Stay at La Coralina. The owner is most hospitable, there's a baby monkey onsite, it's home to a fun deck, and the views can't be beat.

Book a catamaran tour with Catamaran Tours: the captain will take good care of you, the snorkeling is excellent, and you'll most likely spot dolphins.

Book Erwin for a personal tour: Erwin has the best stories in the world. Plus he knows the islands and their inhabitants inside and out.

La Coralina: www.lacoralina.com
Catamaran Tours: www.bocassailing.com
Erwin: www.heliconiidae.com
Full Panama report, with photos, at www.travelmusings.net

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Stay at the Coffee Estate Inn: the owners are a little difficult, but they run a top-notch operation (fresh coffee, homemade breads, flower arrangements, amazing view, etc).

Eat at the Panamonte Inn in the fireplace room: nice ambience, the people watching is decent, and they serve great food for the money.

Drive to Cerro Punto and walk the trails in La Amistad National Park.

Coffee Estate Inn: www.coffeeestateinn.com
Panamonte Inn and Spa: www.panamonte.com
Full trip report, with photos, at www.travelmusings.net

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

We enjoyed dining at Manolo Caracol (casual, locally owned) and Astrid y Gaston (more formal, originated in Peru).

As for places to see, I recommend the Baha'i temple, walking in Soberania National Park, and visiting Miraflores Locks.

Astrid y Gaston: www.astridygaston.com
Bahai Organization: www.bahai.org
Miraflores locks: www.pancanal.com
Full trip report, with photos at www.travelmusings.net

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

La Estancia is a hotel in Panama City. It's not amazing, but it's a good value, located away from downtown (a good thing), close to the national airport, the service is good, and there's a travel agency onsite.

www.bedandbreakfastpanama.com
Panama trip report, with photos, at www.travelmusings.net

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Canopy Lodge is located in Soberania National Park, a 30-minute drive from Panama City. It's a former radar/observation tower turned into a hotel catering to birdwatchers. I recommend it because it's an opportunity to stay in a tower in the middle of the rainforest, and the views are amazing. I'm not into birdwatching, but I understand that this place is the ne plus ultra for those who are into it.

www.canopytower.com
Full Panama trip report, with photos, at www.travelmusings.net

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Stay at the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion if you like quaintness and history, stay at the g Hotel if you prefer hip and contemporary lodging.

Also, tour the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, eat at the Gurney Drive food stalls and sample everything.

Don't try to take out illegal CDs or DVDs. Read The Star. Visit Kek Lok Si temple. Take the cable car, but arrive early: the lines are awful. Walk the canopy walk. Buy a Makansutra food guide. Indulge in a MacWaffle at Red Garden.

Trip report, with photos, at www.travelmusings.net

Trip report, with photos, at www.travelmusings.net

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion:
www.cheongfatttzemansion.com/

g Hotel: www.ghotel.com.my/

Makansutra: www.makansutra.com/index.php

Travelmusings: www.travelmusings.net

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

I loved staying at the Berjaya. Join Dev's night wilderness (twice a week) at the Berjaya. Indulge in 90-minute outdoor massages at The Berjaya ($65 USD). Ride the cable car. Take the island-hopping tour. Try durian (at your own risk). Watch out for the monkeys. Do not carry food, drink, etc. around them.

The Berjaya:
www.berjayaresorts.com/beachresort_langkawi.htm

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

My recommendations are always carry an umbrella, get a Tote a Luxe Guide, visit the Night Safari and to stay at The Scarlet: excellent location and contemporary decor at a value.

Also, eat at the food stalls and buy a Makansutra if you can find it, or read the Calvin Trillin article in the New Yorker to determine which food stalls to visit.

If you're flying in and out of Changi, and just staying overnight, stay at the Changi Village Hotel. Check out the shops on 33 Erskine Road. Treat yourself to a foot massage in Chinatown.

Full trip report with photos at: www.travelmusings.net

www.thescarlethotel.com

www.nightsafari.com.sg

www.changivillage.com.sg

www.makansutra.com/index.php

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Specifically, I recommend the mussels at KB: I saw them hand-delivered the morning of the day I dined there. KB serves a heaping plateful for less than $10. These are the best mussels I've eaten in my life, and I take my food (too) seriously.

Trip report, photos: shallowmusings.typepad.com/travel_musings/

Here's the website with the address:

www.gastronaut.hr/restoran.asp?id=5076

If you're walking from the town center to Hotel Liburna: it's halfway, on your right.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Mjlet is an island 1 1/2 hours from Dubrovnik by ferry. The majority of the island is uninhabited, and it hosts a large national park.

I recommend it for 1) Its walking trails. You could walk for days and never take the same trail twice, and 2) Its beauty. The blues and greens of the trees, sky, and water are more vibrant than you'll find elsewhere.

Trip report and photos: shallowmusings.typepad.com/travel_musings/

Here's the national park website:

www.np-mljet.hr/

Arrive at Graz Harbor around 7:15 am to catch a ferry. The ferry is less than $20, entrance into the park is $20. Debark at the second port. Buy a map or you'll get lost. There's a hotel on the island (accessible from the port by bus) but I didn't stay there (and I regret it). The Mali Raj food was overpriced and underquality: hold out for the restaurant at the monastary.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Anja, the hostess, is sweet. It's great value: kitchen, cable, balcony with view for $100 a night, stunning view with balcony. Perfect location: 204 steps away from Old Town, full description and photos at shallowmusings.typepad.com/travel_musings/

Visit the Hotel Panorama website here: www.panorama-dubrovnik.net/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Don't expect 5-star service for 3-star prices ($108 a night). The service here is mediocre, but who cares? The architecture is one-of-a-kind (envision lots of dark, twisting tunnels) and the view from your balcony is stunning at any time of day. I highly recommend HC if you're staying in Punta del Este: it's charming and full of character. Rent a car. Full report, with pictures, at www.travelmusings.net

www.clubhotel.com.ar/casa/index.html

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Contemporary boutique hotel in the heart of the best neighborhood in BA - it's surrounded by shops and outdoor restaurants. Only seven rooms, each decorated in a different style: I stayed in the "modernism" room, which included a beautiful balcony. The staff are extremely courteous and hospitable. The nightly rate was only $135. For a complete description, with pictures, go to www.travelmusings.net

www.bobohotel.com/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Buquebus offers ferries to/from Buenos Aires and Uruguay (Colonia, Montevideo) in combination with coach transportation within Uruguay. Very easy to book online, very reasonable rates (my roundtrip ferry/bus fare was less than $100). The ferry is comfortable, as are the buses. For pictures and full description go to www.travelmusings.net

www.buquebus.com/cache/HomeARG.html

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Home Hotel is a contemporary boutique hotel located in Palermo - the best neighborhood in BA, in my opinion. It's very hip but not over-the-top. Lots of white, outdoor bar by the pool, designer furniture, design magazines scattered about, etc. The rates are reasonable as well: approximately $135-$150 per night. Lots of restaurants nearby.

For pictures and a full description of Home and other BA hotels, go to www.travelmusings.net

www.homebuenosaires.com/home/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

This is a very ex-pat establishment where you'll instantly feel comfortable if you're from the U.S. I love the communal table stacked with magazines. Wi-fi access is a plus. The menu is varied and extensive: I enjoyed both my breakfast and lunch here. Has outdoor seating. Visit Bliss Spa (one hour reflexology: $35) right around the corner. Full description of each (with photos) at:

www.travelmusings.net

They don't have a website, but Time Out Dubai and Luxe Guide Dubai both have listings for it.

Shk Zayed Road
Tel: 971 4 343 3779

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Ok, so their desert tour is touristy, and cliche, but we thoroughly enjoyed it -- for $145 for two (including dinner), it was a value. The staff is outgoing, the dune driving somewhat scary, and the food is (suprisingly) good. Full description and photos at:

www.travelmusings.net

No website, but your concierge can book it for you.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

This is where the cool kids stay! Sleek, sexy, modern. I only had a drink here, but fell in love with the place. Beautiful pools (one for adults, one for kids), a spectacular restaurant, etc., etc.

Full description and pictures at www.travelmusings.net

www.ghmhotels.com/hotels/hotel_home.asp?hotelid=13&section=home

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

I have multiple recommendations/pearls of advice for visiting Hanoi, including De Syloia Hotel, The Metropole, Shisiedo Spa, Wild Rice (a restaurant), Lake Hoan Kiem and more.

www.travelmusings.net

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends