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

Chopin Museum in Warsaw is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cruise excursions to Russia’s top secret Cosmonaut Training Center, Star City is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Witness an eclipse of a different kind is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Beginning with overnight stays in Venice, the itineraries visit Katakolon (birthplace of the Olympics) and Navplion, Greece; Nesebur, Bulgaria; Yalta, Sevastopol and Odessa, Ukraine; and conclude with an overnight stay in Istanbul, Turkey. Other highlights include the sail from Venice, the cruise through the Dardanelles and the Bosporus Straits.

Distinguished speakers on world affairs, architecture, science and culture add rich dimension to the voyages, including Newsweek’s Chief Political Correspondent, Senior Editor and Deputy Washington Bureau Chief, Howard Fineman; Dr. David Davenport, Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and former president of Pepperdine University; and Dr. Bulent Atalay, a compelling expert on art, archaeology and the sciences.

Two-for-one cruise fares start at $6,470 per person, and include $1,000 per person ‘All Inclusive – As You Wish’ shipboard credits. Free air transportation from more than 20 North American gateways – Business Class air for Penthouse guests – is also included.

New Black Sea voyages for Crystal Cruises is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Royal Spa Kitzbühel, Jochberg, Austria
The Augustine, Prague, Czech Republic
Kameha Grand Bonn, Cologne, Bonn, Germany
Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily, Agrigento, Italy
Hotel Villa Magna, Madrid, Spain
One&Only Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Chateau Star River, Guangzhou, P.R. of China
Zendai Hotel Yin, Shanghai, P.R. of China
Capella Singapore, Sentosa Island, Singapore
Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Bristol Buenaventura, Buenaventua, Panama
Tivoli São Paulo Mofarrej, São Paulo, Brazil

New Leading Hotels of the World is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

What is it that you do exactly?

My primary task is to be there for our clients, whether it be dealing with a new enquiry or ensuring that their travel plans run smoothly. Beyond that I do the administration tasks necessary to make sure that the agency runs smoothly, allowing the other members of staff to concentrate on dealing with their clients.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I’m a self-confessed travel geek, so I enjoy all aspects of the industry. I love reading the magazines, watching the travel channels and talking to clients about my favourite destinations, but most of all I love having the opportunity to visit places I wouldn’t otherwise be able to. I’ve seen parts of the globe that most people never will and I’m very grateful to be in such a position.

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

Savute Under Canvas, Botswana – I stayed at 4 of the &Beyond properties in this amazing country, but this was the highlight for me. Staying in a tent whilst outside you could hear lions and hyenas close by was an experience that will stay with me forever. It was also the first time I’d seen a leopard on safari.

Baltschug Kempinski, Moscow – We arrived late into Moscow and didn’t get a real impression until the following morning when I looked out of my bedroom window across the Moscow River to St Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square and the Kremlin. Whilst Moscow might not be as pretty as St Petersburg, you get a real feeling of being somewhere special, somewhere important.

Four Seasons Sayan, Bali – After a long journey this was a real sight for sore eyes. Beautifully set in the Ayung river valley near Ubud, this was the perfect place to relax.

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

If you ever find yourself in Ibiza you must visit the Cardamom Club in Santa Eulalia. Superb Indian cuisine in a wonderful setting – chicken jalfrezi with a cold beer, outdoors under a canopy of trees on a Mediterranean evening……paradise!

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

We do have a few high profile clients, but best to respect their privacy. I’ve been shouted at by the late Hughie Green in a hotel in Edinburgh if that counts, but it was a case of mistaken identity, he apologised and even bought me a drink. I’ve also met Iggy Pop and John Peel. Oops, almost forgot… I am currently in an awkward relationship triangle with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Carmen Electra…

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

This changes on an almost daily basis, but at the moment I would love to see Norway, preferably on a Hurtigruten cruise. The scenery looks like it would literally awesome.

Thank you, David. I can heartily recommend Norway – it’s been 20 years since I was there but I still have fond recollections of the scenery.

Interview with David Sutcliffe of Traveltalk is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Felt hats, buckwheat pillows, wooden bowls and artefacts, wickerwork, beautiful hand-sewn quilts, ceramics and glassware, sea-grass animals as well as home-made candles are offered among others at the Christmas Market as well as typical culinary Estonian delights like pork, sauerkraut, blood sausages, hot soups, gingerbread, marzipan, honey, nuts and sweets. Christmas performances with choirs, dance groups, poets and musicians round of the abundant programme.

Check out this amateur video for an idea of the atmosphere you can expect:

Tallinn Christmas Market starts this weekend is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

The White Line Hotels Y(our) collection currently includes ten inspirational international hotels, including: the Hotel Omm (in Barcelona) the Greulich Hotel (in Zurich), Lesic Dimitri Palace (in Croatia) and Krafft Hotel (in Basel) with more recommended hotels continually being featured and added to the portfolio.

White Line Hotels has been fashioned and created to attract the True Believers, people who search for the most unusual and the most inspirational places to stay: establishing and creating an exciting new culture, a new scene and an entire new community.

An inspirational collection from White Line Hotels is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Hotel in the heart of Moscow joins The Luxury Collection is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Hard Rock hits Hungary is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Guestrooms will have a minimum size of 40 square metres and each room will have a view of the Chinese landscapes at the Park Huaming Business Centre or views of the Russian Botanic Garden. The hotel will also have a Chinese and Russian restaurant, an indoor swimming pool and health club, a 1,200-square-metre grand ballroom, a 700-square-metre auditorium and a wide range of function rooms suited for events of all sizes.

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts’ first hotel in Russia is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

A day trip to Dobogókõ is included, a stunning village that is said to be an important place for ‘Chakra’ energy and is often mentioned alongside other important places such as the Pyramids of Giza and Machu Picchu. The Dalai Lama is said to have visited this location to meditate and the day’s yoga class and mediation sessions will take place here. There is also the opportunity to discover the local area and to visit a nearby farm where guests can enjoy activities such as horse riding, horse and cart rides, feeding of the animals and can even have a go at milking the cows, if they wish!

The castle which has been converted into a beautiful hotel was originally built in 1684 and now offers guests four suites furnished in period style, four double rooms in the main building and 17 rooms in the wins. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courses, riding stables, sauna, solarium and indoor archery room and bowling room.

The price is from €1,310 per person (or €1,580 based on single occupancy in a double room) and includes return transfer from Budapest airport or hotel in Budapest, six nights accommodation with breakfast and either lunch or dinner (three courses), daily yoga and meditation sessions, two massages and the farm visit, plus use of all the fantastic facilities.

Luxury yoga retreat in Hungary is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

The Augustine Prague opens today is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

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!

Interview with Suzanne Aaronson of Suzanne’s Files is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Prague’s newest treasure is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Don’t overlook Krakow! is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

The launch of the Bohemian Short Break adventure – a 5-day fully escorted trip from Budapest to Brussels – means that those with a penchant for luxury rail travel can enjoy a scenic voyage through the changing landscapes of the heart of Europe. The break begins with two nights in Budapest before joining the Danube Express at Budapest Nyugati station, where passengers will begin with a Champagne reception for the journey through Europe to Brussels, via Vienna, Prague and Carlsbad. Arriving in Brussels at the end of the holiday, guests will say farewell to the Danube Express to board the Eurostar for journey’s end – London St Pancras.

The Danube Express offers the Bohemian Short Break from £1,890 per person, including two nights’ half board hotel accommodation in Budapest, two nights’ full board with wine, beer and soft drinks onboard the Danube Express, outbound BA flight London-Budapest, Eurostar Brussels-London in Leisure Select, transfers, full sightseeing programme and the services of a Tour Manager. The trip departs 2nd September 2009.

Andrea Wren is a freelance journalist and owner of Wren Elite Travel.

Short Bohemian journeys for luxury train travellers is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

What is it that you do exactly?

I basically oversee marketing and product development at OT. For a small company we have a pretty large portfolio of trips, so maintaining up to date firsthand knowledge of our destinations is crucial. We try to offer original (funnily enough!) places that might have that element of ‘boastability’ so you can tell your friends you’ve been somewhere you know they won’t have. For the more ‘conventional’ destinations, we’re always looking at how we can improve the experience and offer new regions. I spend my days coordinating this ongoing process.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

The creativity, from coming up with new concepts and destinations, to promoting them through our award-winning website or brochures. Also, however cheesy it sounds, it’s also immensely satisfying receiving a gushing feedback email from a client who has got back from an amazing trip.

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

Everyone likes something a bit different, and so the most important task our team of consultants have is judging which places and activities would best suit the client. We have around a 70% repeat and referral rate, so in most cases we have a great understanding of what will work. Things like barefoot luxury and solitude float my boat, and so for two of my favourites I’d probably say Soneva Fushi in the Maldives for the Robinson Crusoe feel, and Private Camp at Wolwedans in Namibia for the remoteness – the camp is two miles away from the rest of the lodge and there’s so little light pollution you can see stars at the horizon. For sheer ‘hotel as destination’ luxury, I recently stayed at the Four Seasons in Budapest which was immaculate. Fantastic location, great rooms and wonderful service. Highly recommended.

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

A few years back I was staying on the island of Anguilla in the Caribbean, which prides itself on fantastic food. There’s a tiny island in the middle of a bay called Scilly Cay, and you have to wave across to the waiters, who come and pick you up in a boat. The walls are all inlaid with conch shells and there’s one thing on the menu – lobster in a curry sauce. You choose you lobster in the kitchen, and 10 minutes later it’s on your plate. Wash it down with a cold Carib beer, and then snorkel around the entire island/restaurant in the afternoon. Very special.

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

Most hotels are pretty good at being discreet about who is staying with them at any time, even though they are presumably desperate to tell the world! I – literally – bumped into Richard Gere while staying at Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands a few years back, and wouldn’t have known he was there otherwise. None more exciting than that, I’m afraid, but we’ve sent everyone from supermodels to royalty away on Original Travel trips.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

One of the very few downsides of this industry is that you are constantly surrounded by people talking about wonderful places, and seeing incredible photography of intriguing destinations. It’s all very tempting. Still top of my wishlist from the Original Travel destinations that I haven’t been to is the Skeleton Coast in Namibia which I missed last time I was there. The trip involves flying in light aircraft into the incredible wilderness along the coast, occasionally landing on the beach to inspect a shipwreck (hence the name Skeleton Coast) and seal colonies, before meeting the fascinating Himba tribespeople. Still trying to work out how I can justify going even though 4 other people from the office have done the trip!

Thank you, Tom. I’m sure you’ll work out a way to find that justification somehow!

Interview with Tom Barber of Original Travel is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Princess Cruises to make its mark in Europe is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

• Beyond your expectations: Mexico
• Exquisite sojourns along the Adriatic from TerraNautika
• Personal shopping service from Luxury Edinburgh
• Feel the difference at Vila Bicuda

Luxury travel links of the week is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog