By Christina Newberry

The British Columbia town of Harrison Hot Springs (so named because of its natural hot spring pools) has an unexpected draw each autumn and winter. The bald eagle, that iconic symbol of America, is a major presence in this Canadian village—just an hour and a half drive from the major metropolis of Vancouver. In this lakeside town, eagles far outnumber the 800 or so permanent human residents when they come to feast on spawning salmon in the Harrison and Fraser Rivers.

In November of each year, the Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival celebrates the arrival of the eagles—and the salmon—with loads of free events and an eagle count. This year’s count topped 2,600 eagles along just three kilometers of the Harrison River.

That number may sound staggering—that’s close to a thousand eagles per kilometer of river, after all—but once you’re on the river, you believe it, and you’re blown away. At certain points along the river, each tree is spotted with close to 100 birds, and the gravel shorelines where salmon are most abundant are literal feasting grounds, with a seemingly impossible number of eagles congregating to gorge on the abundant fish.

The eagles can be spotted from land, if you head to the right spot. Sandpiper Golf Course is one such option for land-locked eagle viewing. Lunch at the course-side River Edge Restaurant offers the chance to spot a few eagles right from your dining table, with a warming fire in the fireplace to boot.

But for the real spectacle, you’ve got to head out on the water. Several local companies offer eagle-watching boat tours leaving from the dock directly in front of the iconic Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa. Harrison Eco Tours has an office right in the hotel and offers packages for hotel guests. Just a couple of hours on the river in a covered, heated boat allow you to spot hundreds of eagles, with guides knowing just when to cut the boat’s motor so you can get close to the eagles without disturbing them.

Even with the heaters, after all that time on a chilly river, there’s nothing better than a soak in the town’s famed mineral hot springs, which some claim have healing powers. Resort guests have access to five indoor and outdoor natural mineral hot springs pools. For those on a tighter budget, the town has a public hot spring pool that’s less romantic but just as warm.

If you go
Harrison Hot Springs is located less than two hours’ drive east of Vancouver (three hours from Seattle) in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. For those wishing a more direct route, several major carriers fly to Abbotsford, about 45 minutes’ drive from Harrison Hot Springs. Eagles flock to the area starting in November, with peak viewing time in January and February.

Harrison Hot Springs Resort offers packages including two nights’ accommodation, access to the resort’s hot springs pools, full buffet breakfast, and a two-hour eagle watching tour with Harrison Eco Tours starting at $249.50 per person based on double occupancy. For each package sold a donation is made to an organization that supports wildlife programs.

Rowena’s Inn at Sandpiper Golf Course offer packages including one night’s accommodation, $50 credit for River’s Edge Restaurant, and access to the resort’s riverside designated eagle viewing area from $175 per room. They can also arrange boat tours.

For non-resort guests, the Harrison Hot Springs public pool offers access to an indoor hot spring pool for $9 per adult/$7 for children and seniors, and Harrison Eco Tours offers two-hour eagle-watching tours for $99 per person.

By Christina Newberry

On Isla Mujeres, a small island off the coast of Cancun, there are a surprising number of top-notch restaurants. Foodies can dig into homemade pasta, impossibly fresh ceviche, inventive fusion fare, and, of course, mouth-watering Mexican standards cooked with love by grandmothers and church ladies, at taco stands and in the town square.

But the best dinner in town is not in a restaurant as such. Instead, it’s hidden away in a quiet courtyard, where Lolo Lorena, a Belgian national who’s lived on the island so long she’s considered a local, hosts guests for sumptuous five-course feasts at a shared table in the supper-club style that’s sweeping major cities.

On this tiny island, you don’t have to know a secret handshake or have an “in” to get a seat at this most coveted table – though you do have to book in advance (by November, Valentine’s Day is sold out). You just have to give Lolo a call.

What makes Lolo’s table special is the feeling that one is not a customer, but a guest. Chatting through a three-hour meal with up to 15 strangers in Lolo’s courtyard decked with fairy lights, exotic plants, and treasured items from her travels around the world is a way to make quick island friends.

The night I find myself at Lolo’s, there are 13 of us at the table: six Canadians, five Americans, and two Brits. What we all have in common is a love of Isla Mujeres, and a sense of excitement about the food we are about to consume. With two options for each course, no one is disappointed. Lolo has even created a special menu for me, a vegetarian. After weeks of Mexican rice and black beans, I am treated to rich flavors in a custom green bean, tomato, potato appetizer, three exquisite gnocchi (served with a tiny fork), tart and spicy Thai salad, and vegetable terrine, while others feast on lobster tail and crab legs, or decadent moussaka. For dessert, an embarrassment of riches: sorbet, candied nuts, an apple tart, meringue with cream and, for each of us, a delicate lollipop, made of a hard-candy-coated fresh grape.

As each course emerges from Lolo’s tiny kitchen, the conversation stops for a moment as the group oohs and ahhs in unison. Then, as each person takes a first tiny bite, the looks of shared pleasure cross the table, everyone smiles, and we dig in.

If you go: Lolo Lorena’s courtyard supper table is located on Rueda Medina on Isla Mujeres. It can be a bit tricky to find from the downtown tourist area, but you’ll need to contact Lolo to book your reservation, and she can give you detailed directions. You can reach Lolo by e-mail at lololorena@hotmail.com, and find her online at lololorena.com. Five-course meals are $30USD-$40USD per person (yes, really, for five courses!). To-die-for mojitos are $5, and you can bring your own wine.

If the answer is "yes" then get ready to bare it all, because eWaterways, a London company specializing in river and coastal cruises, is launching its first cruise for naturists in August 2011. The seven-night nudist cruise will explore the Croatian coastline.

The holiday, which costs £500 per person, will take in Croatia's Kvarner coastline and islands from the "intimate" comfort of a vintage sailing ship. The "island of love", Rab Island, and the ancient city of Zadar feature on the ship's itinerary.

“Naturist holidays are popular and Croatia has a lot of nudist beaches – so it’s a great match,” a spokeswoman told the Daily Telegraph. “Passengers will get undressed for swimming and sunbathing, but will be clothed for dinner.”

The cruise departs on August 27, 2011 and there is space for 22 travelling nudists. For more information visit www.ewaterways.com.

Photo Credit: Tucepi nudist beach by kermit965 via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Yes really, we couldn't quite believe it at first sight either. For one night only - Sunday 10th October 2010 - you can stay at at all 12 Malmaisons and 13 Hotel du Vins (excluding Winchester) for just £30 per person or £60 for two.

The Hotel du Vin has fourteen spaces to choose from, like a Georgian townhouse, a brewery, or a hospital; Malmaison offers rooms in hotels such as a converted Episcopal church in Glasgow and a remodelled prison in Oxford.

So for one weekend only forget the Sunday blues and indulge yourself for just 30 quid...

To book call +44 (0)845 365 4247.

£10 Breakfast applies across Malmaison / £10 Wine applies across Hotel du Vin. Offer subject to availability, £20 single person supp applies (so grab a friend)!

Guest post by Escapio.com

Paradores are stunning luxury hotels that have been designed to celebrate the rich diversity of Spanish culture. They are located in key tourist areas and offer truly unique opportunities for cultural immersion in the historic architecture of beautiful Spain.

1) Parador de Granada, Granada
Granada is a beautiful region that has a number of lovely churches and historic buildings. The main attraction is the stunning Alhambra castle, which is widely considered one of the great ancient architectural marvels of the world. The Alhambra is the former residence of influential Arabic Sultans and offers all the opulence and glamour you would expect from such a grand ruling dynasty. The Parador de Granada offers the perfect base to explore the culture of this region and is located in a beautiful 15th century Franciscan convent inside the grounds of the Alhambra Palace.

2) Parador de Oropesa, Toledo
Toledo is a large province and is famous for its lovely windmills and beautiful countryside. The regional capital (also called Toledo) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has an impressive collection of fine historic buildings that reflect the rich Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultural history. The province also offers a stunning 14th palace, which is the location of the beautiful Parador de Oropesa. This is a great place to stay if you want to explore the surrounding areas of natural and cultural richness.

3) Parador de Leon, Castile-Leon
Castile-Leon is one of Spain's most lovely provinces and one of the cultural centres of the country. Castile-Leon has a number of attractions including stunning areas of outstanding natural beauty and many of ancient palaces, castles, cathedrals and monasteries. The Parador de Leon offers unique stays in a beautifully renovated 16th century former monastery. This is a peaceful and secluded site from which you can explore the region by car, on foot or by bicycle.

4) Parador de Vielha, Comarqa Vall d'Aran
The Comarqa Vall d'Aran is a beautiful area of the Spanish Pyrenees with breathtaking mountain scenery. If you enjoy outdoor activities then this is a wonderful location all year round with winter sports, hiking, mountaineering and more. The Parador de Vielha is a stunning modern hotel that offers easy access to this lovely part of Spain. It is also close to one of the area's most impressive winter sports destinations, Baqueira-Beret.

5) Parador de Puebla de Sanabria, Lake Sanabria
Lake Sanabria is an area of outstanding natural beauty near the Portuguese border. The Parador de Puebla de Sanabria is a stylish modern building with a cool, minimalist charm, which is the perfect place to wake up before a day exploring the landscape and villages of the local area.

For more information on Paradores, rates, and bookings, please visit escapio.com.

By Christina Newberry

When you're travelling, especially if you're in a place where you don't speak the language very well, it can be difficult to find "authentic" places to eat – spots where you might actually see a local (and pay local prices). But on a recent trip to Mexico, I discovered an easy way to get a taste of cheap, local fare – check out the town square.

In the evenings, the town square in Isla Mujeres is a local gathering place. Framed by the local church, a basketball court, and the supermarket, it's the hub of activity, especially on Saturday evenings. Once dusk falls, the vendors emerge, selling food of every variety – some made right on the spot, and some carefully transported from home kitchens. We decided we had to make a meal of their creations.

After whetting our appetites with fresh-made tacos and Mexican-style corn on the cob, we approached a cart where a couple was hard at work. The woman was working dough with her hands and cooking it in oil while her husband, in a carnival-barker voice, called patrons over to have a look. We approached, and asked the man in our limited Spanish what his wife was making.

He answered in English: "Cheese and banana." This sounded like a decidedly un-Mexican dish, and a peculiar combination. Plus, we saw no sign of any bananas on or near the cart. I asked again, just to confirm that I'd heard correctly: "Cheese and banana?"

The man nodded vigorously: "Si, cheese and banana." Well, we figured, we might as well give it a try. For 10 pesos (about US$1), how could we go wrong? We gave the man our coins, and he handed over one of the hot, doughy creations. I took a bite. There was cheese, yes, but definitely no banana. Puzzled, but loving whatever it was we were eating, we gobbled up our gooey treat. As I took the last bite, I finally realized what it was, and what the vendor had really been saying: Not cheese and banana, but cheese empanada!

We rounded out that night's enormous meal with sweet Mexican bread and deep-fried bananas with cream. It wasn't exactly a health-conscious meal, but it was local, delicious, and cheap – the grand total for two: $6. Rubbing our bellies contentedly, we walked home along the seawall. The next night, of course, we went back to the square – this time for churros and homemade flan.

If you try it:
Most street food items (from tacos, to flan, to those tasty empanadas) go for 10 to 20 pesos, depending on the size of the serving and how many tourists frequent the area (more tourists = higher prices). The servings look small, but they’re filling. If you want to try more than a few items, plan to share.

Photo Credits: "Real Deal Taco Stand" by JBlaze B; "Making Empanadas" by Chiot's Run; "Empanada" by bunnicula. All via Flickr (Creative Commons).

A recent trip to the Spanish town of Peñíscola, on the Costa del Azahar, coincided perfectly with the annual fiestas. This means two weeks of non-stop partying in Peñíscola, plus traditional fun and games.

One of the events we saw was the annual bull running. No picadors or matadors here, just the townspeople out for a bit of bull baiting and a chance to show off how brave they are.

First off, the Daddy Bull gets wheeled out. He's an old timer who goes into the ring at the end of each bull's session to guide them back into their "paddock".

The first bulls to go in are just babies still, which means that the women of the town have a go at running with them. One unsuspecting Granny got mown over by an irate bullock, but apart from that incident nothing major happened.

Then the action hotted up and the women had to leave the ring. Only men and their rather spectacular Euro-style mullets allowed back in.

One by one the bigger, angrier bulls were then unleashed and the men got to show off how nimble and courageous they are by leaping off wooden platforms and into the ring.

It was a lot of fun, and a great taste of Spanish life. If you have a chance to go to any Spanish fiestas you should!

Tapeo, the custom of moving from one tapas bar to another, is now just as feasible in London as Barcelona thanks to the city's hot tapas spots.

So if you're in London and fancy a dose of Spain's finest, then check out these top tapas bars as recommended by experts in The Week. Take along the map we've put together below to make your tapeo experience even more convenient.

Barrafina: 54 Frith Street, London W1 (020 7813 8016)
Squaremeal.co.uk calls Barrafina the "best place for tapas this side of Barcelona." Don't miss the creamy ham croquetas, cured meats and shellfish cooked a la plancha (on the grill). Around £46 a head (go early or late to avoid queuing).

Tierra Brindisa: 46 Broadwick Street, London W1 (020 7534 1690)
Small and sleek, and a great place to get prawns cooked with garlic and chilli, "meltingly tender" filet steak, and the Torta de Barros cheese on toast. Around £36 a head, including wine and service.

Dehesa: 25 Ganton Street, London W1 (020 7494 4170)
An "informal yet sophisticated Spanish-Italian tapas bar," according to Time Out. Opt for grilled squid with chickpeas, chorizo and mint for "comfort cooking at its most vibrant". Around £36 a head, including wine and service.

Cigala: 54 Lamb's Conduit Street, London WC1 (020 7405 1717)
Harden's reviewers rave about Cigala's "substantial and tasty" Spanish dishes, "good choice of wines" and "welcoming" service. The experts recommend cured meats from Teruel and Extremadura, marinated anchovies and chicken livers fried with onions and sherry. Around £44 a head, including wine and service.

Barrica Tapas Bar: 62 Goodge Street, London W1 (020 7436 9448)
Time Out recommends Barrica to people who "like great Spanish wines and good food". Sound like a winning combination to us! Featuring classic dishes from across Spain, the cured meats are a particular hit. Around £31 a head, including wine and service.

Salt Yard: 54 Goodge Street, London W1 (020 7637 0657)
The London Evening Standard calls Salt Yard relaxed and "intimate" and close to "culinary heaven". Try the acorn-fed jamón ibérico, and the courgette flowers stuffed with Monte Enebro cheese. Dinner around £33 a head, including wine and service.

View Tapas Bars in London in a larger map

Photo Credit: iStockPhoto.com.

Do you fancy arriving off the back of a long-haul flight feeling refreshed and ready-to-go instead of jet-lagged and jaded?

According to Hong Kong based Pilates experts, Iso Fit, doing just a few of the method's stretches and exercises during your flight will make your journey more comfortable and enjoyable - both for you and your body. Pilates stretches and exercises can help strengthen your lower back and promote circulation in your legs (how good would it be if your shoes actually fitted your feet after 13 hours in the air?!).

The following on-board exercises are designed for normal, fit travellers. Those suffering from osteoporosis or disc problems should avoid any exercises with flexion or flexion and rotation.

The Hundred Breathing at 35,000 feet
With your seatbelt on or off, sit up tall, inhale for a count of five then exhale for a count of five using short percussive and consecutive breaths. Do ten sets of this breathing, concentrating on keeping your core (abdominal area) pulled in and up and breathing into your lower back and sides. If you have high or low blood-pressure use only a breath pattern that feels comfortable for you.

Hamstring Stretch
While the seat belt sign is off, get up and walk to the back of the plane. Stand with your feet hip width a part, place your hands on something hip height (maybe the snack bench) and bend your knees. Arch your back and try to keep your tailbone sloped upwards as you attempt to extend your legs slowly. Think downward dog but with hands on a something higher than the floor!

Knees Up!

1. Unbuckle your seatbelt but remain seated, pull your right knee into your chest. Without moving anything but your arms and knee, circle your knee in the hip joint three times in each direction. Think of using your core to move your knee not just your hands. Not a good choice of movements if you've had a hip replacement, mind you!
2. After the last knee stir, release your hands and hold each knee into your chest, pull your core upwards and inwards and count to five.

Seat stretches

1. Sit tall and cross your arms across your chest. Pull your core in and up and bend right then left just moving your upper body not your hips. Make sure you do not disturb the passenger next to you*
2. Stay in the same seated position as the side bend and now twist the upper body to the right then the left, avoiding moving your hips.

Roll Down
Inhale and sit up tall. As you exhale curl your chin to your chest rounding your spine forward toward your knees. Keep your tailbone and sitting bones pointing straight down towards the floor and avoid tucking the pelvis under. Then roll up sequentially through your spine until you are sitting up tall once again. Use your hands on your thighs to guide you if you need. Repeat this three times. On the last roll down reach down and grab onto your ankles to get a deeper stretch.

Look up at the stars
Lace your fingers behind your back and rotate your palms onto the seat behind you to open up your chest. Inhale and look up at the ceiling. Exhale to draw your abs back towards your spine and return back upright.

Iso Fit can be found at 8th Floor Yu Yuet Lai Building, 43-55 Wyndham Street, Central. For more information about Iso Fit and its classes, please telephone 2869 8630 or visit www.isofit.com.hk.

Photo Credit: istockphoto.com.

The 13th century explorer, Marco Polo, described the Chinese city of Hangzhou as the "City of Heaven" and "the most beautiful and magnificent in the world." Today, seven centuries on, keeping this cultural legacy intact in a city that is booming and growing is no mean feat, but it's one that several new hotels in Hangzhou are aiming to achieve - including the brand new Banyan Tree.

The Banyan Tree Hangzhou, which opened in January of this year, is designed in the traditional style of the Jiangnan region. Like the neighbouring XiXi Wetlands, the property is surrounded by channels and lakes, with picturesque bridges and a pagoda within the grounds.

Consisting of seventy-two suites and villas, The Banyan Tree Hangzhou feels almost like a (very luxurious) village. We stayed in a Premier Water Terrace - one of the suites within the main building - which with its own sitting room, balcony and spa treatment room, plus a bedroom with a free standing hot-tub, and vast bathroom, was both very spacious (120 sqm) and fantastically indulgent. I was able to view a Water View Villa too, which though more private in it's own mini-grounds and with better views, didn't feel as spacious as the suite.

All of the suites and villas in the hotel are themed according to the four seasons, with colour schemes to match. In terms of mod-cons, guests have access to free in-room WiFi, plus the hotel's DVD and CD collection.

The Banyan Tree's location, 15 minutes away from downtown Hangzhou and the famous West Lake within the Xixi National Wetland Park, should - and no doubt shall - spell complete tranquility. At the moment however, it's the first finished property amongst a number of new hotels going up in the Westbrook project, which means there's some construction noise. This was minimal during our three-night stay though, especially as visiting the city's famous sights keeps most visitors busy from dawn till dusk.

The hotel's concierge team can help to organise all sorts of tours and full- or half-day trips. Though these definitely do not come cheap (around 2,000 RMB for a full day) in the heat and humidity of summer, and with limited time on our hands, it was well worth splashing out on. Our guide spoke impeccable English and took us tirelessly from one hot-spot to another explaining the history and significance of each; no need to cart along a cumbersome guide book. Our day tour took in Hangzhou's main sights of Fei Lai peak, and its 300 limestone carvings; the Temple of the Soul's Retreat; Longjing tea village (pictured below) and the Dragon Well; Leifeng Pagoda; a private boat trip on West Lake; the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon; and a historic shopping street. Not bad for a day's work!

If you do get sightseeing weary, the Banyan Tree Spa is a great haven. The pages-long treatment menu is full of solutions to ease you from stone into butter, and there's also a large indoor swimming pool and daily yoga or tai chi sessions to help you unwind. If you have a spa treatment room within your suite or villa you don't even have to walk to the spa - they will come to you.

What is worth heading out for though is dinner. Perhaps due to teething problems, the Banyan Tree's food is not its strong suit. On our first evening we tried the Chinese restaurant, Bai Yun, where Hangzhou and Canton flavours take centre stage. It's impossible to judge the food here as I am no aficionado of Chinese cuisine; some of the dishes on our tasting menu were fantastic - especially the West Lake fish - and others less so. It is the resort's Waterlight Court restaurant that really lets the side down. The breakfast buffet is average, and the a la carte menu a disappointment. I ordered a Caesar salad with "grilled chicken breast" and was served romaine leaves with processed chicken slices. On another occasion we asked for a vegetarian pizza and received something that can only have come out of a freezer packet. Let's hope it was the head chef's weekend off...

Food aside, the Banyan Tree Hangzhou was a great place to spend a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong: scenic and indulgent with a young team keen to cater to your every need. Though Marco Polo's superlatives may not yet quite apply, they no doubt soon will.

Room rates start at RMB2,700 per night for a Water Terrace Suite and RMB3,700 per night for a Water View Villa (rates are subject to 15% tax and service charge).

Until 28 February 2011 enjoy the Romance in Hangzhou Package from RMB 5,998. Price includes a two-night stay in a Premier Water Terrace with daily breakfast for 2 people, plus:

- One set dinner at Waterlight Court for 2 people.
- One afternoon tea at Tea Lounge for 2 people.
- One 90-minute massage session (inclusive of a 60-minute massage and 30 minutes calm-time) for 2 people at Banyan Tree Spa Hangzhou.
- One in-suite Intimate Moments experience, inclusive of one bottle of red wine.
- Oriental bath experience in Onsen Treatment Room.

Banyan Tree Hangzhou: 21 Zijingang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310030, People's Republic of China; Tel: +86 571 8586 0000; Fax: +86 571 8586 2222; Web: www.banyantree.com.

Photo Credits: Pagoda on Lake by Mlq4296 (Creative Commons), Banyan Tree courtesy of Banyan Tree Resorts; Longjing Village by Simon Archer-Perkins.

Is this news for real, or is it just another of Ryanair's PR stunts?

Talking about new proposals for the low-cost airline, Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, said: "We've been looking at... taking out the last 10 rows of seats so we will have 15 rows of seats and the equivalent of 10 rows of standing area."

According to a Ryanair spokesman Boeing has been consulted over fitting out Ryanair's fleet with "vertical seats" that allow passengers to buckle up whilst standing up. The standing-room only seats would cost between £4 and £8 per person.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the Civil Aviation Authority says the plans would struggle to meet safety requirements. A spokesperson said: "It's aviation law that people have to have a seat-belt on from take-off and landing so they would have to be in a seat. I don't know how Mr O'Leary would get around that one. During turbulence passengers also have to have a seat-belt on."

Again, O'Leary stated that Ryanair intends to introduce coin-operated loos, or "toilet tax" as the move it is being dubbed.

Landing in a country like Hong Kong bang smack in the middle of typhoon season can be a little daunting, especially when a typhoon signal is raised. So, with cyclone season just around the corner, what better time to start preparing for Hong Kong's next big tropical storm? Here are iloho's top 10 to-do tips for getting through the next typhoon.

Tropical cyclones are prevalent in Hong Kong from May to November. Warnings start being issued whenever a tropical cyclone centred within 800 km of Hong Kong poses a threat to the territory. The warnings start at T1, which means that there is a storm looming that might pose a threat to Hong Kong, and go up to a T10, which signals serious hurricane-strength winds.

The most common signals we see are T1, T3 and T8. T3 means strong winds are a-blowing (or expected to blow), and T8 sees Hong Kong's work force rejoicing, as it signals home time. Famously, one of the bars on Lan Kwai Fong - Stormy Weather - gives customers free shots once the T8 signal has been hoisted.

For the more sensible (ahem) amongst us, here are the best ways to prepare for one of Hong Kong's typhoons:

1. Check the weather reports: Obvious, I know, but Hong Kong's weather is very fickle and things can turn from nice to nasty in a short space of time. Keep an eye open too in the lobbies of big buildings and office blocks, you'll see warnings in place (like the ones pictured above) if there's a storm coming in. The Hong Kong Observatory's website can be accessed here.

2. Batten down the hatches: Even if you're just passing through and have left a couple of things out on your hotel balcony, make sure you bring them in. Once a typhoon comes in there's absolutely no guaranteeing that they'll be there once it's over. Also, move any pricey objects you've either bought or brought with you from off the floor. If rain starts coming into your room you don't want things getting ruined.

3. Stock up on food: If it looks like there's a whopper of a typhoon coming make sure you're prepared and stocked up with enough food and water for 48 hours. Most of Hong Kong's supermarkets don't close right away, giving you enough time to grab the essentials.

4. Stay inside: To avoid being walloped over the head by flying objects like branches, make sure you stay inside for the duration of the typhoon. Don't venture out until there's been official word that it is safe to do so.

5. Don't sit by the windows: They might break, which wouldn't be pretty. Also, draw curtains and close shutters if you have them.

6. Fix tape to the windows in an older building: This will help to curtail damage should the windows blow in.

7. Make alternative travel plans: In a T8 most flights will be either delayed or cancelled, so it's a good idea to come up with a back up plan.

8. Stay away from coastal areas: Once a T3 has been hoisted, steer clear of Hong Kong's beaches and coastal areas as winds and waves can be very strong.

9. Move into a corridor or hallway if the storm becomes severe: You'll be less exposed to glass windows here, and therefore safer.

10. Make sure you have a torch / flashlight: It will be very handy in case there is a power outage. I think the Mini Maglite is great for travellers as it's so small and light.

Photo Credit: Typhoon Signal by Carol Green via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By Christina Newberry

With so many vacationers booking their own travel packages online, or doing serious online research before contacting a travel agent, online review sites have become an essential part of the travel-planning process. But it can be frustrating trying to get a good picture of what a hotel is really like when there are great reviews mixed with terrible ones – leaving you wondering if the travelers could possibly all have gone to the same place.

When checking out vacation resorts in tropical destinations like Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, there are a few complaints that you can safely ignore, since they will not impact the quality of your vacation – or your tan. Here are the top 5 complaints you should ignore in any review of a tropical vacation destination.

1. My flight was delayed / the weather was bad

While a delayed flight and an unseasonable rainstorm will certainly impact how much you enjoy your holiday, these things are totally beyond your hotel's control. While the flight and hotel are often booked together for vacation packages, the hotel is not able to control the airline's scheduling or behavior (never mind the weather!). Reviewers' negative comments about flights and weather can be totally disregarded when choosing a hotel. For those who have had negative flight experiences, rather than take the problems out on the hotel, write a seperate flight review, contact your travel agent, tour operator, or airline for assistance or compensation.

2. There was a cockroach in my room
Welcome to the tropics! If you find a cockroach in an upscale hotel room in New York City, you should certainly call it to the attention of both hotel management and others who might be thinking of visiting that hotel. However, in warmer climates, cockroaches thrive outside, and often come in through open windows or doors. The presence of one in your room, while disturbing, does not mean the room is dirty or that the hotel has a roach problem. Giving a hotel a bad review because of a cockroach in your room in the tropics makes about as much sense as panning a hotel in Chicago because there was a little spider in the bathtub. Unless reviews mention entire families of cockroaches taking up residence in the hotel, this complaint is safe to ignore.

3. There were too many locals / the staff didn't speak enough English

If you want to be surrounded by your fellow countrymen, speaking your own language, you're best off traveling in your own country. It shocks me every time I see the "too many locals" comment in a review, but it pops up surprisingly often. Why not enjoy mixing with the locals instead of hoping for isolation from the culture you're visiting? In terms of English, any hotel catering to American, Canadian, or European tourists will have someone on hand with enough English skills to get you through any emergency situation. But for day-to-day interaction at the hotel, why not try to brush up on your abilities in the local language instead? Unless you want your vacation experience to be exactly like home, but warmer, this complaint can be totally disregarded.

4. The buffet was bland/repetitive (especially in Cuba)
There are two reasons why this common complaint can be ignored (and a third why it should be ignored if you're traveling to Cuba). First, a buffet is meant to serve a wide variety of tastes, and it's not reasonable to expect you'll like every item. Keep in mind that if things are a bit repetitive, you don't have to have every item you like every day – it's a buffet, so there are sure to be lots of choices, even with repeats. Second, no all-you-can-eat buffet is as gourmet as a formal restaurant – even at home. You should keep your expectations for gourmet dining in check at any all-inclusive. If things really are boring and repetitive, try some of the foods that are aimed at the local visitors – with new sauces, spices, and flavors to try, you should find the choices anything but boring.

Unless, of course, you're in Cuba, which is where that third reason comes in. When you travel to Cuba, you must remember that you are visiting a country that cannot get any goods from the United States, and lacks the infrastructure to transport perishable goods within its own borders. This situation, combined with a general lack of wealth in Cuba, means that many items you'd expect are simply not available. This is true across the board at Cuban resorts. If you can't handle a few green tomatoes and repetitive food, don't go to Cuba. If you do go, remember that no matter how bland your food may be, you are getting so much more than any local. Ignore this complaint and be thankful that you have so much at home that boring food on your vacation could possibly seem like something worth complaining about.

5. The bed was too hard
This is a cultural preference. Canadians and Americans seem to like their beds much softer than anyone else in the world, so when traveling we're often uncomfortable on hard beds. This does not mean, however, that the beds are cheap or the hotel is attempting to punish its guests – local visitors actually prefer the beds this way. Most hotels that cater to Canadians and Americans will have egg-crate-style foam mattresses available as mattress toppers. This softens the bed significantly, and deals with any discomfort for those used to soft beds. Just ask for one to be added to your bed on check in. Unless you have special chiropractic needs, this complaint can be safely ignored.

So there you have it – the top 5 reasons to ignore a bad hotel review. Use this list to help you get the real scoop on a hotel before you book, and know what to expect when you arrive. Keeping your expectations reasonable is the best way to ensure a happy holiday.

Photo Credits: iStockPhoto.com and ilhan gendron.

The gastropub phenomenon has inspired very mixed feelings amongst Brits. Some think it has reinvigorated pub culture and dining, whilst others believe it has stripped traditional boozers of their unique character.

One recent restoration that has been lovingly undertaken is that of The Orange on London's Pimlico Road. A year ago The Orange was a bit of a dark old flea pit; granted, it was atmospheric, but it was beloved of old timers who would sit embracing a pint for hours on end. Now it heaves with Chelsea's smart young things and you have to book in advance to guarantee a table in one of the bright and airy dining rooms.

The food at The Orange is simple and delicious. The wood fired pizzas are fantastically thin and crispy with delicious toppings such as spiced salami with artichokes and mushrooms, and torn chicken with pancetta, sage and pecorino. Salads are generous and come bursting with scrumptious ingredients. There is also a good selection of mains such as rib-eye steak, slow cooked shoulder of pork and herb crusted salmon.

Part of the restoration at The Orange included adding four simple and chic boutique bedrooms. Rates start at £155 + VAT per night, but that doesn't include breakfast. If you get well and truly stuck in of an evening it's good to know that you don't necessarily have to schlep home!

The Orange
37 Pimlico Road, London, SW1W 8NE; Tel: +44 207 881 9844; Web: www.theorange.co.uk; Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 8am to 11.30pm; Friday & Saturday 8am to Midnight; Sunday 8am to 10.30pm.

Photo Credits: Exterior shot by Emma Torry; Food shot via www.theorange.co.uk.

In Saturday's How to Spend It magazine award winning writer, Margaret Atwood, shares the ingredients for her perfect weekend in Toronto, Canada.

According to Atwood, winter visitors to Toronto should check out snow-tubing in Horseshoe Valley, winter birding, and forest walks in places such as Sir Winston Churchill Park and Leslie Hill Split.

For lunch in Toronto you should check out Live (264 Dupont St), which does great vegetarian food; Cantine (13 Avenue Rd), for a superlative bowl of soup; or Le Sélect (432 Wellington St West), a good weekend lunch spot serving up French bistro food (pictured below).

If you want some good dinner options you should look into Take Sushi (22 Front St West), for good Japanese and 93 Harbord (93 Harbord St) for Middle Eastern cuisine - both come highly recommended by Atwood.

L'Espresso Bar Mercurio (321 Bloor St West) is a favourite coffee place, right across the street from Toronto's Shoe Museum.

If you're up for a swanky night out in Toronto, Atwood suggests the new opera house (735 Queen St East), "the auditorium rests like an egg inside the building on huge, rubber elephant legs. The sound is excellent."

• Live: 264 Dupont St (North East corner of Dupont and Spadina), Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5R 1V7; Tel: +1 416 515 2002; Web: www.livefoodbar.com.
  
• Cantine: 13 Avenue Rd, Toronto, Ontario M5R 2H6; Tel: +1 416 923 4822; Web: www.cantine.ca.
  
• Le Sélect: 432 Wellington Street West, Toronto M5V 1E3; Tel: +1 416 596 6405; Web: www.leselect.com.
  
• Take Sushi: 22 Front Street West, Toronto, ON M5J 1C4, Canada; Tel: +1 416 862 1891; Web: www.takesushi.ca.
  
• 93 Harbord: 93 Harbord Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1G4; Tel: +1 416 922 5914; Web: www.93harbord.com.
  
• L'Espresso Bar Mercurio: 321 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M5S 1S5 (southeast corner of Bloor & St. George); Tel: +1 416 585 2233; Web: www.lespressobarmercurio.com.
  
• The Opera House, Toronto: 735 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON M4M 1H1, Canada; Tel: +1 416 466 0313; Web: www.theoperahousetoronto.com.

To read the full article visit www.howtospendit.com.

Photo Credits: Snow tubing by DrewOtt; Le Sélect via www.leselect.com.

By Helena Iveson

Ah, Venice. The city which has enough romance and magic to entrance even the most hard bitten of tourists, travel fiends who've been around the block more times than you've had hot dinners. But while mind-blowing beauty is on every calle corner, tourists whom are entranced by anything served up at the city's notoriously bad and pricey restaurants are rarer than a cheerful gondolier.

Then Il Ridotto opened on the lively Campo SS. Filippo, and Venice-bound gourmets now have a dining destination that is as much an attraction as the churches and grand squares. If you're organised enough to book way ahead at this intimate and stylish restaurant run by Gianni Bonaccorsi (there are just 6 tables), you'll enjoy Venetian art on your plate.

The chef personally welcomes you to his pared-back refuge from the crowds and visits each table to explain the menu which changes daily, depending on what he found at the city's Rialto Market. After an amuse-bouche of a perfectly plump prawn on a bed of truffled mashed potato, the first course arrived without any fuss, and when we tasted the fabulously rich homemade tagliolini with a surprisingly light Fassone beef ragu, the fireworks began. The secondo (which incidentally is the same size as the first so pace yourself) was squid stuffed with scampi and prawns in a clam sauce and was as colourful as a Venetian carnival mask.

For dessert, the deliciousness of the chocolate tart with its oozing soft centre kept us digging in, even though we were as stuffed as the squid, and after that it was a pleasure to sit back at our table by the window and sit, Murano glass in hand, and have an unobstructed view of the kitchen at work. It was just Bonaccorsi and a younger apprentice, and there was no Gordon Ramsey-style theatrics, but instead a calmness and creativity at play that set the tone for the rest of the restaurant. Our bill for two was €100 with half a bottle of wine: for Venice and for this quality, that was a bargain.

Il Ridotto
4509 Castello, Campo SS Fillippo, Venice, Italy 30122; Tel: +39 041 520 8280; Web: www.ilridotto.com.

Photo Credits: Venetian Gondolas via iStockPhoto.com, Il Ridotto via www.ilridotto.com.

By Helena Iveson

"This is the Roman way, don't worry," Italian chef Daniela del Balzo said cheerfully, as she reversed her Fiat 500 the wrong way up a one-way street. Not that she could really see out of the window anyway, as the boot was full of delicious goodies that we were taking back to her stylish apartment in a ritzy area on Aventine Hill near the Colosseum to cook for lunch.

Daniela's irreverent charm made the time we spent with her, learning to buy and cook as real Romans do, the highlight of a recent trip to Rome. We'd just spent an hour in Testaccio Market, where generations of Italians have gone to shop since it opened in the 1800s, sniffing, tasting and elbowing the weak out the way to get the freshest and most perfect food possible.

The neighbourhood is a working-class stronghold known as Rome's stomach – it is here that you would have once found the city's slaughterhouses, but they've been closed down and transformed into chi-chi art galleries and apartments as the area undergoes galloping gentrification. Daniela explained that she'd recently taken celebrity chef Gary Rhodes around the market and he'd been poking and prodding the produce just like any good Roman housewife.

The market's 50 or so stalls include the freshest glistening fish on display at a fishmongers that proudly displays a picture of Italian legend Marcello Mastroianni, the stall holder's cousin; picture-perfect fruit and vegetables such as shredded chicory and ready-trimmed artichokes that looked as though they were dug out the ground that morning; plus one of the best selections of cheese, ham and meat that you will find in all of Italy.

After lugging our bags into Daniela's apartment, over espresso and biscotti and with Italian opera on in the background, she talked us through the menu which included both local and Neapolitan dishes from her hometown.

While Daniela poured us a generous glass of prosecco, we made some snacks to get us in the mood: bruschetta and prunes wrapped in bacon, a rich courgette frittata and slices of Bresaola topped with ricotta cheese and arugula. Daniela encouraged us to taste, seasoning and pouring on extra-virgin olive oil at will, which had been made from groves at her family's holiday home in Abruzzo. Then we started on our pasta course of fettuccine with artichokes and pasta with Broccolo Romano. The thought of the last dish did make my heart sink as the vegetable was described as a combination of broccoli and cauliflower which aren't exactly must-orders for me, but once it was braised with anchovies and made creamy with pecorino, I could have licked the bowl.

Our main course was Involtini alla Romana, strips of veal rolled up with prosciutto and celery and braised in a white wine and marjoram sauce. Oh, and tiramisu to finish, followed by more coffee, biscotti and chocolates. Or at least I think that's where we finished, as Daniela generously topped up our wine whenever we weren't looking.

After we bade farewell, with heartfelt kisses and thanks and promises to come again, we walked - or rather staggered - down Aventine Hill armed with our recipes, feeling like we didn't need to eat again until we next returned to Rome.

Testaccio Market is open everyday bar Sunday from 6.30am – 2pm.
For more details of Daniela's Cookery School contact Context Travel (www.contexttravel.com).

By Helena Iveson

Sometimes airports can be such a bore. What with crazy queues at security and cramped seats and cardboard food on the plane, it's no wonder that "staycations" are one of the travel industry's top trends.

For Singaporeans, the popular island resort of Sentosa, just a quarter of a mile from the mainland, is a very popular staycation destination, though up to now the attractions have been more family-friendly than fabulous. And while the newly-opened Resorts World is attracting all the publicity, the ultra-exclusive hotel Capella Singapore is where travellers in the know are heading, armed with Gucci bikinis and the latest copy of Vogue.

From the moment you glide up the meandering private driveway to the two colonial buildings that serve as the hotel's reception area, the hustle and bustle of Singapore feels a very, very long way away. Star architect Lord Norman Foster restored the dazzlingly white bungalows, and also added a stylish, undulating space behind them which houses the bulk of the hotel's fabulous accommodation and two restaurants. This earthy red building mirrors the contours of Sentosa's terrain, and guests enjoy spectacular views out to the South China Sea.

And it's not just the views that are dazzling: the Capella's spacious Modern Asian style rooms come with a state-of-the-art touch screen which controls every aspect from air-con to the blinds, iPod docking stations with Bose speakers, a wall-hung plasma TV, a Nespresso machine coffee machine, a private balcony and a open plan bathroom with a deep stone bath.

Staff are far too well mannered and discreet to name their celebrity guests, but when we were there, it looked as though a couple of local A-list celebrities, armed with huge sunglasses to keep out prying eyes, were lounging by one of the cascading pools. In fact, Capella Singapore, is the kind of place that you can picture someone glam like Beyonce sashaying past one of the resident peacocks that freely wander around the tropical gardens. Who needs Bali when an island paradise is just a ten minutes' drive away?

Capella Singapore
1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island, Singapore
Tel: +65 6377 8888
Web: www.capellasingapore.com

Photo Credits: Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island by mrreynolds; Capella Singapore courtesy of Capella Hotels.

By Turner Wright

If you're planning a trip through the States read this guide to American accents before you head off on your travels. It's an amusing, astute look at the weird and wonderful differences in dialect and pronunciation across the USA.

I'm a Texan first, then an American, then a citizen of the world. Without fail, every time I encounter someone on the road who has an inkling of knowledge of American accents, I hear:

"So you're from Texas? You don't really have an accent, do you?"

...a fact for which I praise my upbringing each and every day. Still, that doesn't stop me from occasionally throwing on a twang, and spitting out:

"Yessum, I surely do. Yee-haw! Giddy-up there! Have ya'll seen my horse?"

I guarantee I'm not the only city-raised respectable Southerner who's felt compelled to feign, wishing for a moment we had more evidence of our heritage... and perhaps feeling a little embarrassed we have to make the effort. After all, every state is the proud owner of its own distinctive twang, its essence representing the character of the state's history and its people.

TEXAS

Screw Alaska. We're the biggest of the lower 48, so we deserve to be first. The Lone Star State. The Texas accent can be mistaken for the southern drawl of neighboring states, but it tends to be a little more focused; when Michael Caine was studying to speak like a Texan in the movie Secondhand Lions, he probably got the best explanation I've ever heard:

'...[British] English is like all-soldiers-standing-to-attention.' He said, 'In Texan, everybody leans on each other, goes like that. The words just lean on each other and they go through jus' like that. It's all slow and you don't have to worry about nothin'.'
I said, 'Texans do talk slow, don't they John?'
He said, 'They sure do, Michael.'
I said, 'Why's that?'
He said, 'Well, I reckon it's 'cause we're all very big and carry a lot of guns - people just listen.'

Source: YouTube

THE SOUTH
Like Texan (or I guess the rest would say "Texas is like us"), the southern accent is drawn out, tends to drop the end of words, and is a close relative of the English accent. I hesitate to lump the masses together, as each state is quite distinct, but for the most part Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia (the Virginias are pretty unique in themselves), North Carolina, and Arkansas natives bear the burden of this form of speech.

In the south...

• "Liar" rhymes with "fire"
• Be on the lookout for expressions that would make Shakespeare turn in his grave: "You're dumber'n a sack'a potatoes."
• "Ya'll" (= you all) is a dead giveaway
• "Get 'er done!" will always produce a reaction (thanks to Larry the Cable Guy)

BOSTON
Boston and indeed most of eastern Massachusetts has a wicked retarded accent, best used for cheering for the Red Sox, doing kegstands, and grabbing something sweet from the packie (liquor store). In any case, try changing all the short "a"'s to "ee"'s (e.g. Mary = Meery); "o"'s to soft "a"'s (e.g. Boston = Baston) and "r"'s at the end or in the middle of words to "h"'s (Nomar Garciaparra = Nomah).

The Wicked Good Guide to Boston English

MIDWESTERN
The midwestern accent is probably the most neutral of accents in all forms of English. Head over to Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania and enjoy the flat-sounding voices. I believe this is why there are so many telemarketing firms and phone operators in Nebraska; companies want to be understood. Without any real inflection or flare, midwestern speakers may as well be the hardest to pin down by language enthusiasts.

NEW YORK
Ahh... yes. Your first thought is probably the deep NY accents you hear Italians using in mob movies; in fact, whenever I try to feign this one, I start with: "Hey Tony, go whack this guy, will ya?"

Given the geographically small area of New York City, it's amazing we find such varieties of speech. From all five Boroughs - Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx - to Long Island and northern New Jersey, many visitors to the big apple (I don't care if they officially changed the name) claim to be able to hear differences between these regions. In fact, the classic New York accent is the result of European immigrants, and now lies mostly in the mouths of the working class; talk to a cabbie from JFK airport into Manhattan and you'll see what I mean.

The Story of the New York Accent.

THE DAKOTAS
Pop the movie Fargo into your DVD player and discover... well, an exaggerated version of a Minnesota accent. For North and South Dakota, there are strong Scandinavian and German roots influencing their inflections, with a result not far off from the neutral dialects of the midwestern states. Double "o" sounds are indistinguishable from their use in "root" (i.e. book = b-oo-uk), and soft "a"'s are replaced by soft "o"'s (father = f-oh-ther). In North Dakota, the Canadian influence is also unmistakable.

CALIFORNIA

A lot of the latest American slang spreads from New York City and Los Angeles, tending to produce a speech faster and much harder to pin down. In general, the "A"'s are flatter, the "R"'s are hard, and the accent is more liked a toned down version of the 1980s Valley Girl. In all likelihood, you'd be more likely to recognize someone as Californian based on their cultural expressions and knowledge of Spanish rather than any specific accent.

Photo Credits: Texas by atmtx; Boston by JMaz Photo; New York by diebmx; California by casch52 gone for a short time.

If you've always dreamt of diving down to 20,000 leagues under the sea, then news of Virgin's new "underwater plane" will be music to your ears, though perhaps not to your wallet.

The Necker Nymph, Virgin Limited Edition's DeepFlight three-person aero-submarine (what a mouthful...), is an open cockpit winged sub that will take tourists down to the ocean floor on an underwater flight to explore shipwrecks, swim side-by-side with dolphins, or cruise along with whales. Needless to say, it is the first of its kind on the market.

Capable of diving down to depths of 36,000 feet Necker Nymph has the flexibility to glide peacefully over reefs or up the excitement ante with 360 degree turns. The open cockpits afford near ideal 360 degree viewing for passengers, creating a uniquely open experience. Dives can last up to two hours.

Like all DeepFlight subs, Necker Nymph has near-zero environmental impact: it won't land on precious reefs and has low light and noise emissions to keep ocean ecosystems from being disturbed.

Necker Nymph is available either when chartering Necker Belle, Virgin's luxury 105 foot catamaran (weekly charter costs U.S. $88,000), or when staying on Richard Branson's Necker Island. When taking Necker Belle for 7-nights' exclusive hire, the sub is available at an additional weekly rate of US$ 25,000.

Images via Virgin Limited Edition.