The Black Dress Traveler

Valentine's Day Getaway: W Atlanta - Buckhead

Want to spice up your love life with a little southern hospitality? Our next stop on the Valentine's Day love train is the swanky and sexy W Atlanta in the posh Buckhead area. On Valentine's Day and every weekend in February, the W Atlanta - Buckhead is offfering the SPARK Valentine's Day Package which includes:

• A Wonderful Room injected with hand-picked white rose petals
• Chilled bottle of colorful Moët Rosé
• Complimentary Valet
• Complimentary in-room movie (non-adult)
• 4pm late checkout

If you and your sweetie should choose to leave your room the W Atlanta - Buckhead has plenty to keep you busy: dine at acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's MARKET restaurant or have cocktails at Rande Gerber's Whiskey Blue rooftop bar.

The SPARK Valentine's Day package is valid for Friday-Sunday stays February 3-26 and Tuesday February 14, 2012. Rates from $269 per night. Click here for more details.

Romantic Getaway: Valentine's Day in San Diego

I'm one of those sappy people who really loves Valentine's Day. It doesn't matter if I'm single or happily coupled, I am a big fan of a day that reminds people to focus on love. And, the chocolate bonbons don't hurt! My e-mail has been bombarded with information about Valentine's Day getaways so I am going to highlight a few in the days leading up to February 14th. First stop on the love train - sunny San Diego!

The Grand Del Mar Resort in the scenic rolling hills of Del Mar is offering the Disconnect Package, allowing couples to unplug from their electronic devices and connect with each other. The package features deluxe accommodations including breakfast in bed for two, two champagne cocktails and a choice of a 60-minute couple's massage or a two-hour horseback ride. The package is available Feb. 1-29, 2012 with rates starting at $795 per night, plus tax. Book online at www.thegranddelmar.com or call 855-314-20

Bring out your wild side with a stay at White Oak Ranch in Alpine, a property of the Lions Tigers and Bears Big Cat Rescue, which serves as a sanctuary facility and life-long haven for many exotic cats such as lions, tigers, leopards and bobcats. The inn offers a one-night stay in a safari-themed room with champagne and continental breakfast, and for every stay, a donation is made in the guest’s name to Lions Tigers and Bears. Rates start at $425 per night, plus tax, and are valid through February 29, 2012, subject to availability. Book online or call 619-445-0997.30.

The historic Hotel del Coronado has a seaside location perfect for relaxation, romance and recreation. I toured this property years ago and it has such a unique personality. The Night of Romance package includes a dozen roses, champagne, strawberries, breakfast for two overlooking the Pacific Ocean and complimentary valet parking. Rates start at $460 per night, plus tax, and are valid through Dec. 31, 2012, based upon availability. Book online at www.hoteldel.com or call 1-800-468-3533. For even more romance, guests can add on the Del's That's S'moré package featuring a side-by-side 50-minute Swedish massage in the couples spa suite, followed by a private bonfire on the beach. Sparks are sure to ignite as couples feed each other complimentary s'mores while sipping champagne. The package is available to hotel guests only, valid through Dec. 31, 2012 with rates starting at $445, plus gratuity. Book online at www.hoteldel.com or call 1-800-468-3533.

Fan the flames of love with the Your Crush for a Night package at the ultra-modern Andaz Hotel in the heart of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. Each designer guest room features a risqué glass shower and plush bedding. This sultry getaway includes a bottle of sparkling wine, chocolate covered strawberries, freshly prepared breakfast for two, a special intimacy kit and VIP access to Ivy, the hotel's multi-level nightclub. Rates start at $189 per night, plus tax, and are valid through Mar. 31, 2012. Book online at www.sandiego.andaz.hyatt.com or call 866-907-0704.

Coronado's charming Spanish-style El Cordova Hotel offers the Marriage Has Its Benefits package. For every year of marriage, the hotel will match that number in percent off its nightly rate. For example, guests married for 20 years will receive 20 percent off any one-bedroom, two-bedroom or Casa Grande Suite. Couples who present their wedding photo at check-in will also receive a chocolate gift upon arrival. Suite rates start at $160 per night, plus tax, and must be booked by Feb. 29, 2012 for stays through May 25, 2012. This package may only be booked by calling 800-229-2032. For more information, visit www.elcordovahotel.com.

Click here for more San Diego Valentine's Day Hotel Deals.

Itinerary for a Broken Heart: 5 Travel Tips for the Newly Single

People break up everyday but research suggests that most romantic relationships reach their demise "in the weeks leading up to spring breaks, right before the start of the summer holidays and a couple of weeks before Christmas." Hmm, it seems that folks don't want to drag around baggage from bad relationships during those times of the year that we are more focused on having pleasurable experiences.

Whether you are the dumper or the dumpee, entering the New Year as a newly single person can be emotionally challenging. Several years ago, I actually broke up with a long-term boyfriend on New Year's Day after he ditched our romantic New Year's Eve dinner for two to attend a "friend's" party that I was not invited to attend. We had been having problems for awhile but I refused to start the new year committed to such an inconsiderate jerk.

Time does mend a broken heart but a great trip can really help the healing process. Here are a five tips that will get you on the road to recovery, and maybe even a new love!

 - Do NOT take a trip to a place that you have previously visited with your ex. You don't want to break down into tears as you eat Coq au Vin at the Parisian bistro where you once dined together or stroll the same Caribbean beach where you shared moonlight kisses.

- Avoid places where you are surrounded by couples. One year I actually booked a trip to London and did not pay attention to the fact that my singleton self would be alone there on Valentine's Day. I actually ended up being the third wheel on my friend's romantic dinner with her boyfriend (now husband). Just sad. But her beau was sweet enough to bring me a box of candy too.

- Stay busy. You don't want to take a trip where you lock yourself in a hotel room, eat bonbons and watch Lifetime movies. Why not take that dream trip? This could be the perfect time to unleash your inner rock star at Rock & Roll Fantasty Camp, pick up some kick derriere espionage skills at Stiletto Spy School, our show off your inner sex kitten at Burlesque Bikini Boot Camp.

- Find a place where the sights are pretty and the boys are flirty. There is nothing like some positive attention from foreign men who find you absolutely ravishing and exotic to take your mind off your ex. Go to Barcelona where you will be enthralled with the wonderful food, stunning architecture and the very handsome men.  I once took a solo trip to Montreal and had an amazing time exploring this beautiful city while practicing my French with the cute locals.

 - Be fearless. Being newly single can make you feel very vulnerable and unsteady, making it the ideal time to tackle something that you were always afraid to try. Maybe you've always wanted to learn how to scuba dive or give rock climbing a try. The sense of accomplishment and confidence that you get from confronting your fears will make a huge difference. Yes, you'll still be single but you will feel stronger!

Pucker up Long Distance Lovers: Enter NIVEA's Kiss the One You Love Contest

My eclectic romantic history includes a few long distance relationships so I thoroughly understand the frustration of being separated from your sweetie on New Year's Eve. (Ah, where was NIVEA when I was pining for Pepe in Spain?) Long-distance couples can log onto NIVEA's Facebook page to share their stories of love and how they have been kept apart this holiday season. Today, December 20th, is the last day to enter the contest. Consumers can view and vote on their favorite love stories until December 23rd and Nivea will reunite two winning couples in Times Square on New Year's Eve 2011 to share the kiss of a lifetime.  (The winners will be notified December 29th.)

TV personalities Giuliana and Bill Rancic will host New Year’s Eve atop the NIVEA Kiss platform in the heart of Times Square. “Bill and I are thrilled to partner with NIVEA and help to bring together these special couples,” said Giuliana. “We started our whirlwind romance long-distance, so we can certainly empathize with anyone who is apart during the holidays. It’s important to make the most of the times that you’re together and we’re so excited that two lucky couples will win the chance to share the most exciting kiss of the year at the epicenter of New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world.”

  As the official sponsor of the Times Square Alliance New Year’s Eve Celebration for the third consecutive year, NIVEA will prep the lips of thousands Times Square revelers with their hydrating lip balm A Kiss of Smoothness as they prepare for their midnight kisses. Pucker up!

 

 

Ten in My Town: Elizabeth Bard's Paris

American girl goes to Paris. Meets charming French man. Falls in love with Monsieur Right and French cuisine. Lives happily ever after. Yes, this may sound like the plot of a Hollywood movie, but welcome to Elizabeth Bard’s life. Her new memoir Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes is chock full of engrossing prose and tasty meals. (Click here to read my review of the book.)

Elizabeth told moi, "there's a lot I've discovered in France - not just about effortless chic, but about how we as women can make better choices - pleasure and ambition, love and self." Although she has been busy traveling the world on her book tour, Elizabeth generously agreed to share a few of her favorite places in the City of Lights. Let her picks guide you to a great meal in Paris, or maybe even a romance of your own. Ooh la la!

 PS. Elizabeth will be making an appearance at Barnes & Noble (Tribeca, NYC) on Weds. April 7 at 7:00 pm.


To Buy the Perfect Little Black Dress – Galeries Lafayette. They have everything – and if you don’t find your little black dress, you can go shopping for a hot red lipstick underneath the breathtaking stained glass dome. If you want some color – go try one of the raw silk wrap dresses from Antoine et Lili. For browsing – I’d hit the small streets around rue du Dragon and rue de la Cherche Midi in the 6^th.

For a Night Out with the Girls - I find ice cream inspires girl talk better than alcohol – get yourself a double scoop of Berthillon on the Ile Saint Loius. Cacao Amer (bitter dark chocolate sorbet) is my favorite.

For a Romantic Dinner - Picnic on the tip of the Ile Saint Louis. 

To Take Out of Town Guests - We usually end up at L’Homme Bleu – a terrific Moroccan place, for tagine. We are lacking a favorite French place at the moment (ours changed hands a few years ago), but we often take people to Chez Denise near Les Halles – it’s one of the holdouts from the area’s market days – in fact, it used to be a brothel. The portions are huge (I love the cote de boeuf and the lapin au moutard), but save room for dessert – they make the best baba au rhum in Paris! The place is very well known, you should book – and you’ll probably be eating with an equal number of tourists and locals. 

For Something Sweet - Ladurée for macaroons (I’m a purist, so I tend to stick with vanilla, lemon, pistachio, and orange flower water (fleur d’oranger). Jean Paul Hevin for hot chocolate – it’s a quick walk from the Louvre, the tearoom is just above the shop. The hot chocolate is divine, and it’s much less crowded and touristy than Angelina’s. La Bague de Kenza – This Algerian bakery makes the best North African pastries in Paris. Choose in the boutique and have your pastries delivered to the tearoom next store.

For Cocktails  - I’m not a cocktail drinker in Paris – plant yourself at any sidewalk café with a glass of wine and watch the world go by. My neighborhood, along the Canal Saint Martin, is great for going out…if you like hipsters and men who haven’t shaved…

To Connect with Nature - The Buttes Chaumont is my favorite park in Paris. Sculpted from the ruins of one of Napoleon III’s old gypsum quarries, it has rolling hills, a man-made lake (complete with swans), and a fake waterfall.

To Connect with the Past - I’m a museum fanatic – but I prefer to have the place all to myself. The Louvre is open late on Wednesday evenings – and it’s completely empty! If you haven’t been to the Musée Jacquesmart Andre, do go – it’s the mansion of a 19^th century industrialist and his wife - much like the Frick collection in NY. Check out the hydraulic walls in the ballroom! There’s a great English Audioguide.

Where I Go to Unwind  - The market – every neighborhood has an outdoor market on a different day of the week; it’s a Paris experience that shouldn’t be missed! The markets are open from 8am-1pm, so get up early, grab a croissant and an expresso in a local café – then do your shopping for a lunchtime picnic. Ask your hotel (or local café) which days you can expect a market near you.

To Learn Something New - When I’m searching for inspiration. I usually end up at Librairie Gourmande – the best cookbook shop in Paris. Most of the cooking supply stores are on this street as well, so you can pick up some madeleine molds etc. on your way…

If you are interested in art history and design (and speak fairly high level French) – the week long summer courses at the Ecole de Louvre are a great value. The focus can be as specific as Art Deco doorknobs or as broad as “Paris under Henri IV”.

Looking for Love in All the New Places

Have you ever taken a trip with the specific task of meeting someone special because the pickings where you live are pretty slim? The NY Post reports in "That's It, I'm Leaving New York" that New York City women are packing their bags and leaving town in search of fulfilling romantic relationships. I suspect this scenario isn't unique to New York. Shoot, I bet some ladies actually move to New York in search of Mr. Big or some other twisted version of Mr. Right.

The article states, "New York isn’t the city that never sleeps. It’s the city that sleeps with you . . . then hits on your best friend the next day. With only four single men for every five single ladies in the metro area (according to the US Census Bureau’s 2008 Community Survey), some poor girl is always losing her date in this game of musical pairs." Ouch!

Some of the ladies profiled in the article have given the Big Apple the big heave-ho with the hope that Cupid will find them in Seattle or Los Angeles. Blogger Melissa Braverman (Single Gal in the City) has even embarked on an 8 week cross-country dating tour in search of her Mr. Right. How far would you travel for love?

Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes

Find me a woman on the planet who has not craved seduction by Paris's timeless trifecta of beauty, romance, and food - really, it is the perfect ménage à trois. Many of us may fantasize about  living and loving in the City of Lights but American journalist and art historian Elizabeth Bard's first lunch date at a Parisian cafe with a handsome French man was the catalyst for a romantic and culinary adventure.

In her memoir, Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes, Elizabeth shares the joys and challenges of falling in love with someone from another culture and making the momentous decision to build a life in their country. A lively read (I cuddled up with the book for an entire weekend), Lunch in Paris details Elizabeth's relationship with the charming Gwendal and her adjustment to the Parisian way of life.  I had the pleasure of corresponding with Elizabeth via e-mail and she said, "there's a lot I've discovered in France - not just about effortless chic, but about how we as women can make better choices - pleasure and ambition, love and self."

Peppered with delicious recipes that are easy to execute, Lunch in Paris will leave you hungry for your own romantic adventure and a great meal!

From Bali to Brooklyn: Seven Sexy Valentine's Day Getaways

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. If you and your sweetie have fallen into a romance rut, a trip could be just what you need to bring the sexy back. And, single ladies, instead of staying home why not take one of these fantastic trips with your friends or spend a weekend pampering yourself? From Bali to Brooklyn, from the budget-conscious to the truly decadent, here are a few suggestions on where you can go to connect with Cupid.
 
Naughty & Nice: The Liaison Capital Hill (Washington, DC)
Prices start at $169 per night thru Dec. 31, 2010. Also available at Affinia Hotels in New York & Chicago. Mention offer code PASSION.
Our nation’s capitol has hosted more than its fair share of frisky trysts so why not choose Washington, DC for your romantic getaway? The Naughty and Nice romance package at the Liaison Capital Hill (an Affinia Hotel) includes a bottle of bubbly, rose-petal turn-down service, a romantic in-room movie, a box of Jacques Torres hand-made chocolates, an Agent Provocateur Strip Poker set, a "52 Ways to Stay in Love Forever" deck of cards to inspire romance, and guaranteed late check-out. Sounds like a winning combination.

Better Off in Bali: Uma Ubud (Bali, Indonesia)
Starts at $665 per room, double occupancy.
Is Cupid working your last nerve? If you prefer to spend Valentine’s Day getting to know YOU, book a trip to beautiful Bali. The Ubud Escape includes trips to local villages, temples and artisans’ workshops. Get a 60-minute massage, a daily Yoga class, and a daily group guided walk. A three-course dinner at an open air restaurant next to a waterfall-fed pond is also included. And, remember, Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love) met her soul mate in Indonesia, so you never know!

 All Aboard the Love Train: Heart AC (Atlantic City, NJ)
Hop the ACES train with your honey from the Big Apple to Atlantic City and enjoy a weekend of Valentine’s Day events that will stimulate all of your senses! Save 20% on rooms at Harrah's, Caesars, Bally's and Showboat. Event highlights include a champagne and chocolate tasting with Jacques Torres, concerts by B.B. King and Air Supply, a speed dating event with VH1's Tough Love hosts, and the Atlantic City Group Valentine Wedding Vow Renewal. Best of all, you can start your celebration on the train ride – ACES serves cocktails and upscale nibbles.

What’s Cooking Good Looking?: Hotel Monaco (Seattle, Washington)
Prices starts at $399
Don’t just go out to dinner for Valentine’s Day – take a cooking class together! The Little Bit of Lovin' package includes a cooking class taught by Sazerac restaurant Executive Chef Jason McClure, a 3-course meal paired with wine, a signed copy of the Savor Seattle cookbook and more!  After the cooking class, get cozy in your room at the Hotel Monaco, a luxury boutique hotel that is rated one of the Top 100 Hotels in the World by Travel & Leisure. To book, call VIP reservations at (206) 516-5097 

Sexy Seclusion: Ponto Dos Ganchos (Brazil)
4 night package starts at $6495 (includes all meals, non-alcoholic beverages, VIP check-in at the airport and more)

Located on a private peninsula on Brazil’s sultry Emerald Coast, Ponta Dos Ganchos is just a fifty-five minute flight from Sao Paolo. With only 25 bungalows and a minimum age requirement of 18 years, Ponta Dos Ganchos is perfect for grown-up beach lovers seeking laid-back elegance, romance and seclusion. Although Valentine’s Day coincides with Carnival, you and your sweetie can skip the mayhem and create your own magic with this special package that includes daily yoga classes, a relaxing flower bath, a special dinner and more. Be sure to book a treatment in the Christian Dior Spa.

Whatever Floats Your Boat: BargeMusic (New York City)
$57 per person.
Let the sweet sounds of Schubert and Mozart sweep over you and your sweetheart on Bargemusic  - a floating barge at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge that presents chamber music. The East River and lower Manhattan skyline make for a romantic backdrop while you toast each other with your glass of complimentary champagne and chocolates. 

Relax & Reconnect: Rock Hall (Colebrook, Connecticut)
Rates starting at $240 per night
Rock Hall, a historic home in the Southern Berkshires, melds the essence of New England with a dash of Palm Beach. Built by famed Palm Beach architect Addison Mizner, Rock Hall is a 10,000 square foot manor house with four luxurious guest rooms. If you do decide to leave your room, there is much to do at Rock Hall, including marked hiking trails. On-site massage and private yoga classes can be arranged, as well as a horse-drawn carriage or sleigh-ride with door-to-door pick-up and drop-off. A Mediterranean-style breakfast is included. This package is available for the entire month of February.

Tips for Traveling with Your Sweetie

Traveling with your mate can be a pleasure and a revelation. Who knew that he was a fearless skier, a great dancer, can order from the menu in fluent French, or build an amazing sand castle. What a guy! Discovering these hidden facets of your mate’s personality can strengthen your admiration and respect for him.

But the bad and the ugly can also accompany you and your honey on vacation. Imagine that you’re a foodie visiting Paris but he only wants to gobble Le Big Mac at McDonald’s. You want to wander around without a plan and he wants to schedule every moment of your getaway. Vacations can be great lessons in compromise. Travel differences can be indicative of other challenges you will face in your relationship. The differences themselves won’t necessarily tear you apart but how you tackle them certainly can.

It is important to find a way to compromise so that you each get to enjoy your getaway. Can you join your partner in an activity that you don’t really like but is his passion? Are you both ok with carving out some solo time during your trip together? Taking the time to discuss your expectations before you leave can help to make sure that your time away with your honey is smooth sailing like the Love Boat.

In her must-read autobiography My Life in France, Julia Child said it best when she wrote of traveling with her husband Paul: “Travel, we agreed, was a litmus test: if we could make the best of the chaos and serendipity that we’d inevitably meet in transit, then we’d surely be able to sail through the rest of life together just fine.”

Will Travel for Love?

Is there a woman alive who hasn’t fantasized about falling in love with a sexy man from a far away land? Whether his accent is Spanish, French, British, Nigerian, Indian or Australian, somehow your name never sounded as it should until he said it in his lilting and melodic voice. You meet Mr. Exotic, fall head over heels in love, and then before you know it you are deeply involved in a long distance relationship. You feel so sexy, so chic and like a movie star. You become a master mathematician at calculating time zones. You max out your credit cards flying back and forth. You apply for jobs as a flight attendant and academic grants that you are clearly not qualified for so that you can be together.

And then it ends. Your whirlwind love affair hits the skids. I'm not surprised. Your Technicolor Hollywood love story is just another example of a woman who didn’t have the foresight to end the romance before she got on the plane back home.

Now, I am not saying this is how the scenario plays out for every long-distance and/or cross-cultural relationship. However, many women (myself included) have fallen so completely under the spell of the handsome foreigner fantasy that common sense goes out the window. Suddenly, you’re an anthropologist and all bad behavior on his part is excused as a cultural difference. You find yourself putting up with things that you would never tolerate from the boy next door. Living the fantasy is a huge rush and when it starts turning into a nightmare you employ all of powers of spin to say it just isn’t so. I hate to say it, but surely there must be some variation of “he’s just not that into you” in every language.

With that said, as a single woman, I still remain open to the possibility that my mate could very well be in some distant land. However, I'm a bit more cautious about these relationships since my past romances have included a long-distance love affair with a handsome DJ from Spain, a journey to Dublin to visit an Irish bloke I met in New York City who told me he was a businessman but for some odd reason slept in a twin bed in his mother’s lovely home, and a Moroccan waiter who took me shopping and then vanished into thin air and proceeded to called months later with an elaborate story involving INS. Then he vanished again.

Ask yourself what is he really saying? Get past the sexy accent and start translating. If he is a tourist that you met in your hometown, you have to remember that he is in a vacation frame of mind. No one here knows him and this is his golden opportunity to reinvent himself. He is here to have fun! He knows that back home he may be a dime a dozen but his accent can make hearts swoon and even panties drop in America. Enjoy his company but don’t be surprised if you never here from him again.

What if you’re the tourist? Again, you are probably feeling a bit uninhibited and looking for adventure. He knows that you find him exotic and he thinks the same of you. But just because you’re on his turf doesn’t mean that he has the upper hand. Enjoy the moment but don’t be reckless. Flirt like you’ve never flirted before but don’t leave your smarts at home.

But now you’ve fallen in love. How do you make this work? In many ways, you have to focus on the same challenges that any couple that decides to build a life together faces. It may be easier if he comes to live where you are because are you really ready to pack up your life and live in a foreign land? Do you speak the language, can you get a fulfilling job, what is the role of women in his culture, how does his family treat you, have your friends and family met him? These are just a few questions to consider.

Remember, when traveling, be open to love but don't lose your damn mind!

Nancy O'Dell Found Love at the Airport

Gorgeous Access Hollywood correspondent Nancy O'Dell has a dream job, a beautiful daughter and a handsome husband. Hard work landed Nancy her amazing career but travel helped her to meet the man of her dreams.

Nancy told talk show host Wendy Williams that she and her husband Keith met while standing in the security line at the airport. Apparently, they kept making eye contact, struck up a conversation, and the rest is history.

Is love at the airport a quiet phenomenon? A friend of mine met her future husband at baggage claim.

Airports can be downright stressful and unpleasant but these true romantic tales prove that love can happen when you least expect it - another great reason to wear a cute outfit when traveling and leave those sweatpants in your suitcase!

Cougars Prowl for Cubs at Sea: Seriously, A Cruise Just for Older Women and Younger Men

When I first heard about the World's First International Cougar Cruise, I thought it was a set-up for a skit on Saturday Night Live. Silly me - I should have known that someone always tries to make a profit in matters of the heart and hormones.

The Singles Travel Company, which produces vacations for singles of all ages, is hosting a cruise specifically targeted to older women (cougars) and younger men (cubs). The 3-night cruise departs from San Diego on December 4 to Ensenada, Mexico.  Hey, why not give Madonna, Demi and all aspiring Mrs. Robinsons the vacation of their dreams! Growl!