Tripadvisor has once again published its Travellers’ Choice awards – this time for 2012. The top 25 hotels in the worldwide luxury category are as follows:
The United States, Spain, Germany and Japan are the most represented nations on the list, each with three hotels included. Ritz-Carlton lead the way among the hotel brands with five hotels appearing in the list.
Taking a quality European tour is often only a once-in-a-decade pleasure! World travelers have to ask for time off from work, have a caretaker, water the plants and board the pets, book travel transportation and accommodations, worry about language barriers and money conversions, and determine what sightseeing is worth the tourist’s time and money! Sometimes the vacation wasn’t even worth the hassle and stress it caused in the planning.
So, how do travelers make sure they have the best Europe tour trips that let them experience gorgeous destinations without all the stress? A European river cruise and tour is one exciting and simple solution. Scenic river cruises let travelers tour some of the prettiest areas of Europe through tranquil waterways like the Danube and Rhine Rivers, which have been used as trade routes for centuries.
Danube River Cruises
Often called the elegant Danube, river cruises that float this body of water can pass through up to ten countries including four capital cities. Travelers that dream of seeing the countryside of Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia, or exploring gorgeous international cities like Vienna, Budapest, and Passau all in the same trip should look into a Danube River cruise to fulfil their dream vacation. The area of the Danube River Valley between Melk and Krems is also known as the Wachau and is a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural landscape due to the historic castles, ruins, and monasteries that are prolific in the area.
Rhine River Cruises
The romantic Rhine River travels through Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands all the way to the North Sea. The Upper Middle Rhine Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site of historical, ecological, and cultural significance and the vineyards and castles seen from the river add to the romance of the cruise.
One of the best things about scenic river cruises is that the ports are almost always in the center of the cities. This allows instant access to the cultural centers of the different metropolitan destinations; travelers just walk off the ship and are in the middle of town! This also eliminates the hassle and time of packing and unpacking between cities travelers might want to experience. This is especially important for those travelers that like to walk around the center of towns without having to stay on the outside of town due to expense; a mobile bedroom that conveniently takes tourist to the most exciting destinations across Europe!
Tour operators that offer Rhine and Danube River cruises take all the stress out of booking accommodations, travel plans, and sightseeing as they create care-free itineraries that set the stage for a fantastic vacation. As European countries float by in a seemingly endless panorama of history and beauty, travelers can have peace of mind that their escorted vacation provided the greatest ease, value, and sights for their cherished vacation days.
Carol Atkins is a Group Travel Leader with YMT Vacations.
It’s that time of year again when the foliage on the trees begins to take on all manner of dramatic colours, and budding photographers the world over try to make the most of the myriad of different hues. Tripadvisor have come up with a ‘top 10 spots for stunning Autumn colours’ list (see below). What would be your choices and why?
1. White Mountains, New Hampshire, USA
2. Kyoto, Japan
3. Berkshires, Massachusetts, USA
4. Transylvania, Romania
5. Perugia, Italy
6. Stowe, Vermont, USA
7. Bamberg, Germany
8. Ticino, Switzerland
9. Bergen, Norway
10. Beijing, China
Whether you want a calm and upscale stag holiday or a more rambunctious occasion where the drinks flow freely, you can find whatever you are looking for at some of the best stag destinations around the world. From Asia to Europe, there are countless attractions, bars, and nightclubs to entertain you, and provide you with great entertainment before the groom’s wedding day. Visit one of these top 10 destinations for a luxury stag holiday around the world.
1. Berlin
This capital city of Germany makes a great destination for more than just the fantastic beer. The modern location and inexpensive prices mean you can live like a king, if only for the weekend. For a true luxury stag do, visit one of the many breweries Germany is famous for and take a private tasting tour. The nightlife doesn’t end at 1am, or 2, or even 3. Clubs are happy to stay open as late as you want, so don’t be surprised if the sun is up before you head back to your hotel.
2. Copenhagen
This Danish city offers the high life for those who want something more unique and classy than a typical rowdy stag do. Bodegas, or cellar bars, line the streets and offer a refreshing change of pace from the pub. The women in Copenhagen are not used to an influx of visitors, so visitors stand out and make an impression here. Copenhagen is home to Carlsberg, so drinks will certainly not be a problem at this great destination.
3. Istanbul
No other city in the world blends Western modernity with ancient culture quite like Istanbul. The hotels offers amazing amenities that make you feel like royalty, and are located among ancient ruins and incredible architecture. Drink with the locals and enjoy water pipes, and then head to the clubs where local beauties are happy to explain local culture to you. Recover in the morning with popular and inexpensive massages at the Turkish baths.
4. Moscow
This makes for no ordinary stag party. Start the trip with incredible activities to make you feel like a man, including gun shooting and tank driving, no ordinary pastimes for a stag holiday. The nightlife is where Moscow really shines as the ultimate party location. Strip clubs and night clubs are countless in the city, and you will enjoy every second of your evening–at least the parts you can remember after all the vodka.
5. Munich
This German city takes the cake for beer lovers. If you happen to have a stag party planned for October, there is really only one choice for destinations. Oktoberfest is easily the biggest party on earth, and is centered entirely around beer. What more could a stag ask for? Even if it’s not the right time of year, the city is home to beer gardens, buxom beer maidens, and plenty of university girls who make the nightclub scene so spectacular.
6. New York
Become royalty in the city that never sleeps with a trendy stag party. Try sightseeing from a stretch limo or hummer, and drink champagne as you see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the impressive skyline. With no shortage of fine clubs or beautiful woman, this is a great destination for any group. And if you are traveling from abroad, those American women love a good accent…
7. Zagreb
This Croatian city is quickly becoming a popular destination for a stag weekend abroad. It comes as no surprise, because the combination of inexpensive drinks, friendly locals, and beautiful women is an alluring one. Get VIP access to one of the great nightclubs in the city, and be prepared for a long night, as there are no closing times at any of the most popular clubs.
8. Dubai
For the ultimate luxury destination, Dubai is the answer. Nothing can compete with this incredibly upscale and glamorous location, where VIP means more than just rope cordoning off your section of the club. Visit Ferrari World during the day, and then head to the bars and clubs where the wealthiest men and women in the world gather to unwind. Dance the night away in a club, or just sip fine liquor from one of the tallest buildings in the world.
9. Las Vegas
For a high roller, no other city is more alluring than the gambling metropolis of Las Vegas.Whether you want to risk it all at the poker tables, or just sip drinks by the pool and take in the beauties tanning, this destination has it all. Drinks are free while you are on the gambling floor, which just means you have more to spend in the incredible nightclubs found in the hotels along the Strip.
10. Bangkok
This exotic Asian city offers everything you could want from a stag party destination; Warm weather, beautiful and friendly women, inexpensive drinks and accommodations, and a nightlife scene that puts others to shame. For a taste of the Orient, head to Bangkok for a special stag holiday.
I’m not sure what makes a hotel a ‘hidden gem’ as a considerable number in the list that follows are to be found in major European cities. That aside, here’s the top 10 hidden gem hotels according to Tripadvisor. (They don’t actually say ‘Europe’s top 10′ but since all of them are in Europe (in fact, they’re all in Western Europe), we assume that’s what they meant.)
With teNeues’ new travel apps, luxury travellers can quickly navigate through a curated selection of trendy restaurants, bars, hotels, shopping and highlights in metropolitan cities. There are three ways to explore: choose to search by category or district or be located on a map to see what is around you. The apps are based on the recently redesigned and bestselling COOL CITIES print guides and are image driven so it is easy to determine if the atmosphere will suite your style.
The first two apps to be released are specifically for New York City and Berlin, Germany with many more major cities to follow. Cool New York and Cool Berlin (available for the iPhone/iPad/ iPod Touch) will be launched this month with a retail price of $5.99 and 4,99 EUR respectively, but look out for special launch prices, with Cool New York selling for $.99 and Cool Berlin premiering for free.
If you’re planning a trip anywhere in Europe and looking to really indulge yourself in complete luxury, there are many great hotels out there that can attend to your every need. Here are some of the best.
The Casa Fuster is popular with many travellers as this gives you a real flavour of the city. Based on the iconic, Gaudi style architecture that dominates here, this is an impressive building right from the moment you first see it.
The hotel boasts that ultimate in luxury – a roof terrace with its own pool, but this is just one of the many first class amenities here. Location wise, the Casa Fuster is situated in the most affluent part of town, right next to all the best shopping.
Situated on the famous Place de la Concorde, the Hotel de Crillon is a striking building that is a historic monument, attracting many visitors in its own right.
Inside you will find complete luxury in every last tiny detail. With a gourmet restaurant that has been lauded by many leading food critics heading its list of impeccable facilities, the Hotel de Crillon is top of the list for many visitors. Reviews are always glowing and this really is one of the best places to stay in Europe.
The former Soviet Union has thrown open its doors and countries such as Estonia are more than just up and coming destinations. Luxury hotels such as the Three Sisters are helping Estonia become established as a ‘must see’ location.
Situated within the 14th century city walls, the mediaeval exterior is complimented by a stunning contemporary design inside.
Facilities are unequalled in the Three Sisters and for luxury and comfort in Tallin, this is the place to be.
This imposing building formed the basis for the Greta Garbo film, Grand Hotel. It gained more notoriety when Michael Jackson dangled his baby from one of the windows but for pure luxury, there is no better in Berlin.
Berlin is back on the tourist map and hotels such as the Adlon are the reason why people love coming here. Rooms are simply stunning and the amenities second to none. Location is also important in any hotel and the Adlon is close to some of Berlin`s best attractions including the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate.
You can feel the exclusivity of this hotel as soon as you approach thanks in the main to its situation in a quiet, private square along the Amstel River.
This is a delightful, yet supremely luxurious hotel that is proud of its widely acclaimed facilities. It is worth noting that the main restaurant here, La Rive is one of a very exclusive club of starred Michelin restaurants in the city.
If you are lucky enough to stay in any of these fantastic hotels then you are guaranteed a trip that will stay in your memory for a lifetime. All of the cities are easily accessible with good air, rail and road links and are waiting to offer you an experience you will never forget.
Joanne Wallis is Head of Online Marketing at Ferry from Hull.
Looking for somewhere in Europe with distinctive charm? Then take a look at this recently-published Tripadvisor list of the top 10 charming European towns and cities. Unlike many previous TA lists that we’ve published, this one isn’t overly-dominated by any one country but instead offers a good mix of options. Let us know what you think… are there any notable omissions, would you say?
1. Bruges, Belgium
2. Siena, Italy
3. Sitges, Spain
4. Dingle, Ireland
5. Mittenwald, Germany
6. Salisbury, England
7. Fontaine de Vaucluse, France
8. Cascais, Portugal
9. Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
10. Kotor, Montenegro
Just two weeks after The Luxury Travel Bible issued a press release with its top 10 sexiest hotels in the world for Valentine’s, I’ve been sent an email by Tripadvisor with their own top 10 sexy hotels. Perhaps not surprisingly, there aren’t many that are common to both lists. Here are the two lists:
Top 10 Sexiest Hotels in the World from The Luxury Travel Bible
Andaz San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
Crazy Bear Hotel, Beaconsfield, UK
Fleming House, Goldeneye, Jamaica
Hotel Amour, Paris, France
Hotel Sezz, Paris, France
Maison Moschino, Milan
Night New York, New York, USA
The Library Hotel, New York, USA
The Palms, Las Vegas, USA
The Seven Hotel, Paris, France
Top 10 Sexy Hotels from Tripadvisor
Palmer House South Beach, Miami Beach, USA
Iron Horse Hotel, Milwaukee, USA
ME Madrid Reina Victoria, Madrid, Spain
Night Hotel, New York City, USA
Le Meridien Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
W Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA
Axel Hotel Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Buddha-Bar Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic
Gansevoort Turks + Caicos, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
be Manos, Brussels, Belgium
Congratulations to Night New York, the one hotel to make both lists.
Cologne, Germany is a gorgeous and ancient city, snuggled right next to the Rhine River so, like most of the German river towns and cities, it is extremely accessible by river cruise ships. You can tour the lovely cathedral, stroll the cobblestone streets, have a coffee at one of the cafes or shop for beautiful handmade linens in the shops.
But make sure you save time to visit the wonderful Lindt World of Chocolate Museum because it is well worth a visit. You can’t miss the huge and modern museum, which looks much like a ship, located right on the river front, just a short walk from the Cologne Cathedral. Pay your admission and begin your journey through the three exhibition levels which take you on a tour through 3,000 years of the history of chocolate, all the way from Aztec chocolate makers to the modern Lindt chocolate candies. The smell of chocolate permeates the building – it’s probably the best-smelling museum in the world!
There is a small but complete demonstration area of a chocolate production facility, where you can watch through glass viewing windows at the elaborate individual production steps. You can watch them make chocolate bars, hollow figures and pralines – and then (the best part) – you get free samples from a vat of fresh melted chocolate!
You can learn about the cultural history of chocolate and advertising as you continue your self-guided tour. Dr. Hans Imhoff opened the Chocolate Museum in 1993 and began working with the Lindt & Sprungli company in March 2006. It’s the only chocolate museum in the world where you can learn everything about chocolate. Since its opening, over 7 million guests from all over the world had toured the museum. It is one of the ten most visited museums in Germany.
Make time for the lovely little café where you can sit on the Rhinebank Terrace, overlooking the Rhine River, have some delicious chocolate cake or hot chocolate and watch the ships and barges pass by or just relax in one of the comfortable chairs. There is also a traditional Beer Garden where you can get the local Kolsch beer along with some bratwurst and French fries.
But be sure not to leave without visiting the huge gift shop on the first floor. I have never seen so many different kinds of candies in my life and they all looked (and tasted) absolutely delicious. It’s the perfect place to buy beautifully packaged candies to take home for gifts. If you can get them home without eating them, that is!
Soft glimmers of light resting upon the gentle rock of yachts always remind me of our escorted wine cruise on Lake Cospuden in Leipzig, Germany. Surprised? Not me!
I was surprised at first, though. I didn’t know how amazing the glow of summer and autumn in Leipzig could be. You see, my knowledge of Europe was quite baroque before I visited Germany for the first time. Leipzig took my heart, body and spirit by storm, and transfixed my focus upon its history, culture and charms. Although many of us might historically associate Leipzig with the works of Bach, Wagner, Mahler, philosophers and architects, Leipzig is also a bustling modern city of commerce, culture, art and leisure.
The City of linden trees is the largest city in the State of Saxony, Germany, and was originally settled as a place of commerce around 1015 Anno Domini. The city has grown into a modern hub of culture, history, education and commerce. This is the place where Goethe fell in love! Let it not be forgotten, though, that Leipzig is a place of great leisure amongst so much intellect and growth. In fact, these forces play hand-in-hand in remarkable balance.
The city parks are lovely places to stroll, picnic and float away on the hours of a soft blue and green afternoon. The Clara Zetkin park or Auenwald floodplain forest are some of the best places for a healthy stroll through lush green and rushing water. Upon strolling for hours, you might find yourself at the Grassi Museum, which stands with its doors open to those seeking ethnographic and applied art exhibits, as well as an interesting permanent exhibit on musical instruments. Sports are abundant, as in many European cities. In fact, the German Football (soccer) Association was founded in Leipzig in 1900. One could have a peaceful stroll in the morning followed by a raucous soccer game in the afternoon! On a weekend, it is not uncommon to charter a boat on Lake Cospuden for a cruise and wine tasting for a lovely afternoon and evening.
Where else but Leipzig could inspire art, wisdom, poetry, philosophy and Bach? Just a stroll upon its streets, laced with cobblestone, modern glass and Baroque sensitivities will give lift to old and new world tastes alike. It also happens to be a hub of the Central European Railway. This makes Leipzig an ideal place to see, even if you are on a tour visiting other European sites, or are planning to visit a place that can be a “jumping-off” point for other travel destinations.
Carol Atkins is a Group Travel Leader with YMT Vacations.
For some, the ‘perfect holiday’ involves relaxing and getting away from the stresses of modern life. For those people, staying in a luxury hotel is a great way of achieving this.
Whilst this certainly isn’t a cheap holiday option, it is one of the best. If you are planning a trip to a luxury hotel for your holiday in 2011, you want to consider one of the following stunning hotels.
For a truly decadent experience, a stay at the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai is a wise choice. Set on its own manmade island, the hotel offers a variety of duplex suites, including one and two-bedroom options and the Club Suite, which includes a full-size snooker table.
However, it is the two Royal Suites on the 25th floor that could provide the most opulent stay. Featuring a private elevator, cinema and library, officials at the hotel claim these suites are “the last word in luxury”.
Opened in 1991, the 321-metre building is the tallest all-suite hotel in the world. Staying at the hotel also gives you the chance to travel in chauffeur-driven BMW’s and Rolls-Royce’s when going to and from the airport, although if you prefer you can make your journey by helicopter.
While there are a number of open-air and indoor swimming pools, staying at the Burj Al Arab means you also have access to a private beach. Not only can you spend time soaking up the sun, but you can indulge in a range of water sports here from kayaking to parasailing.
Alternatively, a stay in the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi could provide the luxurious hotel experience you have been longing for. There are more than 300 rooms to choose from, each decorated in Arabian regal splendour. However, you may prefer to stay in one of the numerous suites, which comprises of a separate lounge area, bedroom, terrace and bathroom. Staying in the three-bedroom Palace Suite, meanwhile, offers airport limousine transfers, a silver Jacuzzi and use of a golden laptop.
Whatever room or suite you select, you can use the hotel’s many services and amenities, including the Anantara Spa and the 1.3 km sandy beach. You can also shop for designer goods in various boutiques. And as the Emirates Palace is a part of Kempinski, the oldest luxury hotel group in Europe, you can be sure your every whim will be catered for.
The Viceroy Hotel in Miami, Florida can also be great for a luxury break, with each of the five-star hotel’s 162 guestrooms and suites featuring a 42-inch flatscreen TV and iPod docking station. Set within the ten-acre Icon Brickell enclave, you can also take advantage of a rental car and lifestyle assistant service during your stay.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s spa and wellness centre includes a 2,500 sq ft exercise facility, while there is a private rooftop evening lounge, oversized outdoor fireplace, movie theatre and swimming pool.
For a taste of luxury a little closer home, why not visit the award-winning Hotel Suites in Dresden, Germany? Here you will be able to call on the services of a chauffeur and concierge from the comfort of your suite, before dining at its Michelin-starred restaurant.
After you eat, you will find attractions such as the world-famous Saxon State Opera and the 16th century Dresden Castle just a short distance away. And you could be in good company when booking in at the hotel, with jazz musician Ron Carter and architect Daniel Libeskind among the big names to have stayed there.
The Ritz Paris can also be a great place for a luxurious hotel stay in 2011. Built in 1898, it was the first Ritz hotel in the world – a brand that has been synonymous with decadence and top-quality service. Dining at its L’Espadon restaurant allows you to tuck into Michelin-starred cuisine, while the wine cellars offer more than 1,000 vintages to choose from.
There are a wide selection of rooms and suites to stay in, including the Elton John suite, in honour of the singer who was a former guest at the hotel. Other famous names to have stayed there include Winston Churchill and Ernest Hemmingway, as well as members of royal families from across the world.
No matter where you are looking to go, take the time to compare prices in order to get the most competitive deals. Staying in a luxury hotel could well cost less than you think!
Celebrity Silhouette, the newest addition to Celebrity CruisesSolstice class family, will make history this summer when it is officially named in Hamburg, Germany. When it comes to automobiles and cruise ships, “made in Germany” is often the mark of high quality, innovative design and precision. Celebrity Cruises’ award-winning Solstice Class ships are no exception, and their German heritage is coming full circle with the German locale of Celebrity Silhouette’s official naming festivities, with all their pomp and circumstance.
Built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, the 2,886-guest Celebrity Silhouette will be introduced to the world on 21st July 2011, with formal naming ceremonies that will kick off a two-night preview cruise for invited travel agents, press and other dignitaries. Celebrity Silhouette is the fourth Solstice Class ship in a series of five built at the sixth-generation, family-owned German yard renowned for its commitment to excellence, and the first in its class to be officially named in Germany.
Vacationers eager to experience Celebrity Silhouette can book its inaugural cruise of 23rd July 2011, a seven-night cruise to Rome.
Following a Rome-focused two-night preview cruise for invited members of the travel industry and the media, the ship will introduce a series of 12- and 13-night Holy Land sailings roundtrip from Rome. Beginning this November, Celebrity Silhouette will be the first Solstice Class ship to present cruises from Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey, bringing the Solstice Class’s award-winning style and design to the greater New York City area.
Celebrity Silhouette will offer significantly expanded onboard opportunities for vacationers to enjoy their precious vacation time. New venues that will debut on Celebrity Silhouette will highlight some of the premium brand’s most compelling characteristics, offering unique experiences focused on the culinary arts, ways to relax and enjoy stylish surroundings at sea, and engaging, enriching onboard activities. These venues include:
• The Lawn Club Grill, the industry’s first outdoor, interactive grill restaurant
• The Porch, offering quick, simple, casual and complimentary breakfasts and lunches against a backdrop of views of the lawn and sea
• The Art Studio, a space within The Lawn Club where guests can participate in intimate, hands-on instruction from experts in drawing, painting and beading, as well as the art of food, with plating, tastings, mixology and other culinary-themed classes
• The Alcoves, a private retreat overlooking the lawn, ocean and coastlines, featuring eight exclusive, cabana-style settings, each designed for two to four guests
• The Hideaway, a high-tech, avant-garde treehouse-like spot for vacationers relaxing with their Apple iPads or perhaps reading a good book within cozy, intimate lounging “nests”
In addition to the innovative new venues and experiences, Celebrity Silhouette will offer iconic Solstice Class attributes, including:
• The hip “Celebrity iLounge” that made Celebrity Cruises the industry’s first Authorized Apple Reseller
• Uniquely unordinary “Qsine,” the first seagoing restaurant to feature a menu and wine list on an iPad®, and an engaging food-as-theater dining experience
• Ten unrivaled restaurants – in addition to “The Lawn Club Grill” and “The Porch”
• Modern, stylish interiors designed by some of the world’s best architects and designers, including Adam Tihany
• Cool nightclubs and lounges, including CellarMasters, complete with the industry’s first installation of the innovative Enomatic wine serving system
• One of the broadest and best wine offerings in the industry, served by one of the world’s largest staffs of certified sommeliers
• One of the world’s largest permanent collections of original contemporary art, and the industry’s first self-guided art tours to be presented on an iPad®
• Top-tier entertainment, including custom aerial production shows and live music
Looking for something a little bit different? Tripadvisor have shortlisted their top 10 trendy European hotels (and there’s a few trendy websites here that you might like to peruse, too!). Would you agree with their list? Is there a hotel that you think deserves to be on the list but isn’t? Please post a comment and let us know your thoughts.
If tasting fabulous wines, listening to knowledgeable wine experts, touring world-famous wineries and vineyards as you relax and cruise along the calm Rhine and Mosel Rivers in Europe sounds like the perfect vacation for you, I recommend you experience the same wine-tasting cruise from which I just returned. Boarding the luxurious yet wonderfully comfortable MS AmaLegro in Amsterdam in the cool dusk of a late fall afternoon, I immediately felt at home in the beautifully furnished river cruise ship which can hold up to 150 passengers but never felt crowded with its spacious lounge and large staterooms. Cruising up the Rhine River through Germany, we marveled at the virtually vertical vineyards which line the river banks and the ruined castles which loom over the meticulously groomed vineyards. A variety of delicious wines was presented with dinner and also with many of the lunches. At lunch one day, we had a very special meal, presided over by a local vintner, Mr. Loewenstein, who gave a commentary about the paired wines we had with our meal. It was fascinating to hear the history of each of the wines and to have explained what we should be tasting and experiencing.
Each of the wines we tasted in the evenings was described on the beautifully detailed menus with which we were presented at each meal. One white wine was a Vinum Confluentes and was described as “very fruity with a perfect round and complex body, a specialty from Koblenz”. The other choice, a red, was a Kremser-Zweigelt and was described as “Special Austrian grape, usually very heavy bodied wine, color is from deep red down to deep violet, comes quite spicy at the end, comparable to a Merlot”. At cocktail hour, before the Captain’s Gala Dinner one evening, we had a lovely drink called a “Mosel Royal” which was a combination of white wine with some peach liqueur and a fresh lime slice and was fresh-tasting and delicious!
In Rudesheim, Germany we were treated to a wonderful meal and wine tasting by local vintner Georg Breuer, which included information about local wines and vineyards. Each of our meals and wine-tastings were more wonderful than the last and the variety of wines complemented the variety of the towns we toured. Each town with its lovely arched bridges, cobblestone streets, beautiful shops and houses and the requisite castles was more intriguing than the last. Then, after our tours, we could easily walk right back onboard the MS AmaLegro and ready ourselves for our next course of wine-tasting!
AmaWaterways is also offering some wine-tasting cruises in 2011 and, if you like wine and you enjoy cruising, I recommend this as the perfect way to combine both!
Looking to go somewhere special this Valentines? Then take a look at this list of the top 15 romantic Valentines hotels, as decreed by Tripadvisor. Bar a token entry for Bodrum in Turkey, they’re all in Europe, which seems a little odd, but perhaps subscribers from other parts of the world, are given a different list depending on their own locations.
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Tripadvisor has once again published its Travellers’ Choice awards – this time for 2012. The top 25 hotels in the worldwide luxury category are as follows:
Taking a quality European tour is often only a once-in-a-decade pleasure! World travelers have to ask for time off from work, have a caretaker, water the plants and board the pets, book travel transportation and accommodations, worry about language barriers and money conversions, and determine what sightseeing is worth the tourist’s time and money! Sometimes the vacation wasn’t even worth the hassle and stress it caused in the planning.
It’s that time of year again when the foliage on the trees begins to take on all manner of dramatic colours, and budding photographers the world over try to make the most of the myriad of different hues. Tripadvisor have come up with a ‘top 10 spots for stunning Autumn colours’ list (see below). What would be your choices and why?
Whether you want a calm and upscale stag holiday or a more rambunctious occasion where the drinks flow freely, you can find whatever you are looking for at some of the best stag destinations around the world. From Asia to Europe, there are countless attractions, bars, and nightclubs to entertain you, and provide you with great entertainment before the groom’s wedding day. Visit one of these top 10 destinations for a luxury stag holiday around the world.
If you’re planning a trip anywhere in Europe and looking to really indulge yourself in complete luxury, there are many great hotels out there that can attend to your every need. Here are some of the best.
Just two weeks after 
Cologne, Germany is a gorgeous and ancient city, snuggled right next to the Rhine River so, like most of the German river towns and cities, it is extremely accessible by river cruise ships. You can tour the lovely cathedral, stroll the cobblestone streets, have a coffee at one of the cafes or shop for beautiful handmade linens in the shops.
For some, the ‘perfect holiday’ involves relaxing and getting away from the stresses of modern life. For those people, staying in a luxury hotel is a great way of achieving this.
Looking for something a little bit different? Tripadvisor have shortlisted their top 10 trendy European hotels (and there’s a few trendy websites here that you might like to peruse, too!). Would you agree with their list? Is there a hotel that you think deserves to be on the list but isn’t? Please post a comment and let us know your thoughts.
If tasting fabulous wines, listening to knowledgeable wine experts, touring world-famous wineries and vineyards as you relax and cruise along the calm Rhine and Mosel Rivers in Europe sounds like the perfect vacation for you, I recommend you experience the same wine-tasting cruise from which I just returned. Boarding the luxurious yet wonderfully comfortable 
Looking to go somewhere special this Valentines? Then take a look at this list of the top 15 romantic Valentines hotels, as decreed by