Post Ranch. The very name conjures up images of a thoroughly rustic setting, with cowboys galloping along barbed-wire fences and farmhands whiling away the evening on wooden rockers. And while the internationally renowned inn sitting high atop the cliffs in Big Sur is certainly imbued with a rural aura indicative of a California long since vanished, in fact the property is perennially lauded across the globe for its serene luxury, comfortable elegance, stellar dining scene, and, of course, unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean.
The story began in the mid-19th Century, when the Post family, counted among Big Sur’s first pioneering clans, put down roots 27 miles south of Monterey along the future Highway One and built a homestead and working ranch which came to encompass some 1,500 acres. Through the generations, the fortunes of the Post family rose and fell, and by the 1980s, with ranching in decline and a new environmentalism taking shape across the country, the idea for a cliffside lodging was proposed by a family friend, the deal sealed with a shot of whiskey.
It was the wish of the Post family that the inn should honor the integrity of the land, and as such the property exists in an integral, symbiotic relationship with the surrounding acreage. Rooms on the coast side are cantilevered off the cliff; mountainside houses curve and conform around soaring old-growth trees. Reclaimed wood, glass, and stone are found in every nook and cranny of the site, paying homage to the hearty spirit of westward expansion and the taming of a wild land.
Of course, as important as sustainability and a solemn respect for Mother Nature are, this is still luxury at its most extreme. A tree house-like spa offers creature comforts like nowhere else, from massage and body treatments to holistic practices and activities. Cliffside pools beckon guests to linger longer, private yoga instructors are at one’s disposal, nature experts lead hikes throughout the forest and beach paths of Big Sur, and relaxation guides offer up daily meditation routines and Tai Chi classes.
The rooms are nothing short of extraordinary, each touting king-size beds, spas, private decks with stunning views, and all the other amenities one would expect from the standout property, part of Preferred Boutique Hotels. The unmatched sanctuary feel of the rooms are matched by inn’s lone restaurant, Sierra Mar, where acclaimed foodie Chef Craig von Foerster whips up inspired cuisine culled from the property’s own garden and local sources. The menu of four-course, prix-fixe meals changes daily in order to ensure the very best of the season’s offerings. Paired with a bottle from the restaurant’s award-winning cellar, this is luxe living at its very best.
I’m curious what the patriarch of the Post family would think of what’s become of his pioneering endeavor—the horses gone, the mythical cowboy retired, the fields that once fed cattle now supporting spa treatments and solace-seeking visitors. But the wildness remains, not kept in check but embraced and nurtured. And the ranch still stands, in all its untamed yet beautiful glory.
American Independence Day is one of the most universally celebrated events in America where the people get together and celebrate the 1776 Declaration of Independence from the British Empire. You can find yourself in many different places all over the country so here is a list of the top 5 places around the country to celebrate this event.
1. Washington D.C
Starting at 11:45 the Nations Capital offers a variety of excitement throughout the Glorious Fourth starting off with a parade on Constitution Avenue and continuing through with bands, drum corps, floats, military unity, giant balloons, VIP’s and celebrity participants with the organisers attempting to represent each of the 50 states in the constitution. You will be celebrating with hundreds of thousands of patriotic Americans. The celebrations continue into the evening with the National Symphony Orchestra and the countries largest firework display. An unforgettably light hearted and well spirited event.
2. Manhattan Island–New York
Whilst many residents of the bustling Manhattan Island tend to make their way to the beach to spend the usually hot beginning of July in the sun, but to do so you’d miss some of the most interesting events with the 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest hosted at Nathans on Coney Island followed by Macys Firework Display in the evening. There are a variety of dinner cruises available to get a great view of the fireworks from the Hudson River then you can finish the night off with the Battery 4th of July Concert and Family festival in Battery Park.
3. San Diego – California
A hot July 4th in California will insight thousands of people to spend their national holiday on one of the many San Diego County beaches. The San Diego beaches are the only ones in California where alcohol is allowed on the beach, so many like minded people flock to the shores to enjoy the beautiful weather, the day off work and the fireworks sent out over Pacific Beach visible from any one of the beaches. A great party atmosphere and is the place to be if that’s what you’re looking for.
4. New Orleans – Louisiana
If one place in the USA needs the support of a celebratory public, it’s New Orleans, but through the horrible luck they’ve had, they still see the brighter side that they have their health and do so by conducting one of the most heartfelt parades and fireworks displays in the country. Go 4th on the River is the primary celebration on the banks of the Mississippi river with plenty of food, music and fireworks.
5. Boston – Massachusetts
Hosting more than 200 events over 6 days surrounding the 4th of July starting on the first the celebrations in Boston are extremely patriotic, celebrating the city’s maritime and colonial heritage. The key place to be then is down on the waterfront, in and around the Harbour Islands and in Downtown where you can expect to see a whole host of celebrations commemorating the country’s independence in 1776. Live music, eating contests, barbeques, cruises and parades are what you can expect to participate in on these holidays.
Wherever you choose to celebrate the 4th of July you can be sure that you will have a great time in the friendly and patriotic atmosphere and a no less than spectacular event that everyone should experience once in their lifetime.
Peter Richards is a Digital Marketing Manager at Tropical Sky.
Emyr Thomas is the Founder and Director of Bon Vivant, a concierge and lifestyle management service based in London with global coverage. Bon Vivant is aimed at people with insufficient time to manage their lives who want to regain control of their time, access an insider’s knowledge and expertise, and enjoy exclusive treatment andcomplimentary benefits. Bon Vivant distinguishes itself from other concierge services by making personal service its priority, giving everyone their own personal concierge as standard, and by offering their services at an affordable price.
What is it that you do exactly?
Bon Vivant is a concierge and lifestyle management service, which means that we arrange and manage the lifestyle and leisure needs of our members. A large part of what we do is creating bespoke travel itineraries and recommending and booking holidays and hotels all over the world.
Another large focus is arranging the daily lives of our members such as recommending and booking restaurants, arranging parties and events, arranging entry to exclusive clubs, sourcing tickets for the theatre, concert and VIP events, arranging flowers to be delivered and much more!
Our members have access to exclusive treatment and complimentary benefits, including hotel upgrades and discounts, priority booking and complimentary Champagne at several London restaurant hotspots and discounts at a large range of lifestyle services including hair salons, spas, florists etc.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I have always had a passion for travel, dining and trying out new places so it’s great to be able to do something that I am wholly passionate about as a job. I love that each day is a little different because everything depends on what our members want, which can be extremely varied.
I try to get out a few times a week to meet the managers of new venues and keep in touch with existing contacts and it’s great to be at the forefront of hearing about and trying out new venues so that we can advise our members in the best way. The exclusive party invites are always a plus too!
What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?
My favourite place in the world is St Bart’s in the Caribbean as it’s just idyllic – the turquoise sea, the white sand and the glorious weather. The island is so intimate and it’s the perfect blend of barefoot luxury with a splash of glamour! My favourite hotel there is Eden Rock as it encapsulates all that I love about the island.
Being based in London means we have the whole of Europe within easy reach and I love going to Paris for the weekend. It’s great to visit a different hotel each time as Paris has so much to offer – I’m staying at the Plaza Athenee soon, which I’m sure will be a highlight of the trip.
The best service I have ever experienced was in the Hotel Bel Airin Los Angeles; the staff were incredibly attentive and the service was discreet and seamless. The hotel is in a beautiful setting with a great pool and it’s a lovely antidote to the frenzy of LA!
What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?
One of the most memorable experiences was in The White Caves restaurant at the Kirini hotel in Santorini. Our table was inside a white cave with gorgeous views of the caldera, which was truly spectacular. Dinner was paired with a selection of Santorini wines, which made the experience even more memorable. Another notable highlight was the truffled fries by the pool at the Bel Air hotel.
Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?
As a luxury concierge service, we often have requests from high profile clients, therefore we are very discreet and respect our members’ right to their privacy.
What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?
I would love to see more of Italy, especially the Amalfi Coast, but further afield, a trip to Argentina would be fantastic, especially if it involved wine tasting in Mendoza. Oh, and a trip to St Bart’s is always welcome!
It’s been great hearing about what you do at Bon Vivant, Emyr, as well as hearing some of your wonderful travel experiences. Thanks for taking part.
With a private chef to prepare gourmet meals, a host serve drinks by the pool and an experienced nanny to look after the children, Villa Alfabia in Mallorca is the newest addition to luxury villa specialist, Scott Dunn’s collection.
Originally built as a traditional Mallorcan farm and set in five acres of land, even with it’s own sheep and chickens, the villa offers with views over the Tramuntana mountain range just 60 minutes from Palma airport.
Alfabia sleeps up to 8 people and is ideal for two families holidaying together or grandparents travelling with their grandkids as the acommodation is spread over two buildings, plus a restored barn with it’s own children’s playroom.
Prices start from from £7,145 per week based on four adults and four children travelling staying in Villa Alfabia on a fully-catered basis (all meals, five and a half days per week), the services of a Scott Dunn chef, villa host and nanny. Price excludes flights and transfers. Available from 29th June – 7th September 2011.
Zermatt is a top destination for gnarly Alpine types, especially at this time of year, when the ski touring season is well under way and men in lycra are to be seen, striding down the cobbled streets, skis strapped on backpacks, festooned with ropes and tinkling karabiners (to counterpoint the goat bells), sun tanned, smiling, and wielding ice axes.
As summer gets under way, and the ice bridges melt on the glaciers, the hairy, muscled eye candy disappear to be replaced by a more genteel and leisurely tourist, clad in Jet Set rather than Arcteryx, but none the less intrepid.
There are 38 peaks over 4000m high around Zermatt, and the Matterhorn is not even the tallest. To climb any of them requires a level of fitness higher than the usual entry level to a gym in South Kensington, yet Zermatt’s summer tourists are ready for anything.
What attracts them is the luxury. Who says staying in a sleeping bag in a bunk with 20 other sweaty people in a mountain hut is a prerequisite for a good climb? Why not stay in a fabulous chalet, with breathtaking views of the very mountain you will conquer the next day? Why not get up early, have your breakfast served by your attentive butler, have your mountain guide meet you whilst you are still wiping homemade marmalade off your chin?…and once you have conquered the Breithorn (4,164m tough snow tour on skis), Castor (4,223m very tough snow tour with crampons and axes) or Pollux (4,092m super challenging mixed rock and ice climb), relax in your Jacuzzi with a glass of champagne, then have a massage in the chalet spa. Next day, to stop those muscles from seizing up totally, take a gentle stroll up to Findeln and lunch at Chez Vrony, relaxing on the sun terrace with a good bottle of Swiss wine. You deserve it.
So, 5 reasons why we love luxury Zermatt in the summer:
1. Slow pace of life. Walk, stop, look. You may have an itinerary today, but Zermatt is so laid out (a mixture of nature and nurture to be sure) that wherever you are, you can change your mind. Walk further, take the lifts up or back down, linger over lunch, stop to look at the rare mountain flowers, watch the baby marmottes playing, picnic in the sun by a fresh water lake. The Zermatt Gemeinde (town council) has succeeded amazingly well in achieving a perfect balance of wild nature and organized access to that nature. I don’t know of anywhere else that manages to balance that feeling when you are on your own half way up a steep mountain, with the reassurance of wooden, hand painted signposts, information boards that blend into the background whilst being genuinely informative, and thorough, helpful printed information. Relax; you are in good hands.
2. No cars. It is incredible. The quiet, the clean air, less bustle all contribute to a genuinely relaxing stay. After only a few days, if you so much as spot a vehicle with an internal combustion engine (the doctor has a little Fiat; there is an ambulance) you will be clutching at your throat, panting for breath, trying to avoid inhaling the incredible pollutants belching out from that invasive exhaust system. You can hear the birds and the church bells. What’s a traffic jam? There are electric taxis if you need to get from one end of town to the other in a hurry, but why not walk? You have the time.
3. Smiles. Swiss people smile at you. Whether it is because of the outrageous price of the souvenir you have just bought, or more likely because the high cost of goods supports a generous minimum wage which enables every Swiss worker to live to a decent standard of living. Swiss are level headed, practical and honest, which seems to give them a serene appearance and a secret inner wisdom, effortlessly achieving that all important peace of mind we are all striving for. Smile: the scenery is beautiful, the weather is nearly always good, and we have our own currency.
4. Great, gourmet, relaxed, fun restaurants serving local produce: Chez Heini, Blatten, Zum See, Les Marmottes, Findlerhoff, Le Mazot, Flualp, da Giuseppe…some are on the mountain, some are in the town; all are superb! Lunch or dinner, you will always find good food in great settings.
5. Sheep, goats and cows. Perhaps this last reason falls into all of the above categories. Livestock roams free on the mountains, creating meandering paths, and sustaining a way of country life lost to a lot of the rest of the world. Goats are led through the town each day from the fields to be milked, without having to avoid a lot of traffic. Lambs of the black faced and crimped white hair variety are so cute as to put a smile on your face. And the main reason for all these animals is that they produce great food: milk, cheese and meat, and they couldn’t be more local.
So forget watches, cuckoo clocks and chocolate (well, maybe chocolate is number 6!). Zermatt is a place to relax, indulge, distress and be yourself.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have finally set off on their honeymoon and headed for the Seychelles, a chain of islands in the Indian Ocean. The couple reportedly landed at the international airport on Mahe at 7:20 am local time before going to an undisclosed island. This has been confirmed by a spokeswoman for the Seychelles’ Tourist Board. Palace officials are remaining tight-lipped on any speculation but one distinct possibility could be that they’ve returned to Desroches Island where they holidayed in 2007.
The Seychelles is no stranger to high profile honeymoons. Actress Salma Hayek and husband Francois-Henri Pinault honeymooned at North Island in 2009. Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, Paul McCartney and Heather Mills and Liz Hurley and Arun Nayer all spent their honeymoons on the private Frégate Island.
Great news just in! Despite listing more than 45,000 properties in 116 countries, the Holiday Lettings Hall of Fame 2011 listed our very own luxury holiday apartment as its overall winner! Needless to say, my wife and I are rather pleased that all our hard work appears to be paying off. For those that don’t know, Holiday Lettings is owned by Tripadvisor so it’s a big company and a well known brand in its own right. Click on the first link above to see the full list of winners (we also won the Apartments category) or click on the second link to read more about our accommodation which is situated between England’s Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.
Watch Virgin Australia’s new television commercial which features industry experts Juli Grbac, responsible for the Virgin Australia uniforms and Hans Hulsbosch, who created the new airline’s logo and plane design.
Amidst the 21st Century Mediterannean hub of Tel Aviv, you’ll find The Varsano, one of Israel’s few, truly boutique hotels. Located in the charming neighbourhood of Neve Tzedek, The Varsano provides ultimate relaxation from the hedonist beach and nightlife just moments away.
Offering unrivalled comfort and a 24 hour personal assistant service, each of the self-catering suites is fully-equipped with the latest mod-cons and air conditioning. The Varsano surrounds a 120 year old, secluded courtyard where breakfast is served daily. Room service is also available from French gourmet restaurant Dallal situated next door.
Luxury handmade gift shops, chic cafes and residences of architectural interest line the quaint, narrow streets of Neve Tzedek, home once again to Israel’s burgeoning creative scene. The Old City of Jaffa and the Carmel food market close by are definitely worth a visit.
A new museum spotlighting the work of the famous French Art Nouveau jewelry and ornament designer Rene Lalique will open in Alsace next month. The museum has been built in the heart of the Northern Vosges Nature reserve, in the village where Rene Lalique set up his factory just after the first World War.
Reissues of some of Lalique’s older works and contemporary designs are still produced in the company’s factory at Wingen-sur-Moder and the museum is close by, on the site of an old glassmaking works which operated in the 18th and 19th centuries.
René Lalique (1860 – 1945) was one of the foremost creators of Art Noveau and Art Deco glass and crystal and was influenced by the Arts & Crafts Movement whilst studying in England. He is also widely regarded as the founder of modern jewellery.
In addition to displaying the many facets of Rene Lalique’s work up to his death in 1945, Lalique crystal, which his family concentrated on after his death, will also be given prominence in the museum and homage will be paid to the Alsace glassmakers who perpetuate the expertise.
John Dixon is the co-founder, Chairman and Managing Director of independent tour operator Prestige Holidays and has worked in luxury travel for over 40 years. Prestige Holidays is celebrating its 22nd year in the luxury travel market and is known for its quality holidays, excellent personal service and strong attention to detail. The company features four and five star hotels in Southern Spain, Mallorca, five of the Canary Islands, Cyprus, the Algarve, Madeira, Morocco, Malta and Gozo and in the summer Turkey, The Italian Lakes, Sardinia and Crete. It is also the leading tour operator to Bermuda and offer a comprehensive programme to Canada. Prestige’s ”Closer to Home” brochure features the Isles of Scilly, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm.
What is it that you do exactly?
No two days are ever the same. One day I can be up to my eyes in brochure copy, another I could be number crunching or meeting the Director of a tourist office. I guess that is one of the big attractions of the job! I also need to spend time thinking ahead about how I should develop the company and where our next investment should be directed. I cannot allow the company to stand still.
In fact, we have just launched a new 64 page Croatia brochure so that has taken up a lot of my time over the first quarter of this year and it is a relief and a delight to have the brochure now on the shelves of travel agencies and in the hands of clients and potential clients. The response to it has been fantastic in terms of agents, bookings and in the media exposure it has received.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I love the variety of my job, the travel of course and also the people I work with. We have moulded a great group of people in Prestige Holidays and working with them is a real pleasure.
What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?
One of my favourite places is my friend’s beautiful log cabin that is lost in the woods on an obscure lake in the wilds of Nova Scotia. It’s the perfect place to relax, unwind and enjoy the peace. It’s also a great place to go walking and see the wildlife.
Bermuda is one of my favourite destinations and I try to get there at least twice a year with my wife. One of my favourite hotels is luxurious cottage colony, Cambridge Beaches. Set on a 30 acre peninsula and offering stunning ocean views, five great beaches and three fabulous restaurants it’s the perfect romantic getaway.
Last but certainly not least is the Phinda Game Reserve in northern KwaZuluNatal. The Vlei Lodge has just a handful of very private beautifully presented suites, service of the highest level and the Game Reserve has some of the best game viewing I have ever experienced in all our visits to South Africa. Just heaven on Earth.
What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?
It has to be dining at sunset on the beach in Bermuda at Cambridge Beaches. Soaking up the stunning views on Long Bay over a glass still sea and enjoying freshly caught fish with my ideal dining companion, my wife of 31 years, Cheri. Yes I’m a romantic and long live romance I say!
Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?
A long time ago I managed a travel agency in London near the BBC in Shepherds Bush. My client list was very impressive including many famous Russian conductors and soloists, actors, writers and jazz musicians. One of my most regular clients was an up and coming actress who appeared on television almost every week and, horror of horrors, I could never remember her name!
And then there was the time I stayed in Antigua in an hotel where Michael Caine and David Warner were staying whilst making a film. The hotel was very quiet so it was almost impossible not to bump into them. In fact I felt very sorry for them because they seemed to spend a lot of time waiting for an improvement in the weather!
Prestige Holidays has many famous clients in different walks of life including politicians, sportsmen and business leaders but we are totally discreet and never name drop.
What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?
I’ve been fortunate enough to have visited lots of places in the world but there are still many I’d like to discover. I want to see more of Southern Africa. Canada fascinates me too, it seems to offer every kind of experience imaginable. Other travel goals are to see real flamenco in Southern Spain, spend more time with friends in Switzerland and enjoy cosy pub dinners for two in Scotland. And then I have not yet been to South America…!
Thank you for being our latest interviewee, John… the anonymity of the up-and-coming actress makes me wonder if you still can’t remember her name!
Sienna Charles was founded and recently launched by Jaclyn Sienna India, an avid traveler and licensed travel agent, who wants to revolutionise people’s outlook on travel. This luxury travel agency and lifestyle advisory company doesn’t only focus on the comforts of a palatial hotel, the relaxing treatments at a spa, or the pleasurable flavors of haute cuisine. Those are all certainly included in the company’s offerings, but most importantly, there is a great emphasis on experiential travel – journeys that are unique and life changing.
The company is young just like its founder and President, which brings a fresh take on travel and the travel process. First of all, Sienna Charles tries to keep everything as personalized as possible. One can expect reliable interactions with a travel curator, bespoke itineraries including a first class flight and a client’s preferred hotels, restaurants, and activities, and even a bon voyage package that includes a digital itinerary and an exclusive soundtrack created based on a traveler’s tastes and destination to name a few surprises.
Jaclyn realizes that in recent years, people have been yearning more and more for meaningful travel experiences, to witness and immerse themselves in the culture and essence of every destination they find themselves. With this in mind, Sienna Charles offers a Curated Experiences section, which showcases themed experiences, all of which are unique and available in unexpected places, reinvented every month. They also have a Customized Itinerary department that tailors itineraries to each client’s specifications, from the hotel vibe, to fun activities like cruising on the Amazon or visiting wineries in Chile. For the ultimate taste of luxury, there is Exclusive Membership, which allows registered clients access to Sienna Charles’ exclusive network of world-class partners and services, with perks, and exemplary service with accessibility from abroad and at home for all travel and lifestyle needs.
Finally, one can go to the website and read daily-updated articles based on Jaclyn’s travel encounters and recommendations, all selected and endorsed because of their high standards and distinctive offerings. And now, after being selected to be one of Virgin Galactic’s Accredited Space Agents, Jaclyn can offer clients the future of travel, and expeditions previously deemed unreachable can now be realized through Sienna Charles. Thus, from luxury tents in Africa to a suborbital flight beyond the earth’s atmosphere, Sienna Charles brings people closer to experiences more extraordinary than they can create themselves.
Over the last four years, we’ve gradually become accustomed to the wonders of Google Street View and the insights it has given us. You might already be familiar with the fact that Street View isn’t just limited to… well… streets. The same technology has also been used inside the football grounds that were used for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, as well as on historic landmarks in Italy such as the Colosseum and Pompeii.
Now it sounds like Google are about to take it to the next level and is asking businesses to volunteer to have their interiors photographed using the same technology. Watch this space… I’m sure it won’t be long before you’ll be able to virtually walk around a luxury hotel courtesy of Google Street View. Maybe even a restaurant or two. Meanwhile learn more by watching the video below.
Of all the sights one might uncover on an African safari, for me, perhaps the most haunting and memorable is an encounter with a Ugandan Mountain Gorilla.
Few experiences can compare to the sheer wonder and humbling awe of witnessing these creatures in the wild. It was the famous American naturalist George Schaller who said that, ‘No one who looks into a gorilla’s eyes – intelligent, gentle, vulnerable – can remain unchanged, for the gap between ape and human vanishes, we know that the gorilla still lives within us’.
Indeed Schaller articulates the revelation quite beautifully and tellingly; observing lions, elephants, leopards and rhinos is an undeniably exhilarating and privileging event, but there is something more, something almost ethereal that clouds these elusive beasts. It is this otherworldly sense that resounds so achingly when the moment arrives that you come face to face with a distant relative at once so alien and yet so familiar. With less than 800 Mountain Gorillas remaining in the wild scattered across small regions of Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC the impetus to see these animals, learn from them and in doing so understand their plight has never been greater. The main threats to the species arise from loss of habitat for human settlement or farmland and poaching or abduction for research, private housing or for zoos.
Uganda is itself a country in transition. Although the first association you might make with the nation is the infamous figure of Idi Amin, a character whose charisma and brutality were served in equal measure, today Uganda is a forward thinking and progressive community. The capital city of Kampala is in fact one of the safest cities in Africa and although common sense should always prevail, tourists can freely peruse the markets and urban walkways with little bother.
The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of the country’s most renowned gorilla habitats and a must see for anyone planning a trip to Uganda. Nestled south of the grand Rwenzori Mountains near the DRC border the park comprises 331 sq km of dense jungle and forest (hence the name) and provides a home not only for almost half of the world’s Mountain Gorilla population but an incredible variety of other mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. Of the family communities that exist within the forest four are available for tracking and groups of no larger than eight people are permitted per day into the forest to limit the impact of tourism on the fragile ecosystem.
Even further south in an exposed peninsula of land bordered by the DRC and Rwanada, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s second primate haven and although a tenth of the size of Bwindi, boasts a spectacular catalogue of species, of course including the resplendent Mountain Gorilla. The spectacular geography of the region is dominated by three extinct volcanic cones which rise up impressively from the plains and it is these partly forested slopes that provide an ideal habitat for the Mountain Gorilla. Only one family of gorillas in the park is habituated although this is a relatively large group of 9 animals including 2 impressive silverbacks.
Gorilla tracking can be an intensive but unbelievably rewarding exercise. Although there is a very good chance of seeing the animals, like any safari experience there can be no guarantees and a successful trip will require all of the skill and knowledge of your guides with a little bit of luck thrown. For the chance to witness one of the world’s most iconic creatures, a gorilla tracking tour can offer a truly unforgettable and unique experience.
Greg Fox is a Director at luxury travel specialists Mahlatini.
Cannes, one of Europe’s most sought out locations, is a seaside town well known for the glamour and appeal that accompanies its Cannes Film Festival. This is an event which attracts a host of stars from the best film industries the world over. In keeping with its image as an exclusive city that caters to the rich and famous, Cannes boasts high-end casinos, restaurants and clubs. If you want to spend some time in the lap of luxury, choose from some of the most incredible luxury villa rentals in Cannes.
Interestingly, the city also has a lot to offer to those who come to its shores on a budget. If you enjoy immersing yourself in the beautiful architecture of foreign cities, walking down cobbled paths or observing people while seated at a rustic table on the side streets, Cannes is the place for you. With many places to see and many activities to take part in, you will not have a dull moment in Cannes.
Places to see
The Old Town in Cannes has a series of winding streets lined with souvenir shop and restaurants. If you want to spend a quiet evening in the Old Town, take a trip to the castle ruins from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city. Spend a few hours at Marche Forville, the Covered Market, where you can have a spectacular dining experience in some great restaurants while sipping on a glass of exotic French wine.
You should also visit Rue Meynardier, a street well known for its gourmand delights. If you are visiting Cannes during its prestigious Film Festival, be sure to visit the Palais des Festivals. This is the famous venue where stars from all over the world come together for film screenings.
Things to do
In Cannes, chartering a yacht and setting sail can be an extremely rewarding experience. The pristine waters and sweeping winds that accompany you during the trip are sure to make you want to go back for more. If you are looking for an exclusive experience, choose from the various options for luxury yacht charters and look for accommodation through luxury villa rentals in Cannes. You can also opt for the cruises and trips offered to St. Tropez, Illes de Porquerolles, Monaco and many other places.
Andy Butler is the Online Marketing Manager at Burger Davis, a luxury vacation rental company in the South of France.
Hotel-hopping for a living has the tendency to reduce travelling to a hazy blur of feathery pillows and eiderdown throws. After all, comfort and luxury are hard to attain when you are forced to live out of a pint-sized suitcase and adhere to a lengthy itinerary looming over you like an overbearing wife. However, if there is one hotel that can convince even the busiest businessman to put down his blackberry and briefcase it’s The Chedi.
Nestled in Oman’s cosmopolitan capital Muscat, between the soaring Hajar Mountains and the beautiful Arabian Gulf, The Chedi offers a deluxe desert stay and is truly the cream of the crop when it comes to Middle-Eastern luxury. A compendium of style and sophistication from the pink-hued terracotta stone to the white-wash walls, the reflective water garden and the shady palm trees, elegance and opulence can be felt at every twist and turn of this five-star holiday haven.
For worked-up workaholics, carefree couples or even slave-driving sultan’s, The Chedi’s Arabic design and exotic charm is bound to leave you feeling more than a little Zen. Throughout the hotel’s 156 rooms and suites, traditional Omani decor blends with Arabic, Japanese and European infusions to form tasteful and stylish design. Splashes of vibrant colour shimmer to highlight the suites sumptuous amenities. And, with a king or queen sized bed, a BOSE sound system, a flat screen TV with satellite channels, two iPods with dock connectors, an in room bar and mini bar, a nespresso machine, complimentary wireless internet, complimentary laundry and an opulent open-plan bathroom fitted with rainforest shower, they need little highlighting.
If your room’s private and exclusive view overlooking the majestic Hajar Mountains or glorious Gulf of Oman is not sufficient to fill your relaxation quota then the hotel’s abundant facilities definitely will. With a library, boutique, fine arts gallery and a luxurious spa equipped with 7 refined treatment rooms (including 4 suites with sunken baths), The Chedi makes it hard not to simply hideaway in your hotel.
For sloth-like sunbathing and sedentary swimming, plunge into the warm waters of the hotel’s two private pools. Or for those who prefer the beach, The Chedi boasts an exclusive location upon the beautiful Boushar beach- its own private stretch of golden sands.
Dine in style at The Chedi’s award winning restaurant. With four open kitchens dotted throughout the lavish dining room, flavoursome Mediterranean, Asian and Arabic gastronomy will tickle your tastebuds with culinary delights. Coming to life the hotel sparkles with candles, underwater lights and earthenware fire bowls at night; a sensational setting to finish your evening with a leisurely stroll beneath the starry Middle-Eastern sky.
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Post Ranch. The very name conjures up images of a thoroughly rustic setting, with cowboys galloping along barbed-wire fences and farmhands whiling away the evening on wooden rockers. And while the internationally renowned inn sitting high atop the cliffs in Big Sur is certainly imbued with a rural aura indicative of a California long since vanished, in fact the property is perennially lauded across the globe for its serene luxury, comfortable elegance, stellar dining scene, and, of course, unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean.
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