vacation

At some point in one's life I think most of us get the urge to experience a piece of the American West with a vacation centered in an upscale cowboy resort. Look no further than the White Mountains of Arizona at Hidden Meadow Ranch where luxury isn't left behind but the hubbub of urban life is. Unique packages beginning this month lure you into the rustic surroundings at an 8,500 feet such as:

• 'Indulge Your Senses' Package: In the month of May guests can enjoy a package for two including private cabin accommodations, three gourmet meals daily, all non-alcoholic beverages and ranch activities such as fishing, horseback riding, hiking, archery and more. Additional sensory-packed amenities will treat guests to guided wildflower and wildlife hikes through the national forest, a complimentary CD filled with soothing mountain sounds, a specially prepared menu of light and fresh dinner fare, a gift basket brimming with spa essentials, and two complimentary one-hour in-cabin massages. (Priced at $550/night)

DuVine Adventures' new "Chef on Wheels" culinary tour series combines two hobbies that don't normally go together: bike riding and gourmet cuisine. The series will begin with a cycling adventure to Piedmont, where riders will enjoy the Italian countryside by day and indulge in the exquisite culinary delights of Chef Josh Ziskin of Boston's La Morra Ristorante, who will be biking along with the group, by night. Visit the great Barolo and Barbera vineyards, explore the beautiful Langhe Hills, and take in the rich landscape of Italy all with your own personal chef. It's the athletic foodie's perfect vacation: adventure, exercise, and great eats! DuVine's Piedmont Bike Tour is scheduled from October 4th - 9th and costs $4295.

Rooms at a Fairmont for $80 per person? The Fairmont Le Château Montebello in Montebello Quebec is celebrating 80 years with some hotel deals. The 80th Anniversary Celebration Package includes an overnight accommodation and dinner for two. This package is offered at a rate of $80 per person, based on double occupancy and is available Sunday to Thursday, April 18 to May 9, 2010. From May 1 to 31, starting from Sundays at noon to Fridays at noon two people can play on the hotel's golf course for $80. The price includes the cart and greens fee. In the spa, guests can order the 80th Seignory Treatment, Maple Forest Hand Treatment or Re-energizing Foot Treatment for, you guessed it $80, from April 10 to May 31, 2010. The hotel's Sunday brunch will also be $80 for two guests on April 18, 25 and May 2, 2010.

In June of 1930, the structure was built as a private Seignory Club for the rich and famous in just four months, with over 10,000 red cedar logs. In 1970, the club was converted into a rustic chic hotel. The hotel is located one hour away from Ottawa and Montreal. It hosted the most recent North American Leaders Summit with President George Bush, President Calderon and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The Zambezi Queen recently set sail for its debut voyage in Botswana and made history in the process as Africa's first luxury river safari and first eco-friendly floating luxury hotel. The Zambezi Queen takes two and three night voyages down the great Chobe river, where its sleek contemporary design contrasts with the lush and wild African landscape. The ship features 14 suites with private balconies for enjoying the view, a dining room overseen by top South African chef Pete Goff-Wood, a library filled with documentaries on African history and wildlife, internet access, a bar with a stylish lounge area and wood-burning fireplace, a shaded deck, and an outdoor pool. To promote conservation and sustainable tourism state-of-the-art technology was used to make the ship as eco-friendly as possible, including a special jet-propulsion system that reduces damage to the river bed and a low-emission power system for on-board electricity needs like lighting and refrigeration.

Safaris have always seemed a bit scary but this seems like a relatively safe way to experience the African wilderness -- from the luxurious viewpoint of a floating private balcony. Rates vary depending on season.

William Wrigley, Jr. bought Santa Catalina Island, off the coast of Southern California, in 1919. Since then the attention paid to the island has waxed and waned, but it looks as if 2010 will be a year of exceptional waxing. The former haven for wealthy cosmopolites is nearing completion of an $11 million refurbish that will put more, and more exciting, offerings on the menu for visitors.

Eleven million doesn't sound like much, but on a small island of just 4,000 people it can go a long way. New exploring options will come via air, land and sea: a GPS ranger-guided walking tour that can take you up the 2,097-foot Mt. Orizaba; a Zip Line Eco Tour with five lines that drop almost 600 feet from top to toe; and a Sea Trek Undersea Adventure during which you actually walk the seafloor using special helmets. It'll be like The Abyss, without having to breathe like a fish. For lighter fare there are still the flying fish, sunbathing seals, foxes, bald eagles, and buffalo safaris.

When respite from the wilds of an idyllic Pacific island is needed, your eye might run to the renovated Pavilion Hotel and its private lanais that is a 17-second walk to the beach, or the redone Descanso Beach Club with its private cabanas and chaise lounges. Meals can be had at the new Avalon Grille restaurant on the water, and post-prandial ports and dessert wines can be enjoyed during a stroll of the green rooms once occupied by Errol Flynn and Cary Grant. Not bad for a lush lump of rock visible from the distinctly buffalo-free Venice Boardwalk.

The renovations will be complete toward the end of Spring. The seals and flying fish are ready for you now.

Some travelers' idea of the perfect vacation involves complete and total rest, others find that it only takes them a day or two to recuperate from the daily work routine and they'd really like to expand their horizons while on vacation. For those of you who fall into the latter group but don't have a ton of time to research your options and plan a trip Fairmont Hotel Group has come up with a solution.

The new Apprentice Trips program recently launched by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts are targeted at those who'd like to learn something new or delve deeper into an activity that is already a hobby while getting away from it all. With twenty different packages to choose from there should be a package that suits almost everybody. Here is a sampling:

• French Immersion Package: At the Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City guests will spend 3 hours a day in private French lessons, go on escorted tours of the city and chateau conducted in French, receive a souvenir French book as well as complementary buffet breakfast and a fruit basket upon arrival.
• Behind the Brewery Package: This Boston based trip includes a private tour and tasting at the Sam Adams Brewery, a special beer pairing dinner in the hotel's dining room with a beer expert and an in-room Samuel Adams "Bucket of Cheer".
• Heritage Takes Flight: Learn about Falconry and Bedouin beliefs while staying at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in the United Arab Emirates.
• Magic of Aromachology Package: based a the Fairmont Monte Carlo a master perfumer will lead guests to Galimard perfumery of Eze for a workshop, receive a 60 minute aromatherapy massage for two and buffet breakfast.

Some of the packages are week long excursions and others only require commitments of a day or two. There are packages that target athletes with hiking, surfing, skiing and golfing given the group's many hotels in more remote locations. There are other companies that offer more in depth learning trips but for those that find themselves heading to one of the Fairmont group hotels these activities might just add needed extra depth to your vacation.

Elizabeth Gilbert wrote a memoir in 2006 titled Eat, Pray Love: One Woman's Search for Everything across Italy, India and Indonesia which became a national bestseller. The book takes the reader along the author's personal quest for equilibrium after a messy divorce and other life snafus. Really it focuses on one woman's question "What am I doing with my life?" Her journey's final stop is in Bali where she starts to find her center and balance. Her search is partially about finding love with an appropriate man but really more significantly learning how to know, love and appreciate herself.

Soon to be a major motion picture staring Julia Roberts the story so captivated readers that it was one of only two books to be on the New York Times Paperback Bestseller list every week of 2008. For those of you who made New Year's resolutions to really examine their life Spirit Quest Tours has organized an amazing spiritual journey to Bali based on the book. The trip will take place in May 2010 and can accommodate thirty-five travelers departing from either New York or Los Angeles. It is a good compromise for those who are not writers and can't leave their desk jobs for a year to travel the world and find themselves.

While the tour has been inspired by the book there are some key differences. First, the tour organizers don't guarantee that you will find love on the vacation and they do not make you stay in little cottages. They do promise that all participants will be pleased to stay in four star accommodations, eco-friendly and with spas, rather than the little cottages enjoyed by the author. The tour does include a visit with Ketut Liyer, an authentic Balinese shaman, who advised Elizabeth Gilbert during her four month stay in Bali. Guests will also have the opportunity to visit local temples, time for yoga and meditation, shopping for items made by local artisans and traditional Balinese dance ceremonies including the Kecak dance. To view the exact itinerary click here.

Will the trip change your life? Who knows, but it does sound like a nice vacation and that seems to be something that is on the top of many to do lists!

So often New Year's resolutions seem to be about the things that no one wants to do: lose weight, go to the gym, spend less money or quit smoking or drinking. Here is a little different take on how to approach 2010; remember to keep your luxury items in good shape and stop saving all the better things in your life for special occasions.

• Use your fine china. If you can stomach it, turn your special occasion plates into your every day dishes. This same attitude can apply to your fine crystal too. Really both can be put in the dishwasher on the fine china and crystal setting as we reported earlier this year.
• Clean your diamond jewelry and make sure you get out of the house enough to wear it. If you have pearls examine them and decide if they need to be restrung.
• Keep your Manolos, Jimmy Choos and any other designer shoes in shape. Bring them into your local shoe repair and have soles attended to, broken straps fixed and scuffs polished away. You can bring your fine leather goods, such as handbags in for the same treatment.
• Drink champagne, not just on New Year's Eve, buy a case and open a bottle at least once a month.
• If you have a wine collection go through it and make a list of the bottles that are properly aged. Invite friends over and open your wine when it is in its prime. If you don't have a collection start one.
• Plan a nice vacation and make the time in your life to take one or two with the people who are most important to you.
• Buy new socks and underwear. Upgrade and look for the nicest undergarments you can find. If you enjoy matching sets buy one for each day of the week.
• Replenish your fine stationery supply. Make sure you have plenty of notes on hand to thank all the people who are going to give you great gifts or invite you for the weekend in 2010!
• If you have a watch collection, rotate the watch you wear weekly. Even if they are valuable, take them out of the leather storage box and enjoy. Time passes quickly.
• Keep your silver polished. If you need to, set aside a day a month to check on silver frames, platters, candle sticks and flatware to see if tarnish has accumulated. If it has, use a cloth or polish handy so that if you decide to use your silver it is ready at a moments notice.
• Cook with luxury ingredients, have special vinegars, truffle oil, saffron and other delicacies in your pantry.
• Go out for dinner. At least occasionally try a high-end restaurant in your area. If it has a sommelier have them recommend a wine you've never tried before. Ask them give you the label to take home at the end of the evening, it is an easy way to keep track of new wines you enjoy.
• If you have fine rugs, have them properly repaired and cleaned.
• Get a massage it can be good for your health.
• If you have a beautiful home, or a special bottle of scotch, invite people over and entertain. Life is better when shared with friends.

Last but not least, if you are fortunate enough to have a luxury lifestyle: count your blessings, enjoy and use your beautiful possessions, share your life with friends and family, and give very generously to those who are less fortunate.

Happy New Year!

Just thinking about the Thanksgiving holiday brings up mixed emotions for many people. Maybe you don't have a lot of family or maybe you have so many people in your family that no matter whose house you choose to go to someone feels slighted. It is also possible that the thought of spending the day in front of the stove preparing for the arrival of your relatives fills you with dread. It could even be simply that you actually love Thanksgiving and the traditional feast that accompanies the day but are in desperate need of a vacation.

There are many options for those who decide they'd rather skip town, relax and let someone else do the cooking.

Blackberry Farm, a Relais & Chateau property located on 4,200-acre estate in the Smokey Mountains, has a special Thanksgiving weekend program. It includes an annual turkey fry held on the lawn, bluegrass music and local artisans at the Fall Harvest Festival, storytelling and the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Enjoy the last of the fall colors at this relaxed retreat which is renown for its Southern hospitality. Rooms start at $995, include meals and children under 10 (not normally permitted at the property) are allowed over the holiday.

If you need a long weekend at the beach Seven Stars at Grace Bay on Turks & Caicos may be just the place to put up your feet. The resort which is adjacent a marine preserve and is surrounded by white sand beaches is offering a Thanksgiving special with rooms starting at $401 a night for an Ocean View Junior Suite.

Jackson Hole Wyoming's Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa is offering a special "Thankfully in Jackson " package. It includes four nights lodging, their famous breakfast, two one-hour massage therapy sessions at The Body Sage, admission to The National Museum of Wildlife Art, and unique afternoon activities including a local history walking tour, and presentation by staff biologist from The Teton Science School. Their restaurant The Wild Sage, will host an evening wine and cheese tasting reception and last but not least a spectacular Thanksgiving feast for two. All this begins at rates of $1308.00 per couple and up.

Have a great trip!

This summer a lot of people are staying closer to home and discovering the joys of the U.S. You might not think of the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas as an ideal vacation destination but a new eco-lodge in the Ozarks offers lakeside views and some luxury amenities that make vacationing in the land of Walmart a bit more enticing.

Anedodi is designed for families or groups to share a vacation getaway. The lodge on Lake Norfolk has a contemporary style with double rainfall showers, egg baths, and woven circular daybeds. Green features such as dual flush toilets, recycled tiles, reclaimed wood furniture, bamboo bedding, and organic towels are in evidence. Summer on the lake includes waterskiing, wakeboarding and fishing. The local national park has places to hike, rock climb or paddle a canoe. The weekly rate in the high season is $5,995 and includes daily maid service and a fully stocked refrigerator but if you book before July 31 they will take 20 percent off your stay.

Summer will be here soon, and if you have not yet planned a vacation, now's the time. Here's an idea: The Ritz-Carlton, a name synonymous with luxury accommodations, just introduced two vacation packages made to create memories with "a selection of offerings that are not just about spending less, but experiencing more." The "Peace of Mind" or "Reconnect" packages are available in city and resort locations in the United States as well as abroad.

The Peace of Mind package includes accommodations, daily breakfast for two, Internet, local calls, parking and up to three complimentary nights The Ritz Kids special activities program is available for two youngsters. The Reconnect package includes accommodations and a credit to spend within the hotel. The range of value-added options are for travel between now and September 30, 2009.

President Obama vacationed in Hawaii in December but not a lot of other people did. The Honolulu Star Bulletin reports that Hawaii's hotels and resorts experienced their lowest occupancy in December since the aftermath of 9/11. The hotel occupancy ratewas 60.9 percent in December, down from 70.4 percent the year before. Revenue per room was also down and the average daily room rates were off by almost five percent. The occupancy rate for the year was 70.4 percent which was down 4.6 percent overall.

It's not predicted to get better any time soon. Joe Toy, president and chief executive officer of Hospitality Advisors LLC, who spoke yesterday at the annual Travel & Tourism Research Association/Pacific Asia Tourism Association tourism forecast seminar said that he expects that the recovery phase won't begin until summer 2010. It is expected that some businesses will close during the slowdown and much of the recent growth in the past few years will be lost.

One of the world's most exotic resorts Frégate Private Island, in the Seychelles is now offering Banyan Hill, the private villa belonging to the island's owner up for rent. Banyan Hill is located atop a plateau for perfect private views of the beaches and ocean. The villa is on the eastern side of the island, away from the resort's 16 guest villas and accessible only via a private pathway, Banyan Hill is three separate villa, each with a large bedroom, veranda and bathroom - all centered around a shared living area with a terrace, pool, seating area and al fresco cooking facilities. Banyan Hill is attended by a private chef and no less than three butlers. The villa can hold up to six adults and three children for €10,000 per night with a minimum five-night stay.

We're only a month and change into winter, but here on the East Coast it's been a tough one so far. I've been daydreaming about a vacation, but my luggage is not travel-ready -- it's old and drab. Looking for something with more panache, I came upon Tumi's Townhouse Collection.

My favorite piece is the Groom Train Case. Traveling with this would make me feel as if I were one of the ladies boarding a ship for a cross-Atlantic journey many years ago, when wealthy travelers seemed to pack their whole houses into trunks and then have their staff move them on and off the ship at every port of call.

The Townhouse Collection features 38 styles that range from the $6,995 Wardrobe Trunk to the $150 Constitution Tie Case. All styles are offered only in black (I would love to have seen some brighter colors), and are made from leather or fabric. The collection has two sub-sets: Travel and Business, which include trunks, wheeled cases, hand-held briefcases, satchels, a garment case, duffels, messenger/body bags, clutches and small zipped cases.

Check out the gallery for a look at a few of the styles.

It's been a long journey but the Montage Beverly Hills is finally ready for guests. The company opened the Montage Laguna Beach in 2003 and have been working on their Beverly Hills location since 2005, fighting a battle in order to begin construction. The Montage Beverly Hills is a 201-room luxury hotel situated in the "golden triangle" of Beverly Hills and it is the first new luxury hotel to be built in Beverly Hills in more than 16 years. The hotel has a Spanish Colonial Revival design and features details like hand-painted ceilings in the Marquesa ballroom and the Library and a curator-assembled art collection. There are three restaurants and a two-level spa with a fitness facility, relaxation area and beauty salon.

The guest rooms and suites are designed to reflect the glamour of old Hollywood but with the latest in technology. Rooms range from 500 to up to 5,000 square feet. Guest services include 24-hour check-in, complimentary John Lobb shoe shine, custom-designed suit hangers and Agraria's golden pomegranate scented bath products. Guests who book Corner Suites and higher can borrow Mercedes-Benz cars to use during their stay.

The restaurants include Parq, an 88-seat restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and signature dishes include Marinated "Japanese Kobe" Cobb, Cannelloni of Braised Short Ribs and Cedar Plank Medallions of Spiny Lobster. For dinner, the 44-seat Muse serves exotic seafood and prime meats. Bordering the rooftop pool, The Conservatory Grill offers all-organic options for breakfast and lunch.

Hotel Chatter reports that rooms, which usually start at a steep $595 a night, can be had for a $425 introductory rate.