Category Archives: RESORTS

TEQUILA BAR AND INFUSIONS

The name is quite a mouthful—JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. And the resort is quite a place, offering something above and beyond other JW Marriotts. It’s not the size that makes it so special, although this JW Marriott is the world’s largest, sitting on an area covering 600 acres. And it’s [...]

¶ Posted 26 May 2013 † Susan Manlin Katzman § ACCOMMODATIONS § BEVERAGES § DRINKS § SAN ANTONIO § TEXAS § TRAVEL ‡ Comments (0) °

BARGING THROUGH BURGUNDY

We floated with the grace of a swan, paced considerably slower than a stroll. We dined for hours. We lingered and lounged and watched the ever-changing countryside. We visited sites and we biked and hiked, but whatever we did, and wherever we were didn’t really matter, for a European barge cruise is not about reaching [...]

¶ Posted 25 August 2012 † Susan Manlin Katzman § BURGUNDY § CRUISING § FRANCE § SALADS ‡ Comments (0) °

BIKINI BOOT CAMP AND GRILLED FISH SALAD

According to recent research (conducted by myself and certainly not with any facts attached), The Riviera Maya, along Mexico’s Caribbean coast, hosts more spas than any other similar-sized area on the planet. Riviera Maya spas run the gamut from five-star palaces of perfection, where attentive staff oil and spoil tony clients in settings both serene [...]

¶ Posted 06 July 2012 † Susan Manlin Katzman § ACCOMMODATIONS § DIETS § ENTREES § MEXICO § RECIPES § RESTAURANTS § RIVIERA MAYA § SALADS § SPAS § TRAVEL ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: Amansala, Bikini Boot Camp, Grilled Fish Salad, Mexico, Riviera Maya, spa, Tulum

RIVIERA MAYA: TWO GREAT RESORTS/ONE GREAT RECIPE

Time to confess. I’m promiscuous. I sleep around. Sometimes I practice a sort of serial monogamy, seduced by the pleasure of one. On the other hand, I believe “the more the merrier” and “variety is the spice of life,” so have been known to jump into a different bed each night. That’s not to say [...]

¶ Posted 15 June 2012 † Susan Manlin Katzman § ACCOMMODATIONS § BREAKFAST § BRUNCH § MEXICO § RECIPES § RESTAURANTS § RIVIERA MAYA § SIDE DISHES § TRAVEL ‡ Comments (0) °

ADLER THERMAE SPA RESORT

Talk about the best of all possible spa worlds. Adler Thermae Spa Resort culls the finest characteristics from its German/Italian partnership to create an ideal wellness getaway. Forgive the stereotyping, but due to the German management, the spa resort is orderly, spotlessly clean and run with medical precision. Italians contribute not only a fabulous location [...]

¶ Posted 27 April 2012 † Susan Manlin Katzman § ACCOMMODATIONS § ENTREES § ITALY § PASTA § RECIPES § SPAS § TRAVEL § TUSCANY ‡ Comments (0) °

HEALTHY, WEALTHY AND WISE

Don’t you just hate it when you can’t get your MRI scan, dental crowns, acupuncture and a facial in the same day, at the same place. Oh, and did I mention botox, a pedicure, fitness counseling and cooking classes? Those who find the inconvenience of multi-stops annoying can now enjoy one-stop health and fitness shopping [...]

¶ Posted 23 March 2012 † Susan Manlin Katzman § ACCOMMODATIONS § CALIFORNIA § DESSERTS § RECIPES § SIDE DISHES § TRAVEL ‡ Comments (0) °

TEN REASONS TO LOVE TAOS, NEW MEXICO

Let’s be frank. Some visitors just don’t get Taos. Others fall in love at first sight. Taos is strange that way. The town speaks a different language to different people. Always has. Probably always will. I’m in the love-it category. Why? Let me count the ways: 1. TAOS PUEBLO Both a National Historic Landmark and [...]

¶ Posted 13 February 2012 † Susan Manlin Katzman § APPETIZERS § NEW MEXICO § RECIPES § RESTAURANTS ‡ Comments (0) °

BARCELO BAVARO PALACE DELUXE

He wants golf. She wants a spa. He wants bars and buffets. She wants romantic restaurants. He wants sports. She wants shopping. He wants gambling. She wants dancing. He wants to stay within a budget. She wants comfort and style. Both want to take the kids, but also want an adult getaway. Impossible to accommodate the [...]

¶ Posted 07 February 2011 † Susan Manlin Katzman § BREAKFAST § RECIPES § TRAVEL ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: bacon, Barcelo Resorts, beach, Dominican Republic, plantains

HOT COCOA CAKE

Guess you have to be there (Ann Arbor) to indulge in the full monty, but you can sample some goodies by mail order. For example, Zingerman’s fabulous Hot Cocoa Cake (a coffee cake that is not too rich, not too sweet but just right) is available in the Ann Arbor deli and bakehouse, by mail order, and, now, even in your own home kitchen as Zingerman’s shared the recipe below. Praise the lard!