Las Vegas is a lover’s paradise. What better way to romance your special someone then with a dazzling trip to Las Vegas this Valentines Day, where you can pamper and primp in first class spas and salons, then dine on some of the world’s best cuisine, and relax in some of the best hotel rooms?

It’s time to take a load off and relax and I’ve even done the hard work for you. All that’s left is booking your trip, enjoying the sunshine, and spending quality time with the person you love most. Here are the top five best spa packages for Valentines Day:

*prices and packages can change at any time so double check with the spa!

Spa and Salon at ARIA Las Vegas Valentine’s Signature Couples Massage

Light to deep pressure, this massage is designed specifically for you.  Consult with your massage therapist to create a custom full-body massage, focusing on particular areas to provide stress relief, ease tension, or just “get the knots out.”  From February 9 to 16, this treatment will include special Valentine’s Day gifts: signature sandstone scrubs, two signature lotion bottles and a gift set of chocolates.

Cost: $185 or $270 (per person)

Time Length: 50 or 80 minutes

Spa Bellagio Las Vegas Sweetheart Manicure & Pedicure

Bellagio’s Sweetheart Manicure and Pedicure includes a gentle exfoliation indulging Turbinado Sugar from Hawaii with unrefined Cocoa Butter, & pure spun honey. To sweeten your experience even further, a Cocoa Organic Mask treatment will be applied directly to the skin.  The hands and feet will feel an invigorating boost, leaving instant and dramatic results. Lastly, indulge in a soothing massage with a Chocolate Aroma, the ultimate Moisturizer, used to keep skin smooth and soft. This decadent experience is the ultimate way to enjoy Chocolate, guilt-free and is available for the whole month of February.

Cost: $75 (manicure) or $105 (pedicure)

Time Length: 50 (manicure) or 60 minutes (pedicure)

Grand Spa at MGM Grand Las Vegas Romancing with Stones Massage

A perfect way to enjoy the romance of the season. Combined with your choice of chocolate or rose massage oil, this treatment uses warmed smooth river stones to enhance deep relaxation and physical renewal.  This treatment can also be enjoyed with a special someone.

Cost: $140 or $280 (couples)

Time length: 50 minutes

Bathhouse at THEHotel Mandalay Bay Las Vegas Side by Side Bubalina Chocolat’ Manicure and Pedicure

Rich in Vitamin C, this Bubalina Chocolat’ manicure and pedicure can be enjoyed side-by-side and contains anti-aging benefits, promotes healing and rebuilding of skin.  A sugar scrub infused with rich chocolate gently exfoliates and leaves the skin feeling smooth, with a polished look and feel.

Cost: $60 or $110 (per person)

Time length: 25 or 50 minutes

The Spa at New York New York Las Vegas Cupid’s Getaway Package

Combine all three express treatments below for only $150! This package includes 25-minute treatments for the Valentine’s Massage, Express Love Spell Facial and a choice of a 25-minute manicure or pedicure.

Valentine’s Massage

The irresistible aroma of Love Spell puts an enchanting twist on this classic Swedish massage.

Cost: $60, $105, $155

Time length: 25, 50 or 75 minutes

XOXO Soak and Glow

The invigorating scent of Love Spell fills the air as this treatment relaxes and rejuvenates along with a hydrotherapy soak paired with an express facial.

Cost: $90

Time length: 45 minutes

Be Mine Mani/Pedi

Enjoy the classic elements of a mini manicure and mini pedicure paired with a Love Spell aromatherapy soak, followed by an application of hydrating Love Spell lotion.

Cost: $75

Time length: 50 minutes

Hey! Just in case you missed it, the first travel challenge was posted at Deseret News yesterday. I’ll give you a hint, it was long, used a lot of gas money and gave me a migraine.

Follow our updates on twitter too! @HilaryeTravels @ReidTravels @TheBabyTravels

I often get asked when is the best time to book a cruise by readers for cheap cruises. The answer varies by the person and their needs but unless you are traveling with a group or have a specific itinerary or date, I always suggest waiting for wave season or booking right when they release an itinerary. Wave Season is a magical time between January and March (hmmm usually when people are receiving tax returns) where cruise lines and travel agents can offer the very best in promotions and prices. Seriously, it’s the time when you can get the best deals particulary on sailings in the next year. We are talking free perks such as onboard credit and upgrades! It’s unlikely you will find a better deal on price any other time of year.

It’s also a time where many people are looking to buy cruises because of the dreary winter weather and the need to get some sun! It’s the most popular time of year to purchase a cruise vacation. I can’t think of a more fabulous way to spend my tax return. The best way to get a good deal is talk to a travel agent specialiizing in cruises or sign up for your favorite cruiseline’s email alerts. Have a cruise coming up? Tell us about it! We are going on a mediterannean cruise in October!

Portillo’s

What started as a hot dog trailer 1963 is one of Chicago’s landmarks. They’re all over the midwest now and even have location in Buena Park, CA. At Portillo’s they have all of the Chicago style dogs and sandwiches. My favorite is the Italian Sausage/Italian Beef combo with hot peppers, you can’t go wrong there. For desert, try a chocolate cake shake. A delightful shake that really has a piece of cake blended in.

Gino’s East

I’m not sure who in Chicago makes the best deep dish, everyone seems to have their favorites. We hit up Gino’s because not only had we heard good things, it was really close to our hotel. It was awesome! Chicago style deep dish is like no other, you’ll have to try it for yourself!

Gino's East - Deep Dish Pie

Breakfast Place

Again, down the street from our hotel we found this place (we can’t remember the name! Anyone know?) in search of a nice sit down breakfast on a relaxing Sunday morning. Fresh squeezed orange juice and traditional corned beef was my choice. It took me twice as long to decide what to order off of their impressive menu as it did for me to finish my meal.

Corned Beef Breakfast

Taste of Peru

I’m a huge fan of Peruvian food. Salt Lake has a few pretty decent places, but I’m always searching for new Peruvian restaurants. I never even thought of looking in Chicago, but saw once I saw Taste of Peru on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (yes I am a sucker for that show) I knew that I would make it a point to eat there. The tamales were amazing, papa a la huancaina tasty and the lomo saltado was so tender.

Taste of Peru - Papa A La Huancaina

I love that Christmas is just around the corner. The air is filled with hope and happiness. It seems everyone get’s a little extra spring in his or her step this time of year.

It’s fun to shop for my family, especially BabyTravels who is two and loving this time of year for the first time in her little life. She loves Christmas trees and lights and of course the plethora of treats and fun activities. The other day as I was helping her to write her letter to Santa I began to think of what my Christmas wishlist was this year. And of course the first thoughts that came to my mind were of lavish trips and vacations.

I love to visit new places and go on vacation with my family but probably for different reasons than you think. Of course there is the food, sights, and fun disruptions to the daily routine but it really comes down to actually spending quality time with my family. Everyday we are so busy doing chores, working, taking care of babies that we don’t often get to slow down and actually enjoy the babies and each other. That’s what I so love about a good vacation.

My top picks for 2012 would be:

A family cruise: Reid and I are planning to cruise in the Mediterranean for the latter part of the year. Something we have been dreaming about for many years. But I would love the opportunity to take my babies on a cruise in the Spring or Summer. We took BabyTravels on a cruise when she was 9 months old and we loved it. I’m thinking either back to Alaska or the Bahamas would be perfect. BabyTravels keep saying she wants to go on the Mickey Boat but really any cruise line would be fun!

Visit  family and go to Washington DC: Reid has some sisters out east that we would love to go visit and it’s been a tradition since we have been married that on even years (2006,2008, 2010) we go to Washington DC. Reid served his mission (for info on missions go here) out there and we just love it. It’s fun to visit friends and act as tourists.

Visit Seattle:  I’m not really sure why but the Pacific Northwest has been calling my name recently, appearing in dreams and begging me to come visit. I lived there when I was just a little girl and would love to go back. Reid has never been either. Do I smell a quick weekend getaway in our future?

Of course there are other plans I am considering, Disneyland and Alaska are two that come to mind, but really I would be happy wherever I go as I long as I’m with my family. That is my Christmas wish for this year.

Walking into the Hotel Felix in Chicago I was immediately drawn into an inviting lobby with soft couches, modern decor and a spanning gas fireplace. I was hesitant to check in because I felt like lounging for a while after a long day of travel. After a smooth check in I was up to the room to see how it fared. I’m always excited to see how a non-chain hotel compares to its cookie cutter competition. Unique items started adding up… a spa-like bathroom, modern art, soft linens, a large flatscreen television, and a high rise view definitely set it apart.

In addition to the stylish room, the Hotel Felix also boasts many eco-friendly features that are appreciated. They meet silver LEED certification standards making them the first of their kind in the Chicago area. Things like low flow toilets and shower heads, carpet made of recycled materials and motion activated temperature control systems are a sign that they’re trying to appeal to the eco conscious.

The free high speed internet, which is not always the case at high end  boutique hotels was definitely appreciated. They also had a really nice fitness room and luxurious on-site spa and restaurant. The location, which was close to shopping, a plethora of great food options, tourist attractions and most importantly public transportation, made it a great stay.

The rooms are a little on the smaller side (the decor and features definitely make up for it), which was not a big deal for us since we were out and about so much, but we don’t think this would necessarily be the best hotel for families because of that. Would it make a great place to bring your spouse for a romantic getaway in the city? Absolutely. A great place to meet up with friends from out of town? Definitely.

Overall I was very impressed by my stay at the Felix, its friendly staff and welcoming feel. Make sure to check it out next time you visit the windy city.

You could choose to head over to Las Vegas and ring in the New Year with the endless party on the strip or maybe jet to Rio de Janeiro, which is world famous for their Reveillon festival on the coast. But why not be among the first to celebrate the New Year by heading to Sydney, Australia?

Every year the Sydney harbor is lit up with an extraordinary amount of fireworks. Add in music and lights, and it’s a spectacular sight. The best view is definitely from the water, but you may want to plan early because cruise’s book up fast. This is one of the most popular New Year’s destinations in the entire world and it does not disappoint. Plus, did I mention January 1 is summer there? It would be a dream come true for us to get out of the snow in Utah and bring in the new year in a warm climate.

Regardless of where you choose to spend your New Year’s, just make sure it’s with the people that matter most. You could be in the most spectacular place in the entire world and it won’t mean anything if you aren’t with the people you love.

Right now isn’t exactly golfing season here in Utah but the weather is perfect in Hawaii and it’s a destination that everyone can agree on. There’s plenty to do for those who aren’t into golf and those who are, have a plethora of resorts and courses to choose from. Three reasons why Hawaii attracts golfers (http://www.golfnow.com/) from all around the world? Breathtaking scenery, world championship course designs and signature holes. It’s a golfer’s heaven. There are even over 70 golf courses in Hawaii to choose from.

Oahu is definitely the big winner with over 40 of the state’s pristine courses. Two of these courses are two of the most challenging in the world (don’t worry there are some easier courses too).  But what really is great is that every island offers stunning golf courses so you don’t even have to worry about choosing a specific location. Personally if I was married to someone obsessed with golf this is a location I would be totally fine with saying, “honey you go play 18 holes…I’m just going to lay here on the beach.”