might be the best in the land. But you’d also be reading this on a Commodore 64. As the city ushered out SB, it also ushered out most of the fun that came along with it, and now what’s left is a narrow strand of beach backed by bars full of people who came here for spring break 1987 and still can’t figure out where the rest of their group went. Need proof? That bar where Richie Incognito went all Richie Incognito on a pool table is one of them. Another is owned by an infamous male pornstar who has a proclivity to hunt.Where you’re staying: The Atlantic Hotel and Spa. No shortage of first-rate mega-resorts along Lauderdale Beach, but this one still feels like a charming boutique and offers the best new restaurant in the city at Coastal. If you’re into fresh seafood and Italian food, there’s not a better place to be in South Florida.
Miami Beach
Not long ago we named South Beach the sexiest neighborhood in America, and for good reason. While the natural scenery is nothing to sneer at, with coarse grain sand and light turquoise waters fronting miles of art deco hotels, the human scenery is really what makes this one of the most popular beaches in the world. Do most of those bodies occur in nature? Of course not, but neither do beaches on marsh barrier islands. Don’t think too much, you’re in Florida.Where you’re staying: Stanton South Beach. Located right on the water in the much-quieter South of Fifth section of South Beach, this is one of the few beachfront hotels that’s a quiet escape from the insanity of South Beach. The first floor is also home to the new Miami outpost of the Michelin-starred sushi joint Azabu.
Kansas City sits at the center of an identity crisis. It’s a liberal oasis in the middle of two red states, and the state line divides the city itself between Kansas and Missouri. That’s good news for you though. Each day is a chance to explore cultures, worlds, and time periods the average visitor probably wouldn’t expect from a flyover state. Give yourself a weekend and you’ll be hooked.
Eat BBQ, obviously
$-$$$Various locations
You can’t come to Kansas City and not indulge in the primal joy of eating meat right off the bone. This is a BBQ city and your BBQ choices will get you judged. Q39 is the newest contender (39th Street), where you can get whiskey with an ice cube made of meat juice. Gates is an all-time classic (found all over town) and The Peanut (the original is downtown but newer locations abound throughout the city) is a city secret for killer wings, dating back to 1933 when it was a speakeasy. Joe’s, located inside a functioning gas station, was featured in the final season of Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, so you know it’s worth a stop. And Arthur Bryant’s (also multiple locations) is the move if you’re looking for the most meat for your buck.
Geat real in the Jazz District
Free – $$$Kansas City has an incredible history steeped in blues and jazz. Around 18th and Vine you’ll find the city’s jazz district, which is also home to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum, which are both excellent. But if you’re ready to get genuinely funky, head to the Blue Room for till-dawn drinking and music, or treat yourself to an equally late-night adventure (365 days a year) at the Green Lady Lounge.
Check out the flyover states’ best music scene
Free – $$Various locations
One of the biggest draws of Kansas City is the music scene. In addition to the city’s blues and jazz roots, there’s always killer acts hitting up the city to break up the empty drive between tour stops in St. Louis and Denver. Riot Room, Uptown Theater, Knuckleheads, and Arvest Bank Theater are all fantastic venues that always seem to have a show worth checking out. recordBar is one of KC’s best, just-big-enough venues, where you can catch all your favorite medium sized acts as they travel through town (recordBar also has a flying-under-the-radar brunch that is to die for, should you find yourself hungover in the area the next day.) And tiny record shop Records With Merritt has gained a sudden prominence in the local music scene, hosting almost nightly multi-act lineups in an intimate space where just 30 people will pack the room and me it feel like a special show.
Gaze at the lights on a stroll through The Plaza…
Free – $$$$The Plaza
As a kid I came here to gaze at the millions of dollars in Christmas lights. As an adult I’m still impressed, but I’m equally interested in cruising the bars. This 15-block area just north of the river is filled with nice shops and high-end restaurants.The yearly Plaza Art Fair in the fall brings in international artists of all mediums and draws a crowd of over 250,000.
… then mainline a museum
Free – $$Various locations
Just off the Plaza, the nearby Nelson Atkins Museum of Art is the go-to stop in KC for high brow arts and culture. The exhibits range from the great masters to the new renegades, with a mile of gorgeous architecture that would be worth the trip even if there weren’t painting on the walls. There’s also a gigantic shuttlecock on the back lawn that has become an odd landmark in the city (it’s a must grab selfie while you’re here).
Not an art fan? Union Station is a historic train station built in 1914 with touring exhibits from around the world. It also sits across the street from the World War I Museum and Memorial, making it an excellent two-for-one destination.
Have a boozy game night
$Various locations
KC loves to get loose. Pawn & Pints is a bar and restaurant with a six-layered wall of board games that are available to you and your party. Take your pick from literally dozens of games, including Cards Against Humanity and Scattergories.
Tapcade and Up/Down are arcade-bar experiences with wildly different line-ins: the former being a combination movie theater and old-timey cabinet set-up, and the later being a balls-to-the-wall neon blowout. Both will reignite your inner child.
Take a selfie in front of the Western Auto sign
FreeArthur Bryant’s (see the BBQ entry) is where most people love to stop for a quick photo, but if you want a selfie that the locals will respect you for, try to pose in front of the Western Auto sign. A gigantic glowing mainstay of the KC skyline, the sign has been unlit at night for decades, until now. Grab a shot of you and a friend outside one of the many local distilleries, with the huge glow of KC spirit behind you.
Vancouver is dazzling. It’s generously endowed with natural splendor — snow capped mountains! Temperate rainforests! The ocean! — but it’s also a vibrant city with a glassy downtown and dozens of unique neighborhoods to explore.
OK, so it rains. A lot. The winter is notoriously wet, but honestly, so is spring and fall. The summer, however: *Italian chef kiss.* From June to September, life moves outside, to al fresco restaurants and breweries, and to the beaches and hiking trails nearby. And even on miserable February days, the dankness brings a certain moody charm (see: Twilight).
Get the heck outside
Vancouver might be Canada’s third biggest city, but you’ve got to get out of the urban center and into nature. It’s on the ocean, is replete with parks and beaches, and there are mountains nearby for hiking in summer and skiing in winter. All in all, there’s an overwhelming number of outdoor activities to enjoy, including but not limited to sailing, whale watching, salmon fishing, ziplining, kayaking, swimming, paddle boarding, and biking.
Hiking is everyone’s favorite pastime
Vancouver summers, when the sun is shining but the lack of humidity means you can still cool off in the shade, are perfect for hiking. That said, winter hikes can be just as beautiful, when the forests become lush with rain. Drizzle is typical, but that shouldn’t stop you from taking long winding walks through any of Vancouver’s 230 parks, including the stately VanDusen Botanical Garden and the cedar-scented Pacific Spirit Park.
Or you can get out of the city altogether. Grouse Mountain, a 20-minute drive from downtown, is a favorite local hiking spot. The 1.75 mile climb to the top, which ascends some 2,800 feet, is known as “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster” — you can find out why the hard way, or take the aerial tramway. You’ll find an observatory at the peak and, on a clear day, Vancouver glistening below.
The beaches rock
There are tons of beach options, including Kitsilano (excellent people watching), Jericho (more chill), Second Beach (on Stanley Park) and Wreck Beach (where clothing is optional). Sunning, swimming, picnicking, and barbecuing are (rightfully) the most popular beach activities, but for the more culturally minded, Shakespeare is also on the table. From June through September, English Bay hosts Bard on the Beach, Vancouver’s long-running Shakespeare Festival.
Finally, if you’re looking for a wide-open scenic walk, head to Spanish Banks; at low tide, the waters recedes more than half a mile and you can walk right out onto the wet, rippled sand.
Definitely check out the Seawall
No trip to Vancouver is complete without a visit to Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre wooded expanse that juts into the Burrard Inlet. Rent a bike and do a lap around the 5.5 mile, beach-studded perimeter, known as the Seawall, which features views of the glassy downtown district to the south and blue-purple mountains to the west. The loop also makes for an excellent run — the air is bracing and sea-salted, and the scenery is distractingly pretty.
To dig a little deeper, head inside on one of the park’s many winding paths. Cathedral Trail, for example, will take you under canopies of massive, moss-covered pines, while Beaver Lake Trail has a lovely lunch spot by the lily-covered pond (you might recognise it from the Fifty Shades movies, if you were one of the suckers who actually paid to go see them).
The museums aren’t bad either!
The Metropolitan Museum it isn’t, but the Vancouver Art Gallery is worth a visit for the works by Emily Carr, the Group Seven, and Marc Chagall. But if you can only go to one museum in Vancouver, make it the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. It’s one of the top anthropology museums in the world and the home to thousands of First Nations artifacts, including totem poles, textiles, and canoes.
Visit UBC’s campus while you’re at it
The museum is the main draw, but the UBC campus is beautiful in itself. After the museum, check out the Japanese Tea Garden or the Botanical Garden, where a suspended bridge leads over a canopy of Douglas firs, cedars, and grand firs.
Save room for noodles
In a city that averages 161 rainy days annually, a noodle obsession just makes sense. Vancouver has enough options for an extensive noodle crawl, but start with Kintaro Ramen or its sister Motomachi Shokudo, which serves up health-conscious takes on Kintaro’s rich pork broths, including bamboo charcoal miso ramen. Jinya Ramen, which has multiple locations, is also a consistently satisfying.
For variety, try Harvest, a grocery store/restaurant that serves up udon, ramen, and rice noodles in homemade broths. And pho fans shouldn’t leave without a trip to Pho Goodness or Chau Veggie Express, which has an outpost on Granville Island (get the candle-lit lantern pho soup).