Walking into the Pebble Beach Food and Wine Festival in the spring of 2010, something occurred to me. Why had it taken so long for someone—anyone—to come up with the idea for this annual event? I mean honestly, Pebble Beach is luxury incarnate — hulking mansions fronting some of the most beautiful coastline in the world, super luxe shopping, and, of course, a legendary golf course that has hosted the U.S. Open ten times. This is the playground of the rich and famous, princes and kings, captains of industry and celebrity superstars. An over-the-top gourmet fest showcasing the elite of the international restaurant biz and masters of the grape is a no-brainer. This is decadence at its very best.
And now, with its fourth year looming large, planners are once again rolling out the red carpet for rockstar chefs and A-list oenophiles. And what a list it is. Among the luminaries cooking for this year’s Delicacy Dinner in Club XIX (one of the most historic restaurants at Pebble Beach) are Joachim Splichal of Patina Group in Los Angeles, Charlie Trotter of Charlie Trotter’s in Chicago, Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park in New York, Geoffrey Zakarian of The National in New York, and Gale Gand of Tru in Chicago.
The highly anticipated cooking demonstrations for the weekend (April 28-May 1, by the way) are no less star-studded. Southern trained chef Tyler Florence will whip up a family-style feast at the Inn at Spanish Bay; Food Network icon Guy Fieri will show off his inimitable style and wit; five-time James Beard Award winner and Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio will bring his nothing-short-of-amazing talents; and cookbook author and educator extraordinaire Jacques Pepin will do what he does best—make gourmet food easy and accessible.
Lest you think your amateur palate unfit for such an event at this upscale venue, have no fear: remember, this is fun and educational. And in addition to all the household names adding their flair to the fest, they’ll be plenty of locals strutting their stuff, especially in the wine arena. Alongside the requisite French, Australian, Italian, and Spanish vintages will be dozens of Napa and Sonoma producers as well as a nice showing of Monterey County and Carmel Valley representatives. During the dozens of tastings—designed for all levels of oenophiles from beginner to experienced—you’ll learn to sip (or spit) like a master sommelier while learning about food pairings, best years for what grapes, and much more.
For those who don’t want to get too fancy with upscale dinners, the festival also includes six different chances for luxe lunches, which run the gamut from barbecue to sustainable seafood dishes. I was disappointed I missed them last year, and I don’t plan on making the same mistake a month from now. And although my golf game has improved (slightly) of late, I still don’t think I’m ready to take part in the quick-off event for the festival—a golf tourney with some of the biggest names in food and wine. I’ve heard they serve up some amazing food and wine at different points on the course, and I’d be interested to see if Colicchio or Fieri can drop a 20-foot putt.
If you really want to get up-close-and-personal when it comes time for the chefs and winemakers to relax and unwind, at the end of each day is an after-hours party where you can hobnob with the best and brightest. Last year I couldn’t resist the urge to ask several of them what they cook on a typical weeknight, when dinner has to be squeezed in between karate lessons, baseball practice, homework, and bedtime stories. I’m not revealing their answers, as amusing as some were — you’ll just have to ask them yourself.
Celebrated wildlife portrait pro Martin Aveling has joined forces with luxury travel consultancy Africa House Safaris for a one-off artists’ safari in Kenya this summer.
The 12-day holiday will be a welcome return to Africa for Martin, who lived on the continent during many of his childhood years. It was there that his love of drawing and painting wildlife began – an interest which has led to a shining reputation for Martin as an animal portraitist.
The artist will be present throughout this summer’s special safari to offer creative guidance to guests as they capitalise on the stunning wildlife and landscapes which they will encounter. He will also organise informal tutorials to demonstrate techniques like drawing animal features such as fur, feathers or eyes.
Martin is keen for the guest artists to feel free to explore their own ideas while capturing the sights on paper or canvas. And there will be plenty of subjects to capture the visitors’ interest, from lions, elephants and zebras to giraffes, buffaloes and a multitude of birdlife. Landscape views will include classic African savannah and iconic mountainous backdrops such as that offered by the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro.
An extraordinary feature of the safari will be the opportunity to wander on foot to seek out vantage points. This is due to the service an armed guard who will be on hand to ensure the guests’ safety.
The accommodation laid on will be typified by the luxurious standards on which organisers Africa House Safaris have built their reputation. Both Lion’s Bluff in Tsavo National Park and the El Karama Ranch in Laikipia have earned widespread affection on the grounds of style, location and comfort.
Limited places are still available for this one-off art safari, taking place from 23rd June to 5th July 2011.
There’s a new opening from Sofitel this month – the Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa. Located in the heart of Mogador and adjoining the historical port of Essaouira, the hotel is Sofitel’s seventh establishment in Morocco. Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa consists of 147 bedrooms and suites as well as 28 villas with private swimming pools which are designed to blend with the rich landscape of Mogador and are particularly well suited to families.
Surrounded by a 600ha forest, natural sand dunes and a pristine beach, the hotel was designed by interior designer Didier Gomez, architect Rachid El Andaloussi and landscape artist Isabelle Linski. A continuity between the indoors and outdoors emphasises the tranquillity of the open spaces – particularly noticeable in the hotel’s lobby, with views stretching away into the distance, beyond the golf course and across the ocean.
Didier Gomez Interior Design pays tribute to ancient Essaouria, with intense colours, exotic wood varieties and Moorish patterns subtly combined in the contemporary design of the furniture. The bedrooms are decorated using Mashrabiyas (windows enclosed with carved wood latticework), clawed wood, Essaouria dry stone and Moroccan patterns on padded fabric. For the best night’s sleep, each bedroom includes luxuriously soft beds by Sofitel MyBed™.
Two villas have been exclusively designed by Lacoste, and their unusual design marks the first cooperation of this kind between Essaouira Sofitel Luxury Hotels and the brand famous for its Crocodile logo.
The resort also features a 1300 m2dedicated health and fitness building with a So SPA and So FIT. The So Spa features eight treatment booths, a traditional oriental steam bath with three basins, a wave pool and a spa lounge area with a waterfall. For the So SPA, Sofitel joined forces with beauty experts, Clarins and Cinq Mondes.
The resort invites golf lovers to discover the 18-hole Mogador golf course, with an additional 18-hole course to open by the end of the year, both designed by Gary Player. Sofitel’s other establishments in Morocco are all located at well-known golfing destinations including Marrakech, Agadir, Fez and Rabat.
At the Children’s Villas, guests aged three to twelve can take part in a range of aquatic, culinary, botanical and cultural adventures. The Mogador Kids Golf School supports children’s first swings and So Spa Kids offers junior guests a taste of spa indulgence. For parents eager for some quiet time, a babysitting service is also available.
Sofitel is proud to forge links between its French and local culture. At the Atelier aux Arômes (Taste Workshop) chef duo Philippe Bourdon and Fatima Targa combine the best of French and Moroccan gastronomy. Kasbah Café shows chefs preparing tajine dishes, while the Atlantic serves the best of Essaouira’s seafood. For something lighter, Tea Lounge celebrates time-old Moroccan tea rituals, Tiki So features a cocktail menu that pays tribute to the first rum routes which began in Mogador, and after a round at the Club house, golfers can take advantage of the warm Moroccan evenings at Le Gary Player Lounge.
The Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa is located just a few kilometres to the south of the ancient town of Essaouira, famous for its fishing port, ochre ramparts, white homes with blue shutters and gentle climate all year round.
Let us first dispel the myth that all-inclusive holidays in the Mediterranean are limited to budget and mid-market hotels. There are some exceptional five star resort hotels in Turkey if you know where to find them.
We were amazed by this hotel. All rooms are of a deluxe standard with huge attention to detail, absolutely beautiful and wonderful gardens set amongst the trees. There is nightly entertainment including some great shows put on by the animation team, our favourites were Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. The whole resort is beautiful and spotlessly clean. This is simply a great place to stay!
Wow! A very unique hotel – how many hotels in Europe have a €350,000 Versace carpet in the lobby. Everything at this hotel is of the highest quality. A Dubai hotel in Belek! Often referred to as the Pearl of the Mediterranean Coast, and we can see why.
A beautiful and modern hotel with fabulous interconnecting pools that wind their way through the landscaped gardens, and a truly amazing Spa! Serenity is probably more suited to couples and I think families with young children would prefer the Golf.
More traditional than some of the other luxury resorts but with the same level of service and attention, an amazing children’s club and a great choice of accommodation. We loved the attention to detail at this hotel. Each floor is themed to a different colour and this flows through the rooms. This way, if I child is staying in a “Blue room” and they get out the lift and the carpet and walls are Green or Red they instantly know they are on the wrong floor! Superb!! Also, from the main lobby there are small bear paw prints which if followed will lead straight to the kids club – so they will never get lost! Fantastic!
This beachfront hotel really knows how to give the five-star treatment. It’s very modern and sophisticated and one we would recommend to couples and families. Sea view rooms are highly recommended.
Why indulge in five star holidays in Turkey?
A fusion of cultures and civilisations combined with some of the most luxurious hotels in the Mediterranean make Turkey a truly excellent choice for a luxury holiday. Turkish summers can last up to eight months; therefore you have a great range of dates available to you when you book your 5 star all inclusive holidays in Turkey.
What five star holidays in Turkey can offer you:
If you decide to indulge in a 5 star all inclusive Turkey holiday, you will be presented with a wealth of breathtaking scenery, unique historic sites and the traditional Turkish hospitality.
Steeped in a diverse history that spans 10,000 years, Turkey has many sites of archaeological and historical interest. You can visit magnificent mosaics, ancient Roman cities, amphitheatres, and much more.
There is a vast collection of different activities you can enjoy while visiting Turkey; from golf to museums, and from hiking to skiing. Turkey has a great tradition of art, music and dance, and while you are on your all inclusive Turkey holidays you should take the opportunity to experience a concert or visit one of their wonderful art galleries.
After visiting all Turkey has to offer, take the time to relax and unwind in one of Turkey’s infamous spas and treat yourself to a massage or treatment to sooth your tired sightseeing feet!
What’s included in all-inclusive holidays?
The holidays will include all meals, unlimited local alcoholic and soft drinks, and of course unwavering five star treatment. Other amenities and facilities included can vary and depend on the hotel, so make sure to read the hotel descriptions.
From the day you begin your all inclusive luxury holiday you can indulge in as much or as little as you like, without being exposed to extra costs! Ideal for discerning travellers looking for a break from their wallets, especially if you’re travelling as a group or family.
Tripadvisor has come up with its top 10 utterly unforgettable hotel rooms. Here we provide you with their somewhat Euro-centric list, links to each hotel where we can, and links to pictures of the rooms as shown on Tripadvisor’s site.
Fishing the Pacific Northwest is not only amazing, but provides encounters with wildlife you simply do not expect. Here is a little story of our Alaska travel trip that my travel friend and I experienced last summer in the Saskatchewan.
My friend is really into sports fishing, so we had booked a stay at the stately Waterfall Resort in Ketchikan, Alaska. Flying in there on a float plane was quite a charm! The fishery was stunning. Waterfall Resort is nestled in Alaska’s Inside Passage on the scenic Prince of Wales Island just west of Ketchikan, Alaska. It has been commercially fished for more than a hundred years, and probably fed natives for millennia. May was King Salmon season, and the salmon were running straight for the hooks of men in yellow waders. The Waterfall Resort seems to be a sports fishing destination for many top corporate and business men. Many of them had come because they had won incentive based business challenges. I am sure you can imagine that this trip was a dream come true for many of these weekend warriors. For us, it was a new experience, but we were there on much more expansive terms of time.
Our journey was to be a lengthy hiatus from the everyday world. We started out, soft like a fog, from Seattle, Washington aboard a cruise line, and made our way winding around the prehistoric coast of the Pacific Northwest, up through Victoria, British Colombia and finally made it to the austere Alaskan coast. Many people who go to Alaska cruise Ketchikan and get sucked into the swirling nexus of Alaskan energy in that area. It might be the northern lights, it might be gold, pink salmon or magic crystals in the hills, but something is stupendous about this area.
Entranced by the magic of water churning and boiling with salmon, my friend and I forgot about some fish entrails that we had left outside one night at the end of our stay. We had stuffed our bellies full of our salmon catch, and enjoyed a complimentary bottle of Champagne. After falling asleep at the dinner table of our luxury waterfront cabin, we awoke to the noise of something crushing the ground slowly beneath padded furry paws. We managed to scramble a look at the large and furry tail end of a satisfied Grizzly bear scampering away with our leftovers! Let it be known that a trip to the Alaskan is for the best of taste, but the rugged at heart.
Carol Atkins is a Group Travel Leader with YMT Vacations.
Jack Sarvary is the co-founder and CEO of Itinerie, a flash-sale startup. Itinerie expands on flash-sale sites like Jetsetter and Vacationist by offering full luxury vacation packages, rather than just hotels. All of these luxury one-week packages are fully private and include all accommodations and transportation to 2-4 destinations in a single Latin American country. In addition, we arrange a number of customizable activities for each of our travellers. Before starting Itinerie, Jack worked for the Boston Consulting Group in New York City and Endeavor in Buenos Aires.
What is it that you do exactly?
Every day is different. We are only a few weeks away from launching our first sale and we are finalizing many last details to ensure we enter the market with the strongest product possible. These days, I might spend my morning working with our partner in Peru to decide whether we should offer our customers a photography tour or a cooking class – or both. Later, I likely will spend some time on our website. Which picture should we use on this page? What content do we want in this section? I also routinely check our Twitter account and Facebook page to see if there is any consumer insight to be picked up there. Finally, I am a sucker for data, so I will spend time going through our site usage stats, our subscription growth rate, and our finances to make sure everything is on track.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Working in the travel industry has been new for me and so far I am a big fan. There is something nice about working with a product designed to help people relax. Also, it is a great pleasure working with my co-founder and partner, Nick Milne. I learn something new from him every day.
What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?
The Inkaterra Lodge in Machu Picchu: After exploring the mystical ruins of Machu Picchu earlier this year, there could have been no better setting to maintain that level of wonder and awe than the Inkaterra Lodge. The property’s beautiful grounds and warm, inviting rooms made it very hard for me to board the train the next day back to Cusco.
Shakespeare’s Sister in Portsmouth, England: one summer in college, I sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, from Newport, RI, to Portsmouth, England, with some family members and a couple old boat hands. After an unbelievable month-long experience, we finally docked in Portsmouth harbor. My bunk that night on our boat Shakespeare’s Sister was filled with such a sense of accomplishment that it will always be one of the best places I have ever stayed.
The Panoramic Hotel in Iguazu Falls: The Panoramic Hotel gave us beautiful views over a very quiet and peaceful Iguazu River, just a few miles downriver from the thunderous falls. Iguazu is an inspirational place, and that river reminded me that while things might get rough sometimes, everything eventually smoothes out a little further downstream.
What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?
When I left New York City to work for the non-profit Endeavor in Buenos Aires, I decided, as a final goodbye to the city of excess, to make a reservation at Del Posto. In the spirit of the night, we ordered the 7-course tasting menu. The NYTimes nailed it in its review, Del Posto’s is a pleasure that lasts, offering memories of flavors that may return later in a dream. I do still wake up thinking about that divinely simple ball of fresh mozzarella cheese wrapped in buttery-soft prosciutto.
Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?
My celebrity experiences date back to my first job as a caddy at the Golf Club of Purchase, in Westchester, New York. I hustled my way around the course carrying golf bags for the likes of Kenneth Cole and Michael Bloomberg. We haven’t gotten there yet with Itinerie, but we are still young.
What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?
Since I’m a nature and animal nut, as well as a science geek, I have to choose the Galapagos Islands. Given its amazing wildlife and significance in scientific history, it’s a wonder I haven’t been there already.
Thank you for taking part, Jack, and we wish you all the best with your new venture.
When you stay two nights at the Borgo Santo Pietro, you will receive the third night free. Borgo Santo Pietro is 45 minutes from Sienna and 1 hour from Florence. This 11-room Borgo was built in 1229 and beautifully renovated by Claus and Jeanette Thottrup, a Danish couple, who previously resided in London. The Borgo has added a wine tasting room which will feature daily wine tasting sessions with the hotel’s sommelier along with a chef’s table which overlooks the kitchen.
The package includes:
Accommodation
A bottle of spumante, fresh fruit and flowers in the room upon arrival
Homemade continental and cooked breakfast daily
Freshly squeezed juice all day from fruit and vegetable juice bar
Use of hot tub, tennis, basketball and badminton court, table tennis, mountain bikes, hiking boots, archery and trampoline
All taxes
Prices start at Euro 355 (US $488) per night to Euro 1760 (US $2480). Promotion valid throughout April 2011.
The term ‘luxury travel’ connotes various images and stereotypes, perhaps of lazy days spent lounging by the pool or sipping cocktails on a sun terrace overlooking a pristine beach. In reality though, luxury can be an entirely subjective standard and if we consider it as a value inherent of high quality service and conducive towards a pleasurable experience then it is easy to see why the term is so slippery. What may be one person’s idea of luxury could be perceived by the next as mundane or commonplace.
Can for example, luxury travel be challenging and at times difficult? Well in my opinion, yes, certainly it can be. In fact few experiences in life can elicit the kind of pleasure that overcoming a major physical or psychological barrier does. These moments, epochal as they are, function as the map pins that chart the courses of our lives; those pivotal events that punctuate the everyday and ordinary and shine in our minds like celestial beacons.
For me, when it comes to travel in Africa, one such defining act involves overcoming the continent’s greatest geographical phenomena; climbing to the roof of the world, standing aloft the colossal Mt Kilimanjaro and for those fleeting minutes, feeling the most pure and undiluted sense of satisfaction and fulfilment.
Kilimanjaro is both the tallest peak in Africa and the highest free standing mountain in the world (not being part of distinct range) and offers the trip of a lifetime for anyone who considers the task of taming it. Nestled in the north-east corner of Tanzania, just off from the Kenyan border, the extinct volcano rises up from the African plains with a dramatic solitude and resoluteness that is observable from hundreds of miles away. Despite it being falsely promoted as a, ‘celebrity climb’ and an easy ascent for anyone and everyone who acknowledges the whim to leg themselves up to the summit, Kilimanjaro is indeed a hostile environment and should be approached as such. Taking this into consideration though, it should also be noted that many people with a reasonable level of fitness and a steely determination to boot should at the very least be able to attempt the climb. Travellers from around the world have journeyed to Tanzania to take on the task of conquering ‘Kili’ from 7 year old Los Angeles resident Keats Boyd to retired Buckinghamshire professor George Solt who made the climb last summer aged 82.
Although some fitness and resistance training is recommended to prepare your body for the exertions it will face, the main reason climbers do not manage to reach the summit, known as Uhuru, is not fatigue but altitude sickness. This condition is caused by persistent exposure to low levels of oxygen in the air which is a feature of higher altitudes. The non specific symptoms are manifested in a general feeling of grogginess similar to having the flu or a hangover. ‘Pole Pole’ is the unofficial motto climbers who have experience of Kilimanjaro use, which in Swahili is translated to ‘slowly slowly’. Prospective mountaineers should, whether vastly experienced or complete novices, keep in mind that an ascent of Kilimanjaro is a marathon and not a race. Moving up the slopes slowly and carefully offers the best chance of reaching the top and in any case a more calculated trek will afford travellers more time to appreciate the spectacular scenery that unfolds before them.
For a luxury travel encounter with a difference, taking on Mt. Kilimanjaro has to be acknowledged as one of the most spectacular and life affirming experiences on Earth.
Greg Fox is a Director at luxury travel specialists Mahlatini.
If you’re planning a trip anywhere in Europe and looking to really indulge yourself in complete luxury, there are many great hotels out there that can attend to your every need. Here are some of the best.
The Casa Fuster is popular with many travellers as this gives you a real flavour of the city. Based on the iconic, Gaudi style architecture that dominates here, this is an impressive building right from the moment you first see it.
The hotel boasts that ultimate in luxury – a roof terrace with its own pool, but this is just one of the many first class amenities here. Location wise, the Casa Fuster is situated in the most affluent part of town, right next to all the best shopping.
Situated on the famous Place de la Concorde, the Hotel de Crillon is a striking building that is a historic monument, attracting many visitors in its own right.
Inside you will find complete luxury in every last tiny detail. With a gourmet restaurant that has been lauded by many leading food critics heading its list of impeccable facilities, the Hotel de Crillon is top of the list for many visitors. Reviews are always glowing and this really is one of the best places to stay in Europe.
The former Soviet Union has thrown open its doors and countries such as Estonia are more than just up and coming destinations. Luxury hotels such as the Three Sisters are helping Estonia become established as a ‘must see’ location.
Situated within the 14th century city walls, the mediaeval exterior is complimented by a stunning contemporary design inside.
Facilities are unequalled in the Three Sisters and for luxury and comfort in Tallin, this is the place to be.
This imposing building formed the basis for the Greta Garbo film, Grand Hotel. It gained more notoriety when Michael Jackson dangled his baby from one of the windows but for pure luxury, there is no better in Berlin.
Berlin is back on the tourist map and hotels such as the Adlon are the reason why people love coming here. Rooms are simply stunning and the amenities second to none. Location is also important in any hotel and the Adlon is close to some of Berlin`s best attractions including the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate.
You can feel the exclusivity of this hotel as soon as you approach thanks in the main to its situation in a quiet, private square along the Amstel River.
This is a delightful, yet supremely luxurious hotel that is proud of its widely acclaimed facilities. It is worth noting that the main restaurant here, La Rive is one of a very exclusive club of starred Michelin restaurants in the city.
If you are lucky enough to stay in any of these fantastic hotels then you are guaranteed a trip that will stay in your memory for a lifetime. All of the cities are easily accessible with good air, rail and road links and are waiting to offer you an experience you will never forget.
Joanne Wallis is Head of Online Marketing at Ferry from Hull.
There used to be a time in Costa Rica when vacation rentals were just a way to save money by families or friends traveling together, and packing in as many people as possible into a house. But not any more! In the last 8 years, there has been an explosion of high end, luxury villas in Costa Rica that not only equal what the big luxury resorts offer, but also add one additional amenity that they cannot provide – privacy.
Whether having a family vacation, a wedding ceremony on the beach with a few close family members and friends, or just three or four couples traveling together, a private villa rental just makes more sense. For instance, the dining area is just for your use, the swimming pool is just for you, the living room, and all outside patio areas are private to you and your guests.
One of the best examples of a luxury villa in Costa Rica is the Casa Oceano Beachfront Villa within the 125 acre Tango Mar Beach Resort and Private Nature Reserve. This truly “on the beach” villa has 6 bedrooms, 5 of them oceanfront with cantilevered balconies, one garden bedroom, 3 whirlpool tubs, and an oceanfront infinity pool that is just 11 steps down the stairs to the warm, tropical, sandy beach. Casa Oceano (and other deluxe villas of this type) has a staff of 4 that includes daily maid service, pool and grounds maintenance, a concierge available 24 hours a day and, if a meal plan is preferred, a full time chef. Amenities include a professionally appointed kitchen with a commercial gas range / oven, LCD televisions in the living room and bedrooms with premium satellite channels, iPod docking stations, high speed wifi, A/C, quality linens, pool toys for the kids, and even boogie boards for the more adventurous beach lovers. Nothing is overlooked. Just imagine yourself walking into your own private residence that you have prepared for your enjoyment and a staff to cater to your needs!
Of course, when you are out of the “house” category and into the world of “villas”, prices are reflected accordingly, and in some cases, you will pay as much or more than staying at a comparable resort hotel. As an example, the Casa Fantastica Villa in Manuel Antonio overlooks the famed Maneul Antoino Park area and Pacific Ocean. This newly constructed, 10,000 square foot villa has 8 luxurious bedrooms, 3 whirlpool tubs, a hotel size infinity pool, a game room, a gym, and a cinema with seating for 30 guests. Villas of this type, and Casa Oceano, can range from $10,000 in the low season to $13,500 in the high season, to $30,000 or more for the premium Christmas and New Year weeks. But the demand is there, not only for the luxury, but for the exclusive privacy.
Even the once sleepy fishing villages of Playas Mal Pais and Santa Teresa, in a remote area of the Nicoya Peninsula, have been discovered by celebrities who come to stay in the newly constructed luxury villas to get away from it all. The surfers who once camped out on those beaches fifteen or twenty years ago, have now returned as doctors, lawyers and business owners to rent the private, luxury bungalows on one of the best surfing beaches in Costa Rica. Lot owners seeing this phenomenon about 7 years ago decided to build deluxe villas to cater to larger groups. The Hollywood celebrity market immediately picked up on the opportunity to vacation in a remote and secluded area where their privacy would not be so easily invaded. Celebrities who have stayed here include model Gisele Bundchen, Leonardo DiCaprio and Mel Gibson, who is now just completing a mountaintop estate overlooking the beaches, complete with a helicopter landing pad. Murray Barnett, the owner of the first, and most popular website in that area, confides, “I have often been asked to sign a privacy agreement to insure that I would not reveal the names of visiting celebrities. In addition, one of the advantages of this more remote and undeveloped area is that most villas are situated on 1 to 3 acre beachfront parcels, which provide even more exclusivity to dignitaries and stars.”
Yes, for a single couple traveling alone, a luxurious suite or private deluxe bungalow is still probably the best option. But, for families and groups vacationing together, the luxury villa market is the one area of the Costa Rican tourism business that has remained steady, even in this economy, as luxury villa guests continue to value not only the outstanding accommodations, but also privacy.
Almost 2 years ago now, I blogged about the most followed travel-related accounts on Twitter (here and here). Since then, Twitter has seen enormous growth of course so I thought it was about time that I updated the list. Back then, not one of the accounts had even got close to 1 million followers. Now almost half have surpassed that number. There’s also a greater dominance in the list by corporate accounts (in particular, from the airline industry). The number of followers are correct at the time of publishing.
If we’ve missed anyone off the list that should have made our top 10 most-followed in travel, then please let us know! United Airlines (@UnitedAirlines) just missed the cut with 170,770 followers.
Of course, followers aren’t everything. Now there are more advanced ways of measuring the amount of influence a particular Twitter account has, and probably the most popular of these is Klout. Taking the Klout score of each, we get the following (Twitter following ranking in brackets):
This blog (@luxury__travel) isn’t quite up there any longer as one of the most followed travel-related accounts on Twitter (76,470 followers) but it has a respectable score of 63 when it comes to Klout.
With all the new smart phones out that are almost constantly connected to the internet, looking for updates to apps, checking for email, or many other features that they have. This can end up costing you a fortune, so we have taken a look at the best options for you data hungry travellers.
T-Mobile
Surfing on your phone, in countries in the EU will cost you £1.50 per megabyte (MB) of data, the equivalent of about 15 of your holiday snaps being uploaded onto Facebook. This is if you are on holiday in Europe, whereas outside of the EU you can find yourself being charged £7.50 per MB of data, that’s 50p per uploaded photo.
Vodafone
Vodafone offer a much more confusing service allowing you to pay for data at £2 a day for 25MB in selected EU countries and 5MB in other countries in Europe. This would cost you about £14 if you’re going away for a week, or you can opt in to a contract add on for £10 a month where you get the same data usage a day. This is the best option as you can opt out of the service after just one month’s usage.
If you haven’t opted in for data traveller it will cost you £1 per MB up to 5MB, then £5 for every 5 MB’s used after that, if used in Europe. For everywhere else in the world it will cost you £3 a MB up to 5 MB and then £15 for every 5MB after that. Confusing.
3
Three are less permitting when you are abroad and perhaps want to check the scores of your football team on your mobile, costing between £1.28 and £10 per MB depending where you are and what “data band” you are under. Countries in the EU and selected other European countries come under band 1 costing £1.28 per MB.
Data Band 2 has countries such as Australia, USA, Cyprus and South Africa and will cost £3 per MB. Data Band 3 covers all the other countries apart from the last seven and costs £6 per MB. Data band 4 has the seven countries costing a whopping £10 per Mb, that’s a nugget for around 5 emails pushed to your phone, the seven countries on this extortionate blacklist of data charges are; India, Thailand, Canada, Croatia, Kenya, Malaysia and Oman.
Orange
Orange has chosen to hide the different band and rates at which they charge, but you can find out what they charge for the specific country you are visiting and is dependent on the cost plan you are on. What they also have in place, is a “data limit” of 16MB a month so that when you are travelling abroad, matter where you are in the EU you won’t come back to find £44 added to your bill for data usage. Seems like a nice touch, but since they make it hard to know, I’ll list a couple popular destinations and put their price with Orange.
Spain, France and various other EU countries – £3 per MB
South Africa, Australia, Seychelles and other Tropical Destinations outside of the EU – £8.
O2
The quite interesting data roaming rates from O2 are by far the easiest to understand, they charge £3.07 per MB in Europe and £6 per MB in the Rest of the world, but it’s not this that is the most interesting point. They have a £40 charge limit for the month, but once you reach that, they will stop charging you and you can use up to 50 MB. It is a lot of money, but if you are planning to use your phone a lot, then this option is by far the best as you will hit your £40 limit after around 13 MB of data usage, and this service means you will get the next 37MB of data effectively free of charge.
Conclusion
Data charges abroad are confusing, but aside from the frustratingly large charges for staying connected in a world where it is demanded of us, there are some deals that are worth taking. Vodafone’s “Data Traveller” is by far the best service, giving you a flat fee for the usage abroad, as long as you don’t go over the data limit for each day.
Bangkok. It’s a constantly evolving mystery to all who visit, and even to those who call it home. After the economic boom of the 90’s things seemed to be settling down, but still buildings are popping up everywhere, hotels are unveiled and countless bars and restaurants open and close on a regular basis.
For people new to the city, or just popping by on their way to Island utopias elsewhere in SE Asia, the instant confusion felt can be overwhelming, especially when finding somewhere to dine. Bangkok literally has thousands of fantastic eating establishments, but Bangkok also suffers greatly from that dreaded word: fusion.
Here are 5 non-fusion, ‘they are what they say they are’ eateries around Bangkok, and for added international flavour, I’ve picked 5 different cuisines too, so if the Thai spice is too much for you, have a look at this list.
Beccofino’s Executive Chef and co-owner Mr. Angelo Rotolli is reassuringly Italian, which comes as a bigger relief than you can fathom in Bangkok. All their food is produced fresh and from scratch and there’s not a single hint of any spices that shouldn’t be there. If you order risotto, it doesn’t somehow arrive spicy and the sauces are not tomato ketchup. It’s Mr. Rotolli’s pledge that nothing is made from any ingredients that can’t be found in Italy, which in no short measure helps their authenticity. They have a wood fired pizza oven which adds a delicious variety of pizza to the a la carte menu, and there’s an excellent compliment of wines available. If you’re in Bangkok and crave some Italian fare, avoid Thai-talian and head to Beccofino.
Gourmet Thai is a unique thing. If you’ve eaten Thai in top class restaurants outside Bangkok, you’ll have an idea what’s on offer here. It’s not traditional Thai, nor is it everyday fodder that your average local will eat, but by gosh it’s sublime. The gourmet style essentially means that the dishes are creamier, and less fiery than standard, authentic Thai food. This comes as a blessing to most visitors to Thailand whose palate isn’t prepared for the inferno levels of heat that go along with Thai food. The meat is all a-grade cuts and you’re even blessed with the choice of 5 different rice types. But simply put, the food here is exquisite and has a view to match. I wont lie, it’s quite pricey, but come here once and you’ll be ready to mortgage your house to come back. This is Thai dining refinery.
A sister restaurant to the original and first Tapas restaurant in Bangkok
(Tapas Café), Spanish on 4 has actually progressed to outshine its older relative. It’s more of an intimate dining experience than Tapas Café and feels more rustic and ‘Spanish’. With actual Spaniard overseeing the kitchen, you’re ensured the flavours come to you accurately without being lost in translation. There’s the deliciously clichéd Sangria on offer, as well as a bountiful selection of Spanish wines. It’s located on Bangkok’s pinkest Soi, but don’t let that deter you – the place is always packed by an eclectic mix or everyone and anyone who is anyone. Typically, with it being Tapas, it’s hard to put an average price on a meal, but however much you eat, the taste means it’s good value.
I tend to judge Korean restaurants by their Kin-Chi offerings and on that score Kongju boasts a staggering 50 varieties. Of course, the rest of the food is important, and at Kongju you can opt for the a la carte menu, some of the traditional Korean specialties (like PaJeon) or take on the traditional Korean style BBQ and cook at your table. Although, especially if you’re unused to dining this way, it can be fairly daunting, fear not as the waiting staff can help as much or as little as you require. If you do opt for BBQ option, you can choose from menu sets like prime rib-eye steak, Norwegian salmon, pork spare ribs and seafood. As you’re cooking yourself, you might wonder why bother with going out, but the beauty here is in the cuts and quality of the meats. You can fry them to your idea of perfection and it’s all complimented by delicious sides and Korean ambiance.
This is where the French eat. There can be no more of a proclamation on its authenticity than when you can only detect wafts of Francophile language in the air. In fact, the only thing that’s missing here to make you feel absolutely like you’re in Paris is the lack of bad attitude from the waiting staff! They are far too nice! The decoration, the language, the ambience are all secondary to the food though – simply window dressing if they can’t get the food right. Thankfully, they have. The food is tres magnifique, the oysters and lobster are delicious and typically the beef is cooked to perfection. The wine selection is also a joy, and pleasantly priced. Possibly the best French experience you can get east of the Alps.
With 450 national parks within India, for a first time visitor choosing the best place to relish in the natural heritage can seem like a daunting task. But ask anyone who has stepped even a foot in the country and they will send you straight to Ranthambore. Famous amongst residents and globe-trotters, Ranthambore is renowned for the tigers that reside in the park who make more frequent appearances than is usual for the typically lazy animal. Of course, the danger in visiting such an admired place is that, like all tourist hot-spots, the authenticity of the experience can easily be spoiled by getting packed onto the same tourist trail with every other visitor also trying to catch a glimpse of the beloved tiger, or worse, tripping up on the finer details like where to stay.
Luckily, there is a way to avoid getting stuffed into a double-decker bus with 30 other tourists (hire a jeep), or worse, finding yourself with Delhi belly mid-safari thanks to the hotel’s “continental” breakfast. The first place to start is the accommodation, and nowhere offers luxury camping while retaining the authentic charm of the jungle like Sher Bagh. Once the Maharaja of Johpur’s hunting lodge, Sher Bagh is an excellent step back into time with only 12 tents and communal dinners held around the campfire, and a great introduction to the riches of the park. Enquire with enough rigour and you might get to hear stories from the off-season when the site becomes an anti-poaching base. Adding to their ethical credentials, Sher Bagh holds a strong commitment to keeping their carbon footprint down by sourcing produce from their own organic farm. Enough to keep the eco-warriors and PETA fans happy.
Beyond the comforts of the camp, the riches of the park are the main attraction, and the tiger is not the only star. Home to panthers, leopards, crocodiles, wild boar and 400 species of birds to name but a few, the treasures of Ranthambore’s jungle are endless. If you aren’t lucky enough to see a tiger then catching a glimpse of the other inhabitants is equally captivating. Add to this the thrill of heading into the wilderness as the sun begins to rise over the hilltops, and you soon realise the real enchantment of Ranthambore is experiencing the wild landscape in its natural form.
What few people also know is that Ranthambore is the home to one of the oldest forts in India, and one of the few remaining that are still inhabited. Standing tall on the top of a hill looking over the entire park, the fort casts a magnificent site across the lush landscape. Inside, ancient temples, abandoned royal banquet halls and man-made swimming pools paint a grand picture of the days when maharajas resided.
Some of the nicer hotels in the park, such as the predictable Oberoi Vanyavilas or Taj Vivanta boast excellent restaurants and may prove a nice change of pace in the evenings. But with some of the most beautiful natural landscape and diverse variety of wildlife, you won’t need much more to enjoy yourself than the beautiful surroundings, some of the best that nature has to offer.
Anupam Dasgupta has been with the IHHR group for over 6 years in several roles and is now the General Manager at Ananda. Ananda, located in the foothills of the Himalayas, is a world-leading spa where a holistic approach is taken towards rejuvenation using the three ancient Indian philosphies of Yoga, Ayurveda and Vedanta. The award-winning retreat combines the best of Eastern and Western practices to leave a lasting impact with their guests, providing them with the tools to live happier and healthier lives. Ananda is located in the hamlet town of Narendra Nagar in the Himalayas, close to the spiritual town of Rishikesh and the holy town of Haridwar, where the river Ganges flow through and where a lot of these ancient Indian philosophies are said to have originated from. The surrounding scenery and nature is ideal for the holistic lifestyle approach of improving the well being of the body, mind and soul.
What is it that you do exactly?
I am paid to basically have a good time! On a serious note, as the General Manager of the property, I am responsible for looking after the day-to-day operations at Ananda. The way I see it, my responsibilities fall into three categories: looking after my guests, looking after the team and maintaining the property. I am also responsible for marketing and sales alongside two of my colleagues who operate from our head office in Delhi. We work in conjunction together as we are still a relatively small young company.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I would have to say the most enjoyable part of my job is interacting with all the guests that visit us here, especially as the wellness market is still such a niche business. Also as you can see not all of our guests are here for wellness so we have a very interesting mix of guests that come here looking for different things from their visit. I have often found myself forming lifelong friendships with many of our guests. We have guests visit us from all parts of the world, usually coming for 7, 14 or 21 nights. They are looking to take more away from Ananda than just memories & photographs. We actually help people change their lifestyles, leaving a lasting impact on their lives and that’s why I feel really good about what me and the team do here each day.
What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?
What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?
Funnily enough, I would have to say that this was in Goa on the beach at a small beach shack. It was my wedding anniversary and the hotel had organized a secluded romantic candlelit dinner on the beach for my wife and I. They had booked the entire shack for us and we were given the choice of all the seafood that had been caught that day and had it cooked deliciously.
Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?
Through my work, yes. We get our fair share of celebrities at Ananda from all across the globe here as people can come and relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of normal life, without being hounded. There are some guests who request not to be mentioned so I won’t mention them but there are some that don’t mind once they’ve finished their visit. A few that come to mind are Uma Thurman, Hilary Swank, Heidi Klum, Seal, Melinda Gates, Amir Khan, Rekha and Karishma Kapoor.
What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?
It would have to be Africa for a wildlife safari and Spain to taste all the good food that they have there!
Thank you for taking part, Anupam. We wish you all the best in your role at Ananda.
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Walking into the Pebble Beach Food and Wine Festival in the spring of 2010, something occurred to me. Why had it taken so long for someone—anyone—to come up with the idea for this annual event? I mean honestly, Pebble Beach is luxury incarnate — hulking mansions fronting some of the most beautiful coastline in the world, super luxe shopping, and, of course, a legendary golf course that has hosted the U.S. Open ten times. This is the playground of the rich and famous, princes and kings, captains of industry and celebrity superstars. An over-the-top gourmet fest showcasing the elite of the international restaurant biz and masters of the grape is a no-brainer. This is decadence at its very best.
Celebrated wildlife portrait pro 
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Bangkok. It’s a constantly evolving mystery to all who visit, and even to those who call it home. After the economic boom of the 90’s things seemed to be settling down, but still buildings are popping up everywhere, hotels are unveiled and countless bars and restaurants open and close on a regular basis.
With 450 national parks within India, for a first time visitor choosing the best place to relish in the natural heritage can seem like a daunting task. But ask anyone who has stepped even a foot in the country and they will send you straight to 
Anupam Dasgupta has been with the