A Luxury Travel Blog

Spain is known for its fantastic nightlife: staying out late, eating tapas, going to clubs and bars, socializing with friends until the early hours of the morning. Stores and businesses may close at a normal hour, but the rest of the city comes alive with an energetic vibe late at night. It doesn’t matter whether a tapas bar is situated on a large, busy road or a tiny, hidden cobblestone street, around 10 p.m. the crowds start pouring in and restaurants will be filled with a gentle rumble of voices and laughter for the rest of the night.

The nightlife in Spain is unlike any other and there are certain unique elements that make it an exciting and unforgettable experience.

Tapas

There are many theories to how tapas were created. Stories range from people placing food across the top of their drink to keep the fruit fly out, to a time when King Alfonso X visited a small inn in the Cadiz province of Southern Spain. Legend states that when the king ordered a glass of sherry the innkeeper placed a slice of ham over the drink to keep the gusty Cadiz winds from blowing anything into the glass. Once he finished, King Alfonso X ordered another drink, but this time he specifically asked for a tapa (or “cover”) to come with it.

Although there may not be agreement on the origin of tapas, we can all agree on one thing: tapas are delicious. They can consist of almost any kind of food: fish, vegetables, bread, meat, cheese, olives… What makes tapas unique is their size, which is about a quarter of a regular meal size. Ranging between 2€ and 5€, these small meals are perfect to share over drinks with friends.

Music and flamenco

A night out in Spain isn’t complete without little music and flamenco. Whether you are walking down the street at night or standing in a tapas bar with friends, you will always hear Spanish guitar and singing in the distance. Flamenco music and dancing also makes the nightlife in Spain so unique and full of life. There are plenty of incredible professional performances to see, but sometimes the best experiences with flamenco are in a more traditional setting: a crowded bar, eating tapas, drinking and spending time with friends. Squeeze your way to the front of the stage and witness an unforgettable display of passion and creativity.

Socializing

One of the greatest elements of the Spanish culture is the socialization. At night, many Spaniards go out to tapas bars with friends, family or co-workers. Sitting down and enjoying the night with others, rather than spending it hunched over a computer and working, is usually a priority in Spain. This healthy disconnect allows for the liveliness and spontaneity that is evident throughout Southern Spain. People talk, people listen, people laugh while savoring delicious tapas, tinto de verano and enjoying each other’s company. Another exciting element of Spanish nightlife is clubbing. On the weekends it is normal for some Spaniards to go to the clubs and discotheques around 2 or 3 a.m. and stay until 7 in the morning! What makes Spain unique is that some of the “nightlife” ends when other people are just starting their day.

Lindsey O’Connor is Chief Editor at Andalucia Inside.

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When it comes to night-life for those pursuing an Indian Ocean getaway, some resort owners concede that the Maldives is unlikely to be competing with destinations like Ibiza as a clubbing capital, particularly with the destination’s reputation for romantic island seclusion and chilled out decadence.

Yet dancefloors – whether above or below water – and the DJs charged to fill them, are increasingly being seen as a vital component to tourism in the country. Whether for providing a spot of mellow entertainment, a party atmosphere for beach-side bashes, or a soundtrack to a more jovial flailing of limbs at resorts around the country, hospitality groups are looking to disc-spinners as a means to differentiate themselves from the competition.

A number of the country’s resorts are therefore looking to host upcoming and established global DJs at their properties for special events and launches, and in some cases, even putting together their very own spin-off soundtrack albums for guests. One such property looking to offer its own take on clubbing in the Maldives is the W Retreat and Spa in North Ari Atoll.

Since the property opened five years ago, W has offered its guests the chance to take advantage of its on-site nightclub known as 15BELOW, a feature the company claims it pioneered in the country not only to provide a different take on “after-dinner” entertainment, but also to attempt to offer a destination for emerging DJs to perform.

A spokesperson for the group says it is not however looking to compete with the world’s major dance-floor destinations, but rather trying to create different experiences to those usually associated with a vacation in the country.

“The Maldives offers visitors a very different experience to Ibiza,” adds a spokesperson for the W Retreat and Spa Maldives. “I don’t believe that guests are travelling to the Maldives just to see a particular DJ, but they are choosing to stay at W Retreat & Spa [in the] Maldives because they are able to connect with our brand and the experience that they have usually had at one of our other W Hotels.”

As part of the company’s aim to try and bring up and coming, as well as established DJs to the Maldives, W properties around the world are serving as the exclusive venues for the DJ Lab Global tour, which will see a number of new faces in dance music set to play several gigs over the next year.

The first DJ to perform at the W Retreat and Spa in the Maldives as part of this tour will be Angus Wong, the resident disc spinner at W’s Hong Kong hotel.

Between January 21 to January 25 2012, Wong – who started the monthly Gay Tea Dance at Tivo event back in Hong Kong – will look to provide the resort’s guests with a memorable soundtrack during their stay.

Wong is among five acts selected by W Hotels Global Music Director Michaelangelo L’Acqua to be part of the DJ Lab tour that plans to bring performers to a number of the company’s worldwide properties.

These acts include New York-based Lincoln Madley (aka DJ Bouji), the Parisian duo Miaou Mix, consisting of Noemi Sunshine Ferst and Judith Dju from Tête d’Affiche in Paris, London-based Daniel Avery, known as Stopmakingme, and Eiko of Tokyo.

The DJ Lab tour, a collaboration with the Burn energy drink brand, has already seen these acts being taken to Ibiza to meet with respected DJs like Arthur Baker, Cassius and Mode F for a spot of Balearic mentoring ahead of their performances.

Yet W, part of the Starwood Hotels brand, is not alone in trying to associate its Maldives property with big and emerging names in dance music.  Properties like the Huvafen Fushi resort in North Male’ Atoll have themselves in recent years been part of an ongoing collaboration with DJs such as Charles Shillings.

With a CV boasting performances at venues such as Lotus in New York and Le Café d’Anvers in Belgium, Shillings has become something of a fixture in the Maldives, playing at a number of properties to holidaymakers looking for a good boogey or something a touch cooler.

Huvafen Fushi has also played host back in 2010 to record producer Poet Name Life  for a one off performance to support the launch of his solo album “Songs for Girls” – as well as presumably getting a nice holiday to boot.  Poet Name Life has counted the Black Eyed Peas amongst his collaborators for better or worse.

The idea of providing purpose built nightclubs at resorts in the Maldives – a luxury or burden not often afforded to local people themselves, despite the relative popularity of dance events and performances of local dance styles like Bodu-Beru – appears to be gaining traction in the country.

Resort group Naiade also provides an on-site night club for guests to enjoy as part of the leisure activities available at its Diva property in the form of the Musik venue.

According to the company, the club provides dance-floor fillers of numerous genres including rock, salsa and techno until the early hours.

With the anticipated opening in January 2012 of its Niyama resort, the Per Aquum company, which also operates Huvafen Fushi in the country, plans to introduce its own underwater nightclub to the Maldives to try and entice guests alongside a host of other features.

Neil Merrett is Sales and Marketing Director at Dhonisaurus.

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From the Monte Carlo casino to the five-star hotels on the Croisette, when it comes to luxury, the French Riviera has a lot to offer. Over 10 million tourists visit the Côte d’Azur for a holiday in the sun every year, but very few are lucky enough to experience the grandiose lifestyle that makes it so desirable. Here are five tips that will ensure you make the most of your luxury holiday in the South of France.

Timing is everything

There is one month in the year when everyone on the Riviera steps up their game to welcome the world’s glitterati—May. The Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix are two of the most globally publicised events, making the area the place to be for a couple of weeks. The best restaurants and nightlife venues migrate to short-term locations on the coast, giving visitors the opportunity to taste food prepared by top chefs and dance to mixes by hot DJs. Heaven’s Floor in Cannes and Amber Lounge in Monaco are among the most select clubs, and Alain Ducasse’s Electrolux Agora pop-up restaurant created a huge buzz last year.

Location, location, location

Although quite small, the Côte d’Azur offers a lot of variety when it comes to choosing where to stay, and there is a location for every type of holiday you can wish for. If you enjoy 24-hour activity and don’t feel like driving too much, book a hotel or a penthouse apartment on the Croisette in Cannes, or on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. Both the Carlton and the Negresco are registered historic monuments due to their beautiful architecture, and the Palais de la Méditerranée offers a terrace with a great sea view. All three hotels also have a selection of restaurants and bars accessible to the public. If what you’re looking for is a quiet haven away from the crowds, look along the cliff roads between Nice and Monaco. The area is home to some of the prettiest towns, including Villefranche, St Jean Cap Ferrat, Beaulieu and Eze, all full of sumptuous villas, more intimate than a hotel yet close to the beaches and other amenities. And for a real feel of Provence, go further inland; Grasse and its surroundings offer a choice of authentic village houses that will give you a taste of the history and traditions that made the Riviera what it is today.

Maximise the private beach experience

Beaches on the Côte d’Azur can get very crowded, so sometimes there is no better satisfaction than having one all to yourself for a day. A few restaurants in the Cannes area allow you to book private events for special occasions. La Guérite, on the Lérins Islands, offers a shuttle boat service to and from Cannes, and can take care of the whole organisation of your party, leaving you free to relax and enjoy the peacefulness of the islands with a panoramic view of Cannes.

See it from above

Spoiling yourself with a helicopter tour over the French Riviera is something you will never regret. From the azure of the Mediterranean to the majestic peaks of the Alps, the view is absolutely breathtaking. Various providers advertise transfers from Nice to St Tropez in less than half an hour, probably the most worthwhile trip as it would take you over the Esterel Mountains, its pine trees and red rocks— the natural jewel of the Riviera.

You ought to rent a yacht

There is a reason the area between Antibes and Juan les Pins is called Baie des Milliardaires (Billionaires’ Bay). The most luxurious way to enjoy the French Riviera is from the water. There you can appreciate the weather, the sea and the view, all from the quiet intimacy of your boat. To rent a yacht, you will need your passport and a deposit of about 50% of the total amount. There are a variety of sizes and charter durations available but Alexander J. Coles, senior charter broker at Moody Yachts France, recommends booking as far in advance as possible, as most summer charters are booked four to five months ahead. Taking the time to make your selection in advance will prove worth it, because with the perfect yacht, your trip will take on a completely different dimension.

Melodie Michel is Marketing Manager at Riviera Rental Guide.

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Montenegro has just had the sort of publicity Max Clifford would give his Granny’s eye teeth for. Billionaire Nat Rothschild eschewed the usual suspects (Skibo Castle, South of France, Marrakesh)  and held his 40th-birthday party (three fun-filled days, 400 of his closest friends and one million of the Queen’s pounds) in this pristine corner of the former Yugoslavia, so small Wales only fits into it the once.  The column inches this generated for the event and, therefore, the venue has reinforced the tiny tourist-dependent state’s image as the up and coming holiday destination  for discriminating A-listers. So what’s all the fuss about?

1. Aman Sveti Stefan

After a painstaking and agonisingly protracted restoration, one of the world’s leading luxury hoteliers has brought one of Europe’s most iconic postcard images (the fairytale 15th-century island village rising out of a sparkling Adriatic) back to its brilliant best. Sveti Stefan is one of those things: a travel legend that actually lives up to its billing. The hotch potch of old stone buildings tumbling down twisting alleyways is utterly beautiful and ultimately romantic even more so now that its humble fisherman’s homes have been turned into five-star palaces. It ticks the old buzz word: location as well as the brand new one: authenticity. Aman has employed its usual restraint so the cottages remain simple: a vase of fresh rosemary will probably be the only adornment, lighting is based on the old fisherman’s lamps, wives used to hand in the window to will their husbands’ safe passage. Aman Sveti Stefan is where the AAA-list guests for Rothschild party stayed. It is head, shoulders- and knees and toes above anything else in the country and one of the hottest hotels in the Med right now. But Aman’s arrival means Four Seasons, Banyan Tree and Kempinski are all planning properties.

2. Porto Montenegro

This new £500m destination marina is where Rothschild held his main celebration, a disco at the Lido Mar. It’s a very cool beach club, with a stunning 65-metre infinity pool that seems to flow right into the bay beyond. The marina (in which Rothschild is an investor along with Oleg Deripaska) hopes to rival Cannes and Monte Carlo and has berthing for hundreds of super-yachts worth up to £130m as well as waterfront properties, owned by the likes of Eddie Jordan and Novak Djokovik. There’s also a small band of boutique designer stores such as Heidi Klein and a couple of restaurants. Porto Montenegro has a truly spectacular setting,  with craggy limestone mountains crashing into the Bay of Kotor. However, the marina staff bandy around the expression new frontier a lot. Translated that means it’s still only half built. Right now, there’s not a right lot there. It is definitely worth a day’s sunbathing at the lido, which is very sexy, but two days might be stretching the X factor.

3. The natural beauty: Montenegro is gorgeous

A combination of mountains and sparkling sea is always a winner,  especially when they’re fringed by pink pebble beaches. There are lovely medieval towns such as Kotor, which has its own mini version of the Great Wall of China, and the old capital Cetinje which barely registers we’re now in the 21st century. Mount Bjelasica is one of only three remaining virgin forests in Europe and Tara River Canyon, making it the second deepest in the world to the Grand Canyon. There is fantastic seafood and hours of entertainment attempting to pronounce Montengrin place names. A word of advice, it is much easier to say Pljevlja after a few glasses of the local rocket fuel.

Susan d’Arcy is Editor of Spa Confidential.

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1. Club 55 – the classic place to sip Champagne and enjoy a long lunch.

2. Brigitte Bardot exhibition – visit from 23rd June to 31st October 2011.

3. Nikki Beach – perfect to people watch and lounge in the sun.

4. & 5. Wine tours – visit Chateau Minuty vineyard in the harbour for an aperitif, watch the yachts come into moor, then head to its’ sister restaurant Grand Joseph for dinner in one of St Tropez hot spot restaurants.

6. Marineland – great fun for all the family, try swimming with the dolphins or a VIP dinner and evening show.

7. Hire a boat – arrive at the beach in style or just to avoid the traffic.

8. Visit the ‘Le Musée de l’Annonciade‘  - a collection of avant garde paintings ranging from the 1890 to 1950.

9. Le Lagon – perfect for a lazy lunch,  try their signature salad: king prawns, pink grapefruit and avocado – it is stunning.

10. St Tropez market – soak up the local atmosphere every Tuesday and Saturday morning.

Ceri Tinley is the Co-Founder and MD of Consensio Holidays.

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There are many entertaining activities to participate in Istanbul during the day, and you can follow the Istanbul event calendar to find something new every day of the week. However, Istanbul is also a city that never sleeps. Make the most of your luxurious vacation by taking advantageous of everything the city has to offer at all hours of the day and night.  Nightlife is at its best in Bosphorous, the place to see and be seen. Enjoy Istanbul’s nightlife in luxury with our list of the 5 best clubs in the city.

1. Sortie doesn’t start the party until late at night. However, once it starts, the sizzling crowd will be dancing until dawn. If you want to take a break from shaking your booty, the club also offers a unique view of the Bosphorus.

2. Samdan has been part of Istanbul nightlife since opening its doors almost 30 years ago. It is also one of the most glamorous places in the cities. Make sure to come with a disco spirit and your best clothes.

3. Lucca may be a restaurant by day, but at night it is a lively lounge. Its popularity is evident by the sexy and in-crowd crowd spilling out into the street. It can be hard to get through all the Versace clothed people or porches blocking the road.

4. Reina is located under the Boğaziçi Bridge and offers one of the best Bosphorus views. It is also a celebrity hot spot where the glitterati can spend all night dancing on the clubs flashy bar and dance floor.

5. Anjelique is the place to find Istanbul’s elite themselves in one of the best waterfront clubs in Istanbul. The club is attached to a pier, and you will often find celebrities entering with their yachts.

Try out these 5 spots to see and be seen and we guarantee you won’t regret it! That is unless your luxurious night out makes you do something you regret the morning after.

Talya Arditi is Editor at The Guide Istanbul.

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Courchevel 1850 has long been the St Tropez of the French Alps; this high altitude resort ensures a long snow sure season and is the most famous of all the resorts within the vast Three Valleys ski area. However it isn’t just the skiing which has turned this into a world renowned resort – the shopping, bars and restaurants are first class.

Lunch on the piste reaches a whole different level with Le Cap Horn, located by the Altiport, which serves seafood and Asian dishes and has a DJ on the terrace. Le Chalet de Pierres to be found on the side of the piste is famous for its alfresco lunches and has puddings to die for. However if you have to look at the prices you can’t afford it!

Skiing for all levels can be found in and around Courchevel 1850. The Saulire area is the largest and busiest and can be reached from the centre of 1850 by way of a cluster of gondolas and a cable-car, the wide pistes returning to resort are ideal for beginners. When you reach the peak of Saulire you can either ski down into Méribel and onwards to the Val Thorens valley. For those more experienced skiers the black Les Suisses is fabulous first thing, more challenging are the Courchevel Couloirs, three narrow corridors of snow between the rocks: Emile Allais, Grand Couloir, and Sous le Téléphérique. The Col de la Loze area can be easily reached and takes you towards La Tania which has gently wooded slopes perfect for bad weather.

Apres ski is a must on any ski trip but here the choice of drink in this resort is Champagne and specialist Vodka for the Russian visitors. The most popular destinations post ski are Le Jump Bar and Le Milk; however a favourite for later on is Les Caves de Courchevel.

If you like Michelin starred restaurants then you can pick from either Le Chabichou which serves inventive regional cuisine in a traditionally-decorated, family friendly atmosphere or Le Bateau Ivre which can be found in the Hotel Pomme de Pin which has inspirational cooking in an elegant atmosphere.

Ceri Tinley is the Co-Founder and MD of Consensio Holidays.

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With the Olympics coming to London next year there will be thousands more visitors than usual in an already busy city throughout the Summer. As well as the sports fans, competitors and accompanying family and friends, there will also be dignitaries, government officials, leaders of industry and a host of VIPs who will want to enjoy the spirit of the games.

London is a beautiful city in Summer: the green spaces come alive with activities and events and the tended gardens, particularly Kew and Hampton Court Palace, are at their best. As well as the parks and gardens, the architecture of the city is a real highlight, which ranges from Romanesque and Georgian splendour to contemporary structures such as 30 St Mary Axe. More commonly known as ‘The Gherkin’, it was created by Sir Norman Foster’s award-winning team of architects and is renowned for its distinct silhouette.

To get the most out of visiting a major city such as London, New York or Paris it’s necessary to know what’s going on, plan, and book a long time in advance. Having lived in London for years, I’ve put together a list of things I can recommend as perfect diversions if you’re in the city next year.

1. Tea at The Ritz

The epitome of all that is quintessentially English, afternoon tea at The Ritz is a must. Served in the Palm Court of the Ritz Hotel you can choose from several varieties of tea and a mouth watering menu of finger sandwiches, fruit scones with preserves and clotted cream, followed by cakes and pastries. The Ritz does insist on formal dress in the public areas of the hotel. Denim and sports shoes are strictly forbidden and they recommend booking up to 12 weeks in advance in the high season.

2. Les Trois Garcons

This little known restaurant is an undiscovered gem in Shoreditch. Located in a converted public house on Club Row the owners have put together something that is quite unique in its almost surreal opulence. Dine from a fine menu while being observed by stuffed tigers in tiaras and crowned gorillas. The service offers everything you would expect from any of the best restaurants in any city. Previous diners include Madonna and Donatella Versace, so who knows who might drop in.

3. The London Eye

For an unrivalled opportunity to gaze out over London, a ride on the London Eye is something nobody should miss. There is a Champagne experience where you can enjoy a glass of bubbly as your capsule makes its way over the city. But if you’re after a really special occasion, you can book a private capsule, which includes Pommery Brut Royal Champagne and priority boarding pass as well as a guide to point out all the sights.

An interesting alternative to the Eye is The Monument to the Great Fire of London. Located near the point where the Great Fire started, the Doric column stands 202 feet tall. It was built by Sir Christopher Wren in 1677 and has 311 steps to climb. As you climb the cantilevered steps looking down is truly terrifying given the claustrophobic nature of such a confined space, but once you reach the top you stand under an urn of golden fire and can see all of London’s most famous landmarks and the Thames.

4. Tate Modern/Tate Britain

The Tate Modern occupies the former Bankside Power Station on the south bank of the Thames. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron (who won the contract by opting to keep the iconic central chimney on the north wall), the gallery receives 4.7 million visitors a year and hosts exhibitions of the best international modern art. Tate Britain, formerly know simply as the Tate Gallery, houses British art from 1500 to today. As well as exhibiting art from galleries the world over the world, it also owns pieces by some of the most famous artists ever to have worked, including Dali, Picasso, Matisse and Mondrian. The gallery also plays host to the Whitbread Prize for Modern Art each year.

5. Claridge’s

Synonymous with the zenith of quality hotels; Claridge’s not only offers luxury accommodation and the finest dining, but also offers to show you how to emulate its style and grace. Claridge’s staff give master classes in building bouquets, mixing the perfect Pimms and cocktails, as well as cooking grouse pie and canapés. So while you stay in its fabulously styled art deco rooms and eat in one of Gordon Ramsay’s dining rooms, you can learn a few tips, which will allow you to bring some of Claridge’s style to your own home.

6. River Cruises

Many of London’s most prized buildings were built to be viewed from the river as much as from the land, so taking a cruise will give a delightful perspective that people on tour buses or seeing the city by foot rarely get to enjoy. If you travel beyond the city limits you sail through some of the most picturesque countryside England has to offer. Heading westward you’ll glide past Kew Royal Botanic Gardens to the port side with Syon Park to starboard, a little further on and you’ll see Hampton Court Palace, former home to Henry VIII, then past Bushy Park. If you have time you could go as far as Windsor, past Egham with the Polish War Memorial and Runnymede which saw the signing of the Magna Carter. Once in Windsor a visit to England’s oldest continuously inhabited castle is not to be missed.

7. Sanderson’s Agua Spa

Located on Berners Street, Agua is a 10,000 square foot luxury spa in the heart of London. It provides an oasis of peace and tranquillity in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. There is a dizzying array of treatments available, both ancient and modern to allow you to take some time for yourself. There are fourteen treatment rooms, a chill-out zone and meditation area. The miles of floor-to-ceiling curtains lend a cloud-like feel to the whole environment.

8. Nightclubs and Bars

If you’re in the mood for going out, London offers some of the best nightclubs in Europe. If you’re looking for a big night out there’s Fabric and Ministry Of Sound, two clubs that have become so successful as labels it’s almost possible to forget they were ever clubs at all. If, on the other hand you’re looking for something a little quieter, a little more exclusive, then there are clubs like Annabel’s and China White. Annabel’s is so exclusive that they forego having any frontage so it may be a little difficult to find. China White is well known as a haunt of the celebrities; with a capacity of just 500 they are currently inviting applications for membership.

Luke McCormick is Channel Editor at WEXAS.

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Sometimes a regular city break lacks a little ‘je ne sais quoi?’ When you are looking to impress or in need of pampering, a luxurious break to Paris could be a revitalising experience.

Personally, I am happy at both ends of the travel spectrum, from shared hostel dorms in Krakow to 5* luxury in the Med. However, Paris is definitely a city that deserves a lavish weekend at some point. By all means, visit on a budget, take in the Louvre, wander the Marais with the students but save that for another visit. This time I am talking serious Parisian chic.

Start as you mean to go on by booking into a boutique hotel. Seeing as we are not worrying about the pennies, take a pool suite at the Murano Resort Hotel, yes; your bedroom really does come complete with swimming pool! This little gem of a hotel is all mod cons; each room bedecked with gadgetry and has a fabulous avant-garde restaurant. Alternatively, spend the weekend as a French aristocrat by renting a luxury apartment. Paris Luxury Rentals has a Louis XV apartment, situated in the coveted golden triangle of the Champs-Élysées. Here you can live like a lord in a perfect re-creation of 18th Century refinement, complete with library room, marble fireplaces and a dining table set for ten.

Evidently, when in Paris it is imperative to experience ‘la gastronomie.’ For a full-on fine dining experience, try and secure a table at Le Meurice. Here the denizen of the kitchen is Chef Yannick Alléno; he of 3 Michelin starred fame so expect tastes of France in unexpected forms. For those with a sweet tooth, Paris is a dream: pay a visit to the aptly named ‘La Pâtisserie des Rêves’ (Cake Shop of Dreams), to taste the exquisite creations of Philippe Conticini. The macaroon has started to grace the British high-street, but to see this delicacy executed to the highest standard, visit the pâtisserie of Pierre Hermé.

With your appetite sated, spend the afternoon wandering iconic streets with the well-heeled Parisians. Visit Larry Gagosian’s latest opening, La Galarie on rue de Ponthieu. Even if you can’t afford to buy, you can still enjoy admiring work by the likes of Rodin, Cy Twombly and Hiroshi Sugimoto. Browse the shops for the latest in high class fashion, visit Chloe on ave Montaigne for effortless cool prêt á porter or, for French classics, try French Trotters, where all garments are scrupulously sourced in France. If fashion is not your predilection, then perhaps visit Androuet, the premier amongst cheese shops or, for some seriously distinctive wines, go to Les Caves Augé.

Come evening, it is time to enjoy a little music. Le New Morning de Paris has a rich jazz heritage, with performances by Chet Baker, Stan Getz, Art Blakey and Dizzy Gillespie. Today, emerging talent and established acts still grace the stage. The Paris Opera at Le Palais Garnier will certainly provide an evening of glamour. The architect Charles Garnier conceived the dramatic building in 1875 and ‘la salle de spectacle’ boasts ceilings painted by Marc Chagall in 1964.

Complete the night, and see in the new morning, at an exclusive club. The White Bar and White Room at, you’ve guessed it, Maison Blanche, exude all the glamour expected from their address on the Champs-Élysées. Alternatively, join those who like to be seen at La Perle, or try and charm your way into the ultra private club, Black Calvados. (The biometric scanners leave you feeling a little like Jason Bourne!)

Vicky Pester is Head of Marketing at easyJet Holidays.

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Since the 1950s St Tropez has cultivated its now celebrated reputation as a jetset playground drawing movie stars, models, and millionaires from around the world. The French newspaper Le Figaro once said that “St Tropez boasts the the greatest number of famous faces per square meter” and for summer 2011 it will still hold true.

We can guarantee that the beaches, bars and night clubs will be packed with the rich and famous from around the world and if you want to hang out with the ‘beautiful’ people then here are our top 10 tips for places to see and to be seen.

Getting there…

Take the boat – If you’re not able to afford to stay within walking distance of the action, either in one of the all too chic hotels or rent your own luxury villa then don’t even think about driving… the roads are packed, it’s hot and parking is scarce. Instead, drive into St Maxime and hop on the ferry. It’s a 10 minute journey and you arrive in style.

Hotels and places to stay

1.

Hotel Byblos – A favourite with Brigitte Bardot, Hotel Byblos is still the hotel of choice for those who can afford five star luxury. For those with a lesser budget then try a visit to the restaurant or nightclub which are both open to the public.

2.

Pan Dei Palais – This boutique hotel is right in the heart of St Tropez, close to absolutely everything and a haven of tranquillity in the madness of a St Tropez summer season.

3.

Private Luxury Villas – Rent a luxury villa, hire a private chef and you are all ready to party all day and all night long. Many celebrities choose to rent some of the most fabulous villas available in and around St Tropez. The most sought after are within strolling distance of the famous beaches.

Beaches…

4.

Club 55 – The original beach club and still the most sought after. In the
summer the traffic on the single approach road is wall to wall Bentleys and Aston Martins and driven by those clad head to toe in the latest designer beachwear. The most sought after places are the waterside loungers. But be warned, competition is fierce.

5.

Nikki Beach – After the success of the Nikki Beach in Miami the St Tropez doesn’t disappoint. According to the owners you don’t need to be a name to get in, but just to have the ‘right spirit’ – good luck is all we can say….

Restaurants….

6.

Spoon – The restaurant at Hotel Byblos offers a sumptuous menu created by the legendary Alan Ducasse. Bookings are a must!

7.

Grand Joseph – This one room restaurant is located just a short stroll from the main port and is ideal for people watching as you sip a chilled glass of an excellent local rose. The food is extremely high end brasserie and is definitely a place that those who want to choose to be seen.

Nightlife…

8.

VIP Room – The true St Tropez animals party long and hard and never more so that at the VIP Room. This supper and dinner club is a magnet for the rich and famous and just in case you think you’re a little past your clubbing days then think again….in St Tropez anything goes.

9.

Papagayo Club – This is the club once frequented by Mick Jagger and Brigitte Bardot and is located bang on the harbour. Book a table on the terrace and you are enjoying one of the most exclusive tables in France, let alone in St Tropez.

And finally…

10. Designer Everything – St Tropez is not for the faint hearted, it’s all about looking the part. Designer everything is the absolute minimum and even when you’re on the beach or by the pool never let the standard drop. Fake designer is just not to be tolerated, but don’t worry, the array of designer shopping is simply extraordinary.

See you in St Tropez this summer.

Maria McLean is Director of Communications at Burger Sotheby’s International Realty.

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Stag parties are supposed to be something special, a statement of freedom and fun to be remembered forever. So cast away those thoughts of a tacky club and instead try something adventurous: try Marrakech. The Moroccan capital is the perfect marriage of mystique and indulgence. It’s a proud centrepiece of North African culture, bubbling with tradition and quirks at every street corner.

A fascinating mixture of Arabic and African lifestyles has combined over the centuries to create somewhere unique and exhilarating. This is still an Islamic country, but the locals are relaxed and fun loving. Alcohol isn’t frowned upon, as is the case in some Arabic states, so you can still expect to party and have a great time. And even if you aren’t going there to take in the cultural sites, you won’t be able to help yourself; the spectacles in this exceptional city will leave stags spellbound in the sub-Mediterranean sun.

The most exciting aspect of Marrakech has to be its split personality. It’s divided into two districts, both utterly different but equally beautiful. In the Medina, or old city, you’ll find the romantic customs of the past, and a spectacularly spicy nightlife. A trip to Djemaa El-Fna Square is unforgettable, especially in the evenings as the belly-dancers and pulsating rhythms get the party started. You’ll understand why Marrakech has become a premiere destination as you marvel at Morocco’s most talented street performers.

But the second you long for a return to home comforts, you won’t be far away from the Gueliz, home to trendy venues and vibrant modern living. This part of the city is as sophisticated as it is distinctive, with bars and clubs ranging from the luxurious to the electrifying. Lavish hotels can be found in easy walking distance from the centre of town, along with more familiar western brands Marrakech is closer than you think (only a little way south of Spain) and totally different from any of the more standard stag destinations. This captivating and colourful city will transform any preconceptions you might have, and leave you with sensational memories. Unrivalled and always evolving, Marrakech won’t slow down for anyone. And it’s ready and waiting to be your perfect stag getaway.

Ian Lucas is CEO at Redseven Leisure.

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Proud to be one of the most exciting and lively après-ski resorts in the Alps, Val d’Isère is set to make this season its best yet, with a host of new openings, celebrations and end-of-season parties that will be hard to forget.

Whilst infamous for its unforgettable skiing possibilities, Val d’Isère also has an unrivalled collection of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and cafés, making sure that guests are always spoilt for après-skiing choice.

Oh! Crazy Barm’s brasserie is one of the newest members to Val’s already impressive collection of trendy, modern hot-spots; with its light and airy décor, bright colours and ice-capped walls, Oh! Crazy Barm’s introduces a fresh take on traditional alpine bars and restaurants.

Live outdoor music is a vital après-ski ingredient and the new terrace which has just opened this season at Doudoune Le Chalet has become the latest music hub in Val d’Isère with live music every Thursday from 4:30pm from local rock band ‘Mullit.’

From new-players to an established legend; Val d’Isère welcomed this season one of the most anticipated après-ski launches in years with the renowned Dick’s Tea Bar. Seasonaires to royalty have graced the dance floor at Dick’s and now under new management, improvements include upgraded sound and lighting systems, a complete new layout, a new drinks menu and brand new furniture.

After a night in the dark, what better way to spend the following day than out in the sun, a chocolat-chaud in hand on the terrace of La Folie Douce, live music in the background and snow-covered Alps as a view? This legendary social spot is always a-buzz, never more so than during the last days of the season when the party never stops.

Finish the season in style with the legendary Val d’Isère end-of-season concerts held in the Tourist Office square from 5pm on the 26th, 28th and 29th April 2011; a truly incredible end to a spectacular season, that will keep you counting down the days to the next snow fall!

My friends and I like to play “what if” games, and lately one query that seems to keep resurfacing is this: if you could take an über luxurious, no holds-barred vacation, where would you go? A private beach in the South Pacific? A chateau tucked into the French Alps? A month-long African safari? It’s an interesting game, mostly because our answers seem to change from year to year – or even day to day – depending on our moods. And honestly, vacations are all about moods.

A recent, somewhat budget-friendly trip to New York City fresh in my mind, I began to mentally plan a luxe Big Apple trip as an answer to this latest round of “what if?”

First up: where to stay? Definitely Upper East Side, where amazing views of Central Park would be the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see at night. The Carlyle, a preferred stop for U.S. presidents and European royalty; The Pierre, that copper-topped beauty that just received a $100 million renovation reestablished its reputation of foremost grace and elegance; and The St. Regis, that bastion of Gilded Age opulence where guest rooms are appointed with priceless antiques and custom made furnishings and second-to-none butler service is de rigeur.

Then there’s food, glorious food. New, hip restaurants open seemingly daily in the city, so I rack my brain for the Old Guard eateries. Sirio Maccioni’s masterpiece Le Cirque is a sure bet, a place where the new industrialists and headline-grabbing celebrities dine regularly. The carnivore in me would tuck into a porterhouse at Peter Luger Steakhouse. And lunchtime would mean a visit to Cipriani on West Broadway.

As tempting as it would be to lounge around my hotel room, my every whim and desire being attended to, getting out and about is non-negotiable. Securing car service (Rolls Royce limo preferably), visits to The Whitney on Madison Avenue and a private Champagne-fueled sunset cruise around the island are must-dos. And of course, nothing says decadence like high tea at The Plaza, a true blue New York City tradition. And when night falls, box seats to an opera at the Met or a concert at Carnegie Hall followed by cocktails at the Blue Note Jazz Club on West Third are absolutely on the agenda.

Then there are things that are so out of the realm of possibility on a standard vacation that, in this scenario, they seem required. Trying the $1,000 Golden Opulence Sundae at Serendipity III; hobnobbing with the city’s movers and shakers at the Marquee lounge; and maxing out a credit card or two along Madison Avenue. No city does luxury quite like New York; I can’t think of a better place to live it up on an uber luxurious vacation.

Of course, ask me tomorrow and I’ll probably have changed my mind. Maybe that safari or chalet in the Alps is the way to go?

Peter Rerig is a Senior Writer for Vacations.com.

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From the state-of-the-art digital audio system in the rooms to their first own releases labelled ‘Puro Music’ and ‘Puro Desert Lounge’, Puro Oasis Urbano, Palma’s stylish member of Design Hotels, has always been a synonym for soothing sounds and unforgettable parties. After the enlargement and re-opening in Summer 2010, the hotel is now also the perfect venue for DJ music sessions, chic cocktail events, cool summer parties and festive happenings. In March 2011 the music concept will be brought to perfection, when Puro Oasis Urbano’s own Music Studio will open in the new Private Wing, a completely new area which can be hired exclusively by musicians, or small groups looking for a private space to celebrate.

With outposts in Amsterdam, Los Angeles and Singapore, the supperclub franchise is famous for serving up sumptuous suppers in sex-infused adult surroundings. Fortunately for those who reside in London, supperclub’s newest venue in Notting Hill lives up to the brand’s signature style. The interiors are as sleek as you’d expect, with a black-and-red bar for pre-supper drinks and a split-level dining room used for dinner and dancing. The square space is quite a sight to behold with bright white used throughout, from the glossy floor to the sofa-style seating that frames three walls. Cleanliness is considered, with glitzy guests required to take off their Louboutins before curling up on canvas cushions to enjoy the camp entertainment that unfolds before them. There are no menus here, so dinner is always a surprise mix of cuisines. With style and substance carefully balanced, supperclub challenges preconceptions of a night out and brings heady glamour back to the capital with a cool bar/restaurant/club combo.

Nick Clarke is Web Editor at Hg2 luxury city guides.

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For those who aren’t already familiar, Shanghai Tang is a leading luxury lifestyle brand emerging from China, offering everything from luxury apparel for men, women and children, as well as accessories and homeware.

And now, if you own an iPod Touch or iPhone, you can enjoy their latest collection courtesy of their free ‘City Chic’ app. The collection “embraces the euphoria of love with a sense of restraint and creative defiance, reflecting Shanghai Tang’s distinctive spirit of interpreting diverse artistic and cultural elements with a contemporary Chinese chic style”.

You can view items in the collection, watch video footage of models parading up and down at a Shanghai Tang fashion show and redeem vouchers that give you money off at certain stores or on certain products.  But the app goes much further than this… it also tells you the coolest places to eat, drink, shop and party in Shanghai.

Whether you’re looking for a boutique 5 star hotel (88 Xintiandi), a chic little lounge bar (DR Bar near Ma Dang Road), the private tearooms of the Whampoa Club, or a sophisticated nightclub perched on top of a skyscraper (M1NT), or other hidden secrets of the city, you’ll find it all neatly packaged in this app.

There’s also, of course, the fine offerings of Shanghai Tang itself, including the Shanghai Tang Café, the Shanghai Tang Xintiandi Flagship Store, the Shanghai Tang Peninsula hotel store, the Shanghai Tang Shangri-la hotel store and the Shanghai Tang Jinjiang hotel store, making this a great little app for anyone looking to ‘live it up’ in Shanghai.  The app is free – download it, give it a try and let us know what you think.