Tagged: luxury travel

New Luxury Catered Villas

ScottDunncateredvillas New Luxury Catered Villas

Master bedroom at Villa Quinta do Esperanca in Portugal.

Travel company Scott Dunn has introduced new luxury catered villas in Portugal and Spain.

These family-friendly villas offer bespoke gourmet cuisine prepared by an experienced chef, a villa host and nanny services.

Here are more villa details:

  • Villa Quinta do Esperanca, Algarve (sleeps 12 + 4 in a separate cottage).  In the style of a Portuguese manor house, Quinta do Esperanca is set on two acres of landscaped grounds in the hills of the Algarve, 20 minutes from the beach. The property offers a games room, outdoor swimming pool and floodlit tennis court.
  • Villa Alfabia, Mallorca (sleeps 8 in Main House and Casita).  In the Vall de Marche valley with Tramuntana mountain views, Villa Alfabia is a traditional restored Finca farm. Set on five acres of Mallorcan countryside, the property features a private pool, large outdoor terrace and separate barn/children’s playroom.

“Families are now seeking a holiday experience that combines the impeccable attention to detail and service of a boutique hotel with the space and privacy of a villa,” says Andrew Dunn, founder.

“Our superb new villas in the family favorite destinations of the Algarve and Mallorca are an important addition to our growing European summer program.”

For more info, visit ScottDunn.com.

Image courtesy of Scott Dunn

Luxury In Auckland, New Zealand

NewZealandHotelDeBrett Luxury In Auckland, New Zealand

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Hotel DeBrett in Auckland, New Zealand.

Are you on a New Zealand mountain holiday and need a city break?

Then check out Auckland’s Hotel DeBrett which has joined the Design Hotels portfolio.

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Hotel DeBrett is just a short walk to restaurants, bars, art galleries, theaters and museums.

In the city’s fashion district, this 25-room hotel is designed and run by Michelle Deery and John Courtney.

Each guest room has an unique design featuring eclectic furniture and New Zealand art and photography.

Reinventing one of Auckland’s oldest hotels, Hotel DeBrett has kept features including open gas-burning fire, oak floorboards and exposed brick walls.

At The Kitchen restaurant, chef Mark Sycamore serves seasonal dishes using fresh local ingredients.

The drawing room offers hotel guests a retreat outfitted with board games, a record player and a selection of books and DVDs.

Guest can also access free gym access and all meeting spaces (courtyard, basement, loft suite and boardroom).

Rates at Hotel DeBrett include continental breakfast, free Internet access, free local calls and a pre-dinner drink every night.

Images courtesy of Hotel DeBrett

Luxury In Zermatt, Switzerland

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Mountain views from Chalet Zermatt Peak.

Called Zermatt’s “über-chalet”, Chalet Zermatt Peak is one of the hottest ski chalets for the 2010/2011 ski season.

Luxury ski tour operator Scott Dunn now offers Chalet Zermatt Peak for booking.

Above Zermatt village with breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, Chalet Zermatt Peak is setting a new standard in Alpine chic.

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Bedroom in Chalet Zermatt Peak.

Scott Dunn operates luxury ski chalets in the Alps.

The company specializes in tailor-made travel to Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, India & Arabia, Latin America and Oceans & Islands.

Stylish and sophisticated, Chalet Zermatt Peak features five en-suite double bedrooms.

The chalet’s open-plan living area has floor-to-ceiling windows with mountain views, library, internal elevator and wine cellar.

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Spa at Chalet Zermatt Peak.

A glamorous spa offers a masseuse, sauna, steam bath, and large Jacuzzi which stretches from the wellness area onto the outside terrace.

The chalet’s fully-equipped gym has the latest cardiovascular cross trainer, cycle, vibration plate and free weights.

State-0f-the-art technology includes HD cinema screens with DVD library; B&O sound system with connections for iPod and iPhone; WiFi; Wii game console and games and flat screen TVs in all bedrooms with cable and satellite.

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Chalet Zermatt Peak by night.

The chalet staff features butler, gourmet chef, personal concierge, ski instructor/guide, chauffeur, chalet host and housekeeper.

For more info, visit the Scott Dunn site.

Images courtesy of Scott Dunn

Cliff Golf Holidays

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Terravista Golf Course in Brazil.

Mountain golf courses can be challenging for every level of golfer.

In Brazil, golf travelers can play the 18-hole Terravista Golf Course which runs along the cliffs of Trancoso.

Designed by architect Dan Blankenship, the golf course takes players into Atlantic rainforest with lake holes, sand bunkers, jungle boundaries and upon ocean cliffs.

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Villa Golf at night.

Website WelcomeBeyond.com offers holidays here in Brazil at vacation properties.

Luxury boutique hotel and pousada Villas de Trancoso, Bahia, Brazil is located on Nativos Beach and a short walk away from the historic ,Quadrado’ of Trancoso.

Villa Golf, in the Terravista Complex, is a four-bedroom villa overlooking the 17th hole of the Terravista Golf Course.

The villa features two decks; three bar areas including sunken pool bar; waterfall; large entertainment center and four bedroom suites.

This home of panoramic views also comes with a full time maid and butler/bartender.

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The Beach.

For more info, visit WelcomeBeyond.com.

Images courtesy of WelcomeBeyond.com

Along Ceylon Tea Trails

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Dilmah Tea’s Ceylon Tea Trails in Sri Lanka has become a member of Relais & Châteaux.

Recognized for its “unique character, gourmet cuisine and outstanding service”, The Tea Trails is the first Sri Lankan property to belong to the association.

Four hours from Colombo and 4,000 ft above sea level, the property features colonial plantation bungalows with turn-of-the-century period furniture.

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The four bungalows have their own manager, chef and butler and 24-hour service.

Guests can participate in popular activities including hiking, mountain biking, croquet, tennis, spa treatments and high tea.

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For mountain travelers, The Tea Trails Bungalows can be an ideal base for climbing the Adam’s Peak holy mountain and Kandy and Nuwara Eliya.

Guests dine on traditional Sri Lankan and tea inspired dishes such as Earl Grey tea-infused, cured Atlantic salmon.

Established in France in 1954, Relais & Châteaux is considered the hallmark authority on luxury and unique establishments around the world.

For more info, visit the Ceylon Tea Trails site.

Images courtesy of Ceylon Tea Trails

A Global Luxury Hotel Collection

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Kiwi Collection on the iPad.

If you’re a luxury and mountain traveler, you have a new resource: the World’s Luxury Guide Luxury Hotel Collection.

This upscale travel resource, by Kiwi Collection and World’s Luxury Guide, will enable you to find and book luxury hotels around the globe.

The collection is powered by Kiwi Collection which has 2,200+ properties in 128 countries.

Based in Vancouver, Kiwi Collection, with offices in Sydney and London, is an “independent curator of hotels founded by people with a passion for travel.”

The World’s Luxury Guide is the “ultimate luxury and lifestyle Guide for the affluent consumer.”

This guide gives readers personal insider tips from experts, users and celebrities.

Image courtesy of Kiwi Collection

Cruising New Zealand

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Fancy cruising New Zealand?  Then check out cruises of the Marlborough region of New Zealand with luxury small ship cruise company Island Escape Cruises.

The 5-night cruise will visit some of the famous Marlborough vineyards on New Zealand’s South Island, known for its Sauvignon Blancs, red wines and gourmet restaurants.

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The ‘Island Passage’s’ chef will also present onboard gourmet meals with locally sourced products to complement the region’s wines.

Trip highlights will include:

  • Private charter plane from Wellington to Picton;
  • Onboard wine guide;
  • Cloudy Bay winery with a gourmet lunch;
  • Allan Scott wines;
  • Forrest Estate winery;
  • Wither Hills winery;
  • Hertzog winery;
  • Gourmet lunch at the Hertzog bistro;
  • Hunter wines winery;
  • Makana Chocolate Factory;
  • Walking the Queen Charlotte Track;
  • Kayaking or beach combing;
  • On board expedition leaders and
  • Free small boat excursions with guides.

Images courtesy of Island Escape Cruises

A Barefoot Traveler In Singapore

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Sigiriya Rock, Sri Lanka.  Photo credit: Barefoot Traveller

UK travel company Barefoot Traveller has opened a new Singapore office.

Known for its tailor made holidays, the company has expanded Asia-Pacific holidays. They can range from a family adventure in New Zealand; a detox getaway to India to a wedding in Sri Lanka followed by a honeymoon in the Maldives.

Here are a couple special offers by Barefoot Traveller:

  • Sri Lanka, August 1 to October 31, 2010. A chance to see some of Sri Lanka’s most popular sites including Sigiriya Rock, Dambula Rock Temple, Kandy and Polonaruwa in a 5-night tour and 2-night beach stay at the Heritance Ahungalla resort.
  • Koh Samui, September and October. A weekend of chilling out includes 2 nights at Beach Republic; a Sunday BBQ buffet; a 60 minute aromatherapy massage for two and a Food and Beverage voucher for 1,000 THB.

For more info, visit the Barefoot Traveller site.

A Serengeti Adventure

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Fancy adventure on the Serengeti?   Orion Hotels has opened a new camp, Serengeti Bushtops, a sister camp to Mara Bushtops in Kenya.

Opened in June, the new camp features huge luxury tents which are adesigned by Drei Meta.   The company is now offering a special discount from July to November.

“Imagine yourself standing on the 120 square meter deck, gazing out over the stunning scenery of the Serengeti or watching the sun downer from your hot tub,” says the company.

Here are more scenes from Mara Bushtops:

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Lounge.

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Images courtesy of Orion Hotels

Seeing India Differently

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Photo credit: Ananda in the Himalayas

Are you planning a trip to India?  Then you might want to check out travel company Hadrian Travel’s See India Differently founded by traveler and Mumbai resident Mark Trayling.

“See India Differently peels back the layers of this magnificent country to reveal a vibrant destination with opportunities for relaxation, escape, wildlife safaris and adventure,” says Trayling.

For globetrotters who crave experiential travel,  the company customizes luxury travel itineraries and pre-screens all vacation offerings.

See India Differently features:

  • Relaxation spas. “India’s finest include Ananda in the foothills of the Himalayas and the Oberoi Wildflower at Shimla. At these idyllic spots, ancient modalities, including yoga and Ayurvedic medicine, complement your standard R&R retreat to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul.”
  • Pristine beaches. “The Andaman Islands are one of India’s secret treasures, with long stretches of clear blue water and pristine white sand, encircled in forest. Escape to another world.”
  • Himalayan adventures. “How about heli-skiing in the highest mountain range in the world?”
  • A wine lovers’ delight. “Nashik is one of the fastest growing wine regions in the world; wander the vineyards for an intimate glimpse at the grape cultivation process.”
  • The Indian Big Five – tigers, leopards, elephant, buffalo and rhino. “Kanha National Park, the setting for Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, is just one of many places rich in wildlife.”

For more info, visit the See India Differently site.