Magical Mykonos
July 21, 2009

Even in tough times, we've never found it hard to raise a glass to the good life here at the 'Gator. Just call it our way of keeping the global economy humming. Last week the luxe life lured us to modish Moscow for a bit of Russian revelry, but let's face it: summer in Europe is really just an excuse to seek out sun, sand 'n' surf. So this week we're making like the birds and flying south, where the glittering waves of the Mediterranean make for our sort of summer getaway.

Mykonos might have come a long way from the days of Jackie O., but the lusty life on this idyllic isle hasn't missed a beat. Hedonism takes on a whole new meaning on Mykonos, where white-sand beaches, olive-skinned beauties, and some of Greece's grandest nightlife draws revelers from around the world.

This is a place to let your hair down, whether you're grinding on the dancefloor, sampling sumptuous eats, or breaking dishes till dawn at a local taverna. Don't try to duck the crowds: even the island's worst-kept secret draws more lunch-time pilgrims than deified Delos. Cavorting and carousing with the crowds is part of Mykonos' charm. But don't sweat it:

A quiet slice of paradise is never too far away.

Russian Royals
July 14, 2009

We'd be the first to admit that we tend to get carried away here at the 'Gator. After a week of lazing in the lap of luxury on Antigua, we just weren't ready to return to our humdrum homes. So this week we're upping the ante with a visit to regal Russia, where moneyed Muscovites are proving that there's no recession so bleak that they can't see a 24-karat light at the end of the tunnel.

Modern Moscow's come a long way from its staid Soviet days, flinging itself into the future with a sort of brashness that would do Putin proud. While you can still relive the glory days of czars and princes past, today's oilgarchs and aristocrats prefer pricey nightspots, chic shops and glitzy hotels to meet the Muscovite need for unabashed opulence.

But Moscow's soul isn't spirited away behind velvet ropes or buried beneath the beluga. This city's charm has as much to do with a bit of borscht, a good soak, and a long night of debating Dostoevsky till dawn. Sure, you can run through a roll of rubles trying to impress the bevy of beauties by the bar, but it's the simple pleasures that make Russian life so regal.

A sentiment we can all raise a drink to.

Back to the Beach
July 7, 2009

Maybe it's the lazy daze of summer setting in, or maybe we can't get enough of that sizzling sun, but after our marvelous Mexican escapade last week, we just couldn't bear another long flight here at the 'Gator. So rather than follow the flocks to Europe and beyond, we're puttering across the Caribbean's azure waves for a bit of beach time closer to home.

But where to begin? Between the chaotic Caymans, the busy Bahamas, and the resort-studded coasts of Jamaica, cavorting around the Caribbean seems less about fleeing the crowds than joining them. Luckily, little Antigua offers just what we're looking for: picture-perfect beaches, lush tropical jungles, and just enough luxury to please our pampered palates.

There's plenty to tempt the taste buds, too. Since fine-dining is one of our favorite indulgences here at the 'Gator, it only seems natural to sample some of Antigua's alluring options while we're in town. After sating our inner glutton, a moonlit stroll is the perfect excuse to sample another Antiguan staple: the open-air bar. Booze and bands by the bay sounds like the perfect recipe for a sultry summer night. The only thing missing is that special someone to share it with.

Oh, wait: these guys have thought of everything.