by Lisa Topiol
Jul 14, 2010 4:27 PM PDT
Get cool, get downright freezing! London is my favorite place to visit and on one of my recent trips over there I discovered the Absolut Ice Bar. Nestled in a quaint little nook off of Regent Street you€™ll find a little slice of Sweden, since everything is made from ice found in the frozen Torne River in Jukkasjärvi. This is truly an experience you cannot afford to miss. Below zero temperatures, silver parkas, SHOT GLASSES MADE OF ICE! This bar will definitely impress. The entire place is made of ice including chairs, tables, sculptures, and the bar itself! My favorite part is the phone booth sculpture. A trip to London isn't complete unless you make a stop at this bar. Yes, the price is a little steep (about 35 dollars entrance fee, with one drink) but really, how often can you say you sipped a cocktail in the middle of summer at -5�° Celsius?
Live Like A Queen (Or King) At Turkey's Mardan Palace
by Amber Fijolek
Sep 9, 2009 4:19 PM PDT
In Antalya, Turkey, a beautiful city surrounded by mountains that sits right on the Mediterranean coast, there lies a resort fit for a king. Mardan Palace was made for those rolling in riches, and every penny has been invested into the development of such indulgent design that its majesty defies reality. And what better a location for such a world-class resort than Antalya, a city known for its proximity to great skiing, hiking, and shipwreck exploring as well as its important role in the history of the Greek, Roman, and Ottoman empires. The hotel boasts its own coral reef and lagoon, a spa so sweet it will make you salivate, and a vast swimming pool that appears bigger in area than the resort itself. Each room caters to this marvelous location with a view of either the Mediterranean Sea, the Taurus Mountain Range, or the pool encapsulated by a series of ornamented bridges. As if the beautiful view weren't enough, guests enjoy toiletries by Hermes and a 24-hour butler service. Excursions alone could occupy your entire stay, but guests are also entertained by 24 different spots within the resort to enjoy some luxury food and libations, including one with an all vegetarian menu, one with windows made of tropical fishtanks, one within the Palace's own waterfall, and one situated on the rooftop. It's a shame I've spent most of my lifetime without having considered Turkey an instinctual travel destination: It's now reached the top of my list! Click on the slideshow to experience Antalya's Mardan Palace!
