Private access to the Sistine Chapel and several of the Vatican’s special sites is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

The bag itself is a quality item, made by Voodoo Tactical, that comes in two colours (tan or black).  You can just tell by the feel that it would stand up well to rugged environments if your travels took you to such a place.

Once opened, you discover that the bag has three compartments each loaded with a generous supply of medical gear (items such as scissors, tweezers and nail clippers as well as things like gloves, band-aids and tongue depressors) and over-the-counter medications.  On top of that, there’s also a whole host of medication you wouldn’t normally expect to find in a medical kit – items such as a 1mg vial of epinephrine (aka adrenaline) which is used to treat conditions such as cardiac arrest or anaphylaxis.

In short, there’s a substantial amount of kit and medication in just one bag.  And, should you ever be faced with a situation where there is no doctor to hand, the peace of mind that comes with having so much equipment to hand and knowing expert advice is just a phone call away – no matter what time of day it is or where you are in the world – will come as a great comfort to many.  Afterall, it’s critically important that any medication is administered correctly.

Recent users of the service have called with anything from eye infections to urinary tract infections and have been able to take advantage of the advice given without the need to curtail their respective trips. And whilst the service might not replace seeing a doctor first hand, it’s certainly a handy piece of kit to be able to take with you on your travels, particularly if you are heading off the beaten track and medical assistance might be less easy to come by.

The base cost of the kit is $375 with various optional extras at further cost. For example, an auto-injecting epi pen will add a further $115 to the purchase price, or you can even add an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) for an additional $850.

Special feature: MedCallOutfitter Kit™ from MedCallAssist™ is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Down the stairs, through a set of aging wooden doors, the buzz of a crowd and the soft clink of wine glasses float in the air. The lighting is mellow and a smiling, chattering crowd fill the low wooden banquets and tall bar stools. You’d be forgiven for thinking you had slipped back in time to a 1920’s Left bank Brasserie. The black and white tile interior is filled with chalk board menus, marble-topped tables and ranks of wine bottles.

People come for the wine. There is little wonder why. In a town where wine selection can begin to look like they all fell from the back of the same truck, Bedford and Strand stands out as a bespoke collection of classic French and Italian favorites alongside surprising discoveries from Portugal, New Zealand and Spain. The wine list is smartly segregated to meet the needs of the thrifty connoisseur or the celebrant dandy. One can linger over a single glass, or while the evening away over a few shared bottles. The carefully researched selections change quarterly, with new surprises always waiting a little further down the list. The servers are eager to help; there is no wine snobbery in this cosy cellar. Tell your host what you like – or what you think you like – and you’ll be steered true and helped to match your wine to a few bites of rustic, French and English food classics.

The food is just as well thought-out and does the wine proud. Order up a dish of freshly made, crisp and salty pork scratchings or tuck into the Braun Fritters; crispy bites of slow-cooked pork cheek breaded crisp and served with greens and creamy Gribiche sauce. For wine paring magic, point to a few of the creamy cheeses and bright, cured salumi glimmering in the long display case. The food changes with the seasons and menu launches are always announced to insiders.

And the cocktails aren’t bad either. Standing proud between the wine racks is a wall of spirits to make any aperitif connoisseur swoon. From Scottish highland malts to obscure Italian bitters, the sure-handed bar staff knows how to make the most of their tools to pour out and shake up ultimate versions of the classics. Ask for one of the house variations on the classic martini and your night is off to a bracing start. Specialty cocktails feature home-grown London spirits and liqueurs that you may never encounter again.

When you head back up the stairs to street level, you’ll feel connected to London. You’ll have seen and experienced a beating heart of the city that the fast moving tourists will never know. Turn back onto the strand and you’ll be swallowed into the warm buzz of the crowd as they rush from one hot-spot to the next. But you can relax because you know exactly how to slip away from it all. Take a breath and enjoy the luxury that comes from quietly knowing a secret haven in the most cosmopolitan food and drink city in the world.

Sage Russell is Editor of Food Pilgrimage.

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London’s best hidden wine bar is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

One of the best ways to see Amsterdam, if not by bike, is from the water. Plan on taking time aside to take a cruise up the canals when you visit the Dutch capital. It’s a fabulous way to take in the city’s rich history. In fact, we enjoyed it so much; we took both a day and a night tour. There are over 1,000 bridges that span the city’s waterways and at night they’re lit up with white lights. The bridge lights blend with the light shining out from the streetlamps and light shining out of the windows and makes the experience very romantic. On a day cruise, you can learn about the history of Amsterdam. The 17th Century warehouses still stand at the water’s edge, as do the merchant homes from the Golden Age. It’s amazing to see how people live modern lives amidst all of the rich history.

Of course, we couldn’t leave Amsterdam without visiting the De Hoge Veluwe Park where Van Gogh’s Sunflowers was so famously painted. And don’t forget about the floating market in the Singel Canal. Here you can pick up anything from produce to a fresh bouquet; everything is arranged right in boats along the waterway.

The city is so comfortable to roam around; with cafes everywhere you can pick up a sandwich and go to the park, or sit on a patio and have a pint. They say there are over one thousand such cafes in the area. I couldn’t believe that the oldest has been open for nearly 500 years! This lifestyle is definitely one I could get used to living. An escorted vacation is a great way to visit any country.

Carol Atkins is a Group Travel Leader with YMT Vacations.

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Free bikes in Amsterdam! is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Casa Montesdeoca

Described as the “highlight of the Vegueta”, the Casa Montesdeoca is the very epitome of tranquillity itself. It is located within a small courtyard, lined with palm trees that gently rustle in the breeze. Off the courtyard patio there is also an exquisitely decorated bar with an array of drinks, and three other dining rooms to take food in.

You might wonder why you would consider eating indoors when the courtyard is so grand? Well the building the Casa Montesdeoca calls home was a 16th Century merchant palace before it was a restaurant, and much of restaurant’s history can be felt though the wonderful paintings and architecture when you dine there, making the experience all the better. The fine food and drink is served by the restaurants friendly, English speaking staff, the gentleman behind the bar was especially knowledgeable about the wine too, a wonderful addition to the dining experience!

La Aquarela

For those who want nothing more than real haute cuisine, La Aquarela is without a doubt the finest Gran Canaria can offer. What’s more, if you’ve chosen to stay at one of the Anfi resorts in Anfi Del Mar, you are only but a few moments away – perfect for those who choose to indulge perhaps a little too much on the impeccable selection of wines available.

The delectable menu ties in wonderfully with the stunning décor and full service they provide. If you want to ensure that you are able to enjoy the other restaurants in the area, best off visiting La Aquarela last because it really doesn’t get any better than this.

El Salsete

Highly regarded as providing an exemplary example of locale food, El Salsete is located in the midst of the more tourist centric bars and restaurants of Maspalomas. Stocking many a local wine and serving fish from the area, it is well worth deviating from the set menu to sample some of the daily specialties. These of course vary from the time of the year, but you are guaranteed seasonal delights, all presented in spectacular form.

A hidden gem within Maspalomas, El Salsete is a delightful blend local charm and excellent food; it is well worth searching out if you long for more than the typical tourist trappings which can be found on the south side of Gran Canaria.

Peter Lydford is Director at Travel & Leisure Group.

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Fine dining in Gran Canaria is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Fusion Maia, Da Nang, Vietnam

This little gem takes pride of place on the Hot List – but you might not realise it’s a luxury hotel from the outside. The tall granite walls lend home to 87 private-pool suites and villas, but the real seller here is that unlimited spa treatments are included in the room rate. Special features of the guest rooms include an L-shaped designed bedroom with rain shower, sunken stone bathtub, outdoor courtyard and plunge pool. A fabulous addition for Vietnam.

Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, Maldives

This exotic, magical retreat encapsulates everything that the Maldives is about with its serene isolation, barefoot luxury, stilted lagoon villas and panoramic island beauty at every single turn. Guests benefit from personal butler service, a private pool and secluded stretch of beach for all room types. If staying here, you’ll struggle not to fall in love with the Maldives.

Four Seasons, Marrakech

Marrakech is blessed by many stunning riad inspired hotels and palaces, and this Four Seasons branded offering pays perfect homage to Moorish architecture with its charming collection of restaurants and laid back family friendly atmosphere. Having opened last June, the hotel is expected to rival previous Condé Nast favourite Royal Mansour and Sir Richard Branson’s Kasbah Tamadot as a leading hotel of the region.

You can view the full Condé Nast Hot List for 2012 here.

Carole Booth is Commercial Director at Destinology.

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3 choice picks from the Condé Nast Hot List 2012 is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Amsterdam has one of the highest standards of living in the World (13th) as well as being home to the oldest stock exchange as well a series of historical and cultural sights that you cannot find anywhere else. One of the top financial centres of Europe and the cultural capital of Holland, Amsterdam still is home to much of the legacy of Holland’s trade history. It can provide all the sights and luxuries to anyone looking beyond the cafés and De Wallen.

Staying at Hotel 717 is the perfect beginning for anyone looking to capture that Dutch period feeling whilst staying in Amsterdam. The hotel is part of a 19th Century historic building overlooking the canals of the city. Much of the décor has been recreated to conjure the images of 19th Century high living, whilst feeling unmistakably Dutch.

The hotel’s location in the centre of Amsterdam positions it ideally so that during your visit you can see the wonders of Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank house with ease whilst taking in the rich surroundings as you travel the beautiful streets. If you are inclined towards some of the finest painting to be found Rijksmuseum is one of the places you simply must see; housing works by Rembrandt, Van der Helst and Vermeer. For a little something more commonly associated with Holland there is also the Van Gogh museum located near by, one of the most-visited museums in the city.

But it is Amsterdam’s network of canals around the city centre make for some of the most interesting sight-seeing during your stay. If you want for a finer experience on the water in Amsterdam, the award-winning Canals Dinner Cruise delivers gastronomic greatness and the finest views in the city. A four course meal topped of with plenty of fine wine and the most spectacular effect of the shimmering reflections from lights on the gentling rippling waters below.

Departing from the historic and cultural somewhat, the hotel is situated to the nearby shopping district of central Amsterdam. Combing the stunning period architecture of the buildings seamlessly with the cut-edge and some of the most sophisticated shopping experiences. These tight winding streets of De Negen Straatjes are home to the small one-of-a-kind boutiques and niche shops which you can’t find anyway else where as the Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat brings the familiar names like Chanel, Gucci and Cartier when you just want to treat yourself. The concentration of prestigious shops and surroundings has made Amsterdam the capital for fashion in the country as well as one of the best-known destinations in Europe.

If you want to get away from the city centre for some quality quiet-time, the tulip fields, which Holland is best-known for create some of the most visually arresting sights in the country; the vibrant shades of the lease beautiful flowers growing in vast fields. What’s more, from the city centre you can be picked up by private car and whisked to Keukenhof Gardens by-passing the queues for the much-sought after tickets.

Jared Morgan is Head of Communications at Booked.net.

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A different Amsterdam – historical heaven at Hotel 717 is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

InterContinental Shimao Shanghai Wonderland: the world’s lowest high-rise hotel? is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

1. France
2. Russia
3. United Kingdom
4. Germany
5. Others
6. China
7. United States
8. Spain
9. Italy
10. Poland

Bringing up the rear on the list, and thus deemed the most polite, were the following:

25. Japan
26. Denmark
27. Canada
28. New Zealand
29. Indonesia
30. Portugal
31. Thailand
32. The Philippines
33. Caribbean region
34. Brazil

But how accurate is such a survey.  Apparently 65% of those surveyed were from the UK & Ireland.  That maybe doesn’t do France any favours.  And how much is the rudeness just perceived rather than actual, perhaps due to differences in culture.

Click on the comments and tell us who you think are the rudest nations to travellers!

The 10 rudest nations on the planet is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Virgin on the ridiculous: is this REALLY what we want from our airlines these days?! is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Tranquillity and isolation

To say that the Wolwedans lodges and private camps are out of the way would be an understatement. Even after you fly to Cape Town in South Africa (which is twelve hours from London Heathrow), you have another two hour flight followed by a six hour car journey to get to the NamibRand Nature Reserve. When you arrive you’ll find the entire expanse of the Namibian dunes as your back garden. You won’t have to worry about other holidaymakers because there aren’t any, as the six person lodge is the only building for miles around. There is also no means of communication with the outside world during your stay; you’re in the middle of the desert after all. You won’t be able to get any kind of phone or Internet signal while you’re there, so you’ll be offered complete and utter peace. It may take a little while to get used to, but once you settle in you won’t want to leave.

Your own kingdom

The open plan lodge also allows you to open the walls in order to survey the sweeping expanse of the Namibian desert. You won’t have any need for alarm clocks, either, as the sun rising over the dunes will wake you up in time to do plenty of activities including safari tours, hot air ballooning or just soaking up the views in peace. The lodge also has its own butler, chef and tour guide, so you can live like a king and take it easy during your stay. You’ll also be sharing this breath taking landscape with a host of indigenous wildlife including zebras, giraffes and 170 species of bird.

Special occasions

For newlyweds, the Wolwedans lodges offer a perfect romantic, secluded getaway. If you also wanted to tie the knot out in the savannah, there are also licensed marriage officers who offer both religious and civil ceremonies. The camps are family-friendly, though it is highly recommended that families with small children opt for the more secluded lodges so as not to risk disturbing the other guests. A new option for the adventurous at heart are Star Beds; specially designed raised beds that allow you to sleep out on the sand dunes with the open sky as your roof. If seclusion and luxury is what you want, imagine waking up to an African sunrise with all that you see from each horizon belonging to you.

Kate Rose is the Head of Travel Insurance at Confused.com.

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A true taste of the wilderness – the Wolwedans private camp, Namibia is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Sleep

At the InterContinental Amstel Hotel you are rubbing shoulders with Queen Elizabeth of England, George Clooney, Bill Clinton and Madonna, and the local rich and famous. In 1998, this ‘Grande Dame’ welcomed twelve royal families that had been invited to join Her Majesty Queen Beatrix on the occasion of het sixtieth birthday. The Royal Suite has a bathroom with taps of 14 carat gold and a breathtaking view of the Amstel River. Even if you are not staying here, do enjoy a delicious dinner at Michelin-rated Restaurant La Rive, an exquisite fusion of French and Mediterranean cuisines. Or book the exclusive ‘Chef’s Table’ where the action is: in the kitchen of the restaurant, and Chef de Cuisine Rogér Rassin will take great care of you. Nothing can match a delightful afternoon tea at the Riverside Lounge or at one of the outdoor terraces. After tea, take the salon boat for a round trip on the magnificent canals.

Sublime service and eye for detail can be found at the graceful Hotel Okura. Get a taste of Okura at heavenly Japanese restaurant Yamazato. Or book a table at French restaurant Ciel Bleu, on the 23rd floor with the most amazing view of the Amsterdam skyline. Don’t miss out on the best shiatsu massage in the Netherlands while you are here.

Relax

Angelina Jolie just took her children there, so you simply can’t leave Amsterdam without a visit to the Van Gogh Museum. Avoid the crowds and drop by just before lunchtime or book online in advance.

Feel like buying art? If you are looking for a unique item, antique jewelry or Delft Blue pottery, walk to the wonderful art galleries and antique shop at the nearby charming street, the Spiegelstraat. At Peter Pappot, Jaski Art Gallery, Smelik & Stokking and Morren Galleries you will find magnificent masterpieces for sale.

Eat

Create memorable gastronomical experiences surrounded by chic clientele in Michelin-rated restaurants: Vinkeles (the finest contemporary cuisine at unique boutique hotel The Dylan Amsterdam), Lastage and Ron Blaauw. Guests of The Dylan can also hop on board of ‘The Muze’, a renovated 19th century wooden salon boat, for a sublime ‘Vinkeles on the water experience’ with delicacies such as: oysters, bleu fin tuna & caviar, goose liver ballotine and black truffle prepared in its own gravy, truffle butter and toasted bread.

Ron Blaauw (two-stars) has a relaxed atmosphere and a superb menu and wine list. Try the BBQ beef with spring onion and grandmother’s gravy. For fabulous food with a Dutch twist, great wines and a unique Dutch antique interior go to D’Vijff Vlieghen. And, according to the locals, Vis aan de Schelde is the best place for classical and fusion seafood dishes.

Shop

Retail therapy is best in the Southern part of town at the PC Hoofstraat, an exclusive shopping street with flagship stores of: Chanel, Hermès, D&G, Armani, Cartier, Tiffany & Co and Louis Vuitton. Insiders also enjoy the nearby Cornelis Schuytstraat with edgy boutiques and Dutch brands such as: lingerie at Marlies Dekkers, designer footwear and handbags at Shoebaloo and soft elegant cardigans at Repeat Cashmere.

In between shop sessions ladies who lunch go to: Brasserie de Joffers, Brasserie Van Dam and Cafe George. These venues serve beautiful sandwiches, salads and local delicacies.

Revive

Amsterdam just welcomed the Conservatorium Hotel which occupies the famous site of the former Sweelinck music conservatorium. The rich history, 19th Century architecture mixed with contemporary design of this famous building, is definitely worth a visit.

Be glamorous and try a watsu treatment at the hotel its stylish Akasha Wellbeing Center. Followed by the sauna, some laps in the pool and curling up in your soft bathrobe near the fireplace, it is the best place in town after a long day. Bliss!

Drink

The spacious outdoor terrace of historic restaurant Vertigo, at the lively Vondelpark, is fabulous for a Dutch beer and some bitterballen; a typical Dutch fried food roll aka croquettes. Surrounded by locals (jogging, cycling or walking their dogs) it is a joyous and authentic before-dinner drink hotspot.

Vyne is highly recommended for a glass of wine and delicious finger food. And, cocktails with a view are a must at The Skylounge; a bright, contemporary cocktail bar on the 12th floor of the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, next to the Central Station. Proost (Dutch for: Cheers)!

Illonka Brands is a Travel Journalist.

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Amsterdam’s ultimate luxury list is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

BUKHARA pop-up comes to London for two weeks in May is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

But one destination that is considered by many as the current premium location is the Riviera Maya. The Riviera Maya is a district that is located near Cancun. Practically all the region has interesting projects that are being developed. The exuberant ecosystem and the ancestral culture also contribute to make this location very attractive to potential spa seekers who are usually searching for a relaxing place.

The novelty of the treatments is also an important factor that increases the quality of the local spas. Some spas have adapted ancestral therapies from the Mayans and have blended them with modern treatments, resulting in a complete healing and restoration process. The luxury factor is also present in all these therapies and provides them with prestige.

Some notable examples that have implemented these novelty treatments are the Grand Velas Riviera Maya Resort and the Banyan Tree Mayakoba Hotel.

There are plenty of resources available to find the right luxury spa resort. In general Mexico and the Riviera Maya are perfect candidates if you are planning a luxury spa retreat or vacation in the near future.

Rodolfo Gonzalez is General Manager at Luxury Spa Mexico.

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Luxury spa experiences in the Riviera Maya is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Aria Resort & Casino dominates the skyline of Las Vegas, laying claim to as it does, the highest towers – and overall largest structure within the CityCentre. Its impressive appearance is accented by more than just its size, the twin curved towers conjoined in the centre produce two swooping walls of glass, the focal point or “Aria” of Las Vegas.

In a city where size is everything and next resort and complex all promise the biggest, best, newest, loudest or most extravagant, Aria Resort lays claim equally to such boastful attributes. Whilst never the biggest of hotels in terms of rooms (although still ranked 11th largest in the world), it is the largest building with LEED gold certificate and is thought of as one of the most technologically advanced hotels ever built.

The architecture of Aria is one of the most stunning features, whilst startlingly absent is any one theme or obvious unifying visual reference customary in Las Vegas. Instead a contemporary, state-of-the-art décor has been adopting, drawing off unique and unconventional materials to create an arresting visual style for all those who enter.

Your accommodation is a choice from one of the Aria’s 4,004 guest rooms or 568 luxury suites. Seamless continuations of style and class observed from the three-story lobby and striking décor onwards. The suites all benefit from integrated technology that actively control the environment of the room when you are in or out, giving you the most comfortable ambiance without having to lift a finger as well as contributing to it’s world-beating carbon efficiency that earned it the LEED gold certificate.

The main draw to the suites is in their name, “Sky Suites”. Located atop the mighty towers, each of them over-looks out across Las Vegas and Nevada beyond. The Sky Suites were made to redefine luxury accommodation on the strip and it after completion it didn’t just redefine, it surpassed expectations. The largest of the suites covers an area of 7,000 square feet in size, and is referred to as a villas in the sky, a private estate if you will.

Once you’ve arrived at the Aria, there will certainly have to be something pretty special to draw you away from it’s luxurious rooms, 16 restaurants, 10 nightclubs and bars and 150,000 square foot of buzzing casino. To top this off there the Aria’s spectacular palm tree lined pool, salon, spa and 1,800 seat theatre, which Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis find its home.

What more can be said about the Aria without sounding like more over-enthusiastic hyperbole? Without wishing to fall to another cliché, the whole experience really must be seen to be believed, unbridled grandeur on this scale evades so many in the day-to-day only can justice be done to its vision when seen in the flesh. Las Vegas plays host to the flash, the ostentatious and the oft-considered tacky, but for an experience which exudes class, taste and charm on everyone of its 61 floors, you really should try the Aria Resort & Casino.

Jared Morgan is Head of Communications at Booked.net.

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Luxury in Las Vegas – a stay at the Aria Resort & Casino is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Auto touring companies have become very popular recently. So, even if your home range offers nothing spectacular within a couple days drive, you can schedule the luxury car of your choosing – complete with maps, itinerary, hotel reservations and many other amenities – to meet you at the airport. Or, you can do it the old-fashioned way and pack your backs for a multi-day road trip, miles be damned.

Every luxury car fit for touring shares common elements with its peers: a smooth ride, panoramic windows, extremely comfortable seating, a sound system worthy of great road music, and enough space for a little luggage. Beyond that, it’s a matter of personal taste what drives you to take a long drive. I’ve chosen five modern luxury vehicles that cover the spectrum of great road-tripping automotive companions – and one of them might just make you un-box your driving moccasins.

Bentley Continental GTC

The point of a spring road trip is not to make it fly by at 198 miles per hour – but if you needed to, say, get through an ugly stretch, the Bentley Continental GTC could do it for you with 567 horsepower from its 12 cylinders. And, with the top down! The Conti, redesigned for 2012, might be the perfect convertible for an extended road trip. The interior is breathtaking with bespoke leather seats, hand-crafted wood trim, chrome dials – and yoga-level quiet and tranquility when the top is down. The touch-screen navigation and information center brings the perfect level of technology to a cabin that otherwise harkens back to the glory days of Rolls Royce and Duesenberg. A premium sound system from Naim with 30 GB of digital music space

Of course, even with update exterior styling, nobody will fail to recognize the Continental GTC as a Bentley. The convertible, push-button roof stows itself in less than 20 seconds. Despite its rather heavy weight, the Conti moves quickly for such a big car. It has good trunk space, but the back seat is very small – one of its few draw backs. Well, that and fuel economy – which is generously listed as 19 mpg on the highway. Still, if you want to waft along in un-excelled luxury – in a convertible, no less – you can’t do better than the Bentley Continental GTC.

Land Rover Range Rover

We’ll explore the other end of the touring vehicle spectrum with the Range Rover! Where the Bentley is speed and sculpture melded, the Range Rover is refined muscle, blatant attitude and glorious space. Other large luxury SUVs are pretender to the venerable Range Rover’s throne. If you want to hit the road with another couple, or your children, the Range Rover has all the legroom and luggage room you’ll need. Dry roads or slippery trails, it has capability and handling that will surprise you in such a big piece of equipment. This is what you want for a drive through the mountains to Big Bear or Aspen. Handling might not match most sports cars, but with a computerized air suspension that self-adjusts 100 times per second, this is no land yacht, either.

You’ll find no better view than provided by a Range Rover’s large windows, and you’ll be extremely comfortable in premium leather seats. The sound system is provided by Harman/Kardon, and you will find it lacks nothing. Styling never changes much with the Range Rover, and I suspect Land Rover finds no reason that it should. And, they’re likely right. Refined and capable, the Range Rover has only one flaw – gas mileage that will be somewhere south of 18 mpg at best.

Porsche Panamera

Fast. Four doors. Leave it to the venerable German brand, Porsche, to make opposite qualities attractive in the same package. The Panamera delivers all of the famous speed and performance of the brand, but with an interior that is legitimately comfortable for four adults. And, the trunk is large enough for a normal amount of luggage, but if you’re traveling by yourself or one other person, the back seat folds down for extra cargo room. Luxury items like Bluetooth connection, various drive settings, hand-stitched top grade leather, and metal and wood trip are de rigueur.

Amazingly, the top-end Panamera Turbo S can go from 0-60 in 3.6 seconds, reach a top speed of 190 mph, and yet, when touring on the open road, get a reasonable 23 miles per gallon! Panamera comes standard with a parking assistance feature that audibly warns when an object is behind the car while in reverse. A reversing camera can be added that displays video from the rear on the center dash communication center – with superimposed guidelines to help you back up. If, for some odd reason, you’d rather listen to music than the thrilling Porsche engine tones, Porsche offers both Bose and Burmester sound systems that cannot be duplicated. Frankly, the Porsche Panamera proves that you can have it all – at least in a sports luxury sedan.

Mercedes SL550

Sometimes, you want to be seen, and acknowledged, and … envied. Driving the Mercedes SL550 will accomplish all of that nicely, thank you very much. The body styling is new for 2012, and it shows ultramodern imagination, while still hewing to the Mercedes sensibility. It will move you down the highway dashingly, obviously, and most importantly – fast.

Yes, this is a roadster, like the Bentley, but completely unlike the Bentley. With a panoramic glass roof, you don’t have to put the top down to feel the outside. Where the Bentley is heavy and solid, the Mercedes is light and nimble. They both have their place.

The leather cabin and amazingly comfortable seats are built for long hauls. Paddle shifters give you full control of the transmission when you want it, or you can let the automatic mode carry you along with nearly as much fun. Comfortable, fast, convertible, great handling – did I mention fast? For those who can afford a six figure car, this Merc is a dashing and daring vehicle that will make a long drive come to life with fun.

Jaguar XJ

Jaguar has been on a decade-long quest to put its namesake cat’s power and dynamism back into its cars. Even with the big XJ sedan, it has succeeded. It has a lightweight aluminum body, standard V8 engine, and adaptive suspension – all hallmarks of a car seeking to be a fast and powerful bully. But, Jaguar harnesses them in a way that keeps the traditional Jaguar grace and elegance.

What England seems to do better in its cars than Germany or Japan is the overall feeling of old-world craftsmanship. The Jaguar XJ wraps you in piped leather seats, surrounded by solid wood accents and actual metal trim. Plastic has its place, but with a Jag, it’s kept in its place.

Jaguars styling has changed from its formerly familiar curves, but the XJ is no look-alike luxury car. The grill and hood are aggressively styled, the sloping roofline and trunk lid ooze aerodynamic appeal. Everything about it comes together to make a sumptuous cocoon that speeds you along at freeway speeds without a hint of strain. There are some quibbles with the way the touch-screen information center functions – it’s not particularly intuitive and operating a touch screen while driving makes you wish for old-style knobs and switches. But, the Jaguar XJ is a counterpoint to the Porsche Panamera. You choose the XJ for grace, power and style – where you choose the Porsche for speed and thrills. They’re both great, but they’re vastly different.

Frank Sobyak is Director of Business Development for Park Place.

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5 luxury touring vehicles to meet every taste is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Quite possibly that may be down to our thirst for new horizons as a nation, but what some people might not know is how viable an option it is to visit more than one destination as part of your itinerary; another planning concern might be which airlines would serve your destinations of choice.

There are so many paths of discovery available to you but admittedly some of them are more accessible logistically to take advantage of than others.

Dubai and the Maldives

This is perhaps our most popular choice, but why you might ask? One reason might be that the Middle East and Indian Ocean resorts are so different, both visually and culturally. They offer completely unique experiences.

There’s a train of thought that there’s little point in a doing a multi centre holiday taking in two similar resorts. The designer shops of Dubai could not feel further away from the tranquil palms of the Maldives. Such diversity is perhaps what lures people in.

If choosing this option, there’s ways to contrast your experience further still – like booking a desert hotel proceeded by an island escape – more contrasting scenery you could not wish to find anywhere in the world.

Added to this, if you happen to be flying to the Maldives with a carrier like Emirates or Etihad then you’ll automatically touch down in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi which are the hub airports for those two airlines. Making it almost a shame NOT to stay for a few nights!

Of course there are a huge array of other options. If travelling East you might fancy the buzz of Bangkok juxtaposed with a stay at one of the more tranquil offshore Thai islands like Koh Kood, or the thrilling scenery of Chiang Mai or the beaches of Koh Samui or Koh Phangnan.

Singapore acts as a great style hub too for onwards travel to the Indian Ocean, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. Many tourists look to combine beach and city, or island hopping with something like a safari in South Africa for their one-time special getaway… who can blame them!

Carole Booth is Commercial Director at Destinology.

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Rising popularity of multi centre escapes is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

We arrived in darkness at the five star Aldemar Royal Mare Resort in Hersonissos and, after a warm welcome, were driven from reception to our family suite, Dimitra 1, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and direct access to our own shared, private swimming pool, from where – once we got our bearings the next morning – we could also enjoy a lovely sea view.  Here is a picture of the master bedroom.

The spacious bathroom was tastefully simple and had twin basins, a bath, a separate walk-in shower and Olivia toiletries.

Our children’s room had a sofa bed, so this was a suite that could equally be occupied by couples just looking for more space than you’d get from a standard room.

This room also had its own en suite with a shower.

The convenience of free WiFi throughout the resort was a very welcome addition for us, particularly when trying to keep two businesses ticking over back home.

Being in a suite, we had breakfast at the Candia restaurant situated opposite our accommodation, which doubled up as a Mediterranean gourmet restaurant in the evenings.

We enjoyed most of our dinners, however, at the main restaurant known as Symposio. This appealed to us as the buffet arrangement suited our children really well, allowing them to pick and choose a little from a huge variety of dishes.

There are several other dining options at the Royal Mare that you can also choose from, including El Greco (a traditional Greek tavern) and even a sushi bar. We enjoyed a few lunches also at the resort’s beach bar and restaurant, Albatros, which had a simple but varied menu, including some national classics such as Greek salad and yoghourt with honey.

In addition to its dining range, Royal Mare also has its own thalasso spa centre and beauty centre which, back in 1997, pioneered the way by being the first thalasso spa to open in Greece. It is a multi-award-winning spa and regarded as one of the top 10 thalasso spas in the world. The Greeks were the first to recognise the healing powers of the sea which promises to relieve muscle pains and get your body feeling healthy and vibrant once more.

Additional pools can be found throughout the resort, as well as another indoor heated pool.

For the more energetic, there’s a gym, aqua gym, fitness classes and a watersports centre at the beach where you can enjoy windsurfing, pedalos and catamaran sailing. Tennis and golf are also available.

And just so the children aren’t left out, there’s also minigolf, a kids miniclub and minidisco each evening.  Their main play area has a pirate ship that they can play on, as well as a small pool.

Chess in the kids club… a great way for children of different nationalities to be able to interact!

Locally there is lots of interest for tourists.  We wandered into Hersonissos which is full of history.  As well as being a bustling hub with lots of bars, restaurants and shops, the town has also has a small aquarium and reptile centre.

But the area’s main highlight is its ancient history, being situated on the ancient seaport of Chersonesos.  Numerous remains have been excavated including a temple dedicated to the goddess Britomartis on the eastern outskirts of the town.

In short, there’s something for everyone, whether you enjoy seeing the sights, leisurely ambling around the town or just relaxing back at the resort or beach.

And whatever your preferences, the Aldemar Royal Mare serves as an ideal base and a great place to return to after a not too busy day out.

Special feature: Aldemar Royal Mare, Hersonissos, Crete is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

This is a day out for everyone – for food and wine lovers, for families, for professionals and even those on vacation who wish to be part of the fun and have a special glimpse into the world of grape harvesting and the universe of oenology… or those who simply come just to drink the wine!

Provence is one of France’s largest and oldest wine producing regions and may be best known for it’s rosé wines of which the most famous are Côtes de Provence and Côteaux d’Aix.  Provence vineyards also produce some fabulous red wines, including very rich red wines from the Var and “grey wine” from the Camargue. The area’s most famous White wine is “Bandol” which has been celebrated since the middle ages.

The “Feast of the Vine and Wine’ or “La Fête de la Vigne et du Vin” was established in 1995 in order to try and prevent the Provençal wine craft from dwindling popularity and showcase to the world the beauty of this trade. It occurs annually on the weekend of Ascension – this year it will be 19th May2012 – and every year the number of wine makers and visitors participating grows significantly making this a much anticipated event on French calendars. With September’s harvesting looming on the horizon, May sees the vineyards prepped and spruced up in readiness – the perfect time to visit and celebrate what is and what is to come!

Local wine making domains, cellars or caves hold many different events, some ticketed others on a first-come-first-served basis and others are free to walk in at leisure. Events vary from guided vineyards tours, to demonstrations on winemaking, talks on the different grape varieties and everyone’s favourite – the tasting! Many cellars offer their guests the chance to sample some of their produce and purchase bottles at heavily discounted prices – or 5th bottle free, this is definitely a festival to come to on foot or bike and avoid driving!

In true festival style, the celebrations are not merely just about the wine and wine making but about people coming together – bands are invited to play, local arts & crafts are displayed & sold and of course where there is wine, there is usually food to accompany! Many wineries will either invite you to join them for a buffet feast around a large table, or offer food stalls & little tasters so you can line your stomach prior to sampling some of the delectable vintages!

This festival is the perfect way to sample not only the fine produce the  Provençal  region has to offer but to glimpse a different way of life for many and an art form which will inspire!

Claire Allen is Head of Marketing at Abercrombie & Kent Villas.

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The Feast of the Vine and the Wine is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Step 1: Check-in, full-body aromatherapy massage and Aperitivo at the five-star Borgobianco Resort and Spa

At Bari or Brindisi airport, Guiseppe the Borgobianco driver will be waiting patiently with a wink and a smile and a tilt of the cap to greet you as you emerge from the tarmac. A thirty minute drive skirts the port towns; glowing gold and tan in the low sun, whisking you along the sea and ultimately through winding white farm roads flanked by the gnarled trees of olive and almond that are the backbone of the region’s cuisine. Modeled after the palatial Masserie farm houses the dot the hillsides, Borgobianco rises out of the surrounding orchards like an oasis of gleaming white turrets and rooftop terraces. From the warm greeting at the gate, you know you are in for royal treatment and luxury in abundance.

The resort is built around an open plan anchored by a sun-filled courtyard of shade umbrellas and comfortable lounge chairs. To the east lies a sparkling blue swimming pool with a dedicated bar set among fragrant hedges of rosemary and lavender. A gentle coastal breeze brings the freshness of the ocean.

The rooms at Borgobianco are white on white, with heavy wood furniture, tiled floors and tall glazed doors that open to a private patio looking over the gardens, the farms beyond and ultimately to the hazy blue horizon of the Adriatic sea.

Drop your bags, freshen up, fill out your room service breakfast card (the house-made filled pastries and fruit tarts are not to be missed) don a robe and head down the stone stairs to the tranquil calm of the spa. Besides a perfectly temperate indoor pool, a wood plank sauna, and a trance-inducing hammam steam room, the spa offers up a multi-page menu of hands-on body treatments that will melt your senses. Deep tissue and Swedish massage are on offer as well as Aromatherapy massages designed around essential oils of local herbs.

Once you are reborn and feel thoroughly unwound, slip into deck shoes and head over for an aperitivo at the smartly appointed cocktail lounge. Italian drinks are made to wake up the appetite and refresh the senses and the picture-perfect bar-tender in chalk stripes and peaked lapels will whip up a textbook version of your favorite or entice you with his bracing invention of the day (Ask him about the Ginger Pineapple martini). The small foods accompanying Aperitivo are an introduction to the bright olives, almonds, and crisp flour friselle that define the region.

Step 2: A morning wander through white-washed Polignano a Mare and a seaside brunch of urchin and fresh focaccia.

In the morning, rise with the sun, pull back the shutters and take in the near silence and serenity of the ocean view. Stay in your robe and take your cappuccino and cornetto breakfast on your veranda in pale light, bird-calls and faint farm-smoke of early morning. When you feel motivated, call up for the car and enjoy the breeze of the ten-minute drive into the nearby sea-side Hamlet of Polignano a Mare. The clutch of white washed buildings sits precariously over crumbling lime cliffs with spectacular views of the chalky blue water. Centuries of history have left a variety of architectural styles on display in the churches, battlements and ornate ocean view patios. Stroll to the quiet waterfront on the north edge of town past the brightly painted rowing boats. If you’re early, you’ll catch the industrious day boat fisherman shuttling in wicker baskets brimming with impossibly fresh sea urchin. Grab a wedge of fresh bread from the Focaccerie at the end of the point, haggle for a basket of trimmed urchin and sit on the creaky wooden pier with your brunch picnic. Plan ahead and grab a cold bottle of sparkling prosecco to wash it down.

Step 3: Wine and Craft Ale Pairing Dinner at Infermento, a bustling local’s wine and ale bar

After a day spent chatting with old fishermen and wandering through every narrow alley and crevice of the old town, grab a light early dinner at the Infermento wine bar. Run by a husband and wife team with a dedicated local following, Infermento features low arched dining rooms with a soft glow and wooden wall cases displaying a proud collection of vintage wines under lock and key. The menu features clean, rustic dishes inspired by the season’s fresh produce (wild chicory in goat’s cheese and dried grapes, Spaghettoni with porcini mushrooms, grilled lamb Turcinieddhri). Ask for a pairing of local craft beers to complement the flavors and you have a complete taste of what this region is capable of. The knowledge and suggestions will awaken senses you never knew you had and introduce tastes you never knew were possible.

There are dozens of quaint hill towns to explore in the coming days and the highlight of your stay may very well be a mellow bicycle ride along the flat, bleached farm roads carpeted in pink cherry blossoms. No matter what you envision, once you make the decision to get there, the magic of Puglia and the Itria Valley will leave you with cinematic memories that will trump any other vision or experience you’ve had in Italy.

Sage Russell is Editor of Food Pilgrimage.

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3 Steps to Ultimate Mediterranean Luxury in Puglia, Italy is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog