travel

Kamandalu Resort's "Eat Pray Love" Package

The "Eat Pray Love" frenzy continues and for those who have been inspired to set off on their own soul-searching adventure in Indonesia Kamandalu Resort has come up with their own version of Elizabeth Gilbert's story. The "Eat Pray Love" package starts with your choice of private luxury villa (Garden, Pool, or Deluxe Pool) and includes a variety of goodies all for both you and a guest including daily breakfast, cycling to see the Eat Pray Love movie sets in nearby Ubud, a romantic Italian dinner in the garden, 30 minute spa treatments for each of you, an outdoor activity of your choice (trekking, cycling, village or Royal Palace visit), and a trip to see Elizabeth Gilbert's palm reader. Plus plenty of extras like bottled water in the room, comfy robes and slippers, transportation, and free drinks and coupons at the lounge.

The package is available from September 2010 thru July 2011 and sounds like a nice balance of experiencing the movie's theme while still leaving room for a personalized experience, and if you were really inspired by the movie you can enter their contest and potentially win a trip for free. Otherwise there's a minimum two night stay required with rates ranging from $280 - $440/night, depending on which villa you choose. Let yourself go!

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Tags: Eat Pray Love, indonesia, travel, ubud

Mini Rolls Out Rooftop, Black Jack and Shout Luggage Collections

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Luxury Cars & Autos

Until now, one of the biggest conundrums a Mini owner has faced is how to find a range of luggage that's as insouciant and brash-with-a-smirk as the car they stow it in. No longer. Mini has finally addressed the needs of the hip traveling hordes by coming up with three luggage collections called Shout, Black Jack and Rooftop.

The Rooftop set comprises two rolling hardshell cases called Cabin Trolley and Pilot. The Cabin Trolley comes in Union Jack or black-with-white-racing-stripes motifs, and bears a telescoping handle and two carry handles, a nameplate and integrated lock. Inside is a main compartment fitted with packing belts, a net divider and two side pockets. The Pilot is a smaller affair with compartments for clothes, documents and gadgets, and it swallows a Mini laptop case perfectly.

The Black Jack collection is dressed in – wait for it – all black and adorned with the Union Jack. There are seven options in the range: trolley, cabin trolley, duffle, briefcase, ammo bag, wallet, and toiletries bag. The Shout does just that be bearing large vintage prints of the original Mini and the slogan, "Swinging London." We suppose a "Yeah, baby!" should go here... They'll be available from the Mini shop and select dealers as of next month.

Gallery: Mini Black Jack, Rooftop and Shout Luggage Collections

Source

Tags: luggage, mini, mini black jack, mini blackjack, mini rooftop, mini shout, travel

Hotels Shoulder Checked Bag Fees To Entice Travelers

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Additional charges are a lot about perception. It's not always about the money as much as it is about the idea that you are paying for something you should get for free. We've seen this with the backlash against resort fees and now some hotels are taking on another common traveler complaint, fees for checked baggage. USA Today reports that some hotel companies are offering to pick up checked-baggage fees as an incentive for guests. InterContinental hotels including the Holiday Inn, Hotel Indigo and others are now offering a "Check It Free" promotion. It's a little complicated. To be reimbursed you have to fill out an online form and mail in receipts of both the hotel stay and bag-check fees. After that InterContinental will mail the reimbursement on a Visa debit card.

It's a little easier over at the Kimpton chain of boutique hotels. Their "We've Got Your Bag" promotion requires proof of an airline baggage charge when you check in at any Kimpton Hotel in the country. They pay up to $25 per room but the deal is valid only with Best Available Rate booking and not valid for discounted or negotiated rates or groups.

The USA Today article says that these types of deals are aimed at vacationers and more occasional travelers who may not have amassed the frequent flier perks that allow some to dodge these fees. The point of these deals isn't so much about the savings as it is the sense of goodwill and camaraderie engendered. A variety of hotels have offered these deals in the past. It's an inexpensive way to get a little publicity and it has some appeal for travelers. What we haven't seen yet is third-party travel sites offering to pick up the tab. That might have even more impact.

Tags: checked bag fees, hotels, intercontinental, intercontinental hotels group, kimpton hotels, travel

Riviera Nayarit - Mexico's New Riviera Destination

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

You've doubtlessly heard of -- and perhaps been to -- Puerto Vallarta. Well, just north of there, along central Mexico's Pacific coast, is the state of Nayarit. The coast runs from the tony all-inclusive resorts of Nuevo Vallarta (very near to Puerto Vallarta in the southern part of the state), through the elite and fabulously expensive Punta Mita and up through a series of seaside enclaves catering to all classes of tourists, ending in the sleepy town of San Blas. This coastal region has recently been designated "Riviera Nayarit" and has all the makings of an up-and-coming luxury destination -- and if you're in the market for a vacation home, this area could be your best investment. Let me take you through a couple of the highlights, from the famous polo field in the hipster community to the exclusive resort where the governor likes to stay (no really, he was there when I was, and it wasn't his first time).

Gallery: Riviera Nayarit - Mexico's Latest Luxury Destination

Tags: Four Seasons, golf, Jack Nicklaus, Punta Mita, Riviera Nayarit, San Blas, San Pancho, Sayulita, St. Regis, travel

Continue reading “Riviera Nayarit - Mexico's New Riviera Destination”

Lois Hill, Traveling Joaillier - Exclusive Interview

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Lois Hill is a jewelry designer who travels the world to unearth native and ancient methods of jewelry-making. From granulation (tiny silver dots) dating back to King Tut's Tomb to metal weaves spotted in museum artifacts, Hill's natural curiosity and love of travel has taken her all over the globe to learn, create and teach.

"I think of it as 'working to preserve lost arts,'" says Hill. Her fascination with ancient techniques began with Scandinavian filigree. Born to a Norwegian mother in Illinois, she grew up in a crafty house which strictly believed in principles like "That's not a walnut. That's a Christmas tree ornament or a magnet," Hill recalls with a smile.

Gallery: Lois Hill "Globally Inspired" Jewelry

Tags: Breastcancer.org, CARE, designer interview, Doctors Without Borders, jewelry, jewelry designers, jewelry-making, Lois Hill, travel

Continue reading “Lois Hill, Traveling Joaillier - Exclusive Interview”

Kensington Tours Offers Antarctic Adventure

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

If the hot summer has you dreaming of ice then this might be the time to book an adventure somewhere cold. Really cold. Kensington Tours has launched Kensington Antarctica, an exclusive luxury eco-camp offering once-in-a-lifetime trips to the heart of Antarctica's interior. The sustainable camp, perched on top of a 200 foot icefall, is the first of its kind. The camp has a zero impact policy meaning that there is carbon offsetting for flights, it is solar and wind powered, serves locally sourced food (well, semi-locally, the food comes from South Africa), and all waste is removed and dismantled every season. The main living area is comprised of two large, dome tents with a dining room, library, kitchen and communications area. The camp has only six sleeping tents, each one shared by two people. Gourmet meals are served by an acclaimed chef.

Experiences at the camp include kite skiing, rock and ice climbing, abseiling into crevasses, 4x4 adventures to the coastal ice barrier or to one of the science bases, a flight to the South Pole as well as access to a 12,000-strong colony of fearless Emperor Penguins and their hatchlings.

"Kensington Antarctica is a step forward in our mission to offer private travel to the entire world," says Jeff Willner, founder of Kensington Tours and an experienced explorer himself and a fellow of the Royal Geographic Society. "Once the exclusive domain of explorers and scientists, Kensington Antarctica now gives amateur explorers the opportunity to see landscapes and wildlife at their most untouched with personalized service from experienced professionals and the comfort of a luxury camp."

The Antarctica season runs from late November through January when temperatures average a comparatively mild 23 degrees Fahrenheit. Trips cost from between $9,635 to $48,075 for a 12-day excursion.

Tags: adventure travel, antarctic travel, antarctica, kensington tours, travel

Luxe City Guides White Tiger Travel Chest

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Luxe City Guides White Tiger Travel Chest

Luxe City Guides and Shanghai Tang are celebrating the Year of the Tiger by coming together to launch this limited edition White Tiger Chest. Each chest is skillfully and carefully handmade in maple and ebony veneer maquetry with a lining of luxe kumquat silk. The exterior features a white tiger print under many layers of ultra-high gloss lacquer for extra radiance, a red Chinese "Tiger" character lock escutcheon with key, chrome fittings, and drop-leaf construction. Only 70 collector's chests will be sold, each individually engraved and numbered and each stocked with 30 Luxe City Guides. $1500

Via Bornrich

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Tags: chest, tiger, travel

Bottega Veneta $53,000 Alligator Suitcase

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Luxe Italian label Bottega Veneta has come out with a new version of its posh exotic leather luggage we first wrote about last summer. This season's take on the classic suitcase, made from the world's finest genuine alligator skin, is hand-crafted in soft-finished matte black and dubbed the Nero. Priced at $53,000, the case features burnished metal hardware with reinforced corners and locking mechanisms, along with matching black alligator handles. It also has a padded lining, internal elastic pocket and a removable garment bag. Designed to improve with age and withstand the rigors of travel, it's still obviously not the kind of thing you check on a commercial flight - unless you happen to own the airline.

[via LuxuryLaunches]

Tags: alligator, Bottega Veneta, exotic leather, Italian fashion, luggage, suitcase, travel

The Classicist: The Golden Age of Globe-Trotting

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Books, The Classicist

In these days of full-body scans, machine gun-toting security forces and endless departure delays it can be difficult to recall a time when travel was more enjoyable than onerous. Unless you happen to own a private jet or yacht, however alluring your destination the business of actually getting there these days can seem like more trouble than it's worth at times. A beautiful new book from Taschen reminds us that wasn't always the case. A compendium of 100 years of travel advertisements, 20th Century Travel is a lush visual history of the golden age of globe-trotting, a look back at the era of sexy air hostesses, smoking lounges on planes and bars on private club cars. With a decade-by-decade analysis and an illustrated timeline, the book highlights the cultural and technological developments that "transformed travel from a cushioned journey of the elite into a convenient leisure pastime for the general public".

Advertising is of course one of the best ways of looking at the transformation of travel, in particular the ways in which companies attempted to make it alluring to all strata of society. "At the start of the 20th century, only people with extensive disposable income and time to spare could enjoy leisure travel," the authors note. "By the century's end, journeys took hours, not days, and mass travel - especially brief air flights - became the new normal. Along the way, ocean liners broke speed records, aerodynamic trains roared down the tracks, stylish boat-plane clippers evolved into jumbo jets. Whether aboard high-speed locomotives or ships, jets, or Greyhound buses - or when setting their own schedule on the open road - Americans demanded ever greater mobility and wider choice of destinations, thereby setting a new standard for travelers around the world."

Gallery: 20th Century Travel

Tags: Advertising, American Express, Cunard, private jet, Taschen, trains, travel, yacht

Continue reading “The Classicist: The Golden Age of Globe-Trotting”

YSL Makeup, Even More Portable

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance

If you can imagine such a thing, YSL Beauty has made it even easier to tote your makeup with you. No more fumbling in your purse or makeup bag -- these "Your Lovely Palette" items clip right to your handbag strap or a key ring for instant access. You can be in and out of the ladies room in a flash and still have time for a touchup. Directly inspired by the luggage tag of YSL handbags, the limited-edition palettes comes in two offerings: a deep purple/silvery lavender eye shadow and a rosy lipstick/shimmery gold gloss. All this portability will cost you, though: $65 per duo.

Gallery: YSL Makeup

Tags: eye shadow, lip gloss, lipstick, makeup, travel, YSL

Antler's Size Zero Luggage: Pack More, Weigh Less

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

While I've always had healthy distrust for all things size zero, an exception must be made for this new luggage line. The bags weigh 7 pounds less than the industry standard for a suitcase, which to my way of thinking, means I can pack seven pounds more clothes I simply can't vacation without and still make the mean old airline's 50-pound per bag limit.

Antler, a luggage brand that has been a top-seller in Europe for 90 years, has introduced its new Antler's Size Zero lightweight line. The average 30" suitcase weighs 14 pounds; Antler's weighs in at a skinny 7.3 pounds -- about half the average. Say goodbye to airline fees for overweight bags.

Unlike many ultra-light bags, Size Zero is tough beyond its slim silhouette. It has a patented flexible frame and corner protection system to make it squish-proof. It will hold its own on the luggage carousel and against even the most-calloused baggage handler and comes with a 10-year guarantee. The cases, made of durable 300 x 600 denier polyester, are fully lined and have lockable front pockets.

Antler has specialized in lightweight luggage for years, although it is relatively new to the U.S. market. It's long been the #1 brand in Great Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The collection includes 22", 27" and 30" uprights, a wheeled duffel and a weekender tote with coordinating "grab bag" that are considered a single-piece by London's famously picky security at Heathrow Airport. The 30-inch bag, available in either bronze or black, retails for $240. The rest of the collection is priced from $39 and up.

Tags: antler luggage, luggage, packing, suitcase, travel

Traveteq Adds Trash Messenger and Trash 17-Inch Laptop Bags

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Travelteq describes itself as "travelers for travelers," as in having products for those on-the-go made by those on-the-go. It would be far more accurate to amend that to "discerning travelers for connoisseurs of travel." Earlier this year the company launched a line of totes called "Trash" consisting of Florentine Vachetta leather outers in black (Panther) or brown (Fox) that envelop a water-resistant nylon compartment section available in three hues. The line has now been added to with the Trash Messenger, Trash 17-inch, and Trash Cougar bags.

The series was already brimming with conveniences for movers and flyers: exterior business card and newspaper pockets, a loop for sliding the bag over your roller suitcase, sunglass, cellphone and pen pockets that you could access without unzipping the bag, and four interior compartments – two large and two small. That makes nine, count them, nine in total. With the pocket thing handled, a clamor arose for a larger bag and one that could be slung over the shoulder, needs that the Messenger and 17-inch totes now fill.

As for the slightly smaller Trash Cougar, we're not sure what kind of traveler that bag caters to but we suppose you'll know if it's you. Every Travelteq bag is made by hand, in Italy, and they start at €395 ($495 U.S.) for the Trash original.

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Tags: messenger bag, tote, trash 17-inch, trash cougar, trash messenger, travel, travelteq, travelteq trash

Luxist Review And Giveaway: Tropical Homes of The Eastern Caribbean

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Books

We love beautiful travel photography books and "Tropical Homes of the Eastern Caribbean" by Ozone Zone Books certainly fits the bill. The hardcover book recently won the Benjamin Franklin Award 2010 from the Independent Book Publishers Association.

This bilingual (English and French) book showcases the colorful and rich architecture of the Eastern Caribbean region, taking readers on a virtual adventure through Barbados, Grenada, Bequia, Mustique and St. Lucia. The book covers the full breadth of the architectural experience in the region covering small dwellings in fishing village as well as heritage plantation houses, designer homes and multi-million-dollar mansions and a modern boutique-hotel that defies all standards.

The authors, Derek Galon, experienced art photographer from Europe, and Margaret Gajek, an art historian, researcher and writer, are working on a series of books, of which "Tropical Homes of the Eastern Caribbean" is the first one. The project was born of the authors' passion for fine architecture,nature and for beauty in every form.

I'm giving away my review copy of "Tropical Homes of the Eastern Caribbean" from Ozone Zone Books valued at $44.95.

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before July 13, 2010 at 5:00PM Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
* One winner will receive a copy of "Tropical Homes of the Eastern Caribbean" from Ozone Zone Books valued at $44.95.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.

See complete giveaway rules here.

This contest is now closed. Thank you for your participation.

Tags: eastern carribean, luxist giveaway, travel, travel books

Ecotour Takes Adventurers On A Tour To Meet Gorillas

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Green

Observing gorillas in their natural habitat takes a bit of doing. Terra Incognita Ecotours, an adventure travel company that specializes in wildlife-focused ecotours, is offering an once-in-a-lifetime journey to Rwanda's wilderness, the home of the endangered mountain gorilla. The ecotour also helps to support the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project.

The 10-day trip takes travelers near Rwanda's Virunga Volcanoes, for an adventure that includes tracking the mountain gorillas twice. Other highlights include visiting the grave of famed primatologist Dian Fossey and meeting Dr. Mike Cranfield, a veterinarian from the Mountain Gorilla Veterinarian project who will explain the threats facing these animals and why they need to be protected. Other highlights include seeing a variety of birds, elephant, hippo, giraffe, spotted hyena, buffalo, and crocodiles in Akagera National Park and staying in the newly refurbished Virunga Lodge. A donation will be made to the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project on behalf of each participant. The tour is available November 26- December 5, 2010; March 4-13, 2011 and May 27-June 5, 2011. Cost per person is $6,649, Group size is limited to 16 participants; single supplement is $1,000; international airfare is not included.

Tags: africa, ecotourism, ecotours, gorilla, mountain gorillas, rwanda, travel

Louis Vuitton Personalized Men's Luggage for the Private Jet Traveler

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Men's Style

Louis Vuitton has launched a collection of personalized men's luggage designed as the perfect accompaniment to traveling by private jet, ideal for a posh Father's Day present. The collection is introduced under the famed French luxury goods house's "Mon Monogram" program, harking back to the golden age of travel when aristocrats, sportsmen and military officers would have their custom-made luggage emblazoned with their monogram, emblem, racing or regimental colors. Vuitton has selected four different styles of cases ideal for taking aboard everything from a small sport plane you pilot yourself to a tricked-out G-IV. On offer are the Pégase 45 ($2,800) and 55 ($3,270) wheeled cabin cases (top), the iconic Speedy 40 (bottom left, $1,030) and classic Keepall 55 (bottom right, $1,370). Pick a luxe destination and arrive in style.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Louis Vuitton, luggage, mens style, Mon monogram, private jet, travel

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