A Luxury Travel Blog

Air travel needn’t be boring any longer! Changi Airport is now home to Singapore’s tallest slide. The 12-metre tall slide can be found at Terminal 3 and riders can look forward to a top speed of 6 metres per second!

Siam Park is Tenerife’s latest attraction.  From the same people behind the highly successful Loro Parque on the north of the island, it is a spectacular waterpark that was opened in September 2008 and that can be found on the south of the island, just outside Costa Adeje.  Siam Park has a large artifical beach with the biggest artifical waves in the world, and rides for all young and old alike, making it suitable for families and friends with any age children in tow.

After a quick tour of the resort which enabled us to get our bearings and to get some sense of scale of the place (it’s big!), we sorted outselves out with a locker and started off with the relatively tame but relaxing Mai Thai River ride where we drifted along the ‘river’ in inflatables, meandering past rapids and waterfalls before taking a tunnel beneath an aquarium and admiring the fish (most notably, sharks!) above.

Next up was ‘The Lost City’ – a huge hit with the little ones who don’t reach the height requirements for some of the park’s rides or who are simply too scared by some of them.  There is loads for them to enjoy here, be it squirting passers-by with water guns, exploring the labyrinth of bridges and nets, tipping buckets of water on people, going down the numerous slides or bracing themselves for the periodic deluge from an enormous ‘bucket’ of water from above (pictured).

One of the favourite rides for visitors to Siam Park is The Dragon where a speedy raft of a group of four shoots down a tube and is propelled high up before spinning around a cone, by a roaring dragon.  And if that doesn’t spin you enough, The Giant guarantees an anticlockwise spinning splash before racing down from the starting point, the head of the giant.  Plus there’s the Jungle Snakes, a series of twisting slides, each slightly different.

But perhaps the highlight is the Tower of Power.  People that brave it slide solo down an almost 90-degree chute with a 28-metre drop in around just 4 seconds.  Oh, and just in case that alone doesn’t sound extreme enough, you also whizz through a shark-infested pool when you get to the bottom – but don’t worry, that bit isn’t quite as dramatic as it might sound as you’re encased in a tube so they can’t get you.

I was in two minds about this one but our two boys wanted to see Daddy do it so I didn’t see chickening out as an option.  I climbed the steps to the top; as it turned out, later in the day seemed to be a good time to do the ride, as the queue had dissipated.  Only a few people stood before me, covered head to toe in tattoos and yet cowering at the prospect of going on the ride… this did not bode well!  Thankfully, I didn’t have too long to dwell on that thought and, before I knew it, it was my turn.  And what an experience it was!  I can’t claim to have seen the sharks as I ‘whooshed’ through – everything was a bit of a blur!!!

I leave you with some video footage of the Tower of Power and other rides at Siam Park so you can get more of a sense of how much this great attraction has to offer.

My thanks go to Tenerife Tourism Corporation for their assistance with the visit.

Charley Boorman (of Long Way Round fame) is bold enough to offer his own recommendations. The actor has teamed up with American Express to suggest ‘The One Thing’ you should do when you visit Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid, and Edinburgh. Think you know these cities well? His recommendations are surprisingly savvy and inventive. You can watch him enjoy unique adventures from a visit to Amsterdam’s smallest microbrewery (Brouwerij de Prael) to a private CV tour of Paris. His vodcasts are worthwhile, whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or looking for a fresh adventure nearby.

The Alentejo is a mystical place of gliding plains, sudden mountains, and the largest cork forests in the world. With open horizons, the rhythm of life follows the rhythm of regional songs. More than half of the world’s total cork supply is produced on this very land.

To many of those who have not visited the region, this land may seem like another world, yet it’s just an hour’s drive from Lisbon. Famed for its villages along the Castle Route, the northeastern part of Cork Country features ancient fortresses such as Nisa, Castelo de Vide, Marvão, Portalegre and Alter do Chão.

Portuguese cork has been used all over the world for thousands of years and has brought some of the greatest wines to people around the globe. The most widespread use of cork is as a wine closure. The practice began in the 17th Century when Dom Perignon chose the bark of the cork oak as the perfect sealant for his Champagne and quickly it became popular with the spread of mass-produced glass bottles.

While is Cork Country, make sure to visit Vila Viçosa. The Vila was built around the palace of the House of Bragança, the last Portuguese dynasty. Other places of interest include: Castle, Santo Agostinho Church (13th-18th centuries), Chagas de Cristo Convent, Nossa Senhora da Esperança Monastery and Castelo Novo (Renaissance). Moving South, one might choose to also visit Monsaraz. This is an inviting and beautiful medieval village, with castle walls and fortifications to challenge all enemies. Sites include the Santa Catarina Chapel, Paços do Concelho, Paços de Audiência and Porta da Vila.

I’m just back from a fantastic trip to Tenerife where I have been reviewing two hotels.  Write-ups will follow shortly as will a review of Siam Park, an amazing waterpark built in 2008 which our children loved.  One of the highlights at the park is the ‘Tower of Power’.  It’s not for the little ones but I felt obliged to give it a try… afterall, it would be rude not to!  It’s not clear from the video but after plunging almost vertically for over 20 metres, the slide then travels through a shark pool (yes, with real sharks) – thankfully you’re fully encased, of course, so there’s no danger of you being ‘lunch’.

A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…

• Tailormade tours of India from Dominion Travel
• For your luxe travel needs: Elite Destinations Direct
• Save on theme parks with Orlando Attractions
• Check out Suite 116 at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles

Taiwanese national carrier, China Airlines and its subsidiary, Mandarin Airlines, have announced plans to fly a larger aircraft between Taipei and mainland China. This move follows growing demand from travellers seeking more cross-strait flights.

China Airlines and Mandarin Airlines will now fly an Airbus A330-300 on all flights from Taoyuan International Airport to Xian, Shenyang, Changsha and Zhengzhou in China. This increased capacity will present further opportunities for UK tourists to enjoy twin holidays between the two destinations in Asia.

As well as providing a fascinating insight into two Asian cultures, travellers will also have the chance to explore the connection between Taiwan’s National Palace Museum and China’s Forbidden City. The National Palace Museum is home to 650,000 treasures and is regularly voted one of the best museums in the world. Many of the museum’s Chinese relics were originally from China’s Forbidden City and were moved to Taiwan when the Kuomintang lost the civil war to the communists in 1949.

A new cable car line has launched near one of Taiwan’s most popular leisure destinations, Sun Moon Lake, to offer grand views over the island’s largest natural lake and surrounding mountain scenery.

The 1.8 kilometre-long ‘Sun Moon Lake Ropeway’ is elevated 150 metres over the surface of Sun Moon Lake. It will connect the Sun Moon Lake Activity Center, which is home to over 50 species of rare butterflies, with the Aboriginal Culture Village – a popular theme park that celebrates the cultures of local indigenous people.

Sun Moon Lake is a popular tourist attraction where visitors can tour a number of fascinating temples and picturesque pavilions. The lake is also ideally suited for a variety of outdoor activities including boating, canoeing, hiking and cycling. Its name is derived from its unusual shape, which is similar to the Chinese characters for sun and moon.

Asia’s only African safari resort has opened in Hsinchu County to offer visitors a unique African experience in north west Taiwan. The Leofoo Resort Guanshi boasts African-themed rooms and the opportunity for guests to get up close and personal with a variety of wild animals.

The Leofoo Resort Guanshi has a total of 164 rooms that can accommodate two-six people. All rooms have been decorated in the style of an African hunting lodge and feature floor-to-ceiling windows offering unobstructed views of free-roaming African animals, including giraffes, zebras, rhinoceros, ostriches and ring-tailed lemurs amongst others.

Guests can also enjoy organised tours to the nearby Leofoo Village Theme Park, as well as to the surrounding natural environment and local cultural sites in Hsinchu County. Prices start from NT$6,800 per night based on double occupancy.

A new boutique holiday cottage has just opened in Dartmoor National Park, Devon. With Molton Brown cosmetics, beautiful decor and the option of a private chef, Moorland View offers “wall-to-wall luxury.” It’s made for lovebirds: romantic touches include a log fire, scented candles and a vintage copper bath for two. Complimentary membership of Bovey Castle country club, with its pool, gym, golf course and spa, is included. The cottage is in the peaceful 13th century thatched village of North Bovey, one of England’s prettiest old villages, which has a fantastic pub, medieval church and beautiful local walks. To really be swept off your feet, you can book a hot air balloon ride from the garden (well, a field very close by). The two Michelin-starred restaurant Gidleigh Park is close by, and the beaches of the South Hams aren’t far.

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts‘ first hotel in Turkey, the Shangri-La Hotel, Istanbul is set to open in April 2012. The hotel will be located between the Dolmabahce and the Maritime Museum on the European coast of the Bosphorus Straits, the 30km stretch of water separating Europe and Asia. Set within the Besiktas district, the shopping and transport hub of Istanbul, the hotel will be near the city’s financial district and the Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Centre. The neighborhood surrounding the hotel is home to many historical and cultural sites including: the Istanbul Concert Hall, the Ataturk Culture Centre, the newly restored Akaretler complex of neoclassical buildings, palaces from the Ottoman Empire period, and several theaters.

The hotel will be a five-minute walk from the Dolmabahce Palace, the former center of the Ottoman Empire and home to six sultans, which is now a national heritage museum. Also within easy reach is the Nisantasi neighborhood known for its restaurants, cafes and bars and the prestigious Macka luxury shopping area. Guests will be able to reach Sultanahmet, the historic centre of the city that lies across the Golden Horn, within 15 minutes by public transport.

The Fitzpatrick Hotel Group – the first Irish-owned hotel company to operate in the US – has introduced the “Visit Ireland in New York” package, giving visitors the chance to experience the extraordinary personal service, warmth and hospitality of its two luxury hotels, the Fitzpatrick Manhattan and the Fitzpatrick Grand Central, while learning about the deep bonds between New York and Ireland. Along with two nights deluxe accommodations for two at either the Fitzpatrick Manhattan or the Fitzpatrick Grand Central, this package offers a glimpse of Irish immigrant life with tickets to the New York City Tenement Museum and a reminder of the lives lost during the Great Irish famine with a visit to the Irish Hunger Memorial. Guests can also enjoy a lunch or dinner from the “Irish Classics” menu at either The Wheeltapper at the Fitzpatrick Grand Central or The Fitz at the Fitzpatrick Manhattan. Plus, each morning visitors can start their day with Executive Chef James Donahue’s celebrated Irish breakfast. The Fitzpatrick Manhattan, located at 687 Lexington Avenue and offering 91 rooms and suites, blends intimacy and luxury with a refreshingly classic atmosphere in the heart of midtown. The Fitzpatrick Grand Central, located just 12 blocks away at 141 East 44th Street, with its 155 rooms and suites, provides an elegant atmosphere perfect for a business trip or a family vacation in New York City. The Visit Ireland in New York package is available from now until 4th September 2010.

Toronto is the perfect destination for urban adventurers this spring. Whether hiking through Toronto’s best scenic trails or lively shopping districts, this year-round city rings in the season with heart-warming festivals, captivating cultural events and fun attractions. Come and see for yourself why Toronto is a celebrated cultural and entertainment capital of Canada.

1. This year Toronto’s Canada Blooms (17th-21st March 2010) theme is “Passions” and honours the energy, innovation and passion for excellence of Canada’s landscape and floral industry. In 2010 visitors can explore over 20 new display gardens presented by premier landscape designers and architects as well as browse the new Garden Travel Section featuring countries that include Ireland, Spain, Czech Republic and many Caribbean Destinations.

2. Celebrate Victoria Day weekend (22nd-24th May 2010) at Ontario Place with its annual fireworks on the waterfront. The Festival of Fire is back with world-class fireworks choreographed to the world’s finest music over 3 nights on July 1, 3 and 10. Additional entertainment surrounds each day, with entertainers performing throughout the park leading up to the fireworks. The shows start at 10:30pm, each night. Dates are subject to change.

3. Located adjacent from The Fifth Social Club, Toronto’s most renowned nightclub Cabin 5 has become one of Toronto’s newest hot-spots with its instant success upon its launch in September 2009. With part Aspen chic and part settler’s cabin decor, Cabin 5 promotes a feeling of welcome and good times. Furnished with pine antiques, an old harvest wagon, Hudson Bay blankets and two fireplaces, the room offers a separate entrance, coat check, and washroom facilities. Cabin 5 has proven to be great for an evening out or to host a fun-filled party or event.

4. Located directly across the street from the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, The Loose Moose Tap & Grill® is one of Toronto’s most recognizable bars with a two decade-long legacy. Recently, the beloved restaurant has undergone significant changes in the kitchen, starting with a new chef, Cary Bynoe. Bynoe leads the culinary team at The Loose Moose and is responsible for an entirely new menu. With its close proximity to the Air Canada Centre and Rogers Centre, The Loose Moose is the ideal spot to enjoy a burger and a pint before or after the game or concert.

5. Look, Listen, Touch and Learn at Niagara Fall’s Bird Kingdom’s newly expanded Reptile Encounter Zone. Marvel at the historic area photos from a by-gone era in the new “Niagara Room.” Check out the amazing birds, reptiles and more on opening day, 1st March 2010.

6. This spring, Harry Potter fans will have the chance to step inside the famous wizard’s magical world when Harry Potter: The Exhibition opens at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto on April 9, 2010, its first venue outside the United States. The 14,000 square-foot exhibition offers fans a firsthand view of authentic artefacts displayed in detailed settings inspired by the film sets, including the Great Hall, Hagrid’s hut, the Gryffindorâ„¢ common room, and more.

7. The award-winning Tundra Trek, an awesome Arctic experience, home to polar bears, Arctic wolves, Arctic foxes, snowy owls, reindeer and lesser snow geese, is now open at the Toronto Zoo. Special features are the spacious new polar bear exhibit; the Wolf Bridge; the Goose Camp, depicting the contributions of native Canadians; the new Caribou Restaurant; Plexiglas Arctic fox burrows that kids can clamber through; a whale skeleton; bush plane; and state-of-the-art audio components that deliver realistic animal sounds. Tundra Trek conveys the impact of climate change and global warming. Construction on this new exhibit, valued at $13.5 million, began in August of 2007 and completed in August 2009.

8. This spring the Martin Goodman Trail gets a breath of fresh air as the 56-kilometre-long waterfront recreation trail sees the addition of new wave decks. The Martin Goodman Trail traverses a multitude of environments, all highly developed. Its western end starts just west of the Humber River at the Palace Pier condominium complex. Undulating ribbons of wood designed to resemble the water’s own waves, these architectural wonders are worth the walk.

9. Intrepid Urban Adventures has arrived in Toronto! Tour Guys has partnered with Intrepid Travel to be the exclusive provider of their Toronto Urban Adventures – unique walking tours and city experiences that range in duration from 2 hours to a full day. Toronto is now part of a rapidly expanding global network of cities that offer Urban Adventures to travellers and locals who want to get off the beaten track. Check out popular tours such as “Beer Makes History Better” and “Multicultural Kensington Market & Chinatown”.

10. Toronto’s most unique and classic charter boat has had a face lift! The New Beginnings which has operated on Toronto’s waterfront for decades has undergone major restoration in 2009/10 to restore its shine, brilliance and comfort. This beautiful teak and mahogany power yacht is perfect for birthday parties, weddings, corporate events or simply a cold drink out on the water! The “New Bee” has Available for hourly or daily charter, May-October. See www.harbourtourstoronto.ca for further info.

2010 will signal a number of important cultural events in Poland, one of which is the opening of a new museum in Warsaw, dedicated to the life and works of Frederic Chopin.

The world’s largest collection of Frederic Chopin related items includes musical manuscripts, printed scores, Chopin’s correspondence, personal items (such as cufflinks and diaries), iconography, as well as biographical works about him and critical commentaries on his compositions and his reception as a composer. The collection was first started in 1899 by the Warsaw Music Society and is located in the renovated Ostrogski Palace, originally a castle founded at the end of the 17th century by Duke Janusz Ostrogski.

Crystal Cruises is announcing yet another industry first: one-night excursions to Russia’s former top secret Cosmonaut Training Center, Star City. From extreme G Forces and weightlessness to the “Final Challenge” in the world’s largest hydrospace laboratory, intrepid Crystal guests can train like modern Russian Cosmonauts on some of the largest, most advanced space equipment in the world. Four distinct Crystal Adventures, available from St. Petersburg with five Crystal Symphony summer Baltic voyages, take guests to Star City, built in the secluded forests outside Moscow:

* Hydrospace: “The Final Challenge” – Considered the most advanced cosmonaut training, participants must install a space antenna on a replica of the International Space Station while wearing an authentic space suit and submerged in 54,000 square feet of water.

* Centrifuge G-Force Experience – On the ride of a lifetime, experience the simulated G-forces of blast off, flight in orbit and spacecraft descent on the specially-reserved 300-ton centrifuge.

* Zero Gravity Weightlessness Adventure – Aboard the world’s largest parabola aircraft, experience the absence of gravity. Flying in a steep parabola formation from as high as 20,000 feet, participants literally take flight at least 10 times during this adventure.

* Russia’s Quest Beyond the Earth – Delve into the behind-the-scenes highlights of cosmonaut training and Russian space travel from the 1950’s and beyond.

The Cosmonaut programs include roundtrip air transportation from St. Petersburg to Moscow, overnight hotel accommodations and a full-day Moscow city tour, including Red Square and the Kremlin.

Extreme adventure comes with a price. Cosmonaut Training fares range from $4,359 up to $32,995 for “The Final Challenge.” Seven-, 10- and 11-day Baltic voyages depart from London, Stockholm or Copenhagen –with overnights in St. Petersburg. Promotional two-for-one per person (double occupancy) cruise fares start at $4,375, including $500 or $1,000 ‘All Inclusive – As You Wish’ shipboard credits and free air transportation from numerous North American gateways – Business Class air for Penthouse guests.

Tourists at one of the world’s most famous landmarks, Machu Picchu, have had to be airlifted from the site by helicopter.   Arouind 1,400 are said to have been rescued after floods destroyed road and rail links, but 800 are thought to be still stranded.  The area has experienced its highest rainfall in 15 years and Machu Picchu will be closed for several weeks.