Spa Indulgence Onboard the Celebrity Silhouette

If you're a spa lover and a cruise lover, we've got the perfect vacation for you!  Imagine first-class accommodations, five-star dining, spa services, designer shopping, entertainment and more - they're all found onboard the Celebrity Cruises Solstice Class Silhouette.

Designed for those who love to be pampered, the Silhouette features a unique offering of staterooms known as AquaClass.  At a spacious 194 square feet, AquaClass cabins offer a selection of both aromatherapy scents and bed pillows, plush bathrobes and slippers, private verandah, priority seating in the Blu restaurant, wellness classes plus AquaClass staterooms are conveniently located near the AquaSpa.  Unlimited access to the relaxation area known as the Persian Garden is also part of the AquaClass experience.

But let's get back to the AquaSpa...here, you can customize your personal experience by choosing your music, aromatherapy scent, and room lighting before beginning your spa treatment.  With an extensive list to choose from, popular AquaSpa treatments including their 24-Karat Gold Facial, Botox injections, and Thai Herbal Poultice Massage plus there are yoga and meditation classes to partake in.

Celebrity Silhouette is all about enjoying the things you love - take an art class through The Art Studio, relax at the Lawn Club or the Alcoves, choose from a selection of 50 handcrafted beers at Michael's Club, mixology classes or simply enjoy the amazing panoramic views from the Sky Observation Lounge.  After an afternoon of designer shopping for Bulgari, Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, and Armani, choose to dine at the technologically savvy Qsine restaurant or savor the wine list at Murano.  Blu also serves up a private continental breakfast daily for AquaClass guests.

Celebrating it's one-year anniversary on the seas, Celebrity Silhouette sails the Caribbean and Europe with upcoming 7 and 12-night sailings to ports of call including St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Jamaica, Haiti, Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Italy, Croatia, Malta and Montenegro.  

Images: Celebrity Cruises

         
 

Discover: Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm, Sweden, is one of those beautiful cities that everyone wants to see at least once in their lifetime.  Comprised of 14 islands, it might seem daunting at first, but what if you only had a few days to visit?  Here are some of the unforgettable sights to see as we discover Stockholm, Sweden.

• Gamla Stan - the Old Town section of Stockholm, Gamla Stan is comprised of 3 islands where you'll find the cobblestone streets lined with unique shops, restaurants, and cafes.  Don't miss the Stockholm Cathedral, the Royal Palace & the Changing of the Guard (12:15 p.m. daily except Sunday), Stortorget (the largest square in Gamla Stan), and the Nobel Museum 
• Sodermalm - take the 1883 Katarinahissen lift to enjoy the amazing views and best priced lunch around at Gondolen
• City Hall - take advantage of the views from high atop the City Hall Tower or marvel at the Blue Hall (where the annual Nobel Prize banquet takes place) or the Golden Hall with over 18 million pieces of glass and gold.  
• Stadhusbron - located next to City Hall, take the one-hour ride aboard the 1909 SS Drottningholm to Drottninghol Palace where the Royal Family has lived since 1981
• The Ice Bar - no trip to Stockholm can be complete without a visit to the world's first permanent Ice Bar at the Nordic Sea Hotel where you can enjoy a Absolut cocktail served in an ice glass.   Dating back to 1722, enjoy dinner at Den Glydene Freden in Gamla Stan
• Vasa Museum - while Stockholm is home to more than 70 museums, Vasa Museum is the most impressive - don't miss seeing an original wooden ship dating back to 1628
• Rent a Bicycle & Explore Royal Djurgarden - this huge park encompasses trails, forests, horse pastures, and the gardens of Rosendal Palace.  Grab a picnic lunch and enjoy as the locals do, underneath the shade of the orchard trees.
• Kungliga Dramatiska Teatern - just cross the ferry landing at Nybroplan, this is the birthplace of such famous actresses as Ingmar Bergman and Greta Garbo
• Ostermalms Saluhall - since 1888, this inviting market has been providing the city of Stockholm with upscale culinary delights including fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers.  As you leave Saluhall, check out the luxury shopping along Bibilioteksgatan street and Sweden's biggest department store, NK

For more information, see VisitSweden.

Flickr.com Photo Credit:

Stockholm - Gamla Stan by roger4336

London in Pictures

These amazing photographs by Moyan_Brenn appear on Flickr.com.

Up & Coming U.S. Destinations

I don't know about you, but I love to hear about up & coming travel destinations.  Maybe they're places on our bucket lists or maybe they're places we just haven't thought about visiting, yet.  

Thanks to our friends over at TripAdvisor for their latest: Top 10 Destinations on the Rise in the U.S. - let's take a look!

1. Nashville, TN - highlights of this country music capital include visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Opryland
2. Austin, TX - his live music capital of the world was also voted the best place to live for several years running
3. Fort Myers, FL - sporting a new waterfront area, Fort Myers offers beautiful beaches, world class fishing, and golfing
4. Pigeon Forge, TN - Dollywood & Great Smoky Mountains National Park, need we say more?
5. Pensacola, FL - rich in beautiful beaches and military history
6. Louisville, KY - enjoy the Kentucky Derby & visiting the Louisville Slugger Museum
7. Branson, MO - live music, entertainment and a wealth of museums line the Vegas-like strip, but sorry folks, no gambling allowed
8. Scottsdale, AZ - golfing, golfing, spas, resorts and more golfing - perfect for couples ;)
9. St. Augustine, FL - visit a 17th Century fortress, an alligator farm or enjoy shopping for local arts & crafts
10. Charleston, SC - enjoy southern hospitality, historical architecture and civil war memorabilia

And there you go, a quick run down of 

Up & Coming U.S. travel destinations for 2012!

Flickr.com Photo Credit: Nashville by Frank Kehren