Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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GUIDE play The fire pit at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa in Florida. Paradise Found TAKE A BREAK FROM COLD TEMPERATURES WITH A TROPICAL ADVENTURE. BY HANNAH REX Amanyara Grace Bay Club Pink Sands Resort This tucked-away resort in Turks and Caicos is true to its name, which derives from the Turkish word for peace. Ten dive sites surround the resort, offering a unique experience for all diving levels. Dry off at the circular bar complete with a soaring ceiling inside and oversize lounging daybeds outside. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, 649-941-8133; amanresorts.com Explore the natural beauty of Turks and Caicos on this 11-acre beachfront resort. Snorkel or scuba dive with manta rays in the turquoise water, then indulge at the longest beach bar in the Caribbean, Infiniti Bar at Grace Bay Club, and the first pop-up restaurant on the island, Stix on Grace Bay. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, 649-946-5050; gracebayresorts.com Situated on a pink sand beach, 25 pastel cottages offer the perfect lodging to embrace the tranquility of the Harbour Islands. Cruise through the lush tropical grounds, enjoy fishing or snorkeling, and satisfy your appetite with Mediterranean and Caribbeanfusion dishes. For a breathtaking ocean view, stay in the two-story villa La Mer Azure. Dunmore Town, Bahamas, 242-333 2030; pinksandsresort.com Cheeca Lodge & Spa Embrace the barefoot elegance of the Florida Keys by fishing off the 525-foot wooden pier, snorkeling in the saltwater lagoon, or playing a round of golf on the Jack Nicklaus–designed course. Unwind with a lava shell spa treatment or an alfresco massage in an oceanfront tiki hut. 81801 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL, 305-664-4651; cheeca.com Fontainebleau Miami Beach Blending mid-century glamour with modern luxury, Fontainebleau features the world-famous LIV nightclub, a 40,000-square-foot Lapis Spa, and three AAA Four Diamond restaurants. Get rejuvenated with mineral-rich water therapies and oceanfront cabanas. The BleauLive concert series will feature Gloria Gaynor and The Spinners in December. 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL, 305-538-2000; fontainebleau.com 176 The Grand Del Mar Experience a Mediterranean-style paradise that's just a five-hour flight from Boston. The resort features the first restaurant in San Diego to earn the AAA Five Diamond Award and a Forbes Five-Star rating, plus a luxurious Forbes Five-Star spa and golf course on-site. Local activities include water sports, horseback riding, hot-air ballooning, and hiking in natural canyon preserves. 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, San Diego, CA, 858-314-2000; thegranddelmar.com Little Palm Island Resort & Spa This private tropical island provides both romance and adventure with 15 intimate thatched-roof bungalows. Work up an appetite by skydiving, sailing, scuba diving, or kiteboarding, then enjoy the seasonally fresh cuisine that pairs pan-Latin ingredients with French techniques. 28500 Overseas Hwy., Little Torch Key, FL, 305-872-2524; littlepalmisland.com The Ranch at Live Oak/Malibu Lose the winter blues—and some inches around your waist. This getaway features an intense fitness and wellness regimen with structured diet and scheduled activities. Throughout the sevenday stay, experience mountain hiking, exercise classes, weight training, and yoga, then reward yourself with daily massages. 12220 Cotharin Road, Malibu, CA, 310-457-8700; theranchmalibu.com Terranea Resort Quench your thirst for adventure with horseback riding, falconry, kayaking, paddle boarding, and more. Conveniently located 30 minutes from Los Angeles, Terranea Resort will make you feel like you're on a tropical vacation without leaving the States. 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, 310-265-2800; terranea.com BC SWEET RETREAT Spa Director Blake Feeney explains Terranea's wellness retreat. Can the retreat be customized? Guests can choose a mindful direction with yoga, meditation, and tai chi paired with relaxing spa treatments. Or the path can be high-impact paired with sports massage. Are there outdoor activities? We have outdoor fitness classes, plus kayaking, horseback riding, and hiking. What's the goal? For guests to incorporate their retreat experience into their daily routine. A kayaker at the cliffs of Palos Verdes, near Terranea. BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 176_BC_TG_Play_Holiday_13.indd 176 10/31/13 4:01 PM