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March 16, 2010 | Contributor: Christina Stewart
 Luxury Tours: In today’s fast-paced world, where cutting-edge innovation is virtually at your fingertips, and the information super highway is as fast as your cellular network, traveling abroad has never before been so convenient. While the latest smartphones may be equipped with applications for maps, and other helpful resources, in an ideal world the most comprehensive traveling tool would include audio tours, city guides, and GPS-enabled tours.
Trek Exchange just does that. The company serves as a worldwide marketplace for downloadable e-tour content, which is provided by developers from around the world. Anyone who has a smartphone, an iPod, or an MP3 device can simply download one of the tours and begin their trek into what otherwise would be considered the unknown. Each of the tours provides a rich multimedia experience with interesting stories, pictures, history and information about the local landmarks that are included on one’s itinerary.
Related Topics: Luxury Vacations, Tours |
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March 12, 2010 | Contributor: Debbi & William D. Kickham, Esq.
 Luxury Vacations: The locals say “Maui No Ka Oi,” meaning “Maui is the best.” And it’s no surprise. With its warm waters, beautiful beaches, famous rainbows, magnificent sunsets, and oceans of activities, Maui is a superb vacation destination.
How to make the most of your stay?
Our first word of advice: When you land, get a free copy of Maui Gold at the airport. This slim little volume will provide you with more information than you ever bargained for, providing an overview of everything there is to do on the island.
Also — remember. All beaches in Hawaii are free, public beaches. And while, as a JustLuxe reader, you’re probably going to stay at a five-star resort with a magnificent beach — nothing is to stop you from going next door if you like the sands over there better. We recommend Kaanapali Beach, which is known for its smooth waters and excellent snorkeling. Take our advice and buy an inexpensive tube at the ubiquitous ABC stores, have them blow it up for you, and you can spend your afternoon floating with your posterior in the Pacific. In fact, we can’t think of a better way to spend any day.
That said, here are some of our favorite things we did on our most recent trip, which you should definitely add to your agenda.
Related Topics: Luxury Vacations, Maui, Travel Guide |
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March 08, 2010 | Contributor: Ruth Mitchell
 Wedding Planners: Today’s modern bride and groom are typically heavily invested in their careers, and that’s why destination weddings have become so popular. There are other obvious benefits to destination weddings such as a romantic setting, say on the beach at Maui, that provide a non-traditional personalization to your wedding vows.
With your family and friends gathered around you as the wedding unfolds it is a much more personal and intimate experience. Given enough advance notice, wedding attendees often enjoy participating in a destination wedding, folding it into their vacation plans.
Another bonus of course for the bride and groom is the luxury of being able to enjoy the reception without having to jump on an airplane and endure a long-distance flight before reaching their honeymoon destination.
Related Topics: Luxury Vacations, Maui, Weddings |
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March 01, 2010  Luxury Vacations: Avid horseman Sir Winston Churchill once said that “A polo handicap is your passport to the world.” Jeff Evelyn, vice captain of the storied Barbados Polo Club on the posh island resort, is now offering polo lessons for those who want to learn the sport of kings. Polo in the former British colony, where Queen Elizabeth II is nominally still head of state, dates back to 1884 and has long been the province of British aristocrats with mansions on the island paradise. Barbados is also home to Sandy Lane, considered by many to be the world’s finest beach resort.
You’ll need to have at least basic horse riding skills before setting out to learn playing polo. Evelyn’s beginner’s course consists of personal instruction on wielding the mallet, hitting the ball, and of course staying in the saddle while doing so; he provides the polo ponies from the club’s stable. Once you’re comfortable Evelyn will stage practice matches at the club’s Holders polo grounds in St. James so you can try scoring a goal. The Barbados Polo Open, where world-class sportsmen such as Britain’s Prince Harry compete, takes place March 14-21.
Related Topics: Luxury Vacations, Polo, Barbados |
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February 26, 2010 | Contributor: Merilee Kern
.275.jpg&w=400&h=400) Family Vacations: As one of more than 50 resorts worldwide operated by the award-winning, industry leading Marriott Vacation Club, Marriott's Shadow Ridge in Palm Desert, California is a must-stay Southern California destination for families seeking luxury-laden R&R intertwined with a healthy dose of fun. Indeed, this kinetic kid-friendly property is a veritable 312-acre oasis nestled within the natural beauty of the desert and framed by spectacular mountain vistas. If you're looking for a resort with stylish and spacious accommodations, stellar customer service, copious kids' activities, thoughtful amenities, and numerous recreation, dining, shopping, and spa experiences conveniently accessible, then Marriott's Shadow Ridge is for you.
Fine Design
I recently vacationed at the property with my two young children and was duly impressed with the urbane villa accommodations — 497 on the property in all with a whopping 984 in total planned upon build-out.
Related Topics: Luxury Vacations, Marriott, Palm Springs, Family Vacations, Luxe List |
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February 17, 2010 | Contributor: Christina Stewart
 Luxury Tours: If you haven’t already read Elizabeth Gilbert’s best-selling book, Eat, Pray, Love, then chances are you’ve at least heard the rave reviews. The New York Times best seller has proved so popular, that a second book, as well as a feature film starring leading lady Julia Roberts, is already in the works. But the excitement doesn’t stop there, as fans can now experience the book first-hand and retrace the steps of Gilbert’s mind-awaking journey through Indonesia.
Spirit Quest Tours, a boutique spiritual tour company based out of Las Vegas, has created a new guided tour that takes you through the enchanting island of Bali. Staying true to the book, the tour will focus on the simple — yet profound — three key elements that the book is based upon: Eat, Pray, Love. Travelers will eat both Italian and Balinese food, pray how the Balinese Hindus pray, and witness the love and emotion that goes into the spiritual Kecak dance.
“Bali is all about love,” according to Spirit Quest Tours’ founder Greg Roach. “Will all the singles on this tour go home with the love of their life, as Gilbert did? Roach laughs. “We don’t make any guarantees!”
And unlike Gilbert, who slept in little cottages along the way, Spirit Quest Tours has arranged much more luxurious accommodations in an attempt to deliver a four-star experience. While in Ubud, the artistic center of Bali, guests will stay at the eco-friendly Alila Hotel. The guided tour through Bali includes visiting local temples, such as the famous Taneh Lot, traditional sightseeing adventures, a torch-lit dinner on the beach, and even includes lavish spa and shopping excursions. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet Ketut Liyer, the Balinese shaman who was an instrumental character in the book.
The seven-day Eat, Pray & Love Bali tour kicks off on May 20, 2010 and is priced at $2,995. If you’re looking for a soul-searching expedition, taken straight from the pages of your favorite book, you might want to act quickly as space is limited to only 35 travelers.
Related Topics: Luxury Vacations, Tours, Bali, Books |
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February 11, 2010 | Contributor: James Rothaar
 Vacation Properties: Is there a fantasy that takes place at a chalet where this lakefront property wouldn’t make the ideal setting for it? From its numerous viewing angles to its extraordinarily rich insides, this all-season vacation retreat is stupendous squared. The harmonic convergence of luxury and nature is a sensorial experience to be relished and remembered for a lifetime.
There are seven bedrooms and eight baths in the main house along with a game room, a pool table, a home theater, a large chef-styled kitchen, a gym, a wine cellar and tasting room as well as an office with a fireplace. Adding to the Great Outdoors sensation is a 145-foot pier with boat slips. It serves as a hub for water-related activities on the lake from swimming to fishing to boating and more.
Weekly rates vary through the year.
Notable: The highest weekly rate listed is the Fourth of July at $60,000.
Related Topics: Luxury Vacations, Lake Tahoe, Luxury Rentals |
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February 03, 2010 | Contributor: James Rothaar
 Luxury Vacations: There is more to Central Florida than Orlando and theme parks. Did you know that Siesta Key Beach in the Sarasota area has award-winning white sands? A few of the nods of approval issued by various highly valued travel publications include "third best walking beach in the USA,” "best of best sand," and one of "America’s best beaches." It is an eight-mile slice of idyllic beach that is not as well known as other desirable destinations of Florida.
While the Siesta Key Public Beach offers nice amenities, including lit tennis courts and a 20-station fitness trail, for family fun and groups, Turtle Beach, Palms Point Beach and Crescent Beach offer the same inviting white sands sans concession stands and other touristy attractions. In other words it is secluded and scenic.
Crescent Beach’s Point of Rocks is a haven for scuba divers. Palms Point Beach is used by fishermen and can be accessed by a small ferry from Turtle Beach. There are various luxury beachfront rental properties available for vacationers and those on extended stays.
Related Topics: Luxury Vacations, Florida |
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February 02, 2010 | Contributor: Christina Stewart
 Luxury Vacations: With an incredible landscape, adventure lurking around every corner, and an exciting and eclectic culture, Australia has topped the list as one of the most sought after destinations among Americans for more than a decade. From its vibrant cities and rugged outback, to its friendly people and local events, Australia truly offers something for just about everyone.
For those searching for an exciting adventure and an overall new and unique experience, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite activities in some of the most popular Australian destinations, as well as some of the more remote and off-the-beaten path locales.
Related Topics: Luxury Vacations, Australia, Adventure |
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January 29, 2010 | Contributor: Christina Stewart
 Luxury Vacations: From fish and chips to lamb and lobster, Australian cuisine is as vast and varied as the outback itself. It’s the vibrant Australian lifestyle that guides the sophisticated tastes of the locals and sets the arena in which mates can gather, eat, drink and toast the good life.
Wine, too, plays an integral role in the country’s relaxed lifestyle and with an abundance of local varietals, such as the popular Shiraz, Australia is a welcoming respite for both novice and serious wine connoisseurs alike. When sampling the area’s finest wines, why not experience the landscape and culture as well by strolling through the countryside?
Related Topics: Luxury Vacations, Australia, Culinary, Wine |
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January 27, 2010 | Contributor: Christina Stewart
 Luxury Vacations: Imagine exploring the depths of the underwater world; skimming past vibrantly colored coral reefs; and swimming alongside giant sea turtles. Now imagine getting to experience all of this without having to worry about any special kind of scuba certification. All of this is made possible with a little thing we like to call “snuba.”
No, this is not a typo, I actually meant to write snuba. As a hybrid of snorkeling and scuba diving, snuba is quickly becoming a preferred way to discover the majestic underwater world. Snuba, which has actually been around since the late 1980s, is a unique diving method that utilizes a 20-foot air line attached to a small raft.
Because of its simplicity, and the fact that no diving certification is required, snuba has become a popular activity among tourists. Snuba diving is offered in roughly 70 locations worldwide, including some of the more popular travel destinations such as Hawaii, Florida, California, the Caribbean, and throughout parts of Mexico.
For a list of places that offer snuba excursions, visit www.snuba.com.
For JustLuxe Christina Stewart
Related Topics: Luxury Vacations, Adventure |
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January 26, 2010 | Contributor: Debbi & William D. Kickham, Esq.
 Vacation Rentals: One of the things you notice when you first plan a trip to Maui, is that accommodations tend to fall into one of two obvious categories: 1) Hotel rooms, and 2) High-rise, luxury condominiums. That’s not to say that accommodations in either of those categories are bad, at all. Both offer many attractive features. But those venues, due to the large concentrations of people within them, invariably lack a certain intimacy, and they also present some obstacles.
Related Topics: Luxury Vacations, Hawaii |
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