Category: Worldwide

Win a dream getaway courtesy of Small Luxury Hotels of the World

By on Mar 19, 2008 in Accommodation, Hotels, Photography, Regions, Travel Equipment, Worldwide
How does a 5-night stay at any of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World grab you?   They have 440 hotels across 70 countries and are running a photographic competition with the winners being selected by celebrity photographer Andy Earl. Each winner will also be presented with a Nikon D80 Digital SLR camera. The

American Express Travel offers around-the-world luxury trip via private jet

By on Mar 19, 2008 in Air Travel, Regions, Speciality Travel, Worldwide
Due to increasing interest in the luxury travel market for around-the-world trips, American Express has teamed up with luxury tour provider Abercrombie & Kent to provide an ultra-luxe, 24-day worldwide itinerary by private jet to five continents and eight destinations. The price tag? A modest $97,970 per person. Los Angeles will be the starting point,

Banyan Tree Private Collection

By on Mar 15, 2008 in Accommodation, Asia, Europe, Regions, Vacation Rentals, Worldwide
If you’re looking for the ultimate in timeshare, then consider the new Private Collection from Banyan Tree.   As a member you’ll get to enjoy one week a year in beautiful villas across Asia and Europe. With an annual membership fee of just $3,000, it sounds reasonably affordable, but beware the catch: the joining fee
Travelers' Choice 2008, from Tripadvisor

Travelers' Choice 2008, from Tripadvisor

By on Mar 06, 2008 in Accommodation, Hotels, Regions, Worldwide
Tripadvisor has published its “Travelers’ Choice” list for 2008, outlining the best hotels on the site according to its readers’ reviews.   Categories include everything from Best Hotel Pools to Best Hotel Service. Over the next week and a bit, I’ll be listing the top 10 Best Luxury Hotels for each region, posting a new

One to watch: G-wiz Xtra

By on Feb 29, 2008 in Accommodation, Hotels, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Websites, Worldwide
The Great Hotels Organisation is unveiling a new hotel booking engine at next week’s ITB in Berlin. G-wiz Xtra will be an extension to the G-wiz  booking engine they launched a year ago, designed to address the fact many hotel chain websites are currently unable to offer multi-property availability searches, according to the company. Keep

When is a package a package?

By on Feb 14, 2008 in Accommodation, Asia, Hotels, Regions, Singapore, Special Offers & Packages, Travel Miscellany, Worldwide
‘Preferences by Pan Pacific‘ is a new ‘package’ from the Singapore-based hotel company. But is it truly a package? With Preferences by Pan Pacific, guests get to design their own experience. Valid until 1st January 2009, guests have a choice of accommodation, a guaranteed late check-out and a choice of one of the following preferences:
Celebrate this Valentines Day at Hyatt

Celebrate this Valentines Day at Hyatt

By on Feb 04, 2008 in Accommodation, Hotels, Regions, Special Offers & Packages, Travel Miscellany, Worldwide
Connect with your companion and make Valentine’s Day memorable with Amour, Hyatt‘s newest romance package. Book an Amour package and enjoy time for just the two of you. You only need each other – they’ll provide the sensuous setting and the romantic details.

A travel expert in the making?

By on Jan 31, 2008 in Fun Stuff, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Videos, Worldwide
This little girl is called Lily and was less than two years old when the video was filmed. I think her geographical knowledge would probably put a lot of adults to shame!
Seduction at St. Regis

Seduction at St. Regis

By on Jan 22, 2008 in Accommodation, Asia, China, Europe, Hotels, Italy, Leisure Travel, New York, North America, Oceania, Pacific Islands, Regions, Resorts, Special Offers & Packages, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, USA, Western Europe, Worldwide
Embrace romance in an alluring setting where even the smallest gesture creates indelible memories. Celebrate with Champagne, and wake up to breakfast in bed surrounded by the scent of fresh flowers. Participating St. Regis Hotels & Resorts include the St. Regis Hotel, New York, St. Regis Grand Hotel, Rome, The Lanesborough, St. Regis Hotel, Beijing
Top 10 beachside destinations

Top 10 beachside destinations

By on Jan 21, 2008 in Asia, Australia, Brazil, Caribbean, Europe, Fiji, Florida, Hawaii, Jamaica, Leisure Travel, Mexico, North America, Oceania, Philippines, Regions, South America, Spain, Speciality Travel, Thailand, USA, Western Europe, Worldwide
Vacations are always more fun when there’s a coastline in view, or at least so say Tripadvisor.   They’ve come up with a list outlining their top 10 favourite beachside destinations: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Honolulu, Hawaii   Cancun, Mexico Surfer’s Paradise, Australia Negril, Jamaica Miami, Florida Viti Levu, Fiji Boracay, Philippines Tenerife, Canary Islands
Luxury travel links of the week

Luxury travel links of the week

By on Jan 20, 2008 in Accommodation, Europe, Hotels, New York, North America, Regions, Resorts, Spain, Travel Miscellany, USA, Websites, Western Europe, Worldwide
A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal… Where elegance comes naturally: Constance Hotels Discover  the Azure Collection New, 1960s-inspired Manhattan hotel: 6 Columbus A small hotel from an iconic shoe label: Barcelona’s Casa Camper
A new owner for Zagat?

A new owner for Zagat?

By on Jan 17, 2008 in Books, Food and Drink, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Equipment, Travel Literature, Travel Miscellany, Worldwide
With the growth of Web 2.0 and Travel 2.0 (both terms I despise, incidentally), people have talked about user-generated content as though it were the latest craze to grip the world.   However, the reality is quite different – Tim and Nina Zagat of Zagat Survey LLC, for instance, have been using this simple concept
Anxiety for luxury hotels and resorts?

Anxiety for luxury hotels and resorts?

By on Jan 15, 2008 in Regions, Worldwide
Luxury brands have been experiencing a slowdown of late, with Tiffany the latest to announce a profit warning, having felt the effects of shaky consumer spending. Meanwhile, Macy’s has been closing a number of its stores, and Nordstrom, Saks and Neiman Marcus have all expressed disappointment at Christmas sales. Is the global economic turndown also
Pole to pole cruises from Hurtigruten

Pole to pole cruises from Hurtigruten

By on Jan 10, 2008 in Antarctic, Arctic, Cruises & Boat Travel, Polar Regions, Regions, Speciality Travel, Worldwide
Last year Norwegian Coastal Voyage Inc. changed its name to Hurtigruten to reflect their new global identity. What started as the world’s most beautiful voyage along the Norwegian coast has expanded to incredible journeys to the Arctic, Greenland and Antarctica, and even an incredible 67-day Arctic to Antarctic voyage. Visit their site to learn more.
The most popular destinations for adventure travellers?

The most popular destinations for adventure travellers?

By on Jan 09, 2008 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Antarctic, Argentina, Asia, Central America, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, Europe, India, Italy, Peru, Polar Regions, Regions, South Africa, South America, Speciality Travel, Tanzania, Thailand, Western Europe, Worldwide
iExplore, named the Best Adventure Travel Website by Forbes Magazine and Travel + Leisure, has announced a list of top 10 world travel destinations as determined by purchases made by adventure and experiential travellers.   Egypt retains its number one spot, but South Africa jumps to the number 2 spot (from 19th position the year
Where to go in 2008?

Where to go in 2008?

By on Jan 08, 2008 in Regions, Worldwide
Before the turn of the New Year, the New York Times came up a rather precise tally of 53 places to go in 2008. It appears the criteria for selecting the list are very much based on where some of the latest luxury travel offerings have arisen, so there are a number of gems that