Up High On The Cliffs of Big Sur

Are you one of those who, if given a choice for a vacation, would prefer a mountain resort instead of a beach or ocean resort? Then this is for you ...

Post Ranch is a luxury 30-room inn set spectacularly on the cliffs of Big Sur and boasts of breathtaking panoramic ocean views of the California coastline and Pacific Ocean.

Several of the accommodations here include a handful of tree houses which face the mountains ...

Surprisingly most of its rooms are modern in design and feature stunning floor-to-ceiling views of the Pacific Ocean...

It has a new Cliff House whose deck is suspended almost directly over the crashing surf below.

A restaurant with a magnificent view...

And swimming pools that seem to stretch towards infinity...

Post Ranch is described to be environmentally sensitive and completely in sync with its tranquil settings.

Reference: Yahoo Travel

Enchantment in Phoenix

I never realized that Phoenix offers more than just endless spaces. Since I am half a world away from this state, I was glad to find that there are surprisingly beautiful oasis in this rock country.

Enchantment Resort in Sedona (Phoenix, Arizona) is an adobe casita style accommodations sprinkled along the base of a canyon ringed with towering rock formations. It is said that at sunset, the crimson canyon walls seem lit from within.

Located on 70 acres in the Coconino National Forest and tucked against the vermilion walls of Boynton Canyon, the resort provides a unique opportunity to discover the culture and heritage of the native American people. Sedona is an area for adventure with access by hiking, jeep tours and mountain biking.

Both Tii Gavo and the Yavapai Restaurants feature 180 degree views of the canyon so spectacular that it is said that one can actually see ancient cliff dwellings.

Reference: Yahoo Travel

New Trends - Glass Bath Tubs

The juicy hues of the new Jolie Glass Bathtub from Regia are sure to please those of us who enjoy a little bit of fun in our daily routines. Looking like a bright and beautiful glass of cool-aid, the Jolie bathtub is just ready for you to plunge into. It will define the style of your bathroom, as light filters through its transparent sides and casts the color around the room. A sense of freedom from the norm pervades the Jolie, as a freestanding tub it can be located wherever you like in your bathroom, with a matching sink pulling together the whole look. Also, a matching headrest fits neatly onto the side of the tub, and can be positioned anywhere. The loveable, unique character of the Jolie bathtub from Regia will arouse a sensation of playfulness in those who encounter it!

Looking like something from a futuristic film, the new Cristalli glass tub from Novellini is a sight to behold. A highly unusual material from which to construct a bath – glass gives a clean, minimalist look to the design. From the Elysium collection, the tub is European design for chic, city-living types with an eye for the newest trends. The longest sides of the bathtub are straight, while the ends flair out in a smooth, gleaming curve. Cristalli is complement by a tall, angular faucet, and looks amazing set on a polished floor. Clearly an ultra-modern choice for the discerning consumer… the new Cristalli is from Novellini.

There’s something wonderfully unusual about a clear sided bathtub like the View from Teuco. The gently curved glass panel puts one in mind of an aquarium, a soothing, relaxing, underwater environment. The View bathtubs are suitable for bathing with a partner! Generous in size, they both include a blower massage with invisible jets to massage your whole body efficiently. Enjoy the health benefits of increased blood circulation and cell metabolism with a whirlpool bathtub .

Reference: Trendir

Some of the World's Quiet Places

What we need is not a complete absence of sound, but sometimes we need to be in places that sound the way the world did before the cellphones, sound systems, and TV were invented . Long before traffic became a part of our lives... In excesses, noise has negative effects on our body systems. It raises stress levels, can potentially cause heart and immune system problems, and even raise blood pressure. But quiet solitude is still out there, ready to be found. Around the world remain quiet accessible places , where the constant din of civilization simply drops away...

Gobi Desert, Mongolia

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Kalahari Desert, Southwest Africa

Hoh Valley, Washington

Loch Lomond, Scotland

Anza-Borrego State Park, California

Cape Cod, Mass.