Luxury Travel Nightlife Restaurant Chef

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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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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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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journeyPod is coming to you live from the Grand Tasting Village of the 2009 South Beach Wine and Food Festival. We had a chance to catch up with winner of Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” - Michelle Bernstein-Martinez. Michelle’s unique approach to “luxurious approachable food” has made her namesake restaurant, Michy’s, a fiery success. Michelle has also made a splash with her Spanish-style tapas at Sra. Martinez, the intimate Michelle’s at Carysfort and MB at the Aqua Hotel in Cancun. 

Before opening her own restaurant, Michelle worked at some of our favorite Miami hotspots including Tantra, Red Fish Grill and The Strand. Today she is a regular guest on The Martha Stewart Show, The Today Show and was a co-host of the Melting Pot.  Michelle lets us in on some of her favorite hangouts in Miami including Nobu and Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink.

Make sure to pick up her cookbook “Cuisine á Latiná” at a store near you. Now lets take you live to the event where Michelle cooked up some delectable Sweet Corn & Cheese Empanadas at the Sargento Artisan Blends Booth.

 Enjoy podsafe band Black Lab with their hit “Remember”.

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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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journeyPod headed to sunny Southern California for the 5th Annual San Diego Wine and Food Festival. journeyPod was there for lip smacking, glass clinking, celebrity watching, swishing, swirling, mouth watering kinds of fun! Held at venues along the stunning San Diego waterfront, the Festival was a sizzling five-day festa that offered attendees everything from cooking classes with celebrity chefs, to wine tastings with Master Sommeliers, to a Reserve Tasting aboard the Hornblower’s Inspiration, and the Final Grand Event –where over 800 wines were poured.

journeyPod caught up with some of the movers and shakers at the festival. We spoke with the Chef of the Fest from 2007, Chef GT, for some real inside scoop on what it is like to be “Chef of the Fest.” We also chatted with the Dan from Redwood Creek Wines, and with Rita from Designo Plus who told us all about sea salts from around the world!

Let’s take a listen straight from this year’s San Diego Wine and Food Festival. And if you’re interested in attending the festival next November, journeyPod highly suggest you make your hotel reservations now—at the Grand Del Mar. That’s where we stayed this year and we couldn’t have been more impressed! Tune in for our podcast on The Grand Del Mar in an upcoming show. You’re gonna love this kitchy piece called “Glass of Wine” by The New Autonomous Folksingers.

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Atlanta is a city on the rise! With new restaurants, boutique hotels, wine bars, and lounges opening - culinary tourism is increasing rapidly!

Chefs in Atlanta are to thank for this great movement. Kevin Rathbun made his mark with his three hotspots: Rathbuns, Krog Bar and Rathbuns Steak. Hector Santiago has brought true Spanish tapas to Pura Vida in the Virginia Highlands. Top Chef contestant Richard Blais wows his patrons with his knowledge of comfort food and molecular gastronomy at Home.

journeyPod was especially impressed with Chef/Owner Gerry Klaskala, who continues to draw in the crowd at Aria restaurant in Buckhead. Serving delectable dishes like the Zinfandel Braised Beef Short Rib and a Warm Lobster Cocktail - there is a reason this restaurant is packed nightly with both locals and visitors!

Listen in as Chef Gerry explains his idea of creating food memories at Aria. Usher, Janet Jackson and Woody Harellson are just a few of the celebrity guests that have enjoyed Gerry’s cooking!

Enjoy podsafe artist Jersey Jung and her song “Good at Goodbye”.

For a full list of our favorite places in Atlanta, check out our Atlanta Destination Guide!

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Orlando is a great destination for family travel and luxury adult vacation. With nightlife, golf, spa, entertainment and great dining options, Orlando has made it on the map as one of the best luxury destinations.

journeyPod had the pleasure to stay at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal, a property that boasts impressive Italian decor and service. Reminiscent of Portofino, Italy, the hotel sends guests on a journey to the Almalfi coast (minus the passport).

Send the kids to Campo Portofino and indulge in a spa treatment, room service, bocci ball, fine dining and entertainment. Lay by the villa pool with cucumbers on your eyes, in an Italian garden, and truly feel like you have traveled miles away from home.

Enjoy nightly opera performances and let “Mamma” cook for you at Mamma Della’s, an authentic Tuscan restaurant in the heart of the piazza.

Only a water taxi ride away from Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, City Walk, Loews Pacific and the Loews Hard Rock Hotel - Loews Portofino Bay Resort is the ideal getaway for any type of traveler!

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journeyPod is your guide to luxury travel around the world.  Fiji offers pristine beaches, beach bungalos and some of the friendliest people you will ever meet!  Enjoy amazing scuba diving and snorkeling as well as kayaking for those adventure lovers.  Fiji is perfect for Honeymoons and Destination Weddings.  We explore one of the best resorts in the world at Jean-Michel Cousteau.

This place should be considered a 6-star resort - with breathtaking views, amazing amenities and personal service to meet your every wish!

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