Travel Inspiration: Portugal’s Charming Towns

From the Travel Editor:

When you head to Portugal this summer on our five-night hotel-and-flights package, we have no doubt you’ll be spending lots of time exploring the lively port city of Lisbon. You might even dedicate a day to making the three-and-a-half hour trip up to Porto, the ancient home of the port wine industry.

It’d be a shame to go all that way, though, and not venture out of the major cities. The countryside is where you’ll experience the real rustic charm of Portuguese culture: from the baroque churches to the tapas-like petiscos. Which is why we’d recommend dedicating a good chunk of your trip to exploring Portugal’s less urban side. Here, our top picks for a quick day trip — all of which happen to be conveniently located to the Penha Longa Hotel.


Sintra (less than 15 minutes away)
Considering how close it is to your hotel, you’d be seriously remiss if you skipped out on visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its winding cobblestone streets, 8th- to 11th-century Moorish architecture, and Renaissance-era palaces and churches

Évora (1 hour 45 minutes away)
A day trip to this one-time capital is sure to leave you wishing you had longer to explore its unique patchwork of architectural styles. Find the remains of a Roman temple next to a medieval cathedral across the street from a 17th-century palace with arched Moorish windows, and you’ll just be getting started. When you need a break, relax with locals at the cafes in the main square.


Óbidos (1 hour away)
This well-preserved 13th-century village perched above rolling vineyards has a history of romance that extends beyond its charm and beautiful location; for 600 years, each Portuguese king gifted the town to his queen as a symbol of his love.

Tomar (1 hour 45 minutes away)
The Portuguese capital of the Knights Templar (medieval crusaders if you’re not up on your history), this pleasant riverside town boasts more than its fair share of historic churches and checkerboard squares. Most impressive, though, is how much of medieval Portugal has been preserved here.

Get your adventure started by grabbing our Portugal offer, with dates available all summer long. The hard part, now, is deciding which of these day-trip-worthy towns you’re going to visit.

Travel Inspiration: Fiji’s Underwater Sights

From the Travel Editor:

Of Fiji’s myriad attractions, those located underwater rate pretty high on the must-see list: volcanic terrain, colorful coral, thousands of different kinds of fish, sharks, and rays patrolling the reefs. If you ask us, you can’t visit and not go snorkeling or scuba diving.

Fortunately, our super-romantic Fiji trip this week puts you in prime snorkeling territory, among the western island chain known as the Mamanucas. Even better, Tokoriki Island Resort’s dive shop is one of the best in the Mamanucas. To help you make the most of your time in Fiji, we’ve put together our checklist of the top five must-see diving and snorkeling spots. Enjoy!


Gotham City
This advanced dive centers around a few pinnacles in the outer part of the Malolo Barrier Reef, which surrounds the islands. Encounter a huge variety of sea life, from the batfish (which give the site its name) to diverse corals, giant moray eels, and barracudas.

The Supermarket
Located not far from Mana Island, this advanced dive rivals Gotham City in its fame. Swim with—and perhaps even feed—sharks of all kinds and sizes, including white- and black-tip reef sharks up to six feet in length.

Blue Coral Reef
Not far from Tokoriki Island, divers of all levels can swim along a reef inhabited by the rare Heliopora Caerulea, a type of blue coral that was believed not to exist in Fiji until this reef was discovered in 2005. Swim with hawksbill turtles as you explore this unique site, the only of its kind in the country.


Tivua Island
When you tire of snorkeling the same reefs every day at Tokoriki, head to the tiny islet of Tivua, where you’ll be one of only a handful of daytrippers. Here, nesting turtles, colorful corals, and fish fill the protected coves, making for a perfect, secluded excursion.

Monuriki Island
The expansive, shallow waters surrounding stunningly beautiful Monuriki Island — think blindingly white sands and a towering mountain — gained international acclaim as the filming location for the movie Castaway. We’d go, though, for the island’s ideal snorkeling attributes, from sheltered bays to countless different shapes of coral.

Don’t just take our word for it — find out for yourself with our airfare-inclusive trip to these idyllic islands. Dates are available throughout the spring and fall.

Travel Inspiration: Louisville’s Bourbon Bars

From the Travel Editor:

Horse races have long been a refined, elegant way to spend a day out. Think Gatsby: ladies in high fashion, men in tuxes and top hats, and cocktails and gossip as important as the races themselves. America’s biggest horse race, the Kentucky Derby, has maintained this refined tradition and we’ve got prime tickets and gala invitations for you to this May’s festivities in the unassumingly cool city of Louisville.

If you ask us, the only way to explore this Southern-meets-Appalachian-meets-Midwestern city between races is through its famous bourbon bars. Whether you opt for the drink of the Derby, the mint julep, or prefer your spirit on the rocks, here are our top five bars in Louisville for sampling the local product.


Proof on Main: Hidden in the highly-acclaimed 21C Museum Hotel, this restaurant and bar has been called a “Whiskey Temple” by GQ magazine, and we’re inclined to agree. In addition to seasonal cocktails and an extensive bourbon menu, the bar even offers bourbon and rye tasting flights, so you can really get in the Louisville spirit.
702 West Main Street, at S 7th St.

Old Seelbach Bar: Set in the historic Seelbach Hotel―now the Seelbach Hilton―this stately mahogany-and-leather bar is rumored to have been a favorite haunt of the young F. Scott Fitzgerald during his time in Louisville. You can still sample a wide range of bourbons, or have them mix up the classic cocktails they helped make famous.
500 S 4th St., at W Muhammad Ali Dr.

Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar: The name says it all at this historic bar offering over 150 different bourbons, the largest selection in the country. John Wayne drank here in the 1970s, so you know this low-key spot has street cred.
140 N 4th St., between W River & W Main


Jack Fry’s: Today it’s considered one of the best restaurants in Louisville, but this classic Kentucky spot was once a hangout for bookies and bootleggers. Saddle up to the bar for a sip of bourbon, or pull up a chair for the the shrimp and grits.
1007 Bardstown Road, at Highland Ave

Doc Crow’s: This smokehouse and oyster bar is housed in a former whiskey distillery, and serves up pulled pork and oysters on the half shell with bourbon mignonette. Consult with the seriously knowledgeable owner about which of their house-made bourbons to order.
127 West Main Street, at S 2nd St.

Ready to sample bourbon and get lucky at the races? We’re offering seats at the finish line, lodging, and an invitation to the hottest party of the weekend―but hurry, as the sale ends Tuesday.

Where to Go: Tulum, Papaya Playa-Style

From the Travel Editor:

As the weather turns warm, we’re craving a real beach getaway—you know, the kind where you have absolutely no obligations except tanning. When the crew at Design Hotels’ pop-up Papaya Playa Project (located mere feet from the pristine beaches of Tulum) suggested we offer a discount on their newly extended dates through November 2012, we knew this would be the perfect beach for us.

For decades, Tulum has been a destination for those looking to unwind and decompress—think daily yoga on the beach, no electricity, and a sleepy pace of life. (It’s worlds away from the luxury all-inclusives further up the Riviera Maya.) Even though the once sleepy town has become more popular and developed in recent years, it still retains its low-key, eco-conscious attitude—meaning it’s still our destination of choice for a true “leave it all behind” getaway.


Our favorite activities, you ask? Daily yoga (pretty much every hotel, spa, and hippie in town offers a class), massages, beach- and hammock-lounging during the requisite afternoon siesta, and exploring the surrounding jungle. Just outside town, go swimming at the Grand Cenote (a large sinkhole popular with day-trippers) and hike around the ruins of the Mayan city, perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. A few miles south of town, visit the mangrove swamps and colorful wildlife of the 1.2-million-acre Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve on a boat tour.

If it’s water sports you’re after, then you’ve come to the right place. You’ll find everything from swimming and kayaking to snorkeling and scuba diving along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second largest of its kind in the world.


Whether we spend our day on the beach or in the jungle, the evenings are reserved for exploring some of the best restaurants the Riviera Maya has to offer. Scenesters savor fresh, Italian-influenced dishes at Posada Margarita, while those in search of fresh seafood with a gourmet bent head to Hartwood. Sip cocktails and cold beers overlooking the beach at Papaya Playa’s bar, while a rotating roster of international DJ’s spin in the background.

It’s no wonder that Tulum has recently been touted as the next St. Bart’s or Goa. We’re crossing our fingers it won’t get flooded with visitors anytime soon. But we’d suggest going now, just in case. And with our Papaya Playa rates starting at $85 per night, you have no excuse not to.

Where to go: Costa Rica

From the Travel Editor:

We’d like to say we knew about Costa Rica before it got popular, but the fact is that this destination-of-the-moment – home of this week’s sale on the award-winning Parador Resort & Spa – has long been on the radar of savvy, adventure-loving travelers. And it’s not hard to see why, considering the country’s protected rainforests, incredible biodiversity, expansive beaches, and world-class surf breaks.

It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of tropical beaches, and Costa Rica’s long, white ones are certainly a draw, but if you plan to just sit on the beach, you’ll miss out. If you’re craving water time, take advantage of scuba diving along colorful reefs with hammerhead sharks, surfing breakers above the reefs, and sea- and river-kayaking.

Inland, the jungle reveals a world of monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, and noisy birds of every size and color. Zip-line through the rainforest canopy, white-water raft down the rivers, and trek amongst the dense vegetation in search of exotic wildlife. Try hiking up volcanoes, horseback riding along rocky headlands, and soaking in natural hot springs and mud baths.

We could go on, but the point is that this tiny Latin American country happens to have some of the most pristine and accessible tropical landscapes on earth. Best of all, the word is still getting out, so we can still explore it without constantly bumping into tourists.

Tempted? Dates at the Parador – which overlooks the Pacific Ocean, and is literally next to the 1700-acre Manuel Antonio National Park – are available throughout 2012.