Hotels in Places

places to ask: “Will you marry me?”: CAYO ESPANTO Three miles of the coast of Belize, this palm-fronded private-island resort is ultra-exclusive. It’s surprising, then, that it can also nurture such a laid-back and unpretentious air. Hidden among the palm trees on the Caribbean shore, its handful of luxurious villas offer a uniquely personalized level [...]

places to ask: “Will you marry me?”: NOIR D’IVOIRE At this ravishingly restored riad, the delight is in the detail: capacious beds and baths; real fires for winter nights; fresh oranges brought to your room each evening; squirreled-away bowls of nuts and dried fruit dotted around; giant swags of tasseled silk and linen; and artisan [...]

places to ask: “Will you marry me?”: PALAZZO BARBARIGO This dramatic 18-room destination hotel adds a modern shot of plush velvet, saucy feather-trim and moody mirrored wall to polished parquet floors and period details. In the bedrooms, the theme continues with minibars in deco-style cocktail cabinets. Sigh over Grand Canal views in one of the [...]

places to ski: Breathtaking scenery may be Banff’s claim to fame, but its recognition goes much further than glittery aesthetics. With a long ski season, light and dry snow, fantastic facilities and three major resort areas, skiing in Banff is a pleasure. Settled in the Canadian Rockies, the unspoiled area is home to nature’s elks [...]

places to ski: Time after time, Vail is classified as one of the finest ski resorts in the world. Its seven Back Bowls and exceptional powder draw expert skiers from around the globe. Due to the mountain’s size, there is plenty to do for beginners, regulars and veterans – the only problem is that most [...]

places to ski : Holding its head high with a glamorous reputation, St. Anton is no one-trick pony. Beyond its glitzy facade, it brings the thrills with world-class skiing, fantastic powder and lots of unmarked trails. Experts enjoy steep drops like that of Zura and the challenging powder bowls of the Valluga. Beginners find their [...]

places to ski: Sitting right under Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc, Chamonix has a wide range of intermediate and advanced skiing options. Known as the extreme free-riding capital of Europe, it’s also a hot spot for snowboarders as well. Once the day of downhill fun comes to a close, gear up for its dynamic town [...]

places to ski: Often known as some of the most challenging skiing in the Alps, Verbier offers nothing short of exhilaration. Located in a high and sunny spot, this beautiful area can be downright intimidating, especially on something like its black run down the front face of Mont-Fort. Classic runs, like the unmarked route from [...]

places to ski: In southeastern France, on the border of the Vanoise National Park, sits Val d’Isere. Diverse in its level of difficulty, the ski haven welcomes visitors from all over the world to explore its downhill slopes and outstanding culture. Its lively slopes cater perfectly to it’s even livelier nightlife, and making the transition [...]

places to ski: Just near the border of Italy, situated in the Swiss Alps at the southern end of Matter Valley, Zermatt is a prime starting point for explorers who take the Haute Route to Chamonix and the Patrouille des Glaciers. You can also get an international lift pass that allows you ski on the [...]

places to ski: Alpine skiing and mountain biking are big at Whistler Blackcomb, which is consistently voted a top ski destination each year. Whistler hosted most of the 2010 Winter Olympics’ alpine, Nordic, skeleton and bobsled events, so if you’re ready to claim your glory on the slopes, head to the world-renowned Whistler to try [...]

Rugby World Cup (Rugby Union) New Zealand from Sept 9 – October 23 Rugby powerhouse New Zealand will host the 2011 Rugby World Cup with 12 cities hosting games. Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland will play host to the final rounds but many regional cities and towns on both the North and South islands such as [...]

In likable Long Beach, The Queen Mary transforms into the Ship of Terror with macabre mazes and some truly terrifying surprises. Other fun includes live tunes at Purgatory Park and dancing at the Dome of Doom.

Forks was an undisturbed town, frequented by locals who worked for the timber industry, until writer Stephanie Meyer came along. The cult teen series-turned-movie “Twilight” has drawn flocks of vampire-loving teens to the small Washington town. But Forks has also been known to attract visitors from yesteryear such as a lumberjack who wanders around the [...]

Halloween Horror Nights is an after-hours event that takes place in the Universal Studios theme park. It’s complete with several haunted houses and “scare zones” along with Halloween shows and entertainment. For those who are easily spooked, Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, is the perfect night out.

Tombstone has a violent gun-fighting past that some claim has spawned a thriving ghost population. After checking out the daily reenactment of the infamous gunfight, saunter over to Boot Hill Cemetery — perhaps the most famous in America — before seeking out some real spirits in the town’s saloons.