Travel + Adventure Archives - Style and Fashion Blog

Most Romantic Wedding Spots in the USA

Jun 222012

Dreaming of tying the knot or planning to tie it soon? Here are Sivani’s choices for the most romantic wedding spots to say “I do.”

Kendelle Scott Wedding in Napa Valley; Image source: ruffledblog.com

1. Napa, California. If a sophisticated wedding with a natural element is your ideal, look no further than Napa. California’s celebrated wine country, Located just Northeast of San Francisco, boasts soft, rolling hills and luscious fields of grapevines. Other than the natural beauty that will surround you on your most magical day, there is the advantage of being able to make great wine and food a central element of your wedding celebration. Your guests will surely appreciate it, and so will you.

2. Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Florida. These two Gulf-side islands off Florida’s coast are laidback, classic Floridian locales in which to say your vows. Sanibel features tons of white-sand beach locations for your ceremony and reception, as well as an old lighthouse that will serve as a wonderful backdrop for your wedding photos. Captiva’s South Seas Island Resort offers full resort services and incredible wedding night accommodations. Both islands are home to upscale restaurants with fantastic seafood dishes and ocean views that make for beautiful receptions.

3. Acadia National Park, Maine. Adventurous couples who appreciate the outdoors are well suited to be married in this breathtaking swath of land on Maine’s Northeastern coast. A unique early morning ceremony on Cadillac mountain, one of the first places on the North American continent to see the sun each day, is very romantic and a symbol for new beginnings. Travel here for an autumn wedding full of vibrant and rich foliage.

4. New York, NY. Energetic, flashy, urban, and urbane, New York is lovely in its way. Endless options are available to couples seeking a romantic setting, from intimate ceremonies in historic buildings to family affairs in hotel ballrooms and even Central park itself. Not to mention the opportunity to fly directly from just outside the city to almost anywhere in the world you’ve planned your honeymoon.

Best Fishing Spots in USA

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Jun 082012

Our picks for the best fishing spots in USA:

1. Miami, Florida. Miami offers ample opportunities for deep sea fishing, and there are a variety of options for getting yourself out there – from renting your own boat to seeking assistance from a professional. One of the fantastic things about coming to fish in Miami is the chance to head out for some exciting fresh water angling in the Everglades. With its beaches, nightlife, and seafood scene, Miami makes for an unforgettable trip.

Fishing in Miami, FL; Image source: awolfishingguide.com

2. Seattle, Washington. With superior fishing options available a very short distance from the city, you can have the best of both worlds: a relaxing, grungy day on the water and luxury hotels and gourmet restaurants to come home to at night. You can also have the best of both salt and fresh water fishing. Try Puget Sound for the former, and Lake Washington for the latter. For the salmon lovers among you, mark your calendars for August and September!

3. New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s no secret that the fishing tourism industry here has taken a bit of a slam in the last few years. But the truth of the matter is, New Orleans and the waters that surround it still support some of the most vibrant fishing grounds in the United States. So plan a trip and see for yourself. You’ll be pleased with the large variety of fish ready for the catching, (and eating) including bass and snapper.

Good luck out there. We hope you catch the big one.

Our Top Three Most Romantic Spots in the World

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Jun 012012

It is, perhaps, easier than we think to become jaded after a bad relationship, or complacent in a good one. Whatever your personal situation is, it’s likely that you could use a little romance in your modern life. So, whether you’re single, married, living together, going on a honeymoon, planning a 3 month anniversary or just a spur-of-the-moment trip for yourself, read on to discover our top 3 most romantic spots in the world to wine, dine, dance, and romance.

Our Top Three Most Romantic Spots in the World

Paris, France, Image source: hiren.info

1. Paris, France. It might seem like a cliché, but the city has absolutely earned its reputation as the world center of l’amour. There are few pleasures in life as exhilarating as a stroll around Paris in any weather and in any season: rain, snow, sun, fall, winter, spring–it’s all magical. For the perfect romantic day, start with some hand-holding and people-watching as you saunter along the Champs Élysées. Eat lunch (glass of champagne required) at an outdoor cafe before heading to see Chanel and Van Cleef’s windows near the Ritz. Following dinner in a fine restaurant, stroll along the Seine (spontaneous kisses encouraged) and up to the Louvre, which is striking and softly lit by night. End your evening with a bottle of wine under the Eiffel Tower, which glitters on the hour, every hour. C’est la vie en rose, non?

2. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. While a safari might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of romance, you’ll be surprised at how enthralling the experience can be. And there is no better place for a first-time safari than Kenya, often heralded as the most breathtaking country on the wildly diverse African continent. If it’s difficult for you to conceive of a holiday sans the luxuries of a four-star hotel, never fear: there are several providers of accommodation that will see to your complete comfort–from gourmet dining to soft beds to steamy, hot showers in the middle of the bush. You and your loved one are sure to bond beneath the stars as you watch the moon rise and hear the cries of wildlife in the distance. Enjoy. It won’t be hard.

Kyoto, Japan; Image source: tourist-destinations.com

3. Kyoto, Japan. Kyoto is one of the major Japanese cities that survived WWII relatively unscathed. This means ample opportunities for meandering together (or with yourself and a camera or sketchbook) around its lovely, atmospheric, and ancient neighborhoods and attractions. Kyoto’s 17 World Heritage sites include gardens, imperial palaces, and religious shrines, but it is a decidedly sleek and modern city as well. If aesthetic (or religious) transcendence makes your heart sing, we recommend the Temple of the Golden Pavilion on a clear, blue-sky day. Once the sun goes down, head to Pontocho and Kiyamachi streets for a taste of Kyoto’s nightlife before ending your evening with a lazy walk along the glimmering Kamo River.

We hope we’ve convinced you to put on the rose-colored glasses for a few days, a week, or the entire summer in one of these swoon-worthy locations.

Top 5 World’s Best Beaches – Sivani Style

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May 222012

Sometimes, the daily grind needs escaping. Papers have a way of stacking up, in both the literal and figurative sense, and you need a vacation. What could be better (at any time of year) than heading out to the beach? Think about yourself as you are at this moment. Then ask yourself if this moment could be improved with a tropical drink in one hand, your favorite novel or magazine in the other, and a magnificent stretch of blue sea and white sand laid out before you.

Here are our top picks for the world’s best beaches:

Sun Island Beach - Maldives; Image source: free-digital-photography-tips.com

1. Sun Island Beach – Maldives. Our first beach is actually best enjoyed while staying in a hut over the crystal-clear water and beautiful reef filled with tropical fish. If the hut-over-the-water isn’t your scene, relax on the actual beach–the water is so transparent you can see the reef even from here!

2. Moterrico Beach – Guatemala. This beach of black volcanic sand borders deep blue Pacific waters. This is not a beach for the faint of heart: its rocking waves are for experienced swimmers only.

3. Crane Beach – Barbados. You can’t go wrong with this postcard destination. With its gently-swaying palm trees and gentle, turqouise waters, you’re sure to get a heavy dose of natural dopamine.

4. Mission Beach – San Diego. There’s tons to do here in San Diego, a wonderful destination for a summer holiday. Round up some of your favorite friends and head out to enjoy the beach bodies and surf shops in between rounds of sunbathing and beer-drinking on the sand.

5. Amalfi Coast – Italy. For a beach holiday with a cultural touch, head to the region in Italy just South of Naples. Gorgeous villages such as Positano and Sorrento are assembled here atop dizzying cliffs. The beaches below offer clear, warm Mediterranean waters and views of Mount Vesuvius.

We hope we’ve lowered your blood pressure just a little simply by getting your mind off ‘real life’ and onto the beach. But nothing can replace the real thing–so get going!

Swing Into Golf Season – Best Golf Clubs in America

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May 182012

Golf season is in full swing (pun intended). While you may be dreaming of playing the Old Course or somewhere similarly illustrious, remember that there are several prestigious, storied, and breath-taking spots for golf right here in the United States. We’ve put together profiles of some of the best golf clubs in America.

1. Cypress Point Club – Pebble Beach, CA. This has some of the most spectacular views in the game, especially along the 15th, 16th, and 17th holes that line the Pacific Ocean. Near Monterrey, this is also a great place to come for a beach holiday.

Swing Into Golf Season Best Golf Clubs in America

Augusta Golf Club; Image source: sbnation.com

2. Augusta National Golf Club – Augusta, GA. The yearly home of the Master’s Tournament, the course is known for its architecture as well as the amusing names of its holes. Each hole is named after the plant with which it is associated (something you can mention to your colleagues when you’re waiting to tee off).

3. Crystal Downs Country Club – Frankfort, MI. Crystal Downs is hands-down the best golf course in the Midwest. And it’s definitely worth the trip. The course itself is challenging and beautiful, and in Michigan–the under-appreciated tourist state! Those in the know, however, realize that it’s a great place to golf and to take part in outdoor activities of all kinds.

4. Pine Valley Golf Club – Pine Valley, NJ. Thanks to its deigner, George Arthur Crump (who was obsessed with the course’s layout), this is one of the most complex and rewarding courses to play in the world. Its understated clubhouse is the stuff golf lore is made of!

Try one or two, and remember: it’s not about winning or losing, but having bragging rights that you played one of these courses at all.

Three Tips for a Business Trip – Making the Most of 48-Hour Trips

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May 162012

Three Tips for a Business Trip Making the Most of 48 Hour Trips

Business Travel; Image source: actonaccountingandbookkeeping.com

The two-day business trip. Typically seen as a necessary evil of the professional world. Don’t fret if your summer calendar is full of these. We at Sivani are here to try to help you get through the 48-hour travel grind, and, dare we say, to help you enjoy yourself. The three tips for a business trip below come from seasoned business travelers on the international and national level. Try them next time you’re out of town for 2 days.

1. Keep track of where you’ve stayed. It’s really handy to have a journal where you can jot down the hotels and restaurants you’ve been to on one of these trips. The internet is a great tool, but nothing will aide your memory like writing your thoughts down briefly for instant reference. This way, you’ll know what hotels have the most comfortable beds and which eateries cater to which kinds of clients.

2. Separate your liquids and electronics before you reach the airport. Nothing can get your trip off to a less-than-breezy start quite like the frustration of trying to get your stuff sorted while stripping out of your belt, sweater, and shoes in front of 200 complete strangers. Save yourself the hassle: get a good bag with external pockets and do the work before you get to security.

3. Make time to do one new thing. Even if it’s the local museum or a walk on the beach, try to take an hour or two for yourself. You only live once and the fact is you’re away from home. So make the most of it!

Remember that travel websites like Lonely Planet and Frommers are awesome resources for finding places to stay and things to do. Happy travels from Sivani!

World’s Top 3 Surfing Spots

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May 112012

Surfing is one of the best ways to improve your health–and to have a great time doing it. It’s a fact that the sport works muscle groups throughout the entire body (if you don’t believe us, spend some time paddling out to where the big tuna waves are), improves cardiovascular health, and can even contribute to the relief of high blood pressure and reduce stress when practiced regularly. The Zen-like vibes you get from being out on the ocean and riding waves? They aren’t just in your head.

If you could do with some relaxation this summer (or any time of the year) why not try one of these top 3 surfing spots where you can not only enjoy catching some waves but also some of the most beautiful sceneries? This list includes selections especially tailored to intermediate and beginning surfers, since you would probably have already quit your day job and know about all the hot spots otherwise. Here we go:

Surfing at Kuta Bali Beach; Image source: diepoort.net

1. Kuta, Bali
For those with some extra cash they’d like to burn off, there’s almost nowhere we could think of that’s more beautiful than Bali. The beach at Kuta is the best place to start off; try the Odyssey Bali Surf School for a personalized or group lesson. Make sure to stick around after to enjoy the sandy strip of beach, restaurants, and palm-tree-laden views in the area.

2. Waikiki, Hawaii
This Sivani employee is incredibly biased toward Hawaii, but for good reason. It’s domestic, which means low hassle in terms of passport nonsense and currency exchanges, but is also simply one of the most enchanting places in the world. Honolulu’s downtown is a special place (think Chicago’s Gold Coast plucked from beside Lake Michigan and deposited next to the Pacific), and so is its signature beach. While you’re riding a wave in, try to stay up long enough to enjoy the views of the city.

3. Lagos, Portugal
For those looking to head to Europe, you couldn’t find a better place to surf than Lagos. It’s a mostly-undiscovered gem of the surfing world. Surf Experience Lagos is an excellent place to take lessons as a beginner. Part of the fun of surfing here is getting worn out so you can enjoy a heaping plate of delicious Portuguese food after in the town center.

And remember to please take your Sivani leather jewelry off before you get in the water!

Our Top 3 Active Vacation Spots

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May 042012

If hanging out on the beach with a novel isn’t your cup of tea (at least not for an entire week, or 10 days, or however long you’ve got to chill), here are our top three picks for active vacation spots – a vacation with adventure as the main objective.

Kayaking in Australia; Image Source: thewordaustralia.com.au

South Australia
For active pursuits, you could hardly pick a better place than the outback. While Australia offers activities such as four-wheeling on the beach, kayaking, snorkeling, surfing, and other water sports, the real adventurer will surely be drawn to what we had in mind — the Oodnadatta Track. This is a 620-kilometer trail traditionally used to herd cattle, and you can be one of the riders mounted on horseback to do the down and dirty work. As a part of the team, you’ll camp under the stars in the outback by night and enjoy Australia’s rugged beauty by day, cowboy style. No prior riding experience is necessary, and six cattle drives take place per summer; check out cattledrive.com.au for more information.

Hawaii
Again, the option to lay on the beach and catch up on your tan is there. No judgment. But the islands offer a chance for some great thrills, too. For instance, why not try a helicopter ride on Kauai? There are tons of tours over the naturally stunning Na Pali coast, with its many sharp cliffs, waterfalls, and canyons. You’ll cut right through all of them with a high-adrenaline way of seeing the sights! If you’d prefer to stay out on the clear Pacific waters, try big game fishing on the Big Island’s Kona coast. There are tons of seasoned salty dogs (aka ‘registered charter boat captains’) who can help you bring in a load of marlin or other tropical fish. And of course surfing lessons abound throughout the islands, though the best place to surf is Oahu’s North Shore. Just remember to take some lessons and learn the ropes before you attempt anything too crazy.

Scotland
The summer weather here is welcoming to travelers who love the outdoors. The sun stays out until after 10pm in some parts of the Northern-lying country, and it’s never miserably hot. This makes bike trips a particularly popular means of seeing Scotland, especially the geographically varied Isle of Arran and Rob Roy’s former stomping grounds, the Trossachs. Scotland has an incredible Northwestern coastline: head to the Isle of Skye and the surrounding area for hiking through hills and mountains that appear to be out of this world. Do not forget the camera, you will seriously regret it. If you’re in for a little more of a refined way to be active and enjoy the scenery, you’ve got to head to St Andrews, Fife. Home of the Old Course (really, the Oldest Course, as it’s golf’s first and dates from the 14thc.) you can even walk the course on Sunday with a fantastic view of the beach and medieval town. Cheers!