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By Meghan McCain
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Traditional Chinese medicine has come out of the apothecary and into the most chic five-star spa resorts. Leading the pack: the major hotels in Asia, which have recently begun offering treatments based on ancient Asian health practices.
Asian-medicine experts were often brought in to design the programs. Chinese doctors formulated the exclusive herbal potions used at Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. Their
CHI ("energy") in Bangkok, Cebu and Shanghai use oils and body gels made with ingredients like ginger and cardamom to harmonize the body's five basic elements: water, wind, earth, metal and fire. The CHI spas have also introduced a variety of signature treatments--including acupressure ($85) and Himalayan hot-stone massages ($200)--aimed at maintaining good health by balancing yin and yang. As Chinese medicine gains more mainstream acceptance in the West, the group plans to broaden this spa trend; over the next four years, Shangri-La ( Shangri-la.com ) plans to open more than 20 CHI spas, not just in Asia but in such locales as London, Doha, the Seychelles, Vancouver and Chicago.
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Mandarin Oriental guests in New York can now sign up for classes in tai chi, a form of Chinese exercise that improves the flow of the body's energy. In Hong Kong, both the boutique Landmark Mandarin Oriental and the recently refurbished flagship Mandarin Oriental ( mandarinoriental .com ) include classically Chinese deep tissue "Tui Na" massages ($140) to stimulate the body's energy points.
Prime hospitality companies are also putting together more packages built around Asian-style wellness programs. Hong Kong's Langham Place hotel has a special Chuan Journey program that includes a night's stay in one of their Asian garden-inspired spa suites plus sessions with a Chinese-medicine doctor who prescribes the appropriate massages and meals ($1,000; hongkong. langhamplacehotels. com ).
Yaksa, which opened earlier this summer, is a rare gem amid the touristy pasta and seafood joints in this enchanting port: it combines fabulous fare with an enchanting atmosphere.
Ambience: A relaxed stroll down the twisty passages of Hvar Town leads you right to the front door. The interior is dramatically dominated by a wall of wine, but the true pleasure comes from dining al fresco on the outdoor patio or along the cobblestone pedestrian passageway.
^ Main courses: Since Hvar is an island in the central Adriatic, seafood plays an integral role in the Dalmatian fare. The lobster topped with buttered breadcrumbs is perfectly rich yet light. And be sure to break bread here: the warm homemade pain dipped in local olive oil is irresistible.
^ Dessert to die for: Warm chocolate torte is done the world over--but Yaksa's got it right. Served in petite bowls, the cake's molten center cools as it oozes out, hitting your tongue at just the right temperature. Showing restraint? Try the rice pudding with local berries.
^ Wine list: Forgo the French and Italian offerings for a local bottle. The Istria vineyard Kozlovic makes a light crisp white that goes well with seafood. Prosek Hectorovich is a wonderful fruity dessert wine.
Ginanne Brownell
Development has not disturbed the charming historic quarter of the world's oldest continually inhabited city. What not to miss:
SEE the towering Umayyad Mosque, one of the largest on earth and home to a shrine said to contain the head of Saint John the Baptist.
VISIT Azem Palace, an 18th-century residence of the late Ottoman governor of Damascus and a great example of traditional Damascene-style architecture.
STROLL through Souk Al-Hamidiyeh, a large covered marketplace built on the site of an ancient Roman fortress, and shop for clothes, furniture and souvenirs.
SNACK on handmade ice cream rolled in pistachios at Bakdash ice-cream parlor, nestled for more than a century in the middle of the souk.
Malak Hamwi
Yell "Checkmate!" in glamour. Chess-set maker the House of Staunton, based in Toney, Alabama, displays meticulous attention to detail in its new Sheffield line ($1,495; houseofstaunton.com ), introduced last month. The kings are a hefty 112mm tall; the dark pieces are made of red sandalwood and the white are crafted from boxwood. Backgammon buffs should try Geoffrey Parker's Backgammon Competition Set GV19 ($2,650; geoffreyparker.com ). The board is hand-bound in English leather, the smooth-sliding checkers are made out of nickel and trimmed with leather and the precision dice are unbreakable--to prevent accidents at the hands of sore losers. Game on.
Allan Madrid
Already have Riedels? There are plenty of other cool new wine accessories. The Wine Sceptre is a frozen metal wand that keeps a pre-chilled wine bottle at its optimal temperature. It's inserted like a stirrer, hollowed out for pouring, and comes with a decorated stopper--in gold, silver or Swarovski crystal (€147- €222 ; jfkwine sceptre.com ). If you want to develop a nose for the bouquet, try a Le Nez du Vin kit, designed to help amateurs identify subtle aromas by supplying bottles of scent--including honey and butter (€82-€312 ; nezduvin .co.uk ). Want to know how your new 2006 Merlot will age? The Clef du Vin uses a small piece of copper alloy to oxidize a glass of wine and mimic what it will taste like down the road. That way, you'll know whether to shelve it or serve it to your friends (€97 aroundwine.co.uk ).
Rebecca Hall
When most women think of comfortable shoes, Birkenstocks come to mind. Of course, any fashionista would rather be caught in shoulder pads. But sometimes bad heels ruin more than just your outfit. "High heels can cause orthopedic problems in your feet, knees, ankles or back," says WebMD's Brunilda Nazario. Fortunately, the fashion industry is finally listening to all those pained soles. The latest heels arrive with more padding and support, even technology from Nike sneakers. Carrie Bradshaw would approve!
Meghan McCain
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