Luxury Travel Nightlife Restaurant Chef

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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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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journeyPod is back at the Ellis Hotel, Atlanta's only "Green" Boutique Hotel located in the heart of downtown. We had a chance to celebrate Valentine's Day weekend at the property and we highly recommend this to couples for next year! The only time we left our room was to taste some of Chef Thomas's delectable dishes! For Valentine's Day we enjoyed fresh Blue Pointe Oysters and North Georgia Trout stuffed with American Crab. After licking our plates clean, we headed to our candle-lit room where we were pleasantly surprised with champagne, edible chocolate with a feather duster and rose petals!

Let's listen in on our interview with Executive Chef Thomas McKeown as he chats about cooking with local organic produce at Terrace on Peachtree, shopping at farmer's markets & upcoming events like St. Patrick's Day!

Enjoy podsafe artist 3rd Culture with their hit "One Promise".

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Just an hour flight from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, be prepared for the trip of a lifetime to Eleuthera and Harbour Island! Eleuthera, home to Lenny Kravitz, is considered one of Bahamas 'Out Islands' but is definitely the place for the "in crowd" looking for seclusion and romance! Other famous faces spotted in Eleuthera include Julia Roberts, Jennifer Anniston, Kate Hudson, Cameron Diaz, John Mayer and many more!

journeyPod enjoyed making fresh Conch Salad at Queen Conch, snorkeling around the coast and taking an overnight trip to Harbour Island. In Harbour Island we stayed at the luxurious Romora Bay Club & Resort and enjoyed an amazing cuisine by Chef Matthew Ona at VUE (make sure to check out our Chef's Corner article).

In Eleuthera, we fell in love with The Cove Eleuthera - what a fantastic property! Described by guests as "a calming flow of island elegant living & world class service," the Cove boasts 22 newly renovated rooms and deluxe suites, a wonderful chef by the name of Manuel Perez and a warm and welcoming staff! Listen in on our interview with Managing Director, Kirk Aulin.

Enjoy podcafe artist Douglas Kay with his hit "How can I be sure".

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There are a total of nine Chic Outlet Shopping Villages in Europe, each uniquely located on the outskirts of gorgeous Metropolitan cities including:  London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Brussels, Frankfurt, Munich and Dublin.

Each of the nine open-air Villages boasts anywhere from 55-120 designer outlets and provides a rich ambiance that reflects the flavor and culture of the respective location; this includes everything from the architecture to the cuisine.  It's  no wonder these shopping destinations are recognized among many of today’s jet-setters, fashionistas, and celebrities! Recent celebs that have been spotted include Mick Jagger, Victoria Beckham, Jude Law and Liz Hurley.

Listen in to our interview with Desirée Bollier and find out more about luxury designer outlet shopping, like Gucci and Diane Von Furstenberg. Bollier will also share some of the luxury secrets that make Chic Outlets so unique - personal shoppers, Valet Boy to carry your bags, a VIP lounge and even translators!

For our full shopping guide, click here!

Enjoy podcast artist Bill and his hit "Sound Scientist".

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We've got Jacqueline Gifford, Features Editor for OK! Magazine on our exciting celebrity travel show! Jackie chats with us about star-studded destinations like St. Lucia, Thailand, Rome, Paris, DC and New York City. Find out where city girls Uma Thurman, Anne Hathaway and Sex in the City's own Sarah Jessica Parker head for a cocktail in NYC.

Jackie shares exciting places to get married like the Ashford Castle in Ireland, where Pierce Brosnan got hitched, as well as the Park Hyatt Paris, where Eva Longoria and Tony Parker's wedding guests stayed.

You'll hear what strange things Leonardo DiCaprio & Drew Barrymore request when staying at a hotel as well as some of the places Oprah, the Beckhams, Pitts and the Basketts like to frequent.

Keep an eye out for OK! Magazine's upcoming issues featuring celebrity projects abroad, top ski destinations, Bora Bora, Bahamas & Rio.

Stay tuned for more celebrity travel updates from Jackie! Visit OK! Magazine Online for the truth and inside scoop about celebrities!

Enjoy podsafe band Buddahead with their hit "When I fall".

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Palau is one of the most magical places on earth! With over 1,387 species of fish 52 marine lakes and some of the World's most breathtaking coral ~ it's easy to see why tourists and locals tend to spend most of their time exploring the underwaters of Palau!

Fish 'n Fins is the oldest, leading dive center in Palau. Owned an operated by Tova & Navot Bornovski, guests enjoy scuba diving trips on their liveaboard, snorkeling, kayaking, land tours, fishing trips, Rock Island tours and much more!

Listen in on our interview with Tova Harel-Bornovski and make sure to check out our Chef's Corner interview with this woman of many talents!

For more information about Palau and info on booking your flight with Continental Micronesia, make sure to visit the Palau Visitors Authority today!

Enjoy podsafe artist Amy Ayres with her hit "My Place".

Photocredit: http://magazine.continental.com

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