A Luxury Travel Blog

Legend Golf & Safari Resort in South Africa has a stretch of 18 holes designed by 18 different top golfers, including Padraig Harrington, Colin Montgomerie, K.J. Choi, Retief Goosen, Justin Rose, Trevor Immelman and Vijay Singh. The 19th hole is an extreme Par 3 that’s an incredible 830 metres long – so extreme that you need a helicopter to get to the tee!

From the state-of-the-art digital audio system in the rooms to their first own releases labelled ‘Puro Music’ and ‘Puro Desert Lounge’, Puro Oasis Urbano, Palma’s stylish member of Design Hotels, has always been a synonym for soothing sounds and unforgettable parties. After the enlargement and re-opening in Summer 2010, the hotel is now also the perfect venue for DJ music sessions, chic cocktail events, cool summer parties and festive happenings. In March 2011 the music concept will be brought to perfection, when Puro Oasis Urbano’s own Music Studio will open in the new Private Wing, a completely new area which can be hired exclusively by musicians, or small groups looking for a private space to celebrate.

Embark on a journey of discovery into the vibrant art, culture and heritage of Singapore with Mandarin Oriental, Singapore’s newly launched Heritage Exploration room package. Available from 1st October 2010 to 31st March 2011, the package features accommodation in one of the hotel’s well-appointed Premier Ocean rooms combined with visits to a selection of Singapore’s best and most interesting museums, making for a refreshing and enriching holiday experience.

Included in the package is a visit to Singapore’s oldest museum, the National Museum of Singapore, where eleven National Treasures of Singapore are safeguarded, dating from the 14th century to modern day. Guests can also enjoy one of the world’s largest public collections of modern and contemporary Southeast Asian artwork at the Singapore Art Museum, which is housed in an historic building, or embark on an Asian heritage tour to the city’s Asian Civilisation Museum. This is the first museum in the region to present a broad yet integrated perspective of pan-Asian culture and civilization. Another fascinating stop is at Singapore’s Peranakan Museum, which explores the culture of Asia’s Peranakan community, and where the world’s finest and most comprehensive collection of Peranakan artefacts are housed.

The Heritage Exploration package is priced at SGD 450 per night and includes:
• Accommodation in the hotel’s Premier Ocean room with uninterrupted views of the horizon, Singapore Flyer and the hotel’s newly refurbished swimming pool
• Daily American buffet breakfast at award-winning restaurant MELT ~ The World Café
• Complimentary Merlion chocolate on arrival
• Exquisite coffee table sketchbook of Singapore’s architectural heritage as a souvenir
• Admission to the National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Art Museum, Asian Civilisation Museum and Peranakan Museum for two persons

Love primates?  Here’s another top 10 from Tripadvisor and this time they’re swinging from the treetops with the ‘top 10 places to monkey around’.  Here’s the list:

1. Singapore Zoo, Singapore
2. The Jungle Place, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
3. Bodden Tours, Roatan, Honduras
4. Monkey World, Wareham, UK
5. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Ngamba Island, Uganda
6. Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, Sandakan, Malaysia
7. Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Gamboa, Panama
8. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali
9. Tanjung Puting National Park, Borneo, Indonesia
10. Caves Branch Adventure Co. & Jungle Lodge, Belmopan, Belize

Stylish travel has always inspired the House of Gucci since it was founded in 1921, and so this theme is further explored in its latest Cruise Collection for 2011. With an elegant voyage very much in mind, Creative Director Frida Giannini interprets the contemporary female wardrobe with faultless nonchalance, alternating between an edgy chic urban attitude and an ultra glamorous spirit.

Rewarding all the senses is enjoying Thailand to the fullest. Do more and experience more of this destination. Luxuriate in the legendary warm hospitality and enjoy the kingdom’s pristine natural environment. Discover the wonders of an exotic culture and the local way of life.

Venture to the picturesque island of Yao Noi in breathtaking Phang Nga Bay, just 45 minutes from the bustle of Phuket. In this unique setting, you can discover the Six Senses Hideaway. Private pool villas, plus the Reserve and Retreat, are elevated from the tropical vegetation to provide privacy whilst allowing glorious views over the bay.

Attention to detail and commitment to the environment, creates an uncompromised level of luxury. Dining options abound with several restaurants and bars plus a well-stocked wine cellar. Dine over a glass floor with a creek meandering beneath, enjoy a marriage of world cuisine, or join the Chef’s Table for a very personal dining experience.

The area of Koh Yao Noi offers wonderful aqua-activities and excursions to the famous rock islands, with secluded beaches and scuba diving. The Six Senses Spa village is an oasis on the bay, with regional and signature treatments.

Johannesburg city slickers escape on the weekends to the Magaliesberg mountains, and justifiably so – its natural beauty provides a relaxing refuge from the grind of urban existence. A wonderful way to appreciate the area’s grassy slopes, waterfalls and dramatic rock formations is by going on a hot air balloon trip. Watch the sunrise and the patchwork land change colour as you gently drift over the veld, listening to the otherworldly silence. Most trips include a Champagne breakfast once you reach terra firma. See Bill Harrop’s ‘Original’ Balloon Safaris for more information.

This is worrying news for the Serengeti National Park. A proposed highway through the Serengeti threatens to upset the area’s ecosystem, according to 27 scientists writing in the scientific publication Nature.  Some predictions suggest that, if the road was to go ahead, the migrating wildebeest herds could drop from 1.3 million to as little as 300,000.  Pressure is mounting for the road to be built ahead of national elections as it has a perceived economic benefit, linking the coast of Tanzania with Lake Victoria, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Let’s hope that an alternative route, to the south of the park, will be deemed a more sensible option.

The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore is the latest addition to the sparkling Marina Bay waterfront, with breathtaking architecture and stunning interiors that combine modernity and heritage. Seated on Marina Bay’s prime waterfront location in the Central Business District and the historical Arts and Cultural precinct, the Hotel will offer impeccable service and hospitality. Comprising 100 rooms, five individually themed suites and a luxurious Presidential Suite, each with magnificent Marina Bay views and exclusive balconies, The Fullerton Bay Hotel appeals to the discerning jetsetters and travellers.

With three signature dining destinations designed by Asia’s highly sought-after design wunderkind Andre Fu, the Hotel is set to elevate waterfront dining to new heights.

The hotel’s inspiring glass façade, designed by Singapore-based DP Architects, embodies the true spirit of the Marina Bay waterfront. The diamond-shaped glass structure stands out against the city skyline as it illuminates above the waters. LCL Architects, the group responsible for the creation of the luxuriously-appointed hotel rooms, while the arrival 2 experience and restaurants are the latest projects by design wunderkind, Andre Fu. Guests will enter the hotel through a 17-metre wide lobby at the historic Clifford Pier, an important heritage site which saw the arrival of many of Singapore’s early settlers.

The hotel’s glamorous and exquisite interior designs are richly steeped in Singapore’s vibrant history with Fu using vintage nautical maps and commissioned contemporary art that reflect the celebration of heritage and modernity in the Lion City.

Utilising materials and designs such as polished rosewood and latticed screens, as well as leather and chrome, LCL Architects has created an elegant and refined atmosphere in the bedrooms with a predominantly natural palette throughout. This classical look is combined with state-of-the-art in-room technology to ensure that the hotel’s modern travellers are always kept in touch.

Each of the hotel’s six suites, including the Presidential Suite, are individually themed to reflect the wealth of cultures in Singapore’s cosmopolitan population, including Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan and Colonial and are situated on the upper three storeys of the hotel, in prime-angled positions facing the stunning views of Marina Bay waterfront. Named after the former Governors of the Straits Settlement (Sir Hugh Clifford, Sir Shenton Thomas, Sir William Cleaver Francis Robinson, Sir John Anderson and Major General Sir William Orfeur Cavenagh), each will be adorned with bespoke artwork and antiques alongside contemporary pieces that embody the spirit unique to the suite’s theme.

The hotel’s trio of culinary experiences, designed by Andre Fu, include the signature restaurants of The Landing Point, Clifford and Lantern. Lantern is a stylish rooftop bar, surrounding the hotel’s 25-metre rooftop swimming pool, where guests can relish delectable gourmet snacks and tantalising grilled meats, accompanied with fine champagnes, signature cocktails, wines and beverages whilst watching the world go by with panoramic views of the Marina Bay waterfront and the world- famous Singapore skyline. This urban oasis is the perfect location for an idyllic afternoon respite, take an invigorating swim in the pool while enjoying the tranquil waterfront sea breeze or the sultry cocktails conjured by the bar’s mixologist. View the beautiful sunset at Lantern with your partner or friends as it transforms 3 into a dazzling rooftop bar illuminated by glittering lights, ideal for a romantic tête-à-tête, glamorous cocktail parties or fashion launches.

Set amidst the resplendent skyline of the Marina Bay waterfront, Clifford, the modern brasserie is illuminated by splendid 10-metre high floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sparkling waters of the bay, and guests are greeted by an opulent 800-bottle fine wine library meticulously handpicked from all over the world. Seated adjacent to Clifford Pier and named after this historical landmark upon which the first immigrants landed in Singapore, Clifford retains the spirit of the seafarers as it embodies waterfront destination dining. Clifford is furnished with layers of theatrical salons and offers breathtaking views of Marina Bay be it from the private dining room, main dining section that seats up to 76, or the stylish al fresco dining terrace. One of three dining destinations at the hotel, Clifford celebrates discreet and attentive service with its clever play of vintage furnishings in warm grey, burnt orange and dark aubergine set against the towering ivory French panelling and masculine herringbone oak floors. From influential business lunches to idyllic afternoon teas, or romantic dinners under the stars, Clifford sets to redefine destination dining by the bay with personalized service.

Elegantly positioned alongside an impressive indoor promenade paved in bespoke marble mosaics, The Landing Point is the gourmand’s lounge du jour. Designed in hues of gold; indulge in sensuous cocktails as guests engage in the waterfront panorama. With a majestic 13-metre long bar and spacious outdoor terrace, The Landing Point is designed to captivate the sophisticated chic.

The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore is located at 80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049326.

With the first snow of the season falling in the French Alpes this week our minds are turning to ski holidays. And if you fancy trying somewhere different this winter, why not think about Paradiski?

The Paradiski region, created in 2003 with the installation of the Vanoise express cable car linking La Plagne and Les Arcs, is France’s latest super resort.  The region boasts 425km of pistes and more than 160 lifts so the skiing is varied enough that there is something for everyone.

The thing that makes this resort something rather special though is the way that the accommodation is organised. Unlike most resorts with one of two centralised towns, La Plagne’s hotels, chalets and apartments are scattered among a selection of villages, each with its own unique feel.

Choose Plagne Bellecote for a high altitude, functional apartment, or Arc 1800 for nightlife. Travelling with children? There’s a club med in Aime 2000 with ski school on the doorstep. Or, if you are looking for a ski-in ski-out chocolate box chalet, look no further than Les Coches.

With the creation of the Vanoise Express lift, Les Coches, a previously sleep alpine resort has found itself re-located to the heart of one of the biggest ski areas in Europe. Amazingly though, apart from the creation of a new high speed ski lift, it has barely changed. Friendly, welcoming owner run chalets perch on the hillside above a pedestrian town centre. Pick up a baguette from the local bakery, stop for a drink in one of the many cafes, or try the traditional Tartiflette in one of the restaurants.

It’s unlikely to be long before the big tour operators realise its potential and move into Les Coches, so don’t leave it too long to visit.

Heather Morison is the Director of Ice and Fire, a boutique catered chalet company.

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A Luxury Travel Blog has teamed up with Five Star Magazine to offer you a great chance to win one of 5 subscriptions to the publication. Five Star Magazine is a quarterly publication that showcases outstanding luxury hotels and finest luxury products and services in their vicinity.

To be in with a chance of winning, make sure you read this in full.

In order to be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is comment on the various posts that you’ll find within this blog. The five readers with the most approved comments between now and the end of October 2010 will each receive a year’s free subscription. (Naturally, comments need to be of a certain quality, otherwise they won’t be approved.)

The reason there is emboldened text above is that many people participating in previous competitions have thought it is sufficient just to comment on this blog entry (the one that announces the competition) and that then they are automatically entered. This is not the case. Have a browse of the blog – there are literally thouands of blog entries here that you can comment on and where you can engage with others with a similar interest and passion for travel.

Good luck!

Cape Town, located at the very bottom of South Africa, has a fascinating and diverse culture which has served the city incredibly well when it comes to tourism. The city, founded in 1652 as a shipping supply station for the Dutch East India Company, is now one of the most multicultural cities in the world. It has played a pivotal role in the history of Africa, particularly with regard to apartheid and mining, and is now the capitol of South Africa. The Mediterranean climate and friendly locals make it the perfect stop on a luxury holiday to Africa.

Table Mountain is a wonderful destination for outdoorsy and adventurous types. It’s a lengthy trip up for hikers, but those who are less inclined to spend their day huffing and puffing up a mountain can take the Table Mountain Cableway, an experience in itself as you can get absolutely amazing views of the city and surrounding countryside.

The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. It’s built on top of the docks of Cape Town and has several hundred shops, some of the city’s most luxurious hotels, and an aquarium. It’s also still an active port, so visitors to the site can watch ships come and go as they please; ferries are also available to a number of further destinations such as Hiout Bay, Simon’s Town, and Robben Island.

Cape Town’s amazing architectural heritage also warrants a simple walk around. The city has the highest density of Cape Dutch style buildings in the world. This unique architectural tradition combines styles from the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Indonesia in ways that are considerably distinct from the rest of the world.

Cape Town is a wonderful city to stop, relax, and enjoy as a tourist. If you’re heading to South Africa, you can’t miss this cultural hotspot.

Greg Fox is a Director at luxury travel specialists Mahlatini.

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Blantyre is a beautiful country house, recognized as one of the finest hotels in the world, where guests can stay and experience the life and service of a bygone era. Blantyre was voted #1 Small Hotel in the U.S. and #66 in the World in the Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2010. There are many activities you can enjoy without ever having to leave the property, as well as fine wine and dining, and The Potting Shed Spa.

Ultimate Drives is a Swiss based tour operator offering a range of luxury driving breaks that combine the best “drivers” roads with the most exclusive hotels and destinations in Europe.

For each break, you can either self drive, where you bring your own car and are supplied with a detailed itinerary and navigation unit in advance, or combine with one of the fleet of performance and supercars to create an all inclusive driving break, the fleet of cars is totally up to date, and ranges from sports convertibles, such as BMW’s new Z4, all the way to the latest generation Porsche Turbo and the stunning Ferrari 458 Italia.

For small groups or corporate events, a touring support service can be provided, which includes support staff/cars, personalized itineraries and in car walkie-talkies and entertainment organised en route.

So whether it’s a treat for a loved one, a driving tour along the best roads to the most exclusive destinations in Europe, team incentives or just the love of driving a supercar, Ultimate Drives is the perfect solution.

With regular appearances in countless best-restaurant lists across the world, Spanish cuisine is becoming a force to be reckoned with on the international scene. There are hundreds of fantastic restaurants in Madrid, especially if you venture away from the tourists traps lining Gran Vía and the Plaza Mayor (traveller’s tip: never enter a restaurant if it lists its menu in more than four languages). If you really want a taste of the best cooking Madrid has to offer, splash out on one of the nine Michelin-starred restaurants in the centre.

One-star restaurants

Zalacaín, Calle de Alvarez de Baena, 6

Credentials: Founded in 1973 and credited with bringing nouvelle cuisine to Spain, this traditionally opulent restaurant regularly attracts Spanish royalty and celebrities.

Style: Classic French cuisine with Basque and Spanish influences in historic settings.

Recommended dishes: Oysters with caviar and sherry gravy, monkfish ragout.

Club Allard, Calle de Ferraz, 2

Credentials: Formerly a members-only private club, Club Allard is located in a sumptuous early modernist building close to the Plaza de España. Head chef Diego Guerrero has won numerous awards for his simple dishes.

Style: Exquisitely crafted prize-winning dishes designed to confuse your eyes and your tastebuds, served in exclusive surroundings.

Recommended dishes: Beef terrine with foie cream, garlic bread churros.

Diverxo, Calle de Pensamiento, 28

Credentials: Head chef David Muñoz previously worked at Hakassan and Nobu amongst others. Located in the Tetúan district, home of Madrid’s Asian restaurants and specialist stores, so you know you’re getting the most authentic ingredients.

Style: Fusion Iberian-Oriental cooking which is inventive, hugely popular and highly praised – it’s often impossible to get a table.

Recommended dishes: Spanish tortilla maki, rabbit and carrot dim sum.

La Broche (Hotel Miguel Angel), Calle de Miguel Angel, 29-31

Credentials: Part of the luxury Hotel Miguel Angel, this restaurant was formerly presided over by Sergi Arola. It’s now run by Angel Palacios, another El Bulli graduate fast making a name for himself after running the American incarnation of La Broche in Miami.

Style: Minimalist décor plays host to fresh market ingredients and a great deal of experimentation and creativity.

Recommended dishes: Raw seafood and seawater gelée, fois gras with roasted apricots and cocoa.

Ramon Freixa (Hotel Selenza Madrid), Calle de Claudio Coello, 67

Credentials: The Catalan chef who lends his name to his restaurant, formerly of Barcelona’s one-star Racó d’en Freixa, honed his craft in Barcelona, Belgium and the French countryside, giving him a passion for seasonal cooking and fresh ingredients.

Style: Seriously over the top extravagant dining situated on one of Madrid’s most exclusive streets.

Recommended dishes: Sauteéd wild mushrooms with octopus, mini pancetta meatballs.

Kabuki Wellington (Hotel Wellington), Calle de Velázquez, 6

Credentials: Head chef Ricardo Sanz began his career in a tapas bar, then trained for four years at the famous Tokyo Taro. This led to the creation of Kabuki style cooking, with the different disciplines informing each other.

Style: Variations on Japanese classics using local Spanish ingredients. What’s more, desserts are crafted by Oriol Balaguer, one of the world’s top pastry chefs.

Recommended dishes: butterfish with black truffle nigiri, beef mushroom and noodle soup.

Two-star restaurants

Santceloni (Hesperia Madrid Hotel), Paseo de la Castellana, 57

Credentials: Owner Santi Santamaria i Puig is one of the finest chefs in Spain, earning three Michelin stars over the course of his career, with the first star awarded to Santceloni when it had only nine tables.

Style: The focus of this restaurant is on seasonal fare, offering the best of what’s available in Mediterranean flavours over the course of the year. It also offers one of the best wine lists in the whole city.

Recommended dishes: Terrine of tuna and foie gras, quail’s eggs with onion consommé and black truffle.

La Terraza del Casino, Calle de Alcalá, 15

Credentials: With Ferran Adria of the world famous El Bulli restaurant at its helm, La Terraza offers what they call an ‘auteur kitchen’: think the creativity of Heston Blumenthal infused with Spanish traditions and flavours.

Style: A typical Spanish menu deconstructed and reimagined, with spectacular views over the city. A great way to sample the cooking style of El Bulli for a fraction of the price.

Recommended dishes: Paella in the style of Rice Krispies, liquidised croquetas, mojito served with dry ice.

Sergi Arola Gastro, Calle de Zurbano, 31

Credentials: Sergi Arola, formally of La Broche, trained for 8 years under Ferran Adria in Barcelona. He claims he doesn’t believe in having more than 3 ingredients on the plate at the same time.

Style: This restaurant specialises in tiny bite-size delicacies, crafted with great care and creativity. The service has also been highlighted as impeccable.

Recommended dishes: Fresh anchovies with apple salad and cider syrup, venison in Moroccan spices.

Lindsey Ford is a blogger for Subway Hotels, writing about hotels near Madrid metro stations.

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