Category: California

Top 10 cold weather active North American vacations to renew your spirit

Top 10 cold weather active North American vacations to renew your spirit

By on Sep 22, 2011 in Adventure Travel, Arizona, British Virgin Islands, California, Canada, Caribbean, Colorado, Florida, Montana, North America, Regions, Speciality Travel, USA, Utah, Wyoming
For many people fall and winter vacations aren’t so much about money, they are about time and escaping the eternal screech of the smart phone ringer. Some of the best fall and winter luxury vacation spots will let you trade in the phone for a pair of skis, hiking shoes or scuba gear and come back renewed and
5 of the world's most famous luxury shopping streets

5 of the world's most famous luxury shopping streets

By on Aug 31, 2011 in California, Celebrities, Europe, France, Italy, New York, North America, Regions, United Kingdom, USA, Western Europe, Worldwide
If you love nothing more than indulging in a little retail therapy, then you're probably already aware of some of the world's most famous shopping streets. Here, we look at 5 of the best known shopping streets around the world that are found in some of the most exciting and glamorous cities on the planet!

5 of the best restaurant views in the world

By on Aug 27, 2011 in Africa, Asia, California, Going Out, Middle East, New Zealand, North America, Oceania, Regions, Restaurants, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, USA, Worldwide
1. Ngorongoro Crater Lodge – Tanzania, Africa This one is a personal favourite of mine as we spent a few nights of our honeymoon here.  A truly incredible location with a restaurant that overlooks one of the finest locations in Africa. 2. Skyline Restaurant – Queenstown, New Zealand A stunning location with great staff and
Photography with a purpose: bear witness to the Great Bear Rainforest

Photography with a purpose: bear witness to the Great Bear Rainforest

By on Jun 17, 2011 in Accommodation, Attractions, California, Canada, Going Out, North America, Regions, Resorts, USA
HRH The Prince of Wales’ Rainforest Project winning photographer Daniel Beltrá and Pultizer-Prize-winning National Geographic photographer Jack Dykinga will lead a Visionary Wild Photography Workshop based at King Pacific Lodge on the coast in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, from 5th to 12th September 2011. Local expert bear guides from the Gitga’at First Nation will lead
Racing the wind at Laguna Seca

Racing the wind at Laguna Seca

By on Jun 09, 2011 in California, North America, Regions, Road Travel, Speciality Travel, USA
Sliding into the stripped-down, souped-up Mazda MX-5 Cup at Laguna Seca racecourse this past Spring, my heart was beating wildly, my foot itching to stomp on the gas pedal. I wanted nothing more than to begin tearing around the 2.24-mile-long course, world renowned for its scary corkscrew at Turn 8. Clothed in standard racecar driver
Suite of the week: The Ritz-Carlton Suite, The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, USA

Suite of the week: The Ritz-Carlton Suite, The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, USA

By on May 30, 2011 in Accommodation, California, Celebrities, Hotels, North America, Regions, Suite of the Week, Travel Miscellany, USA
Suite name: The Ritz-Carlton Suite Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, USA Size of accommodation: 3,000 sq ft Cost per night: $7,500 Who’s stayed there? International presidents, movie starts and entertainers. Celebrities spotted at the hotel have included Nicki Minaj, Will Smith, Will I. Am (Black Eyed Peas), Matt Damon, Usher and Jennifer Lopez. The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles is unable
A day of simple luxury at Tassajara

A day of simple luxury at Tassajara

By on May 26, 2011 in Accommodation, California, North America, Regions, Resorts, USA
“Simple luxury”: it sounds like a contradiction in terms. And yet, luxury comes in myriad forms, each wholly interpreted by the individual. For some perhaps it’s an exceptionally soft bed; a gastronomic feast; or merely the perfect day spent with the family. On my own travels simple luxuries seem to appear around every corner; an
Revving your engine at Quail Lodge

Revving your engine at Quail Lodge

By on May 25, 2011 in Accommodation, California, Events, North America, Regions, Resorts, Travel Miscellany, USA
I love motorcycle shows. Nothing beats walking past row upon row of new, classic, and custom bikes on a beautiful sunny day, marveling at the magnificent chrome details, leather accouterments, and personal touches that add that extra bit of finesse. From Harley-Davidson gatherings fueled by Budweiser and Jack Daniels to sport bike shows frequented by
Down on the farm in Big Sur

Down on the farm in Big Sur

By on May 12, 2011 in Accommodation, California, Hotels, North America, Regions, Resorts, USA
Post Ranch. The very name conjures up images of a thoroughly rustic setting, with cowboys galloping along barbed-wire fences and farmhands whiling away the evening on wooden rockers. And while the internationally renowned inn sitting high atop the cliffs in Big Sur is certainly imbued with a rural aura indicative of a California long since
Top 5 places to celebrate Independence Day

Top 5 places to celebrate Independence Day

By on May 12, 2011 in California, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North America, Regions, Travel Miscellany, USA, Videos, Washington DC
American Independence Day is one of the most universally celebrated events in America where the people get together and celebrate the 1776 Declaration of Independence from the British Empire. You can find yourself in many different places all over the country so here is a list of the top 5 places around the country to
Interview with Emyr Thomas, Founder and Director of Bon Vivant

Interview with Emyr Thomas, Founder and Director of Bon Vivant

By on May 12, 2011 in Accommodation, Argentina, California, Caribbean, Europe, France, Going Out, Greece, Guadeloupe, Hotels, Italy, North America, Regions, Restaurants, South America, USA, Western Europe
Emyr Thomas is the Founder and Director of Bon Vivant, a concierge and lifestyle management service based in London with global coverage. Bon Vivant is aimed at people with insufficient time to manage their lives who want to regain control of their time, access an insider’s knowledge and expertise, and enjoy exclusive treatment andcomplimentary benefits.

Friday night at the Fairmont

By on May 05, 2011 in Accommodation, California, Hotels, North America, Regions, USA
In a city like San Francisco, nothing beats having a longtime local as your personal tour guide. And if that local also happens to be a great friend, then your blessings are doubled. Friends know what you like and don’t like, where you’re comfortable and where you’re not, and how you’re changing moods can quickly
Romance reigns in Carmel-by-the-Sea

Romance reigns in Carmel-by-the-Sea

By on Apr 05, 2011 in Attractions, California, Events, Going Out, North America, Regions, Travel Miscellany, USA
The town is storybook pretty: narrow streets lined with quintessentially charming cottages and a main drag filled with every manner of boutique, café, coffee house, inn, and restaurant. Add to that the seaside charm of waves crashing on rocks and soft sand beaches that tempt you to linger longer, and it’s hard not to find
19 of the world's sexiest hotels

19 of the world's sexiest hotels

By on Mar 03, 2011 in Accommodation, Asia, Belgium, California, Caribbean, Czech Republic, Eastern Europe, Europe, Florida, France, Germany, Hotels, Italy, Jamaica, Nevada, New York, North America, Regions, Spain, Thailand, Turks and Caicos, United Kingdom, USA, Western Europe, Wisconsin, Worldwide
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:
Chocolate cocktails at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

Chocolate cocktails at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

By on Feb 10, 2011 in Accommodation, Bars, California, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, North America, Regions, Travel Miscellany, USA
The Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco has a sweet solution for the young-at-heart: adults-only hot chocolate at the posh Seasons Bar and Lounge. Made for sipping just like martinis, these “choctails” are made with the finest valhrona chocolate and spiked with your choice of raspberry, orange, vanilla or peppermint liqueur. The finishing touch? A fluffy-as-a-cloud house-made marshmallow

Adventure tours in California

By on Feb 01, 2011 in Adventure Travel, California, North America, Regions, Speciality Travel, USA
Travelers heading to Southern California can get more than they bargained for by scheduling an adventure tour instead of simply seeing Hollywood. Southern California offers some of the best adventures tours in all the United States with options you wouldn’t believe available to you if you can afford them. Here are some of the top.