Luxury Travel Nightlife Restaurant Chef

journeyPod.com was on hand for the opening of the newest 5-star luxury hotel in  Hollywood....but unfortunately we couldn't stay. It's for dogs only.  That's right, Pooch Hotel, opened it's Hollywood location on May 5. Pooch Hotel is a hotel and daycare exclusively for dogs that places a premium on convenience, extraordinary customer care, superior facilities, and outstanding services.  The hotel features custom-made suites, exercise pool, and the SPAW. Yes, your dogs can receive aromatherapy bathing and paw-dicures and Pooch berry facials. And for guests that need that little extra exercise, there is a doggie treadmill.

Robin Tomb, founder of Pooch Hotel, spoke with journeyPod.com for more inside scoop. Let's take a listen...

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Photo and Podcast by Andrea Cannistraci

The city of Newport Beach recently hosted the 13th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival and journeyPod.com was on the Red Carpet Opening Night for the fifth year in a row to rub elbows with celebs such as Tom Arnold, Michael Damian, and Jamie Lynn Sigler. The opening night film and world-premiere of Jewtopia, starring Jennifer Love-Hewitt was sold out.

We spoke in depth with I Am Eleven filmmaker Gen Bailey. We chatted with the world’s youngest animator, Perry Chen. We also had a chance to speak with the Judd Ehrlich, director of Magic Camp, and one of the young magicians, Zach Ivins, from that film. Then we found out where we could relax from the films a bit and sip prosecco in the world's largest circular pool from Guiseppe Lama, Managing Director at The Resort at Pelican Hill.

If you missed this year, be sure to mark your calendar to jet-set over to Newport Beach, California next April to see some great films, meet amazing filmmakers and talent, and partake in fantastic parties!  And be sure to check out our upcoming Chef's Corner with Chef Man from Island Hotel in Newport Beach.

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Photo By: Andrea Cannistraci

journeyPod was again front and center at the 8^th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival. This international showcase of the world’s premier wines, spirits, chefs, culinary personalities, and gourmet foods did not disappoint!

We called Hotel Solamar home for the weekend, and chatted with GM, Mark Dibella for some inside scoop on this amazing property located in the heart of the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter.

Our weekend of gluttony included a Belgian Beer Tasting & Pairing with Chef Daniel Joly (Mirabelle at Beaver Creek). And at the Reserve and Limited Tasting Event,  it was more than just wine... There was scotch! SipSmokeSavor was pairing scotches with chocolates.

It was a sunny San Diego Saturday for The Grand Tasting Event down at the Embarcadero where we ran into a number of unique luxury brands such as Chuao Chocolate, DelGrosso Sauce, Wild Hibiscus, and Ca’momi Wines.

Take a listen as we give you inside scoop on everything from crazy wine owners, to edible flowers, to how to live like a local.

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If you find yourself in Bilbao, Spain you’ll likely be there to visit the Guggenheim. And why not stay at the hotel where the first sketches of the Guggenheim were made? That’s right! Frank Gehry the famed architect was staying at the Hotel Lopez de Haro when he sketched his first visions of the museum onto their bedside stationery.

Jane Fonda, Lenny Kravitz, and the Dali Lama all have stayed at this 5-star property conveniently located with-in walking distance of everything: The Guggenheim, the ZubiZuri Bridge, The Old City, and the New Town.

For more information on Bilbao and the Basque Country, read our Basque Country Destination Guide.

For now, take a listen as Luis J. Guillamon Lores, Sales Manager, talks to journeyPod about Frank Gehry’s connection to the property and his vision for ”the beginning of the new Bilbao.”

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Tucked away in the heart of St. James’s, in St. James’s Place, rests The Stafford London, one of London’s last remaining bastions of Great British hospitality. In 2012 not only will London host the Olympics, but the Stafford will turn 100 years old. The year long celebration is sure to be something to experience. If you find yourself in London, be sure to check out this very English property that has quite the Mary Poppins feel to it. Be sure to check out their “American Bar” where you’ll find over 1000 pieces of American memorabilia from guests over the past 40 years. And be sure to chat with their Head Concierge, Frank Laino, about what to do and see while in London. Afterall, he was voted "Best Concierge in the World"! For more info on Frank and what's hot in London right now, check out our upcoming one-on-one exclusive interview with him. For now, sit back and listen as The Stafford's GM, Leon Baum, talks to journeyPod.

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It’s true what they say, if you don’t like the weather in New England, just wait 10 minutes. journeyPod.com had the pleasure of experiencing the beautiful city of Boston for a week in early June. The first few days the weather was cold and rainy. Wednesday was gorgeous and sunny and in the 90’s (almost too hot!). Then it dropped to 60 and started to rain again by the weekend. Crazy.

Whether it's 90 and humid or 6o or rainy there is plenty to do in Boston this summer. And as journeyPod.com learned from Peter Rait, owner of Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro, the Summer Solstice is a day to be celebrated! Let's take a listen.

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Photo by: Andrea Cannistraci

Following a highly successful Fall 2010 line-up, La Quinta Resort & Club’s “Grooves in the Grove” jazz series was back this Spring by popular demand, and journeyPod.com was front and center for the 2011 Spring finale performance on May 6 featuring saxophonist Michael Paulo and trumpeter Rick Braun.

La Quinta’s Director of Sales & Marketing, Jim Pedone, gave us some inside scoop on this al fresco series produced by Apaulo Music Productions.

Be sure to check La Quinta Resort & Club for information and forthcoming schedule for the Fall 2011 “Grooves in the Grove” jazz series. Until then, sit back and enjoy the smooth jazz sounds of Rick Braun and Michael Paulo.

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PHOTO BY: ANDREA CANNISTRACI

The city of Newport Beach is hosting the 12th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival and journeyPod.com was on the Red Carpet last Thursday night for the fourth year in a row to rub elbows with celebs such as Peter Fonda and Michael C. Hall. The opening night film and world-premiere of EAST FIFTH BLISS, starring Michael C. Hall and Peter Fonda was sold out. We chatted with Michael C; Hall at the Gala after-party, and then spoke in depth with the director, Michael Knowles for some inside scoop of films, festivals, and life. The festival runs through May 5, so there is still lots of time to jet-set over to Newport Beach and see some great films! And be sure to book a room at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort!

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Journeypod.com was in pit lane and the paddocks for the 37th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. We rubbed shoulders with Danica and Dario, and even chatted up racing legend Bobby Rahal, who was in the pits helping his son, Graham. Then we got up close up with the Grand Marshall for this year’s event—Chef Gordon Ramsey! journeyPod.com attended Chef’s press conference and got some inside scoop on Hell’s Kitchen and also a food few tips from Chef Gordon. Take a listen from this exclusive press conference!

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Located in Morningside, just outside of Virginia Highlands, Rosebud is a favorite among locals who are looking for fresh, local fare at a really great price with impeccable service. Named after Jerry Garcia’s famed guitar, Rosebud serves a creative fare of American cuisine with a definite touch of Southern inspiration and offers guests a wide selection of reinvented classics.  Chef Ron Eyester readily embraces the creative aspects of cooking and takes pride in being labeled the “Innovator of the Year” by the Georgia Restaurant Association. Ron Eyester shares his ideas, menus and thoughts on his weekly blog and has a very active following on Twitter, where he is known as the “Angry Chef”. We look forward to his latest venture The Family Dog (named after one of the first venues the Grateful Dead performed at) set to open in March/April 2011 which will serve as everyone's ” local watering hole”.

Enjoy podsafe artist Buddahead & their hit "When I Fall".

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