Here in NYC, we don’t have the luxury of countless amazing Korean day spas at our disposal like they do on the West Coast. But, after a summer of sunscreen, suntan and sun damage, our skin was in dire need of a reboot, so we decided to bite the bullet and check out what the Korean spas were like in our neck of the woods. With a bit of research under our belt (taking into consideration the crowds, the array of facilities, and the price), the editorial team plus a couple of girlfriends headed out to Palisades Park, New Jersey to King Spa Fitness for a day of relaxation.

The King Spa was easy to find and nothing short of enormous at 40,000 square feet. Using an e-coupon we found on the website, admission was reduced to $28 and if you have the whole day free to use all the facilities (as we had planned), it turns out to be quite affordable. The spa caters to both men and women and most of the wet areas are separate and nude-friendly. The rest of the facilities are co-ed, thus leading to the biggest rub of all (and not the rub you want): pepto bismol pink one-size-fits-none uniforms made of very thick non-breathable cotton which you’re required to put on and pull off again as you move from the wet areas to the other rooms. And there are a lot of rooms! To name a few, there’s the amethyst sauna, yellow ocher sauna, mineral salt sauna, ice sauna, heated mugwort sauna, and the real cooker: the Bul Hanzung Mok hot sweat room. Essentially an oven, and the spa’s biggest draw, this women-only sauna is heated by burning oak to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the ultimate in mind and body detoxification and purification, and has been used by Koreans for over 500 years to combat illness and pain. If you can survive the heat, you come out feeling reborn and renewed.

For an additional $80 (and a surprisingly outrageous $25 mandatory tip), two of us booked an hour-and-a-half scrub and massage following a deep steam, hot tub soak and sauna. For those who have never experienced a Korean scrub before, picture this: Asian women clad in black lace bras and panties armed with rough cloths for exfoliation, who leave no skin un-sloughed. Over and over, they scrub you until you are as soft as the day you were born – possibly softer. It’s by no means relaxing, but the reams of dead skin washing off of you are oddly satisfying. The massage I could have done without. I am not a big fan of oil slicks and I’m much more accustomed to gentle rubdowns than power washings. However, I must admit, I have never felt cleaner and softer in my entire life. Unfortunately, I couldn’t leave the area without putting on my hideous sweat-soaked uniform.

While we were getting detailed, our other two friends were getting foot massages. Upon reflection, I would recommend skipping the massages, but treating yourself to a scrub and taking advantage of all the varied saunas and water facilities. Plan to hit the wet area first, hot tubs and steam rooms before getting the scrub. Then, post scrub, head to the hot saunas to purge your freshly cleaned bod of toxins. Spending all day at a spa makes you surprisingly hungry, and while there is a restaurant, the food is average and a bit pricey, so it might be worth it to pack a power bar. Only 40 minutes away from the city, this spa is worth the trek if only for the fact that it has water facilities (a rarity in New York City). While the award still goes to West Coast Korean day spas, we are happy knowing there’s a place for us to get a good scrub down without having to board a plane to California.

Better late than never! Time to make your Labor Day Plans - USAToday.com

It’s the little things: more space for bags on American Airlines’ new Boeing 737s – abc.com

Marriott’s new upscale brand, Marriott Marquis, to debut in Miami – TravelWeekly.com

Mexicana Airlines halts service for time being – Jaunted.com

The James New York hotel opens in Soho – Hotelchatter.com

Frontier Airlines to add fights to Costa Rica – Yahoo.com

Here are our Top Ten Programs of the week: Scout out local style at the shops of Montego Bay on Lookin’ Good Mon – Montego Bay, Jamaica

Chill out or heat up at Qua Baths and Spa on Relax Roman Style – Caesars Palace, Las Vegas

Come for a treatment, stay for the day on Desert Oasis – Green Valley Ranch Spa, Las Vegas

Experience a birds-eye view of the jungle canopy on Rainforest Adventure – El Yunque Rainforest, Puerto Rico

Tour the Bahamas’ islands with tenth generation sailors on Two if by Sea – High Seas Private Excursion, The Bahamas

Learn from the curl experts on Best Tressed – Devacahan Spa and Salon, New York

Explore the laid-back beach town and Mayan ruins of Tulum - Riviera Maya, Mexico

For a seaside town with unlimited outdoor activities, discover Playa del Carmen – Riviera Maya, Mexico

Experience fine Caribbean dining and exceptional fairways on Bouillabaisse and Birdies – White Witch Golf Course, Jamaica

Discover Negril’s most happening hangout on Jamaican Sundown – Rick’s Cafe, Jamaica

To see more of our original travel videos, go to Voyage.tv!

Recession or no recession, leave it to A-list celebs to set the bar high when it comes to luxury travel. On my recent trip to Northern India and the state of Rajasthan, courtesy of Cox and Kings, I was given the movie star tour of a few of India’s top hotels.

Oberoi Amarvilas

Waking up to a view of the Taj Mahal only 2,000 feet away is enough to wow even the most jaded star. Julia Roberts stayed here with her husband, Danny Moder and her two children during her recent time in India filming Eat, Pray, Love.  The hotel property located in Agra is a breathtaking vision in itself, with terraced lawns, marble pavilions, and Moorish and Mugwal architectural touches. The elegant surroundings and picture windows framing the iconic “monument to love” in the background is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.

Umaid Bhavan Palace

Overlooking the desert city of Jodhpur and the Meherangarh Fort in the distance is the “warrior” of the Taj hotels, surrounded by 26 acres of manicured gardens. Built to provide jobs in response to the famine of the 1920s, the imposing Art Deco structure that is the Umaid Bhavan Palace remains the private residence of the Jodhpur’s Maharaja today. And if a royal family holding court isn’t enough to grant esteem to this majestic property, it was also the location of Elizabeth Hurley’s storybook wedding to textile heir Arun Nayar. In terms of accommodations, it doesn’t get more luxurious than a hotel that’s fit for a king.

Mihir Garh

Rising up out of the desert landscape an hour south of Jodhpur is the year-old Mihir Garh. Run by Sidharth Singh of Rohet nobility, this boutique hotel was crafted from wood, wattle and mud and features 9 luxurious suites, decorated with handpicked local Indian textiles and furniture. Each suite comes with a private plunge pool or terrace with views of either the sunrise or sunset, hence the hotel’s name, “sun fortress.” Mihir Garh is intimate and tranquil, and its desert surroundings make for moments of inspiration.  This Rajasthan oasis was recently host to the musical great Robert Plant, which makes me wonder: might there be another version of Kashmir in the making?

Rambagh Palace

Northern India is famous for its palace hotels, so it’s no surprise the “king” of Taj hotels is also a celebrity favorite. Upon arrival to Jaipur and the Rambagh Palace, we were given the royal welcome led past the polo field by uniformed men on horses. Inside, we were greeted by the splendor of the palace itself, with its long corridors, marble floors and lavish details. Fondly referred to as the “Jewel of Jaipur,” the Rambagh Palace recently made international news as the setting of Katy Perry and Russell Brand’s fairytale engagement, complete with an elephant ride and fireworks display.

Now that the iPhone is in its fourth generation, the days before “there’s an app for that” seem further and further away. While somehow we were able to survive without an electronic device telling us where to eat, what the weather’s like in Caracas, and what song is playing, it sure is nice to have it at our fingertips.  It’s hard to argue with the convenience of travel apps, but with hundreds to choose from, it can also be overwhelming deciding which one to download. The Brooklyn Nomad shares his top ten picks to make your travel life even easier:

Although I love traveling to new destinations and revisiting old favorites, sometimes the whole process of booking, researching and mapping out my next big adventure can be a bit of a hassle.

But now with hundreds of travel apps available for the iPhone, I can do all of the above and more with just a few taps of the touchscreen.  Below are eight of my favorite travel apps and two new travel apps that any serious jet-setter needs to download on their iPhone asap.

• Kayak: Besides being one of the best travel search engines on the internet, Kayak has come up with one of the nicest looking and easy to use iPhone apps out there right now. Search flights, hotels and car rentals with ease. Plus the new Trips Itinerary Management feature is pretty cool. Just email your booking receipts to Kayak and they’ll create a single itinerary for you.

• GateGuru: Whether you travel often or just a few times per year, you are going to want this travel app. Just type in the airport you’re visiting and it will provide you with detailed information about each gate. Whether it is figuring out where the nearest ATM machine is located or what food options are within walking distance, GateGuru is great.  The app currently offers 86 U.S. airports, 12 Canadian airports and London Heathrow.

• Urbanspoon: I’m sure most iPhone users with adventurous appetites already have this app downloaded. But if not, you may want to check it out on your next trip.  Let’s say you’re visiting Brooklyn, New York and want to try some cheap Thai food. Simply set the app to your requirements and shake it (yes literally shake the device). Urbanspoon will them provide you with a place nearby.  Reviews are provided by Urbanspoon users.

Read the rest of the article here.

The Latest Travel News:

W Hotel opens in the Financial District – TravelWeekly.com

ACLU reviews the ethics of security procedures at airports – Yahoo.com

Sandal’s Dunn’s River Villagio to open as Jewel Beach Resort and Spa – TravelWeekly.com

The largest cruise ship in the world drops its prices to under $1000 a week – USAToday.com

Get in on Alaska Airline’s fall sale – MSNBC.com

Here are our Top Ten Programs of the week:

Charter a Bermuda cruise on Luxury at Sea – Venetian, Bermuda

Discover a throwback speakeasy-style restaurant on Village Underground – Hotel Griffou, New York

Experience true island charm on Low-Key Luxury – Nisbet Plantation, Bermuda

Waves get the royal treatment on Best Tressed – Devachan Salon, New York

When it comes to weddings, anything goes on Love – Vegas Style – The Strip, Las Vegas

Discover old-world elegance and tropical charm at Red Lane Spa - Royal Plantation, Jamaica

Exciting outdoor activities and natural beauty abound at Garrafon Park – Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Raise a red stripe at take in the sunset on Jamaican Sundown – Rick’s Cafe, Jamaica

Preview the Caribbean’s best rated golf course on Par for the Course – Punta Espada, Dominican Republic

Explore the popular snorkeling town of Akumal- Riviera Maya, Mexico

To see more of our original travel videos, go to Voyage.tv!

Even the most savvy travelers are susceptible to the scams awaiting them abroad. Prague, Mexico, South Africa, first world or third world, tourists are the easiest of prey. On my recent trip to India, the vendors outside the gates of the Taj Mahal were particularly aggressive, shoving mini versions of the iconic structure in our faces, claiming them to be made of marble — if by “marble,” you mean “chalk.” Really the best way to steer clear of swindlers and hawkers looking to part you from your traveler’s checks (remember those?) is by keeping your wits about you. In the case of tourist traps, hassling is almost a given no matter what country you visit. Hip Paris gives the lowdown on some otherwise lesser known scams awaiting you in the City of Lights:

Alas, all that wine blushing up my skin totally gave me away. While I was living in a dream, a few unsavory locals easily spotted my tourist moves (you know, the wide-eyes, mouth agape, flushed cheeks) and attempted to weasel me with their foolish scams. I was forewarned by local friends and, fortunately, able to avoid the embarrassment. Many of my tourist brethren were not so lucky.

Luck, however, is on your side. I watched, appalled, as each tourist, high on the city of lights, repeatedly fell for scam after scam. I’m busting out the scams I discovered here so you don’t have to succumb to their same fate.

First and foremost, you must remember this key piece of information on your next stroll through central Paris: No one would sell you a real gold ring for 10 Euros. Not in Paris. Not anywhere. Not even your real grandmother would sell you a piece of 18-karat gold for 10 Euros. Just wouldn’t happen.

To read more helpful tips, click here.

The Latest Travel News:

New Cosmopolitan Hotel could mean lower hotel rates all around Vegas - MSNBC.com

JetBlue reintroduces its “All You Can Jet Pass” – Yahoo.com

Riu Hotels to open its first Panama property – TravelWeekly.com

Delta allows bookings on Facebook - TravelWeekly.com

Crystal Cruises to launch “You Care, We Care” program to promote environmentalism – USAToday.com

In times gone by, before planes trumped trains, traveling by rail conjured images of romance and whimsy. Now, we’re more likely to think of train travel as the lesser of two evils, complete with claustrophobic sleeper cars and subpar processed foods. Of course that was before the unveiling of India’s newest luxury train, The Maharajas’ Express. And while it may not be the first of its kind, this latest venture from Cox and Kings India and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, has certainly raised the bar to new heights.

Designed to evoke a Raj’s private coach, the Maharajas’ Express is the perfect blend of old and new, with lattice work reminiscent of India’s palatial architecture and opulent furnishings fit for a king, combined with modern amenities like individual temperature controls, flat-screen televisions and maybe most importantly, a hydraulic suspension system to keep the rocking to a minimum.

The train holds just 84 passengers, and offers four levels of accommodations to fit your fancy, all with ensuite bathrooms – the crème de la crème being the Presidential Suite, which spans the length of one whole carriage. Two fine-dining restaurants on board serve international cuisine coupled with signature Indian dishes. Other public areas include the Observation lounge with bar and game table and the Bar Carriage, serving wines and spirits.

And while on being on board is an experience in itself, you’ll be both awed and amazed at what lies outside your picture window. For it’s what happens off the train and at the destinations you see along the way that sets this locomotive apart. Tours are meticulously planned by the Cox and Kings group and as of now, they have three itineraries from which to choose, the newest of which is coined “Classical India” leaving from, and returning to, Delhi. Best described as a journey through the spiritual centers of the country, the tour includes stops in Agra, Gwalior, Khajuraho, Bandhavgarth, Varanasi, and Lucknow. Over 7 days, you’ll have access to places and people others wouldn’t and what’s more, every time the train pulls up to a station, a red carpet welcome is rolled out for you.

All-inclusive rates start at $800 per day and go up to $2500. The packages include all meals and drink, butler service, and guided off train excursions. To book, visit rirtl.com.