By Jack White and Jill Weinlein
Jack and Jill's Cruise Reviews
~ Staying Ship Shape While on a Cruise ~ Can It Be Done?
Is there a way
not to gain a pound
while vacationing on
a cruise with all the
rich food and
midnight buffets?
Try These Tips:
Always take the stairs,
instead of elevators, drink water and icetea,
instead of sugary soda or fruity
flavored alcoholic beverages, and dance at
least thirty minutes each evening in one of
the piano bars, ballrooms or discos.
While on Crystal Cruises, walk
around the 360-degree promenade several
times before breakfast. Guests may use
Crystal?s Walk on Water weighted vests and
Nordic Poles to maximize the morning
stroll.
At least one night, forgo the main
dining room, and eat at Crystal?s Nobu
restaurant for sushi and sashimi. It?s a
healthier alternative to higher calorie
dinner specialties.
At least one meal a day on a Carnival
Cruise Line should be ordered from the
Carnival Spa Fare. Enjoy the tasty lower
in fat, sodium, cholesterol and calories
dishes. Poultry and meats are broiled or
roasted, and
salads are
prepared with
low-fat or fat-free
dressings. Even
the sugar
substitute desserts
are delicious.
Twenty-one of Carnival?s ?Fun
Ship? spas offer a full gym complete with
the latest exercise equipment and free
weights, weight circuit classes, and
workout classes at different interest and
activity levels.
During stops at Disney Cruise
Line?s private island, Castaway Cays,
take a sunrise yoga session on the beach
or a massage at one of the cabanas
overlooking the ocean. Walk or jog on
Deck 4. One lap is 1/3 a mile.
Skip lunch one day while on
Holland America and attend their Royal
Dutch High Tea. Instead of loading up on
cookies and cakes, eat the fresh fruit and
sip an elegant cup of tea. They offer an As
You Wish dining alternative that allows
passengers to choose a festive, five-course
menu or a quick and casual meal. Health
conscious, vegetarian, diabetic and glutenfree
dining options are offered if arranged
before boarding the cruise.
Royal Caribbean?s mega ship, Oasis
of the Seas, is so large with its 16 decks and
2,700 staterooms, burning calories is easy
while walking through the 7 distinctive
neighborhoods around the ship. Try a
Pathway to Pilate?s class for the complete
novice or if you enjoy sweating, the
Tour De Cycle is a unique indoor
cycling program.
The key to staying fit and healthy
while cruising is to get out of your
stateroom and take advantage of the
fun activities each line offers to
passengers.
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LAKE LAS VEGAS
By: Mel and Ronnie Greenberg
Ravella at Lake Las Vegas nestles along the glistening shores of beautiful Lake Las Vegas, the largest privately owned man-made lake in the United States. Ravella, a Dolce Hotel and Resort recently reinvented from a Ritz Carlton, encompasses a colorful expanse of Tuscany style architecture surrounded by European gardens, ornate bridges, sweeping views of vine-covered trellises, shaded loggias, balconies and sunny patios. An idyllic location for couples, honeymooners, group meetings, and family reunions, only 17 miles from the revelry of the Las Vegas Strip.
The Ravella’s fresh energized presence brings a new life to the area. The lobby’s impeccable design and décor welcomes you with a warm sultry glow leading into three areas that seamlessly blend together. It begins with the Firenze Lounge that offers an epicurean journey from day to night with its fresh offerings. The connective hub provides a comfortable setting for use as a technology venue, and the third is a gathering place where guests can meet and mingle, enjoy cocktails or Just read surrounded by a luxurious setting and incredible views of Lake Las Vegas and MonteLago Village.
The hotel has 349 spacious guestrooms including 35 suites, all with lake, mountain or resort views. Decorated with rich warm fabrics, beds are dressed with 400-thread Italian luxury linens and down pillow. Spacious marble bathrooms feature separate showers and tubs, thick cotton bath towels and spa toiletries. Rooms have high speed internet access, premium television channeling, cable/satellite television channels.
The Spa, at Ravella is an elegant peaceful retreat on the shores of Lake Las Vegas, a place to revive your spirits and nurture your well being. The 30,000 square foot spa and wellness center features 24 treatment rooms, a full service salon, and relaxing, healing waters. The spa menu is built around the bounty of an Italian harvest, and offers the richness that is a natural part of a Mediterranean lifestyle. Using the calming and restorative power of the region’s botanical essences blended with ingredients made from indigenous plants and minerals, all treatments are specially crafted to deliver and elevate a sense of relaxation and good health.
Awaken your senses with a wide variety of treatments including, the Essence of Ravella custom massage with a blend of alchemic essential oils created to enchant your senses and bring you into the moment restoring balance and reviving your spirit. The Journey to Balance massage has luxurious oil blends, vibrationally attuned to each of the seven vital centers in the body. Lulled into a deep state of harmony, this mystically enchanting massage is a journey to the center of your being. Among the other highlights are the Ravella Royal Radiance: sweet orange and marigold body wrap; and Essence of Ravella customized facials.
The advanced Fitness Center with lovely views of the lake offers resistance training equipment, free weights and cardio machines each with their own TVs. Relaxation rooms include dry and wet saunas, cold plunge pools and spa tubs.
Dining
The Firenze Loungeis the place to recharge while enjoying a delicious, nourishing lunch or mingling over a cocktail and dinner. The lunch menu offers a selection of salads such as insalata mista, with ingredients straight from the Farmer’s Market and a sun dried tomato vinaigrette with free range chicken or prawns. There’s a Portobello panini with marinated roasted veggies, Taleggio cheese, and Genovese basil; black angus burgers; and a seared tuna Nicoise with oregano dressing. For dinner the lounge serves unique tapas (small plates) allowing you to grab a simple snack or create a tantalizing and fulfilling meal. Get to enjoy hot scallops with esabeche sauce; date and pistachio cigars with bacon powder; Peppadew peppers, tuna, white anchovies with a sherry cream dressing and mango pearls; or mussels in Fenugreek marinara. For dessert it’s your choice of vanilla bean crème brulee, opera cake or a fresh fruit tarte. The wine menu features a wide selection of bold reds and crispy white wines, from California, Oregon, Italy, France and Argentina. Behind the exquisite bar, talented mixologists blend a variety of unique cocktails that include a wild pom martini with Absolut wild tea vodka, pomegranate liqueur and simple syrup; chocolate espresso martini with Stoli vanilla, Godiva chocolate liqueur, Lavazza espresso and chocolate shavings; Sangria Firenze with Italian red table wine, brandy, Limencello, Orangecello and fresh fruit; and the Ravella Rossini with white peach and raspberry puree and Italian prosecco.
Breakfast is a culinary experience as well in the Medici Café and Terrace. Enjoy spectacular views of the Florentine Garden and fire pit from the outdoor terrace or watch in amazement as world-class chefs create your meal before your eyes in an exhibition kitchen. The café serves fresh, seasonal and wholesome breakfast fare, sure to leave you feeling energized and invigorated.
Hotel amenities
The resort’s heated outdoor pool that overlooks the lake, has plush shaded sitting areas perfect for socializing or relaxing, and comfortable lounges for sunbathers to stretch out on. For a complimentary excursion to The Strip, check with the front office staff for departure and return schedules. The concierge will be happy to arrange trips to nearby golf courses, or other activities of interest.
MonteLagoVillage.
The village located right behind Ravella adjacent to Lake Las Vegas is reminiscent of an Italian waterside village with scenic cobblestone streets lined with piazzas, restaurants, trendy boutiques and lakeside boat docks. Enjoy the mouthwatering fare of Bernard’s Bistro by the Lake offering French-California cuisine; Sonrisa Grill for authentic Mexican cuisine focusing on traditional dishes, spicy tacos and fresh seafood ; Auld Dubliner for old fashioned Irish fare; Luna Rosa for authentic Italian cuisine and wine; the wood fired pizzas at Pizzamania; Sunset & Vines the quintessential destination for wine, cocktails and savory tapas; Black Pepper Grill for savory steak, seafood, lobster and sushi and the Before Sunset Café for lakeside breakfast and lunch. For a light snack stop by the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for irresistible chocolates, caramel apples and fudge; Saxbys, blending coffee with personality and Tutti Gelati where you get to treat your taste buds to smooth and authentic Italian gelato.
LakeLas Vegasactivities
Enjoy the beauty and serenity on the pristine 320-acre lake while relaxing on the shore or explore the secluded coves and breathtaking scenery on the water
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