The Fine Living Network is re-airing its All Girl Getaways Sun and Salsa episode featuring the Travelistas! This is a true blast from the past, and it’s an exciting and fun episode shot in South Beach!

“Five successful career women plan to meet up in Miami for a weekend getaway. The women all met each other in college at Florida A & M University and have remained close ever since. Even with their busy schedules, they remain in constant contact. They’re very excited about reuniting with one another, and South Beach will be the perfect place for them to reconnect.”

Airing on March 29, 2009 at 2:30pm EST on the Fine Living Network

Resources in Miami:

The Palms Hotel
www.thepalmshotel.com

Barton G Restaurant
http://bartong.com/

Yuca Club
http://www.salsamia.com/

The Everglades Alligator Farm
www.everglades.com

The Marrakesh Grand Prix is one of the biggest events to hit Morocco and the continent of Africa in recent times. Marrakesh takes center stage as it hosts the international Grand Prix for the first time in over 50 years! The World Touring Car Championship will take place on a new, high-speed, and driver-challenging street circuit in the heart of the exotic city for 3 days, May 1-3, 2009.

Two young Moroccan entrepreneurs, Aly Horma (above) and Islam Zahid, who happen to be close friends of the Travelistas, dreamed up the idea. More than 100,000 fans are expected to attend the event, with festivities taking place throughout the city all week. This affair will undoubtedly draw an international crowd, so expect VIP access and lots of partying. We love it because it gives us one more reason to visit Marrakesh!

For more info, visit:

www.marrakechgrandprix.com

To view the Travelistas’ Moroccan adventures, visit:

http://www.uptownlife.net/uptwntv/

www.travelista.tv

Watch as the Travelistas shake and bake in Marrakesh! Teri learns a move or two as she shakes her thing belly-dancing, while Andrea cooks up a delicious chicken tagine with an authentic Moroccan cook!

Travelistas Andrea and Teri are exploring the bazaar of Marrakesh, shopping for carpets and belly-dance costumes. Watch as Andrea goes crazy rolling around on expensive rugs and Teri negotiates for her costume in French!

Watch as the Travelistas take on Marrakesh, Morocco – an international destination where you will find culture, shopping, trendy restaurants, pool parties, and a sizzling party scene of rich globetrotters!

Travelistas in Marrakesh

If you’re like us and you’re fed up with the harsh winter temperatures, you’ve started looking for hope from the Spring season. What better way to welcome you to a new beginning than sun, water, and luxury. Welcome to the Indian Ocean.

Lying beautifully off the southeastern coast of Africa is a little slice of paradise called Mauritius. An island of beautiful contrasts and colors, Mauritius remains a go-to spot for European jet-setters and worldwide honeymooners. With a warm climate year-round (70 degrees in winter to 88 degrees in summer), it’s easy to see why this melting pot of Hindus, Chinese, Muslims, European, African, and Creole culture is called a world-in-one island slice of paradise.

The island boasts a varied landscape, cultural diversity, historical venues, and endless water activities. From coral reefs, to snorkeling, to windsurfing, paradise awaits you. Experience the best in service at luxury hotels, which await you with white glove treatment. One of our favorite hotels is La Pirogue, located on the western coast. Travel to Mauritius is better suited to March, so book your tickets now.

La Pirogue – Wolmar, Flic en Flac, Mauritius

Tel : +230 403 39 00 / Fax : +230 403 38 00

If the recession is affecting your quality of life and preventing you from enjoying and experiencing the best that life has to offer, then vacation is exactly what the Travelistas prescribe for you.

Over the past few years, most international travel for Americans has been extraordinarily expensive based on what we’ve become accustomed to. With our new president and his finance team working aggressively to correct our economy, the U.S. market and dollar is actually being viewed as safer than other markets. This nuance of the financial crisis translates for us world travelers as an opportunity, as many amazing destinations have now become very affordable for Americans.

According to TIME magazine, the five best places to travel during this recession are Iceland, Canada, Great Britain, South Korea, and Australia due to the fact that these places are an incredible discount at the moment. While these places are indeed a great value, the Travelistas highly recommend the following destinations during these economic times –for not only value, but great culture, adventure and fun!

1. South Africa – Enjoy the fine dining and incredible culture and history in Cape Town, drive to Franschoek and discover what makes South African wine so amazing, and book a safari in Kruger National Park. Currently one U.S. dollar is worth 10 South African Rand, up from 7.7 a year ago.

2. Brazil – Travel to Rio de Janeiro and Salvador de Bahia for amazing culture, beach, food, and the fun, friendly people. One U.S. dollar is worth 2.3 Reais, up from 1.7 one year ago.

3. Turkey – Travel to Istanbul, delight in Turkish cuisine and the colorful bazaar, and head to Cappadocia to experience the miraculous natural wonder that has fascinate and intrigued people for centuries. Currently one U.S. dollar is worth 1.7 Turkish Lira, up from 1.2 one year ago.

4. Argentina – Dine, shop, and enjoy the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires for a little slice of Europe in South America. Currently one U.S. dollar is worth 3.5 Argentine pesos, up slightly from one year ago.

5. Australia –Experience the cosmopolitan, vibrant and multicultural city of Sydney, head up north to the great barrier reef and meet and discover the aborigines of Australia. Currently one U.S. dollar is worth 1.6 Australian dollars, up from 1.1 a year ago.

When planning your vacation, recession-proof it by keeping these tips in mind:

1. Look for flight and hotel deals. The travel industry is being hit hard and many companies are offering deals you can’t refuse! – Also, don’t be afraid to negotiate- you never know what they’ll say. Start with Kayak.com. This online flight consolidator will tell you where you can find the cheapest flights to just about any major destination.
2. Stay with friends and family living in other cities and countries.
3. If you’re staying for more than 5 days in one place, consider renting an apt or a house to save on accommodations. While you’re in the house, have fun cooking a night or two.
4. Use your airline miles to take you places – if you’re not registered to receive miles, shame on you. Make travel work for you!
5. Most of all, do the research. You’ll save money in the long run, which will allow you to enjoy your recession-free vacation!

As you decide where to travel, there are ways that can help you save money and plan an amazing vacation. Keep in mind that many hotels and airlines are offering major deals to encourage people to travel which we should all be taking advantage of. Happy Travels!

-The Travelistas

*TIME Magazine, 5 Best Places to Travel in a Recession, November 4, 2008, Author, Bryan Walsh.

The Travelistas are long-time fans of Miami Beach, and this past November, we jet-setted down South to celebrate the birthday of Travelista Andrea at The Gansevoort South Hotel. This hotel is the latest addition to South Beach’s strip of beautiful and must-see locales. As the sister of the well-known Gansevoort in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, the Southern version does not disappoint.

Renovated from the former Roney Palace, (where we remember staying back in the 1990s), the Gansevoort South delights the most discerned traveler. Even its location, a bit further north of South Beach, does not take away from the buzz of this swanky abode. From the auspicious rooftop pool, to the gorgeously designed David Barton Gym and Spa, to the anticipated Philippe restaurant, this hotel brings an air of cosmopolitanism to a color-splashed experience. Did we mention that the 334 luxury rooms are all spacious, tinged in fuchsia and white, and feature feather beds, 40” flat screens, free Wi-Fi, and twice daily housekeeping?

The rooftop deck, with its over age 18 policy, is a decadent delight, with overwhelming views of the beach, a plunge pool, palm trees, and the Plunge Bar. At night, the rooftop transforms into one of the best and most exclusive party spots on South Beach.

Chef Philippe Chow, another transplant from New York, has opened an upscale Asian-infused restaurant in the south end of the hotel, featuring a cool and sexy ambiance categorized by red, white, and black, and a sophisticated and trendy crowd. Travelista Andrea was blowing out her birthday candles as Gabrielle Union made her way to her table upstairs.

And if that wasn’t enough beauty for you, the Gansevoort South also leases space to Wilhelmina Modeling Agency, to up the lobby beauty quotient on a constant basis.

Gansevoort South
2377 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach 33139
(305) 604-1000
www.gansevoortsouth.com
Rates from $345

Mexico City (Cuidad de Mexico, Distrito Federal Mexico) or the DF (for those in the know) is like any urban metropolis: busy, chaotic, and cosmopolitan. That makes it an ideal getaway for culture, art, and good food. This is the place to be to experience rooftop hotel parties, unforgettable cuisine, and a conflicting mixture of progression, history, and architecture.

The trendy neighborhoods include Polanco and Condesa, and you can easily get lost in the cute cafes and swanky shops in these zones. The ultra chic CONDESAdf Hotel is the newest jewel on the scene, and has quickly taken its post of modernity and sophistication. As a collaboration of Parisian designer India Mahdavi, South Beach hotelier Jonathan Moor and Mexican architect Javier Sánchez de Sánchez Higuera, CONDESAdf is a hotel for those that like to be on the scene.

Its sister property, Habita Hotel, is a modern minimalist boutique hotel which houses actors, businessmen, and models. Don’t miss their signature champagne and tamarind martini at open-air bar, AREA. Enjoy the springtime breeze at the pool deck AQUA.

www.condesadf.com
www.hotelhabita.com

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE STATE DEPT HAS ISSUED A TRAVEL ALERT REGARDING TRAVEL TO MEXICO DUE TO VIOLENCE. PLEASE CONSULT THE STATE DEPT’S WEBSITE FOR UPDATES.

Marrakesh is said to be The Rose City, due to the color of the red-clay mud of the earth below. While the color, architecture, and walls of the city hasn’t changed much since it was founded in 1062. Today Marrakesh is an international destination where you will find luxury hotels, unparalleled shopping, trendy restaurants, and a sizzling party scene of rich globetrotters.

The country of Morocco is part Berber, part Arab, and part African, and the city of Marrakesh is at the heartbeat of it all. As a melting pot of tradition, custom, and exquisiteness, we fell in love with the energy of the people and the vibrancy of the Medina (within the city walls). The mosques, palaces, baths, and riads, all reflect the beauty of their architectural style.

We met up with friends who hosted us for the week. We stayed both inside and outside of the Medina. Outside of the Medina, you will find newer apartment complexes, with swimming pools and tennis courts.

Inside the Medina, the most common place to stay is in a riad – a traditional Moroccan villa with an open courtyard. All of the rooms at riads are decorated in the traditional Moroccan ornate style.

Despite the 110-degree heat, we spent quite a bit of time outdoors, visiting the Koutoubia Mosque, El Bahia Palace (where P Diddy once hosted a party), and the Menara Gardens (designed by the late Moroccan designer Yves Saint Laurent). The city square is where all the excitement happens! You will find snake charmers, Gnaouan drums players, henna tattoo artists, and open-air restaurants. We took a chance getting henna tattoos, dancing with male belly dancers, and touching snakes!

In the square is where you will find Djemâa el Fna, one of the most popular souks in the world. Once we entered the labyrinthine bazaar, you will find vendors selling clothing, fabrics, textiles, carpets, spices, copper, and jewelry. Everything in Morocco is up for negotiation, and the Moroccans pride themselves on the art of compromise and concession. They are savvy experts at negotiating, and they like the process to go on and on and on. So in the give-and-take, we made sure that we weren’t taken!

We indulged our cultural desires and took up cooking classes and belly-dancing! The cuisine is full of spices and beef patties, couscous, and tagines are their most popular dishes. I (Andrea) learned first hand the secret of Moroccan cuisine, and cooked with a Moroccan woman who taught me how to make chicken tagine. Teri went shopping for a belly-dance outfit because she wanted to learn the art of dancing, Mediterranean style. Her lessons paid off, and now she feels confident to shake her thing!

We fell into the best of the party scene, dropping by the largest pool party in North Africa, where the beautiful and jet-set were relaxing in the sun. At night, we partied with international jetsetters from Morocco, Paris, London, and Dubai. Although it’s a Muslim country, they didn’t waste any time popping champagne and dancing like crazy. The Nouvelle Ville neighborhood is a popular district of clubs, lounges and restaurants like Le Paradise, VIP, and Le Theatro. Pacha and Le Comptoir are also popular.

What’s next for Morocco? The Marrakesh Grand Prix, which takes place in May 2009! This is the first international car race on the continent in over 50 years. We talked to the young CEO of the MGP and his advice is to book your ticket now!

The energy of Marrakesh is infectious. The city is international, exotic, and affordable! Take it from the Travelistas, book your ticket now!

To see us in Marrakesh, watch our video here on Uptown TV !