Miami In Style

Mod, sexy and trendy…Miami oozes with steamy nights and cool people. Every trip I take, the scene becomes showier than the time before. If you’re ready for a wild ride, then follow my travel tips below to visit some of the hottest spots that Miami Beach has to offer…
(Photo of Miami Beach by wallcoo.com.)

Where to Stay

Pools, sun, 70's style shabby-chic bar, martinis…what more could you ask for? At the newly renovated Eden Roc, you can get a room with a view starting at $219. 




The hip, white and orange lobby bar attracts visitors from around the world. On Saturday nights, relax with a cocktail in hand as you listen to a live DJ spin. 


The hotel has all the basics a traveler needs: Starbucks coffee shop, massage and spa amenities, as well as an eternity pool overlooking the beach. 

Located on 4525 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach Tel: 305-531-0000.
(Photo of pool by marriot.com.)

Where to Go Out

Hit the chic Bleau Bar at the legendary Fountaine Blue hotel for a cocktail, where James Bond was said to play a hand in gin rummy. 

Continue on to the hotel’s pumping dance club, LIV. DJ’s spin rock, hip-hop and house all night. The crowd is mainly in their 20's, and the whole place seethes with energy. Stilettos, sheer mini-skirts, glittery jewelry, expensive cologne, long lines, VIP treatment – it's the real Miami deal. Located in the Fountain Blue Hotel on 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach. Tel: 305-674-4680.

Miami’s newest club is Wall, at the W South Beach hotel. Look the hottest you’ve ever looked. Play it very cool. The shorter the skirt, the better. The hipper the dress shoes and the bigger the Rolex watch, the more attention you’ll get. Located at 2201 Collins Avenue. Tel: 305-938-3000.

Sunday bingo night at The Standard is a kick. Dress retro-casual and prepare yourself for a strong martini. Here you can relax, mingle and win something cool while listening to chill out music. Games start at 8:30 p.m. Get there early for a seat, otherwise, standing room only. Located at 40 Island Avenue, Miami Beach. Tel: 305-673-1717

Where to Eat

Join the hip Miami crowd at this hot Italian spot. For delicious thin crust pizza, a mozzarella-tasting bar, and a decently priced bottle of Italian wine, go to Casale restaurant. They offer outdoor patio seating, perfect for a balmy Miami night.

Favorite picks on the menu include the Granturco anipasti (polenta with wild mushrooms and arugula). Clay oven-baked pizzas come out hot and fresh. Try the Catalana (pizza with chorizo, manchego, tomatoe and olives) or the Vegetariana (pizza with cipolline, zucchini, endive and radicchio). Pizza prices range from $9-$15 per pie. Located at 1800 Bay Road, Miami Beach. Tel: 305-763-8088.

If you’re in the mood for Haitian food, you can’t miss out on Tap Tap restaurant. This colorful, casual, lively place offers mouthwatering dishes such as Griyo (lightly fried, marinated pork chunks), Kribish Kreyol (shrimp in Creole or coconut sauce), or Pwason Gwosel (poached yellowtail snapper with lime sauce). Be sure to order a fresh mojito. Meal prices range from $9-$17. Located at 819 5^th Street, Miami Beach. Tel: 305-672-2898.

To be seen (and to get some great grub after a long night of partying), go to the Front Porch Café for brunch. This eatery has been voted the “best breakfast in town” by locals for years. Located in the heart of South Beach, the café is attached to the newly renovated Penguin Hotel. You can get all types of omelets, pancakes, health shakes, burritos and sandwiches. Located at 1418 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. Tel: 305-531-8300. (Photo of Front Porch Cafe by penguinhotel.com.)


***All photos are taken by me, Molly Malone, unless otherwise specified. Photos are not available for re-posting or publication. Stay tuned to my next blog post on where to go in Cuba...

Venice Beach: Art Walk

Venice Beach, California. The doors are open. Hip onlookers check out eclectic sculptures and paintings while chatting with the artists in their private studios.

This Saturday and Sunday, May 22-23, you’ll get a chance to meander down Venice walkways and visit over 50 art studios located in modern lofts, small cottages and cutting-edge spaces during the Venice Beach Art Walk event. 

Tickets are $50 for a self-guided walking tour or you can opt to take an organized “Art & Architecture Tour” for $100-$150. To purchase tickets online and for more information, visit: http://venicefamilyclinic.wordpress.com/.

After a few hours of art perusing, the hunger is sure to set in. Stroll over to Abbot Kinney Boulevard – a hangout for the Beat generation in the 50’s and 60s – where you’ll see an overflow of the creative crowd. 

To hang with the Euro-chic, sip a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and munch on Mediterranean-style tapas, then go to Primitivo, located at 1025 Abbot Kinney Blvd. 310-396-5353.

***All photos are taken by me, Molly Malone, unless otherwise specified. Photos are not available for re-posting or publication. Stay tuned to next week's blog on Miami hot spots!

Patagonia: Chile - Where to Stay

When you think you’ve seen all the beauty you can handle on the Argentina side of the Patagonia…sorry to let you know…but you’re wrong. 

The Torres del Paine National Park steps it up to a whole new level: picturesque views of 
jagged snow-capped mountains, ice blue waters, rumbling rivers, alpaca and wild horses walking across the road in front of you…anyone who snaps a photo will realize that nature has turned him/her into an instant Ansel Adams. All of a sudden, those pictures that normally don’t turn out for you will develop marvelously. Why?  Because the lighting is just perfect and the color contrasts create a precise balance in nature. I’ve never seen anything like it.

Tips Before You Go
However, there are a few things to note if you’re driving from Calafate to the Chilean border. It takes about eight hours due to rocky, dirt roads and poor signage. Before you head out, be sure to stock your car with sandwiches, snacks and water in Calafate, as there are few restaurants along the way. 

Also, remember to leave early in the morning so that you’re not stuck at the Argentina/Chile border in the dark (it’s out in the middle of nowhere). The two last, most important tips are: FUEL UP BEFORE YOU CROSS THE BORDER and EXCHANGE MONEY TO CHILEAN PESOS! Both of these are a must, as there are no gas stations in the Torres Del Paine National Park, and everyone is reluctant to help since gas is so hard to come by. There are also no banks, and most places are cash only (Chilean pesos).

Places to Stay
I stayed all four nights at Hostería Lago Grey, located on the west end of the park. However, I would recommend staying only one night there, and three nights at either the rustic, all-inclusive Hotel Las Torres or at the upscale, all-inclusive Explora Lodge. This way, you’ll experience a variety of areas of the park, and see starkly different breath-taking views while you dine, hike and explore.

Hostería Lago Grey has comfortable and affordable bungalows settled in the midst of a tiny forest. The food is edible, but nothing to rave about. 

The best part is that the bar overlooks the Lago Grey Glacier and floating icebergs. You can easily take a walk around the lake from the hotel (however, be prepared for extremely high winds…bring sun glasses, a wind-proof jacket with hood, gloves, scarves, everything, because the sand whips against your face as you walk). There are also some pleasant day-hike loops nearby that bring you to small waterfalls.

The Hotel Las Torres has a classy and outdoorsy feel. Its tall, wooden ceilings and large windows show off the base of the Torres del Paine Mountain. The hotel is located on the east side of the park and is only three miles from the famous Los Cuernos Mountain. 

There is a minimum three-night stay at this lodge, which includes meals, full bar, guided treks and horseback riding excursions (roughly $500/night - three night minimum stay). This is also the jumping off point to the popular 4-7 day hiking loop.  (Photos of Hotel Las Torres by lastorres.com.)

For a ritzy, fashionable, all-inclusive experience in the Patagonia, the Explora Lodge provides three gourmet meals a day, full bar service, a room with a view of Lake Pehoe, boat rides, horseback rides, bike excursions and guided treks, all for a very high price tag (roughly $1000/night - three night minimum stay). But I must say, everyone I know that has stayed there just adores this hotel. If you have the money, go for it. (Photo of Explora by torresdelpaine.com.)

Patagonia: Argentina vs. Chile?
In my honest opinion, even though Torres del Paine is shockingly beautiful, I enjoyed the Argentina side of the Patagonia more. There are a few reasons why, so I’ll list them below:

• I received much more of a warm, gracious welcome from the Argentines in the Patagonia. The Chileans are nice, but cold.
• Argentina is more accommodating with money. They accept dollars, pesos, or credit cards in most places.
• The food is much better, the meat and fish taste fresher.
• There seem to be more options of excursions and day treks from Calafate than in/around the Torres del Paine National Park.
• The Chilean Patagonia is super duper windy! 

***All photos are taken by me, Molly Malone, unless otherwise specified. Photos are not available for re-posting or publication. Stay tuned to next week's blog on Miami hot spots, art shows and upcoming music events!

Patagonia: Argentina - Where to Stay

It’s the end of summer right now in Argentina and Chile. Why pack a bag full of scarves, wool hats, fluffy jackets and hiking boots to go to the cold Patagonia when you could slip into a bikini and relax on the beach in Punta del Este, Uruguay? For years I wrestled with this question.

I’ll tell you why: staggering mountains, crisp air, enormous glaciers, kind hospitality, gourmet food, stunning views…and the list goes on. 

After years of friends and family trying to convince me to go down to the Patagonia, I booked a rather “luxury” style all-inclusive 12-day trip through Exprinter Viajes travel agency. Previously, my friends had arranged the same trip through a U.S. travel agency, and it cost them three times more. I paid $4,400 for everything – airfare to Calafate from Buenos Aires, car rental, luxury hotels/B&Bs, trekking guides, gourmet meals, excursions, horseback riding, glacier boat trips…and every penny was worth it.

 

Below is my itinerary to the Patagonia (Argentina), with a few other important tidbits that I would have liked to know along the way before I left home. The best time of the year to go is late November to early March. I’ll write about the Patagonia (Chile) in next week’s blog post.

Kau Yatún Hotel de Campo (Calafate) – I stayed one night here to jumpstart my trip. This hotel is comfortable, the service is great and it’s located fairly near town. (Photo of Kau Yatún by Orbitz.com.)

They have a great restaurant on the premise, offering homemade emapandas, grilled steaks and a live show of Patagonian music/dance. Bikes are also available for hotel guests, so you can explore the one-street downtown or ride to the natural bird lagoon close by.

Hostería Altavista (Calafate) – I stayed two nights at this lovely B&B, to get a more remote experience. 

This quaint, seven-room house is located on the outskirts of Calafate in the middle of rolling hills and pastures. 

The experience is all-inclusive, with home-cooked meals, glacier excursions, horseback riding trips, as well as tours to nearby estancias. The Argentine couple who runs the place is very warm and helpful. I would highly recommend that you include this B&B in your itinerary.

Los Notros (Calafate) –  This hotel is extremely upscale and sits directly in front of the Perito Moreno Glacier. If you can't afford to stay here, then stop by for a cup of tea, and relax at its bar overlooking the lake. This is your jumping off point to go trekking on the glacier or take a boat ride around to all the various glaciers and to the national park.

Hostería Los Cerros (El Chalten) – You won’t want to miss visiting El Chaltén. From Calafate, it’s just a three-hour drive north to the small trekking village nestled between mountains and glaciers. 

This town was the highlight of my trip, as it is remote and the Argentines are so welcoming. (As a side note,  be prepared for strong winds. Make sure you pack a durable coat with a hood.) 

The Los Cerros hotel is pure luxury for this tiny town. You’re greeted with champagne, beer or tea/coffee and a picada (appetizer of cheese and cold cuts). 

Before you set off on your guided hiking excursion in the morning to see the famous Cerro Fitz Roy, you’re invited to feast at the breakfast buffet, which offers fresh fruits, nuts, homemade  bread and rosa mosqueta jam made from Patagonian berries. 

To completely spoil its guests, the hotel packs you a personalized lunch in a backpack for your day trip. And after your long excursion, you'll return to a relaxing jacuzzi dip or massage and enjoy a gourmet three-course dinner, with your choice of fresh trout, beef or pasta.

Since the town only consists of one pub, a wine bar and a few shops, you really can’t miss anything. But, make sure you stop into El Rincon wine bar and get a glass of Malbec and enjoy a fresh plate of salami with olives. 


There is also a cozy, bustling pub, which sells its own beers on tap and dishes out bowls of crunchy peanuts. Trekkers and guides love to unwind at this spot after a long day in the mountains.


***All photos are taken by me, Molly Malone, unless otherwise specified. Photos are not available for re-posting or publication. Stay tuned to next week's blog on tips for traveling to the Patagonia in Chile....

Mendoza: Where to Wine Taste, Eat & Sleep

The barren surroundings, unmarked roads and mountainous backdrops of the Mendoza wine district serve as a goldmine for winemakers around the world. Located in the central west of Argentina, Mendoza snuggles up to the Andes Mountain range along the Chilean border. Mendoza’s century-old vines, rare microclimate and grape growth of up to 4,900 feet in elevation allow visitors to taste some of the world’s top wines year-round.

The main grape grown is the malbec, but you’ll also find the bonarda, syrah, cabernet, chardonnay, merlot and semillón grapes. When I was living in Buenos Aires, I wrote my journalism thesis on the vital relationship between Argentine and Californian winemakers in Mendoza, and I had the privilege of meeting some of the most famous wine gurus of our time. That being the case, I have a gazillion favorite places to wine taste and dine in Mendoza, but I’ll only name my top few below.

Where to Wine Taste and Eat

In my opinion, one of the most spectacular sights in Mendoza is winemaker Nicolas Catena Zapata’s Bodega Uxmal. In the midst of 370 acres of vineyards, this Mayan-inspired pyramid looks out onto the Andes mountain range and offers tastings of exceptionally made wines, such as the Uxmal cabernet/malbec blend.

Zapata also co-owns the very chic 1884 Restaurante with renowned chef Francis Mallmann. Located on the outskirts of town, this restaurant serves grilled, organic meats such as veal and lamb, exotically prepared vegetables and mouthwatering pastas. Be prepared to pay more than you think, but the 15 minute drive outside of town and the high prices are well worth the exclusive dining experience. (Photo of dining room by 1884restaurante.com.ar.)

For a personalized wine-tasting experience, I recommend visiting the quaint, family-run winery, Finca Viña Amalia. They make exceptional malbecs and cabernet sauvignons under the labels Viña Amalia and their high-end line, Carlos Basso. 

Tastings take place in their winery, which was originally built in 1930. The building has since been renovated, but still preserves its original look with a rustic tiled roof, high ceilings and an adobe tower in the central patio.

An ideal place to indulge in a hearty lunch around 1 or 2 p.m. is at the Familia Zuccardi winery. Here you’re served a never-ending flow of empanadas and grilled meats. And of course, your glass will stay full with some of the most full-bodied wines in Argentina. To arrive at the restaurant, you actually have to walk through the vineyards. The dining area is made up of large windows and a transparent roof, making you feel as if you’re picnicking among the vineyards. If you want to participate in a cooking class or help during the cosecha (harvest), you can organize it with a travel agency. If you choose to pick grapes during harvest time, remember that the seasons are opposite the northern hemisphere, so Argentine’s wine harvest takes place between February and April.

To taste the most amazing and out-of-this-world wines, visit Viña Cobos or pick up a bottle of winemaker Paul Hobb’s “El Cocodrilo” or “El Felino” in a local wine boutique. The only drawback about visiting Viña Cobos is that you must reserve a visit in advance.

Where to Stay

Another great find is the restaurant and seven-roomed hotel, Club Tapiz. This small hotel, restaurant and bar is located on an estate built in 1890 and is completely surrounded by vineyards. 

The restaurant Terruño has warm burgundy and mustard colored walls with pinewood floors. The food is elegantly prepared and paired with Tapiz wines. 

If you stay the night, bring a swim suit for the pool, and be sure to request the room with a window, as there is only one available! Another idea is to stay at an estancia outside of town for a few nights. My friends, who recently traveled to Mendoza, recommend the three bedroom Estancia Rancho' E Cuero, just a two hour drive from the city and located at the base of the Nivero de Plata Glacier. 

They were spoiled with three meals a day, delicious regional wines and a traditional teatime in the afternoon. Activities at the estancia include horseback riding, hiking, condor watching and rock climbing in the nearby mountains. Otherwise you can opt to relax and read a book in the cozy library. (Photo of estancia by ranchoecuero.com.ar.)

For a truly grand hotel experience, and to be situated in the town center, stay at the luxurious Mendoza Park Hyatt. It has a fancy restaurant, a casino and a beautiful spa. Indulge and let me know what you think!

Activities to Do In/Around Mendoza

If you have some free time to wander around the main town of Mendoza, visit one of its Spanish-tiled plazas or enjoy a café con leche along the pedestrian street. Just 25 miles outside the city is the Mendoza River, which has become a hot spot for whitewater rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking.

Booking Travel

You can easily purchase day-trip packages for wine tours and sporting activities, which provide transportation to/from hotel, and usually a rustic asado (Argentine barbeque) in the wine country or mountains. I recommend booking all day-trip tours and any additional travel around Argentina/South America through Exprinter Viajes or Partir Viajes travel agencies. Both are very reliable and offer great rates. 


Using a trusted Argentine travel agency will save you up to 50% in costs, as opposed to booking travel and packages through a U.S. travel agency. Exprinter Viajes can also create very personalized tours if you have special requests. 

***All photos are taken by me, Molly Malone, unless otherwise specified. Photos are not available for re-posting or publication. Stay tuned to next week's blog on tips of how to enjoy luxurious travel in the Patagonia…