Former Yugoslavian dictator Marshal Tito's lavish villa on Slovenia's beautiful Lake Bled has been refurbished and turned into a top-drawer hotel under the auspices of the famed Relais & Chateaux group. The white Dalmatian marble mansion, called Vila Bled, on 12 landscaped acres surrounded by the dramatic Julian Alps, was visited by the likes of Liz Taylor, King Hussein of Jordan and Prince Charles when it was the former president's retreat in the '50s and '60s. Now it's divided into 20 luxe suites with a vintage feel, with a newly-added spa featuring both Turkish and Finnish saunas and food prepared by the first Slovenian chef to earn a Michelin star. See the gallery for more.

[via UrbanDaddy]

For many skiing is one of the saving graces of winter, one of the few things that make the snow and cold worthwhile. This time of year a trip to the Swiss Alps for great skiing, great food, and great comfort sounds like such a treat -- and it really will be if you're headed to Sir Richard Branson's latest resort getaway: The Lodge, Verbier.

The most expensive chalet in the Alps, it just opened last month. According to this review it's quite the haven of luxury and class, as well it should be considering costs will run you about £36,250/week.

How's this for an ambitious project? A steel and glass pyramid is being constructed for the Klein Matterhorn in the Alps to bring it over the 4,000 meter mark. According to an article in The Guardian, 4,000 meters is the magic height for a mountain, representing a level that most people can never hope to attain. The Klein Matterhorn is already home to the world's highest cable car. In the article, Daniel Luggen or the tourist office in Zermatt is quoted as saying that their "aim is to make the mountain more attractive."

Architect Heinz Julen designed the 100 million Euro Matterhorn Glacier Paradise project that will include the pyramid sky platform and a restaurant and conference center that will be pressurized to avoid altitude sickness. Many are angry over the project, which they see as taking away from the natural beauty of the Alps. The project is just one of many in the area, including plans to turn the Schatzalp in Davos into a luxury high rise.