Category: Travel

Lifestyle Tips /

Bask In The Heaven Of Bali – Tropical Paradise

If you’re looking for new place to visit, you might want to consider taking a trip to the tropical paradise of Bali. One of the benefits of Bali is that it isn’t that expensive. In fact, Indonesia, in general, could be seen as the perfect choice for someone who wants to go to an exotic location but doesn’t have a massive budget to spend. Don’t get the wrong idea here though and don’t let the price tag fool you. It may not break the bank as a holiday destination, but it’s still a stunning place to visit. Here are a few of the things that await you in the beauty of Bali.

Gorgeous Golden Sands

One of the best things about Bali is the beach. Whether you want a relaxing vacation, tanning on the beach or you’re more interested in something a little more active Bali is the perfect place to be. Its golden beaches are like the paradise that you have seen in music videos, on billboards and postcards. When you lie down on the sand, you’ll immediately realize that you are hundreds of miles away from your troubles and stresses.

Of course, Bali is also a beautiful place for swimming in the ocean. With the temperature just right, you can relax on the beach and then head out for a dip in the aquamarine waters.

If you want to explore the area in a different way, consider hiring a boat. You’ll be able to dive off the coast and see wonderful, unique sea creatures.

Explore Nature

Another great thing about Bali is the nature that’s there ready for you to explore. Jungle wildlife surrounds you from every direction. According to https://www.gadventures.com/destinations/asia/indonesia/, one of the best features of Bali is the beautiful scenery. Pack a bag and hike through the trees and you might discover an enchanting waterfall. Or, a monkey hanging from one of the lower branches could greet you. It really is like stepping into a world from an adventure book.

Relax In Paradise

When you have returned from your trip, you will be able to relax in luxury. Have you ever wanted to indulge in an infinity pool? Well, you can in Bali. Lie by the side and gaze out across the ocean that stretches for miles. Or, look at the land below from high above the town. There are some truly incredible places to stay in Bali so don’t miss out on an unforgettable place to retreat.

Indulge In Tropical Dishes

Or how about visiting a place where the food is fresh, fruity and scrumptious. The menus in Bali are mainly based on seafood but you can also get fresh fruit smoothies and fruit on your plate picked fresh that week. It does help make an incredible breakfast to start the day. Of course, you can also learn to make one yourself on http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/.

We hope you see now that Bali has so much to offer you’d be crazy not to visit. And with lower prices than you think, you might be able to go sooner rather than later.

Collaborative Post

 

Lifestyle Tips /

Pensacola Florida Has Something For All Taste Buds

Buttery, smoky oysters, wood-fired locally caught lionfish and what’s that? A fried green tomato topped with crab meat, bacon and a shallot-champagne vinaigrette? Do we have you drooling yet? Pensacola’s cuisine has a mind of its own combining New Orleans creole flavors with a southern twisted Gulf side experience. Our cuisine is so important to us that we dedicate a whole festival season to it and you’re invited!

It’s a well-kept secret that fall is one of the best times to visit a coastal southern town. With a light breeze in the air, the best sunsets of the year and an eclectic mix of seasonal cuisines and cocktails, Pensacola is sure to be your go-to vacation this fall.

First on the docket is Tastemakers. We know you’ve probably heard of a pub crawl, but a restaurant crawl? Dine your way around the world through downtown Pensacola with dishes such as alligator sausage with watermelon relish, southern fried chicken, Irish boxty’s and so much more. The event passport provides free entry to the afterparty at the famous Seville Quarter, so you won’t want to forget that! If you want to continue around the world, stop in for the Greek Festival. Get your fill of baklava, gyros and dolmathes while vacationing.

Next up is Taste of the Beach. Sip, savor and surf through over 20 Pensacola Beach restaurants offering signature cocktails and dishes right next to the Gulf of Mexico. The festival is free to enter and all dishes are under five dollars! Later in the afternoon, the PensacolaBeach Chefs will take the stage to present live cooking demonstrations. Additionally, the festival will host cooking competitions, live entertainment and kid-friendly activities.

If you haven’t had enough seafood, just wait. The 40th annual Pensacola Seafood Festival kicks off the last weekend in September showcasing the freshest Gulf seafood in the country. Spanning three parks in downtown Pensacola, festival-goers can taste tapas from over 25 vendors, view regional art and bask in coastal ambiance.

For someone with a different palate looking to still enjoy the shoreline, opt for the best barbecue party on the coast at the Pensacola Egg Fest. Situated on top of Pensacola Blue Wahoos Stadium spanning Pensacola Bay, chefs meet at sunrise to prepare the day’s smoky goodness. Delicious samples to the public begin at 3 p.m. with everything from oysters to brisket to paella and even desserts!

Whether you’re looking for southern fusion or Gulf Coast seafood, Pensacola has options for everyone. Our cuisine is award-winning, according to Southern Living, Florida Travel + Life, Florida Trends Golden Spoon and Business Insider just to name a few. Our standards reflect history and culture dating back over 450 years that visitors are sure to experience the moment it hits their taste buds. We can’t wait for you to join us. For more information, visit www.visitpensacola.com.

About Visit Pensacola

Visit Pensacola is the destination management organization for Escambia County which includes Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. With over 450 years of rich history and 18 miles of sugar-white sand beaches bordered by the emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, visitors from all over the world are lured to our pristine shores every year. Visit Pensacola supports the community vision of tourism by serving as the central body responsible for building tourism as an economic engine for our community through leadership, connection, collaboration and communication.

Beauty /

Cuvée Beauty Must-Have Travel Kit for Labor Day

For healthy, tousled hair this Labor Day, stash the Cuvée Beauty Everyday Essence Travel Kit in your weekender bag! This three-piece kit provides you with champagne infused products that are your ultimate must haves no matter where you are headed for the holiday weekend. It’s everything you need for flawless hair in one chic, travel friendly package.

Filled with three deluxe travel size products that will give any girl on the go the full Cuvée Beauty experience, this kit includes Shampoo, Conditioner, and the Première Treatment, which are all sulfate-free, paraben-free, and cruelty free! All of these products contain the Cuvée Complex, which incorporates luxurious ingredients like champagne, white truffle, and platinum, to create a one of a kind formula that repairs and strengthens for lush and shiny hair. These brand new travel kits also provide new tips and tricks to help give you amazing results no matter where in the world your travels take you!
Get it now at CuveeBeauty.com for $30
Beauty /

Avon ANEW Anti-Agining Skincare: Packing Staple from Dr. Kim Nichols

Summer may be fading away right before our eyes, but that doesn’t mean your skin routine should too. Avon’s consulting dermatologist, Dr. Kim Nichols, offers her weekly skincare tip below to keep your skin fresh and glowing for the rest of the summer and right into fall.

 

Pack carefully. Take along travel sizes of your gentle cleanser or convenient Avon ANEW Clean Facial Cleansing Wipes and Avon ANEW Ultimate Multi-Performance Day Cream to moisturize the skin, especially if you’re planning a vacation or trip with ultra-dry humidity.

 

Using hotel products or saying “I’ll just take a few days off” from your skincare regimen is a no-no! This can lead to an otherwise preventative flare-up, pesky pimple, or dull appearance.

 

Travel /

2018 ESSENCE FESTIVAL – Weekend Getaway

Essence today announced the official dates for the 2018 Essence Festival® presented by Coca-Cola®, which will take place from July 5 – 8, 2018 in New Orleans, LA. Limited advance tickets for the 24th annual event’s nightly concert series will be available starting August 10 at 10:00am ET.

On the heels of a record-breaking 2017 Festival, the highly anticipated event is expected to feature a diverse, all-star roster of musicians and speakers for its nightly concert series and daytime empowerment programming respectively. The 2017 “party with a purpose” drew over 470,000 attendees and featured first-time performances by Diana Ross and Chance The Rapper, plus keynote conversations with Ava Duvernay, Mary J. Blige, the cast of the critically acclaimed film “Girls Trip” – Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish – and many more.

Festivalgoers can start planning their ‘girl’s trip’ and weekend getaways by visiting Essence Festival for a recap of the 2017 Festival, information about advance ticket sales, the latest news about the Festival and to sign up for Festival-related newsletters.

Join the Essence Festival community by following us on Twitter @essencefest #EssenceFest and become a fan of 2018 Essence Festival on Facebook for additional updates.

Sponsors of the 2018 Essence Festival® include presenting sponsor Coca-Cola® and major sponsor State Farm.

Summer 2017 /

Looking For Florida’s Best, You’ll Find It In Pensacola

The Pensacola Bay Area continues to prove to be a destination vacation through recent accolades. Known most well for its sugar white beaches, voted to the 10 Best Beaches in Florida by Conde Nast to be exact, the coastal city has established itself as an all-encompassing travel and leisure spot for visitors around the country.

Trips to Discover, an online travel publication that reaches over 7 million people, named the area to the 14 Best Day Trips in the Florida Panhandle and to the 12 Best Florida Summer Vacations on a Budget. The Pensacola Bay Area offers a multitude of activities from exploring the Gulf Islands National Seashore and its majestic forts, learning where Don Tristan de Luna landed and established America’s First Settlement over 450 years ago or enjoying the vibrant cultural scene downtown.

The Pensacola Bay area is known for its fresh Gulf Coast seafood, so well-known that Food Networks “Great American Food Truck Race” and host Tyler Florence stopped in to experience it. Business Insider named Taqueria El Asador, a local taco stand, to the 50 best tacos joint in all of America and Southern Living awarded the Flora-Bama the best bar in the entire state of Florida! Speaking of cocktails, locals favorite and owned by one of Visit Pensacola’s celebrity chefs, Skopelos restaurant has been awarded the 2017 Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator magazine!

As Pensacola gears up for the Fall Festival season, it places a significant emphasis on the culinary scene. We encourage foodies to come and experience a vast variety of tastes including gulf coast seafood, Greek, American street food and so much more. Festival season is the prime time to plan a vacation to the area as the official tourism season has come to a close, rates have declined and the weather is mild. You can easily say this is a locals favorite time of year!

Only in your state again named The National Naval Aviation Museum to the Best Free Activities in Florida and the Historic PensacolaVillage to the 13 Unforgettable Tours in Florida. With over 450 years of rich history, Historic Pensacola is a living laboratory that guides guests through 28 properties that have been fully restored. The village is fully operable and includes daily colonial living history demonstrations. The National Naval Aviation Museum is the world’s largest Naval Aviation museum and features more than 150 restored aircraft’s representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Aviation. Spanning 37-acres of ground space and 350,000 square feet of exhibit, the museum is open daily and offers free admission.

The US Navy Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow is currently in the running for USA Today’s Reader’s Choice award for top 10 Best Airshows. Be a part of our next accolade by voting daily, visit http://ow.ly/WNWj30dmkEa.

For more information about Visit Pensacola, call 1-800-874-1234 (toll-free) or go to http://ow.ly/Rga530dxikW.

About Visit Pensacola

Visit Pensacola leads the effort of economic development through tourism in Escambia County. Comprised of over 200-member businesses, VisitPensacola’s mission is to position the Pensacola Bay Area as a premier year-round travel destination through tourism marketing, communications, meetings and conventions, reunions and group tour initiatives. For more information about Visit Pensacola, call 1-800-874-1234 (toll-free) or go to VisitPensacola.com.

Entertainment /

ESSENCE ANNOUNCES FESTIVAL¹S STAR-STUDDED CELEBRITY LINE-UP FOR DAYTIME EXPERIENCE

The talent line-up continues to heat up for the 2017 ESSENCE Festival® presented by Coca-Cola®. The Festival will offer even more celebrity access, television and film sneak peeks and exclusive performances than ever before, rounding out the event’s daytime experience—which is free and open-to-the-public—taking place June 30-July 2 in New Orleans.

JUNE 30-JULY 2, FREE—ERNEST N. MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER

IYANLA VANZANT                      JADA PINKETT SMITH                CONGRESSWOMAN MAXINE WATERS                      AVA DUVERNAY

MARY J. BLIGE          REGINA HALL            REV. AL SHARPTON QUEEN LATIFAH                         MASTER P                  ISSA RAE

TINA KNOWLES-LAWSON                          CECE WINANS           JOHN SINGLETON                      MARA BROCK-AKIL

LARENZ TATE             BRYSHERE Y. GRAY                   MONICA                   INDIA.ARIE                 MC LYTE                    TWEET                        TIFFANY HADDISH                     MICHAEL ERIC DYSON                                JAY ELLIS                           XSCAPE                                        JOSEPH SIKORA                          TA’RHONDA JONES                                                       YVONNE ORIJI

LETOYA LUCKETT                       CORY HARDRICT                                          BJ THE CHICAGO KID                                  ELLE VARNER            SYBRINA FULTON                      PHAEDRA PARKS                       EMILY ESTEFAN                                         DONDRE WHITFIELD                 RUTINA WESLEY                         CISSY HOUSTON                                          KOFI SIRIBOE             TINA LIFFORD                             DAWN-LYEN GARDNER                             BRANDON BELL

KIM BURRELL                             KELLY PRICE                                GALLANT                                     JUDE DEMOREST

RYAN DESTINY                           DEMETRIA MCKINNEY              BRITTANY O’GRADY

 

For more information, visit www.essencefestival.com, follow us on Twitter @essencefest #EssenceFest and become a fan of 2017 ESSENCE Festival on Facebook.

The 2017 ESSENCE Festival App is now available for iPhone and Android users.

Sponsors of the 2017 ESSENCE Festival® include presenting sponsor Coca-Cola and major sponsors Ford, McDonald’s, State Farm, Verizon, and Walmart.  Superlounge sponsors include Coca-Cola, Ford and Walmart.   The All-Star Gospel Tribute is sponsored by Walmart.

Lifestyle Tips /

The Westin Jackson Announces its Luxury, Resort-Style Soul Spa

Wischermann Partners, Inc. is thrilled to announce today the spa concept for The Westin Jackson, opening early August 2017 in the heart of downtown Jackson. Soul Spa, The Westin Jackson’s newest luxurious spa and the only spa ESPA provider in the state of Mississippi, will offer guests and locals an extensive array of services and amenities including massages, facials, body treatments and nail services upon opening.

“Soul Spa is the perfect combination of a thoughtful, resort-concept design in an ultra-urban setting,” says Mike Burton, general manager of The Westin Jackson. “This new element of The Westin Jackson will be another highly sought-after destination in Jackson for relaxation and wellness, and we are excited to share Soul Spa with the community and our guests.”

An oasis of beauty and tranquility, Soul Spa will offer guests the highest quality services within a modern and sophisticated urban setting.  Soul Spa will consist of seven treatment rooms, manicure and pedicure stations adjacent to the reception area, sauna, experience showers and an outdoor courtyard with a whirlpool.  The spa is partnered with United Kingdom-based ESPA to carry their premier product line, and is the only ESPA provider in Mississippi. ESPA has pioneered the science of natural beauty in a potent collection of radically effective formulations featuring products derived from essential oils, plant extracts and marine actives at the hands of highly trained professionals.

“We are delighted to be opening Jackson’s newest downtown oasis, Soul Spa,” said Paul Wischermann, President and CEO of Wischermann Partners, Inc. “Whether you are looking to indulge in a full spa day experience, or are in need of a quick service in between meetings, Soul Spa’s world-class service caters to the needs of Jackson visitors and locals.”

Guests and locals can deeply unwind with the ultimate 110-minute stress-relieving Signature Body treatment, featuring a full body exfoliation, facial cleanse and individually tailored massage with warm aromatherapy oils. The EPIC Life-Stage Facial allows guests to turn back years in just 80 minutes as the results-driven facial instantly works to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, restores elasticity and returns skin to a more youthful appearance. This ESPA signature facial includes the exclusive SkinVision™ UV lamp analysis, deep-brush cleanse, Skin Radiance Mask, contouring facial massage techniques, Lifting & Smoothing Mask, scalp massage, and Life-Stage intensive serums and moisturizers. Couples can find the perfect way to escape in Soul Spa’s exclusive couple’s room for the Signature Couples treatment. After enjoying the sauna or outdoor whirlpool, couples can melt away tension with body brushing and exfoliation to first smooth and soften skin, followed by an indulgent massage using nourishing essential oils and warmed volcanic stones, and finished with a comforting scalp massage and gentle stretching.

Light food and beverage fare will be available in the relaxation room and outdoor courtyard during spa operating hours and will focus on fresh, healthy and revitalizing foods along with a daily selection of fruit smoothies. A selection of champagne and wine will also be available for those guests looking to relax with an alcoholic beverage including bachelorette parties, couple’s treatments and festive weekend getaways. Non-hotel guests visiting the spa will also be given complimentary valet parking and access to the WestinWorkout facility and indoor pool.

For more information, please visit http://www.westinjackson.com/.

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About The Westin Jackson

The Westin Jackson, set to open in early August 2017, offers 12,000 square feet of highly functional meeting space and 203 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites. Featuring a unique wine bar & bistro restaurant concept and state-of-the-art spa, The Westin Jackson will celebrate the history and culture of Jackson, MS, also known as the birthplace of America’s music. Marking the brand’s debut in the state, The Westin Jackson will be ideally located in the heart of downtown Jackson and within walking distance to the Mississippi Museum of Art, the Federal Courthouse, the Planetarium and the historic music and arts theatre, Thalia Mara Hall. Also within one block from the hotel, the Jackson Convention Complex features over 300,000 square feet of flexible meeting and exhibit space for convention attendees.

 

 

 

 

 

Beauty /

Memorial Day Beauty Must-Haves

Any patriotic holiday is a free pass for wearing red lipstick by the pool. Take full advantage of the occasion with Arbonne Smoothed Over Lipstick in Gladiola ($29, Arbonne.com). This lipstick is infused with watermelon fruit extract which helps provide immediate, long-term moisture while imparting a plumping effect to give the appearance of full, lush lips.

  • It’s inevitable, you’ll be sweating this MemorialDay. A product worth stashing in your purse is Mehron Skin Prep Pro ($13, Amazon.com). Used under the most extreme weather conditions, skin feels and continues to look fresh.
  • When the forecast calls for major humidity, you need a power product such as The Mane Choice Pink Lemonade & Coconut Super Anti-Oxidant & Texture Beautifier Curl Boosting Sherbet($14.99, TheManeChoice.com and Walmart). Formulated to boost curls and fight frizz, the cream defines and shapes your tresses leaving long-lasting shine.
  • Don’t forget to protect your lips! Try opting for an SPF chapstick that’ll give your lips a hydrated glow without the risk of attracting harmful UV rays. The Arbonne Liquid Sunshine Lip Balm Mineral Sunscreen SPF 15 ($12, Arbonne.com) is infused with coconut oil and moisturizing botanicals to help condition and smooth the lips.

 

Spring 2017 /

WATERFRONT PLACE HOTEL REOPENS AS MORGANTOWN MARRIOTT

Waterfront Place Hotel officially transitioned to Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place at Two Waterfront Place in Morgantown, W. Va on Wednesday, May 17th, 2017.

The newly renovated Morgantown Marriott is conveniently located one mile from West Virginia University and offers an airport shuttle, full-service spa, fitness center, pool, and a full-service Starbucks®, open from 6 am to 6 pm daily. The hotel has 207 guest rooms, consisting of double-queen, king and suites, with both river and city views available.

To ensure a comfortable stay for travelers, all rooms are equipped with complimentary high speed Internet, a desk, a mini refrigerator, a 55” television, and a coffee maker for early risers. Located within the hotel, Morgantown Marriott is home to the Morgantown Event Center, with 18 meeting rooms with more than 50,000 square feet of meeting and event space, perfect for business, weddings, parties and more.

Guests and locals are invited to dine at Bourbon Prime, a new bourbon-inspired, full-service restaurant located at the hotel.  Executive Chef Jeremy Bosley has created a “wild and wonderful” West Virginia experience by consistently offering a menu of locally sourced items, including prime cuts of beef, inventive artisanal cocktails, and fine craft beers. Bourbon Prime is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Founded in 1991 by Navin C. Dimond, Stonebridge Companies is a privately owned, innovative hotel owner, operator and developer headquartered near Denver, Colorado. Its diverse portfolio of properties includes select-service, extended-stay, mid-scale and full-service hotels in markets throughout the U.S. For detailed information, visit http://www.sbcos.com.