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After spending the day visiting the largest aquarium in the world, hiking up Stone Mountain, taking in a CNN Studio Tour and filling up on cola at the World of Coke, book yourself a room at Atlanta’s only “Green” boutique hotel.  The Ellis Hotel is a charming and unique property located in the heart of downtown Atlanta.  Conserving energy by using paper products that have been at least 30% post consumer recycled, timed light systems and recycled water - it’s easy to see why this hotel was recently awarded an “Excellence” rating by Trip Advisor.

Enjoy American Heirloom dishes created by Chef Joel Young (stay tuned for our write-up on this hip chef) and taste free wines between 5:30-6:30 p.m. nightly.  When booking a room make sure to ask about breakfast and romance packages! Forget your hair straightener or Spanx at home?  Don’t fret, the “Women’s Only” floor has more than enough goodies to make sure that you look your best at all times!

Listen in to our podcast with General Manager, Stacy Martin, as she discusses the concept of The Ellis Hotel, property amenities and the wonderful menu at Terrace! Enjoy the jazzy sounds of David Baumgarten with his hit “When I still Wonder”.

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Just 2 hours away from Guam, Continental Micronesia takes you to the Jewel of the Pacific - Palau! Divers and snorkelers have found their nirvana at such sites as Blue Corner, the German Channel, Shark City & Jellyfish Lake. Get covered in volcanic mud at the popular Milky Way cove, hike down to the Ngardmau Waterfall, swim with Dolphins at Dolphin Pacific, or explore the history of Palau by visiting stone monoliths, a traditional Bai meeting house, Palau’s National Capital, Belau National Museum and the Etpison Museum. Other fun things to do include a daytrip to Carp Island, exploring the Rock Islands and going on a Jungle River Cruise.

Stay at the luxurious Palau Pacific Resort (check out our interview with Chef Alex Suzuki at the resort), Landmark Marina Resort, Airai Water Paradise Hotel, M&A Riverside Beach Bungalows or the North Beach Cottages.

Celebrities who have visited this magnificent island include Paul Allen, Laurence Fishburne, John F. Kennedy Jr. and Metallica’s drummer Lars Ulrich.

Listen in on our interview with Managing Director, Darin de Leon, for the Palau Visitor’s Authority.

Stay tuned for a full roundup article highlighting hotels, resorts, attractions and dining in Palau!

Enjoy podsafe artist Douglas Kay with his hit “How can I be sure?”

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If you want to get a feel for ancient Hawaii and its heritage, customs and culture, then stop by Kalaekilohana B & B near South Point and Volcancoes National Park.  You can get a Lomi Lomi massage from a local expert.  You can learn how to make a lei.  You can try your hand at weaving and work with Hawaiian tools.

You might even catch a Hulu workshop.  This place is very much in touch with Hawaii’s past.  You can also sample some local coffee that has won awards around the globe.

Check their website for info on the Southern Most Point in the US.

Visit the BigIsland.org for great ideas on things to do around the island.

Photo credit flickr user jsgottwald

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On Saturday, for the first time ever, the Sunset Strip was closed down for the Sunset Strip Music Festival. The line-up featured The Donnas, Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, Pepper, and Shiny Toy Guns (seen in photo).

In addition to the two stages at opposite ends of the Strip, the clubs along the blocks, including the Key Club, the Roxy, the Cat Club, the Whisky A-Go-Go and the Viper Room, hosted bands throughout the day. People jumped from club to stage and back all day.

One of the many after parties of the evening was at the host hotel, the Andaz. Formerly the, “Riot Hyatt”, the new Andaz played host to many of the rockers, groupies, and fans. Ozzy even dined at RH, the hotel’s restaurant, immediately following his performance. (Be on the look out for journeyPod’s exclusive interview with RH’s Chef Sebastien Archambault.)

journeyPod chatted with Torry Castellano the drummer from the popular girl band, The Donnas –who kicked off the SSMF. Torry gave us some inside scoop on what clubs artists prefer to play on the Sunset Strip and why! We listened to a rare acoustic set from Shiny Toy Guns at the Viper Room and then we got some inside scoop from Michel Morauw on what makes the new Andaz hotel so unique.

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Aloha fellow jetSetters!  We explore the massive and beautiful Big Island of Hawaii.  This place has so much to do so come along for great travel tips and info to get the most of your Hawaii vacation.

We will tell you where to stay and what to do.  You’ll hear about the secluded beaches of the Kohala Coast.  You’ll want to check out the largest volcano in the world erupting and dumping lava right into the ocean.  Volcanoes National Park offers hiking and great views of the volcano plus you can learn about volcanoes and walk through lava tubes.

Enjoy a little podsafe music from Hawaiian artist Kenneth Makuakane.

More info on the Big Island.

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Lake Tahoe–you’re thinking skiing right? Well journeyPod just got back from Lake Tahoe–in August– and we’re hear to tell you that Lake Tahoe is absolutely gorgeous in the summer with tons of activities for all…especially golf!

Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course is rated by Golf Digest as one of “America’s Top Golf Courses.” Challenging yet fair, the course designed by legendary architect, George Fazio with enhancements by Tom Fazio, has been the home of the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship for the last 19 years. Celebrity actors and athletes like Michael Jordan, Dennis Haysbert, Dale Jarrett, Paul O’Neill, Jack Wagner, and Ray Romano play each year.

journeyPod had a chipping and putting lesson with PGA Pro, Ron Blum, and then sat down for a chat with Edgewood Tahoe Marketing Manager, Bryan Davis. Let’s take a listen and then chill to the summertime sounds of South African band, Just Jinjer, and their song “Paradise in Summertime.”

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Which wine tastes best with pork chops in a maple glaze? Does rosemary-marinated grilled halibut invite red or white wine? Are there also great food pairings for beer, spirits, cocktails, coffee and tea? journeyPod had a chance to chat with Wine Expert, Natalie McClean, about some great wine & food pairings. Find out what strange food Marilyn Monroe used to pair her white wine with and impress a date with a brand new iPhone, iTouch & Blackberry application called Drinks Matcher.

Natalie is the author of the bestseller ‘Red, White and Drunk All Over‘ and publishes a free wine newsletter at www.nataliemaclean.com. Natalie is also a ‘tweetmeister’ on Twitter, so make sure to follow her: http://twitter.com/NatalieMacLean & look for her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nataliemaclean

For more luxury travel tips make sure to follow journeyPod on Twitter: http://twitter.com/journeyPod.

Enjoy podsafe artist Amy Ayres with her hit “Today”.

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Just twenty miles from downtown Los Angeles and seven miles south of LAX, Redondo Beach is a hot spot! Located in an area of LA referred to as the South Bay….along with Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach lies right on the Pacific and embodies the quintessential Southern California lifestyle!

journeyPod scoped out some great dining in Redondo Beach. It’s no surprise seafood was a top choice! ChartHouse Restaurant, Captain Kidd’s Fish Market, Bluewater Grill, and Baleen. Be sure to check out our Chef’s Corner with Chef Daniel from Baleen.

And when it comes time for an overnight, your best bet is The Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club. It’s part of the Noble House & Resorts collection and has recently undergone a $11M renovation. It’s waterfront luxury at its best! journeyPod sat down and spoke with Jeannene Glenn, General Manager at The Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club, and got some inside scoop on this amazing property.

Get away to Redondo Beach, and enjoy the relaxing sounds of Sasha Evans–an up and coming artist from nearby Laguna Beach. You are sure to hear this young talent lady making waves soon! And you heard her first here on journeyPod.com.

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journeypod was court side today in Hermosa Beach as Olympic gold medalists Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers won their unprecedented fourth consecutive AVP Hermosa Beach Open.

Top-seeded Dalhausser and Rogers beat second-seeded John Hyden and Sean Scott, 18-21, 21-15, 15-9, in the final. 

After capturing the win in Hermosa Beach, Rogers is playing with Shaquille O’Neal against two-time gold medalists Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Sunday for a taping of “Shaq Vs.” If Shaq loses the match he promises to run down the beach in a pink Speedo!

journeyPod chatted with Todd and Phil and also with April Ross, who just returned from Norway where she won the World Championships.

Check out the biggest band in South Africa, Just Jinjer and their hit song, What He Means. You can expect to see big things from these guys in the States very soon! A very special shout out to Denholm Harding, bass player of Just Jinjer.

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journeyPod is your guide to luxury travel around the world. We’ve got the inside scoop from ABC’s popular hit TV Show “The Bachelorette.” We stayed on Hawaii’s Big Island at the beautiful Fairmont Orchid Hawaii resort just like the cast and crew did for the season finale of “The Bachelorette.”

Other celebrities that have stayed at the Fairmont Orchid Hawaii include Janet Jackson, Michael Jordan and Courtney Cox.  Olympic Champion Kristi Yamaguchi had her wedding here, and it is a AAA 4 Diamond oceanfront resort.  Listen to our interview with the property and learn more about the Presidential Suite where Bachelorette Jillian stayed.

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