Do you have any pictures from trips to State Parks laying around? Think they’re worthy to be our Photo of the Day? Submit them to the Gadling Flickr Pool and find out!
Daily Pampering: Ona Spa’s Chocolate & Rose Treatment
LA’s beautiful Ona Spa has a decadent Valentine’s Day indulgence you don’t want to miss: The Chocolate & Rose Treatment.
Chocolate and rose aromas custom-made at the spa will tantalize your olfactory senses as you are scrubbled down with exfoliating cocoa powder and soothing aloe. After that, your body will be snugly wrapped in a jasmine and rose essential oil elixir and — here’s the kicker — you will be fed an organic truffle as the sensual mixture seeps into your skin. That’s pleasure from all sides.
Daniel Krasofski, who created the treatment, tells us that “The healing and normalizing properties of authentic rose oil has been used for centuries. It is used to balance all skin types while being ideal for stressed or mature skin. When the rose oil is applied with the special base oil, the skin can absorb more of the micro nutrients. The organic cocoa powder, when infused into the scrub, assists in exfoliation. It’s also believed that there are many antioxidant properties in cocoa.”
The treatment will hydrate and increase the elasticity of the skin, and the soothing fragrances and calm aura will bring your mind to sweet, sexy peace. You can get or give this 50 minute experience for $110.
Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.
Omni to launch new luxury brand of hotels
Move over Marriott and Hyatt, Omni wants to share some space. Seems the big-hotel-chain-turned-small-boutique-brand concept is taking off and Omni Hotels is jumping on the bandwagon – Omni’s new luxury hotel brand, Mokara, will open this April in San Antonio.
The Watermark Hotel & Spa is being branded as the first in Omni Hotel & Resorts’ new line of luxury hotels. Watermark is one of San Antonio’s most recognized hotels, and the folks at Omni say the rebranding and new Mokara name will only help drive more guests to San Antonio. We’ll watch and see what happens…
While limited details are available right now, we’ll keep a close eye on Omni’s new concept and how it fares next to Marriott’s Autograph Collection and Hyatt’s Andaz properties.%Gallery-73514%
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Tourist-friendly Utah drinking establishments on the rise
Though the Mormon population in Utah is certainly influential, the majority of Utah’s residents are not Mormon, which is part of the reason the laws were changed under Governor Jon Huntsman (who resigned in August of 2009 to become Ambassador to China). Prior to that, drinkers had to be members of a “private club” to imbibe. According to NewsAhead, the Zion Curtain law (“the partition that keeps restaurant servers from passing a drink across the bar”) was scrapped last year, as well as a ban which required liquor stores to be closed on election days (makes sense for the voting, but not so much for the celebrating). Abusing these new freedoms will be costly; “From 1 Jul 2010, the liability limit for bars that serve drinks to intoxicated patrons involved in accidents will increase to as much as US $2 million — the highest in the nation.”
Now that less-regulated booze has been added to the the remarkable ski slopes and other tourism draws, the hospitality industry is watching their business pick up. In the ABC video above, you can see a glimpse of one brewery reveling in the new age, Squatter’s Pub Brewery in Salt Lake City, as well as the state’s first legal distillery since the 1870s, High West in Park City.
It’s ski-in ski-out. Click here for more information on visiting!
[via ABC]
10 great romantic destinations
Some people like to travel for food. Others prefer to travel for sun. Still others enjoy traveling so they can share a secluded destination with a loved one. Here are ten romantic destinations for couples of all ages to enjoy… together.
Verona, Italy
Located in the northeast part of Italy near the Swiss border, Verona is most famously known as the setting of William Shakespeare’s passionate Romeo and Juliet. Many tourists and lovers travel to Verona simply to see the balcony that has a historical connection to the fictional characters of that famous play. The covered passageway that leads to the balcony is covered in graffiti and letters from visitors asking Juliet for luck in love.
Visitors may also go googly-eyed with a romantic stroll over the Castelvecchio Bridge, along Verona’s winding Adige River. Be sure to walk all the way to St. Peter’s Castle for an awe-inspiring view of the city shrouded in sunset.
St John, USVI
There are numerous secretive retreats in the Virgin Islands, but Moon Cottage is said to be the Caribbean’s “most romantic villa.” Located on the island of St. John, Moon Cottage offers lovers a hidden getaway and is the perfect place for couples to expand their relationship. Amenities include a private heated pool, walking distance to the beach, and complete seclusion.
For those seeking to mix some adventure with their passion, consider a day-trip to Jost van Dyke, the “New York of the Virgin Islands,” and home to (quite possibly) the world’s most amazing bar.
Kauai, Hawaii, USA
Routinely selected as among the world’s best beaches, Kauai is the oldest and the most northern of all the Hawaiian Islands; it’s also the least populated of the islands. Kauai was given the nickname of the “Garden Isle” because of its lush tropical forests. This is ideal for couples because lovers can spend time together in a quieter, more secluded setting, unlike other, busier islands in Hawaii.
Though dining options on Kauai may be a bit unromantic, there are countless ways to wile away serene hours in Kauai with a loved one.
Los Roques, Venezuela
Los Roques is Venezuela’s archipelago in the Caribbean. It’s most famous for its beautiful beaches — and even more beautiful water. This is a great place for lovers to visit because of the limitless secluded beaches offer the chance for couples to enjoy the sun… and each other.
In fact, the most popular activity on Los Roques is to be dropped off in the morning with a cooler filled with food and drink, and just spend the day exploring the uninhabited island on which you (and your partner) find yourself.
Napa Valley, California, USA
Famous for its wineries and cozy bed and breakfasts, Napa is the perfect couple’s getaway.
Lovers can visit local wineries, take tours, have dinner in various restaurants with cuisine ranging from French to Italian, then cozy up next to each other in front of a fire at one of the many local bed and breakfasts.
Venice, Italy
Located in northern Italy, this city is best known for its gondolas and canals. Lovers can take a tour of the city while sitting on velvet seats and Persian rugs. Though not the quickest way around the city, a gondola ride is certainly the most romantic.
An estimated 20 million people visit the sinking city every year, but Conde Nast has an excellent overview of the city, which includes details about disappearing within Venice’s ancient walls with your lover.
San Luis Obispo, California, USA
San Luis Obispo, along the Central Coast of California, is home to the famous Madonna Inn. The Madonna Inn has 110 rooms, each decorated with a different theme; there’s also a European style pool and a beautiful day spa, and it’s all located just minutes from San Luis Obispo. Couples can enjoy unique food, art and culture in town, or they can visit the Hearst Castle.
Paris, France
Paris offers couples seemingly endless options: Lovers can visit the Eiffel Tower, see a ballet or opera show, dine on fine French cuisine by candle light, take photographs to share later, or visit the famous Notre Dame Cathedral.
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New York City, New York, USA
This is the ideal romantic getaway for the couple that likes to be active. Lovers can catch a show on Broadway, take a carriage ride through Central Park, and then grab a coffee in Rockefeller Center. The city is full of restaurants and fabulous hotels for couples as well, including many romantic places and bars.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
All-Inclusive is the way to go. Many resorts in Cabo San Lucas offer an all-inclusive package. This is great for couples because not only do you get a room for two, but food and beverages are all included. Lovers can enjoy the beaches and night-life without any hassle.
If you’re thinking about Cabo as a destination, be sure to remember that at least one Cabo hotel offers in-room aphrodisiacs to help couples set the mood.
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Of course, romance is what you make it. You don’t need to be in one of these cities to enjoy a romantic weekend with your lover. While these destinations help set the mood, nothing coos romance like simply paying unending attention to your significant other.