Fine Traveling

The Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa has a sublime setting amidst the dramatic rock formations in Arizona's Red Rock Country.

Dreaming of embarking on a grand world tour? Here's your chance to win a trip around the globe.

For just five days in June 2011, diners in Estonias cultural capital, Tallinn, can enjoy Champagne, aperitifs, lunch or dinner 50 metres in the air with spectacular views over the medieval Old Town, Tallinns steel and glass business sector and the Bay of Finland. Dinner in the Sky can be enjoyed daily between 8th and 12th June 2011, in Tallinns Rotermann quarter, the transformed former industrial area between the Old Town and the sea. Guests harnessed into specially constructed dining chairs and seated with 21 other diners at a table, suspended to a height of 50 metres, and enjoy cuisine prepared under the auspices of award winning Executive Chef Rene Uusmees, a patron of modern Estonian cuisine. High flyers in Tallinn are offered four choices of lift length and menu, from a 20 minute Champagne and aperitif taster (29 euros pp), to an 80 minute four course meal with aperitif, wine and Cognac, with the final dinner of the day served at sunset by the chef with Tallinns skyline as a back

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 Whos stayed there? International presidents, movie starts and entertainers. Celebrities spotted atthehotel have included Nicki Minaj, Will Smith, Will I. Am (Black Eyed Peas), Matt Damon, Usher and Jennifer Lopez.TheRitz-Carlton, Los Angeles is unable to confirm namesofhotel guests. What makes it special? Theluxurious 5-baysuiteoffers panoramic views north tothemountains and west totheocean fromthe25th floorofTheRitz-Carlton. TheRitz-CarltonSuite, located onthe25th floorofTheRitz-Carlton, Los Angeles, opens with an expansive foyer with marble and mahogany hardwood floors which then opens up totheentertainment area which is equipped with a 50 high-definition flat panel television, wet bar and multiple seating areas. A spacious executive study is adjacent with additional seating. Further intotheSuitea formal dining area offers seating for 10 and is

Suite name: The Presidential Suite Resort: Dan Tel Aviv Hotel , Tel Aviv, Israel Size of accommodation: 1,378 sq ft Cost per night: $1,420 Whos stayed there? Madonna What makes it special? The long, private terrace with a beautiful view of the sea and the old city of Jaffa. Dan Tel Aviv, the luxury beach front hotel has been associated with high profile guests from when it first opened in November 1953. During the past five decades the hotel has undergone many changes and improvements but has always remained bestknown for its excellence. A mark of this reputation is its high record of returning guests, due in part to the superior level of hospitality and individual care given to each visitor. One of the celebrities to enjoy such hospitality in recent times is Madonna, who stayed in the Presidential Suite, which is situated on the fifth floor and occupies 128 sq. meters. The suite is comprised of a large sitting room, bedroom, bathroom and a long private terrace facing the sea and

Courchevel 1850 has long been the St Tropez of the French Alps; this high altitude resort ensures a long snow sure season and is the most famous of all the resorts within the vast Three Valleys ski area. However it isnt just the skiing which has turned this into a world renowned resort the shopping, bars and restaurants are first class. Lunch on the piste reaches a whole different level with Le Cap Horn , located by the Altiport, which serves seafood and Asian dishes and has a DJ on the terrace. Le Chalet de Pierres to be found on the side of the piste is famous for its alfresco lunches and has puddings to die for. However if you have to look at the prices you cant afford it! Skiing for all levels can be found in and around Courchevel 1850. The Saulire area is the largest and busiest and can be reached from the centre of 1850 by way of a cluster of gondolas and a cable-car, the wide pistes returning to resort are ideal for beginners. When you reach the peak of Saulire you can either

Have you been to Greece? If not, sit back and listen to visitors from all over the world as they tell you what it is like to travel to Greece courtesy of a series of You in Greece testimonials. For more information, see www.visitgreece.gr Luxury in Greece is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

We've been drooling over the photos of the Hotel Missoni Kuwait since the sexy new hotel opened its doors on March 1.

We get why the Obamas booked The Merrion on their recent trip to Ireland.

Atlantis, The Palm is a hotel and resort that we first mentioned on A Luxury Travel Blog back in 2007 when the area was still a construction site. It opened at the back end of the following year to a lavish $35 million party and incredible $1.5 billion firework display . Now, almost three years on, the 1,539 room hotel is of course more than just an established Dubai hotel. Its an ocean-themed destination resort at the heart of one of Dubais most prestigious developments Palm Island in Dubai. It covers an area of 46 hectares (17 of which make up the resorts own water park) and includes an entertainment centre, boutique shops, convention facilities and dining options backed by the likes of Nobu, Giorgio Locatelli, Santi Santamaria and Michel Rostang, not to mention one of the largest open-air marine habitats in the world, with some 65,000 marine animals in lagoons and displays including The Lost Chambers, a maze of underwater corridors and passageways providing a journey through an

So, youre thinking of a Kenyan safari? Forget bumping along interminable red dusty roads for hours in a minibus convoy. Leave behind the herd of striped vans gathered around a bored lion. Dont even think about staying in a three star hotel in the Masai Mara. Instead hop into a small plane with a bush pilot and soar like a martial eagle over sparkling rift valley lakes to luxurious Loisaba Lodge . Loisaba is an example of a new exclusive breed of safari lodge springing up in the spectacular remote wilds of Africas original safari country. Vast areas of land owned by local tribal communities and farmland have been merged to create the Laikipia private reserve now dedicated to its animal inhabitants. Dotted around Laikipia are some of Kenyas most exclusive safari lodges, each treating a handful of guests to a true luxury safari adventure. From its elevated vantage point Loisaba has views across literally a thousand of square miles of golden savannah, forest and rugged hill c

While the annual holiday is for most of us the highlight of the year, the return home can be a daunting prospect. Not only are we hit with the reality of returning to work but theres also a host of mundane tasks that need to be tackled.In addition to adjusting our body-clock, processing the holiday snaps and exchanging any leftover spending money, there is usually a huge pile of washing and ironing that needs to be seen to.The average 4 person family returns from holiday with around 10kg of dirty washing. Washing, drying and ironing 10kg of clothing can take around 9 hours which is in essence, an entire days work. However there is an alternative to knuckling down and bringing on the post-holiday blues with a full day of washing and ironing. Your Holiday Wash offers a unique new service they will collect, wash, dry, iron and return to you a full holidays worth of washing within three days, all neatly folded and in a secure box. The service was developed and launched following a survey

Planning a family reunion? Looking for a fun getaway? The Westin St. John Resort & Villas-- nestled on 47 lush acres facing Great Cruz Bay-- has the goods.

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 riders outfitted in the latest rock n roll fashions, I always find myself drawn to the events like a moth to a flame. So it was that, on one particularly beautiful day in early May, I found myself in the Edenic setting of the Carmel Valley, at the Quail Motorcycle Gathering , for yet another opportunity to peruse the myriad incarnations of the motorcycle. It was clear from the start that this was a very different event than others Id been to in the past. Absent were the hundreds of growling Harleys and high-whining superbikes. Instead, this was a gathering of true motorcycle aficionados, those men and women who love showing off and talking

Last weekend we stayed at the Rutland Hotel in the heart of Edinburgh but not in one of their rooms; instead, we were just a short way down the road from the hotel in the beautiful Rutland Apartment which offers so much more than a hotel room. We were warmly welcomed by Liz who made a fuss of our two boys before showing us to the accommodation. Pictured below is the living area of the apartment. And just off from the living area is a small kitchen and breakfast bar with everything youd need if you wanted to cater for yourself rather than eat out. The apartment has two bedrooms, beautifully decorated with bright colours and bold wallpaper print, both with a flatscreen TV, and both pictured below. Space is of a premium in Edinburgh City Centre so it comes as something of a surprise to find that the Rutland Apartment even comes with its own small garden, perfect for those summer evenings where you can relax with a glass of wine before ambling up the road for the dinner. On the Saturday

A trip to over-the-top Dubai wouldn't be complete without a stay at Atlantis, The Palm, the flagship resort situated on Palm Jumeirah, the world's largest man-made island shaped like a palm tree in the Arabian Gulf.

Bed down in one of the 45 loft-inspired guest rooms at the Duane Street Hotel, and all of Tribeca is at your doorstep.

It doesnt take much research to get an overwhelmingly positive sense of the Maldives. In fact, typical reviews from holiday-goers are so loaded with superlatives, you can be left wondering if every word written on the internet was commissioned by the state tourism department. But they werent its just that most people who visit return with the honest opinion that it really is the tropical paradise they had always imagined, the stuff of dreams. Tropical paradise has to be one of the most over-used phrases in the travel industry, but remains a powerful idea we can all relate to. We all imagine our dream locations in different ways, but Im of the opinion that most people can satisfy their personal tropical paradise fantasy in the Maldives. For some its the ultimate solitude, peace and quiet, and welcome distance from the stresses of life. It may be a tired old clich that will never wane like Robinson Crusoe, we hope to one day be shipwrecked, and left in paradise forever preferably wit

In less than a month, Four Seasons' highly anticipated new luxury resort will open its doors in Marrakech. Surrounded by 40 acres of Moorish gardens, the Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech promises to be a sublime spa destination- with sprawling resort facilities in a rose-colored, medina-inspired complex.

Ireland's hit the headlines recently as Queen Elizabeth paid an official state visit to the Emerald Isle (the first one in a century by a British monarch) and President Barack Obama arrived today in Ireland to kick off a six-day trip to Europe.

Following the success of The Hangover (the movie raked in US$450 million at the box office!), fans will be lining up to see the sequel. (The Hangover Part II is set for a worldwide release date of May 26.) And this time, the boys wake up... in Bangkok.

Istanbul is a magical city with buzzing bazaars, impossibly grand mosques and smoky cafs coupled with a modern, ultra-dynamic metropolis where signs of a renewed cultural vibrancy come hand in hand with a physical renaissance. When visiting for the first time, Istanbul tourism can be overwhelming with so many choices of where to stay, what to eat, and what to do. These top 7 Istanbul restaurants have been chosen by locals as the best the city has to offer for each day of the week. 1. Changa is the recipient of a Best New Restaurant award (Wallpaper Design Awards 2007) and has been featured in numerous local and international magazines and newspapers. Located in a 1903 Art Nouvea building near Taksim, Changa offers fusion food at its best in a modern and charming atmosphere. 2. Mikla caused quite a splash when it opened in 2005 on the top floor of the Marmara Pera and is still making waves, due to its unique niche in the fusion market brilliant welding of Scandinavian and Turkish cu

Kerstin Brand is the Director at Dar Fakir since its re-opening in 2011 after an undergoing extensive refurbishment in 2010. Dar Fakir belongs to a chain of successful enterprises in Marrakechsuch as the infamous Nikki Beach, Le Tanjia restaurant and LAvenue, all owned by Nordine Fakir. If someone knows how to create a In place that people want to go to here you are at the right address. Kerstin herself brings with her a wealth of understanding within the travel industry herself from extensive travel around the world and also having set up Bare Minimum Travel an up-market low-mid range accommodation agency for Morocco. Having travelled to Morocco for over 12 years before finally settling over here she has seen the country develope and knows even the far reached corners. Her experience and understanding of Moroccan culture adds valuable insights to anyone being a guest in the Riad. What is it that you do exactly? My name is Kerstin Brand, I am the director at Dar Fakir. before coming

You'd be hard-pressed to find a more magical setting in Istanbul.

Eager to explore China this summer? The Fairmont Beijing-- located in the capital's central business district-- is promoting a "Free Night" offer so guests can have an extra day to explore the city.

An oceanfront pool with waterfalls and slides facing one of the best beaches in America... You may recognize the dreamy setting from "Just Go With It"- the comedy that Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston starred in earlier this year.

Kick off the summer with a golf getaway to Miami's Doral Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort-- the recent host of the WGC-Cadillac Championship.

The Raffles Istanbul Zorlu Center will have direct access to the Performance Arts Centre.

Now in its 21st year, the Cond Nast Traveler Spa Poll has revealed its readers favourite spas on the US mainland, in Canada, Hawaii, Mexico and Central America, the Atlantic and the Caribbean, and even those at sea. Here are the top 10 for each category they cover the number indicates the average score that each spa achieved. Top 10 Resort Spas US Mainland 1. Stein Eriksen Lodge, Park City, Utah 98.8 2. Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Avon, Colorado 97.5 3. Sanderling Resort & Spa, Duck, North Carolina 97.3 4. Four Seasons, Las Vegas, Nevada 96.9 5. Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, Greensboro, Georgia 96.3 6. Stowe Mountain Lodge, Vermont 96.1 7. Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes, Florida 95.9 8. Hyatt Regency, Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico 95.8 9.= Calistoga Ranch, Napa Valley, California 95.5 9.= Enchantment Resort, Sedona, Arizona 95.5 Top 10 Resort Spas Canada 1. King Pacific Lodge, Princess Royal Island, British Columbia 97.5 2. Wickaninnish Inn, Vancouver Island

Colombia has recently sprung onto to the tourist circuit, surprising, delighting and surpassing the expectations of all who visit there. The country has a wealth of natural beauty, including lengthy Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, jungle, rainforests, mountain ranges and many other unique awe-inspiring ecosystems that are home to a plethora of endemic wildlife. Thecentral Andean region, where the majority of the population reside has a wonderful year round spring climate and a lush verdant landscape to match. Despite the lack of international tourists over the years, the people of Colombia have exquisite tastes that have seen rise to many exceptional boutique and luxury hotels that now cater for the more discerning overseastraveller. Already very popular with North American tourists, after being voted one of the top destinations to visit in 2010 by The New York Times, Colombia is now gathering pace with European tourists and here are 3 reason why: 1. The fabulously colourful colonial

If you thought that Rhodes is just about package holidays and big all-inclusive hotels then think again The last few years the island has seen a number of independent properties springing up, all with a small number of suites, individually designed and decorated.Whether you decide to stay within the original walls surrounding the Old Town (the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe) or head towards one of the islands Blue Flag awarded beaches, here is a short selection of the most distinctive boutique hotels in Rhodes: Spirit of the Knights 14 Alexandridou Street, Rhodes Old Town, 85100 Spirit of the Knights is a beautiful boutique hotel in the Old Town of Rhodes. The building was restored with the help of the Greek archaeology department to retain its original qualities: it was built by the Crusaders and later altered by the Ottomans, giving it a mix of archaeological influences. Spirit of the Knights is a family run hotel (its owners are British) with a commitment to the environme

Paris, famous for its architecture, monuments and museums is also renowned for its luxury food; caviar, foie gras , oysters, champagne and of course, truffles. For many travellers, luxury food is the raison dtre to visit the City of Light.To get the biggest bite of French luxury food its imperative to plan your trip in advance.You wont want to miss the hidden food shops that offer exclusive, rare foods, often only available in Paris. Many of the French luxury food traditions were created in the late 19 th Century just as the bourgeois class was emerging. Food icons such as Fauchon , Hediard , Prunier have similar beginnings; the story usually starts with a young man, fresh from the country who sells food from a wheelbarrow in the streets of Paris and turns the wheelbarrow into a food empire. Fauchon which dominates a corner of the Place de la Madeleine was begun byAuguste Fauchonwho arrived in Paris from Calvados in 1891. He started modestly by selling fruit from his wheelbarrow a

Some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world can be experienced in the volatile region of Jammu and Kashmir. Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces has decided to take a gamble and launch a stunning new resort called Vivanta by Taj.

File this under wacky, weird, and true. You've got a steel oil rig surrounded by water sunk into the ocean floor. What to do with this piece of real estate once it retires?

Got a case of wanderlust? Go on: dream up your next adventure and then take to the open road!

This Sunday I shall be running in the Edinburgh Marathon to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation . If Ive helped you in some way with A Luxury Travel Blog , or if youre just feeling mighty generous, I really would appreciate it if you could sponsor me. I have set up a JustGiving page at http://justgiving.com/paulhjohnson all donations, however big or small, will be very much appreciated and Im sure will be put to good use by the charity. Thank you! 26.2 miles through Edinburgh is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

The Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver was recently awarded the Five Green Key rating for environmental and social stewardship.

From your own private pool, take in the unobstructed views of the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill.

All photos by author. From my 14th-floor balcony, mornings in central Bangkok seem to begin with long, lazy yawns, fleeting moments of calm before this pulsing commercial center heats up into its everyday schizophrenic state of controlled cacophony. Directly below, long commuter boats chug down Khlong Saen Saeb, its rancid waters tinted chocolate-brown and reeking with decades of pollution. In the distance, the BTS Skytrain briefly appears from behind a spate of high-rise condominiums, gliding purposefully along the Sukhumvit line before disappearing behind the high-end Siam Paragon shopping mall. A bare-chested Thai on the roof of the cement-block apartment building next door dangles a cigarette from his mouth as he hangs laundry on clothes lines stretched between rusty metal trellises. Motorbikers weave their way past pedestrians shuffling through a narrow web of alleyways and side streets that connect Chitlom, New Petchaburi, and Ratchadamri roads. Hives of construction workers dre

If theres one thing you dont do in the luxury travel industry, its name-drop. So, it comes as something of a surprise to hear that Farhad Vladi, the owner of North Island in the Seychelles ( which we suggested was a possible venue for the Royal honeymoon ), has openly told the Hamburger Abendblatt that he has rented the island to the Royal family. He has reportedly said, Prince William and Kate are spending their honeymoon there. But you will understand that we are not saying anything further. But thats the beans already spilt, surely! Is this a complete lack of professionalism or a sly trick between the Royals and Vladi to help throw the media off the scent of their true destination, perhaps? Whatever happened to discretion?! is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Are you tired of the predictable kind of getaway where each moment is a copy of somewhere else and truly forgettable? Are you aching for a once in a lifetime experience that stays with you for years? Then stop looking at brochures for Bermuda or some Greek isle, and consider something on the adventurous side for a change. Why not try a luxury African safari for a week, and then relax with your favorite cocktail beverage on some beachside resort of your choosing. The experience will ignite your senses and give you a new appreciation for why so many love the continent of Africa. Depending upon your personal tastes and definition of luxury, there are basically three ways to go on this outing. The most adventurous among us will most likely desire a true tented safari in the wilds of Uganda, Rwanda, or Tanzania. These trips can be tailored to your liking and involve living in the wild, pitching tents each day at a new site, and roaming about viewing the local inhabitants in all their glory.

Here's your chance to indulge in the Afternoon Tea that was named "Top London Afternoon Tea 2010" by the Tea Guild- for just seven pence (or U.S. 11 cents).

Ever wanted to know what it's like to sleep with the fishes, but get to wake up in the morning? Now you can at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, whose signature under-water Ithaa restaurant is giving guests a chance to spend a night under water in the new "Ithaa Suite."

The world's Grande Dame hotels have long offered stellar Afternoon Tea services, but now luxury hotels are upping the ante with tea-paired tasting menus inspired by wine tasting menus.

Sometimes a regular city break lacks a little je ne sais quoi? When you are looking to impress or in need of pampering, a luxurious break to Paris could be a revitalising experience. Personally, I am happy at both ends of the travel spectrum, from shared hostel dorms in Krakow to 5* luxury in the Med. However, Paris is definitely a city that deserves a lavish weekend at some point. By all means, visit on a budget, take in the Louvre , wander the Marais with the students but save that for another visit. This time I am talking serious Parisian chic. Start as you mean to go on by booking into a boutique hotel. Seeing as we are not worrying about the pennies, take a pool suite at the Murano Resort Hotel , yes; your bedroom really does come complete with swimming pool! This little gem of a hotel is all mod cons; each room bedecked with gadgetry and has a fabulous avant-garde restaurant. Alternatively, spend the weekend as a French aristocrat by renting a luxury apartment. Paris Luxury Rent

There is a new way to explore The Bahamas: Conch Salad TV . Conch Salad TV provides the first online video magazine for visitors and Bahamians. While most websites cover current events, where to stay and what to do, Conch Salad TV will go off the beaten path and dive into the culture, natural beauty and national issues of the Bahamas. Every two weeks a different video will be posted on the site, while the previous videos will continue to be accessible through the archive section of the website. Each video will look at a different aspect of The Bahamas. Launched on 1st Decemeber 2010 popular videos thus far have included the series The Great Conch Race, which matches up conch cleaners from around The Bahamas to see who can clean a conch the fastest; an underwater dive at Fowl Cay National Park, Steven Burrows, An Artist Profile and How Do You Like Your Crabbie?, a look at crabbing in Andros and What is your Bush Good for? A comedic look at native bush medicine remedies. The website a

Paris, on and over the Seine. Courtesy Molly Lichten and Benoit Deniaud. The 64th Cannes Film Festival opened this week in with Midnight in Paris, written and directed by Woody Allen and starring Frances own Marion Cotillard among other noted or award-winning thespians.Soon to be released in the United States, Woody Allens latest moving-picture travelogue is sure to inspire moviegoers to plan a visit to the City of Light. If you find yourself among those so inspired, consider the following luxury hotels from which to explore this storied capital city.Chateau de Villiers Le Mahieu - A classic chateau, moat and all, in nearby Versailles.Hotel Jardin Le Brea - Serenity near Luxembourg Gardens and the Latin Quarter.Hotel Lenox - An art deco delight on Paris legendary left bank.Hotel Ritz Paris - Perhaps the loveliest hotel on the loveliest square in the city.Hotel Saint Thomas dAquin - Located on the exclusive Rue du Pre aux Clercs.InterContinental Paris - Docked along Garnier Opera House

It's easy to fall for The Elysian-- the Chicago hot spot-- so we weren't surprised to see GP's rapturous description of the hotel in her latest GOOP newsletter.

When it comes to value for your money there is probably nothing greater than a cruise to some exotic destination. Regardless of what ports of call you decide to include in your itinerary the cruise experience is what its all about and with the amount of cheap cruises available today, the world could literally be your oyster. When choosing your itinerary you may wish to consider the amount of time at sea, how long your ship will be in port and which cruise line is best suited for you and your family. So you have decided to book one of the cheap cruises to the Mexican Riviera and it will be the first time for you. By the time the ship sails from Los Angeles you are completely pumped up. The next seven days are total paradise with Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan being two of the stops on the ships itinerary. Between stops the ship activities include many Broadway style shows and all the food that you can possibly eat. After hearing all the hoopla about the cheap cruises to the Eastern Medite

Photo: mandalaybus Expat Paul King shares his top tips for learning the Thai language. Since I arrived in Bangkok in 2009, Ive noticed an interesting phenomenon among most expats in Thailand. After looking at the runic characters and hearing the five tones, they jump to the conclusion: This language is inscrutable! Impossible! Ill never learn it! But in the words of Yoda admonishing Luke in The Empire Strikes Back, That is why [they] fail. If you go to Thailand, I do not want you to be like most expats, and I do not want you to be yelled at by Yoda. Instead, I want you to experience a side of Thailand, through its language, that most expats never do. I can help you, because I am a stubborn farang who has wrestled with Thais slippery monosyllables for the last two years. Here is my advice for those who also want to learn this fascinating language. 1. Invest in a beginning language course with a native speaker and learn the basics well. Thai is so phonologically different from English t