Fine Traveling

The underground suite at Sala Silvermine in Sweden is a sight to behold, if you can find the light switch. Once Swedens most profligate, and profitable, source of silver, when the deposits began to dry up, the mine closed down for business. But some entrepreneurial spirits bought up the space to bring travelers a unique accommodation. Why choose such a property? Well, a mine is a terrible thing to waste.  

Beautiful Santa Barbara. Courtesy Toby Keller on Flickr under CC. Head to Santa Barbara this October for epicure.sb , a citywide celebration of good food, drink, culture, and community. Now in its third year, the festival has grown into a month-long culinary event that includes food and wine festivals, cooking classes, winemakers dinners, seasonal menus, food-inspired art exhibits, and plenty of other delicious opportunities to enjoy the best of Santa Barbara .

Now that the Dreamliner has officially taken off on its maiden voyage, CNBC is taking you inside this much-anticipated aircraft with the documentary, Dreamliner: Inside the Worlds Most Anticipated Airline, which airs tonight at 9pm. What does it really look like? Will it change the future of travel? What is so special about the Dreamliner that some think it will revolutionize the aviation industry? Clips from the show can be viewed below:

Leave it to Four Seasons to put together the ultimate globe-trotting adventure: Around the World by Private Jet. This 22-day adventure will hit up Four Seasons destinations in Hawaii, French Polynesia, Australia, Bali, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Egypt and the UK.

When it comes to your honeymoon, its always a good idea to prepare way ahead of time. That way once you get there, all you have to worry about is lounging, relaxing and celebrating your recent nuptials. In terms of destination, the majority of todays honeymooners opt to go to warm and sunny luxury beach resorts. If you fall under that category, youll need plenty of gorgeous swimsuits, cover-ups and accessories to make you feel romantic and sexy. For any honeymoon beach getaway, youre sure to take plenty of photos to remember your trip, so youre going to want to look your best. Read on for all the essentials for a romantic luxury beach getaway. Swimsuits As a rule of thumb, anything white is perfect for a honeymoon. Not only is white the color for brides in many Western countries, but it also symbolizes purity, grace and innocence. Melissa Odabash is one designer who always features gorgeous bikini sets that evoke a sense of romance and sensuality. On the other hand, Brazilian brands li

Just off the Magnificent Mile, The James Chicago is one of the coolest and most comfortable spots to bed down in Chitown. And for those looking for a quick urban getaway this fall, The James has unveiled newly updated suites...

This just in. We've found unbelievably low rates for the holiday period in San Francisco. Needless to say, we don't often see prices like this at four-star hotels in the City by the Bay.

Beware of some, but not all dogs. Photo by chefjancris It is a known fact that most lone, stray dogs will peel off in the opposite direction when you crouch down to pick up a fist-sized rock. It is also true that crouching down to pick up a fist-sized rock on the sidewalk in Santiago is not convincing (as there are none) and furthermore, rollerblading makes crouching down and picking up something (even something imaginary) more difficult than you would think. I have learned the rock trick through years of bicycling, living and traveling in Latin America, though I used to substitute my U-lock when I lived in Washington, DC, and my pathalogically inconsiderate neighbor would run his pack of feral dogs in the empty lot next the house I lived in. Dogs snarl, approach, start to bark, and you bend down and pick up (or pretend to pick up) a rock (or a lock), which you raise, as if to throw it or hit them with it. You look over their head, and they look from your eye to your upraised arm and

Lauren Cicione is an ex-New Yorker (former contemporary art dealer) Italian American who moved to Montalcino, Tuscany two years ago. She knew it was time for a career switch when her foodie tendencies to visit every new restaurant in NYC started taking precedence over her interest in checking out new installation sculpture. Growing up in an Italian American family, she had a long-standing passion for good food and Italian wine with a strong connection to all things local and organic. After spending much time cooking with brilliant renowned chefs, harvesting grapes, working in the vineyard, becoming close friends with many of the top Brunello producers in Montalcino, she started a company called Tuscan Auteur to share with other oenophiles and wine collectors, the fortunate, lush lifestyle she lives there. What is it that you do exactly? Tuscan Auteur is a very specialized concierge service for the town of Montalcino, where I curate innovative itineraries for wine collectors coming to

Tripadvisor recently published 10 unique luxury hotels youll never forget. Strangely, its just a list albeit with pictures but with no explanation as to what, precisely, makes each one memorable. For what its worth, though, Ive reproduced their list below. Please post a comment and tell us what hotels you think are unforgettable and, of course, why! 1. Banyan Tree Al Wadi, UAE 2. Goldeneye Resort, Jamaica 3. Six Senses Con Dao, Vietnam 4. Playa VIK Jose Ignacio, Uruguay 5. Borgo Egnazia Villas Hotel Golf Spa, Italy 6. Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris, France 7. The Leela Palace Kempinski New Delhi, India 8. Fullerton Hotel, Singapore 9. W Retreat & Spa, Maldives 10. Kenoa Exclusive Beach Spa & Resort, Brazil 10 unique luxury hotels youll never forget is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

To call The World by ResidenSea a cruise ship may be doing it a disservice, because, in the truest sense, The World is not a cruise ship, but the largest privately owned residential yacht on Earth. The World was launched in 2002 and features personalised 110 private luxury apartments and 88 guest suites. Each of these apartments are owned by those known as the Residents,who collectively own the ship, and because of this, every sailing of The World is effectively sold out. The apartments vary in size from 1,106 sq feet to 4,184 sq feet, whereas the guest suites range from 259 sq feet to 648 sq feet. Each room features the following: Two to six bedrooms each with its own living and dining area A full equipped state of the art kitchen Private balcony with Jacuzzi Huge walk-in wardrobes Fully-featured entertainment system including an audio system, 32-inch plasma fat-screen television with satellite hook-up and DVD player Mobile telephone Personal computer with full time high speed

24th July of this year marked 100 years exactly since Yale man and National Geographic explorer Hiram Bingham puffed and sweated his way up to the jungle-covered ruins of Machu Picchu. A century later, travelers who want to take in this true wonder of the world arent limited to explorer-style bivouacking; rather, there are now a wide range of accommodations, dining experiences, spas and adventures that rival the best in the world. So, in honor of Machu Picchu, Hiram Bingham and the incredible cultural patrimony of Peru, I would like to show you what a luxury trip to Machu Picchu looks like today. Most visitors begin their journey in Lima. A short stay allows you to soak in the glorious colonial past of Limas central plaza. Palms, tropical-yellow buildings with exquisitely-carved wooden balconies and Spanish palaces sweep you back in time. Before becoming too nostalgic, head for the modern and very hip Miraflores district. Hugging the green cliffs, Miraflores offers visitors an incredib

Machu Picchu is one of the most spectacular sites in the worlds, so it is only fitting that your trip tothe ancient Incan citadel should compare in class. Luckily, the city of Cusco, where many visitors basethemselves before and after their Machu Picchu tours, is flush in 5-star accommodations. Here are somerecommendations to help you start planning your dream Peru vacation. La Casona The most exclusive and intimate 5-star hotel in Cusco is undeniably La Casona. With only 11 suiteswithin a complex closed to the public, guests are ensured privacy and high attention to detail. Fromarchitecture, to design, to its own history, Las Casona is as colonial as it gets. The building was builtsometime between 1585 and 1700 on the location of the former Inka Pumakurko neighborhood, whichincluded several Incan schoolsthe practice of replacing Inca structures with colonial ones was apopular practice among the conquering Spaniards. La Casona passed through several owners, and at onepoint became part

Theres been a lot of media uproar recently surrounding the $16 cupcakes ordered by the US Justice Department. Wed like to take a moment therefore to put this in perspective and introduce you to the $107,000 cupcake. And yep you did just read that right. Back in January of last year, Since1910 in honour of their 100 year anniversary came up with this publicity stunt. The New York based jewellery store commissioned the creation of a $106,794 cupcake (OK, so I exaggerated just a little bit with $107,000 but whats $206 between friends?!). The cupcake came in chocolate or vanilla and was topped with a 5.48 ct round-cut, F color, Si2 clarity diamond, in order to justify its rather hefty price tag. So there you have it maybe the US Justice Departments spend could have been a whole lot worse than it actually was. $16 for a muffin?! Thats a bargain welcome to the $107,000 cupcake! is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

For many people fall and winter vacations arent so much about money, they areabout time and escaping the eternal screech of the smart phone ringer. Some ofthe best fall and winter luxury vacation spots will let you trade in the phone for apair of skis, hiking shoes or scuba gear and come back renewed and revitalized. Three strategies will make any vacation renewing rather than hectic and draining: Timing, avoid high season crowds. Transportation, pay for the best (usually private jets) to get where you want to go in the most efficient manner possible. Safety. Choose places that let you relax without worrying about crime, questionable food or diseases. In the following vacation list these strategies are used to select the best and most rejuvenating North American vacations. 1. Early fall, Yellowstone, hiking. Yellowstone in the fall is miles of empty open space perfect for hiking and reawakening the spirit. The luxury resorts in Jackson Hole and some of the Yellowstone resorts remain

Winter is drawing in, the nights are getting darker, the temperature is starting to plummet, and Im already starting to think about where Id rather be, and where I can be planning my next holiday. To be honest, anywhere that has sunshine, blue skies and sand as far as I can see is a winner for me, but I am drawn to visit a place I thought I could only ever dream about the Maldives. The islands of the Indian Ocean have always been somewhere I have longed to visit. Images of perfect isles scattered lovingly across the clear blue waters lure me in, and with peace and tranquillity abundant seemingly wherever you choose to lay your hat, that draw gets stronger and stronger every day! Believe me, when you spend your days in the presence of a well-travelled team of luxury holiday experts like I do, your tongue ends up hanging out at the prospect of a trip to an island paradise like this. Top of my personal wish list is Soneva Fushi by Six Senses , a favourite of Madonna with an unbelievably

A bottle of Scotch whisky priced at 250,000 Singapore dollars (around 200,000 USD or 125,000) and displayed at a duty-free shop in Singapores Changi Airport, has been sold to a Chinese businessman. The bottle of Dalmore 62 hails from The Dalmore distillery in Alness, Scotland. It is one of just 12 bottles of this 62-year-old single malt ever produced and, at this price tag, a single measure equates to around 12,000 USD. Although this might seem like an awful lot, it could prove to be an excellent investment. This particular malt has risen in value by 100,000 (157,000 USD) in the last 10 years. How much will it be worth in another 10 years, I wonder? The worlds most expensive whisky is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

This delicious dipping sauce is surprisingly easy to concoct, yet is complex in flavour. It will add a lively, spicy Thai zing to grilled meats such as beef or chicken, or to roasts such as pork. Whilst it can be mixed and used immediately, allowing the sauce to stand in the refrigerator for a day or so will only heighten the symphony of flavours.The secret here is to avoid powdered chili and to use only coarse dried chili flakes, where the seeds remain clearly intact. Or better still, use whole, dried, Thai bird eye chillies smoking them briefly in a dry hot pan, before grinding them in a pestle and mortar. Ingredients: 1 tbs hot chili flakes 1 tbs chopped coriander (stems and leaves) 1 tbs chopped green onions A few rings of thinly sliced red shallots 1/4 cup Thai fish sauce (Nam Pla) 5 tbs freshly squeezed lime juice 1 tbs of raw rice, ground & toasted (optional) Directions: Toast the rice grains in a dry frying pan until golden. Grind to resemble coarsely ground black pepper.

This Autumn the Ragosta Hotels Collection properties on the Amalifi Coast and in Sicily are offering great discounted off-season rates at up to 50% off the standard rack rates. Autumn is a great time to travel to Italy because it allows for a more authentic and less-touristy experience, cooler but still temperate weather, and high low-season savings. The exclusive Ragosta Hotels Collection properties (all 5-star) include the Hotel Raito ,on the Amalfi Coast, Relais Paradiso ,named one of Departures Magazine s 10 Most Exclusive Amalfi Coast Hotels, and La Plage Resort in Taormina, Sicily. Low season rates range from 150 to 270 per room, per night. Below you will find all standard room ratesfor this Autumn: Hotel Raito: Standard Rooms from 150 to 240 per room, per night (normally 290) Relais Paradiso: Superior Rooms 250 per room, per night (normally 500) La Plage Resort: Bungalow Garden View Rooms from 250 to 270 per room, per night (normally 380) Autumn offers from the Ragosta Hotel

An anticipant crowd of tourism representatives from across Africa gathered in Egypt Hall, Sharm El Sheikh on Friday 16th September 2011 to attend the Africa and Indian Ocean heat of the World Travel Awards grand tour. Government ministers, tourism board officials and CEOs of a number of leading travel brands attended the event which celebrates the best in African and Indian Ocean tourism. Amongst the winners there were some familiar faces; a number of surprising triumphs and the ascension of several new stars of the industry. One name that has been a feature of this great spectacle for seemingly an age and since its first inception in 2000 has won no less that 30 separate awards including national, continental and global prizes is South Africas own The Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas and Spa . It was no shock then that the luxury property swept to victory once again at the most recent WTA ceremony collecting a further three awards. The Saxon must now also be regarded as the clear favouri

Last weekend we stayed at a lovely self-catering cottage in the north-east of England. Available through luxury holiday home specialists Crabtree & Crabtree , Lake Cottage at Middleton Hall in Northumberland provides the ideal retreat for families looking for a little peace and quiet. We arrived in the darkness of night, after a rather difficult journey through driving rain but were quickly able to feel at home. The fire had been lit in anticipation of our arrival, the cottage was warm and cosy, and we were generously supplied with a bottle of Champagne, a local newspaper and provisions such as milk, orange juice, bread, bacon, eggs, biscuits and chocolates. The property can sleep up to 6 people in three bedrooms: two doubles and one twin with a nautical theme, ideal for children. An open plan living area, dining room and kitchen serves as a sociable space for families to relax in. The kitchen was well equipped with everything you would need, as well as oven, hob, microwave, toas

As a prosperous 21st Century city, Singapore is well known for glittering skyscrapers, bustling trade and thriving tourism. It has grown significantly as a city-break destination, as more and more holidaymakers opt for a long weekend break or a 3 night stopover before flying to a luxury beach island like Sentosa, Bintan or Langkawi. The citys stunning architecture, busy streets and luxury city hotels attract people from all over the world every year. And in the not-too-distant future, Singapore is set to attract even more visitors and tourists, as several events, celebrations and attractions are planned over the next year or so. The showcasing of these tourist events and attractions will further develop Singapores thriving economy and will affirm its place as one of the worlds leading cities. Theres something for everyone to enjoy in the vast tourism plans from exhilarating themeparks to cultural museum openings. One of the main attractions in Singapore is The Universal Studios Theme P

BELGIUM: The Belfry of Bruges, or Belfort - the iconic tower in the centre of medieval Bruges - viewed from the Dijvers Canal. The main tower was completed in 1240, and rebuilt after a major fire in 1280, with the octagonal upper tower added between 1483-87. The tower totals 83m (274ft) high.

One of the best places for autumn leaf-peeping in the U.S. is-- without a doubt-- Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains.

The High Line, above and below. Top photo by Katy Silberger. Wedged into a small space run by the Pace Gallery underneath the High Line at 510 West 25th Street is a new open-air art installation by artist David Byrne . Aptly dubbed Tight Spot , a gigantic inflated globe combines sculptural and audio components. I wanted to go for the graceful vision, the world I knew from childhoodI used to have globes in my house that looked just like this. Its a little lighter and a little more fun. But there is a bit of an ominous message as well, says the artist, David Byrne. On now through October 1, the site will become Paces latest gallery space its fifth in New York City .

The Ritz Paris isn't just one of the prettiest hotels in the City of Light (with a killer location on the Place Vendme), it's also one of the best places to eat. The culinary tradition here goes way back to the days of Cesar Ritz,

Ingredients: Crab shredded pulp 200 gr. Arborio Rice 130 gr. Minced garlic 20 gr. Chopped onion 80 gr. Olive oil 20 cc Butter 20 gr. White Wine 60 cc Zest of one lime Vegetable Broth (Amount Needed) Emulsifield: Cubed Butter 50 gr Mascapone Cheese 50 gr. To decorate: Crab Legs 40 gr. Sliced fried Mandioca 40 gr. Vainilla Oil 20 cc Directions: In a frying-pan with butter and oil saute the onion and garlic. Once the onion is cooked, add the rice and move until the rice become transparent. Then,add the wine in two parts (first a little and then all). When the alcohol is evaporated incorporate little by little the vegetable broth and slightly stir with a wooden spoon (stroking rice) so in that way, the rice leaves starch and will not break the grain.Hydrate the broth as the rice required. 3 min. Before the rice is ready, add the crab and zest of one lime. Incorporate salt and white pepper. Once, the rice is ready remove it from heat and add butter and mascarpone cheese. Mix again. Then ,

Viaje a Ayacucho / Photo by Lorena Flores Agero [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. ] Camden Luxford reflects on visiting a Peruvian town with a dark history. Each bounce on the gravel road knocked my neighbour and I together like billiard balls, the driver rocketing at alarming speed around sharp corners with steep drops at their sides. We passed tiny adobe homes with thatched roofs and livestock out front; neat squares of farmland tucked into the fierce folds of the Andes. The clouds hung low over purple peaks. I was thinking of the opening scene of La Teta Asustada . An old indigenous Peruvian woman, face deeply wrinkled, eyes closed as she leans back again

Lake Como is glamorous. So glamorous that when you Google it words like stunning, jewel-like and George Clooney immediately pop-up. And who could deny that this postcard-perfect landscape of vast blue waters and sloping green hills dotted with terra-cotta villas is anything but dazzling? I certainly cant. Many of the towns and villas that surround Lake Comos Y-shaped shore are worth visiting not just for their glamorous aesthetics, but for the centuries of history that lives within the walls. No matter where you stop along the lake, youre sure to find something beautiful. Whether its shopping in Bellagio, exploring the gardens at Villa del Balbianello, or staying at the glorious Villa dEste, Lake Como will awe you with its elegance and exquisite natural setting. Bellagio This gorgeous little town is affectionately referred to as the pearl of Lake Como, and it may just be. Its historic villas, grand gardens, cafes and the lively Piazza San Giacomo truly separate Bellagio from

Just in time for fashion season this September, Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize is delighted to announce the launch of their new limited edition cocktail menu, to honour the 5 shortlisted designers for the 2011 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize. The menu has been created to honour the 5 shortlisted designers for the 2011 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize. The prize was launched last year to aid up-and-coming designers getting their foot on the notoriously competitive fashion ladder. This year, cocktails have been fashioned to reflect the five designers work and will be available exclusively at those Dorchester Collection hotels located in the worlds fashion capitals: London, Paris and Milan. These hotel bars are hugely popular places to drink during the upcoming fashion weeks. Cocktail menu from Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

One of NYC's finest restaurants-- Eric Ripert's Le Bernardin-- closed for a month in August to revamp the interiors. It's now much more contemporary and sleek in style.

The Madison Washington DC is offering a chance to escape on a romantic getaway with that special someone to enjoy the sophisticated dining and historic landmarks of the nations capital. Whether you want to explore the sights of DC or spend an intimate evening rekindling the flame of romance, The Madison is prepared to accommodate your every wish.

This is clearly fake but its Friday so time for a little fun sit back and admire what is possibly the worlds shortest train! And when youre done, feel free to re-tweet, share on Facebook, Google+ or whatever enjoy! The worlds shortest train is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Paris is really on top of its game right now and so makes the perfect autumn getaway. Iconic hotels such as the Bristol , George V , Plaza Athene and Le Meurice have been spending millions to keep themselves preened to perfection and, consequently, are looking better than ever. They need to be as they face some seriously tough new competition. An Asian invason is under way, a trio of the Far Easts most luxurious hotel chains (Shangri-La, Raffles and Mandarin Oriental) have recently opened properties in the French capital, providing three new ways to seduce someone in Paris. Because although those grande dames have had facelifts worthy of Hollywoods finest, the new pretenders have hit the the ground not so much running as gracefully gliding across the scene like the hospitality industrys answer to Torvill and Dean. Mandarin Oriental Paris The baby of the three, it only opened in June but already its making waves. Usually, luxury tour operators wouldnt touch such a new property for fe