Tumi Spring Collection

We love our Tumi carry on bags and though we've only had them a year or so; we've dragged them all over the world already. (That's Hope in Tuscany above.) This spring Tumi is introducing its first line of sunglasses inspired by famous bridges and their balance of form and function using materials including leather, aluminum, titanium and stainless steel.

Tumi also introduced their new Bravo collection of day bags this Spring. Our pick is the unstructured Kessler Large Duffel in Linen which attaches easily to our Tumi system (for extra packing space) or could be used alone for a quick trip.

Looking for more Tumi? Check out the graffic art series of luggage by artist Crash. You wouldn't miss one of these on the luggage carousel!

Concierge Confidential

We've always recommended the hotel concierge as a fantastic resource on your vacation. They can tell you where there best steakhouse is and how to get a table or where the best clubs are in town and how to get your name on a list. New York concierge Michael Fazio divulges plenty of tricks of his trade in his new book Concierge Confidential. Fazio spent years working at the New York InterContinental where he learned how to score the best tickets and reservations in town, filled a tub with hot fudge for a romantically inclined guest (don't try this at home!) and some other NC-17 rated requests. Included are insider tips and entertaining stories he's gathered through years working with the rich and famous. Available on Amazon.com

Special Rates for the Palazzo and Venetian

We had such a great time at the Palazzo for Anne's bachelorette that we're tempted to go back by the special Internet rates starting at only $129/night. Sure there are plenty of new places opening all the time in Vegas; but what we love most about the Palazzo and the Venetian is their location right in the middle of everything on the strip, the Canyon Ranch Spa, the over sized rooms and the great restaurants and clubs like Tao and Lavo on site. Book your room by January 31st and use the code EPOXJAN.
Photo courtesy of The Palazzo.

Girls Getaway Package at the Setai South Beach

This is the time each year when we plan a little trip to Miami. It's just so easy and we always have fun. We're looking at new hotels to check out; but we still wanted to pass on this Girls Getaway package at the Setai. If you haven't been, it's simply one of the most sophisticated, lux property on the beach. We love the asian design influences, the floor to ceiling windows in the rooms, and the proximity to just about all of our favorite spots in SoBe. 

The Girls Getaway Package at the Setai includes:

• A bottle of Taittinger Champagne and Chocolate Truffles in the suite
• Two 60-minute treatments in The Spa at The Setai
• Complimentary Aperitif when dining in The Restaurant at The Setai
• VIP entrance to a South Beach lounge or nightclub
• Complimentary bottle with a VIP table reservation any Opium Group nightclub (like Mokai where Dwayne Wade is having his bday, Mansion and Set among others)
• Champagne makeover and private shopping experience at the Saks Fifth Avenue Club in Bal Harbour with an exclusive fifteen percent off
• The Setai Grand Breakfast each day
• Fifteen percent off the Asprey Boutique, located in the Setai lobby
• Personalized pre-arrival experience by one The Setai’s dedicated concierges (not sure what this is but we're intrigued!)

Dali Museum Opens in St. Petersburg, Florida

The Salvador Dali Museum opens its doors this week, just a block away from its previous home. With the largest collection of Dali outside of Spain, the museum houses more space for the growing numbers of visitors and promises to protect the priceless pieces within from a category 5 hurricane. The building itself is worth exploring with its spiraling staircase and exterior igloo-like structure.

We're curious about the Yoga + Dali classes held each Sunday starting January 23rd. Imagine a 75 minute vinyasa class with views overlooking the waterfront and Dali's art surrounding you. Classes are only $10 for members or $15 for non-members.

Learn more at TheDali.org.

On Our Radar: Lady Gaga Monster Ball and the Luxe City Center LA

If you missed Lady Gaga last year, this is a great opportunity to see her. The Luxe City Center in LA adjacent to the Staples Center finished a remodel and is offering a couple of premium Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour packages. Whether you live on the west coast or you need a break from freezing temps elsewhere, the show on March 28th would be blast.

Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour "Suite" Platinum Package in a Luxe  Premium Suite

• Two lower level tickets for Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour Concert on March 28;
• Valet parking
• Early 10 a.m. check-in at hotel;
• Get your bubbly on with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Champagne
• Box of Godiva Chocolates
• Dinner for two at Flemings Prime Steakhouse (includes a cocktail, appetizer, entree, and dessert for two)
• $200 Visa gift card so you can shop like a rock star (think leather leggings)
• Lady Gaga Hardcover Monster Ball Program

This package is available for $3,500 for one night (based on two guests) and is exclusive of taxes and tips.

Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour "Suite" Diva Package in a Luxe Executive Suite

• Two lower level tickets for Lady Gaga Monster Ball Tour Concert on March 28
• Valet parking
• Early guaranteed 12 noon check-in at hotel
• Bottle of Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Champagne
• $150 Visa gift card to enjoy a "Diva Dinner" at the restaurant of your choice
• 2 Lady Gaga Monster Sunglasses

This package is available for $1,900 for one night (based on two guests) and is exclusive of taxes and tips.

To make a reservation for these exclusive packages, call 213-748-1291. 

Paris 2Go City Guide

Paris 2Go is an app that you can download for you iPod, iTouch or iPad and access offline- no WiFi or Internet is necessary. We reviewed Paris 2Go and wish we had it on our recent trip there! It has detailed maps of the city with street searching capabilities, a full Metro map including which stop to take for each attraction, details on 4,800 points of interest (everything you need to know about the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and much more), and 600 articles about the city's history, interests and geography. You can find it on iTunes for $0.99.

There are at least 15 other city apps including New York, London, Rome, Chicago, Munich and Prague. Also the City Maps 2Go app has hundreds of maps (over 2,400) that you download and access without further needing WiFi.

Rebecca Minkoff's Cherish Lattice Tote

This tote would be perfect for a beach or cruise vacation. Rebecca Minkoff designed a bag that straddles classy and edgy with the lattice detail in a natural leather that will look great with your bikini and tunic! It has a metallic snap to keep it together, one zip pocket for your valuables, and more open pockets for organizing. It's big enough to carry your necessities on board the airplane and small enough to be considered a purse, which means you can still bring your small wheel suitcase.  The Cherish Lattice Leather Tote is available at Saks for $395. Happy travels!

Top 10 Lists to Help You Keep Your Resolutions

Whether your goal is to save more money, be kinder to the earth or get in shape, we've rounded up top 10 lists from across the web to help you keep them.

If you...
Resolved to go off the beaten path, check out the contestants for America's Coolest Small Town. (Budget Travel)

Resolved to save money, check out the top 10 best value destinations. (Lonely Planet)

Resolved to be more eco-friendly, check out these 10 eco-friendly travel tips. (AOL)

Resolved to challenge yourself on the road, check out these 10 great places to grow. (USA Today)

Resolved to expand your horizons, check out the best places to go 2011. (Frommers)

New Airline Fees

United and American announced new fare increases of $10 on one-way trips and $20 on roundtrips in response to rising fuel prices. Boooo! We're reasonable people; but it's frustrating considering the airlines have made billions on checked bag fees, exit rows fees, and more. The worst part is these fees don't show up on the fare price on most search engines, it's only on checkout that you'll see them. Our best advice is to book your tickets as early as possible- 21 days if you can- and grab a cheap seat as soon as you see it. Because it you go back later, chances are someone will have snatched it.

Holiday Gift Ideas: Really Last Minute Ideas

You still have a day to choose pricey overnight shipping for your gifts (unless you find a free offer); but an easier option is to give an electronic gift certificate. We wish Santa would bring us an airline gift certificate. Virgin America and American, among others, offer gift cards and virtual gift cards via email.

American Airlines No Longer on Orbitz

We've all got our go-to search engine for booking airline tickets: Travelocity, Orbitz, Expedia and others. It's a convenient way to find the best deals; but only because the major carriers participate with the sites. It seems American Airlines and Orbitz couldn't agree on their partnership terms so for now, don't expect to see American's offerings there.

If you've already bought tickets for AA through Orbitz, those tickets are valid and if you need to make changes to your itinerary, do so with AA reservations, not Orbitz.

Since we often use American for our jaunts down to SoBe; we'll check out a rival comparison site for now. Our pick? Try Kayak.com which locates good deals on different sites then redirects you there. Looks like finding cheaper plane tickets just got more complicated. We're hoping other airlines don't follow American's lead. 
photo courtesy of wikipedia.com

Best Cities for Shopping

If shopping is on the top of your "Must-Do" list when you're on a girls' trip, you won't want to miss this list of Top 10 Destinations for Shopping via MSNBC. While New York, Paris and Los Angeles make the list, there are a few surprises that we'll have to work into our 2011 travel itinerary! Read the Top 10 Cities for Shopaholics.

Travel Trends 2011

Pauline Frommer shared her top travel trends—some good, some bad—for the coming year. What can we expect? Hidden fees, personalized trips, a growth in home rentals (as shown above) and more. Read Pauline Frommer's Travel Trends 2011.

Cyber Monday Deals

Thanks to the folks over at Hotel Chatter for rounding up the best Cyber Monday Hotel and Travel deals for us. Included in the list? 30% off the rack rate at the Gansevoort Turks and Caicos--today only! Read the full list of Cyber Monday hotel deals.

Advanced Imaging Technology vs. Opt Out Day

The full-body scanners that were installed at most of the airports across the country in an effort to increase security by TSA are causing a fuss about personal privacy. The body scans essentially take an xray of the passengers, which are revealing especially if you're not as immodest as the two of us. For those who feel it's too invasive and/or against their civil liberties, they can choose to have a security official perform a manual pat down.

Brian Sodergren is so adamant that he's encouraging passengers to boycott the scans entirely this Wednesday which happens to be THE busiest day travel day of the year. An average scan takes ten to twenty seconds while a pat down can take four minutes. Imagine if the hundreds of travelers in front of you at the security gate chose a manual pat down! We commend Mr. Sodergren for his commitment; but causing a huge delay on an otherwise unbearable day of travel just isn't worth it to us. What do you think? Learn more at http://www.tsa.gov/ and http://www.optoutday.com/.

Chelsea Handler Talks Vacations

Hey, Chelsea! Ever thought about writing a travel guide? Between your hilarious retelling of your  Caribbean vacation in Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang, this classic travel tip from Are You There God, It's Me Chelsea and your genius idea you shared with InStyle, we would buy it!

In case you missed Chelsea's musing in the "On My Mind" column in the November issue:

"Would someone please invent...A Post-vacation body deflator? When I go away, I lie on the beach and drink margaritas all day. I always come back 3 to 5 pounds heavier."

Genius, we tell you!

Cayman Cookout

Now's a good time to plan a quick weekend getaway for January. It's such a dull and depressing month when we have a holiday hangover and little to look forward to. January 13th to the 16th, 2011, the talented (and sexy) chef Eric Ripert is hosting Cayman Cookout, a culinary weekend full of guest chefs, great food, wine and demonstrations. We'd love to see chefs Anthony Bourdain, Jose Andres and Charlie Trotter among others and sample some of their work at tastings scattered through the weekend. If you go, stay at the Ritz-Carlton, where we spent of fun few days with our girlfriends last year. Oh, and give Eric a big squeeze for us- we've only met once; but it was enough time to see what all the fuss was about!

Grand Cayman is easy to get to with Cayman Airways which starts non-stop service from New York, Chicago and D.C. in November.

Crate and Barrel Purple Fleece Sleep Kit

This snugly Purple Fleece Sleep Kit from Crate and Barrel is just what we need for our upcoming overnight flight to Europe. The super soft pouch converts to an inflatable pillow and carries in it a generously sized fleece eye mask and blanket. The kit is reasonably priced at $29.95 and small enough to fit in our carry on. It's also available in cherry red and would make a great holiday gift for that JSG in your life.

No thanks on the beverage service, we'll be catching some zzzz's over the Atlantic. Happy travels indeed!

Poolside Etiquette

Thanks to the New York Times' Social Q column for tackling the question of the right to reserve a lounge chair. It drives us nuts when we go down (or up!) to a hotel pool and find all the lounge chairs have towels or magazines on them with nary a person in sight. Do these people wake up at 6 am to claim the best chair only to go back to bed until peak tanning hours? We think the Times got the answer just right.

Read Dirty Pool.