Luxury Travel Nightlife Restaurant Chef

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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Los Cabos is where the warm calm Sea of Cortez meets the cold angry Pacific Ocean. They come together at the famous “El Arco.” Be sure take a glass bottom boat ride out to the arch. You won’t need to pack much either. The temperature year round is 78 degrees. journeyPod was just there in mid-April and it was nearly 90! A bikini/swimsuit, flip flops, and shorts is all you’ll need.

Stay at the Sheraton Hacienda Del Mar or the Westin Resort & Spa. You won't go wrong either way! For more information on Los Cabos be sure to check out our upcoming Destination Guide this week. For now, take a listen as Jose from the Westin gives journeyPod inside scoop on this amazing destination!

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Situated on 1,500 feet of sugary white sand at the tip of Estero Island, Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa offers a four-star Fort Myers Beach hotel accommodations in a playful and friendly atmosphere. Located along the beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel, with sweeping gulf and bay views, Pink Shell is the premier choice of Fort Myers hotels for guests seeking adventure, relaxation, and fun. Enjoy a pampering couples massage at the Aquagene spa, let the kids splash around in the Octopool or book an exclusive package that fits your travel needs! We love the "Discover Sailing Getaway"!

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

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Famous worldwide as North America’s top ski resort, Vail is an extraordinary winter vacation destination. The vacation experience is world class, from the Vail Ski and Snowboard School, snowmobiling (which we absolutely loved), to big time concerts and festivals, the shops and spas, dining, nightlife and accommodations – world class lodging from the high end of luxury to practical affordability, Vail waits to be discovered. Again, and again.

journeyPod stayed at the beautiful Vail Cascade Resort & Spa,  Nestled at the base of Vail Mountain along the banks of Gore Creek, Vail Cascade Resort & Spa is Vail's only ski-in/ski-out, AAA Four-Diamond Colorado ski resort. Enjoy an amazing dinner at the Atwater on Gore Creek (Check out our Chef’s Corner with Adam Votaw!). After a day on the slopes, let an expert masseuse treat your sore muscles to a deep tissue massage at the Aria Club & Spa!

Let’s listen in on our interview with Chris Romer, Director of Sales and Marketing for Vail Valley Partnership.

Enjoy podsafe artist Bill with their hit “Sound Scientist”.

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Indian Wells, CA is about a two hour drive from Los Angeles and is a quiet, lavish hideaway. It’s a place to rejuvenate and relax. Chill by a shimmering pool, or be pampered at a spa. journeyPod suggests you try out THE WELL spa for the ultimate spa experience. If golf is your thing—there is plenty of that as well. The Indian Wells Golf Resort will fit the bill for sure. El Paseo—a unique shopping experience—is often compared to Rodeo Drive, but if you’ve been to Rodeo Drive you will see no similarity today. Lunch at the new IW Club offers great views and dinner at Grove Artisan Kitchen is a treat! (Check out our Chef’s Corner with Chef Robert from Grove Artisan Kitchen) And when it’s time to find a place to call home away from home, head over to the Miramonte Resort & Spa. journeyPod spoke with Chris Kandziora, Director of Sales & Marketing, for more inside scoop on this amazing luxury resort. Be sure to check out Laguna Beach artist Sasha Evans and her song "Take A Walk."

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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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Coronado is home to about 26,000 people. It is connected to San Diego by the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge, with its distinctive curved span. Coronado is surrounded by water -- the Pacific Ocean, Glorietta and San Diego Bay. Located about 20 minutes from San Diego International Airport, Coronado Bay is a must-see location!  And....contrary to popular myth, Coronado Bay is NOT part of San Diego. It is it’s own city.

Swim, surf, sail, fish, bike, skate, golf, or play tennis - Coronado is definitely the place to be if you love the outdoors. The city's Central, North and Silver Strand beaches are ideal for whatever water-related activity you can think of -- there's even Dog Beach, where your pet can frolic with you.

And if you’re looking for a pet-friendly place to stay while visiting beautiful Coronado Bay, Loews Coronado Bay Resort & Spa is just the place! As part of its commitment to the environment, Loews Hotels encourages even its furriest guests to do their part in promoting responsible, sustainable consumption (literally).

journeyPod recently visited Coronado Bay (without our pets) and had the opportunity to experience the the wonderful cuisine (check out our Chef’s Corner with Chef Patrick) and the relaxing Sea Spa.  After our pampering at the spa--it was like tapas at the spa--a taste of everything-- we sat and chatted with Spa Director, Krystal Mason, for some inside scoop!

For more luxury travel tips, follow us on twitter - twitter.com/journeyPod. Join the afterparty on our facebook and myspace pages. For your celebrity gossip fill for the week check out the coolest social network on the web at journeyPod.ning.com. Now let’s take a listen to relaxing podsafe song called The Bay by Karl Stephen Brunig.

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About 130 miles from Los Angeles, Palm Springs is the perfect weekend get-away. It’s a jewel among desert cities and rightly so. Its village atmosphere has been preserved and embellished over the years. The downtown area with its quaint lampposts, benches and Mexican tile-paved enclaves invites strolling among the shops, galleries, eateries and coffeehouses. Rich in history and blessed with glorious weather, it is a prime destination of travelers from all over the world.

And for a place to lay your weary head, we suggest the Riviera Resort & Spa. Originally opening in 1959, the original Riviera Resort immediately became Palm Springs’ go-to hot spot for celebrities and cultural sophisticates around the world who wanted the ultimate “Palm Springs experience.” Today, it’s still a favorite for celebrities like Anne Hathaway and Mira Sorvino.

journeyPod sat down with GM, Brett Schoenfield, to get an inside scoop on this historic and famous property. Then sit back and listen to the soothing sounds of "Desert Song" by Jessie Kilguss.

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Central Pennsylvania: 90 minutes from Pittsburgh, two hours from Washington, DC and three hours from Philadelphia. With outdoors activities year-round, this is the place to be.

And in the middle of this wilderness, there stands a palace. The Bedford Springs Resort, a National Historic Landmark, is also a member of the Preferred Hotels of the World. And our pick for best place to stay in Central PA.

After an unprecedented $120 million renewal and expansion, guests now enjoy a new Bedford Springs Resort. The legend began over 200 years ago at Bedford Springs, where eight mineral springs became famed as a mecca of rejuvenation. Today, the legacy continues at the world-class Springs Eternal Spa incorporating treatments with mineral waters, and a magnificently restored golf course.

Let’s listen to more fun facts and history from the Director of Sales & Marketing of the Bedford Springs Resort, Courtney Lowe.  Then check out the smooth acoustic sounds of Sub Rose and their song, “History.”

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Part of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, the historic Elbow Beach Bermuda, located on the spectacular south shore, is the epitome of luxury.

With 235 rooms, half of which are garden cottages, guests can enjoy a spectacular view of the ocean, state-of-the-art amenities, private beach, fitness facility, pool, tennis, golf, scooter rentals and much more. 

Let Mandarin Oriental do what they do best - pamper you - at the Espa where you can relax in your own private spa suite and let the trained professional choose the perfect treatment for you with their Time Ritual Program.

Seafood has never tasted so fresh! Chef Tomasz pleases the palate fusing together global cuisine at the Seahorse Grill.  Other dining options include Seabreeze Terrace, Blue Point, Mickey's Beach, Bistro & Bar, Veranda Bar (Bermuda's first and only rum bar) and Lido. Stay tuned for our podcast with General Manager Enyo Lucarini of Lido.

Enjoy podsafe duo Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard and their hit "Falling Slowly"

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