Aching to live the kind of swank life of celebrities? Head to the Maxim Bungalows at Cofresi Beach on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. Newly opened in May 2008, the resort features 108 plush bungalows, a 24-hour private concierge service, spa treatments, private beach club, and a fashionable restaurant and bar (including a poolside menu with your order delivered right to your lounge chair). If you really want to play in style, pay an additional fee to go out on The Independence, a 54-foot private yacht.

Choose a weekend escape package for the ladies (at $299 per person per night), featuring a welcome cocktail, special breakfast buffet and choice of spa treatment. Or pick a couples’ three-night escape (for $999 per couple), which includes a $150 gift certificate for services at the spa and a choice of bungalow (studio, double or king). Just don’t bring the kids—the minimum age of stay is 16 years old.

What could possibly be better than hanging out on a beautiful San Diego beach watching surfers duke it out to see who is top dog (literally)? If this sounds like a way to spend a lazy Saturday, then you should head down to the 3rd Annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog Competition—featured recently in our article about vacation activities for pets.

On Saturday, June 28, dogs of all sizes and breeds will wag their way down to Imperial Beach for a day of surfing that’s gone to the dogs. Last year, there were 47 competitors and more than 1,000 spectators at the event. This year, expect a much larger turnout as word has spread about these pups who can really hang 10 (or should I say 20). Last year’s event garnered major media coverage, as it’s the only surf competition for dogs in the United States. Here's a picture from the last year's event, courtesy of the Loews Coronado Bay Resort:

For a small entrance fee of $45, your pup could be the next King Kamehameha of the canine world. Think your dog could do better thanks to your own stellar surfing skills? Well, for an additional $5, you and Fido can enter the competition as a tandem team for the third and final heat of the day. A goodie bag will be given to all registered pooches, and an awards ceremony will be held at the end of the event to honor the first prize winners of each heat. Proceeds from the event will be donated.

If your dog’s not much of a water lover, there’s a plethora of things that you and your canine companion can enjoy together from the safety of the shore. Puppy portraits, doggy massages, goodie bags and food prepared by the talented chefs at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort are just a few of the things to keep you and you best friend entertained for the day. Think your pup is more stylish than surf savvy? Before the awards ceremony, there will be a fashion show featuring the best of dog couture by Lucky Dog Boutique.

The festivities kick off at 9:30 a.m. when the Coronado Surf Academy offers lessons and pointers for newbie doggy surfers. If you plan to be solely a spectator, arrive by 11 to see the puppies 40 pounds and under kick off the first part of the competition. For non-competitors, admission is free. Visit Loews Surf Dog Blogspot for more information and directions on how to get in on all the fun.

May 21-28 we spent a week at the Melia Cabo Real in beautiful Cabo San Lucas, at the tip of Baja California Sur. The resort had everything we could ask for: excellent food, beautiful rooms, great service, stunning pool, and plenty of cold jugo de piña (pineapple juice) for the kids and draft Corona for the grown ups. If you have kids and are looking for the perfect family vacation spot, this is it. There’s a kids club open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., that also has an evening activity planned each night.

We left the resort only a few times, and would have been fine not leaving at all, but wanted to explore the destination a little. We booked the dolphin encounter, which was a big hit with the parents but not super popular with our sons, Owen and Wyatt. It was a windy day, and the dolphin tank was quite cold. I think the boys are smiling like this because they’re glad it’s over.

One morning we took a glass-bottom boat from the harbor out to El Arco (the arch) and Lover’s Beach. This iconic stretch of sand sits is at the very tip of Baja and straddles the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez. It’s kind of an adventure to get to since there’s no dock—you literally jump off the boat at the surf break and run up on to the beach.

On another evening, we had dinner at The Office on the Beach[The Office on the Beach|http://www.theofficeonthebeach.com/]. The restaurant was great and the view of the bay and the arch amazing, but that stretch of Cabo is like stepping onto the set of MTV Spring Break, which made me appreciate even more where we were staying.

Our last excursion was a quick snorkeling trip in Chileno Bay—tons of fish and great water clarity. As good as anything we’ve seen in the Caribbean or Hawaii.

We were all a little misty-eyed to leave the Melia but we will be back!

I’m never happier than when I’m on the road exploring a new destination: learning its history, savoring local cuisine, meeting new friends. There’s something about travel that takes me out of my self yet simultaneously brings me closer to who I am. I travel as often as possible and can’t imagine ever getting tired of it. In short, travel is my passion.

It’s also a passion for all of us at TravelMuse. As an outlet to share our enthusiasm and experiences, along with news and events that don’t quite fit into the usual editorial coverage on our main Web site, we’ve created TravelMusings. You’ll be hearing from the editorial team at TravelMuse, as well as some of our other behind-the-scenes staffers and guest bloggers. We also want it to be a forum for discussions about travel—be it the joy of unexpected discoveries, the frustration of new regulations and fees, recommendations for easing the challenges of family travel or simply something new and cool that caught our eye, or yours.

Now, I understand that this is going to come off as self-promotional, and I apologize for that in advance, however one of the cool new things on the market that I’ve discovered happens to be the TravelMuse Inspiration Finder. Even if I didn’t work for the company, I’d be writing about it. Here’s why:

Back in the 1990s, when the Internet was still a nascent consumer tool, I looked forward to weekly newsletter blasts from airlines and start-up travel companies offering incredible weekend deals—I booked a trip to Charleston, S.C., for less than $100, including hotel, with three-days notice; could decide the day before to fly home and surprise friends and family, for $150; and made plans to visit London for $300 round-trip, the week before departure. It was all about price.

Today, while price still matters, it’s not the most important factor when deciding where I’m going to go next. Exploring new destinations is key for me, as is the type of experience I’ll have. Do I want an outdoor adventure, where I push myself physically with a mountain trek, a kayaking journey or a challenging yoga retreat? A culinary focus, with cooking classes, wine-tastings and trips to local markets? Or do I want an urban adventure, where boutique hotels, museums, nightclubs, top restaurants and shopping rule?

TravelMuse’s new Inspiration Finder helps travelers like me—and, we hope, you—more readily find those places that match your interests. Plug in what matters most to you for your next trip—be it theme, activity, cost, distance—and get back a list of options that match your preferences in a matter of seconds. Some results may be obvious; others could be a pleasant surprise. While the tool is not yet all encompassing, it’s a great start to a new way to think about travel inspiration.

And isn’t that what travel is all about?