Category: Europe

The Penny Pincher's Passport to Luxury Travel

The Penny Pincher's Passport to Luxury Travel

By on Jan 25, 2006 in Books, Europe, France, Regions, Travel Equipment, Travel Literature, Western Europe, Worldwide
If you’re one of those that likes to save a few dollars but still enjoy luxury, then maybe The Penny Pincher’s Passport to Luxury Travel: The Art of Cultivating Preferred Customer Status is for you.   Written by Joel Widzer who developed an enduring love for luxury travel after a stay in an elegant suite
Kate Moss celebrates birthday at Hotel Ritz, Paris

Kate Moss celebrates birthday at Hotel Ritz, Paris

By on Jan 24, 2006 in Accommodation, Celebrities, Europe, France, Hotels, Regions, Special Offers & Packages, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe
Kate Moss was photographed at her birthday bash in Paris at the weekend. The supermodel celebrated her 32nd birthday at the Ritz  Paris and then afterwards at a friend’s house in the Seine. This was supposed to be a quiet celebration for the supermodel, but she still managed to partake in “a 15 hour drinking
The Arundell Arms, Lifton, Devon

The Arundell Arms, Lifton, Devon

By on Jan 24, 2006 in Accommodation, Bed & Breakfasts, Europe, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Special Offers & Packages, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe
From now until 10th March 2006, Head Chef Steven Pidgeon invites you to sample  the new season lunch menu at The Arundell Arms in Devon, UK, at a special price of £12.50 for two courses. The hotel has been owned and run since 1961 by Anne Voss-Bark. A former winner of the Woman Hotelier of
Crillon - a new luxury hotel brand

Crillon - a new luxury hotel brand

By on Jan 24, 2006 in Accommodation, Europe, France, Hotels, Regions, Western Europe, Worldwide
The former chief executive of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Barry Sternlicht, has launched a new luxury hotel brand called Crillon. It is being launched by his Starwood Capital Group which is not related to the previous company. The flagship hotel is the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, with European-style hotels expected to follow in
Hotel Caesar Augustus, Capri - opens Easter 2006

Hotel Caesar Augustus, Capri - opens Easter 2006

By on Jan 23, 2006 in Accommodation, Europe, Going Out, Hotels, Italy, Regions, Restaurants, Special Offers & Packages, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe
It won’t be long before the weather turns sweet again in southwest Italy and the Spring travel season flourishes anew. Hotel Caesar Augustus on the Isle of Capri will be dressed up and ready for it when it opens its doors on 12th April 2006.   With this brand new Relais & Chateaux membership will
The Beau Rivage Palace 'Wine & Dine' evenings

The Beau Rivage Palace 'Wine & Dine' evenings

By on Jan 23, 2006 in Accommodation, Europe, Events, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Switzerland, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe
Can you imagine a more perfect match than a menu that has been perfectly  conceived and concocted to enhance the luscious aroma of a specific wine?  That’s exactly what the Restaurant La Rotonde at The Beau Rivage Palace in Lausanne, Switzerland is doing on  the first Thursday of the month throughout 2006. The wine-maker  will
Alain Ducasse expands in Paris

Alain Ducasse expands in Paris

By on Jan 23, 2006 in Celebrities, Europe, France, Going Out, Monaco, New York, North America, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, USA, Western Europe
Alain Ducasse, an amazing chef with nine Michelin stars (three stars each in Paris, Monte Carlo and New York), not to mention three of the most expensive restaurants in the world, has an ever-growing miniempire. Two years ago, he took over Aux Lyonnais, a lovely little place that had seen better days. And last year
Kelly Brook and Billy Zane honeymoon

Kelly Brook and Billy Zane honeymoon

By on Jan 23, 2006 in Celebrities, Cruises & Boat Travel, Europe, Honeymoons, Regions, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Kelly Brook and fiance Billy Zane are planning their dream honeymoon. They are due to marry in Greece later this year and expected to sail on a luxury yacht around the Western Isles of Scotland for their honeymoon. It is thought that Kelly fell in love with Scotland after attending Madonna and Guy Ritchie’s wedding
Sofitel Trocadéro Dokhan's, Paris

Sofitel Trocadéro Dokhan's, Paris

By on Jan 23, 2006 in Accommodation, Europe, France, Hotels, Regions, Special Offers & Packages, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe
Formerly a neo-classical private residence, Sofitel Trocadéro Dokhan’s in Paris offers an excellent location between the Arc de Triomphe and the Trocadéro.  A few minutes walk  from the most luxurious boutiques, the hotel offers chic and refined weekend breaks. As a special Valentine’s Day treat, the hotel is treating guests to a private tasting of
Michelin stars for UK and Ireland

Michelin stars for UK and Ireland

By on Jan 22, 2006 in Europe, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Michelin revealed today that there are no new three-star holders in its latest UK and Ireland guide. Instead, this year’s winners include 17 new one-star holders and one new two-star restaurant. This year’s only new two-star award went to Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles, Auchterarder. It is the first Scottish restaurant to win a coveted two
New luxury spas in Wales

New luxury spas in Wales

By on Jan 22, 2006 in Europe, Regions, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Everybody deserves to indulge in the finer things in life, and it seems the Welsh are keen to recognise the growing trend for spas.   What better way to relax than a visit to one of Wales’s new spas and beauty suites? On your next visit, make sure you look up The Dunes Beauty Suite
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

By on Jan 22, 2006 in Air Travel, Europe, Regions, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Virgin Atlantic Airways has unveiled the first phase of its new £11-million Sterling flagship business class lounge, the Clubhouse at Heathrow airport. The Clubhouse’s centrepiece is a spa, which will set new standards for the industry with the first spa pool, steam room and sauna in an airline lounge. The new look lounge, which is
Kohler Waters Spa at the Old Course Hotel, St. Andrews, Scotland

Kohler Waters Spa at the Old Course Hotel, St. Andrews, Scotland

By on Jan 21, 2006 in Accommodation, Europe, Hotels, Regions, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel, United Kingdom, Western Europe
The new Kohler Waters Spa at the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa at St Andrews, Scotland is due to open in the middle of March 2006. Designed by Corporate Edge, the 13,600sq ft (1,265sq m) spa will feature 11 treatment rooms, including two with bathing units, one with a vichy shower and two
Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli

Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli

By on Jan 20, 2006 in Accommodation, Europe, Hotels, Italy, Magazines, Regions, Travel Equipment, Travel Literature, Western Europe
2005 was another award-winning year for Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli near the small lakeside town of Gargnano in Lombardy (halfway between Milan and Venice). It was ranked among the world’s ‘Top 20 International Resort Hideaways’ in the Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report;   voted ‘Best Rooms’ among Condé Nast Traveller UK’s ‘Best Hotels in the
New underwater hotel

New underwater hotel

By on Jan 20, 2006 in Accommodation, Asia, Brazil, China, Europe, Hotels, Middle East, Monaco, Nevada, North America, Oman, Regions, Resorts, South America, United Arab Emirates, USA, Western Europe
The construction of  a $500 million underwater hotel in Dubai will start in the first quarter of this year. According to Uwe Hohmann of the Crescent Hydropolis Group, the financing of the development is almost finalised. Hotel prices are rumoured to reach some $3,000 per night but  have not yet been announced by the group.
Super Spas 2006

Super Spas 2006

By on Jan 19, 2006 in Accommodation, Arizona, Asia, California, Cruises & Boat Travel, Europe, Ireland, Massachusetts, New York, Regions, Resorts, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel, Thailand, United Kingdom, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Western Europe, Worldwide
Interested in a seaweed wrap or a caviar facial? Forbes has run an article on the special spas for 2006.   Getting a much-deserved mention are: Monart Luxury Destination Spa, Enniscorthy, Ireland Red Mountain Spa, St. George, UT Chiva Som, Hua Hin, Thailand Canyon Ranch, Tucson, AZ and Lenox, MA Cornelia Day Resort, New York