Entries Tagged 'Tips' ↓

Susan Van Allen’s love for Italy stems from her maternal grandparents, who emigrated from Southern Italy.  When she first stepped off the train into Roma Termini in 1976, she got hooked on Italian travel. Since then she’s explored the country up and down the boot–visiting relatives, immersing herself in the country’s masterpieces and culture, taking language and cooking classes, and going on boating, biking, and hiking adventures. She’s written about Italian travel for many media outlets, includingNational Public Radio, Town & Country, Student Traveler, Tastes of Italia,Chicago Daily Herald, several Travelers Tales anthologies (including Best Travel Writing 2009), and CNN.com. When she’s not in Italy, she is based in Los Angeles,  where she lives with her husband and makes scrumptious lasagnas. Here are her top 10 loves of Italy to share with The Wife!

1. Visit Ravello, the jewel of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, a favorite of Jackie O’s. Go take a cooking class with Mamma Agata (www.mammaagata.com), who was a beloved private chef of Jackie’s, and stay at The Hotel Caruso www.hotelcaruso.com, one of the world’s dreamiest places.

2. In Rome, follow in the footsteps of Audrey Hepburn with a stroll through the Palazzo Barberini (her Roman Holiday home), then check in nearby at Villa Spalleti Trivelli www.villaspalletti.com for royal treatmenet in this luxurious family owned villa and spa.

3. In Florence, honor Salvatore Ferragamo, the shoemaker to the stars, by visiting his museum and shop on the fashionable Via de’ Tornabuoni, then sleep across the river at the magical Hotel Lungarno www.lungarnohotels.com, owned by the Ferragamo family.

4. In Venice, Enjoy the music of San Marco at the Caffe Florian, then escape to the nearby quiet island of Giudecca, where the Bauer Palladio Spa, www.palladiohotelspa.com,  a Renaissance masterpiece awaits.

5. In Milan, get in on an exclusive private shopping tour with Select Italy, www.selectitaly.com, then flop at the ultra-chic Hotel Bulgari www.hotelbulgari.com, where spa, pool, and meditation areas are heavenly.

6. In Turin, don’t miss the classic Baratti & Milano caffe www.barattiemilano.it for hot chocolate, pastries and Turin’s claim-to-fame candy invention, gianduja (hazelnut and chocolate). Gianduja was so beloved by Grace Kelly she gave them out as favors when she married Prince Ranier. Stay at the Golden Palace www.thi-hotels.com, a contemporary gem.

7. Visit Bormio, an elegant ski town in the Dolomites where you can soak in an outdoor tub at the Hotel Bagni Vecchiwww.bagnidibormio.it surrounded by snow covered mountains.

8. Go to Panarea, the prettiest of Sicily’s Aeolian Islands, to bliss out with mesmerizing views of the Mediterranean from your private terrace at La Raya www.hotelraya.it

9. Get pampered in Puglia, in the hell of Italy’s boot, where olive trees and sparkling seas enchant your stay at the Masseria Torre Maizza Hotel & Spa www.masseriatorremaizza.com

10. Experience Umbria, the Green Heart of Italy, with wine tastings, ceramic shopping, and a stay at Le Tre Vasellewww.3vaselle.it, a countryside oasis owned by the Lungarotti family, one of the region’s best winemakers.

By: Susan Van Allen

www.susanvanallen.com

Taste maker and Co-Owner of The Colony Palms Hotel, David Dixon, gives his top 10 tips for The Wife traveling to the majestic desert hot spot, Palm Springs. Take his advice from his favorite restaurants to the best places to shop and current art exhibits for a wonderful warm weekend getaway! – Taryn Cox for The Wife

1. Le Vallurius Restaurant: Old school formal French restaurant with beautiful terrace dining.

2. Melvyn’s Cocktail lounge

3. Angel View Thrift Shop

4. Collector’s Corner Thrift Shop

5. Indian Canyon hiking Trails (Also check out: Palm Canyon for Hiking.)

6. Joshua Tree National Park

7. Palm Springs Art Museum: Richard Avedon: Fashion, Stage and Screen (Exhibit, thru 1/30/11)

8. Secret Service Apparel Store. New LA based hipster outpost in old gas station. (Colony Palms Hotel guests receive 25% off)

9. Trina Turk Boutique (Colony Palms Hotel guests receive 20% off)

10. Cabazon Outlet Mall

*What to wear: Resort Chic

By: David Dixon

Parents with Young Children:

Before Leaving Home :

1. Make your child eats dinner before setting out.

2. Make sure children use the bathroom before leaving home.

3. Plan your route ahead of time.

Flash Lights :

1. Make sure your child carries a flashlight or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible to cars.

2. Carry a flashlight to illuminate sidewalks, steps and paths. Check or replace batteries before you leave the house.

3. Glow Sticks can be used in the dark along with flashlights.

Costumes:

1. Try on costumes before Halloween to allow time for altering.

2. Make sure your costumes are hemmed so they don’t drag on the ground.

3. Wear comfortable walking shoes, that fit properly. Make sure shoe laces are tied tight.

4. Make-up should be hypoallergenic and non-toxic.

Safety Rules:

1. Try to go trick or treating during daylight hours

2. Always walk, do not run.

3. Stay on the Sidewalks. If their is no sidewalks, Then walk on the left side of the road, Single file, Facing traffic.

4. Obey all local traffic signals. Cross only at corners holding hands.

5. Instruct your child to never go into the home of a stranger or get into a stranger’s car.

6. Report any suspicious or criminal activity to an adult or the police.

Homes:

1.Visit houses that have lights on, especially houses with Halloween decorations.

2. Don’t trample through grass, flower beds and gardens.

3. Respect other people and their property.

Candy:

1. Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they bring them home to be examined by you.

2. Throw away candy that has loose wrappings, is unwrapped, has puncture holes, or is homemade.

3. Small children should not be allowed hard candy they may choke on.

4. Always carry a spare Halloween bag just in case yours breaks.

Manners:

Always be polite. And don’t forget to say “Thank You”.

Parents with Older Kids:

1. Make sure that your child is old enough and responsible enough to go out by themselves.

2. Plan a safe route so parents know where their older kids will be at all times and Set a time for their return home.

3. If your children go on their own, be sure they wear a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark.

4. Let them know that they should stay together as a group if going out to Trick or Treat without an adult.

5. Let your children know not to cut through back alleys and fields. Make sure they know to stay in populated places and don’t go off the beaten track. Stay in well lighted areas

6. They should only Stop at familiar houses in your own neighborhood

Home Owners:

1. Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip the young ones.

2. Pets get frightened on Halloween. Lock them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently bitting a trick-or-treater.

3. Battery powered jack O’lantern candles are preferable to a real flame.

4. If you do use candles, place the pumpkin well away from where trick-or-treaters will be walking or standing.

5. Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won’t be blown into a flaming candle.

6. Healthy food alternatives for trick-or-treaters include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later. ( Make sure all treats handed out are sealed shut by a plastic wrapping)

The Lomax Way: Nutrition Tips for The Wife

1. Good, old fashioned H₂O….

Make sure you drink water (preferably bottled, distilled or filtered) and plenty of it! It helps to plump up your skin and rid your body of toxins, including fat!

2. Don’t eat or drink anything that your great grandmother wouldn’t recognise…

Our diets have evolved over the years to include foods and products which, if our great grandmothers were to come across, wouldn’t have a clue what it was – take Cheese Strings or a Skinny Mochachino for example! Generally, these are the things which are bad for us anyway.

3. Switch bad fats for good ones….

Out with the saturated fats and in with the omegas! Not only does it help your skin to glow, it also helps to maintain your hormone balance and support brain function. So to ensure you’re a happy wife with the wit and intelligence to impress even Einstein, make sure you get rid of those fatty foes!

4. Eat the Rainbow…..

Make sure each meal is packed with colour. In a day you should be ‘eating the rainbow’ (food items in colourful packaging do not count!) to ensure you’re getting a whole variety of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients to protect your body.

5. Take a good multi-vitamin….

Although your diet will be balanced and you will get good levels of vitamins and minerals due to eating nutritionally dense foods, intensive farming has led to a decline in the quality of foods thus very often most people are not reaching optimum levels of micronutrients. A multi-vitamin will help to bridge the gap.

6. Chew your food properly….

If you inhale your food then you tend to eat double what you should be eating. Make sure you chew your food properly, not only does it ensure you don’t eat as much, it also helps with digestion.

7. Stop thinking about calories and start thinking about how food benefits you….

Some people will have a doughnut rather than eating lunch since in terms of calories, it equates to nearly the same. However, a doughnut will in no way give you the same nutritional benefit as a balanced meal, so, start to think about food as something that keeps you well, not just as a source of energy.

8. The first bite is always the best…..

With so many delicious gastronomic delights out there these days it’s not always easy to say no to yourself. Try just having a couple of teaspoons of a dessert to satisfy your craving, this will also prevent you from piling on the pounds!

9. Have the right kinds of snacks….

We’ve all suffered from that mid-afternoon slump and opt for the sugary pick me-up, but this will make you crave more sugar by unbalancing your blood sugar levels. Make sure you’re having a snack that is not refined/sugary to keep those hunger levels at bay. Try opting for a piece of fruit, a small pot of plain, natural yoghurt or a couple of oat cakes with cottage cheese instead.

10. Alcohol….

If you’re drinking alcohol remember to have some protein before. Alcohol sends your blood sugar levels soaring and the protein helps to lessen the impact so you don’t crave those carbohydrate heavy snacks. When drinking alcohol opt for non-sugary options i.e. soda instead of coke and if you’re drinking wine, limit yourself to half a bottle (maximum), no more than 3 nights per week.

If you’re going to remember anything, remember this….. ‘If you put rubbish in, you get rubbish out….’  The science is simple!    By Zoë Copsey, Lomax Bespoke Health – London.

What is ‘The Lomax Way’?

The biggest challenge to looking good and feeling great is how to balance having a fun and being good to yourself!

We have gathered some of the best specialists with over 20 years experience from all over the world to build a unique approach to reaching your goals as realistically and as fast as possible, empathizing with your lifestyle so you don’t have to sacrifice anything – we call this The Lomax Way.

The Lomax Way is unique  –  Like a concierge service, your Client Services Manager runs the day-to-day delivery of every service you need wherever and whenever you want it.

Think of this as a Virtual Wellness Centre with the sole focus on keeping you on top of your game even when you might be enjoying one too many cocktails! This is the same level of service as experienced by professional athletes or fashion models.

Contact: thelomaxway@lomaxpt.com

Web:  www.lomaxpt.com