Travel

Call of the Wild pioneered women's adventure travel—and the concept of eating well (really well) after a day of backpacking or trekking in the wild. The founders of Call of the Wild say it's all about the bonding and self-discovery, but I submit that a bowl of Anasazi Stew doesn't hurt, either.

"What's on your travel bucket list?" I get asked that question all the time. And, more and more, I hear about people crossing off bucket-list items as everyone seems to be on a quest for ultimate experiences. Here, I give some of my own picks for bucket list experiences, and invite you to send me yours! The standouts will be posted on this blog, and one reader will win a $200 gift card to the fabulous MiraMare Ristorante.

Botswana has some of the most prolific wildlife on the planet. What better place to learn the finer points of wildlife photography—from the likes of Heinrich van den Berg, no less. 

October marks the maiden voyage of Cunard’s newest ship, the Queen Elizabeth, and, as befits a queen, she is making a spectacular entrance.

This is the most romantic thing I've seen in a long time: Las Ventanas, a beyond-fabulous property in Los Cabos, is offering "Sleeping with the Stars" on the rooftop terraces of its suites, for couples who want to sleep en plein air, beneath Baja's starry skies.

Traditionally practiced by kings and titled society, falconry is a sport with uncommon pedigree and history. It isn't for everyone (the first time I went on a falcon hunt, in the Scottish moors, the falcon perched on my hair), but for those who love the outdoors and find excitement in the hunt, this is an experience like no other.

Having been to India seven times (including my honeymoon), I can honestly say there is nothing in the world like it. India is the land of contrasts—ancient worlds and warp-speed progress, spirituality and excess, extreme beauty and extreme poverty—and, in my opinion, should be on everyone's bucket list. For those of you who need convincing, I have one word: Oberoi.

The El San Juan Hotel & Casino is easily the grande dame of Puerto Rico resorts. With all the energy of a city hotel and an electric bar and gaming scene, it's an attractive proposition any time of year. But now through Sept. 30, the hotel is offering a special deal for Floridians.

  "I absolutely loooove The Plaza." Those are the words of the adored fictional character Eloise, and who can argue? Now, there is another reason to loooove The Plaza: the new Eloise suite by Betsey Johnson, which opened yesterday with all the requisite thrills and frills.

GoldenEye, the Jamaican home of author Ian Fleming and the birthplace of the James Bond novels, is being remodeled and will open to the public on 10/10/10.