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Romantic Travel Blog
Snuba mixes snorkeling and scuba
By GREG BLUESTEIN, Associated Press Writer Greg Bluestein, Associated Press Writer – Mon Dec 14, 5:06 pm ET
ROATAN, Honduras – Breathing underwater was a strange sensation. It was even stranger because I've never been scuba-certified. Stranger yet that my wife — who is reluctant to even duck her head under water — was happily swimming 15 feet underwater behind me as we plumbed the depths on this island off the coast of Honduras.
We had discovered Snuba, a hybrid of snorkeling and scuba diving that was an exciting way to experience breathing underwater while not having to go through hardcore training. It has its limitations — namely, a 20-foot airline attached to a raft above — but for a new way to experience watery depths, it can't be beat.
Snuba has been around since at least the late 1980s, when a group of California divers started Snuba International to export the sport. It still isn't offered in many places in the U.S. beyond a few beaches in California, Florida and Hawaii. But it's also caught on in the Caribbean, where tourists go Snuba diving from Aruba to Turks and Caicos. Other destinations include Cancun, Mexico, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
My wife and I tried it in Roatan, Honduras. (The U.S. State Department lifted a travel alert to the country on Dec. 8, five months after a coup there.) Our Snuba experience on this tropical island started with a training session on safety procedures. We were then outfitted with flippers, a weight belt, a mask and a regulator linked to a long, snaking tube. It was all surprisingly light, mostly because the tube is connected to an oxygen tank that rests comfortably on a small raft.
We practiced for a few minutes in shallow water, getting a feel for our newfound ability to breathe underwater and the strange, almost tickling sensation we got when we inhaled.
We were told to try our best to breathe normally, as our oxygen tank only had a 45-minute reservoir of air and gasping can deplete it more quickly. And we were also taught to hold our nose and breathe every few feet so we could equalize our pressure as we plummeted.
The experience itself would be nothing new for certified divers, and probably a little frustrating. But for an avid swimmer like me who has always wanted to get scuba-certified, the ability to skim new depths was exhilarating.
Our guide went with us as we waded deeper into the water. The moment we got there we took advantage, plunging as deep as we could, skimming the tops of coral reefs and tracking the colorful fish darting in and out of our paths.
The water wasn't that deep, so our 20-foot rope never seemed to block us from going deeper. It was also nice to know that even if the hose somehow malfunctioned we were still shallow enough we could make it back to the surface within a few seconds.
There were some problems, though. For one, you have to go the same pace as everyone else tethered to your raft.
The tubes can also be a hindrance. If you don't watch out while you're swimming, you could be part of an elaborate knot that must be untangled. And you can feel a tug at your mouthpiece if you're too far ahead or behind the others, or if a stiff wind or heavy current pulls the raft above.
But my biggest problem with Snuba is that it left me wanting more. I wanted to go faster, deeper and stay underwater longer. And my only cure might have to be graduating to the next level: Scuba diving.
| Where to Drink Hot Chocolate in NYC 12/15/2009 10:53:18 AM Link | | Add comment Eight cafes for savoring the sweetest part of winter: generous mugs of rich, melted chocolate infused with vanilla, cinnamon, even chipotle.
By Sarah Amandolare, Monday, December 7, 2009 | Subscribe to the magazine
Chocolate Bar may bill itself as a "candy store for grown-ups," but the easygoing West Village café also sees its share of kids and dogs. Big windows, decorated with seasonal crafts and logo-emblazoned T-shirts, are perfect for people-watching—and sipping generous mugs of thick yet very drinkable hot chocolate. Chocolate Bar uses ground bittersweet chocolate chips and offers several varieties, such as caramel, raspberry, and peppermint. 19 8th Ave., 212/366-1541, from $4. Photos 1 of 3
While best known for its expert brewing and gourmet coffee beans, Joe The Art of Coffee also prepares a memorable hot cocoa. Mugs topped with a swirling heart or leaf design are reminiscent of chocolaty cappuccinos. What it lacks in size, Joe makes up for with warmth and comfort. Worn wooden floors absorb the shouts of baristas and the roar of espresso machines, and chatty regulars cram around bright yellow tables at the West Village location, one of five. 141 Waverly Place, 212/924-6750, 9 E. 13th St., 405 W. 23rd St., 44 Grand Central Terminal in the Graybar passage, 514 Columbus Ave., from $3. Photos 1 of 3
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GET YOUR FIX
Break from shopping or sightseeing to warm up at one of these welcoming Manhattan cafés.
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Chocolatier Katrina Markoff's international travels inspire unusual flavor combinations. The current selection at Vosges Haut-Chocolat encompasses white chocolate infused with Australian lemon myrtle and lavender, and the Parisienne Couture Cocoa, a lusty mix of dark chocolate and Madagascar vanilla bean. The hot chocolate arrives in tall, slender glasses and is available at two locations: a block from the Metropolitan Museum of Art on tony Madison Avenue, and in Soho. 1100 Madison Ave., 212/717-2929, 132 Spring St., 212-625-2929, from $5. Photos 1 of 3
Whimsicality rules at Max Brenner, from the cartoonish murals of jolly children to the egg-shaped Hug Mugs brimming with hot chocolate. It tastes surprisingly light, frothy, and pleasantly sweet. Dark and white hot chocolate, and flavors like toffee and Mexican Spicy are on the menu, alongside gooey chocolaty desserts. The large bi-level space draws crowds of Union Square shoppers and tourists and stays open late—till midnight on weeknights, 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 p.m. on Sundays. 841 Broadway, 212/388-0030, from $5.25. Photos 1 of 3
The celebrity name doesn't hurt, but Jacques Torres Chocolate's mildly spicy Wicked hot chocolate, prepared with frothed milk and served with whipped cream, is what brings customers back. The on-site factory, visible through windows in the Tribeca store, also churns out a tempting array of pastries and chocolates. Children seem especially taken with the setting: Oversize stuffed star pillows and kid-size tables and chairs are arranged below hulking chandeliers. 350 Hudson St., 212/414-2462, 285 Amsterdam Ave., 66 Water St. in Brooklyn, from $3.25. Photos 1 of 3
At City Bakery, a bustling two-level café north of Union Square, baker and chocolatier Maury Rubin has been dreaming up new flavors annually since 1990. Nearly pudding-thick, the hot chocolate is ladled from a steaming cauldron and poured into bowl-size cups. Say yes to a homemade marshmallow, a fluffy pillow that melts slowly, and watch the hungry crowds squeeze into booths to nosh on freshly baked pastries and plates of gourmet salads. 3 W. 18th St., 212/366-1414, from $4.50. Photos 1 of 3
Inside MarieBelle's Cacao Bar and Tea Salon, gilded mirrors reflect silver platters of pastries and white porcelain cups and saucers, and silent films are projected on a wall. Settle in with a cup of the trademark Aztec Hot Chocolate, made with Colombian cacao beans. Aztec Spicy, one of many creative variations, is creamy and teeming with cinnamon, chipotle, ancho chile, and nutmeg. Order yours American style (with milk) or European style (with water). 484 Broome St., 212/884-9707, from $6. Photos 1 of 3
Chef Tom Colicchio's 'Wichcraft cafes are refreshingly simple, with menus emphasizing high-quality ingredients and careful preparation. Inside the two-floor Midtown location, laid-back baristas greet morning regulars by name and fill mugs of coffee and strikingly flavorful hot chocolate—a rich, dark cocoa taste lingers on the lips. Despite the industrial-chic decor, 'Wichcraft makes a great place to warm up after skating at The Pond at Bryant Park or browsing its holiday market. 555 5th Ave., 212/780-0577, 11 E. 20th St., 269 11th Ave., 397 Greenwich St., 568 Broadway, 60 E. 8th St., 1 Park Ave., 11 W. 40th St., 245 Park Ave., 1 Rockefeller Plaza, Broadway at 32nd and 35th Sts., from $3.50. Photos 1 of 3
Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
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| Romantic Paris trip
Contact Ellen today at 1-800-691-0243 for a quote.
Paris Air Inclusive
Winter Special $1,399*
5 Nights Hotel La Demeure-Daily Breakfast
Round-Trip Air from Most US Gateways
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Located on the Left Bank, its advantageous location offers 1001 ways to discover Paris !
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Package includes:5 nights accommodations at La Demeure
Daily breakfast and hotel taxes
Map of Paris
Discount coupons for leading department stores
Round trip air from most US Gateways to Paris
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* Prices per person based on double occupancy.
Subject to availability at time of booking.
14 day advance purchase / Saturday night stay required.
Valid for travel through 3/31/10.
Blackout dates apply December 29, 2009 - January 2, 2010.
Taxes, fees and fuel surcharges of $225 are additional.
Other restrictions / conditions may apply.
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| How to Pick the Right Luggage for Your Next Trip 11/29/2009 2:58:55 PM Link | | Add commentTravel Tips Travel Smith is one of my favorite places to buy travel clothes and luggage. They are the experts. Below is an article they wrote about choosing the correct luggage for a trip. I always to to use carry on luggage to avoid extra fees and lost luggage. To see packing tips please visit my website at www.specialoccasiontravel.com.
Size: You have many options when it comes to bag size, but the numbers you need to know are the guidelines for carry-on luggage. These days, it can be hard to know what to expect at the security gate or check in, but the basic rule is that length + width + height of carry-on bags should add up to 45” or less. However, you should always check with your airline before you travel, as regulations vary, especially between domestic and international flights.
 Travel Plans: It’s not just your destination, but your plans that may determine the type of bag that works best for you. For example, rolling luggage might seem like a perfect choice until you hit the cobblestone streets of Florence or the wheel-wrecking sands of Cairo. Generally speaking, rolling bags are easy, ergonomic, and come in a wide variety of sizes and styles. They are ideal for:
- European and other urban destinations without much luggage-in-tow walking
- Cruises
- Business trips
 A duffel or shoulder bag style is a better choice for:
- More exotic and remote destinations
- Train travel and any situation in which you will need to lift your bag overhead
- Anywhere with sand
Duffel and shoulder bags are generally your lightest weight option, without much internal structure. If you’re taking a walking tour or other type of travel in which you’ll need to carry your gear with you over an extended length of time, invest in a well-fitted backpack with good hip support to help distribute the load. Small carry-on bags, totes and small shoulder bags are perfect companion pieces to any of the above styles, and also work for the very light packer and short getaways.
Quantity: Many items that were once allowed on board now must be checked. Your airline may also restrict the weight and quantity of bags you are permitted to carry on board. Women’s purses, once an overlooked item, now often count as carry-on luggage.
Most international travelers these days opt for a small suite of luggage pieces in varying sizes, including one larger piece of checked luggage, one carry-on bag, plus a small purse or laptop tote. This combination allows for maximum versatility, as well as giving you a place to pack liquid toiletries or other objects no longer allowed in-flight.
What to look for in a great bag: No matter where you’re traveling, look for these features to ensure you’re getting a quality piece of luggage:
 Durability: A bag is only as good as it performs. Look for reinforced seams and corners, durable zippers and forgiving materials such as rip-stop or ballistic nylon that will look good and hold up after the bag has been around a few luggage carousels.
- Expandability: It may be sleek and stylish, but if the bag won’t fit everything you need, plus the large souvenirs you collect, it’s not for you. A word of warning though, if the bag exceeds carry-on size when expanded it will need to be checked. This can be an issue with luggage that has auto-expand features and is close to the limit for carry-on dimensions.
 Cinch or compression straps: Not only will these straps help reduce the size of your packed items, they can also keep items from shifting in transit, which helps your clothes emerge with fewer wrinkles. Certain pieces of luggage also have panels between the straps to help disperse tension.
- Organized pockets: Most people have an opinion on the perfect number and arrangement of pockets, but everyone agrees that several well-placed internal and external pockets can help make travel easier.
 Piggy Back Strap: Found on many smaller bags, these straps often leave people wondering, “What are these for?” In fact, they are very handy, allowing you to slip a bag over the extended handle of your larger rolling luggage. Once you try them, you’ll never go without again.
 Well-designed and well-positioned handles: When your bag is flying around the luggage carousel, will you be able to grab it? Look for padded handles on the body of the bag, in addition to long shoulder straps or handles. Retractable handles that have multiple positions allow you to adjust the length to suit various heights.
 Well designed rolling features: Look for large, sturdy wheels, which reduce the amount of movement as you cross floor surfaces, and make it easier to roll up over curbs and thresholds. Instead of smooth in-line skate-style wheels, many newer bags have larger, “off-road” wheels, which are designed suit a variety of terrains.
A few final notes:
 Make sure your luggage has secure, covered ID tags on both the outside and inside (in case the outside tag gets lost). If these are not built-in features on your bag, buy some rugged tags or tape a business card to the interior.
 For domestic flights, use only TSA-accepted luggage locks on bags, whether for check-in or carry-on—otherwise they may be cut off by security checkers.
Start packing smarter with our Organized Luggage and Packing Aids
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Romantic Travel Blog
