A Luxury Travel Blog

Looking for something a little bit different? Tripadvisor have shortlisted their top 10 trendy European hotels (and there’s a few trendy websites here that you might like to peruse, too!). Would you agree with their list? Is there a hotel that you think deserves to be on the list but isn’t? Please post a comment and let us know your thoughts.

1. citizenM Amsterdam City, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2. Hotel Missoni Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
3. Motel One Hamburg Alster, Hamburg, Germany
4. Myhotel Brighton, Brighton, England
5. citizenM hotel Amsterdam Airport, Haarlemmermeer, The Netherlands
6. AC Cordoba Palacio, Cordoba, Spain
7. Michelberger Hotel, Berlin, Germany
8. MOODs Boutique Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic
9. The ICON Hotel & Lounge, Prague, Czech Republic
10. The Circus Hotel, Berlin, Germany

Although certainly a rather contentious subject, it is undoubted that everyone can appreciate the matchless beauty and colour of an unspoiled sunset. Similarly we all have our own favourite spots from which to warmly embrace the majesty of Earth’s astral ballet with the sun; sunsets are personal things, so whether it is from your kitchen window or the coast of California every one is special. Fond memories of days gone by are often typified with a single image and for me few reflections can resonate quite as powerfully as a picturesque sunset; the end to a beautiful day, the promise of a rebirth to come, or simply a moment to embrace the overwhelming command of nature. Where would our Hollywood heroes and heroines be without their sunsets, a moment for a stolen kiss or a dramatic farewell; the timelessness of an unspoiled sunset will be forever emblazoned into the human consciousness. Here are five luxury destinations where you can catch that perfect sunset.

Sentosa Island, Singapore – For the ultimate juxtaposition between natural beauty and metropolitan bustle, Singapore’s Sentosa Island is a must. Sentosa is a popular tourist destination with beaches and varied attractions and just off its coast operates one of the busiest shipping lanes in South East Asia with several established oil refineries. Although this last disclosure may not immediately portray Sentosa as the ideal location to embrace the ephemeral splendour of a sunset, for a completely unique experience there is no place quite like it. Lurching just beyond the bay the tankers appear more like great metallic sea monsters than freight ships lending an almost surreal grandeur to the scene.

Serengeti, Tanzania – A place synonymous with the beguiling power of nature and the cyclical drama of life in the wild, the Serengeti is often considered the ultimate safari destination. Whether you are embarking on a night-drive or simply looking out from the comfort of your lodge, sunsets on the Serengeti are humbling experiences. Watch as the sky burns with the most spectacular wash of crimsons, oranges and pinks, defiantly opposed by the black silhouettes of solitary acacia trees or the slow melodic gait of a herd of elephants.

Milford Sound, New Zealand – Referred to by Rudyard Kipling as the Eighth Wonder of the World; Milford Sound is consistently ranked as one of the most beloved and celebrated tourist destinations in the world. The primordial drama of this landscape is truly breathtaking with expansive fjords stretching 15 kilometres inland from the Tasman Sea. The sparkling clear waters, permanent waterfalls, towering rocky outcrops and resident pods of bottle nose dolphins makes this place a theatre of natural spectacle at anytime during the day, but particularly beautiful are the sunsets. As the piercing rays of light flicker through the grand peaks and reflect off the tranquil waters the Sound transforms into a kaleidoscope of colour and light.

Cape Town, South Africa – A city of contrasts, Cape Town offers the perfect symmetry between cosmopolitan living and rugged wilderness. Perched on the Western Cape overlooking the expansive Indian Ocean, this is an exceptional place to watch the sunset; whether you experience it from aloft Table Mountain or from the V&A Waterfront the views are just as glorious. Similarly wonderful is Blouberg beach, nestled within Table Bay offering excellent views looking back towards the Mountain.

North Malé Atoll, Maldives – A genuine island paradise, the Maldives is a name that is now so utterly intrinsic to tropical luxury and picture postcard beauty that it has almost become a cliché. It is very difficult to talk about the Maldives in terms of any individual region because the entire catalogue of individual islands, atolls and cays offer something so individually unique but simultaneously unmistakably Maldivian that it almost seems an incongruity to discuss them separately. Complete seclusion; cloudless skies; tranquil, azure waters and soft powdery sands, what more could a person ask for? With a profusion of fiery hues that would render even Monet’s Venetian waterways a picture of inadequate gloom the Maldives promises one of the most enchanting sunsets in the world.

James Bell is a Director of Turquoise Holidays.

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Skiing was once an exclusive sport which only the super rich could afford. Today, a varied mix of travel options to suit all budgets is available. Skiing is a truly a sport for all. But, some resorts, especially in the European Alps, remain exclusive, luxurious and expensive. Cheap ski holidays here are tricky to organise, but glamour, opulence and gourmet food are abundant and ubiquitous.

Here are the top 10 ski resorts in Europe which excel in combining luxury and alpine charm together with top class Snowsports:

Verbier, Switzerland. Best for advanced skiers, nightlife and being cool.

Famed for its tough ski runs and trendy après ski, Verbier also has some of the most luxurious chalets in The Alps and attracts celebrities and royalty from all over Europe. The ambience is one of charm and sophistication that also attracts some of the world’s best skiers.

Zermatt, Switzerland. Best for scenery, high altitude skiing and gourmet food.

Tucked away at the end of a valley accessible only by train (unless you have a residents permit and you can drive most of the way) Zermatt is arguably the most iconic ski resort in the world. The scenery is dominated by the Matterhorn which is a stark reminder of the towns mountaineering history. Today, countless luxury hotels and chalets blend naturally in with the charming and traditional town. The skiing is also pretty good too!

St Moritz, Switzerland. Best for ultimate luxury, opulent hotels and Italian fashion.

If you are asked what the most exclusive ski resort in the world is, most people would say St Moritz. Glamorous, chic and naturally expensive, St Moritz is understandably exclusive and preserved as a haven for the rich and famous. The skiing is varied and extensive with an excellent snow record, and because many visitors enjoy relaxing in the sunshine, the slopes are often nice and quiet.

Megève, France. Best for families, intimate luxury and relaxed glamour.

Once dubbed the Paris of The Alps, Megève retains its name for luxury, good food and good skiing. Situated in the Northern French Alps, close to Mt Blanc, the scenery is fantastic and the skiing varied and suitable for all abilities. There are many accommodation options including many privately owned chalets which provide a more upmarket approach than is found in many other resorts.

Courchevel 1850, France. Best for footballers, other celebrities and perfect pistes.

Situated in the 3 Valleys ski domain, which links to the resorts of Meribel and Val Thorens, Courchevel offers an array of 5 star luxury hotels and chalets alongside the largest interconnected ski area in the world. This really is a place to splash the cash, there are four Michelin restaurants with 2 stars and three with 1 star….in a ski resort!

Val d’Isère, France. Best for varied skiing possibilities, nightlife and new money.

A young and vibrant resort which offers serious skiing and sophisticated accommodation. Val d’Isère has developed as a luxury destination that attracts the well heeled who take their skiing seriously. The nightlife is no slouch either with an abundance of bars and clubs that keep going into the very small hours.

Lech, Austria. Best for relaxed charm, expert service and good snow conditions.

Lech and Zurs are situated in the Arlberg region of Austria and although close to the famous resort of St Anton, you won’t find the powder hounds and party animals hanging out here. Instead you get quieter slopes, gourmet mountain restaurants, spa hotels and upmarket pensions.

St Christoph, Austria. Best for quietness, access to St Anton and Austrian charm.

Another Arlberg resort that links into the St Anton ski area. St Christoph is a tiny hamlet sitting high up in a treeless valley with a handful of hotels offering high quality accommodation. It’s a perfect destination for combining relaxed luxury with off piste skiing opportunities.

Kitzbühel, Austria. Best for partying, watching ski races and ambience.

Possibly, one of the worlds most well known ski destinations. Kitzbühel is the home of the Hahnenkamm Mountain which hosts the toughest downhill race on the world cup circuit. It also has some great hotels and restaurants if skiing 100mph down a steep and icy slope isn’t for you.

Cortina, Italy. Best for scenery, shopping and eating great Italian food.

Nestled high up in the beautiful dolomite mountains, Cortina is renowned as Italy’s most upmarket and fashionable ski resort. The skiing area is large enough to keep the most active happy and the restaurants on and off the mountain are good enough to keep the less active occupied for weeks.

Robert Stewart is a Ski Journalist at The Skiing Department.

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Travelers heading to Southern California can get more than they bargained for by scheduling an adventure tour instead of simply seeing Hollywood. Southern California offers some of the best adventures tours in all the United States with options you wouldn’t believe available to you if you can afford them. Here are some of the top.

Indy Style Auto Racing is available for the race enthusiast, and allows you to drive your own Indy car around a track at speeds of up to 150 mph. You can even race your friends in 16 and 32 minute races with a pit instructor providing feedback while you race. If you have ever wanted to race Indy cars then this is the adventure for you. Cost ranging from $400 to $2000

In San Diego you can find yourself piloting a Glider plane reaching elevations of up to 5000 feet. These planes are designed to take either one to two people as they are small sleek planes, thus allowing them to do aerobatics normal planes cannot. These planes are not for the faint of heart as they are able to turn any way possible and have been known to cause sickness in the unprepared. However, if you are looking for awesome flying experience that is one of a kind, these are the way to go. Cost ranging from $200 to $400 for 25 minutes.

Shark diving is something most people only think they can do off the coast of Africa; however, this is far from the truth. Shark diving is available in California if you have the time to take a 5 day adventure about 210 miles from San Diego. You can see makos, hammerheads and tiger sharks from the safety of a steel cage. This trip is perfect for the adventurer that is not looking to travel all the way to Africa to experience interaction with sharks. Cost ranging from $2000 to $3000.

These are just some of the adventures available in Southern California. If none of these suits your fancy there is canyoneering and bungee jumping off bridges available in Northern LA County, and hang gliding and all day kite surfing adventures by the coast, just to name a few. Next time you are in Southern California make sure you don’t simply see Hollywood, but that you take an adventure trip that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Josh McNair is a Marketing Lead for OutdoorPros.

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