A Luxury Travel Blog

Whether you’re an opera addict or a ballet buff, visiting a theatre district can be the perfect way to enrich your city break or holiday. We take a look at some of the world’s cultural nerve centres to find the best destinations for fans of all things theatrical.

Milan

Stylish and refined, this chic city is the perfect destination for cultural
connoisseurs, with its elegant opera houses and theatres. The fashionable Corso Como precinct is a great place to be seen enjoying a pre-performance aperitivo, and if you want to rub shoulders with the cultural elite, La Scala will provide an opulent setting in which to enjoy a bit of Puccini or Verdi. The Milanese are among the best-dressed in Europe, so be sure to wear your finest couture if you want to fit right in.

London

Theatre devotees are spoilt for choice in England’s capital, from blockbuster shows in the vibrant and bustling West End to Elizabethan drama brought to life at The Globe, or charming summer spectacles at the Regent’s Park open-air theatre. Why not take a tour of Theatreland, taking in the impressive Victorian facades while absorbing the history of these cherished playhouses in the heart of central London.

New York

Every theatre aficionado dreams of the bright lights of Broadway, and in reality, New York is unlikely to disappoint. With a dazzling spectrum of shows, from the sparkle and pizzazz of smash-hit musicals to off-broadway plays in intimate venues to underground productions in ramshackle hideaways, there’s a rich selection for all tastes. Restaurant Row provides countless options for pre- and post-show refreshment, or sample the world-class fare at one of Times Square’s many diners.

Moscow

Moscow’s bustling metropolis provides an abundance of enticing options for theatre-buffs, but none more tempting than the Bolshoi ballet. The sumptuous gilt-finished auditorium is the perfect setting for the works of the great Russian composers, with its astounding acoustic clarity and expansive neo-classical interior. The city boasts a wealth of highbrow arts activity, including the Academic Orchestra at the Moscow Conservatory and bohemian experimental performance at the Helikon Opera theatre.

Melbourne

Victoria’s capital has much to offer theatre-wise, from the art deco playhouses of the Theatre District to the progressive cultural nucleus of the Arts Precinct on the Southbank of the Yarra River. The former is home to some of the city’s most beautiful Victorian buildings, whereas the latter is characterised by iconic modern architecture, punctuated with neon tubing, honeycomb mesh and bold designs. Or if you’re looking for something a bit more classical, head to the Royal Botanical Gardens for Shakespeare under the stars during the summer months.

Salzburg

The city of Mozart is bursting with cultural delights, including some of the finest arts festivals in the world. For standard cultural fare, head to the Salzburg County Theatre, but for something out-of-the-ordinary, try the Salzburger Marionettentheater for enchanting puppet performances of opera and Shakespeare or the Kleine Theatre for some cult cabaret.

Tokyo

Tokyo’s performing arts scene is scattered across the capital, but with so many unique theatre traditions, you’ll need plenty of time to experience it all. There’s the tiny fringe theatres hidden among the winding streets of Shimokitazawa, OperaCity in Hatsudai or jazz and comedy at Setagaya-ku’s Carrot Tower. Don’t miss the extravagant beauty of traditional Kabuki theatre, an elaborate and colourful visual feast accompanied by Japanese instruments. The grandest Kabuki theatre, Kabuki-Za, reopens in 2013.

Athens

The birthplace of drama, this lively capital is ideal for anyone interested in classical theatre. The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is one of the earliest preserved theatres and it continues to be used as a venue for performance. A spot of Sophocles or Euripides in this stunning setting is an absolute must for arts lovers, but if regional revelry is more your thing, visit the Dora Stratou Garden Theatre for some traditional folk entertainment.

Paris

The City of Lights offers an eclectic mix of theatre from the conventional to the avant-garde. With some of the most iconic theatres in the world — the Opera Bastille, La Comedie-Francaise and even the Moulin Rouge — there’s a wealth of choice that will whet any cultural appetite. The Theatre des Bouffes du Nord is an exquisite gem of a theatre near Gare du Nord station, frequently offering English plays.

Mumbai

Often referred to as the entertainment capital of India, Mumbai is a cosmopolitan blend of contemporary art and culture. The Prithvi Theatre is an intimate venue belonging to one of the most influential Bollywood families, and it’s the perfect place to grab an Irish coffee and scope out the local culturati. For a truly unforgettable experience, head to the Horniman Circle Garden for open-air plays and concerts in English, Gujarati and Marathi.

Simon Hagger is CEO at Show and Stay.

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Tripadvisor recently published ‘10 unique luxury hotels you’ll never forget’.  Strangely, it’s just a list – albeit with pictures – but with no explanation as to what, precisely, makes each one memorable.  For what it’s worth, though, I’ve reproduced their list below. Please post a comment and tell us what hotels you think are unforgettable… and, of course, why!

1. Banyan Tree Al Wadi, UAE
2. Goldeneye Resort, Jamaica
3. Six Senses Con Dao, Vietnam
4. Playa VIK Jose Ignacio, Uruguay
5. Borgo Egnazia Villas Hotel Golf Spa, Italy
6. Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris, France
7. The Leela Palace Kempinski New Delhi, India
8. Fullerton Hotel, Singapore
9. W Retreat & Spa, Maldives
10. Kenoa Exclusive Beach Spa & Resort, Brazil

Karen Gee is Managing Director of Journeys of Distinction, a specialist tour operator selling luxury escorted tours from the UK to a wide range of destinations worldwide from New Zealand to Russia and from South America to India. The company offers a very high level of customer service and Karen regularly meets with customers to get their feedback including going undercover on a Journeys of Distinction holiday once a year. Every destination is carefully researched and every holiday is carefully planned using only the very best hotels to ensure the perfect experience. Karen has extensive experience in the travel and leisure industry having previously in escorted touring, package holidays, camping holidays, cruise, theme park and travel shopping channel sectors.

What is it that you do exactly?

I’m Managing Director of Journeys of Distinction which means I get involved in lots of different things, from researching destinations and planning our next range of brochures to negotiating prices and reading customer feedback. No two days are the same!

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

People often think that the highlight of my job is the travel that I’m lucky enough to experience but actually what I most enjoy is hearing from customers about the fabulous Journeys of Distinction holidays they’ve just had. I tend to get a lot of correspondence from customers and I just love reading about their experiences and what made it special for them. In fact I quite often get invited to customers homes for tea and cake so I can hear more about their travels in a very relaxed, personal way.

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

1. Wildflower Hall, Shimla, Indian Himalayas – Situated at 8,250 feet in the Indian Himalayas with breathtaking views, Wildflower Hall was Lord Kitchener’s private residence in the 1900’s and it’s my favourite hotel in the world. Grand and glamorous, plus they do a mean gin and tonic.

2. Skycity Grand, Auckland, New Zealand – Not for anyone with vertigo, this ultra contemporary hotel has a very modern and elegant approach to hotel design and decor. Not to be missed is Orbit, their highly acclaimed revolving restaurant in the revolving tower which, once you’ve got over the lift journey which takes you up 190 metres, the food and wine are great and the 360 views of the city make it particularly memorable part of the tours to New Zealand.

3. The Imperial, New Delhi – This stylish Art Deco hotel is simply the best hotel in Delhi to my mind and is minutes away from the restaurants and shopping of Connaught Place. There’s an all-cream colour scheme throughout the hotel and every room is slightly different so it makes your stay unique. The rooms have really comfortable beds, perfect thread count bedlinen and a delicious coconut lip balm in the bathroom. Sometimes it’s the little touches that make the difference.

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

Enjoying a Himachal Thali dinner at Wildflower Hall in a private dining room lit only by two hundred candles and a roaring fire and being served by Udit, the perfect butler who can predict your needs before even you know you need it. With over twenty different delicious Indian dishes, the whole atmosphere was just wonderful and was an experience I will never forget.

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

I’m the absolute soul of discretion and wouldn’t even dream of saying!

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

I’m looking forward to travelling through China next month and my wishlist for this trip is a Kindle and a plentiful supply of Jo Malone.

Thank you for taking part in our interview, Karen. We wish you well on your trip to China… but haven’t you kind of ‘let the cat out of the bag’ with regards to your next ‘undercover’ trip?!

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This might not seem the most obvious list going but here – according to Tripadvisor – are the top 10 places every food lover should visit.  Interestingly, neither New York nor London get a mention. Click on the comments and tell us where you think they’ve missed.

1. Lyon, France
2. Bologna, Italy
3. San Sebastian, Spain
4. Paris, France
5. Tokyo, Japan
6. Chengdu, China
7. Bangkok, Thailand
8. New Delhi, India
9. Istanbul, Turkey
10. Barcelona, Spain

Looking for somewhere really special to take your partner out for dinner? Tripadvisor have announced their 10 most romantic restaurants and for once there’s a good geographic spread with not one country represented more than once. Here’s the list they came up with, but please tell us your favourites that didn’t make the list but you feel should make the world’s top 10 most romantic.

1. The Library, Rome, Italy
2. Atmosphere Lounge Restaurant, Santorini, Greece
3. Bateaux Parisiens, Paris, France
4. La Veranda, Cozumel, Mexico
5. Orgasmic, Koh Samui, Thailand
6. Restaurant Couvert, Bruges, Belgium
7. Clos Maggiore, London, England
8. Bateaux Dubai, Dubai, UAE
9. Terasa u Zlate Studne, Prague, Czech Republic
10. Ambrai, Udaipur, India

Philip has worked at Cox & Kings since 1993. Having travelled extensively in South America, Africa and Europe, both before and after University (Edinburgh), he had caught a severe case of the travel bug and he joined the company as a Latin America tour consultant. He was only supposed to be there as a two-week cover for someone on leave, but something must have clicked, because he’s still here over 17 years on. Three years later he moved into the in-house PR role at the company, before getting involved in wider marketing activities such as brochure production etc. He eventually became the Marketing Director in 2003.

What is it that you do exactly?

Essentially, I oversee all of Cox & Kings’ marketing. This includes a wide variety of promotional activities, from traditional brochures and press advertising, to direct marketing, including the Cox & Kings travel magazine, “Compass”; public relations; sponsorships; third-party affiliations; sales through travel agents; and, ever-increasingly, the online promotion through the website, search engine optimisation, paid search, blogging, emails, social media et al. There are twelve of us in the team, and we have specialists working on all these activities, so my role is to keep an eye on the whole lot. Inevitably, this involves a lot of meetings and discussions with the various members of the team, other Cox & Kings departments, outside agencies who support us and organisations we are running joint promotions with. Just to add to the variety, as a director I also get involved in many aspects of the business that are nothing to do with marketing. I am actually married to another of the directors at Cox & Kings, and we live within 20 minutes’ walk of the office, so the day starts with a pleasant stroll, during which we often chat about what’s going on at work. At the end of the working day, on the way home we tend to be pretty good at leaving work behind and looking forward to the evening ahead.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

Having worked so long and exclusively for one company my work is far more than just a job for me. I feel part of the fabric of Cox & Kings and the company is part of my fabric. This means that I feel the ups and downs of the company’s fortune quite profoundly. When things go well the satisfaction is great – equally, when things go less well I really feel it. I particularly enjoy it when a new marketing initiative is well received or, more importantly, generates new business. We employ some really good (in all senses) and mutually supportive people at Cox & Kings, and the relaxed-but-professional working culture we have developed is also a source of great pleasure

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

Devi Garh, nr Udaipur: The north west Indian state of Rajasthan is choc-a-block with fantasy hotels, converted from old forts and palaces, or created from scratch in a pastiche of regal glory. Devi Garh is the ultimate heritage property. Arriving through the grandest of gates into a manicured formal garden, the hotel, perched on a hill in countryside near Udaipur, looms large above you with its glorious exterior of cupolas, terraces and balconies. Its interiors are far less intricate – here, marble clad minimalism combines clean-cut modernity with old Indian motifs. The whole is very stylish. The views are stunning, the food exquisite and the service faultless.

Ceylon Tea Trails, Sri Lanka: Ceylon Tea Trails is a collection of four former planters’ bungalows dotted about a steep-sided valley that leads up from the loch-like Castlereagh Reservoir in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. All around is swathed in rows of bright green waist-high tea bushes. Our bungalow had just five beautifully furnished rooms, all with a distinctly 1920s feel. The same spirit is carried onto the verandah, where meals are served by the friendliest staff while one overlooks the neatly kept garden, croquet lawn and beyond to the lake. The meals are delicious, with a mix of traditional Sri Lankan curries and traditional English dishes, and a proper tea is served in the afternoon, including cakes and scones. Why did I love Tea Trails so much? It’s hard to my finger on it, but I do know that it was perfectly relaxing and its simple pleasures and majestic surroundings chimed with me and I’d go back like a shot.

The Observatory, Sydney: The Observatory is my favourite city hotel. The first thing it gets right is its location on a quiet road within walking distance of the Rocks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the main harbour attractions. The rooms offer views out onto the harbour. It’s not a stuffy or pompous hotel, nor is it particularly buzzy, but it is run with great attention to detail and created with a lovely eye for design.

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

L’Eau Vive in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: Travelling through the semi-desert Sahel region of West Africa, gastronomic delights are few and far between. Indeed the night before this meal, I was chewing on some species of squirrel on a stick caught for us by some young goat herds and charred over a camp fire in the middle of nowhere. It maybe as a result of this that the dinner I had at L’Eau Vive in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, lives on in my memory almost twenty years later. The restaurant, which is still going today, is run by Catholic nuns. Sitting under the stars in a peaceful courtyard, tucked away from the fumes and noise outside, the food was very and wonderfully French. I still remember that I started with a delicious cervelle de veau (calf’s brain) and followed it with a beautifully cooked steak. Then, to accompany dessert, one of the beautiful young nun started strumming a guitar and the other nuns broke into an exquisite rendition of Ave Maria. The diners were all given word sheets and encouraged to join in. A quite unexpected and truly magical end to a surprisingly delicious dinner, in the kind of city you don’t find yourself in very often.

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

I was doing the PR for Cox & Kings at a time when holiday programmes were still a mainstay of prime-time telly, with shows such as BBC’s Holiday and ITV’s Wish you Were Here? So, I accompanied a few filming trips, with the likes of Caroline Quentin in Belize, Les Dennis & Amanda Holden when they were a couple in Argentina, and the late Paula Yates in Sri Lanka. On another trip, whilst dining in Devi Garh (see favourite hotels above) my wife and I encountered Eric Cantona at the neighbouring table over dinner and years ago I was introduced (excruciatingly as a ‘fellow VIP’) to Henry Kissinger at the Rambagh Palace in Jaipur. Cox & Kings has arranged holidays for many well-known personalities, but we’re much too discreet to say who and where I’m afraid.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

Having had the wonderful experience of encountering mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in the wild in central Africa, I would love to explore Borneo or Sumatra in search of orang utans. In terms of kit, I have never found a sunhat that packs up small, keeps its shape and that doesn’t either make me look like the village idiot or the archetypal British colonialist abroad.

Thank you for taking part in our interview series, Philip, and good luck in your quest to get to Borneo or Sumatra.

If you would like to be interviewed on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Looking for something cosy and with a beach on your doorstep? Then you’re in luck as Tripadvisor have just shared their top 10 cosy beachside hotels. Making the list are hotels from all over the world so, without further ado, here you go:

1. Breakfast on the Beach Lodge, Waiheke Island, New Zealand
2. Utopia Dive Village, Utila, Honduras
3. Shades Resort Apartments, Mui Ne, Vietnam
4. Taveuni Palms Resort, Taveuni Island, Fiji
5. Runaway Hill Club, Harbour Island, Bahamas
6. Kannur Beach House, Kannur, India
7. Windtown Beach Resort & Spa, Cumbuco, Brazil
8. Ceol Na Mara Guesthouse, Enniscrone, Ireland
9. Hotel Castello, Malcesine, Italy
10. Tiki on the Beach, Fort Myers Beach, USA

With 450 national parks within India, for a first time visitor choosing the best place to relish in the natural heritage can seem like a daunting task. But ask anyone who has stepped even a foot in the country and they will send you straight to Ranthambore. Famous amongst residents and globe-trotters, Ranthambore is renowned for the tigers that reside in the park who make more frequent appearances than is usual for the typically lazy animal. Of course, the danger in visiting such an admired place is that, like all tourist hot-spots, the authenticity of the experience can easily be spoiled by getting packed onto the same tourist trail with every other visitor also trying to catch a glimpse of the beloved tiger, or worse, tripping up on the finer details like where to stay.

Luckily, there is a way to avoid getting stuffed into a double-decker bus with 30 other tourists (hire a jeep), or worse, finding yourself with Delhi belly mid-safari thanks to the hotel’s “continental” breakfast. The first place to start is the accommodation, and nowhere offers luxury camping while retaining the authentic charm of the jungle like Sher Bagh. Once the Maharaja of Johpur’s hunting lodge, Sher Bagh is an excellent step back into time with only 12 tents and communal dinners held around the campfire, and a great introduction to the riches of the park. Enquire with enough rigour and you might get to hear stories from the off-season when the site becomes an anti-poaching base. Adding to their ethical credentials, Sher Bagh holds a strong commitment to keeping their carbon footprint down by sourcing produce from their own organic farm. Enough to keep the eco-warriors and PETA fans happy.

Beyond the comforts of the camp, the riches of the park are the main attraction, and the tiger is not the only star. Home to panthers, leopards, crocodiles, wild boar and 400 species of birds to name but a few, the treasures of Ranthambore’s jungle are endless. If you aren’t lucky enough to see a tiger then catching a glimpse of the other inhabitants is equally captivating. Add to this the thrill of heading into the wilderness as the sun begins to rise over the hilltops, and you soon realise the real enchantment of Ranthambore is experiencing the wild landscape in its natural form.

What few people also know is that Ranthambore is the home to one of the oldest forts in India, and one of the few remaining that are still inhabited. Standing tall on the top of a hill looking over the entire park, the fort casts a magnificent site across the lush landscape. Inside, ancient temples, abandoned royal banquet halls and man-made swimming pools paint a grand picture of the days when maharajas resided.

Some of the nicer hotels in the park, such as the predictable Oberoi Vanyavilas or Taj Vivanta boast excellent restaurants and may prove a nice change of pace in the evenings. But with some of the most beautiful natural landscape and diverse variety of wildlife, you won’t need much more to enjoy yourself than the beautiful surroundings, some of the best that nature has to offer.

Marilyn MacDonald is the Head of Marketing at Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…

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Anupam Dasgupta has been with the IHHR group for over 6 years in several roles and is now the General Manager at Ananda. Ananda, located in the foothills of the Himalayas, is a world-leading spa where a holistic approach is taken towards rejuvenation using the three ancient Indian philosphies of Yoga, Ayurveda and Vedanta. The award-winning retreat combines the best of Eastern and Western practices to leave a lasting impact with their guests, providing them with the tools to live happier and healthier lives. Ananda is located in the hamlet town of Narendra Nagar in the Himalayas, close to the spiritual town of Rishikesh and the holy town of Haridwar, where the river Ganges flow through and where a lot of these ancient Indian philosophies are said to have originated from. The surrounding scenery and nature is ideal for the holistic lifestyle approach of improving the well being of the body, mind and soul.

What is it that you do exactly?

I am paid to basically have a good time! On a serious note, as the General Manager of the property, I am responsible for looking after the day-to-day operations at Ananda. The way I see it, my responsibilities fall into three categories: looking after my guests, looking after the team and maintaining the property. I am also responsible for marketing and sales alongside two of my colleagues who operate from our head office in Delhi. We work in conjunction together as we are still a relatively small young company.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I would have to say the most enjoyable part of my job is interacting with all the guests that visit us here, especially as the wellness market is still such a niche business. Also as you can see not all of our guests are here for wellness so we have a very interesting mix of guests that come here looking for different things from their visit. I have often found myself forming lifelong friendships with many of our guests. We have guests visit us from all parts of the world, usually coming for 7, 14 or 21 nights. They are looking to take more away from Ananda than just memories & photographs. We actually help people change their lifestyles, leaving a lasting impact on their lives and that’s why I feel really good about what me and the team do here each day.

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

1) Ananda in the Himalayas, India
2) Chedi Hotel, Muscat, Oman
3) The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambore, India

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

Funnily enough, I would have to say that this was in Goa on the beach at a small beach shack. It was my wedding anniversary and the hotel had organized a secluded romantic candlelit dinner on the beach for my wife and I. They had booked the entire shack for us and we were given the choice of all the seafood that had been caught that day and had it cooked deliciously.

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

Through my work, yes. We get our fair share of celebrities at Ananda from all across the globe here as people can come and relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of normal life, without being hounded. There are some guests who request not to be mentioned so I won’t mention them but there are some that don’t mind once they’ve finished their visit. A few that come to mind are Uma Thurman, Hilary Swank, Heidi Klum, Seal, Melinda Gates, Amir Khan, Rekha and Karishma Kapoor.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

It would have to be Africa for a wildlife safari and Spain to taste all the good food that they have there!

Thank you for taking part, Anupam.  We wish you all the best in your role at Ananda.

If you would like to be interviewed on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Lonely Planet earlier this year produced a list of the top 10 cities to visit in 2011. It wasn’t just ‘yet another top 10 list’ – well, it was, but it at least gave some good reasons for why each place was worthy of visiting this year. Here’s their top 10 and, if you want to see the reasons behind the selection, click here.

1. New York
2. Tangier
3. Tel Aviv
4. Wellington
5. Valencia
6. Iquitos
7. Ghent
8. Delhi
9. Newcastle (Australia)
10. Chiang Mai

Are there any cities that would make your top 10 but they aren’t listed here? London, perhaps, to see the Royal Wedding? Whatever your selection, please let us know by posting a comment that names the city and the reason why it’s a great place to visit in 2011.

Ananda is located in the hamlet town of Narendra Nagar in the Himalayas, close to the spiritual town of Rishikesh and the holy town of Haridwar, where the River Ganges flows through. The surrounding scenery and nature is ideal for the holistic lifestyle approach that Ananda takes towards rejuvenation and wellbeing of the body, mind and soul of its guests. The easiest ways to get there is via a flight from Delhi to Dehradun airport or via train from Delhi to Haridwar. Free transfers are provided from the airport or train station to Ananda.

The surroundings are breath-taking as you arrive on the Ananda property. Concealed behind the palace of the Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal, lies the luxurious reception area of Ananda and  nearby are the residential quarters, spa, restaurant, music pavilion, amphitheatre and nine-hole golf course.

Ananda is much more than a spa in the western sense. By promoting a holistic way of life, Ananda combines the best of the East and the West in order to help its guests live a better, healthier and more complete life. Grounded in ayurveda, yoga and vedanta combined with contemporary international therapies, Ananda thrives to improve the physical, mental and spiritual health of its guests.

Depending on which package you select, you will typically have one to three treatments or personalised sessions per day. From ayurveda to wellness to weight loss management to yoga, there is such a variety of packages to select from and over 70 body & beauty treatments. Within the ayurvedic package, you find that once your Dosha (the dynamic living force – Vata, Pitta or Kapha) is determined, a diet, exercise and treatment schedule is created accordingly during a consultation with your physician.

Ayurveda in Sanskrit means “the complete knowledge for long life”. The ayurvedic treatments vary from Abhyabga (a synchronized full body massage administered by two therapists using herb infused sesame oil) to Mukh Lepa (centuries-old facial using traditional herbs to cleanse, exfoliate and hydrate). Those who want to work on firming and toning may go for Udwarthana which is a deep dry massage using herbal powders that assist to break down the body’s excess fat or for those wanting to improve memory and normalize blood pressure and sleep patterns, may want to book Shirodhara. The options are endless and each treatment begins & ends with sacred blessings including beautifully sung prayers by your therapists. There is nothing that Ananda has not thought of in making these treatments memorable.

Other than the spa treatments, additional experiences vary from daily yoga sessions, meditation, pranayam and fitness classes. These are also complimented by Vedanta classes by Senior Disciples of Swami Parthasarthy on directing one to the goal of spiritual enlightenment (Vedanta meaning the highest knowledge in Sanskrit ) and there are often special talks from guest visitors on topics such as Cranio Sacral Therapy and the local history of the area.

And if all this isn’t enough for you to stay busy, there are classical dance performances, cooking classes and traditional Indian music classes. And it is even possible to arrange evening trips to see the Aarti at the River Ganga, mountain hiking to the Kunjapuri Temple, white water rafting and much more.

The award-winning restaurant offers a delicious A La Carte menu, along with a special daily menu from the Ananda Chef, an extensive wine list and finally the Wellness Plan Menu which you can order from in line with your Dosha.

This place is like nothing else on earth, you will feel at home with Mother Nature and the environment and a heightened sense of spirituality. It is no wonder that Ananda has become the only destination spa in the world to be in the top 3 position for the Condé Nast Awards six years running.

If you enjoy all things luxurious and are particularly inclined to luxury air travel, you will be glad to know that luxury train travel boasts many advantages over traditional luxury air travel such as gorgeous scenic views, less monotony, ample space, spacious amenities, comfortable sleeping areas and bathrooms.

There is no doubt that the plane is the fastest mode of transport out there, and it’s also true that a plane offers stunning panoramic views. Having said this, the amazing plane’s window views do not last long as they are often broken by the view of clouds, whereas on a train ride you can relish scenic views en route.

Luxury train travel has truly come a long way and its popularity is on the up-trend. If you’ve never had the pleasure to enjoy a luxury train ride and are wondering about the world’s most luxurious trains, below we have a list of the most popular luxury train tour operators in the world.

Trans-Siberian Express

The Trans-Siberian Express is one of the largest and most famous luxury train operators in the world. A luxury ride on the Trans-Siberian Express means embarking on a journey spanning Russia and the Far East and crossing over several time zones.

India’s Palace on Wheels

India’s Palace on Wheels, is one of the world’s most luxurious trains and its renowned for its luxury coaches and amazing décor, which represent the opulent and rich heritage of India.

British Pullman

Luxury train rides do not come as fascinating and historic as the novelty British Pullman trains. British Pullman trains boast stunning vintage carriages that retain the grandeur and quaint art deco of early 1930s British trains.

Rocky Mountaineer

Rocky Mountaineer is one of the most scenic and luxurious train rides in the world which journey takes you through the memorable Canadian Rockies while taking in stunning natural sights.

James Jones is a travel writer for My Travel Guide Posts.

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Oakwood celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with an array of exciting celebration campaigns centered on the theme of trust. One of these golden anniversary campaigns include the “50 Nights in 50 Months” contest, where visitors to the specially designed Oakwood Asia Pacific microsite can stand a chance to win 50 nights to be used in Oakwood properties across Asia, over 50 months. All that needs to be done on this microsite is to send an e-postcard to friends, describing the meaning of trust. Each additional e-postcard sent earns an additional chance to win the grand prize. The winner will live the luxe life at Oakwood’s luxurious serviced apartment brands, including the premium Oakwood Premier, designed to cater to the finest of tastes – Oakwood Premier Prestige Bangalore features a functional helipad and AZOK, the popular modern Indian roof-top restaurant by Vineet Bhatia, the first Indian chef to be awarded a Michelin star, is housed in Oakwood Premier Mumbai.

The Palace Wing of the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai is currently being restored following the events of 2008 and Taj has launched a microsite to keep customers informed of progress. In the next few months Taj will be reopening the Rooms and Grand Suites of the heritage wing in a phased manner.  The microsite talks about the renowned restaurants that are already fully operational. It also showcases the rich history of Taj, its heritage, royalty, art and architecture ) and encourages people to share their special memories of Taj on the site.

A relative newcomer to Kuala Lumpur’s restaurant scene, Albion restaurant is quickly gaining a reputation as a top place to eat. I described it elsewhere as “probably the best place to eat in KL”, so I wanted to be sure that A Luxury Travel Blog readers gained the benefit of the insider knowledge too. Here Albion co-owner James Grierson talks about his life, and his latest venture, Albion.

What is it that you do exactly?

I co-own a restaurant called Albion located in the Bukit Bintang area of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I run front of house whilst Colin, my partner, runs the kitchen.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I have a great passion for food, drink and people. Involvement in this industry sates my appetite for all three. Every day is different. Every day is hugely gratifying. To meet new people and experience, vicariously, their enjoyment of what we offer at Albion is what it’s all about. When they return for more, I know we are on the right track.

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

Bachelor Hall, St James, Barbados – It’s a mansion right on the beach and one memorable evening I watched the sunset with a glass of whisky in one hand and my Walkman playing Beethoven in the other. Bliss!

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel [formerly the Oriental], Bangkok, Thailand – An obvious choice, I know, but it is amazing with gorgeous French and riverside restaurants. I love being pampered and took full advantage of the facilities. Service is impeccable.

The Park Hotel, Kenmare, Ireland – On the ring of Kerry and steeped in near-prehistorically calm countryside. This is an expertly run hotel with a terrific restaurant. It is in a stunning location and if you can’t relax here you need a shrink or a few glasses of Paddy!

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

Eating Marco Pierre White’s food at his first venture called Harvey’s in Wandsworth, London. Powerful, sexy, imaginative brilliance. His signature dish was a Stuffed Pig’s Trotter. Wow! The Guvnor. I was very touched at the kind words he said about Keith Floyd after Floyd’s death last year. I am a huge fan of Floyd.

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

Yes, lots. I was a professional musician for 20 years prior to coming into this industry so met a plethora of stars: Sir Paul McCartney, Sting, Sir Bob Geldof (who was my neighbour in London), Ozzy Osbourne, Annie Lennox, Nigel Kennedy, Sir Cliff Richard and Sir Elton John. Sounds like I won’t meet anyone who isn’t titled!

As a restaurant manager I served Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Sir David Frost (there I go again!), Lord and Lady Gilmour, Diana Princess of Wales, The Duchess of York, Nigella Lawson, The Spice Girls, Lord Pinter, Lord Webber, Michael Gove MP, The Monty Python team, Alan Parker and Delia Smith.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

I have a great yearning to visit India and Nepal. This will take up a lot of my time to do comprehensively and time is something I don’t have at the moment, as I’m running a new business with a view to expansion. But, the dream is there and once Albion has washed its face(s), Colin and I can pack our bags and head for the airport. My previous employer, Camellia Panjabi, was Marketing Director of Taj Hotels and she would love to be our guide in India!

Many thanks, James, for so generously giving us your time when we visited Albion restaurant recently. We wish you every success with your new venture, and have no doubt that once the word spreads Albion is going to be well known as the top destination restaurant in Kuala Lumpur.

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