A Luxury Travel Blog

I know it’s a little difficult to believe, but ”Luxury yachts offer pirate hunting cruises” is a headline currently emanating from the Ananova news site. Shiver m’ timbers… is this serious?!  Here’s the full article:

Luxury ocean liners in Russia are offering pirate hunting cruises aboard armed private yachts off the Somali coast.

Wealthy punters pay £3,500 per day to patrol the most dangerous waters in the world hoping to be attacked by raiders.

When attacked, they retaliate with grenade launchers, machine guns and rocket launchers, reports Austrian business paper Wirtschaftsblatt.

Passengers, who can pay an extra £5 a day for an AK-47 machine gun and £7 for 100 rounds of ammo, are also protected by a squad of ex special forces troops.

The yachts travel from Djibouti in Somalia to Mombasa in Kenya.

The ships deliberately cruise close to the coast at a speed of just five nautical miles in an attempt to attract the interest of pirates.

“They are worse than the pirates,” said Russian yachtsman Vladimir Mironov. “At least the pirates have the decency to take hostages, these people are just paying to commit murder,” he continued.

Link to the Wirtschaftsblatt is here but my Austrian isn’t good enough to even find the relevant article, let alone provide a translation.  Perhaps someone reading could help with that?

Our latest interview is with Suzanne Aaronson, Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Suzanne’s Files, a leading quality lifestyle resource. Suzanne’s Files provides expert picks on under-the-radar getaways, hidden gems, wow services, truly unique gifts, lifetime experiences, and niche experts around the world.

What is it that you do exactly?

Everyday is different – that’s for sure! Throughout everyday there is a mix of our insiders, people I meet, things I read that help keep me and our team well informed about special finds all over the world. My days are mixed with business meetings and “checking things out” time. The mix is perfect for me!

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

Everyone I know, almost everyone I meet is interested in Suzanne’s Files – super flattering. People are so curious how they can tap the ever-growing site; the way it can help them navigate through the noise out there- the clutter. The time-saving benefits they get from the e-Newsletters; the insight and personal voice is like a friend would tell you!

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

Little Kulala Lodge, Namibia: an intimate desert retreat on a private Namibian wilderness reserve. It felt like Fred Flintstone’s house meets chic stylish.  A real wow when you can sleep under the stars on your rooftop.

St. Regis in Singapore: imagine the most well serviced and most eclectically designed city hotel – now multiply by 2!

Cap Estel, Eze, Cote D’Azur, France: exactly what the Med should be. Surrounded by the sparkling sea, provided with great sporty activities on property.

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

Hmmm… that’s a fun question! So, I’d have to say when I was 16 years old, out to dinner in New York at a great Indian restaurant and I saw Bill Cosby (whom I grew up watching of course and adored). I walked over to him and said hi and asked if I could have a hug.  He hugged me tight!

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

I like to keep celebrities’ anonymity as there are quite a few that tap me for my suggestions of wonderful experiences to have, places to visit and go… I’ll share one non-work related story which is that years ago Christy Turlington entered the same elevator I was in in NYC.  She turned to me and complimented my jacket – which I had designed myself from an old military jacket I bought in a Washington DC thrift store.  I felt very stylish to say the least…

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

No question – these places: Atacama Desert in Chile, Mozambique, Madagascar, Wild Fitness bootcamp in Kenya, Croatian Coast, Tokyo….and I’d like to learn how to video document to better share my perceptions and finds via the web.

Thank you, Suzanne, for a great interview. And apologies on me having to be chased to get it published… it’s been a busy time here at A Luxury Travel Blog!

Do you like wild animals and great nature? Then take a look at the dream villas in Kenya for this year, with fantastic rates from Bohline Villas. They are offering a 40% discount from the 4th to any subsequent night on stays in their Kenyan villas. This applies to The Beach Villa, The Cliff Villa and The Garden Villa, all of which come with staff which will do their best to take of you during your vacation.

The renowned stampede of over two million herbivores across the plains of East Africa is one of the most fantastic spectacles of the natural world. At the moment, the massive herds of wildebeest continue to cross the Mara River and are headed towards the Mara Triangle. As the herds continue to move north, Kichwa Tembo will soon offer guests unforgettable sightings. If you’re out there witnessing the migration, or have been lucky enough to witness it in the past, please click on the comments to describe your experience.

Alfajiri Villas luxury accommodation on the Kenyan coast near Mombasa is perhaps best-known for serving as a getaway for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie back in 2005, shortly after Pitt’s divorce from Jennifer Aniston. Described as “one of the most luxurious villas in the world” by Sarah Miller of Condé Nast Traveller magazine, it actually consists of three villas: the cliff villa, the garden villa and the beach villa. Owned and hosted by Fabrizio and Marika Molinaro, each skilled in the safari business and interior design respectively, the accommodation is widely regarded as the very best East Africa has to offer. Rates typically start from around $400 per person per night. Other notable guests have included journalist Katie Couric and actress Emmanuelle Béart.

It’s that time of year once again when Travel+Leisure releases its World’s Best Awards. I haven’t had time to study them in detail just yet, but have noted that Singita Sabi Sand at Kruger has taken top spot in the World’s Best Hotels section, up one place from last year. Second is Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur, India, up from 11th place last year, and Fairmont Mara Safari Club in Kenya’s Masai Mara makes one of the most impressive climbs to third place (up from 48th spot in 2007).

In the Masai Mara, the migration is beginning. The first zebras – precursors of two million wildebeest – have started to pick their way across the Mara River, a sign that the 2008 migration will be starting early. Olonana is perhaps the Mara’s leading luxury camp and is ideally positioned on the edge of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Guests can follow the migration at will, with easy daytime access into the reserve. As the camp is positioned outside the park itself, guests can also take night drives, game walks and interact with local Maasai communities. The camp itself has 14 tented pavilions each with two queen-sized beds, en suites with twin basins and showers, a personal valet and large private viewing decks overlooking a hippo filled Mara River.

Hey, everyone… it’s Valentine’s Day!  Have you been whisked off your feet to some exotic location?  Are you saving your celebrations until the weekend?  If you’re somewhere special, heading somewhere special, or just got back, we want to hear from you!  Just click on the comments link below.  As for the picture, that’s a shot of a double rose petal bath at Kilalinda Lodge in Kenya’s Tsavo National Park.  It looks heavenly, doesn’t it?!

A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…

• Low priced private jet travel from Jump Jet
• Enjoy the culinary sensation that is Oud Sluis
• Discover the warmth of Barcelona at Hotel Majestic
• On an island off Mombasa, The Funzi Keys

A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…

• Helicopter rides in the Canaries from Blue Canarias
• Cosy Kenyan homestay courtesy of Ngong House
• Dine at Peter Goossens’ Hof van Cleve in Belgium
• Where one great experience leads to another: Dubai

CC Africa’s award-winning Bateleur Camp at Kichwa Tembo in Kenya now boasts a second exclusive and intimate luxury tented camp. Featuring nine tented suites, spacious guest areas and its own access areas, the camp offers the epitome of tented luxury in the renowned Masai Mara. The camp overlooks the massive Masai Mara plains, where lion, elephant and giraffe roam freely. During the Great Migration guests can witness the passing throngs of animals, including zebra and wildebeest.

Inspiring footage of the migration from Kenya’s Masai Mara to the Serengeti, courtesy of CAT Safaris.

A luxury lodge in the Lewa Downs Conservancy of Kenya, Il Ngwesi, is today facing an £800,000 lawsuit from a British woman who was lucky to survive an incident where she was trampled and gored by an elephant after going for a run with two friends and a local guide. The attack – which happened 6 years ago – left her with serious injuries and having to undergo 13 operations. She’s claiming that she wasn’t made properly aware of the dangers whilst the owner’s barrister is claiming that she must take responsibility for her decision.  It’ll be interesting to hear the outcome.

Promotional video from Nairobi-based Private Wilderness.

This is post six of twelve in our daily look at the best islands in the world to visit, when to visit them and where to stay (where individual recommendations are made). For June, the following are recommended:

• British Virgin Islands
• Capri: Grand Hotel Quisisana and Villa Brunella
• Galápagos, Ecuador
• Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts: The Edgartown Inn and Harbor View Hotel
• Mfangano, Kenya: Governors’ Camp
• Naoshima, Japan: Benesse House

The Mombasa Serena Beach Hotel re-opens today, having closed last May for renovations. The hotel now has a new Maisha spa facility, a renovation and extension of the Village Wing rooms, as well as the family rooms, and improvements to the interior design of the public areas. Styled to resemble a 13th century Swahili town complete with winding lanes, carved balconies, fountained courts and bustling market squares, the Serena Beach Hotel provides an oasis of tranquillity whilst delivering a unique mix of high-action water sports, sybaritic sun worship, world-class cuisine and vibrant nightlife.