We’re seeing a real rise in bookings for Croatia, and this must be due in no small part to the emerging presence of impressive design hotels like the dramatic Monte Mulini in Rovinj and the stunning Hotel Bellevue in Dubrovnik. I visited Pula many years ago when it was part of Yugoslavia, and you could see the potential back then. With the charming Miramare Bay, miles of stunning beaches and bays and the azure blue of the Adriatic as your companion, you’ll find Croatia an accessible delight with underrated fishing waters.
Jordan
Jordan’s appeal is historical, mystical and timeless. But the chance to float in the Dead Sea won’t always be available – the sea is evaporating at a rapid rate. Petra however is going nowhere – and its mere presence is a living example of the miracles man can achieve. Carved by the Nabotean people some time in the 6th Century BC, this amazing walled city within a city on the slopes of Mount Hor has to be seen to be believed – and is rightly attributed the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Vietnam
Heading East, Vietnam has made giant strides to re-invent its appeal to holiday makers. This is a beautiful country of glorious natural beauty – scenic countryside, quiet beach retreats and rustic towns all with exquisite cuisine and charming locals. To experience the ‘real’ Vietnam you can pick up a bicycle in quieter less commercial resorts like Hoi An and explore on two wheels – the best and easiest way to get around. Don’t forget to take a kayak trip through the Mekong Delta or the mangrove forests of Halong Bay to really connect with the Vietnamese way of life.
Beirut
Who would have thought just a few years ago that Beirut would take pride of place on this list? The town centre of this Lebanese capital city is completely re-built whilst the downtown area still oozes charm with Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman influences highly prevalent. Locals and tourists are passionate about horse racing which is popular on Sundays at the race track (gambling permitted and international currency can be exchanged) and a trip out to Raouche to see the landmark sea moored Pigeon Rocks and sample the cliff side cafes serving international and local cuisine is recommended.
Prague
Holidaymakers are slowly realising that there’s much more to Prague than just a stag do hotspot. In fact, Prague is better suited to cultural breaks– prices are not as cheap as they were 5 years ago, meaning the destination has evolved. The sight of the breathtaking, gothic Charles Bridge is an iconic one, and crossing this over to the Jewish Quarter will unite you with authentic pavement cafes, art displays, cobbled streets and shops with unique character. A trip to the Franz Kafka literature museum just a stone’s throw from the bridge is well worth the experience, whilst another nearby museum catering for more ‘nocturnal’ activities is recommended for those not easily offended!
Carole Booth is Commercial Director at Destinology.
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
This resort opened in 2006, and is still consistently rated amongst the best resorts in Asia. From the first moment you step out of your vehicle on the driveway, Nam Hai ticks all the boxes. This stunning very plush resort has direct access onto Hoi An Beach. The villas are simply amazing, and then there’s an opportunity for those fortunate enough to own their own residence here as well. Choose between 2 and 5 bedrooms.
We enjoyed impeccable service, the row of palm trees swayed gently in the afternoon breeze, while we delighted in our perfect cocktail on the patio, enjoying an uninterrupted view of the warm South China Sea. I had the chef’s curry fish specialty – just try it and you’ll agree! Impeccable service, with finest attention to all details.
The spa, I believe, is to be rated amongst the world’s best, the 18-hole Colin Montgomerie golf course are some of the extra bits you can savor when visiting Nam Hai. I can’t wait to return here soon.
Opened late 2010, this luxury beachfront resort is located off the south coast of Vietnam, has 50 villas with up to four bedrooms, private plunge pools, indoor-outdoor bathrooms, and unobstructed views of the South China Sea. It is a short flight from HCMC.
The spa, surrounded by tropical gardens, with a back drop of the dramatic Lo Voi Mountains, offers a wide array of services, and treatments. The Six Senses Group has a very high standard, so be assured you are in for a treat of a lifetime when you visit Six Senses Con Dao.
This luxury boutique resort faces a one hundred year old French lighthouse. There’s something very romantic about a lighthouse always, so this setting is just perfect in my eyes. Huge grounds, feature luxury villas, numerous swimming pools and a very impressive spa complex. Nick Faldo has a great golf course nearby.
Several different types of accommodation – Villas, Mandarin, Princess and Empress – are sure to impress, with their beach locale, four poster beds, private outdoor plunge pools and separate rain shower rooms. The Dining Room with its al fresco restaurant offers regional Vietnamese specialties and traditional dishes. The exotic cocktails and diverse wine list complement the delectable dishes available at the Princess d’Annam.
Princess d’Annam Spa offers the ideal refuge for refreshing those tired bodies, built around an unusual inner courtyard with intimate corridors and mysterious alcoves, whose cloistered trail reminds one of an oriental town. Ten individual treatment rooms are set in two separate sections, all offer amazing Spa treatments and pamper sessions.
The dramatic locale of this five star resort, right on the South China Sea, with the backdrop of the towering mountains, and silky soft white beach sand, and huge rocks, make this a very luxurious resort to visit.
Accessible only by water, this resort is to be savoured from the moment you arrive here. Pool villas have private swimming pools, and the several hilltop villas, have personal spa suites. All villas have magnificent views over the South China Sea. The Six Senses Spa therapists attend to all the pampering sessions needed.
Snorkeling, diving spots, superb organic produce and perfect service make Six Senses Ninh Van Bay one of my favourite to visit.
The above offers more than enough reason to suggest that Vietnam is emerging as one of the top three destinations for high end travelers. Get there sooner rather than later.
Jean Wethmar is Director and Small Group Tour Leader at The Cape Club.
Are you in desperate need for a spa pamper session? Reconnecting towards yourself again? One of the most important splurges on a holiday, remains the fact that you’re away from household chores, you normally have more time to think about yourself, and this is a magnificent time to catch up with your pamper sessions. Renewing yourself from the outside!
Spas across Vietnam offer an amazing service of the amazing massages, body wraps, salt glows, body detox sessions, facials, manicures and pedicures… then there’s the hot stone massage, four hand massage, reflexology, shiatsu, Thai massage, Ayurveda massage and the list goes on and on. Oh and then there are also the wellness getaways. More on these later on…
Today we’re looking at spending our dollars the best way in Ho Chi Minh City… we’re sure to feel totally nurtured and nourished by the end of our tour. Bring it on girls/guys.
Spa Intercontinental – this sleek and airy light orchid filled blissful treatment rooms, using Clarins products, by Thai or Vietnam expertly trained beautician and therapists can be described as Contemporary Glam – they offer The Brightening Lotus – one of the most indulgent experiences you can have- for 80 minutes you’ll enjoy the best of our pampering treatments, a green tea exfoliation and silk wrap. You’ll emerge with silky soft, radiant skin and a youthful appearance, and normally for a fraction of what you’d expect to pay ‘back home’.
Xuan Spa, Park Hyatt Saigon is a sanctuary of luxury warmth and tranquility, skillfully designed to inspire the senses and renew the spirit. Re-energize in a Vichy shower room. This is defiantly a pamper spa and one I would personally highly recommend. Amazing, very well trained staff attend to your every whim.
La Maison de L’apothiquaire – stylish, wellness center, using own-brand handmade products imported from Bordeaux for face and body. They even pick you up from your hotel in a vintage car! Talk about Colonial opulence! Soothe body and mind here. You can even enjoy a lunch treat here I recall.
Thann Sanctuary – Thai-tropic retreat with amazing products. Sweet smelling names such as Oriental Essence with Kaffir lime oil with lemongrass… ooh ah! From the moment you step into this Sanctuary all senses will be awakened by their unique holistic spa concept and ambiance. I thoroughly enjoyed my 90minutes hot rock treatment here. I left walking on air – from tip of my feet to the top of my head I had been nourished and nurtured.
Glow Saigon – This very tropical sanctuary with its dark woods and orange accessories offer the tired traveler a place of sanctuary and peace. Escape Saigon’s hustle and bustle for a surprising find in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Great manicure and pedicure here!
Of course, in Saigon, there are heaps of other therapist and beauty centers; actually on every corner you’ll be given a business card with an invitation of “please Madam… come visit my shop today” I’ve just touched the tip here today… but I also know of a great physio, who will come to your hotel to soothe your travel pains away, a fabulous hairdresser who will get your trusses back to shape after your flight, then there’s the yoga and Thai chi classes you can join in the local park every morning early…
Indeed this is what holidays are all about!
Jean Wethmar is Director and Small Group Tour Leader at The Cape Club.
1. Secure a booking in a suite at any of the marvelous Colonial hotels across Vietnam, oozing charm and romance, warmth and comfort. The Park Hyatt in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) offers a sanctuary for work and relaxation, rooms have dark wood floors, and crisp white linen and they have an amazing spa. The Ana Mandara in the high mountainous regions of Dalat are sure to be enjoyed for its cool climate, after the humid – also be sure to explore the markets which abound in the choicest of vegetables and flowers. Talking about the Ana Mandara Group, you be sure to check into Nha Trang Ana Mandara Six Senses, as well. But I think my all time favourite hotel across Vietnam remains La Residence in Hue, where clearly the opulence of the colonial Governor’s is still very much evident. Then of course, there’s the Sofitel Metropole in Hanoi, where the old Citroen motor car outside gets dusted daily, with a feather duster. Painted dark green shutters and original wrought iron complete the picture. Float genteelly amongst the lime stones of UNESCO Halong Bay on board the Emeraude Classic Cruiser… this will be an unforgettable experience.
2. Walk down tree lined boulevards and experience a touch of life when once The Quiet American lived – ‘Paris of the East’, strole down Dong Khoi Street Saigon, where the silk shops lure you to pause awhile… Visit the exquisite hand embroidery shops, where it’ll be hard making a decision about which linen to purchase… visit the markets where many bargains can be had for a million dong, which when converted, really only buys you a coffee back home! Experience at least one meal at a street vendor with the locals.
3. Sit down and savour a coffee and baguette/croissant that rival any Parisian café… not to mention discover the national dish Pho Ba, served with the freshest of herbs. What about Vietnamese rice paper rolls? Experience the secrets of shopping for ingredients with a chef, and then return to his restaurant/kitchen and turn the ingredients into a marvelous meal for lunch. Discover the charms of KOTO cookery school, where the budding chefs have been rescued from life on the streets.
4. Admire the Colonial architecture across Vietnam – Saigon, Hanoi, Dalat – Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Post Office, Opera House, Golf Club Houses, as well as many more buildings sure to become photographed from every angle, with local bride/grooms adding the sparkle and romance to your holiday memories. Visit UNESCO proclaimed towns, Hoi An, where clearly time has stood still for centuries.
5. Take a Cyclo ride amongst the 36 Old Quarters in Hanoi – where each street is named after the produce it sells. Silk Street, Rice Street, Book Street etc. Talking about silk.. Be sure to remember to bring along on your trip to Vietnam any picture or favourite article of clothing you’d like tailored… overnight your two piece suit is immaculately produced, with perfect attention to detail.
Jean Wethmar is Director and Small Group Tour Leader at The Cape Club.
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:
One of the main benefits of luxury travel, I have long believed, is that it affords us the opportunity to explore the most unusual, fascinating and unique aspects of our own planet. I love to discover new places and new perspectives, unearth forgotten worlds and embrace the unfamiliar. Although realistically there are few frontiers left in the world the most valuable possession we return with from our travels is our memories and to step out of our comfort zones and away from the norm can often lead us to our most outstanding and treasured reminiscences.
A part of the world often overlooked by tourists, quite literally, is that which exists beneath our feet. Although we as people spend a lot of time gazing at the stars the earth below us is very much the key to not only understanding our own history but that of our planet. The tunnels and caves, caverns and labyrinths that riddle and meander underneath us offer some of the most spectacular scenery and fascinating historical and cultural insights, a rival in my opinion to any lofty view or grand panorama.
An increasingly popular underground tourist destination is the Waitomo Caves in the North Island of New Zealand. Located on the western coast, only two and a half hours away from Auckland these limestone caves formed over 30 million years ago are today a major draw for international travellers and locals alike. A particularly unique feature of the cave system is how they are actually navigated, with an underground stream running extensively throughout the network tourists are invited on a ‘black water rafting tour’ in which you sit aloft an inflatable inner tube and are gently pitched along by the current of the water. Lay back as a bizarre starry sky unfurls before you, an ethereal green/yellow light producing one of the most striking displays you will ever see. This phenomenon simply comes down to biology as the roof and walls of the cave are covered in thousands of glow worms, (actually beetles) that naturally generate this spectacular light show.
For thousands of years caves have functioned as that most primal sanctuary for humans, a shelter from the storm or a refuge in times of war. Two such fascinating examples of man embracing and expanding upon this ancient tradition can be seen in the neighbouring South East Asian nations of Vietnam and Laos. The Pathet Lao Caves and the Cu Chi tunnels both functioned in their own right has hideouts and bases of operations during the Vietnamese and Laotian Wars. These extensive tunnels featured a host of ingenious compartments vaults and rooms that allowed soldiers to live for months at a time including kitchens, dormitories and first aid rooms powered kinetically by bicycle. Although their formation may have been born out of brutal circumstances they leave behind them today a mesmerizing insight into a time that seems so far away but in fact still lives in the memories of so many.
A world away from the lush forests of Vietnam and Laos, Coober Pedy is a small mining town in the Outback of Australia almost equidistant between Adelaide and Alice Springs. This is a community more famous for what is taken away from it than what remains; as one of the world’s largest opal mining areas, it has been awarded the nickname of ‘opal capital of the world’. The Outback can be a harsh and unforgiving landscape though and with summer temperatures that can consistently reach over 45°c the people here have come up with an ingenious way of staying cool. More and more residents of the town are giving up their ordinary ‘overland’ homes for specially designed cave domiciles hewn straight into the rock. Spending the night in an underground hotel is certainly a unique experience and you can walk around the underground church or pick up a few essentials at the underground convenience store. The more energetic traveller could enjoy a round of golf, of course played in the middle of the night to avoid high temperatures; the ball glows in the dark and there is no grass on the Coober Pedy course so a small strip of turf is carried around by players from which to tee-off.
From one underground population very much alive to another very much dead; in eighteenth Century Paris a solution to the crisis over burial practices was proposed with the use of the abandoned tunnels of one of the city’s disused minds. Within a few decades of its consecration ceremony the catacombs had become more than just a repository of bones but a sepulture rivaling any mausoleum in the world. Over 300km of tunnels are adorned with the bones of Parisian residents of which around 2km are open to the public. Today the catacombs are a popular if rather morbid tourist attraction but certainly an image that you will remember long after you leave the city.
Azamara Club Cruises and PerryGolf have joined forces to offer an escorted and all-inclusive golf tour and cruise program that features some of the world’s premier golf courses.
Designed specifically with the passionate golfer in mind and offering more opportunities for guests to play at more courses on a voyage, Azamara Club Golf Cruises combines a range of compelling itineraries with the superior golf experience that PerryGolf has refined since 1984. Azamara Club Golf Cruises add-ons are available through travel agents and Azamara directly, starting at $2,682 per person, as well as non-golfing companion rates, starting at $669 per person.
Azamara Club Golf Cruises’ guests enjoy a carefree experience as they cruise and golf among a collection of the world’s finest courses, fully escorted by a PerryGolf tour manager, who attends to all of the details that golfers appreciate on land and on board. All golf programs commence with a one- or two-night pre-voyage golfing land stay, which includes luxury hotel accommodations, welcome cocktail reception to meet fellow guests, and dinner with select wines to share in the camaraderie of the sport, as well as optional sightseeing tours for an additional charge. During their voyage, guests will play at four or five of the world’s most heralded courses, such as Old Head and Portmarnock, Ireland; Oitavos Dunes, Portugal; Montgomerie Links, Vietnam; Mission Hills, China; Four Seasons Provence, France; and Sperone, Corsica, depending on the itinerary.
Included also in the program are overnight golf shoe shining, green fees, golf cart rental, ground transportation, and golf bag delivery to the first tee and return to hotel or ship and storage after the round. On board, Azamara Club Golf Cruises guests enjoy an inclusive drink package, postgame cocktail receptions with fellow enthusiasts, and two group dinners, one in a specialty restaurant, to recount the day’s play. Single supplements starting at $263 also apply for the prevoyage portion of the program.
There’s something magical about islands. The isolation… the privacy… wonderful beaches and complete solitude. According to Tripadvisor, the world’s top 10 island escapes are:
Unlike most hotels and resorts that roll out new menus seasonally, the new restaurant at the Princess d’Annam Resort & Spa debuts a new card every single day.
Whether guests voice a hankering for pan-fried snapper, grilled cobia on a lemongrass skewer, bouillabaisse or any of dozens of other dishes in Chef La Thuan An’s repertoire, the experience of dining each evening is as fresh as that day’s catch from the South China Sea. An presides over an 80-seat restaurant where the preferred seats occupy an expansive terrace that takes in views of the bay and its iconic lighthouse. An air-conditioned interior, the pool deck and tables on the beach complement the anchoring terrace as dining venues.
The Princess d’Annam’s kitchen specializes in both Vietnamese and French cuisine. Each evening’s menu includes choices from either tradition. One recent menu included pan fried prawns marinated with lemongrass and seafood risotto as the Eastern option and roasted lamb tenderloin as the Western option. That was on a Tuesday night. On the Monday, the two entrée options were a seafood paella with coconut milk and a roasted duck breast marinated with spices. And on Wednesday, it was stuffed pigeon with mashed potatoes and pan-fried mahi mahi, sautéed artichoke and tomatoes.
Accor, the largest international hotel operator in Vietnam, announced today the debut of the Mercure hotel brand to Vietnam, with two new hotel openings in Hanoi and Hue. Both hotels will open in September 2009.
Mercure Hanoi La Gare, opening on 1st September 2009, is the first newly built international 4-star hotel in the capital city of Hanoi. This modern mid-scale hotel reflects Hanoi’s history and culture, and is characterized by its contemporary design. It is conveniently situated in the heart of the city centre on Ly Thuong Kiet, within the commercial precinct, foreign embassies, State companies, Government Ministries, opposite of the historic central railway station and within walking distance of Hanoi’s historic Old Quarter and the Hanoi International Exhibition Centre. Other tourist attractions such as the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu), Hoan Kiem lake, and Hanoi Opera House are less than 15 minutes walk from the hotel.
The 110-room Mercure Huế Gerbera will benefit from its prime location on Le Loi Street where breathtaking views of Perfume River can be enjoyed from most of the guest rooms. Opening on 9th September 2009, the hotel’s facilities will include Calamus Restaurant serving Western and local specialties of Huế, a lobby lounge and deli, a bar, a day spa, an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness centre. Huế, a UNESCO heritage site, is located in central Vietnam on the banks of the Perfume River and is approximately 1 hour flying time from Hanoi. Main attractions include the Citadel and Forbidden City, the old Imperial complex, the pagodas, and many emperors’ tombs in walled compounds containing palaces, temples and lakes.
Special introductory rates for both hotels are available: Mercure Hanoi La Gare is available at a rate of US$75 for a Standard Room per night, valid until 30th September 2009; a stay at the Mercure Hue Gerbera will start from US$55 for a Standard Room per room per night, valid until 30th November 2009.
Halong Cruise’s new Halong Violet junk will be launched next month. With just 6 immaculately decorated cabins, including 4 suites, with king sized beds, Jacuzzis, private balconies and personal butler service, the Halong Violet will provide a unique experience on Halong Bay. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994, Halong Bay’s karst islands rise up out of emerald waters covered in vegetation. Only a few are habitable; many have been sculpted into strange shapes by the wind and weather. This floating boutique hotel will be able to cruise to untouched areas of the Bay whilst providing all the services you would expect from a 5 star hotel; fine dining, a cozy lounge and spacious library, sun deck, spa and gym.
Founded in 2008, Heritage Lines will launch their luxury boutique cruise boat, the Jayavarman next month. Inspired by the golden age of cruise liners, the Jayavarman marries avant-garde French colonial design with enchanting Indochinese architecture to perfection. There are 27 expansive staterooms and junior suites spread over the 4 decks with floor to ceiling panoramic sliding glass doors opening onto private balconies. The boat cruises between Saigon in Vietnam and Angkor in Cambodia, providing explorative journeys of the Mekong River of between 3 and 7 nights.
Take a look at this fantastic 14-day luxury cruise with Holland America’s MS Volendam, exploring over thirty centuries of history and culture in the exotic lands of China and Vietnam.
An all-villa luxury boutique resort called The Princess d’Annam Resort and Spa has been launched Ke Ga, close to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, two months later than previously planned. The 57-villa and two-bedroom beachfront home resort is to offer four swimming pools and 21 plunge pools, along with a five-star restaurant fusing Vietnamese and French cuisine. A special feature is the Princess Spa, which has separate wings for men and women.
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Croatia
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Are you in desperate need for a spa pamper session? Reconnecting towards yourself again? One of the most important splurges on a holiday, remains the fact that you’re away from household chores, you normally have more time to think about yourself, and this is a magnificent time to catch up with your pamper sessions. Renewing yourself from the outside!
1. Secure a booking in a suite at any of the marvelous Colonial hotels across Vietnam, oozing charm and romance, warmth and comfort. The 
There’s something magical about islands. The isolation… the privacy… wonderful beaches and complete solitude. According to 
Founded in 2008, 
A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…