Fine Traveling

Excitement is building in the run up to next months Audi Hamilton Island Race Week (19th-27th August 2011), Australias largest and most prestigious offshore yachting event. With 100 entries received to date, a new Superyacht division for motor yachts and a stellar social programme, Hamilton Islands 28th annual regatta is set to be a runaway success. Offshore highlights will include: New motor Superyacht division New entries including radical new 42-footer Grand Prix racer, Q, and the Superyacht Janice of Wyoming , designed by prominent English superyacht specialist, Ed Dubois Past contenders such as supermaxi Loyal as well as five-times Rolex Sydney to Hobart winner, Wild Oats XI Categories for top-class racers Grand Prix, an IRC Passage class for modern fast-cruising yachts, performance racing and sports boat classes. There are also cruising, corporate, bareboat and non-spinnaker divisions Onshore highlights will include: Audi will present Australian fashion designer Collette Dinniga

The Maldives is an island in the Indian Ocean; it is located to the south of the Lakshadweep islands. The country is a made of a group of 1,192 islands, of which 200 are inhabited. The area is famous for its hot weather, sandy beaches and relaxed atmosphere. Due to its perfect weather many people from the west visit the island for their honeymoons. We have taken the time to pick out the top must-see places in the Maldives: Male The countrys capital Male is the heart of all of the areas commercial activity. Approximately one thirdof the countrys population lives in the capital city and many more commute to the area to work. The area is filled with great architecture including elegant mosques, parks and the grand National Museum . The National Museum is a local landmark and the relic of the previous Sultans Palace. Seenu Atoll The area is known as the second city of the Maldives. With 25 great diving locations located the island is perfect for those that love to see great reefs and under

I recently took some of our sales staff to Mauritius for an annual educational visit and our group were captivated by an amazing experience that apparently can only be encountered in three places in the world. Our team of intrepid travel advisors were treated to the thrill of walking with lions at Casela Nature Park . These beautiful, fearsome creatures closely interacted with our team allowing us to stroke and photograph them giving us memories and mementos to treasure forever. We were also able to meet Bengal and white tigers, plus a very playful cheetah. Whilst being a little apprehensive about the conditions these magnificent imposing creatures are kept in, the group were pleasantly surprised to find them in very good health and visually enjoying life. These cats we met were around 13 months old but to the untrained eye looked almost fully grown and the experienced rangers who escorted our team had a genuine affection for them which was seemingly reciprocated by the cats. The group

1. Club 55 the classic place to sip Champagne and enjoy a long lunch. 2. Brigitte Bardot exhibition visit from 23rd June to 31st October 2011. 3. Nikki Beach perfect to people watch and lounge in the sun. 4. & 5. Wine tours visit Chateau Minuty vineyard in the harbour for an aperitif, watch the yachts come into moor, then head to its sister restaurant Grand Joseph for dinner in one of St Tropez hot spot restaurants. 6. Marineland great fun for all the family, try swimming with the dolphins or a VIP dinner and evening show. 7. Hire a boat arrive at the beach in style or just to avoid the traffic. 8. Visit the Le Muse de lAnnonciade - a collection of avant garde paintings ranging from the 1890 to 1950. 9. Le Lagon perfect for a lazy lunch, try their signature salad: king prawns, pink grapefruit and avocado it is stunning. 10. St Tropez market soak up the local atmosphere every Tuesday and Saturday morning. Ceri Tinley is the Co-Founder and MD of Consensio Holidays .

It's not often we see a special hotel offer like this one. You can actually pay what you want with "Name Your Rate Sundays" at Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, located on 16 spectacular acres of private oceanfront property in Fort Lauderdale.

The Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne is offering guests a unique way to experience Lake Geneva this summer. Hop aboard La Suisse, an 100-year-old steamboat that's been plying the lake's idyllic waters since 1910.

The historic Del Mar racetrack-- where the turf meets the surf-- recently opened for its 2011 season. Looking for a little equine fun in the sun?

Saddle up! The Teton Mountain Lodge and Spa is inviting guests to horse around this summer outside Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

For a real treat on your next trip to London, head to The Ritz Salon-- located on the seventh floor of the legendary hotel on Piccadilly-- for a signature Ritz Manicure.

A frequent visitor to Norway, Wyndham Wallace responds to recent events in the nations capital, where, even in its grief for its dead, the country has shown the rest of the world how to live. FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS, Ive been living on the remote island of Husy, which lies directly on the Arctic Circle in Northern Norway. This is the site of the Trna Festival, with which I have had the privilege of working since early 2009, having first attended as a writer in 2008 on behalf of The Guardian. Its a remarkable place, an archipelago of around a thousand islands of which only four are inhabited, full of a stark, windswept beauty, its festival staffed largely by volunteers from the Trna Kommune. This year I stayed behind afterwards in order to write, trying to articulate what it is about the place that makes me compelled to return here, year after year, even earlier this March during a brutal winter. As with many of Norways smaller communities, its doors are unlocked, its cars are parked

A frequent visitor to Norway, Wyndham Wallace responds to recent events in the nations capital, where, even in its grief for its dead, the country has shown the rest of the world how to live. FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS, Ive been living on the remote island of Husy, which lies directly on the Arctic Circle in Northern Norway. This is the site of the Trna Festival, with which I have had the privilege of working since early 2009, having first attended as a writer in 2008 on behalf of The Guardian. Its a remarkable place, an archipelago of around a thousand islands of which only four are inhabited, full of a stark, windswept beauty, its festival staffed largely by volunteers from the Trna Kommune. This year I stayed behind afterwards in order to write, trying to articulate what it is about the place that makes me compelled to return here, year after year, even earlier this March during a brutal winter. As with many of Norways smaller communities, its doors are unlocked, its cars are parked

Making fun of Walmart is like shooting fish in a barrel. AS FAR AS Im concerned, everything is much funnier when said by a British person. Take The Office , for example. The American version doesnt even come close to the original series (and I just read Ricky Gervais is working on a Chinese version ). In the same token, a British accent also raises the level of credibility of anything said, especially when it comes to commentating soccer/football. In the below video, Alex and Liam two young British guys are in the US visiting that most American of institutions: Walmart. They get a kick out of the sorts of things sold in the supermarket, and I get a kick out of watching them get a kick out of it. But back to the accent thing. Imagine two North Americans in a shop in a foreign country making fun of what they sold. Its hard to imagine it being funny (to anyone other than the toilet-humour crowd) and theyd probably get blasted for being ignorant and insensitive. I tell you, the British

Fly Qatar Airways this August to selected destinations and pay only taxes and surcharges for up to two kids. Enjoy a family holiday to some of the most exciting destinations the world has to offer, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai & Doha.

The bike of choice at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, California. Guests of iconic Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica can now explore the area in chic, retro style on a limited edition single-speed bicycle styled by Kate Spade New York and handmade in Italy. The classic details and signature Kate Spade green make for an eye-catching ride, and the loving Italian craftsmanship makes for smooth sailing about town.The bikes are available to rent for Shutters guests at $10 per hour or $25 for the day, and those staying in Premier rooms or suites may enjoy free use of the stylish rides on a complimentary basis. All rentals include a neighborhood bike map and a customized list of local recommendations. And if you fall in love with these sweet wheels, you can go home and purchase a Kate Spade New York bicycle of your very own from Adeline Adeline.

The temperatures may be rising, but Boston's swank Fifteen Beacon Hotel is dropping rates for July bookings! With the "Summer Sizzler," you can get 25% off the Best Available Rate through July 2011.

In honor of the 54th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale, running until November 27, 2011, we're traveling to Venice, Italy today... daydreaming of this lavish luxury landmark.

Yup, you heard that right. The W Hotel Scottsdale has upped its signature "Whatever/Whenever" service-- with a new tanning concierge available 24/7.

One of the finest hotels in Provence has announced rates in November of just 150 per night, a whopping 80% savings off normal rates. The autumn is a great time to visit southern France; the crowds of summer tourists are long gone, and truffle season is in full swing (not to mention the olive harvest).

Nothing can match the joy of going on a trip to France. The options you have here for dining, drinking and sight-seeing are simply magnificent. OneFrench destination where you can be sure of having a great holiday is Bordeaux, one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Here are some activities to engage in and options to explore when you visit this city: Wining and dining in Bordeaux As the wine capital of the world, Bordeaux has numerous restaurants and bars with cellars and wine lists featuring products from the best wineries. You will get to taste the local produce, which will have you going back for more. With over 116,150 hectares of vineyards and 10,000 chteaux that produce wine, any wine you drink here is likely to come from one of the 960 million bottles produced in Bordeaux every year. You can choose from everyday wines or expensive wines red, white, or any other variety you prefer that the bars and restaurants feature here. The city also has numerous cafes where you ca

We just got a piece of news that's music to our ears. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has announced that they'll launch the first Reserve property in the Americas in Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico in December 2012.

Hats off to Michael Fiorelli, the chef at Terranea Resort outside Los Angeles, for coming up with a cool new menu concept. Available on the select evenings each month when the moon rises during dining hours, the exclusive new Moon Rise Menu showcases California cuisine featuring local, sustainable ingredients-- all served under the light of the moon on the terrace.

Vertu , a manufacturer of luxury mobile phones, has announced further details of its enhanced concierge service. Designed to be the perfect companion for the luxury traveller, they now have three levels of concierge at the touch of a button. Firstly their Concierge Classic service provides the customer with round the clock access to a team of lifestyle managers. Vertu Concierge Dedicated provides the user with a dedicated lifestyle manager and nominated support team, and finally the newest addition Vertu Concierge Ultimate. This service is tailored to each customer and may range from assistance with a one off project to provision of a full time personal assistant for a designated period of time. As well as the updated services Vertu has also increased the number of their City Briefs. Not unlike a typical guide book, the city briefs are detailed reviews of the latest restaurants, bars, museums and much more in almost all major cities. Where this service differs is the speed at which the

View from Caesar Augustus, Capri. Courtesy MDIANEM on Flickr. While some of us are spending our summer vacation on an idyllic island sojourn, city escapes also offer both relaxing and energizing settings in which to break from the grind and stress of daily life. And with festivals and other events packing the calendar in many urban destinations, vacations to major metropolitan areas are more interesting and inviting than ever over the summer months.If you havent already, Perfect Escapes is inviting you to take the plunge and join its photo pool on Flickr. Our Flickr photo pool is the place to share your perfect escapes: Posh hotel pictures, idyllic travel images, and tales detailing all of your luxury hotel experiences and adventures. Whether you visit a luxury hotel or just walk by one, post your five-star travel memories here. Each month we look for images matching a particular travel-related topic or theme and announce itright here (and on our Flickr photo pool page, too). From th

I was sent down to London recently on a two day conference and tasked with finding a reasonably priced hotel close to where I was working and also finding somewhere to eat at night that wouldnt break the bank. After several fruitless online searches I reserved a room at a small B&B by the name of Regency Hotel located at Nottingham Place just a stones throw from Baker Street and the shops and bars of Marylebone High Street. It proved to be a good little find. I was in the territory of Holmes and Watson, but thankfully there were no hounds on this particular visit. An immaculate collection of three storey townhouses lined the street and the Regency occupied one of these. Whilst certainly not being what youd call luxurious, the hotel provided me with a clean, comfortable and soundly located base for me to attend my conferences whilst offering a bounty of choice in terms of places to dine at night. Now, when you are dining alone you dont always fancy doing anything too flouncy. I di

Many of you will be aware that Googles answer to Facebook is very much doing the rounds. Its still earlier days but I have an account on there so, if youd like to add me, please do so. Youll find me at http://gplus.to/luxurytravel Also, if any of you dont yet have a Google+ account but would like one, send in your email address via the contact page and Ill send you an invitation. Find me on Google+ is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

We have just returned from an utterly unique and memorable stay on the remote Scottish island of Jura. Our first glimpse of the island and its three Paps was just before touching down on our flight from Glasgow to Islay. From there, it was a short drive and a ferry crossing before reaching Jura. We were blessed with weather not usually associated with Scotland but, for the week we have been away, we have enjoyed glorious sunshine and blue skies more reminiscent of a holiday in the Mediterranean than the west coast of Scotland. Furthermore, we had the privilege of staying in the beautifully stylish Jura Lodge , next door to the Isle of Jura Distillery in Craighouse. The moment we arrived on the island, after the 5-minute ferry crossing from Port Askaig to Feolin, we were greeted by three red deer peering down upon us as we travelled along what must surely be the UKs bumpiest A-road. After a short drive along this single track, we reached the islands only significant settlement of Crai

While basking in the sun is undoubtedly relaxing, todays smart sunbathers understand the dangers associated with the suns rays. But rather than smothering sunscreen all over your body, what if there was an easier way to protect yourself on a warm-weather vacation? Look no further than Mott 50 , a stylish new clothing collection that absorbs the suns rays before they reach your skin. The brand boasts a full range of skirts, tees, polos, tunics dresses, pants and jackets for women, t-shirts and polos for men, and a range of hats for both sexes. Whats even better? A percentage of proceeds from the protective skincare line is donated to cancer research. Talk about the perfect pieces to pack for a beach vacation! Prices range from $35-$145. Rachel Greenberg is the Founder of Suitcase Secrets . If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us . Mott 50 a stylish solution for fun in the sun is a post from A Luxury Travel Blo

Viceroy fans will be pleased as punch to learn that the brand has taken over management of the Yas Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Traveling with the kids to London? You won't want to miss this. The Rubens at the Palace-- a comfortable four-star hotel located opposite Buckingham Palace-- is converting one of its conference suites to a Summer Kiddies Cinema this August.

NYC (Josh Liba), Miami (Jeep Novak), and San Francisco (Werkmens). From Manhattan to Miami to San Francisco, its time to celebrate good food with friends for restaurant week. New York Citys festival of food is already in high gear and ends soon on July 24. Pore over special restaurant week menus before you go and get inspired. If youre in Miami at any point during the next two months, be sure to tuck into some of the mouth-watering menus on offer at Miami Spice, dishing up the very best of Miami cuisine from August 1 to September 30, 2011. And last but not least is San Franciscos restaurant week, taking place August 1-7, 2011. An epicenter of culinary innovation, San Franciscos SF Chefs is a unique opportunity to mingle and taste with the master chefs, mixologists, winemakers, and other culinary superstars.Find great luxury hotels in New York, Miami, and San Francisco on Perfect Escapes .

Get ready, Boston. In just a matter of weeks, a new luxury spa will be upping the ante. The Charles Hotel-- located just outside Boston in Cambridge's Harvard Square-- is launching Corbu Spa & Salon this summer.

Photo: his_beautiful_girl94 Teresa Ponkivar reflects on being a white American making her home in Mexico. THERES A LEAK in the hose, and as I water the garden, my son and the three neighbor kids are playing in the spray. Theyre all laughing so hard that only 3-year-old Chucho notices when I go behind the house and turn the water off. I return just in time to see their faces fall as the arc of water peters out. The ginga turned it off, Chucho announces. He doesnt pronounce his Rs yet, so it takes me a minute. Whos a gringa? I ask, mock angry. Thats Doa Tere to you! I know Chucho doesnt mean to hurt me, or even know what gringa means; hes only repeating what hes undoubtedly heard his parents say when Im out of earshot. But I mind that. Im their neighbor. They know my name. I dont mind, anymore, being called La Gerathe light-skinned one. It offended me until I understood that here in Mexico, its standard to nickname peopleaffectionatelyin accordance with their physical features: the

We recently popped by for a peek at this landmark hotel on the French Riviera and our head's still spinning from the views.

Most people go on holiday for rest. However, there is a group of tourists who do not seek rest, but thrills on their holiday. This type of person seeks a large injection of adrenalin, of which bungee jumping provides probably the biggest dosage of any sporting activity. Bungee jumping is the kind of activity that needs a little courage. It also helps if you are a little loopy. It probably comes the nearest to staring death in the face of ones own volition, albeit within a certain safety margin. Bungee jumping may have started out with jumping from bridges or cranes but these days it is so much more than that. Although bungee jumping had started with native Aztecs in Mexico and natives in Papua New Guinea and other places, the first modern bungee jumpers in the western world were five colleagues from the Oxford University Extreme Sports Club who jumped from Clifton Suspension Bridge in April 1979. The sport was developed commercially since then by the New Zealander AJ Hackett, who has d

Portugal has established itself in recent years as a luxury destination for travellers, with a wealth of luxury hotels, golf courses and exclusive beach resorts. Combined with quaint villages, wine estates, historical monuments, castles and palaces, you have the perfect destination for a luxury driving tour. The Bohemian city of Lisbon, the oldest city in Europe is a good starting point. Arabic and European influences have created a beautiful city that displays its history and culture with pride. The golden age of Lisbon, when the first Portuguese explorers Vasco da Gama, Pedro lvares Cabral, Prince Henry the Navigator began to trade in exotic products from India and the Far East, elevated Portugal into the wealthiest nation on earth. Lisbon still displays evidence of its grand history in the Belem Royal Palace, the magnificent Jeronimos Monastery, and the priceless treasures of the Gulbenkian Museum. The city is home to some of the wealthiest people in Europe, and sophisticated theatr

Author dancing with Miss Valencia in Placencia. All photos by author. Megan Wood learns to shake it in Belize. [Editor's Note: Megan Wood is the first writer-in-residence to participate in the Road Warrior program , a partnership between MatadorU and the Belize Tourism Board . Megan is spending the spring in Belize, documenting traditions of the country's diverse cultural groups. Each week, she reports on her experiences for Matador, her personal blog , and for other outlets.] YES BABES! Shake your waist! Miss Valencia instructs me, yelling to be heard over the Punta Rock music blaring from the stereo. She wipes the sweat trickling out from under her bright head scarf with a handkerchief and lets out a laugh.You got the steps, girl! I dont like to dance: I am too tall and too shy. I didnt even dance at my own wedding, but I am willing to do anything to learn more about the Garifuna culture in Belize. As a culture blogger, its my job to spend time with Belizeans of different he

Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to visit Dubai and Abu Dhabi on a work educational trip, taking in many of the beautiful luxury hotels that provide such a strong lure to travellers worldwide. As a destination rapidly on the rise, Abu Dhabi is beginning to make significant waves in the industry, and this will only strengthen further once the opening of Saadiyat Island is complete in the latter stages of 2011. Following this, the unveiling of both the Guggenheim and Le Louvre are planned, and the new Jumeirah Etihad Towers is already open and flourishing. But Abu Dhabi also features not one but two hugely impressive desert retreats, one of which I am going to focus on today. A three hour drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport into the arid wilderness will take you to the stylish Anantara Qasr al Sarab located in the vast Liwa District. The absolute sheer remoteness of this hotel is intrinsic to its appeal. Not for everyone though, the 360 degree sand dune views as far as

Bastille Day in the US. Courtesy Chris Blakeley and Infrogmation under CC. From sea to shining sea, Bastille Day celebrations in the US are more popular than ever. While many official events took place the weekend preceding le 14 juillet, there are plenty of ways that you can celebrate French independence today - perhaps the tastiest way is to enjoy an authentic French meal.Here are a few delicious ideas on where to find a true taste of France inSan Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City.Bouchon, Yountville, CA - Thomas Kellers French bistro is legendary.Belden Place, San Francisco - Friscos French Quarter has many French restaurants.The Grand Caf Brasserie & Bar, San Francisco - Great French fare and atmosphere.Sous Beurre Kitchen, San Francisco - Farm to table, celebrating local food a la franaise.Bistro de La Gare, New York City - Mediterranean with French and Italian touches.Artisanal Bistro, New York City - Enjoy playful twists on French bistro cuisine.Brasserie Beaumarcha

Got Bangkok on the brain? The Conrad Hotel-- located in the All Seasons Place in the heart of Bangkok-- is promoting a special sale to entice you to pack your bags and start your next adventure.

In honor of Bastille Day, we're taking a look at some of our favorite hotels in Paris.

Surrounded by magnificent gardens just 50 meters from the beach, the Kempinski Hotel Bahia is located near Marbella on Andalusia's southern shores.

I thought this would be a good place to tell you about my recent honeymoon to Thailand a destination popular for romantic holidays, touring and a good dose of cultural awakening. We travelled in May from Manchester to Phuket via Singapore and our first port of call was the small resort of Khao Lak located around 90 minutes from the airport. This is a place of abundant greenery, immaculate straight rows of homogenous trees and shrouded forests with hidden lakes where you can go elephant trekking quite a scenery change from life back in the UK. This fragment of Thailand forms part of the region known as Phang Nga and as you travel across it youll be astounded as to how similar the geographical make up is from one place to another no high rise buildings, no obvious commercialism, very few discernible houses just open spaces with shacks and shrines at the side of the road, with luxury hotels acting as a complete oasis and blending into the landscape to such an extent that you dont re