If you're looking for something to do in Vienna that's off-the-beaten-path, I would suggest a visit to the historic Spittelberg area in the 7th district. Some define the entire 7th district as Spittelberg, but purists will tell you that it is actually just a collection of about six little cobbled streets, each more charming than the last. It's just a quick skip-and-a-jump from the MuseumsQuartier, which I'll tell you about, as well.

Spittelberg

Spittelberg was built from the 1700s to the early 1800s in an area belonging to a hospital. Over the years, the area became more and more run down, and by the 1960s, it had devolved into a red light district complete with drugs and prostitutes. The government made a move to tear it down, but suddenly, support for the area sprang up from groups all over Vienna. It was decided that Spittelberg should be restored and preserved. Now, it's home to interesting boutiques and restaurants, art galleries and even a playground. Like with much of Vienna, Spittelberg is a mix of old and new.

Gallery: Vienna: Spittelberg and the MuseumsQuartier

MuseumsQuartier

The Alstadt Hotel is a charming Vienna residence where one feels instantly at home.

Located in historic Spittelberg (Vienna's 7th district), the accommodations are a strange blend of home and hotel, in that they share a stairway, an elevator and several hallways with actual Vienna apartments. You can see from the photo at right that at first glance, you might not even notice that it's a hotel, as the reception level and lobby are on the 2nd floor. How often does one walk through their fancy hotel and see people carrying their groceries? I found this juxtaposition welcoming and fun.

When I stayed at The Alstadt last month, I was lucky enough to be put in one of the Matteo Thun rooms. The Alstadt has 8 rooms and one suite created by this Italian design superstar. Mine, "The Leonie," was decked in blacks, grays, silvers and rich red. Check out the gallery to see the Victorian wallpaper, see-through black tile bathroom and the image of a naked woman on the ceiling above the bed (surprisingly tasteful!).

Gallery: The Alstadt Hotel

Looking for an etiquette program for your teenage daughter? Look no further than The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, where they have just announced a Charm Camp program.

At Charm Camp, young ladies will be given a 5-hour polishing course in poise, etiquette, makeup, style, healthy snacking and choreography by Miami HEAT dancers (pictured).

The "glam capital" hotel's PR manager will teach a class on the art of conversation, and a professional makeup artist will guide students through an hour-long session on age-appropriate makeup. Additionally, Celebrity Chef Jeff McInnis, of Top Chef fame, will teach a class on eating and cooking right in the hotel kitchen. The day will end with a dance lesson led by two Miami HEAT dancers (four-time "Most Popular Dance Team in the NBA"), and then a Q&A about etiquette, appearances, being a role model and making a positive impression.

Charm Camp is the brainchild of Michelle Payer, the same visionary behind the hotel's tanning butlers. "It's loosely based on my own experience in 'Wendy Ward Charm School' at age 13. I kid you not. It left an indelible impression, although WHY, in Portland, Oregon, we were taught to graciously get in and out of a limousine is still a mystery. I still chuckle about that ..."

The $175 program will debut June 19, and additional days are planned for November and December. Contact Mylene Santana at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach (786-276-4008) for more information or to book.

The Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview has just unveiled their new Presidential Suites, two 50th floor rooms with astonishing views to rival any in the world.

"This new addition to our hotel is extremely exciting," said Anthony Annunziata, VP of Marketing and Development, Hilton Hotel and Suites. "With the Presidential Suites, we are changing the way people see Niagara Falls, by offering guests superior accommodations, one-of-a-kind views of the Falls and exquisite décor, all of which are unavailable anywhere else in the area."

The two 1,500 square foot rooms, which offer views of both the Canadian and American Falls, are adorned in chic shades of white, silver and black. The modern palette is made cozy with the use of lush wallpaper, elegant ornamental chandeliers and a king-sized bed with a striking warm brown headboard. Remote controlled blinds and an electric fireplace complete the modern theme.

The entire hotel recently underwent a $150 million expansion to include over 1,000 guest rooms, two new restaurants, and 40,000 square feet of conference and meeting space, as well as a 40,000 square foot recreational pool and spa. The stunning views from the 50th floor presidential suites can only be reserved for private guests or corporate functions by contacting Jim Graham at 905-353-7160.

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PDAs (Public Displays of Affection) can make some people a little uncomfortable, but in Dubai, they'll send you to jail.

Until recently, Dubai was booming. Tourism and business travel were growing at at an exponential rate, and Dubai became a household name-destination seemingly overnight. One of the dangers of a boom like this is that some new visitors think every place has the same rules, and that what's okay in their own country will be okay in any country. Not so -- and if you're the offender they decide to make an example of, you're screwed.

The incident in question actually took place last November; a British expat and a female friend were arrested for kissing and "intimate touching," as well as consuming alcohol, in public. According to Reuters, "the case is the third time in under two years in which Britons have hit the headlines by falling foul of decency laws in Dubai." Dubai attempted to send the couple to jail for a month and subsequently deport them.

This Sunday, a lawyer for the pair appealed by going whole-hog and saying there wasn't any kissing. "There was no lip kissing. It was just a normal greeting that is not considered offensive," lawyer Khalaf al-Hosani told the court, adding that the two in question are "just friends."

The couple is currently free on bail and have paid their $272 fine for illegal alcohol consumption. The verdict deciding whether or not they'll go to jail is expected April 4.

Las Vegas pool season is nigh, and there's a new oasis opening up at Caesars Palace called Garden of the Gods. Seriously.

If you already regarded Caesars as an iconic pool destination, you're in for a treat. It has been completely, extravagantly redesigned by Allard & Conversano into three levels of aquatic wonder featuring eight unique and lavish pools. There are 44 new luxury cabanas stocked with plush furniture, flat screen TVs and wireless internet. A whirlpool retreat and wedding garden have also been added.

Each pool is named for a god or goddess and has its own special bells and whistles. The Fortuna pool, for example, features an 18-foot waterfall and a swim-up blackjack table. The twin Bacchus pools have butler-staffed cabanas which are, alas, for invited VIPs only. For maximum sun exposure, get to Apollo -- it's strategically positioned to get you tan on a chaise lounge or daybed.

"One of Las Vegas' greatest assets is its abundant sunshine," says Gary Selesner, president of Caesars Palace. "Guests make trip decisions to escape drab and enjoy warm sunny getaways. The new Garden of the Gods was created to be the definitive resort swimming retreat -- a resort within a resort. Here, guests have the freedom to find experiences they particularly will enjoy in a five-acre retreat that perfectly complements the exciting nightlife and award-winning restaurants at Caesars Palace."

To be among the first to revel in the Garden of the Gods, click here and book the Garden of the Gods Pool & Hotel Package, which includes a 2-night stay, a $25 Garden of the Gods pool credit and a pool bag filled with a towel and other necessities. With promotion code PKGCGOG, packages start at just $110. That is some pretty cheap fabulous.

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Natural disasters can strike anywhere at any time. Mother nature doesn't care who you are, how much money you spent on your vacation, or whether you bought travel insurance. Mother nature is kind of a jerk like that. So, what exactly do you do if you're lying on a Chilean beach one day and then suddenly you're in an earthquake?

While I would never advocate living in fear or always preparing for the worst (no way to live, in my humble opinion), a little precaution is more than a good idea; it's responsible. It's like packing an umbrella when you know it's likely to rain. Consider the risks of your destination (Does it get avalanches? Tornadoes? Is it the island from Lost?), and make sure you have a plan in mind in case you get unlucky. Read on for a list of potential disasters and tips on how to stay safe.

But first, everyone should program 202-501-4444 into their phone or keep it in their travel documents. Why? It's the phone number for emergency assistance to Americans in foreign countries, a'la the US Department of State (they'll get you help from your nearest US embassy). Additionally, you should register with the US Department of State when you're going abroad so that they can inform the nearest embassy that you're coming and keep better track of you if there's a crisis. Travel registration is a free service for which your taxes pay, and you can do it online here.

If that sounds a little big-brother-ish to you, consider how much passport stuff you go through anytime you travel abroad. It's okay for your country to know where you are. In fact, it's a very good thing, as they have an obligation to try and protect you on your travels. Also, there's a Privacy Act:

The Fairmont Pacific Rim in downtown Vancouver opens this month, and it's worth seeing -- even from the outside.

We don't normally hear about exterior hotel artwork, but this hotel in the heart of the financial district with views of the both the skyline and the harbor features a million dollar installation by UK artist Liam Gillick. The stainless steel piece is a repeating series of words in two-foot high Helvetica bold:

"lyingontopofabuildingthecloudslooked
nonearerthanwhenIwaslyingonthestreet..."

(In case that hurts your head: "lying on top of a building the clouds looked no nearer than when I was lying on the street ..." over and over again)

The artwork, shown, wraps around floors five through 22, "providing a delineation of the hotel and luxury residences." We think it would be a little distracting from the inside, like being trapped inside a neverending game of Quick Wit (remember deciphering those mirror images for the yellow points?).

It may not be everyone's idea of beauty, but it's certainly one-of-a-kind, and a fun new landmark to spot next time you're in Vancouver.

The Fairmont Pacific Rim's rates start at $229 (CAD), about $220 USD, per room per night.

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We all want to be safe when we travel. It's a given. Crime on the road is almost always unexpected and can really mess up your trip. There are some situations we simply can't prepare for (Godzilla, for example, or the Spanish Inquisition), but we can be smart about what we wear and how we carry our valuables.

Safety-wear is a dangerous can of worms for the fashionably inclined. I am not someone who can handle wearing a fanny pack (or "bum bag" for those of you who are British and appalled that I said "fanny"). I don't like things that are too bulky and I completely disapprove of anything that is aggressively "anti-theft;" it usually means "heavy" and "ugly." One should not have to sacrifice their sense of style for safety.

There's good news: one does not. Here are five sexy ways to carry your valuables safely:

Money belt
"That's not sexy!" you might proclaim. There was a time when I would have agreed with you. However, this was before I discovered the secret joy of the money belt: put it under your clothes and pull it tight. It shrinks your waist or flattens your stomach; it basically does everything Spanx would if you bothered wearing them while traveling. Be careful you don't pull too tight or you'll have an uncomfortable breathing situation which could lead to friction burns, and make sure the clothes you wear over it are skimming, not form-fitting. Most importantly, make sure you position it so you can get to it without disrobing publicly. That will invite a different kind of crime.

Thigh sheath
The thigh sheath is arguably the sexiest way to carry your valuables. Scott reviewed the PortaPocket, and I'm into that, but I like the sexy lambskin Wallet with Garters above ($19.95, and yes, it comes in other colors), or for vegans, the ruggedness of the Medical Trauma Thigh Pouch in "Coyote Tan" ($89.95). It calls forth images of video game and film heroines. Plus, if someone's stealing from a pouch on the inside of your thigh, you're going to notice. I recommend wearing it under a dress or skirt for full concealment.

Saint Charles Apotheke is a small Viennese empire producing all-natural, locally grown products specifically designed to make you look and feel better. Alfred Blumenthal founded the original pharmacy in 1886, and it has lived in Vienna, Austria's 6th district since the early 20th century. For a long time and for reasons forgotten, it was known as "the pharmacy of the holy trinity."

Since its early days, the pharmacy has expanded from the above Apotheke location, filled with herbs with fun-to-recognize names like "lavendel" and "kamille" and potions and elixirs, to include a Cosmothecary across the street with facial creams and body serums, as well as a calming spa treatment room for massages, facials and whatever else you'd like to experience in an all-natural, eco-conscious, uniquely Austrian way. Their Saint Charles label consists of products sourced from their own Austrian "refugium," where everything is grown and concocted into health-improving tonics and elixirs according to extensive research in traditional European medicine and, most recently, phytotherapy. You can walk in, tell them how you're feeling and get a full prescription of helpful remedies from digestive teas and skin-improving lotions to aphrodisiac "love potions."

Furthermore, they have opened a small restaurant next to the Cosmothecary called the Alimentary, known as "Austria's first pharmacy restaurant." There, you can eat or take home locally grown foods designed to respect the environment and make you healthier. They even offer cooking classes.

To visit the pharmacy of the holy trinity, check out their Saint Charles Apotheke website here, and get yourself to Vienna. You can shop online here if you'd rather get the Austrian experience at home.



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My visit to Vienna was sponsored by the Vienna Tourist Board and Cool Capitals, but the opinions expressed in the article are 100% my own.