There are good reasons to consider visiting this historic village (population 5500) in January, February, and March. Here are just a few of the many reasons:

□       Fewer people, no lines, and very little traffic. When you make an appointment for a winery tour and tasting, you might get a private tour. You can get into any restaurant you want, nearly any time you want. Shopkeepers have time to talk with you and tell you about all the great stuff going on in town.

□       Deals, deals, deals. Hotel rooms are less expensive. Local shops are having sales. A Winter in the Wineries passport good in January and part of February lets you taste as many local wineries for one low price. Mention Restaurant Month in participating restaurants during January and get 10% off your meal.

□       Hot springs, the original reason Calistoga exists, just waiting for you to slip in with a sigh. Who really wants to sit in hot water when the air is hovering around 98 degrees? But when it’s 48 and maybe raining softly, with steam misting up all around? Ah, yes!

Here’s one option for a perfect winter day in Calistoga:

Arrive the night before and stay in one of Calistoga’s loveliest cottage inns, The Cottage Grove Inn. You’ll be pampered right from the start in your own cottage with a Jacuzzi tub for two and a cozy wood-burning fireplace, not to mention a big luxurious bed with some of the most comfortable linens and pillows you’ll ever experience. If you’re early enough you can take advantage of the Inn’s complimentary wine and cheese tasting from 5:00pm – 7:00pm.

Sleep well, sleep in. In the morning the Inn offers a complimentary breakfast with pastries, fruit, cereal, quiche, waffles, juice, coffee… well, you get the idea. It’s a good breakfast, and it’s served from 8:30am – 10:00am.
Schramsberg Winery
Mid-morning, take off to Schramsberg Winery for a tour. Schramsberg is maker of the world-renowned sparkling wines that have been served in the White House since President Nixon’s time. It’s the 2nd oldest winery in the Valley, started in 1862 by an immigrant barber from Germany. After many years producing Rieslings and then many more years lying fallow and abandoned, the Schramsberg estate was revived in 1965 and became the first to produce American sparking wines crafted in the true French methode champenoise style. You’ll sip Schramsberg’s elegant Blanc de Blanc as you explore Napa Valley’s oldest wine caves, built by the same Chinese laborers who dug the tunnels for the transcontinental railway. The cave is lined with more than two million bottles, aging toward perfection.

Tasting at Up Valley Vintners
Fully steeped in Napa Valley wine history, drive three miles back to Calistoga to taste a few more of the local vintages before lunch. Leave your car back at the Inn, and walk three blocks to Up Valley Vintners, at 1371 Lincoln. This tasting room represents several small local vintners and growers, who produce only a few hundred cases of wine a year. You won’t find these wines just anywhere, and they are excellent. The pours will be only a few sips, but it’s always a good idea to pace yourself. Real tasters taste, and then pour most of the rest into the urn that’s provided. I, personally, always have a hard time remembering this part.

Lunch at All Seasons Bistro
Cross the street, and you’re at All Seasons Bistro, a terrific place for lunch. Co-owner Gayle Keller is happy to share Calistoga history and happenings with you – as she’s been in the food and wine business here since 1976.  The entire menu is healthful and interesting, using seasonal, regional, and sustainable ingredients whenever possible. Try the pulled pork sandwich with bourbon BBQ sauce and truly fabulous onion rings ($10), and one of Chef Summer Sebastiani’s delectable desserts (most $8).

Explore Town
After lunch, go for a walk. Saunter up Lincoln to Lee Youngman Galleries at #1316 for a look at local art. Walk a block further and cross the street to OnThEdge Winery, home of Vermeil Wines – the owner is Dick Vermeil of football coaching fame. While you’re tasting, hostess MarySue Frediani will fill you in on all the happenings about town. Wow, does she have energy!

Next door you’ll find another very special gallery, Ca’Toga. Artist/muralist Carlo Marchiori has created a beautiful space to house his work, reminiscent of his stunning and whimsical Villa Ca’Toga, just outside Calistoga.

A block away you’ll find the Sharpsteen Museum of Calistoga History. A 30-foot long diorama of the original Hot Springs Resort gives you an idea of how things were when Sam Brannon, California’s first millionaire, founded Calistoga in the 1860′s. Various other exhibits show a sweet collection of children’s toys from the 1930′s and 1940′s as well as an authentically recreated interior of one of Sam Brannon’s cottages. And speaking of hot springs, that’s our next stop!

An Afternoon Soak at Calistoga Spa Hot Springs Resort
Walk up Washington and across Lincoln to the Calistoga Spa Hot Springs Resort for a luxurious soak in their newly renovated hot springs pools and then enjoy a half hour massage. If you’re game, you can go for a mud bath before your massage, and that’s a unique experience! Either way, you’ll come out an hour or two later feeling like well-cooked spaghetti – long, lean, and exquisitely relaxed. Oh, such bliss! And you’re just in time for Cottage Grove Inn’s lovely wine and cheese!

Dinner: JoLé or Brannan’s Grill
It’s dinnertime, can you possibly eat again? If you’re hungry, try Brannan’s Grill – excellent food and large portions. Their lamb shank ($28) is huge, with meat absolutely falling off the bone and wonderfully delicious. Or, if you feel like something a little lighter yet still over-the-top creative and delicious, try JoLé, an organic farm-to-table hotspot across the street. If sea urchin bisque ($9) is on the menu, don’t miss it – likewise the wild boar with cheesy grits ($18). Both restaurants are within easy walking distance from the Inn.

Well-fed, wined, massaged, and pampered, it’s been a perfect day. All that’s left is to snuggle into the fabulous bed for a good night’s sleep. In the morning, notice the grapevines might be bare, but the wild yellow mustard is in full bloom and the hills are covered in green velvet thanks to the soft misty rain. It’s another beautiful winter day in the Napa Valley!

What & Where

Cottage Grove Inn, 1711 Lincoln Ave.; Reservations 800-799-2284 or 707-942-8400; www.cottagegrove.com)
Schramsberg Winery, 1400 Schramsberg Rd.; www.schramsberg.com;  Tour reservations are required, call 707-942-4558)
UpValley Vintners, 1371 Lincoln Ave.; 707-942-1004;  www.upvalleyvintners.com)
All Seasons Bistro, 1400 Lincoln Ave.; 707-942-9111;  www.allseasonsnapavalley.net)
Lee Youngman Galleries, 1316 Lincoln Ave.; 707-942-0585;  www.leeyoungmangalleries.com)
OnThEdge/Vermeil Wines, 1255 Lincoln Ave.; www.VermeilWines.com  Tasting room reservations are required, call 707-341-3054)
Ca’ Toga Art Gallery, 1206 Cedar St.; 707-942-3900; www.catoga.com)
Sharpsteen Museum of Calistoga History, 1311 Washington St.; 707-942-5911;  www.sharpsteen-museum.org)
Calistoga Spa Hot Springs Resort, 1006 Washington St; 707-942-6269;  www.calistogaspa.com)
Brannan’s Grill, 1374 Lincoln Ave; 707-942-2233;  www.brannansgrill.com)
JoLé (1457 Lincoln Ave; 707-942-5938;  wwwljolerestaurant.com)
Calistoga Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center, 1133 Washington St.; 707-942-6333   www.calistogavisitors.com)

There is something about having a drink or two in one of New York’s hotel bars that can make either an in-house guest or an off-the-street city resident, feel fabulous.   Off the clean and modern lines of Le Parker Meridien’s lobby is the setting of what resembles an aged gothic cathedral. Through the wrought iron gates, past the glowing table of prayer candles, below the giant wrought iron chandeliers, and amongst the hefty red curtain is Knave.

The impression of Knave could be considered just that, deceitful.  However, there is nothing unreliable about Knave, especially when it comes to the cocktails.  With rows of intimate cocktail tables lining the mirrored walls, the dim lights, and music to the likes of Edith Piaf, Norah Jones, and Louis Armstrong the setting is prime for a pre-dinner aperitif.

While sitting amidst the after work crowd, lovers on holiday, and those conducting late business meetings, one can mingle within the confines of his/her area or sit back and take pleasure in one of Knave’s carefully concocted adult beverages or a glass of their fine wines and spirits.  Elderflower Spritz? St. Germaine, Prosecco, with a bitter twist of lemon…yum. While tasty noshes are offered (hummus, artisanal cheese, and cured meats), forgo the extra spending and snack on the plethora of complimentary treats (deep fried olives, mixed nuts, and smoked almonds).

The staff of Le Parker Meridien and that of Knave will have you feeling top class upon your exit.

Continue your evening in Midtown, with dinner at Estiatorio Milos. This Mediterranean hotspot proudly holds the foundation of “the idea is perfect simplicity,” and patrons will find just that, food and service that surpasses the standards set for any prime city restaurant.

From the minute you walk through the door, the focus is immediately “You”.  The initial ambiance gives guests the feeling of walking-in off the streets of lively New York City and entering the realm of the even more energetic coast of the Mediterranean.

Upon being seated you can forgo the thoughts of Spanakopita and Moussaka (the N train to Astoria is close by for these items), as your eye will instantly be drawn to the display of fresh fish that Milos calls “The Market.”  This is an open exhibit of Milo’s daily seafood selection.  All items are beautifully displayed over ice for consumers to inspect and choose from.  The whole fish is then weighted for market price, cooked, and presented. Don’t hesitate to ask your server to describe each of the products that are available for that day.  Their knowledge of the seafood (and the rest of the food for that matter) is extensive and impressive.  Want to know how fresh the seafood really is?  Just watch the langoustine and langosta.  Yes, they are moving.

If you don’t know where to begin when perusing the menu, order the Milos Special, (an impressive stack of thinly sliced and lightly fried zucchini and eggplant, alongside a tart tzatziki sauce and saganaki cheese), and let your server select the rest for you.   Note that all dishes are served on a larger scale and are meant to be shared. Our delightful server, Allison, started us off with the Octopus that was so fresh you could eat it raw, but we didn’t.  We had it prepared charbroiled with its perfectly seasoned accompaniment, revythada (fancy word for chickpeas).  The Sardines were also charbroiled and merely drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, lemon, and oregano.  This plate had my hesitant dining partner in “La La Land” for the rest of the first course.

Moving to the entrée portion of the meal, my companion and I shared the Balada selected straight from “The Market.”  This is a white fish from Portugal with a buttery flavor and unctuous mouth-feel that seemed to disappear the moment the meat hit our tongues.  Partnered with the flakey fish, the Tomato Salad was full of savor and clean ingredients.  Think of this salad as an authentic Greek salad minus the lettuce.

Just when we thought we had had enough, Allison approached our table with the dessert menu.  As she had been spot-on with the previous meal selections, we put it in her hands for our dessert as well.  The ever-popular Loukoumades (small fritters of light dough and cinnamon) were drizzled with honey-syrup making it ever so easy to pop more than one of these puffy clouds straight into your mouth.  The house-made Lavender Ice Cream has the ability to tame any sweet tooth with a mere floral spoonful…or bowlful!

With the desire to portray Mediterranean cuisine at its best, all of the ingredients on the menu have been selected from the finest of sources of their kind.  Also, because the chef has outlined the menu with a minimal number of ingredients, he has the ability to maximize the quality with the highest there is to find.

A high-end evening in Midtown doesn’t happen every night, so why not make it a bit of an event.  Whether you’re a local meeting up for a drink and dinner, or a traveler out for a memorable experience, Knave in the Le Parker Meridien and Estiatorio Milos will certainly have you feeling like five stars.

What & Where:
Knave in the Le Parker Meridien (118 W 57th St; 212-708-7392)
Estiatorio Milos (125 West 55th St (btwn 6th and 7th Ave; 212-245-7400)

It’s not hard to get caught up in the energy of Vegas, as a friend of mine did when he averaged three hours of a sleep a night for the good part of a week.

If you haven’t been to Vegas in the last 10 or 15 years, you haven’t been there at all. Enjoy your first day, with this taking-it-“kind-of-easy”guide for your first 12 hours in the real city that never sleeps.

Breakfast
Get a good meal in your belly, especially if alcohol is in your future. A nice place to start is at the Planet Hollywood buffet. Planet Hollywood is a remake of the old Aladdin, which was built on the footprint of the old Aladdin, where Elvis played after he got drugged out and obese. The Aladdin was known to have the best buffet prime rib in town, and the Planet Hollywood folks have kept up the tradition of good food.

Drinks
Where else can you head from breakfast or brunch straight to cocktails? Take a short hike next store to the Paris, and find the bar just inside the main entrance and adjacent to the check-in area called Lecentral Bar. It’s one of the premier indoor people-watching spots on the Strip – a few years back I was at the bar when Steve Schirripa (he played Bobby on the Sopranos) came by with his entourage. The waitress who brought me my Heineken also told me that a few months earlier, basketball Hall of Famer Larry Bird and friends ran up a $300 bar tab and stuck her with a $5 tip. Truth or Vegas gossip? I’ll leave that up to you to decide!

Gambling
If slots are your game, you can find them anywhere and everywhere. If it’s been a while since you sat down at a machine, you’ll be surprised to learn that coins no longer drop down into the tray when you win. Your credits just go up or down depending how you’re doing, and when you cash out, you’ll need to print out your ticket and get paid at either a kiosk or the cashier window.

If you prefer table games, head out of the Paris north past the Flamingo, over the escalator bridge at Flamingo Road and into the Imperial Palace. Near the back of the casino the blackjack dealers are dressed as celebrities (Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson etc.) and they sing and dance and take your mind off the fact that your bankroll might be dwindling.

Take in a Show
Next to the Imperial Palace is Harrah’s, home of the best comedy/magician in the city, Mac King. If you scrounge around a bit you can usually get a half-off coupon, but even at full price (less than $20) it’s worth it. Comes with a drink too. Slip the usher a five and you can get a seat down front, which helps to get a good look at the close-up special effects. Shows are Tuesday through Saturday at 1pm and 3pm. 

Dinner
Since Mac King’s show will keep you away from the slot machines and tables for a couple of hours, there should be money left for a decent meal. There are hundreds of options, but you might want to give Bouchon at the Venetian a good look. When you get to the massive Venetian, you’ll have to ask directions (it’s down a corridor, up an elevator and down another corridor), but worth the cardio-beneficial walk.

Many of the top restaurants in Vegas have diva chefs.  Bouchon’s is Thomas Keller, who was named the country’s No. 1 chef by Time Magazine, has enough best-chef plaques to sink one of the gondolas at the fake canal that surrounds and winds through the Venetian.

Dueling Piano Bar
A great way to end your evening is at Harrah’s dueling piano show. It’s located just inside the door that leads to the outdoor Carnival Court that separates Harrah’s and the Imperial Palace. The at-times raucous show doesn’t get rolling until 9 and lasts until 2 a.m., but you can come and go as you please. There’s no cover on weekends, but the drinks are a bit pricey.

Unless you’re an exhibitionist who doesn’t mind taking off some of your clothes in front of a few hundred people hooting at you, it’s a good idea to keep it to yourself if you happen to be celebrating your birthday.

What & Where:
Planet Hollywood (3500 Las Vegas Blvd; 702-791-7827)
Le Central Bar (3655 Las Vegas Blvd So.; 702-946-4251)
Imperial Palace (3535 Las Vegas Blvd. So.; 702-731-3311)
Mac King Show at Harrah’s (Reservations: 702-369-5222)
Bouchon at the Venetian (3355 Las Vegas Blvd. So; 702) 414-6200)
Harrah’s (3475 Las Vegas Boulevard So; 702-369-5000)

If you are looking for a great travel bags with lots of pockets for organizing we’ve found it! The Bidwell bag from Overland Equipment bag is a great size and has plenty of room for all the essentials. I love that it can be adjusted to wear on the shoulder or cross body.

There is a middle zipper compartment to keep everything important.  And within the middle section is a good size second zipper pocket to keep the most valuable items- wallet, cash, credit cards and passport or ID. In the middle section are two mesh pockets to store a water bottle- this is nice so that the bottle stands up right and doesn’t leak.

On one side of the middle zipper section is an open pocket that is handy for maps and travel guides.  And the part of the bag that really sold me is the front organizer. There are six separate pockets including one zippered area to store everything from lipstick, a mobile phone, iPod, sunglasses, a camera and anything else you find essential.  There is even a leather strap with hook to hold keys.

Would I change anything? I’d prefer that the front organizer didn’t close with a magnet, but rather latched in some way so that is was a bit more secure.

What I love. The size of bag & all the pockets that keep it so organized. It may be great for traveling, but it’s just as great for a hike or an everyday purse.

Available on Amazon for about $59

Connect with Overland Equipment
Website: www.overlandequipment.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OverlandEquipment
Twitter: @OverlandEquip

A Perfect Statue of a Hawaiian Legend

There are few things that say Hawaii like a walk in Waikiki to pay homage to the statue of the surfing legend of Oahu, Duke Kahanamoku. His statue is located on Waikiki Beach on Kalakaua Avenue where many honor him by placing leis on his statue. To many he’s the most famous name in surfing — an Olympic champion, a Hollywood actor and Hawaiian folk hero.

Duke was an inspiring celebrity figure who hung out with the great actors and athletes of his time. This is pretty cool stuff when you realize how much Duke and Hawaii influenced surfers and athletes across the United States and all over the world. He was born in Waikiki and was a full-blooded Hawaiian, representing the Hawaiian culture to millions of people. He won three gold, two silver, and one bronze medal in four Olympics between 1912 and 1922.

Surfing Lesson

My day paying tribute to Duke started with a surf lesson with Waikiki Beach Services. Located in front of the Royal Hawaiian hotel, I was warmly greeted by some locals who were just lying on the beach living the dream, just staring out at the waves on a Tuesday morning. I saw a girl walk up with a 12 foot board in a wet shirt and said, “you here for the lesson”? I said yes soon I was geared up in my own  surfing wetshirt and board.

This was a great little chance to get one on one style lesson in a small group. The small group quickly grew from just me, to myself and six teens from Korea. These kids where really confused about what they where about to embark upon, almost in a disrespectful way. The crew at the surf school did not flinch and proceeded to try to show us how to surf.

We all got a 20 minute warm up and safety rules lesson, then out in the water to start surfing. The teacher Juliet was super helpful and somehow managed all six of us in the water catching waves. The way she and her two coworkers handled the lesson was with concern for safety and good practice.

It was a great first lesson. I caught 12 or 13 waves and even began to really get the hang of it. They had another guy out in the water who took pictures of all of us and gave us all a copy of a cd at the end of the lesson. It was a very cool and low pressure experience.

Rainbow Drive In

I worked up a huge appetite after the morning surf lesson and had to try the most popular fast food joint on the island so I made my way a few miles to the Rainbow Drive In. 50 years and still going, Rainbow Drive-In has served some of the cheapest and best plate lunches in Hawaii. It’s popular with the locals and has built an almost cult following over the years. Some of the surfer specialties include BBQ + Ahi Katsu + Boneless Chicken w/tartar sauce and Portuguese Sausage or Spam or Ham + 2 Eggs. Awesome, and meals include the standard and large helpings of 2 scoops rice + 1 scoop macaroni salad or slaw. That was well worth the stop and I highly recommend it. Close to the beach and the right price. The Ifuku family (the founders of Rainbow Drive-In) started a charity that is nice to know about which was established in 2000 by Seiju and Ayako Ifuku, that awards annual grants to Hawaii-based non-profit organizations and schools.

Honolulu Surfing Museum in The Holiday Inn Hotel Plaza

Next, I headed back into town to continue my Oahu surfing pilgrimage with a stop at the Honolulu Surfing Museum located in the Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Resort, it’s a hidden surprise.

This little gem of history was the work of Santa Barbara, California surfer and antique collector James O’Mahoney. This surf buff grew up riding the waves in Santa Barbara and Long Beach, California. Apparently, O’Mahoney collected antiques from around the world, and gathered an amazing collection of surfboards and memorabilia from the most formative days in the history of surfing. It’s a great display of California and Hawaiian and surfing culture.

The story of the Museum’s creation goes like this, one day while on a surfing trip up the California coast, Jimmy Buffett stopped into O’Mahoney’s museum in Long Beach and was amazed at the scope of the collection. Jimmy was in the early stages of planning for the opening of ‘Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber’ restaurant and bar in downtown Waikiki. Jimmy could see the range of items and the value from early Tom Blake surfboards, to some of the first ukuleles ever made. That is just the beginning. There are very unique exhibits and artifacts that represent a mixed perspective and offer a glimpse of the impact surfing and Hawaiian culture and how the rest of the world has embraced it.

If you want to see some cool stuff like the old ring worn by Captain James Cook during his exploration of Hawaii and even wooden storage lockers once carried aboard the ship. The museum also holds one of two Rell Sunn Hawaiian print dresses known to exist. Lots of iconic paintings and surf movie posters too – including original lithographs for the film “Endless Summer” and a Grateful Dead poster by late, artist Rick Griffin. So much to see for free.

Oh and don’t forget the original surfboard featured in Coppola’s epic “Apocalypse Now”, and the only surfboard ever authorized by Marvel Comics and Stan Lee as the one, true space-aged ride of the “Silver Surfer”. Sit in the life sized Huey helicopter or have your picture taken atop Norrin Radd’s lightspeed starsurfer. It’s a good 1 to 2 hour trip through some interesting and one of a kind items, great for kids and adults.

Dukes happy hour with a little history

I wanted to see some more surfing history and a bit of Hollywood, Hawaii style. Perfect time to hit a happy hour at Dukes. What a great thing to look forward to after a few hours of relaxing on the beach. It’s busy, loud and lively. And while it’s $5.75 for a Hawaiian-brewed Kona beer is certainly not excessive. Duke’s has no specific Happy Hour, but they have live music every day from 4-6pm . So I had to make my own. The walls were filled with many photos of Hollywood celebrities, Duke, and great memorable moments of the Hawaiian legend. Throughout the restaurant there was a diverse and extensive array of interesting paintings and photography. All surfing related and capturing a proud moment in time.

Holiday inn Beachcomber

Holiday inn Beachcomber is my place to rest this great evening and I was glad it was conveniently located near all the great fun I had today. This place has historic value and was nice and clean. It had the Surf museum right off the lobby which made it easy to plan that and is located a few blocks from the sand. This hotel is located right on Kalakaua Avenue, the heart of shopping in Waikiki.  Close to the beach, food and walking attractions and it was also close to the best shopping and guided tours you can get in Waikiki.

What & Where:
Waikiki Beach Services (2259 Kalakaua Ave; 808-388-1510)
Rainbow Drive In (3308 Kanaina Ave, Honolulu)
The Honolulu Surfing Museum (located at Jimmy Buffett’s At The Beachcomber at 2300 Kalakaua Avenue; admission is free)
Dukes Waikiki (2335 Kalakaua Ave,  #116; 808-922-2268)
Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel (2300 Kalakaua Ave; 808-922-4646)

St. John is the smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, boasting white sand beaches and glistening blue waters. On the shores of Great Cruz Bay lies 47-acres of tropical bliss: Westin St. John Resort & Villas. Whether traveling for a secluded romantic escape or fun family-friendly getaway, the resort offers activities both on and off-site for every traveler’s needs this holiday season. Couples What better way to spend quality time in paradise than a picnic on the famed Trunk Bay, named one of the ten best beaches in the world by Condé Nast Traveler? Just in time for Thanksgiving, the resort offers “Take Your Turkey to Trunk Bay,” a package inviting couples to reserve a customized picnic on the white sand beach at Trunk Bay. You can choose from three packages featuring an extensive menu of traditional turkey and stuffing with a side island flair: of mango relish, and charred corn and tomato salad. Prefer to stay at the resort or in your room? Whether in room or at the spa, you’ll enjoy a holistic relaxation ambience, body treatments, massages and skincare treatments. Family-Friendly The Westin St. John offers engaging activities that are fun for the whole family. The resort’s “Island Hopping Scavenger Hunt” challenges families to channel their inner sea captains for the day, mixing education and competitive camaraderie. An island hopping experience is also available for families to take part in, which is coordinated by an on-site boating butler. You can explore the open waters of the U.S. Virgin Islands in your own private setting. Mom and Dad won’t be hearing the dreaded phrase of “I’m Bored” on this vacation! Kids also have endless options of daily activities from bobbing for sodas to tie-dye creations and even iguana feedings. Westin Kids Club provides entertaining and educational activities where your tiny travelers can learn about the natural environment and rich culture of the island, while enjoying arts and crafts, sailing lessons, seashell hunts and sandcastle building. The resort’s Director of Fun provides children with the opportunity to become adventurers for the day with field trips where they take part in everyday life in the Virgin Islands and get a close-up of a sun-worshipping mongoose. Dining The resort’s fine dining restaurant, Cruz Bay Prime, is St. John’s newest Caribbean steak and seafood restaurant. You can enjoy a meal filled with local sustainable lobster and seafood and grass fed steaks while looking out at the panoramic views of Great Cruz Bay. The resort also has the Beach Café with daily breakfast buffets and Snorkel’s Bar for pool and beachside dining. The Mango Deli is perfect for take-out dining to the beach or for an in-room feast. Nearby Attractions The Virgin Islands National Park is located just 10 minutes from the resort. The park covers two-thirds of St. John and is the home to more than 800 species and plants. Westin St. John gives you the chance to give back while enjoying your vacation. The Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park program is a one-day excursion that allows you to help maintain the park trails and ruins as you take in the breathtaking views. Westin St. John offers a $100 resort credit and transfers when you volunteer at the National Park through February 15th, 2012. Mongoose Junction, located just one mile from the resort, houses the island’s shopping and restaurants in a tropical setting. You can find upscale clothing boutiques as well as local crafted home decorations. Wharfside Village is also just minutes from the resort and provides views of the islands while shopping and eating at local restaurants. Westin St. John is coming to the aid of sun-seeking travelers with a “Retreat to the Heat” offer for those looking to trade in snowshoes for flip flops. The savings are sensational with one free night and a resort credit when you stay at any of the participating Starwood Caribbean Hotels and Resorts. The offer is available to book now through Dec. 15th for travel through Jan. 31st, based on availability. For more information on the offer and a list of participating hotels please visit Starwood.com. Details: Westin St. John P.O. Box 8310 St. John, Virgin Islands 00831 T: (340) 693-8000 or 1-800-734-7345 Reservations: Westin St. John Resevations. Facebook: Facebook.com/WestinStJohn