A Luxury Travel Blog

Flying hotels… the future of luxury travel?  Who knows? But an aircruise concept from Seymourpowell in association with Samsung looks to be little more than a publicity stunt to us here at A Luxury Travel Blog.  Not only does it look an unlikely shape for such a vessel but the choice of hydrogen gas to get it airborne leaves us wondering whether the people behind it have ever even heard of the Hindenburg disaster.  Still, it did manage to ’suck in’ all kinds of media interest, including the likes of CNN and The Independent who you would hope might have known better than to take the bait.  Enjoy the video but don’t expect to see one of these things any time soon!

In 2011, for the very first time, Silversea’s new Silver Spirit will embark on a full World Cruise traversing both hemispheres. This grandest of voyages, appropriately themed “Spirit of Discovery”, begins in Los Angeles on 19th January 2011, when Silver Spirit is set to welcome no more than 540 privileged guests for a 119-day odyssey exploring 60 destinations in 25 countries – with 11 overnight port visits – before concluding in Southampton on 19th May. Along the journey, Silver Spirit will take in the tranquillity of French Polynesia, Australia’s untamed landscapes, the unique customs and cultures of Asia, ancient Egyptian wonders and timeless Mediterranean hideaways spanning from Italy and Monaco to Spain and Portugal.

Guests will enjoy spacious, ocean-view accommodation, sumptuous gourmet cuisine served in six dining venues, the personalised service of a butler assigned to every suite, and Silversea’s generous selection of all-inclusive shipboard amenities, including complimentary beverages, wines and spirits served throughout the ship, 24-hour room service and stocked in-suite beverage cabinet.

Learn more about the ship and her sea trials from this video:

The picturesque Town Hall Square of the medieval city of Tallinn is once more hosting the annual Christmas Market with its 64 wooden stalls. During the 40 day period from 29th November 2009 until 7th January 2010, visitors may stroll through this amazing festive scene.

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:

Bristol Buenaventura, which opened last Spring, is located about 80 minutes southwest of Panama City in an exclusive gated resort community. Boasting 114 spacious guest rooms and lavish suites, as well as 18 two-story lagoon villas, the property provides for the ultimate beachside Panamanian getaway, whether for couples, families or girlfriend getaways.

In addition to the luxurious accommodations, Bristol Buenaventura also features a number of dining options, offering gourmet adaptations of traditional Panamanian dishes in a variety of locations. Additionally, the property includes the beachside El Faro Club House, serving as the meeting place for all water sports and houses the private beach butler service; as well as a private stable that is home to two Peruvian horses and ponies that can be rented for a sunset ride on the beach, around the lake or through the property gardens.

See the video for more:

This amateur video footage is taken from the very top of the Burj Dubai’s spire and gives an interesting perspective over the surrounding area. Even some skyscrapers look miniscule in comparison.

It’s actually nearer three minutes but hey… we won’t quibble with Tourisme Montréal on that detail. Just sit back and enjoy their promotional video.

The Blue Hole is a scuba diver’s paradise off the coast of Belize.  If you’re unfamiliar with it, be prepared to be amazed by the video footage below…

Sit back and watch in amazement at this video footage from Alaska. A skier gets caught up in an avalanche and buried alive. Fortunately for him, he lost his glove just prior to being buried, which marked his approximate whereabouts.  He was also with people who were trained in avalanche rescue.  He was rescued in just 4 and a half minutes and escaped without serious injury.

Looking for some travel inspiration?  Sit back and take 5 minutes to enjoy this beautiful slideshow presentation of French Polynesia.

Lake Okareka Lodge by lebua, in Rotorua, New Zealand, is the perfect abode of luxury, nestled in a landscape of incredible natural beauty. Far away from the prying eyes of the everyday life, there are countless hours of relaxation and adventures to be had in the most opulent of settings. Go fly-fishing for trout, try your hand at kayaking, windsurfing or mountain biking, or simply embark on a casual stroll through spectacular forests, farmlands and wetlands.

Roman Abramovich’s latest toy is the luxury yacht M/Y Eclipse. Constructed by Blohm + Voss in Hamburg, it is 170 metres long which makes it the world’s longest yacht, 11 metres longer than Sheikh Mohammed’s. She comes with two helipads, two swimming pools, 11 guest cabins, three launch boats and a mini-submarine, and requires a crew of 70 for her operation. She is also equipped with some interesting security features including an anti-paparazzi shield which will detect CCDs (as used in digital photography) and fires a bolt of light at any suspecting photographer to prevent images from being obtained.

Construction costs of the vessel are estimated at $1.2 billion, hugely in excess of the original $485 million estimate. She was launched in June 2009 (see video below) and is currently in Demark for final tests before being delivered to Abramovich some time next year.

If you’re in need of some travel inspiration, then maybe this inspirational video from Louis Vuitton will have you planning your next trip in no time…

Sit back and admire the work of San Francisco, California balanced rock sculptor Bill Dan and the art, discipline and craft of rock balancing and balanced stone stacking around the world.

Slideshow of amazing beach huts from across the globe including Tahiti and Maldives.

Delivering the very best in overall guest experiences is the central motivator behind the design of Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, Oasis of the Seas.  You can learn more about the ship in this video:

When she debuts in December 2009, the most cutting-edge amenities and activities ever seen at sea will be complemented with a variety of retail venues – 13 stores, including open-air shopping that cover more than 10,000 square feet. With many products exclusive to Oasis, the shopping experience will be one of a kind in terms of both the items offered and the setting on the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. Guests of all ages and styles will find their retail therapy of choice in outlets that range from children and teen-favored shops to jewelry and duty-free stores for adults.

Not only will Oasis of the Seas provide the broadest selection of boutiques and shops industry wide, but several international brands also will be making their debut. Perhaps the most eagerly awaited store onboard will be Coach. Located in the Central Park neighborhood, the iconic maker of luxury leather goods will unveil its first dedicated store at sea. Custom built to the brand’s standards, the Coach store will showcase the signature line of beautifully crafted designer handbags, leather goods, sunglasses and scarves. Among the recognizable jewelry and clothing designers establishing a presence at sea for the first time are Breitling, watches that are instruments for professionals, and Italian jewelry designer Pianegonda, as well as apparel companies including Lucky Brand, Eileen Fisher, DC Apparel and Forrest & Fauna, makers of 100% organic t-shirts and garments. Oasis of the Seas also will carry a number of brands never before seen in the Royal Caribbean fleet, including elegant jewelry from Roberto Coin, Charriol and Yvel, as well as offer long-time favorites, such as cosmetics by iconic brands Chanel and Christian Dior, among many others.

Just look at how much you can pack into a day in Egypt! This inspiring commercial for tourism in Egypt covers everything from quad biking in Sharm El Sheikh and scuba diving in Dahab to rock climbing in Taba and an evening at the theatre in Cairo…