Let everyone else scream for ice cream -- you'd rather sit silently with a hunk of it in your mouth. And with today's deal from Cold Stone Creamery in Coralville, you can get $10 to spend on delectable ice cream or cakes for $5. A beloved dessert destination, Cold Stone Creamery boasts an inspired collection of heavenly confections, such as Mud Pie Mojo (a divine blend of coffee ice cream, Oreo cookies, peanut butter-roasted almonds, and fudge) and Strawberry Passion cake -- red velvet cake, strawberry ice cream, graham cracker crust with strawberry puree, and strawberry frosting. After your tantalizing treat is gone, then feel free to holler -- it's okay to cry over spilt (frozen) milk, especially when it's as good as this. Want more? Visit Cold Stone Creamery on Facebook.

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New Boutique Hotel Steps from Michigan Avenue

Located one block east of Chicago's Magnificent Mile, Ivy Boutique Hotel opens in May 2012 as the newest work from Arthur Minor, who designed The Palms Hotel in Las Vegas. With swanky amenities including mirror televisions and theater surround sound in all guest rooms, the hotel seems poised to become one of the city's most exclusive hotels. Although the Ivy rises up 15 stories, there are only five guest rooms per floor, providing guests with a mixture of intimacy and comfort that makes it "the only true boutique luxury hotel in the city," according to HotelChatter.

After guests check in via iPad, hotel staff members personally escort them to 675-square-foot king suites. A paragon of modern design, the suites contain platform beds with white leather headboards and floor-to-ceiling windows that open. Eco-friendly bamboo flooring, along with organic towels and rugs made from thistle, help to reduce the hotel's carbon footprint. Guests can watch the flat-screen TV set in the vanity mirror while getting ready in the morning or practice Tarzan-style affirmation chants in the rainforest shower.

The Ivy is also in the process of opening an intimate 30- to 40-person restaurant and bar on the first floor. "We will try to use as much organic produce as possible," manager James Cazares says of his upcoming, reservations-only hot spot. A rooftop lounge opening in June will offer picture-perfect views of the city.

Gold Coast, Chicago: Ritzy Residential Neighborhood with Historical Mansions and Hip Restaurants

Located north of downtown, Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood hugs the shore of Lake Michigan, occupying some of the city's most desirable real estate. Its reputation as an upscale residential spot dates back to 1882, when wealthy businessmen began building castle-like mansions along the waterfront. For a glimpse at these historical estates, head to the Seven Houses on Lake Shore Drive District, where you'll find a French-chateau-inspired mansion that now serves as the International Museum of Surgical Science. A walk down Astor Street reveals some of the city's most unique architecture, including the Charnley-Persky House built by Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright in 1892.

Those looking for a hip nightlife will find trendy restaurants and nightclubs-many of which are open until 5 a.m.-catering to a well-dressed crowd. For people watching and the occasional celebrity sighting, head to Rush and Division, a see-and-be-seen spot dotted with upscale shops, classic Chicago bars, and diamond-encrusted parking meters.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

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All-Inclusive Resort on the Caribbean Sea with Trapeze Lessons and Eclectic Dining

At Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach, "all-inclusive resort" means much more than unlimited dinners and mai tais. Right in between the beach and the resort, you can learn how to trapeze at an open-air training facility surrounded by netting. Head up to the trapeze platform for a free lesson, and you can see the Caribbean Sea stretch out for miles right next to the resort's private, 5,000-foot stretch of pristine golden beach lined with palapas below.

The trapeze lesson is one of many ways the resort goes beyond the typical all-inclusive experience. When you're not relaxing at the beach, the all-inclusive plan frees you up to try a scuba-diving lesson, take yoga classes, climb a rock wall in the gym, or take in some live entertainment.

The beachfront resort is spread out like a small village, lined with flagstone pathways, landscaped gardens, three pools, and a shady coral stone grotto. At night, you can stop by the discotheque and dance to spicy meringue music, or head to the theater to enjoy a live performance of musicals such as Moulin Rouge or Cabaret. As the night winds down, stop for a midnight snack at the 24-hour pizzeria.

Guests can enjoy unlimited food and drinks from five restaurants and four bars, including La Terraza, a breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot that serves an international buffet. You can get a nice view of the sunset on the waterfront patio of La Roca Grill, which serves tropical cocktails and fried calamari.

Beachfront bungalows are located steps from the ocean, so guests can fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves and the squeals of dolphins watching horror films.

Bayahibe, Dominican Republic: Renowned Scuba Diving with White-Sand Beaches

Bayahibe is situated on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic on the shore of the Caribbean Sea. The former fishing village remained relatively untouched by tourism until the late 1990s, when it became known for its white-sand beaches and scuba-diving sites, but it still has a tucked-away feel.

For diving and snorkeling, it's worth it to take a trip to Saona Island, an uninhabited nature reserve located just off the mainland. Tour operators on catamarans and motorboats will drop you around the area's sandbars and shipwrecks, which overflow with brightly colored fish.

About 20 miles (32 km) from the hotel, the cobblestone streets of Altos de Chavon are lined with artists' studios, galleries, and quaint cafes. The European-inspired village is also home to a 5,000-seat amphitheater, which has featured headlining shows from legendary artists including Frank Sinatra and Shakira.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

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Self-Drive Tour of New Zealand and Fiji Island Escape

Though the islands of Oceania sit half a world away, they've captivated many North American travelers with lush flora, unique geography, and exotic indigenous wildlife. The islands' diverse landscape ranges from New Zealand's glaciers, volcanoes, and bubbling mud springs to the white-sand beaches along Fiji's turquoise waters. With this deal from Pacific Holidays, you'll set your own pace on a self-driving tour of New Zealand, before boarding a flight to spend the remainder of the trip in Fiji's paradise-like setting. Click to view the full 11-day, 8-night itinerary.

Days 1-2: You'll board the Air Pacific transpacific flight at LAX, and cross the International Date Line on day 2.

Days 3-7: On the third day, visitors arrive in Auckland and transfer to the Jucy Rental Car Depot. For the rest of the day, and the following four days, guests have free range to explore New Zealand's North and South Islands on self-driving tours. Pacific Holidays staff can help guests structure itineraries, but suggested attractions include the North Island's geothermal region, where waterfalls, hot springs, and mud geysers draw visitors to Rotorua and Taupo.

On the South Island, travelers can bungee jump, skydive, whitewater raft, and Zorb in Queenstown, known as the "Adventure Capital of the World." Venture west into Fiorland National Park to see to Milford Sound, called the "eighth wonder of the world" by writer Rudyard Kipling for its spectacular waterfalls that tumble down cliffs into the Tasman Sea. Father north in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park, you can visit the renowned Fox Glacier and the Franz Josef Glacier.

With the included five-day Gold Pass, guests can retire to any of New Zealand's Golden Chain motel locations, from a spot in Queenstown near Fiordland National Park to a post in Auckland.

Day 8: After returning your car to the Jucy Rentals Depot in Auckland, board a flight to Nadi International Airport (NAN) on the island of Fiji. Upon landing, Pacific Holidays staff provides a transfer to the Sonaisali Island Resort, located across the lagoon just a three-minute boat ride from the main island of Viti-Levu.

Days 9­-10: The next two days are left up to you. Lounge on the beach, splash in the lagoon-style pool with swim-up bar, and dine in the hotel's two restaurants and four bars. Through the hotel, guests can book excursions such as horseback riding, surf tours, or snorkeling.

Day 11: Guests are transferred to NAN for a flight back to LAX, where they will arrive on the same day after crossing over the International Date Line.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.

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Massage is a time-honored method of alleviating stress, as is the ancient art of crafting origami swans out of midterm exams. Ace relaxation with this Groupon.

Choose from Three Options $30 for one 60-Minute Swedish massage ($60 value) $59 for two 60-Minute Swedish massages ($120 value) $85 for three 60-Minute Swedish massages ($180 value)

Leh Massage Therapy

At Leh Massage Therapy, nationally licensed massage therapist Reginald Harrelson employs a distinctive fusion of Swedish and shiatsu techniques to relax tensed bodies amid lavender walls and potted palms. Harrelson uses smooth, gliding strokes to ease muscle tension and promote relaxation, easing overworked muscles and melting tension into a conveniently positioned bucket. For everyday aches and ongoing care, his therapeutic strokes can assist clients facing issues such as anxiety, depression, and relaxation deprivation.

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Eyeglasses correct vision, make people look more intelligent, and-when worn upside down-enable a dormant wad of gray matter in the brain to control the Hubble Telescope. Unleash your satellite-wielding capacities with today's Groupon: for $40, you get $200 worth of prescription eyewear at Klauer Optical, with locations in Dubuque and Cedar Rapids.

Drawing on more than 71 years of eye-care experience, Klauer Optical's staff sharpens blurry vision by fitting designer frames and lenses over clouded orbs. Glass, plastic, polycarbonate, and Tec-Lite lenses ($99+) correct focus and protect against blinks during presidential staring contests. Hundreds of stylish frames ($80+), culled from fashion hotbeds such as New York and Los Angeles, fill Klauer Optical's twinkling show room. Designer prescription sunglasses provide ultraviolet protection from the sun's brand-savvy rays, allowing for clearer vision on sunny days and better birding on the summer solstice.

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You may not be an electrician -- but you sure like to light up a room. For a style that shines, add today's glowing deal at Luz's Hair and Nails to your knockout tool belt: For $20, turn up la luz on your hair with a shampoo, haircut, and style, at this salon set in a relaxed, homey environment (a $40 value). And for $30, get a full set of acrylic nails to make your fingers luminous (a $60 value). Your beauty needs are in good hands with salon owner and nail tech Luz, who has been in the business for 16 years at her trendy spot on Wiley Boulevard. Whether you need a summery bob or you want your nails to shine brighter than the Iowa sun, you can reconfigure them with today's deal and light up your look.

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Before cameras, people seeking to leave a legacy could only hope to secure their place in future textbooks by poisoning the emperor. Avoid being a mere footnote with this Groupon.

$87 for a Senior-Portrait Photography Package ($240 Value)

Photographers Michael and Jeri will learn more about their client during a portrait, location, and clothing consultation. If the client wants an on-location shoot, the photographer will visit the location and determine the best place and time to create a striking image. After the 30-minute in-studio or on-location photo shoot, clients will receive one retouched 10"x13" print or set of one retouched 8"x10" print and one retouched 5"x7" print of the same pose. For an extra $10, 30 wallet size prints are available for purchase.

Heartscape Studios

Over a career that spans more than 20 years, owner and photographer Michael Ask has captured key moments in clients' lives with striking, professional portraits of families, couples, children, and high-school seniors. Michael's experience gives him the confidence to offer a "no nonsense" 100% guarantee-if customers do not like their finished portraits, Heartscape Studio will refund their money-and pay them an additional $20 for their trouble.

He creates what he calls a "journey" for his clients by beginning every portrait session with a complimentary ideas consultation to review the client's hope for the shoot. Michael also advises clients on the most effective clothes and locations for their photo sessions, considering factors such as lighting, color, and whether portraits will be used as cover art for forthcoming Bjork albums. He is able to place his subjects at ease during the actual shoot, and he carefully retouches images to make his clients look their absolute best.

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