Treetops

The Ten Best Family Vacation Destinations Around the World

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Children

Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island's Kona Coast.

Luxist readers have selected their favorite luxury vacation spots for families around the world. From Scotland, France, New Zealand, and South Africa to Hawaii, Colorado and the Galápagos Islands, these destinations offer wonderful programs tailored specifically for children, in addition to luxurious accommodations and other incredible amenities.

The top ten vacation destinations for families, according to our readers, include:

Abercrombie & Kent's River Barge Cruise Through the Burgundian Countryside (France)
Abercrombie & Kent offers many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for family vacations, but one of the most special trips has got to be its river barge cruise through the Burgundian countryside. A chartered seven day cruise aboard La Belle Epoque, A&K's 126-foot-long, 16.5 feet wide barge, is a luxurious and relaxing way to travel and taste award-winning Burgandy wines.

The barge, which is equipped with six cabins, all outside facing and each equipped with en-suite bathrooms. There's one deluxe double cabin; one deluxe twin/double; two twin/double cabins and two cabins each with twin beds. There's also a small swimming pool, a sauna and several sun decks. Bicycles are also available for anyone in the family wanting to cycle in the towns the barge visits. A gourmet chef is on board to prepare all of the meals, which are included in the cost of the excursion.

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In Harmony: New Zealand And Emerging Luxury Travel Trends, Part 1

by Susan Kime (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

In my recent Luxist articles,The Dawn Of A New Economy, and Is The Recession Over?, I have discussed a multiplicity of luxury trends, derived from the Luxury Summit discussions and research, and from the American Affluence Center Research, Spring 2010. These new trends suggest changes in high end spending and saving, redefining what is newly important to consumers. Such changes have been enhanced by the recession that has at best lightly touched and at worst deeply affected both the aspirational and inspirational high net worth populations. Much of this research suggests changes in purchasing attitudes that range from a more conspicuous to a more conscious consumption, allowing for less artifice and more authenticity, less presumption and more purpose, less spending and more investing – all in material and experience that mean more than just acquiring more stuff.

Within the past year also, a greater interest has emerged in high end, authentic adventure travel, multi -generational family travel, and all with a greater eco-sensitive outlook. These luxury travel trends correspond, and indeed harmonize with high end travel offerings found in New Zealand, the youngest, least populated (still more sheep than people, 16 million sheep, 4 million people), and arguably one of the most unspoiled, green, eco-sensitive and adventurous and adventuresome country left in the world.

Tags: adventure travel, adventuretravel, air new zealand, christchurch, george hotel, laffluent reserach, maori, new zealand, New Zealand affluent travel, new zealand travel, remarkables mountain, treetops, TreetopsLodge

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Treetops, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Frank Lloyd Wright protege Wesley Peters designed this incredible home composed of overlapping concentric circles. The private 80-acre estate offers total privacy with nature trails, a stream and a pasture. It includes a high tech roof and a five-car Wright-style garage. It is located in Vermont, Wisconsin which is about a half hour away from Madison. The home has been through a remodel and restyle but maintains the vision of the original architect. It is listed at $2 million.

Gallery: Treetops

Tags: estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, frank lloyd wright, FrankLloydWright, treetops, vermont, wesley peters, WesleyPeters, wisconsin, wisconsin real estate, WisconsinRealEstate

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Treetops Lodge & Estate: New Zealand's Ultimate Lodge & Wilderness Experience

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Some families prefer the beach, some the ski slopes. But for those who find solace in the forest, it's hard to beat Treetops Lodge & Estate in New Zealand, a Luxist nominee for Best Luxury Family Winter Vacation.

Nestled in a rugged 2,500 acres of native forest on the edge of the Mamaku Plateau, Treetops boasts a game reserve, seven trout streams, four lakes, over 70 kilometers of hiking trails, plus mountain biking and horse riding opportunities. Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest, is less than an hour away by car; Cape Kidnappers, with its dramatic seaside golf course, is a three hour drive.

Located 140 miles southeast of Auckland, Treetops is the gem of greater Rotorua. The area is a trout-fishing mecca and is also home to some of the most colorful geothermal features in the world – bubbling mud pools, volcanic craters and geysers. Some of New Zealand's best vineyards – Craggy Range, Te Mata, Sileni – are a stone's throw from the lodge. The area is also a major hub of the Maori, New Zealand's aboriginal inhabitants, whose carefully carved meeting houses dot the landscape.

The Lodge Wing accommodates eight guests in four suites with ensuites, all sharing a "state of the art" kitchen. There are also eight privately situated villas complete with a bedroom, spacious bathroom with spa bath, lavish lounge with fireplace and a small kitchenette. Fine cuisine is an integral part of the Treetops experience with healthy dishes created by the lodge's talented chefs using locally grown produce, complemented by an array of fine New Zealand wines. Guests can choose to have an intimate dining experience in the library or with fellow guests in the main dining room.

Lodging can be had at Treetops starting at about $400 per night per person. Since New Zealand's summer coincides with North America's winter, peak season can drive rates up even further. For a family of adventurous foresters, it's worth it.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of the Winter Travel categories. Readers' Choice Awards for the Best in Winter Travel will be announced on January 31st.

Gallery: More from Treetops

Tags: awards-main, luxist-awards, new zealand, NewZealand, Treetops, Treetops Lodge, TreetopsLodge, winter-travel-awards, winter-travel-main

Treetops, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

We see plenty of Victorian-inspired homes so it's always nice to see one that is the real deal. Treetops was built in 1859 and has been lovingly restored. It sits on 11 acres and has six bedrooms. The six-bedroom home is full of Victorian details such as marble fireplaces in the bedrooms, pocket doors, bay windows, crown moldings and wide porches. The property includes a carriage house and an in-ground pool. It is listed at $8.5 million. After the jump, roses everywhere.

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Tags: estate of the day, real estate, treetops, victorian

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