Carefree in Carmel

Carmel is an ideal long weekend destination for basically any season. Your base will be the picturesque town of Carmel, where you can stroll charming streets, stepping into tasting rooms to sample local wines, and taking in spectacular sunsets from Carmel Beach. The standout dinner in town is La Bicyclette Restaurant (also apparently loved by Reese Witherspoon!).

Just a stone’s throw from the town of Carmel is so much amazingness to be explored. Drive inland to the mountains of Carmel Valley where you can visit charming wineries, or conquer the scenic 17 Mile Drive, stopping for lunch at The Bench, a casual-chic restaurant overlooking the 16th hole of Pebble Beach Golf Club.

For active types, the Garland Regional Park is a hiker’s paradise, and pet owners will be excited to know that dogs are allowed off-leash throughout the park!

If you have enough days (or if you’re visiting with children), wander into Monterey and check out the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Before you head out, make sure to do Sunday brunch at Mission Ranch! It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet with live music. Snag a seat outside so you can watch the sheep grazing as you feast.

Stay: L’Auberge Carmel

Wineries: Cowgirl Winery; Georis Winery; Holman Ranch

Do: 17 Mile Drive; Earthbound Farm’s Farm Stand; Garland Ranch Regional Park; Bixby Creek Bridge; Monterey Bay Aquarium

Eat: The Bench; Mission Ranch; Aubergine at L’Auberge Carmel; La Bicyclette Restaurant; Casanova

Charming shops throughout the sea-side town of Carmel

Carmel Beach at sunset

Cowgirl Winery in Carmel Valley

Inside at the Bench at Pebble Beach

A magical stop along the 17 Mile Drive

A beach along the 17 Mile Drive

A vista along the 17 Mile Drive

17 Mile Drive

View from an outdoor table at Mission Ranch

A beach in Big Sur

Singapore: Where the Past and Future Collide

Singapore is where old meets new.  You'll find man-made parks atop sky-scrapers, indoor rain-forests and eerily clean city streets.  But you'll also find colorful, 19th century shophouses, bustling hawker centers, and neighborhoods like Little India and Chinatown, where tradition and the past still dominate. 

Singapore is a city of opposites, a clashing of ideals and a confusion of norms.  A weekend there is fascinating, if a bit disorienting.  If you've got two full days, I say dedicate one to the future and one to the past.  You'll leave with a little bit of each, and maybe feel a bit more centered in your present.

Day 1: The Future

Orient yourself with a river cruise through the Singapore River, including the Boat Quay, the Clarke Quay and Marina Bay, where you'll spot the city's iconic Merlion.  Afterwards, head to the Gardens by the Bay, a vast expanse of cultivated gardens on reclaimed land by the bay.  Stroll through the gardens and admire the 50-meter tall concrete "supertrees," covered in tropical flowers (which are also quite a vision by night).   

Escape the humidity by stepping into the Cloud Forest, an indoor tropical rainforest and then the Flower Dome, the largest greenhouse in the world.  Have lunch inside the Flower Dome at Pollen, a Mediterranean restaurant by chef Jason Atherton, who uses vegetables and herbs grown in the Flower Dome for his dishes.  

After lunch, explore the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Watch the sunset 57 stories high, at Flight Bar & Lounge and eat dinner on the same floor, at Sky at 57.   Head out after dinner at Ce La Vi (previously Ku De Ta) and dance the night away on top of the world (literally).  

If you have kids (or even if you don't), an alternative plan is to drive about a half hour from central Singapore (or take the Singapore Cable car, from Mount Faber) to Sentosa, a futuristic island resort, visited by around twenty million people a year.  In Sentosa, check out Asia's tallest freestanding tower, the Tiger Sky Tower (formerly the Carlsberg Tower), Underwater World and the Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom. 

Day 2: The Past

Head to Little India and get a dosa for breakfast at Komala Vilas, where you'll feel like you're deep in South India.  Check out the Indian Temple, the Abdul Gaffoor Mosque, and stroll through the shopfronts.  Try Gulab Jamun (a spoungy milky ball soaked in rose-scented syrup) from a street vendor and get henna on your hands, just to make sure everyone knows you're a tourist.  

For lunch, head to the Lau Pa Sat hawker center for some traditional Singaporean cuisine, then walk (about ten minutes or so) to Chinatown.  Check out the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, buy some Chinese sweets at Tong Hen, and get reflexology at Bath Culture Foot Therapy. 

Have dinner at Red Star Dim Sum, perhaps the most authentic dim sum in Singapore, and then hop into an Uber to the Arab Quarter, known for its colorful, narrow streets and the Sultan Mosque.  Head to Nabins for drinks, hooka and belly-dancing, and end the night a few doors down at Blue Jaz Cafe, with some of the best live music in Singapore. 

The Merlion

Marina Bay Sands Mall

Lau Pa Sat Hawker Center

Fullerston Bay Hotel

Chinatown

Chinatown

Chinatown

Little India

Little India

Little India

Long Bar, Raffles Hotel

Raffles Hotel

Raffles Hotel

Garden by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay

Cloud Forest, Gardens by the Bay

Cloud Forest, Gardens by the Bay

Cloud Forest, Gardens by the Bay

Pollen

Books Actually

Wonderful bookstore with up and coming Singaporean authors. 

Plain Vanilla

Plain Vanilla

Stay: Marina Bay Sands; The Fullerton; Fullerton Bay; Raffles. 

Eat: Sky at 57; Pollen; Luxe Singapore; Iggy's; Wild Rocket; 2am Dessert Bar; Min Jiang; Hong Lim Market; Restaurant Andre; Maxwell Road Hawker Center; Xi Yan; Nadaman. 

Activities: Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum; Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom; Underwater World; Singapore Cable car; Singapore Botanic Gardens; river cruise; Gardens by the Bay.

Rooftops: Tiger's Milk; Ce La Vi; Sky at 57; Lantern; Flight Bar & Lounge. 

A Long Layover in Hong Kong

On a recent vacation to Bali, I incorporated a "long layover" in Hong Kong.  I figure that if I have to stop somewhere, I might as well stay long enough to check it out.  Of course, Hong Kong deserves much more than a weekend.  But if you've only got a weekend, you're in for a treat.  Here's how to layover (yes, it's a verb now) in Hong Kong.

Friday Night

Check in at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental.  Hop on the ferry over to Kowloon for dinner at Hutong, a Northern Chinese restaurant with dim lighting and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing breathtaking views of Victoria Harbor.  If jet lag is keeping you up, get drinks (and more views) at the Peninsula's famous bar, Felix, and then do like the locals and grab a karaoke room at CEO Noway (also on the Kowloon side).  If you're looking for a more low-key night after your trip around the world, there is a Michelin-star French restaurant in your hotel that is delicious and just an elevator-ride away from your bed.  

Saturday

Get an early start by taking the tram up to The Peak, Hong Kong's most iconic view-spot.  Stroll through the paths winding down the mountain from the peak (or take the tram down) and find yourself at the Hong Kong Gardens.  After exploring the gardens, stop into the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware and grab tea and a light snack at the Lockcha Tea House.  

Hop into a taxi and head to Sheung Wan, Hong Kong's art district.  You'll find gorgeous ceramics, traditional art and antiques and contemporary galleries.  While you're in the neighborhood, step into the Man Mo Temple before grabbing a well-deserved dim sum lunch at Luk Yu Teahouse.  

After lunch, grab a cab over to Kowloon to check out the Nan Lian Garden and the Chi Lin Nunnery (about a three minute walk from one another).  Head back to the mainland and get a fancy dim sum dinner at Man Wah, a Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant and arguably Hong Kong's most beautiful dining space.  Grab cocktails after dinner at Lily & Bloom, and head out to the bars of Lan Kwai Fong (known as "LKF") for more revelry.  

Sunday

Get another early start today because you'll be visiting the Po Lin Monastery and the Tian Tan Buddha, otherwise known as the Big Buddha, on Lantau Island.  Take the MTR Tung Chung Station Exit B, then ride the Ngong Ping Cable Car over the hills for about a 25-minute ride, watching closely for an early glimpse of the Buddha.  After making your way through the cartoonish town (think: a Chinese Disneyland), ascend the stairs up to the Buddha.  Note: The Big Buddha is near the airport, so if you're taking off in the afternoon, you should bring your luggage with you in the morning, leave it in a locker in the airport, and then head to the Buddha by taxi.  

I didn't love the food offerings at the Monastery, and would suggest heading back to the mainland for lunch at the local favorite, Butao Ramen, followed by reflexology around the corner at Happy Foot.  Get sunset cocktails at the highest bar in the world, Ozone Bar, and then head to dinner at dinner at Lung King Heen, a three-Michelin-star Cantonese establishment in the Four Seasons Hotel.  If you are heading back to New York in the morning, head to Dusk Till Dawn and get a head start on kicking your jet lag by dancing all night to the live band.     

Victoria Peak ("The Peak")

View from The Peak

Ferry to Kowloon at night

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Garden

Luk Yu Teahouse

Chi Lin Nunnery

Chi Lin Nunnery

Chi Lin Nunnery

Chi Lin Nunnery

Chi Lin Nunnery

Chi Lin Nunnery

Chi Lin Nunnery

Ngong Ping Cable Car

Ngong Ping Cable Car

Big Buddha

Big Buddha

Dim Sum at Lung King Heen

Lily & Bloom

Pololi

This is a delicious sashimi bar where you can get bowls of tuna with rice and other toppings on the go. 

Hong Kong

Night views

Stay: Peninsula; Landmark Mandarin Oriental; Mandarin Oriental; Four Seasons; Ritz Carlton. 

Eat: Butao Ramen; Hutong; Lung King Heen; Man Wah; Luk Yu Teahouse; Lockcha Tea House; Amber.

Do: Chi Lin Nunnery; Nan Lian Garden; Big Buddha; Reflexology (everywhere). 

Nightlife: CEO Noway; Dusk Till Dawn; Felix; Ozone Bar; Lily & Bloom; LKF district. 

When in Austin, Eat Breakfast Tacos

"There's no real Tex-Mex in New York," declared Cindi, the manager of Tamale House East, when she found out where I was from.  "They say they're Tex-Mex, but they don't have breakfast tacos on the menus!"  Austinites are proud of their cuisine, and rightly so, as the city puts out some of the best Tex-Mex and BBQ in the country.  

My recent weekend in Austin was spent consuming migas breakfast tacos, fried chicken, and heaps of smoked and sauced BBQ.  My stomach could barely keep up with all the deliciousness, and I frequently yearned for expedited digestion so I could get started on the next meal.  To get a sense of all that the Austin food scene has to offer, I'd recommend checking out casual diners for breakfast, food trucks for lunch, and nicer restaurants for dinner.  Here's where to eat at every meal and what to order: 

Breakfast:  

Traditional, home-cooked goodness:

Tamale House East: Mom's Migas with Cheese (a mouthwatering egg scramble with cheese and crispy tortilla strips), a tamale (any kind will do, this is the namesake after all), at least one breakfast taco (when in Austin...), and a Mexican iced coffee.

Lucy's Fried Chicken: Fried chicken and waffles with cinnamon-honey butter, bacon marmalade and maple syrup. 

If you're not a breakfast person...

Juice Austin: Try the Cha-Cha-Chai or one of this truck's signature smoothie bowls (a smoothie topped with granola and fresh fruit).  

Jo's Coffee: Right across the street from Juice Austin, they serve Stumptown coffee and a good assortment of breakfast tacos for your hungry friends.  

Lunch: 

Torchy's Tacos: My favorite taco is the Baja Shrimp, but you should also try the Trailer Park, the Fried Avocado, the Brushfire, the Mr. Orange and the Crossroads.  Basically, you'll probably need to come here a few times.  Note: The truck also has an excellent selection of breakfast tacos, including a migas taco, so this is also a good breakfast option, especially if you want something on-the-go.  

Franklin Barbecue: If you manage to brave the line and actually order from this Austin institution, it's all smokey deliciousness from there on out.   

Afternoon Snack:

Gourdough's: Fancy doughnuts.  'Nuff said.  

Dinner: 

La Condesa: Order the El Califa Taquito, with New York strip covered in crispy manchego cheese, cilantro and oak-grilled jalapeno-tomato salsa.

Lambert's: Fancy smoke-BBQ across the street from La Condesa.  Offers a variety of oak-smoked and oak-grilled options, and you should probably try one of each.  Start with the Spicy Deviled Eggs and the Deep Fried Boudin Fritters. 

Foreign and Domestic: One of the most talked-about restaurants on the "foodie" scene of Austin.  I went for "Fried Chicken Monday" and was in heaven. You'll get a basket of fried chicken, biscuits and honey and a bunch of mouth-watering sides including roasted tomatoes, brussels sprouts, potatoes, and a green salad.  For dessert, we had an ice cream sandwich made from peanut butter cookies and vanilla ice cream swirled with raspberry jam.  

Barley Swine: No ordering necessary - there's a tasting menu for $85/person and you'll try everything.  

Torchy's Tacos

Austin Juice Truck

Cupcake Truck

Feathers

An amazing vintage store in SoCo.

South Congress

Take Heart

Lady Bird

White Horse

Tamale House East

Capital Building

Gourdough's

Stay: JW Marriott; Four Seasons; Hotel Saint Cecilia. 

Eat: Tamale House East; Lucy's Fried Chicken; Torchy's Tacos; Franklin Barbecue; La Condesa; Foreign and Domestic; Barley Swine; Second Bar and Kitchen; Jo's Coffee; Juice Austin; Ironworks Barbecue; El Chilito; Uchi Sushi; Salty Sow; East Side King; Micklethwait. 

Shop: Take Heart; Feathers; Charm School Vintage. 

Music: The Continental Club; The White Horse; The Elephant Room. 

Amanda's Anguilla: Insider Tips for an Iconic Island Weekend

Fifty-one years ago, my family made the West Indies their home. My grandparents moved there from New York for an entrepreneurial life in the Caribbean and never looked back. Le sigh.

The West Indies have always been where I feel the most at home - the sun shines brightly, the salty wind licks against your skin, and the fruit is tangy and sweet.

When my husband and I began the terrifying journey to decide where to get married, Anguilla was our obvious choice. The food is exceptional, with plenty of island access to European wines and cheeses, the weather is gorgeous for most of the year with very little rainfall, and most importantly, getting to Anguilla is convenient and cost-effective to travel to, considering how remote it feels.

The only thing better than a Caribbean horseback ride on the beach is one in the water.

The view from Cap Juluca's oceanfront rooms.

Grab a lunch laden with fresh catch on Sandy Island - a small strip of sand in the middle of the ocean with an incredible BBQ shack, tunes and fine wines.

The view from the tip of Sandy Island.

The full spread for lunch at Sandy Island - don't forget to order the sticky ribs with your Crustaceans!

Our wedding dinner on the beach by Cap Juluca on a full moon. Photo by Jen Huang Photography.

Walking with your toes in the sand at Cap Juluca Resort's Maundays Bay is a must for all visitors to Anguilla. Photo by Jen Huang Photography.

The pool at the Viceroy Anguilla. Photo by Jen Huang Photography.

A rainbow with St. Martin in the distance taken at the Villas at CuisinArt with the men returning from an afternoon swim.

Namesake flowers in bloom at the Frangipani Hotel.

Every room at Cap Juluca is oceanfront with the waves lulling you to sleep at night and welcoming you to a new beach day in the morning.

The tanning accommodations at Cap Juluca with full butler service and exceptional piña coladas will make you want to stay well past sunset.

DAYTIME

1. The Beach at Cap Juluca Hotel in Maundays Bay

2.  A Boat Charter to Sandy Island for Lunch and Rosé (or Rum Punch)

3. A Catamaran Sail to Prickly Pear Island with Bluebeard Charters

4. Jumping off the rocks at Little Bay (short travel by boat)

5. Golfing at CuisinArt

NIGHTTIME

Sunset at the Viceroy Hotel’s aptly named Sunset Lounge

Live Music at Bankie Banx Dune Preserve  (Bankie Banx is the “Caribbean Bob Dylan”)

For more of a local night spot, try The Pump House or Elvis Beach Bar in Sandy Ground

Drinks at Spice Bar overlooking the beach at Cap Juluca

WHERE TO STAY

Cap Juluca – the best beach, white glove butler service, exceptional food and new renovations. A romantic and family friendly location

Viceroy Anguilla – the best place to watch the sun set, perfect for the traveler who likes the modern Euro party vibe. Best for a new romance getaway or fun friends trip.

Malliouhana – Newly re-opened, this was once the top destination for celebrities visiting Anguilla. Great food from a Michelin-star chef, Elle Décor-style furnishings and the best pool on the island.

Anacaona Boutique Hotel – the best deal ($170/night April to mid-December) in the heart of West End’s fantastic restaurants and swanky hotels. 

RESTAURANTS

1. Veya (Sandy Ground - Island Fusion - Fine Dining, Dinner): Known by many as the "Treehouse" restaurant for it's set up, this is everyone's island favorite - which is saying a lot, considering the cuisine available. Try the Morrocan-Spiced Shrimp "Cigars" or consider the tasting menu!

2. Picante (West End Village - Caribbean Taqueria – Casual, Dinner ): Fantastic Mexican with a Caribbean twist aka fresh seafare! The vibe of this place is wonderful and the food matches, making it one of the top go-tos for any hungry bellies.

3. Jacala (Meads Bay - French Caribbean – Fine Dining, Lunch, Dinner): A delicious French restaurant right on the water with a gorgeous beach and your not-so-typical large lounge bean bag to soak in the sun after enjoying your rosé. Great for lunch!

4. Blanchards (Meads Bay – Fusion – Fine Dining, Dinner, Casual, Lunch): We haven't met a person who went to Anguilla and didn't love Blanchards Beach Shack! It has a wild hodgepodge of casual cuisine, from Greek to Mexican to Hot Dogs to straight American BBQ. All very delicious and with prices like, "$8.91," you will be chuckling to yourself while digging your toes into the sand.  The restaurant, which is separate, has a deliciously fresh menu for a more romantic evening.

5. Mangos (West End Village – Seafood – Fine Dining, Dinner): A stunning beachside restaurant with candlelight and fine dining linens. Expect to watch the sunset from Adirondack chairs on the beach and taking your time to delight in your meal!

6. Dolce Vita (Sandy Ground - Italian, Fine Dining, Dinner): It's safe to say this is the best view of the yachts that come to moor off Anguilla's coast. The setting and clientele for such a sight is a perfect match, in a Caribbean way. For phenomenal saucier work, spiny lobster, and an airy gnocchi to pair with your Nero D'Avola, this is your Friday night.

7. Sun Shine Shack (Rendezvous Bay, - BBQ - Casual, Authentic, Lunch): If you are looking for some authentic, Caribbean-style grilling, get thee to the Shack! It's a brightly painted wooden hut on the beach, where all of your hunger will be satiated with a plate of chicken with rice & beans or a sunny cocktail, whichever your preference. All served up with big Anguillan smiles.

8. B & D BBQ (Long Bay Village – BBQ – Authentic, Casual, Lunch, Dinner): A true local experience where you eat on plastic tables under a makeshift tent. Do yourself a favor and grab some johnny cakes, the ribs, and a Carib beer or Ting soda. If you don’t mind bones, treat yourself to the whole fish feast and don’t forget the rice and beans!

9. Falcon Nest (Island Harbour – Caribbean – Authentic, Casual, Lunch, Dinner): All I can say is wow. The rice and peas, the potfish straight from the wharf, the french fries. This place is a local favorite and it’s easy to see why once your plate arrives.

10. Trattoria Tramonto (West End Village – Italian – Casual, Lunch, Dinner): Italian food with a surprisingly authentic gravy (red sauce) and a wide range of comfort food such as calamari.  Sit back and enjoy the gorgeous view of the sunset with a great glass of wine.

WHEN TO GO

Anguilla is a Fall, Winter or Spring destination, but an insider tip is that in mid-April to late May, the weather is still gorgeous, but considered, "Off Season," so large discounts apply to most accommodations. It also never hurts to sunbathe without many passersby and walk directly to your table at the best restaurants!

MAP OF SOME HIGHLIGHTS