Today the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) released it’s annual report of the dirtiest beaches in the United States.

You may be surprised to learn that the Great Lakes have the dirtiest beach water conditions in the country.  Apparently antiquated sewage treatment systems and urban storm-drain run off pumps pollutants into the Great Lakes on a regular basis.  There have been 18,000 closing and advisory days for 5 consecutive years!  Some coastal states aren’t faring much better.  Florida, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Rhode Island and South Carolina have their own major trouble spots.  While the shores of Southwestern Florida are considered the least polluted in the country.  States having the cleanest beaches include Minnesota, New Hampshire, California and Alabama.  Although Alabama has recently been affected by the Gulf oil spill which will change everything for them.

So how can you find the best beaches for swimming in your area?  The NRDC has published a terrific map of the 200 most popular beaches in the United States which includes there star rating for cleanliness.  The 5 star ratings are based on water quality, history of ratings, testing frequency, reporting compliance and on-site beach postings.  Beaches with a five star rating have complied with all of the regulations on a consistent basis.  Just click on an umbrella to reveal the area beach’s star ratings.  You may find beaching within the same general area may have very different test results.  If you’d like a more in-depth analysis of the beaches in your area, you can read their comprehensive reports by individual state.

Of course this year we are all concerned with the Gulf oil spill and the number of southern beaches affected by the oil washing ashore.  The NRDC has also prepared a map that charts beach closings along the gulf shoreline. As of today, Texas beaches have remarkably escaped the path of the oil.

The NRDC continues to work toward the improvement of water conditions at all our beaches.  Their goal is to reduce the amount of bacterial contaminants that enter our waterways leading to health concerns like skin rashes, pinkeye, respiratory infections, meningitis and hepatitis, as well as gastrointestinal illnesses.  Everyone is encouraged to pay close attention to warnings posted at beaches concerning water quality.  And as a general rule, they recommend avoiding swimming for at least 24 hours after a flooding rain storm.

We can all appreciate the good works done by the NRDC to make sure we all have a healthy, happy and cool summer at the beach!

We’ve just received notice that the OneOnly Ocean Club in the Bahamas and One &Only Palmilla in Los Cabos Mexico, are offering a super Summer Journey’s Sale running right though to the end of October!  Here’s their tantalizing offer:

• Stay three nights and receive a 4th night absolutely free (that’s a savings of  at least $600)
• Guests receive daily continental breakfast
• $200 in resort credits
• Two $50 spa certificates
• Two rounds of golf for the price of one
• Courtesy airport transfers
• and Welcome amenities

While this discounted offer is wonderful, it’s the exceptional settings of the One&Only Resorts that are the true gift.  The One & Only Ocean Club in the Bahamas occupies the former Huntington Hartford Estate on Paradise Island where dramatic terraced gardens evoke visions of a seaside Versailles. Fountains and statuary invite you to explore and the 12th century Augustain cloisters present perhaps the most dramatic setting in the Caribbean.

Perched at the southernmost tip of  Baja California, the One&Only Palmilla Resort hearkens back to the days when Hemingway and Harlow sought tranquility along the Los Cabos corridor.  The dramatic artistry of Mexico is evident at every turn, as is the majesty of the sea.  No matter what diversion you seek on vacation; golf, tennis, spa, sunbathing, fine dining, you find it all in spades at One&Only Resorts.  Don’t miss this chance to experience these incomparable resorts while they are being offered a terrific promotional price.  They will be vacations you will cherish for years to come.

As I stood staring upward toward the mountainside of powerful tumbling waters (mouth dry, heart thumping, knees quivering), Winston our guide at Dunn’s River Falls sidled up to me and said, “You – you’re coming with me!”

Our enthusiastic group of two dozen Travel Bloggers joined hands and slipped and dipped  our way upward.  We were fortunate to have arrived late in the afternoon and had the climb all to ourselves.  Before long we were squealing and laughing as currents twirled us around and dunked us into free form pools.  Winston, of course, heightened the adventure by pushing willing climbers down natural water-slides into deep aqua pools.  We all learned quickly – never be the first one to try one of Winston’s dares – Ji Yoon, you should have seen your face after the first unexpected dunking!

As we reached the upper levels, I don’t know what ached more.. my legs from climbing, my arms from holding on, or my cheeks from laughing.  One thing I do know.. the thrill of reaching the top with friends all around, and looking down to see where we had climbed from was incomparable.  What a blast!  Thank goodness I didn’t wimp out, and praises to Winston, our guide extraordinaire.

Admission to Dunn’s River Falls is a very affordable $15 for adults and $12 for children under 11.  You absolutely need a pair of aqua socks (a.k.a reef shoes) or at least an old pair of sneakers.  Flip flops are NOT a good choice as the current will whip them right off your feet.  There are vendors within the park who will rent you a pair of snug fitting water shoes if you don’t have your own.  You should positively use the services of a Dunn’s Falls guide.  They know where all the foot holds are, will make sure you are following the least slippery path, take control of your camera so it stays dry, and will snap hysterical photo’s along the way.  Of all the sites we saw in Jamaica, Dunn’s River Falls proved to be the most exhilarating and memorable experience I had – You won’t want to miss it!

Our buddies at Open Skies Airways are offering a RED HOT Summer Sale for flights to Paris from New York or Washington DC

We did a quick comparative pricing for flights to Paris from New York in August.  Open Skies came in at $1886 rt including all taxes and fees, while BA, DL & AA priced flights between $4,500 and $6000 for business class.  In fact pricing for coach on the ‘big boys’ was in the $1,200 range – so for just a few hundred dollars more, you enjoy a luxury business class airline.  Open Skies is less than 1/3 of the price of American and half the price of British Airways in business class – astounding!

Here’s our trip report of a recent journey on Open Skies from Washington DC to Paris in June.  We think you’ll love flying Open Skies!  If you can’t squeak out a vacation this summer, you’ll might be interested in their Early Fall Sale with prices staring at $700 each way.  The Fall sale must be booked by July 26th.  I can’t think of a better reason to jet off to Paris for a few days!

Here’s a fabulous new travel contest

Do you know someone who has no job, no direction, no umph, is truly annoying with no redeeming qualities?  (May sound like your recent college grad who’s returned home….) Here’s a chance to nominate them for eviction and send them packing for a full 6 months with the hope they return a better person.  To be chosen your entry will have to be witty and employ a variety of media tools  (video, song, sound effects, prose) – anything you can think of to garner the votes of friends, family and voters to just “Get Rid Of Me“!  The prize will include two tickets, so maybe you can find a friend who is just as annoying as you and tag team the competition.

Each candidate will need lots of votes, so be sure to enlist all your friends, relatives and even strangers in the voting.  One of the top contestants even performs annoying songs in public parks in order to gather voters to get rid of them. So you’ll have to be crafty  and imaginative in your approach.  Get all the details of the fabulous trip and the contest rules at GetRidOfMe.com.  Entries must be submitted by September 30th and the winner will be picked in October.  Be truly obnoxious and good luck!

When you dream of a trip to Paris, does your hotel have a iconic Haussmann facade, a bustling lobby with sweeping views down broad boulevards, comfortable rooms with plush linens and cream colored marbled baths?  If this sounds like your Parisian fantasy, look no further than the Hotel du Louvre to fulfill your heart’s desire.

Linda and I had a brief but wonderful stay at the Hotel du Louvre at the end of our journey and it left us wistful to return again soon.  The hotel has an ideal location for culture enthusiasts, as you can easily walk to the Musee du Louvre, the D’Orsay, the Garnier Opera House, stroll through the arcades of the Rue de Rivoli just outside the door, or  walk across the square to the Comédie Française Theater for an evening performance.  No matter which direction you wander you will be embraced by some of Paris’ most delightful neighborhoods.    We strolled through nearby avenues doing our last minute shopping and had dinner at the hotel’s outdoor cafe.  The cafe was our least favorite memory of our otherwise wonderful stay (service slow, food just okay).   But breakfast the next morning in the newly redectorated Brasserie was excellent.

Here are 10 reasons you should stay at the Hotel du Louvre – you’ll want to return time and time again: 

• The hotel has recently gone through a major renovation.  Rooms are large and elegantly decorated with premium amenities.
• Luxury marble bathrooms are comfortable and impressive.
• Step into The Defender Lounge where the rich mahogany woodwork and deep red fabrics transport you back to an earlier age.  The lounge becomes a Jazz Club on Wed, Thurs and Fri evenings attracting a dedicated following of Parisians who drop in after Theatre.
• Built for the 1885 World Exposition, the hotel has a grand and storied history which predates the Eiffel Tower.
• The hotel staff is 100% fluent in English and the entire hotel is smoke free.
• If you are a running enthusiast, be sure to request one of their jogging maps which charts routes past memorable Paris sites.
• The hotel has wonderful views of the Louvre and the Garnier Opera House.  Numerous cafes, brasseries and boutiques are just outside the door.
• The staff at the lobby Concierge Desk are charming and helpful.
• There is a truly impressive breakfast buffet each morning in the Brasserie.  The breakfast buffet we encountered on Sunday morning wrapped around the 3 outer walls of the restaurant offering every morning nibble and indulgence you may have been dreaming of – exceptional.

You can stay at the Hotel du Louvre for surprisingly affordable rates.  The Hotel du Louvre is part of the Concorde Group of Hotels who are offering summer promotions – ‘Travel In Style’.  From June until the end of August guests receive discounts up to 30% along with extra promotional amenities.

Personally, I usually hate tours; I always feel like cattle be herded along, never quite hearing everything. Therefore, when Susan said we were taking a Paris Walks tour, I humored her and consented. After all, aren’t we the experts? Well, grab your camera and head out to meet Peter Caine, the co-founder of Paris Walks for a memorable 2 hour exploration. Unlike most tours that require advance reservations, anyone is welcome to join a Paris Walks tour by arriving at the designated Metro stop at the predetermined time.  We scanned the online calendar of tours and chose to learn more about the “Sinners and Saints” of the Marais, and what a fabulous time we had.

A little history lesson first, the Marais district has beautifully preserved medieval houses, ancient cobbled streets, lovely churches, intriguing antique shops, and devine boutiques and food shops  in the Village of St. Paul. The Marais is also the Jewish section, where you will see the Wall of the Righteous and the Shiloh project.  And the Marais is where the French Revolution fermented and exploded with the storming of the Bastille.  Over the centuries it has been a buggy swamp, a the chic address for noblemen and Kings, fallen in favor, and is now again the much desired arrondissement address in Paris.

The Shilio Project

What makes Paris Walks different than any other tour experience is simply, Peter. Peter is at once a dynamic entertainer and a skilled teacher.  He set the foundation for our tour by taking us to a garden and setting the stage.  In a circle, we all became the map of Paris.  Peter led us through the development of the city from marauding tribes in Medieval times, to the rein of multiple Louis,  through to the Nepoleans.  Peter is animated and engaging in everything he says. He makes you feel as if you were actually there, and of course, the anecdotal tales of characters are fascinating. We heard humorous tales of cross-eyed Cathy who gave a unique education to the teenaged Sun King.  The architecture was beautiful, but it will be the tales inhabitants that I remember most.  Peter’s animated style and group participation made this tour #1 in our book, and we recommend Paris-Walks without hesitation. The Marais tour meets at the metro St. Paul every Saturday at 10:30 am and costs 12 Euros, quite the bargain!

Our Tip: Arrive early to see the markets open and display their amazing produce, and stay on after the tour to shop in the wonderful boutiques and lunch in the cafes. I bought the most amazing scarves at Jocelyn’s and the most delicious cherries at the market. We drooled over the cheeses all 365 kinds.

Here are some Paris travel tips that will make  your journey safe, comfortable and fabulous.

#1  A Quick Brush Up On Our High School French
Linda found a terrific language learning program – EarWormsLearning.com.  Despite the crawly name, the concept is amazing.  They believe that you learn better, faster and with more recall when you learn with music.  So their language lessons come with music playing in the background.  We loved it and listened on our iPods all the way to Paris.

And for extra reassurance, we picked up a quick translation guide – 30 Words ($9.95).  These are terrific passport sized accordion folded translations of tourist phrases that are waterproof and tear-proof – perfect for toting around.

#2 – Find a Pickpocket proof way to carry our money.
This year I found Baggallini’s – awesome, durable, lightweight bags just made just for traveling.  They have lots of zippers and interior pockets and straps that let you switch from shoulder, to hand, to waist – etc.   We also picked up some super small collapsible nylon travel bags at Eddie Bauer and LL Bean – great designs!

#3 – How To Phone Home.
Verizon has an incredible International Phone program! If Verizon is your cell phone carrier, give them a call and they’ll mail you an international cell phone to use for a $15 fee – wow.  They will swap your phone number over to the new one and help you load up your important phone numbers.  Just pay for the calls you make – and yes, there are discounted plans for that.  When you get home, give them a call and they’ll switch your phone number back, mail back the phone and you’re done.

For those without Verizon service, you can purchase an inexpensive international phone from either Telestial or Mobal (under $50).  There is no calling plan or contract, just pay for the calls you make in over 150 countries at reasonable rates (incoming calls in much of Europe are free).

#4  – Taking The Stress Out of Touring and Sightseeing
We purchased the Paris Pass so we could take all the public transportation, enter museums without waiting in lines, take a Seine cruise, do a wine tasting – all while eliminating confusion and stress, AND it saved us money in the long run -perfect! We actually used the hop on/hop off bus (that was included in the Pass) to bounce around the city.  It was more entertaining than taking the Metro since we could sight-see while getting to our next destination.  You can order the Paris Pass online and it will be sent to you, or if you are on a last minute schedule like we were, order it online and pick it up at the Fat Tire Tour Company near the Eiffel Tower.

# 5 – Be a traveler not a tourist.
Linda and I wanted to experience Paris on a more personal level than just moving from place to place looking at art and architecture.  Three sources brought the city alive for us as we met and chatted with people and learned fascinating information about the city of Paris.

• First and foremost was Paris Greeters a free volunteer organization that connects you with an English speaking Parisian guide. – FABULOUS!  Here’s our article all about it – “Meeting The Friendly French”.

• Secondly we participated in Paris Walks run by Peter and Oriel Caine.  With Peter in the Marais, our group literally BECAME ancient Paris and enacted the city’s development through the centuries – amazing!  Their tours are congenial, entertaining and packed with fascinating information.  Just check the schedule of tours online and show up at the designated Metro stop at the appointed time – tours are a very affordable 12€ per person.

• Finally we clicked through the offerings on Viator.  Viator is a terrific site that aggregates local touring options.  Beyond the standard bus tours, there were lots of listings to meet with local Parisians.  You can take a cooking class, join a Parisian household for dinner, take an art class, be introduced to the intricacies and history of the perfume industry in France, and lots more.    If you haven’t visited Viator for awhile, we think you’ll be impressed with the depth of their touring choices.

#6 -  Making Our Euros Last
Frommer’s has just published a new series of travel guides for finding “Free & Dirt Cheap” city attractions!  I picked up the Paris Free & Dirt Cheap book and thumbed through the 387  listings of inexpensive activities in Paris.  I learned about free summer dance lessons along the banks of the Seine, free classical music performances, cheap chic eats, and lots more.  This little book is WELL worth the price!

Do you have a great insider’s Paris tip?  Share it in our comments section to share it with everyone!!

“This is our home – our hotel, we take care of it,” is the Helmsley mantra and true in every sense of the word.

‘Wicked’ is not a restaurant reviewer, but occasionally we discover a restaurant so remarkable, we would be remiss not to share it with our readers. Leona’s at the Helmsley Hotel is such a discovery. During our recent stay at the New York Helmsley, we were invited to dine in their newly renovated restaurant and bar – Leona’s. Say what you want about Leona Helmsley, she understood outstanding service. I have stayed at the New York Helmsley numerous times and every time the service has been consistently outstanding. This trip was no exception from check in to check out the service was impeccable. Leona’s restaurant was outstanding – a memorable experience and well worth writing about.

An Intimate Dinning Experience

One year ago, there was a decision to renovate the hotel restaurant and the famous Harry’s bar. Executive Chef Brian Wieler, was brought in to oversee the renovations and revitalize the culinary program . The décor, which was designed by J. Brice of Boston, is very dramatic, art deco and modern. Once inside, you lose all sense of being in a hotel. The lighting, the furniture and the comfortable chairs give you the 5 star feeling without the 5 star price and attitude.

Before our meal, we sat down with Brian for an in-depth interview. I kept feeling I had met Brian before, but just shrugged it off. We posed the usual questions asking about Brian’s background and then everything clicked. Brian was the head chef at the Tarrytown House Estates where my daughter was married two years ago.   The wedding was amazing and people still talk about the wonderful food. I finally had the chance to personally thank him for an extraordinary day and was dying to sample his cuisine again. You could hear his appreciation of food in his description of dishes and how thoughtfully he fused the flavors.  Combination’s which ordinarily seemed conflicting created an extraordinary  sensation. (i.e. the appetizer of Diver Sea Scallop atop a sweet potato puree with a drizzle of white chocolate sauce on top – sensational!)

So what makes Leona’s so special? First, the atmosphere, then the food, but even more importantly Brian is trying to make Leona’s a neighborhood restaurant by keeping prices exceptionally affordable. We all know New York has no shortage of restaurants, so how can a hotel restaurant become a neighborhood favorite. Here are some answers:

• The restaurant is an intimate and memorable dining experience
• Service is perfection – you are treated as an honored guest in their restaurant.  “Welcome, we’ll take good care of you tonight”.
• Numerous events are planned throughout the year such as wine and beer pairings with special menus to compliment the selections
• An offering of unique dishes that blend and fuse flavors from America, Mediterranean and Asian influences.  Dishes are slightly rustic and use a bounty of local fresh ingredients.
• Perhaps the best Crab Cake in America – don’t even THINK of challenging them Baltimore!

Before we left I asked Brain what his mom thought about his food, and his answer made me smile, “Well, she tells me I can cook, and she likes my cooking”. That was enough for me, mothers do know best.

Susan and I were anticipating our dining experience, and it topped all our expectations.   Since I had stayed at the Helmsley many times, an old friend Nagi, who remembered me as well, greeted us. After asking our preferences, Nagi helped choose our meal which was perfect in every way. Beginning with the Scallops and Crab Cake appetizer, we knew immediately we were in for an extraordinary dining experience. Speechless was what we were! Each bite delivered flavors new to both of us. The white chocolate drizzle on the scallops and the sweet potatoes delivered a combination of tantalizing sweet and salty. Our main courses were equally spectacular, Susan had Lamb in a rosemary jus, and I had a Sea Bass with blended citrus and herbs – each bite exploded with flavor.

Lon, the evening Chef, checked in on us and explained the cheese selection he was sending out. We also took the opportunity to ask about the fabulous Crab Cake.  His secret?  “No filler” – all crab in a crunchy crumb crust. It was clear how passionate both he and Brian are about making Leona’s a very special place by providing consistency and excellence in both food and service. The menu changes with the seasons, and their special events will keep diners returning.

Since I do not eat meat, restaurants rarely get me excited, but Leona’s is truly different. If Leona’s were in Boston, I would eat there regularly, but since it is not I will have to find reasons to return to New York more often. We know restaurant choices are endless in New York, but between the menu and the spectacular service, Leona’s should not be missed whether you are staying at the Helmsley Hotel or not. In addition, for all you New Yorkers, check out the menu and events, http://www.newyorkhelmsley.com/restaurant-new-york-hotels.asp. Who knows maybe we will meet at Leona’s Oktoberfest Event. And please say hello to Nagi for me.