Fine Traveling

Something borrowed: Loews Santa Monica, now with a side of Fred Segal. Guests of Loews Santa Monica who book any of the hotels luxurious oceanfront suites will now enjoy complimentary access to an exclusive Fred Segal lending library - the first of its kind for the Los Angeles institution of fashion. Known for its impeccable service and trend-setting style, Fred Segals exclusive Loews Santa Monica lending library will include some 50 stylish accessories for men, women, children, and even pampered pets. Each item in the collection of scarves, necklaces, sunglasses, jewelry, purses, and more has been carefully chosen by Kirsten Segal , director of marketing and event planning at the store. When stocking the library, I thought of items I forgot to pack in the past and wished I had the opportunity to borrow from a hotel, said Segal. I focused on accessories because I felt guests would forget to bring those little details or would be more inclined to borrow something fun for the weeken

If you love nothing more than indulging in a little retail therapy, then youre probably already aware of some of the worlds 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! Oxford Street, London Perhaps the UKs most well-known shopping destination, Oxford Street stretches for 1.5 miles from one end to the other and boasts around 550 shops and restaurants meaning theres plenty of opportunity to splash the cash. As a general rule, shops here are open from 10:00 to 19:00 Monday to Saturday, except on Thursdays where they close an hour later. Sunday trading times are 12:00 to 18:00, although opening hours may vary on a store-by-store basis. Oxford Street is probably best known for its large department stores, which youll find in the section of the road running between Marble Arch and Oxford Circus, including branches of John Lewis, Selfridges and Debenhams. Yo

On the northern coast, 75 kilometres east of Palermo, lies Cefal a medieval town built on the site of an ancient Sicanian and Greek settlement. All that remains of these ancient cultures today is a small structure, the Temple of Diana, on the mountain overlooking the town. With its magnificent view of the town, cathedral, mountains and sea, it is well worth the climb. And from the 15th to 18th September 2011 Cefal will celebrate its own Ice Cream Festival ( Sherberth Festival Festival Internazionale del Gelato a Cefal ). Along the main street its possible to taste ice creams made by 30 different ice cream shops in Sicily, with lots of different flavours from the classic to some more peculiar ones such as wine sorbet. Festival Internazionale del Gelato a Cefal an ice cream festival in Italy is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

This is a view at sunset from the roof terrace at Dar Les Cigognes of the Royal Storks so called because they rest/nest on the ramparts of the Royal Palace as they migrate from Europe along the coast of Africa every year. This stork is in the process of clacking its beak like a castanet, which they do as part of their mating call. It is an incredible sound, particularly when there are hundreds of them in residence in the Spring and Fall during the migration. Thank you to The Sanssouci Collection for permission to re-produce the image. If you have a really special photograph you would like to share with A Luxury Travel Blog s readers,please contact us . Photograph of the week: Stork at sunset is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Photo by author In Lagos, cars driving the opposite direction on one-way streets is just a Tuesday. Many travelers have their traffic stories merging into the roundabout beneath Arc de Triomphe in Paris, dodging motorcycles in Southeast Asia, cramming into rickety buses in Latin America and most mega-cities have their own share of traffic problems . In Nigeria however, traffic in Lagos is in a league of its own. I tried describing what navigating through it was like in Back to Sender but couldnt do it enough justice. Evidence What makes traffic (also called go-slows) in Lagos legendary is an underlying competitive nature that living in Africas most populous country seems to breed. This intrinsic quality means many people are out looking for shortcuts to edge out their competition. With 150 million people crammed into roughly the size of Texas, 20 million of which are based in Lagos, what you often get on a daily basis are traffic bottlenecks lasting hours. Bottlenecks whic

Confectioners' gold from Ladure. Courtesy The Integer Club on Flickr. Maven of the macaron , Maison Ladure , has opened its first shop in the United States. Fittingly, the maiden shop is located in Manhattan on Madison Avenue. While generations of Americans have long enjoyed the incredible treats from Frances most famous pastry shop, New Yorkers (or those visiting Gotham City ) will no longer have to trek across the pond or around the world to enjoy one of Ladure s famous macarons. If the opening day lines are any indication, Ladure is an instant hit with Manhattan residents, despite macarons ringing in just shy of $3 per cookie. Made from almonds, eggs, sugar, and a touch of secret know-how, Ladure s macarons are the delight of adoring fans everywhere. Each season Ladure , founded in 1862, pays tribute to its most famous creation by whipping up a new flavor. With delicious choices like chocolate and passion fruit, chocolate and lime, chocolate and cherry, Madagascar chocolate

The owners of the Waikiki Edition changed their locks overnight, according to The Wall Street Journal, installing new management, kicking out Marriott International Inc., even changing the signs.

Whether you want a calm and upscale stag holiday or a more rambunctious occasion where the drinks flow freely, you can find whatever you are looking for at some of the best stag destinations around the world. From Asia to Europe, there are countless attractions, bars, and nightclubs to entertain you, and provide you with great entertainment before the grooms wedding day. Visit one of these top 10 destinations for a luxury stag holiday around the world. 1. Berlin This capital city of Germany makes a great destination for more than just the fantastic beer. The modern location and inexpensive prices mean you can live like a king, if only for the weekend. For a true luxury stag do, visit one of the many breweries Germany is famous for and take a private tasting tour. The nightlife doesnt end at 1am, or 2, or even 3. Clubs are happy to stay open as late as you want, so dont be surprised if the sun is up before you head back to your hotel. 2. Copenhagen This Danish city offers the high life

North Cyprus is a defacto independent state located in the northern region of Cyprus. The state is officially named the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The country has a beautiful array of great sites and ancient architecture, perfect for historians and travellers. The area has tempted many conquerors due to its natural beauty, from the Romans to the Persians and the Byzantine. History The area of North Cyprus contains many great historical sites and ruins. The Salamis Ruins near Famagusta is one of the countrys most popular tourist sites. The area is located on the Eastern shore of the state. It was originally founded by the Egyptians in 260 BC and was then later ruled by the Ottomans and the Venetians. The remains that you can visit are from the Roman period. Due to wars and medieval builders raiding the site for stone, the city fell into decline. The historic area runs for over 1 kilometre with a sandy beach alone the entire site. The ruins are near to many cafes and re

Hurry! You still have a few days to nab a 10% discount on fares on Qatar Airways. Book by August 31, 2011 and save up to 10% to 15 select destinations.

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 lovely views. 3. Sirocco Restaurant Bangkok, Thailand This is the worlds tallest al fresco restaurant, located at the Lebua State Tower. 4. Sierra Mar California, USA Perched above the ocean, the views from Sierra Mar are simply breathtaking.(Fast forward to 2 minutes in the video and watch from there) 5. Al Mahara Dubai, UAE Relax and admire the aquarium at this underwater restaurant which has over 70 species of fish. 5 of the best restaurant views in the world is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Photo by ryantron Longtime couchsurfer and former couchsurfing ambassador Leigh Shulman reflects on her relationship with CS since 2006, and how those worried about the company going mainstream might be missing the point. TECHCRUNCH reported yesterday that Couchsurfing just received 7.6 million in venture capital funding, and before the hippie has even had a chance to put on a pair of penny loafers, theres talk of how this grassroots, community-based program has sold out. How its going to leave a void in the travel community. That money will ruin them. As someone who has been an active part of the Couchsurfing community since 2006, I have to say, calm the fuck down. This has potential to be a wonderful thing. The Core of Couchsurfing Has Already Changed. Youre worried the core group of people who use the site will change? It had been changing anyway. Five years ago, leaving your life to travel wasnt the hip thing it is today. There werent as many people willing to stay with a complete

Jamaican flag mural. All photos by author. A slice of daily life as Derwin Kitch drives to work in Kingston, Jamaica. ITS A TYPICAL APRIL MORNING IN KINGSTON, sunny yet pleasantly cool. By ten oclock the sun will be hot, and by four oclock the clouds will roll in over the Blue Mountains and, most likely, a rain will soon come, as people say here. I jump in my old Honda Odyssey and head out for another day of teaching. A left turn out of our complex leads to a bright blue, two-story house, painted with white clouds and a doctor bird. My neighbor told me the house is owned by Ken Boothe , a nationally known singer who once sang The Train is Coming with Kingstons very own Shaggy. I take an indirect, zigzag approach to work in order to avoid the congestion of Hope Road, the main road in this part of the city. North Americans talk of how aggressive Jamaicans taxi drivers in particular can be behind a wheel. But after living in Asia and South America, Jamaican drivers seem downright con

There's a new hotel on the block in Baltimore. Four Seasons is building a temple to luxury on the water in Harbor East, "the city's hippest new district" (to quote the hotel's official website).

Get a taste of the best of Thailand with an exciting new four night package created by Bangkok's Tower Club at lebua in partnership with Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve. You'll experience the exhilaration of Bangkok as well as the pristine beaches of Krabi.

Val dIsere, Meribel and Courchevel 1850 are popular, well known ski resorts in the French Alps. However they are all unique, each appealing to a completely different type of skier or group. Val dIsere is the high altitude station that thas retained a lovely village feel. Skiing is the focus for this resort, with access to the whole of the Espace Killy. It is a skiers paradise with a vast array of cruising pistes along with nearly 25 acres of off piste powder to play in. However for those who ski hard there are plenty of places to play hard too, with the Folie Douce bringing you the best apres ski. The ski lift which arrives in the building is perfect for those on foot or who do not wish to ski back down at the end of the day. Meribel is a favourite destination for families, this is predominantly due to its extensive intermediate piste skiing. The tree lined slopes at the Altiport are perfect for first week skiers. Also there are many brilliant independant ski schools so you are spoilt

Ingredients: 450g Mud Crab, quartered and claws cracked 3 tblspn vegetable oil 8 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped 8 fresh red chilli, roughly chopped 1 egg 2 shallots, cut into finger length 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice 1 small bunch of coriander For the sauce: 1 cup of water, 5 tblspns tomato ketchup 1 1/2 to 3 tblspns sugar, or according to taste 1 1/2 teaspoons cornflour 1 tblspn oyster sauce 1 teaspn pounded brown preserved soya beans or dark miso teaspn salt Directions: Heat the oil in a wok or shallow saucepan over high heat. Add garlic and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the chilli, stir-fry till fragrant. Add the mud crabs. Fry well till the shells start turning red. Add the sauce ingredients and stir well. Cover with a lid and simmer until the shells are red. Break the egg into the wok and streak with a fork, simmer till cooked. Squeeze lime juice over and stir in shallots. Garnish with plenty of chopped coriander. Thank you to Garth Welsh, Executive Chef at Sheraton Ma

Italy contains a mass of history, architecture and tradition all of which are important contributions in todays culture. The Christian Catacombs of Rome have important influences on the history of Italy and are fascinating underground cemeteries or burial tunnels that can be visited by holiday makers wishing to include the Catacombs as part of a sightseeing trip. The tunnels emerged in Rome around the second and third centuries, and eventually stretched all the way to the coastal resort of Brindisi which is found in the Apulia region of Italy. The tunnels were developed because the people who resided along the stretches of Rome, within the city walls, were forbidden to hold burials there. The Catacombs were not only places where Christian followers would bury the dead, but were also used at times to hold church services especially at depressing times of persecution. Just a few of the Catacombs are open to the public many of the tunnels are closed to preserve the presence of the Christ

Headed to L.A. this Labor Day Weekend? Toast the town at The Taste. If youre planning on spending this Labor Day Weekend in Los Angeles, youve planned well. For four days - September 2-5, 2011 - the Los Angeles Times and Food & Wine Magazine are teaming up to offer a veritable 4-day culinary spectacular of unlimited food, wine, beer, and spirits. Spread over three locations, The Taste will feature 9 events: Burgers & Beer, Secrets from the Kitchen & Cellar, Fashion Bites Brunch, Desserts after Dark, Picnic in the Hills, Art of Mixing, Taco Tequila Tryst, Street Eats, and Food Noir.And whether or not youll be in town to attend The Taste, Los Angeles has plenty of incredible restaurants to savor year round. While The Taste celebrates the star-studded side of all things epicurean and whats hot now, some visitors to the L.A.-area may want to focus their taste buds on the cornerstone centers of culinary excellence that made Los Angeles a world-class destination for all those wh

Luxury cruises offer tourists the opportunity to explore great areas of a country during a 7 day holiday. In Egypt, Nile cruises are a popular holiday choice. They offer comfortable accommodation and easy access to some of the countrys best sites. If you are planning to visit the area we suggest sightseeing in the morning before the day becomes too hot and before lots of people are at the locations. The Nile cruises can explore Luxor, Aswan, Kom Ombo and many other great Egyptian areas. Luxor is a must see destination for historians as the area is home to the Valley of the Kings, which contains tombs of pharaohs. The Temple of Karnak in the area is one of the biggest temple complexes still in existence. Aswan offers a quieter location but has great beaches and all year round sun. The area also has historic sites such as the Nubian Temples and the unfinished Obelisk. We would recommend watching the feluccas meander down the Nile, a sight you arent likely to forget. Kom Ombo is a farming

The worlds most beautiful city was discovered on 1st January 1502 by the Portuguese fleet led by Pedro Alvares Cabral. Thinking that the impressive entrance was the mouth of an enormous river, they called it the River of January, but it is, in fact, a massive bay, Guanabara Bay. When you are distracted by the amazing scenery, and mountains appear to rise directly out of the sea, in a location of such natural beauty, such a mistake is understandable. If you were to choose the most beautiful city in the world what would your criteria be? You dont usually find beaches in a city do you? Well, no you dont. But this is not a usual city. There are over a hundred beaches in and around the city with 80 kilometres of beach. These include three of the most famous beaches in the world, Copacabana, Ipanema made famous by the song Girl from Ipanema and the white sands of Leblon.This city has a number of mountains, one, the Sugar Loaf Mountain, appears to rise directly out of the sea. The Corcovado M

Matisse's "Girl with Green Eyes" at SFMOMA. Courtesy rocor on Flickr. The final weeks to enjoy related exhibits The Steins Collect and Seeing Gertrude: Five Stories are here. Both close on Tuesday, September 6, 2011. SFMOMAs landmark exhibition reunites the Steins unparalleled holdings of modern art, bringing together, for the first time in a generation, dozens of works by Matisse, Picasso, Paul Czanne, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and many others. The complementary show at the nearby Contemporary Jewish Museum examines Gertrude Steins life and influence on 20th-century art and the American artistic imagination.Find great luxury hotels in San Francisco on Perfect Escapes .

Foodies, hold on to your hats. A fabulous new haute cuisine dining experience will be available in Paris in September when Shang Palace opens its doors at the gorgeous Shangri-La Hotel.

Hurricane Irene is sweeping across the Caribbean, heading straight towards the Southeast United States, leaving lots of damage in its wake. Even Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island-- a favorite private island retreat for celebrities-- has not escaped the storm's wrath.

The Indian Ocean is this planets third largest oceanic region stretching from the rugged coasts of Eastern Africa to the shores of Western Australia; its warm waters lap the sands of Southern Indo-China and the Indian subcontinent and wash across the beaches of the Arabian peninsula. The Indian Ocean has become synonymous with remote beauty and unspoiled majesty. The gem like islands that dot its continental rims are recognised as some of the most breathtaking places on earth; a kaleidoscope of granitic paradises and shimmering coral sands that unassumingly nestle amongst a vast expanse of blue. It is this seemingly ethereal magnificence supplemented by a select portfolio of exclusive resorts and holiday properties that asserts the Indian Ocean as the home of the luxury retreat. Mnemba Island, Tanzania A country perhaps better known for its safaris than its sun downers; the territories of the Republic of Tanzania in fact extend from the mainland to 40 coastal islands ranging in size

A fire has ravaged Sir Richard Bransons luxury home, the Great House, in the Caribbean after lightning struck the property during a tropical storm. Sadly, the house has been completely destroyed but thankfully 20 people were able to escape unhurt. Among them was British actress Kate Winslet, Bransons 90-year-old mother (who Winslet is believed to have helped carry from danger) and Bransons daugher, Holly. Sir Richard was staying at a nearby property on the island when the lightning struck. Sir Richard Bransons Necker Island property destroyed by fire is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Managing editor and MatadorU faculty member Julie Schwietert Collazo's in-laws (plus her own mother and daughter) in Havana, Cuba, 2010. For 29 years straight, the US decides to keep Cuba on the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism. AS PHIL PETERS at the Cuban Triangle blog says, despite any evidence that Cuba is actively participating in terrorist activities, the US State Department has kept the country on its terrorism report (see Chapter 3: State Sponsors of Terrorism ). There are four countries on the list: Cuba, Sudan, Syria, and Iran. From the report: Designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism in 1982, the Government of Cuba maintained a public stance against terrorism and terrorist financing in 2010, but there was no evidence that it had severed ties with elements from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and recent media reports indicate some current and former members of the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) continue to reside in Cuba. Available information

Live it up in Manhattan with a stay at The Carlyle, a timeless classic in the Upper East Side overlooking Central Park.

"At the Moulin Rouge" by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Courtesy Anne Petersen. While the modern world celebrates late 19th-century Montmartre with touristic nostalgia, the reality of this period in Paris bohemian hilltop village was darker and more dangerous than some may imagine. One has only to study Henri Toulouse-Lautrecs Moulin Rouge to get an authentic glimpse into this world pitched between the brothel and the hospital as only Lautrec could depict.Visitors in London this summer have a rare chance to do just that. On now through September 18, 2011 at the Courtauld Gallery is a true study of 1890s Montmartre Beyond the Moulin Rouge as experienced and captured by Lautrec in partnership with model and Moulin Rouge dancer, Jane Avril. In this special show, the curtain is pulled back and the viewer is invited to examine both public and private images of Avril, one of Lautrecs favorite subjects, a close friend, and the daughter of a courtesan.Find great luxury hotels in London

Why settle for one idyllic Thai island when you can experience the best of two? Embark on an indulgent and diverse getaway to the Gulf of Thailand to get a taste of the red-hot nightlife on Koh Samui and the relaxing beaches of Koh Phangan

You heard that right. The swank Grand Wailea Resort is launching a massage in September that could be the most lavish spa treatment we've ever heard of.

Does a narco tip his hat? Click for a larger view. Photo: aerodesign.pl Theres a bar I used to like going to for after-work micheladas. The beers were big, the snacks were bountiful, the patrons were moustached and heavy-set, the girls on their arms were scooped up and in impossibly tight jeans, and the music was thumping northern stuff that was all mysterious to me. It felt like a window into a side of Mexico that I didnt often see. We dont go there any more though. Too many people thought it was a narco place. One of the ways of coping with the increased violence in Guadalajara has been to carefully delineate where a narco, or narcotrafficker, is likely to go, and where he is not. Its a way of assuring yourself that you have some control over the situation; stay away from narco places and youll be fine. The problem is that the safe areas keep shrinking. Sure, everyone knows narcos go to showy clubs where they can throw their money and grenades around, but apparently they also go t

A 1631 portrait of Rembrandt, by the artist. Courtesy deflam on Flickr. The Judgment, an 11-by-6-inch pen and ink Rembrandt sketch that was lifted last Saturday from a private exhibit at the Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey, was recovered earlier this week. The artists work is a popular target for art thieves, logging some 81 documented heists in the past 100 years. Rembrandts work is second only to Picassos for high-value art thefts. While the majority of stolen Rembrandts have been found and returned to their rightful owners, three Rembrandts taken in the high-profile 1990 theft of 13 works of art from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston remain at large.For Rembrandt lovers, two special exhibits on now are must-see shows. The first is an extensive collection of drawings by the artist and his circle at the Institut Neerlandais of Paris, on now through October 2, 2011. Visitors can view 20 drawings by Rembrandt himself and nearly 100 by other artists in his 17th-century school of

The legendary American restaurant in Berkeley, CA turns 40 this year. Opened in 1971 by Alice Waters and a group of her friends, Chez Panisse was envisioned as a neighborhood bistro that would feel more like an intimate home-dining experience rather than formal, fine-dining out. Four decades later, the Berkeley restaurant and its upstairs caf are going strong, and Alices philosophy about food and the way we eat has changed the way many Americans view food as well.Convinced that the best-tasting food is organically and locally grown and harvested in ways that are ecologically sound by people who are taking care of the land for future generations, Alice Waters has practiced what she preaches for 40 years at Chez Panisse and has invited diners to do the same at home. Establishing a local network of suppliers, Alices approach to food has inspired a celebration of local, organic food that has swept across the country and continues to grow and flourish in myriad ways.Check out the Chez Pani

Now through September 5, the historic Wigwam resort in Phoenix is sending off summer by offering its lowest rates of the season with rooms for just $79.

Im pleased to announce that A Luxury Travel Blog has won a 2011 travel award from Iglu Cruise . In their own words: Most people who write blogs do not produce useful material for travellers. In fact, few blogs are of any use to anybody at all. Thats why the Iglu team spend hours (if not days) on each category, making sure that deserving blogs however obscure are listed Iglu gives the awards only to blogs which thoroughly deserve them. We wont put our name to a website unless they have shown that they are experts in their fields and that they deal only with truth, fact, and relevance. Iglu Travel Awards 2011 is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Boston restaurant week is in full swing, meaning you can score a deal at some of the city's finest restaurants.

The Langham London is legendary as the birthplace of Afternoon Tea, that quintessentially British institution.

Get a load of this. The Setai Fifth Avenue-- the luxurious, Capella managed hotel in Midtown-- now offers guests private tours of the MoMA.

Photo by: Alice Carrier [Note: This story was produced as part of the Glimpse Correspondents Program , in which ten writers and photographers receive a stipend and editorial support to develop two long-form narratives for Matador. The Glimpse Correspondents Program is open each fall and spring to anyone who will be living, traveling, working or studying abroad for more than ten weeks. To read about the editorial process behind this story, check out the Structure, Details and Shaping A Sprawling Long Form Feature . ] ON THE PLANE TO POLAND from the United States, I sat next to a petite and confident Swiss psychologist. She asked me if I had a job lined up in Krakw, or perhaps some friends. No, nobody, nothing, I told her. Thats very American, she said, Europeans dont do things like that. We dont like those kinds of risks. What if something doesnt work out? As a person committed to searching for my complicated Polish identity, this was not a promising start. But where were you born? peop