A Luxury Travel Blog

The new Museo del Novecento dedicated to the art of the 20th Century will be inaugurated in November 2010 at the Palazzo dell’Arengario. The large spiral ramp inside the building will be the museum’s most important architectural feature, acting as a functional yet stylish element connecting the different levels of the tower from the basement right up to the beautiful terrace facing the Duomo. The 3500 sq m exhibition space will host works by Picasso, Braque, Klee, Kandisky, Modigliani, Boccioni, De Chirico, Fontana , Marinetti among others. The museum will also have a restaurant and bookshop from where the masterpiece “Quarto Stato” by Pellizza da Volpedo will always be visible by visitors.

Christmas in New York is like Christmas in no other city in the world; the magic created here by the sights and attractions made famous to many of us by our favourite childhood Christmas movies come to life when you visit at this time of year. What better way to experience the most enchanting of holidays than by staying in one of the world’s most luxurious hotels, and from boutique to internationally recognised five star elegance, New York has an abundance of luxury hotels to choose from to ensure the most opulent of Christmas stays.

A name synonymous with New York luxury has to be Trump, and a stay at Trump International Hotel and Tower is to experience the very best in exclusivity and grandeur. A favourite with celebrities, guests here can enjoy the highest level of service and hospitality in an unrivalled location, the hotel is situated just off Central Park on Columbus Circle and Broadway, perfect for visiting all of the splendour The Upper East Side has to offer. Trump New York also features, Jean Georges, a five star restaurant ideal to enjoy a Christmas meal with a difference; the restaurant offers contemporary cuisine from one of only 3 ‘3 Michelin-starred’ chefs in the city, Jean-Georges Vongerichten. And if you require a touch of pampering during your stay The Trump Spa offers a range of treatments to help you to unwind and relax into your holidays. The hotel is ideally situated for winter walks and ice skating in Central Park and last minute Christmas shopping on Fifth Avenue.

If large chain hotels aren’t for you, New York offers the best of stylish and unique boutique hotels. There are many fantastic boutique hotels in the city but one that particularly stands out is The Library Hotel, a beautiful, traditional 1900s brick and terracotta building situated aptly between The New York Public Library and the Pierpont Morgan Library and close to the timelessly elegant Grand Central Station. The hotel boasts an individual charm combining attentive service with unique personal added extras. Each of the floors at the hotel are themed around the 10 categories of The Dewey Decimal System, including Social Sciences, The Arts and Philosophy and in turn each of the rooms have been individually stocked with books and art relating to one distinctive topic within the category of the floor you are staying in. Along with providing the basis for a truly fascinating stay, the hotel offers a host of complimentary amenities including a selection of refreshments available throughout the day, fine wines and hors d’oeuvres each evening from 5pm to 8pm and daily passes to the nearby New York Sports Club. Curling up with a copy of A Christmas Carol in front of the fire in this elegant hotel is a fantastic way to spend a memorable festive evening.

Luxury and New York go hand in hand and a stay in either the well know grand 5 star hotels or the small, individual boutique lodgings will provide the most fitting of setting for an enchanting and truly unforgettable Christmas stay.

Charlotte McCulloch writes for the travel site Simonseeks.com.

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Kiwi Collection’s latest promotion is now live which offers the opportunity to cover the cost of every 100th luxury hotel booking made through its site and call centre — each 100th booking will be covered regardless of its value. The program launched on 21st October 2010 and will run for 100 days. You can learn more about the 100th Free Luxury Hotel Booking promotion by clicking here.

Experience South Australia’s vast vistas teeming with free roaming native Australian wildlife from the comfort of a luxury air safari, with three new tours available through luxury operator Chinta Air Tours.

* Extended Outback Wildlife – see the varied wildlife of the Outback, including emus, kangaroos and native birds, staying in unique accommodation (4 days) (read more)

* Uluru to Adelaide Air Safari – from one of Australia’s iconic destinations, Uluru, to three South Australian highlights – Coober Pedy, Flinders Ranges & Adelaide (4 days) (read more)

* The Red Centre & Island Wildlife Air Safari – as above but including Australia’s ‘Galapagos’ – Kangaroo Island (6 days) (read more)

Chinta Air Tours allow visitors to cover vast distances in a relatively short period by combining light aircraft flights with regional airlines and four wheel drive vehicles. The main light aircraft used are Cessnas – high winged aircraft that allow each passenger to have a window seat.

Accommodation on all of the tours is four-star and above, or the best available which can include sleeping in a luxury tented camp, experiencing a luxury eco-villa or staying in an underground hotel. All tours include meals featuring local produce, so guests may dine on locally caught seafood, or an Outback Bush Tucker delicacy.

Highlights of the three new tours include:

- Extended Outback Wildlife – This tour showcases the very best of the South Australian Outback starting with the Gawler Ranges on the Eyre Peninsula. The best time to visit is spring (Aug-Oct) when the landscape is covered in a blanket of wild flowers, which attracts over 100 species of colourful birds and abundant wildlife.

Other highlights include Spencer Gulf, Great Australian Bight and Baird Bay with the chance to swim with sea lions and dolphins. There is also a stay on Kangaroo Island, Australia’s Galapagos with two days of touring with a local, knowledgeable guide. Accommodation includes a luxury safari tent, and boutique bed and breakfast.

- Uluru to Adelaide Air Safari – This tour starts with an overnight stay in Uluru at the fabulous ‘Sails in the Desert’ and includes the renowned ‘Sounds of Silence’ dining experience. A flight to Coober Pedy, the Opal Capital of the World, ensues for a fascinating tour of the mines and a stay in the world’s only underground hotel, the Desert Cave Hotel.

The next day the flying safari continues onto the Flinders Ranges taking in the vast landscapes, including six million acre Anna Creek Station, the size of Wales. Guests stay in award-winning eco-villas at Rawnsley Park Station and enjoy 4WD tours of the national park and Wilpena Pound, walking trails and relaxing at this Outback station, before ending the tour in Adelaide.

- Red Centre & Island Wildlife Air Safari – This tour is an extended version of the Uluru to Adelaide Air Safari tour including Kangaroo Island. Highlights on Kangaroo Island include Seal Bay Conservation Park where visitors learn how Australian sea lions survive the rigour of the Southern Ocean; Parndana Wildlife Park that was set up as an animal refuge; strolling on the stunning beaches of Snelling and Stokes Bays and an evening nature walk through Lathami National Park. Accommodation on the island is at the award winning boutique bed and breakfast property, ‘Seascapes of Emu Bay’.

Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become an international cruise hub has received a significant boost following the signing of a landmark co-operation agreement between Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and MSC Cruises that will see the world’s fastest growing cruise operators deploy one of its top vessels to the UAE capital on a homeport basis from October 2011.  ADTA’s strategy aims to attract 2.3 million hotel guests to the Emirate by the end of 2012.

Under the terms of the agreement, Abu Dhabi’s Mina Zayed Port will serve as the primary embarkation and disembarkation point for the Italian operator’s maiden regional itinerary – scheduled for the 2011-2012 season – using its luxury MSC Lirica liner.

With its ultra-modern fleet, MSC Cruises’ entry into the Arabian Gulf will see MSC Lirica – a 59,000-ton vessel with a capacity for 2,199 guests in 784 cabins – provide 19 eight-day/seven-night cruises covering five destinations, between November 2011 and March 2012.

Val d’Isère in France is widely regarded as one of the world’s most exclusive ski resorts and perfect for all ski levels. It has a fantastic range of lift-served slopes within the legendary Espace Killy. Popular with visitors from across the world, the resort also offers an array of non-ski activities, great restaurants, shops and après ski bars.

This December Val d’Isère will host the 55th edition of the ‘Criterium de la Premiere Neige’ (Alpine world cup ski events) with this year’s event taking on a quintessentially British theme with various entertainment and activities to match. Men’s races will take place on the 11th and 12th December with Women’s races on the 18th and 19th.

Other news just in is that The Savoie and the Barmes de l’Ours hotels have been awarded their 5th star.

The city of Barcelona has many attractions that make it one of the best destinations for tourism. However, Barcelona not only means a cosmopolitan city but also means Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean Sea allows you to enjoy many activities, but without doubt, one of the highlights is doing a one-to-one luxury yacht race. This regatta is suitable for both big and small groups (6 people). It combines amusement, competition and, for the sea lovers, the chance to get in touch with the beautiful Mediterranean sea. Do not worry if you don’t have any sailing experience as you will be led by professionals for the whole race. Before the race starts, the participants will be divided into two groups and they will get a briefing on the activity. Once on board, the skipper will explain the safety rules, the different tasks and the role of each participant. Enjoy an unforgettable sea experience and discover Barcelona from another point of view. From 6th to 14th November 2010, anyone interested in nautical sector can visit the Barcelona International Boat Show, one of the biggest in Europe and the biggest in Spain.

Oscar Goni is the Managing Director at Luxury Trips Spain.

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Travesse, a new private members-only travel club launching in the UK in November 2010, is seeking to make luxury travel more affordable.  Travesse believes travellers shouldn’t compromise their high standards and claims to offer top of the range luxury hotels, packages and experiences, but at prices that are in tune with today’s climate of cutbacks and austerity. For their launch in November, they have partnered with 4 and 5 star properties in Rome, London and Malta who are offering our members rooms at “2 and 3 star prices”.

Travesse runs ‘flash sales’, meaning deals are available for purchase on the website for a maximum of 7 days only.  The company is backed by a group of investors from the travel, mobile and internet industries. iPhone and Android apps are expected to follow, allowing customers to browse and buy from their mobile phones.

An iPhone 4 encrusted with diamonds from the British designer, Stuart Hughes, will set you back a cool £5 million.  The device is being heralded as the world’s most expensive mobile phone and was commissioned by an Australian businessman. The handset is covered in more than 500 individual diamonds totalling 100 carats, and it comes with two interchangeable diamonds that fit over the ‘home’ button.  Clearly, one of these phones wasn’t enough for him as he asked for two to be made…

Enjoy Christmas in style in London’s most iconic luxury hotels. Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley are celebrating the festive season with two-night packages featuring the finest traditional festive fare from 24th-26th December 2010 and romantic horse-drawn carriage rides through the British capital on Christmas morning – complete with hot chocolate and marshmallows!

There’s lots on offer including traditional English breakfast, Champagne afternoon tea, Christmas dinner, Christmas stockings stuffed with goodies and everything you could expect from a magical Christmas holiday.

Prices are from £550 per person at The Berkeley, £680 pp at Claridge’s, and £700 pp at The Connaught and you can book online from http://www.maybourne.com or contact info@maybourne.com or phone +44 (0) 20 7107 8830.

I’ve lost track of trying to work out how Tripadvisor determine its top 10 lists. Suffice to say, they seem to generate plenty of interest and discussion so here’s the latest in their series. This time it’s the turn of the most over-the-top rentals in the world:

1. MIT PED, $112K/week*
2. BS GRE, $105K/week*
3. Reef Point, $60K/week*
4. Villa Camilla, $35K/week*
5. Rio Chico, $80K/week*
6. Le Chateau des Palmiers, $74K/week*
7. Villa Duca, $51K/week*
8. Villa Detente Mougins, $27K/week*
9. Tremblant Condo, $23K/week*
10. Place De Vosges, $16K/week*

* Rates shown are in USD, approximate and for peak season

Ever sat bored at your desk and contemplated that ultimate symbol of escape and abandon – Running Off To Join The Circus – but felt work and family commitments too pressing to make your dream a viable reality? Well now you can indulge in your fantasies of cream pies and vertiginous acrobatics without having to quit your day job. Circus Space, a company dedicated to ‘ enhancing, protecting and advancing the circus art form’ provide evening, half day and full day classes in such essential circus skills as juggling, tightrope-walking, stilt-walking, tumbling and trapeze all within a magnificent and now impressively refurbished Victorian power station adjacent to Hoxton Square. A facility completely unique to the UK, Circus Space offers courses to suit every ability and interest, and even caters to corporate clients with their ‘ Team Building and Staff Development’ workshops. So next time the office is getting you down, mention Circus Space to your boss as an antidote to office morale and who knows, you could be swapping spread sheets for stilts and trapezes sooner than you think!

Katy Foster is Editorial Assistant at Hg2 luxury city guides.

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A trip to Tuscany in Italy is already a luxury experience per se. The splendid hotels and exquisite Tuscan villas add that special Old World style that is sought for all over the globe. Your holiday will inevitably be marked by the refined furnishing and architectural design, the attention to detail, and the classy homelike feel that these accommodations convey.

Some go beyond the concept of a single property. You can find hamlets with splendid Tuscan apartments and villas entirely dedicated to holiday stays. Il Borro, owned by world-renown fashion stylist Salvatore Ferragamo, is one of these. The ancient group of villas is located in San Giustino, between Arezzo and Florence, in one of the most enchanting pieces of Tuscany. Three stately private villas, three different styles. From the sober classic luxury of Villa Il Borro to the rustic luxe of Villa Cocci and Casetta. The twelve apartments and suites of the hamlet eco the style of the villas with all comforts. The daughter Ilaria Ferragamo is the designer in charge of their look. Three more splendid farmhouses conclude the properties of Il Borro by Ferragamo. These are the true essence of Tuscan country lifestyle. The hamlet has its own private spa center “La Corte”, The Court. Fitness, relaxation, and lulling of the senses are the centerpiece of the spa. It is a self enclosed experience. The horse riding center provides top services. A practice golf course is on site, but the nearby Conte Ugolino and the Club Poggio dei Medici are advised for a full 18-hole experience.

Not a long drive away is the fantastic Hotel Continental in Siena. Talking about Old World style, this five-star hotel has all the flare you may wish and some more. The new management completely restored it to its old glory days after decades of closure and abandonment despite its central location in the historic center and along the promenade of the city. I have personally stayed here. All ceilings are frescoed and our experience in the penthouse apartment was splendid. No noises, wonderful antique furniture and the most comfortable sleep. We spent the greatest part of our first day just exploring the splendid halls of the hotel. The street the Continental is on leads to Piazza del Campo and the Duomo, undoubtedly the peaks of Siena. Although there are plenty of places to eat in the area, we did not bother leaving the hotel’s restaurant for its delicious reinterpretations of classic Tuscan cuisine.

Other solutions combine their high-end stays with ancient local traditions. The typical luxury of Tuscany is best found in rustic villas and apartments, a unique mix of country architecture and classy accents to create the ultimate comfort. Add a true thermal spa to your stay and the relaxation becomes sublime. Terme Villa Borri offers luxurious Tuscany apartments and its thermal spa center in Casciana Terme near Pisa. Casciana is a historic thermal center. The curative and beautifying properties of these waters are famous since Roman times. Queen Matilde of Canossa used to benefit from them, just like the king of Italy who had one of his royal palaces here, today a thermal spa center.

Matt Kachinski lives and travels in Italy and runs Thrify Tuscany.

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The Langham Hotel Boston blends the legendary hospitality of the original Langham grand hotel with the classic architectural elegance of Boston’s former Federal Reserve Bank building. A tranquil haven of luxury in the center of Massachusetts’ economic and cultural heartland, The Langham is assuredly among Boston’s finest hotels. Explore the city’s cultural scene and indulge in Boston’s renowned seafood. The hotel is steps from Boston’s major shops, restaurants and other attractions. Close to Faneuil Hall Marketplace, the Freedom Trail, the North End, the Financial District, the New England Aquarium and the Boston Harbor waterfront.

Another ‘top 10′ from Tripadvisor, and this time it’s Europe’s top 10 food and wine destinations. Again, as with previous Tripadvisor top 10s, Italy fares well, and – perhaps unsurprisingly – France has a dominant presence also.  In fact, there’s only one entry in the top 10 that isn’t from those two countries. Here’s the list:

1. Florence, Italy
2. Siena, Italy
3. Bordeaux, France
4. Montepulciano, Italy
5. San Gimignano, Italy
6. San Sebastian-Donostia, Spain
7. Paris, France
8. Bologna, Italy
9. Rome, Italy
10. Lyon, France