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The northern Argentine city of Salta is known among Argentineans as "Salta la Linda," or "Salta the Beautiful," for its lush vegetation, mountainous terrain and colonial architecture. It's also known for a regional variation on the ubiquitous empanada — they're smaller and are baked instead of fried. Often baked in mud ovens, the result is a lighter, somewhat saltier delicacy known as the saltena. Take a taste test at El Solar del Convento, not far from the Sheraton Salta Hotel. The restaurant offers diners a free glass of champagne while they peruse the menu; as we've noted before, Salta is in the heart of Argentina's flourishing wine region, so sampling some of the fantastic local cabernets, chardonnays and malbecs while you're there.

In addition to the seat of International Law at The Hague the Dutch are also known for throwing a pretty swingin' party. And there's more to Dutch beer and breweries than the multinational Heineken and Amstel brands (which, once upon a time used to be two separate breweries local to Amsterdam). Adventurous visitors to Amsterdam's Hotel Pulitzer or Le Méridien Apollo might want to have a look at this Amsterdam pub guide online, which although not visually stunning is extremely thorough. It's got the real deal from veteran European pub enthusiast Ron Pattinson. Though you shouldn't necessarily believe everything you read on the Web, it will give you a good place to start planning a night out, whether you're looking for a taxi jaunt over to one of the hip new bars in Nieuwezijd to mingle with the beautiful people or prefer to pub-crawl one of the city quarters on foot like a real native.

When visiting Denmark, discriminating travellers will enjoy the beauty and luxury of the Palace Hotel. Built in the early 20th Century it's distinctive architecture and central location rank it among the finest hotels in Copenhagen. What to do there? For one it's directly across from the world-famous Tivoli Gardens. Somewhere between a modern theme park and a public garden, Tivoli first opened in 1843 and is the oldest amusement park to have survived more or less intact to the present day (it was also an inspiration for Disneyland). Though constantly evolving, Tivoli has maintainted its' traditions, foundations and general layout. For those who are more interested in acquisition than entertainment, the Strøget is also near at hand. Follow the link to a Copenhagen visitors' site with more tips on where to shop, eat and drink.

In another demonstration that Dubai is the quintessential "City of the Future", this feature from the UK's Times Online details a journalist's 2005 trip to Dubai's 280 foot indoor ski slope. That's right, you can ski year round in the desert. New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Bangkok have some catching up to do.

When in Dubai, Starwood has you covered with outstanding lodging like the Sheraton Deira and innovatively constructed Le Grosvenor House West Marina Beach, not to mention an upcoming W in development but sorry, they don't have a special offer on lift tickets just yet.

[image via Skiing Europe]

New Orleans is already on the rebound, and nowhere is it more evident than the tourism and hospitality sectors. To clue you in on the many things to see and do in the city, Starwood has created a new campaign featuring a list of 25 "musts" for visiting New Orleans from the commonplace (#3: Suck on a crawfish head) to the outright daring (#7: Expose yourself in public). Some of my favorites are the ones that will give you a full dose of local flavor, like "# 16: Order a drive-through daiquiri" and "#23: Spend Christmas in New Orleans". You can also check out a SPG destination guide online, or for a local's eye view on what's happening in the city,www.nola.com. And for the charitably inclined, remember that the post-Katrina rebuilding effort is ongoing and it's never too late to pitch in financially or otherwise.

[image via frenchcreoles.com]

You may think that Hawaiian music is just ukuleles, or maybe you don't think about it at all...well think again, because the "Flavors of Island Music" campaign is here to show you a thing or two. In a commitment to continue the legacy of Hawaii's music, Starwood Hawaii is showcasing various native musicians and entertainers. Whether you're catching some tunes played at a stateside Starwood hotel or one of the many regular live performances at hotels like the Sheraton Waikiki, you can savor the musical diversity of the islands. The only thing missing from this promotion as far as I can tell is a compilation CD available at the gift shops. If you're in the mood for island travel, also be sure to check out the Starwood Hawaii site, which like the Hawaiian islands has a distinct identity of its' own.

A recent Hotel Online report details the expansion of the aloft brand. One hotel will be located in downtown Toronto, the other in Dorval at the Montreal airport. Aloft Toronto is to be built in the Niagara St. and Portland St. enclave, an area becoming known for "lifestyle offerings," such as highly rated restaurants and hip residential projects. Slated for construction in 2007, it will feature 250 guest rooms in a newly constructed concept high-rise. The Dorval hotel will feature 136 loft-style guest rooms, conveniently located at the entrance to Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport. "aloft has set out to eliminate the trials of travel by incorporating style, convenience and a social environment - similar to the atmosphere in W's Living Rooms - to an otherwise tired, lonely experience," said Brian McGuinness, VP, aloft brand development. "We're excited about moving into Canada."

[image via www.toronto.ca]

Although it wasn't invented there, the Bloody Mary cocktail is said to have landed on US shores at none other than The St. Regis. Bartender Fernand Petiot of Harry's New York Bar (which, incidentally was in Paris, France) claimed to have invented the drink in the 1920s, and later moved to New York where he worked at the King Cole Bar at the St. Regis. The hotel unsuccessfully tried to rename the drink "The Red Snapper" and Petiot perfected his recipe by adding additional spices like pepper, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco. Today, the cocktail comes in infinite varieties, and the St. Regis commemorates its' history on their menus mounted outside the Astor Court restaurant. And of course the King Cole bar featuring Maxfield Parrish's masterful mural is still available for your lounging and socializing pleasure, whatever you want to call your tomato-and-vodka drink. Just remember it was a society club and has an history to uphold; "appropriate attire" only, please.

[image via DCist]

Well, more correctly the largest new hotel to open in Boston in twenty years. Hotel News Resource and the Boston Globe online have written about the recent opening of the Westin Boston Waterfront. Connected to the new Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, the substantial new hotel rises 17 stories, and offers 793 upscale guest rooms as well as the restaurant "Sauciety," a lobby bar and 100,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. The Westin is the only hotel directly integrated with and connected to the convention center (via a glass-enclosed skyway). Additionally, the entire convention center is conveniently located to Logan International Airport, Back Bay and the Financial District. The Globe heralds the opening as further sign that the hotel business is strengthening in the region.

[image via boston.com]