The Best Things To Do In Paris During Christmas

Every year during Christmas, Paris welcomes visitors from all around the world: tourists, families, businesses and Parisians themselves exalt in admiration of the city’s beauty and wonders. The city of romance is transformed into a fairytale town, and takes you to magical places that you would never dream of… its traditional and popular Christmas markets, shops, luxury boutiques, cafés, restaurants, museums, galleries, artists, food, cuisine and wines. Below are some of the highlights of Paris during Christmas, whether it’s day or night…

Champs Elysées and its illuminations

L’avenue de Champs Elysées during Christmas is the most spectacular place to visit, the largest avenue in the world, decorated with more than 800,000 LED lamps and 400 glowing trees. The magic usually starts around mid-November until the beginning of January each year. Les avenues Montaigne and Faubourg Saint Honoré are also adorned in the most beautiful way, giving the shine and brightness of a thousand flames dazzling in a sweet and subtle display – so magical in every sense.

The famous avenue Montmartre and La Place du Tertre will also have Christmas displays and, walking on the left bank of Paris, you will also enjoy Christmas delights especially around Le boulevard Saint-Germain, located between art galleries and luxury boutiques, and the so renowned jewellery square, La Place Vendome, which offers marvellous Christmas illuminations. The shops and Le Ritz Palace (re-opened in July 2016) is also beautifully decorated. Last but not the least, the Iron lady of Paris, La Tour Eiffel will be dressed up with striking lights sparkling every hour in the evening.

Christmas markets in Paris

The concept was born in Alsace, in the east of France, in the 1990s; the Christmas markets have since spread throughout Europe and have now become an essential festive event of the Christmas season in Paris. The markets are on the four corners of the capital, from La Gare de l’Est to L’avenue de Champs-Elysees going all the way to La Défense, on the west side of Paris; the journey is an absolute pleasure, especially if you love walking! La Défense Christmas Market is the largest in the region with more than 350 wooden chalets offer an amazing variety of Christmas handcrafted products and French gourmet specialities. Then comes Champs Elysées Christmas Market – with more than 200 wooden chalets, it is the most visited of all the Christmas markets in the city.

The markets extend from La Place de la Concorde to Champs Elysees roundabout – the famous and dangerous driving place. You can also continue your walk from the Saint-Germain Des Pres area where you will also find charming Christmas markets offering about 30 small chalets. It is the smallest Christmas market in Paris but it is lovely; its little stands offer traditional handicrafts and =local products. On the other side of the Eiffel Tower, Le Jardin de Trocadero hosts many wooden chalets, offering a wide selection of gifts and decorations for the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Paris at Christmas is breathtaking; however, you must really experience the markets during the evenings when the modern surrounding buildings, houses and candles are blowing lights everywhere, and Christmas trees are all over the streets of the city, illuminating unique spirited settings.

Fun Christmas activities

Around La Tour Eiffel, there are always ice staking rinks all over the place; do not miss out on the experience of holding hands and swinging around like a professional ice skater, taking part in one of several activities offered by the local association Trocadero on Ice event. If you miss this one, there are always other opportunities but don’t miss the ice staking rink experience in Paris. The second most ephemeral ice skating rink ever created in France is in a magical place – inside Le Grand Palais, in the heart of its sumptuous nave. One of the funniest attractions of the Christmas period in Paris is riding on the Big Wheel of the Concorde Square – down the Champs Elysées – try it! At 70 meters high, it dominates the elegant Place de la Concorde, and brightens up as soon as the night falls, offering a stunning view of the city. Over the years, it has become a must-see attraction for Parisians and tourists alike. What would be the Christmas holidays in Paris without its animated windows?

This event is the rendezvous for young and old people, no matter their age group; they all enjoy the spirit and magic of Christmas, the windows shopping or decorations. The most eagerly anticipated displays are those of Les Galleries Lafayette, Printemps on Boulevard Haussman and Bon Marché. Each year each window competes for creativity and imagination, the question always being which is the most exceptional window? Come, see, judge and give your verdict – there is a new theme year after year, and this is of course without forgetting the huge Christmas tree that sits and smiles at you as soon as you enter a boutique or shop.

While you stroll, do not miss the wonderful Parisian cribs in the most magnificent churches of Paris. In every church of the city, whether it is an Orthodox, Catholic and/or Protestant, there is one crib beautifully prepared by artists and amateurs, in life size or a small version. This allegorical and poetic scene is animated and drawn from local lives and even revisited by some contemporary artists. The famous Notre Dame de Paris, L’Eglise de la Madeleine, L’Eglise Bonne Nouvelle and La Basilique du Sacrée Coeur welcome new crib creations. Whether traditional, Baroque or modern, they are pieces of art attracting many visitors every year, and each of the churches organises concerts and entertainments for children and adults throughout the holidays.

Between the Paris illuminations, the Christmas markets, the giant ice staking rinks, the churches, monuments and so on you will find enough attractions and activities to fill all your Christmas desires. Every single element assures you of a magical and memorable moment with your family, friends or just the two of you.

Zakary Chanou is Managing Director at Ultimate Guide Paris.

 A Luxury Travel Blog

Where To See The 5 Most Glamorous Locations In Spectre

Glamorous locations pepper the new James Bond movie, Spectre, like bullets from 007’s Walther PPK. But these breathtaking places aren’t guarded secrets and you don’t have to be licensed to kill to visit them. There’s no need to worry, either, that in travelling like Bond you will be plagued by evil villains – you will only find, upon reaching these destinations, scintillating scenery, grand architecture, atmospheric dining, and ready-made memories as vivid as anything on the big screen.

Mexico City, Mexico: Zócalo Square

In the breathlessly dramatic opening sequence of Spectre, James Bond chases white-suited villain Marco Sciarra through central Mexico City, struggling to make his way through streets jammed with people dressed as the deceased. This ghoulish scene of skulls and skeletons, ominous with the ever-present threat of death, is a representation of the Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead), an annual event which usually takes place in early November. The scene is filmed in the streets around the enormous Zócalo Square, where Sciarra attempts an airborne escape by helicopter.

Also known formally as Plaza de la Constitución, Zócalo Square has been a gathering place for Mexicans since Aztec times and lies at the heart of Mexico City’s Historic Centre. This UNESCO World Heritage site extends from the Square in all directions, seducing sightseers with museums, cafes, restaurants, the National Palace, the largest cathedral in the Americas, the remains of an Aztec temple, and more than 1500 other buildings of historical importance. Here, too, is the Gran Hotel Ciudad de México, another Spectrelocation, with its fabulously lavish Art Nouveau interior.

Sölden, Austria: Ice Q

Ice Q, a modernist three-storey glass-and-steel restaurant perched on a snowy crag above the Austrian ski resort of Sölden, is likely to become Spectre’s iconic location. This building doubles in Spectre as a private medical clinic and the lair of Bond’s nemesis, Blofeld. At 3048 metres above sea level, it is reached by the cable car which features in one of the movie’s major action sequences.

From the stunning stone and oak dining room at Ice Q you look out through walls of sheer glass at the jagged white peaks of the Tyrolean Mountains. Sölden boasts three summits, each reaching above 3000 metres, with 90 miles of ski runs. Tucked into the Őtzal valley, 60 miles south-west of Innsbruck, the town has one five-star hotel, Das Central, where the Spectre stars stayed.

Tangier, Morocco: the medina

Bond’s mission takes him from the swirling snow of the Austrian Alps to the searing heat of North Africa. Accompanied by colleague Dr Madeleine Swann, he is seen hurrying through the tangled streets of a high-walled medina, before taking a train that heads into the desert.

The town is Tangiers, scandalous in the 1920s as the haunt of free-thinking artists and writers, and now at last being rescued by state investment from decades of decay. The Tangier Inn, recently renovated, was the shabby hangout of Beat generation writers such as Jack Kerouac, and the Grand Hotel Villa de France keeps a room frozen in time in honour of artist Henri Matisse, but it’s the El Minzah Hotel where Bond author Ian Fleming checked-in, in 1957, and where Blofeld actor Christoph Waltz chose to stay during the filming ofSpectre.

The train is the privately-run Oriental Desert Express, which will convey you in old-fashioned style on the 190-mile journey from Oujda near Morocco’s north-eastern border to the desert city of Bouarfa. During this 12-hour trip the locomotives halt several times for sightseeing and photo opportunities, punctuating the leisurely progress past the Sahara’s high dunes and encampments, scrubs and sands.

London, England: Rules restaurant

On a rainy night in London, Bond’s boss M pauses outside a restaurant to shake water from his umbrella before slipping through its door. At a table in the sumptuous interior, he joins MI6 colleagues Q and Miss Moneypenny. They have chosen to meet here, rather than at the office, to hide away from prying eyes – but you can find this place easily enough, at 34-35 Maiden Lane in Covent Garden. Its name, Rules, is proudly embossed in gold on two maroon canopies overhanging the big Georgian windows.

Established in 1798 and claimed to be the oldest restaurant in London, Rules has been frequented over the years by many notable artists, writers and actors, and appears in novels by, among others, Graham Greene, Evelyn Waugh, and John Le Carré. As you might expect, the food is of a high standard and traditionally British, the menu tempting with such delights as game, oysters, pies, and hearty puddings. What you might not expect, because of the restaurant’s central location and glamorous associations, are the prices, which won’t leave you shaken or stirred.

Rome, Italy: Vatican City

During a night-time car chase through the narrow alleyways, slippery cobbled streets, and grand squares of Rome, James Bond in his Aston Martin and henchman Mr Hinx in his Jaguar play a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse which comes to a spectacular end. At a less frenetic pace, and in daytime, there is much to be enjoyed by taking the same route on foot.

The Rome car chase hurries through the Piazza Navona, built on the site of a stadium where the ancient Romans watched games; speeds under the Passeto wall, which runs from San Pietro to Castel Sant’Angelo and was reserved, just in case, as an escape route for Popes; slides along the cobbled roads on the Via Panisperna in Rome’s cool Monti neighbourhood with its bohemian bars, fashion shops, and restaurants; blasts through St. Peter’s Square, overlooked by the world’s most famous example of Renaissance architecture, St. Peter’s Basilica; clatters down the wide steps of the Scalo De Pinedo to the edge of the River Tiber; then rushes perilously along the embankment pathway right beside the Tiber’s grasping waters. A hop-on, hop-off cruise along the Tiber is a calming way of reaching the Vatican City and the Colosseum while also taking a breather from the Eternal City’s hustle and bustle.

By Phillip Bingham

5 Unique, Lesser-Known Destinations

The worst part of being a tourist visiting the worlds most popular attractions is all the other tourists. Long lines, crowded spaces, having to stand on a friend or relative to prevent people from obscuring your photographs. The solution then, is to go somewhere quiet and less travelled, but of course you still want to see something unique and amazing. To help you our, weary traveller, we bring you our top 5 unique lesser known destinations!

Quinta de Regaleira, Portugal

What a destination to start this list on! Just a peek at the photo below should already get your travel bug fluttering! There are some incredible things to see when you visit this estate located near the historic town of Sintra, Portugal. Among attractions are The Regaleira Palace, The Regaleira Chapel, a Roman Catholic Chapel and a park that spans 4 hectares and contains an extensive network of tunnels. But of course, you are still intrigued by the photo, aren’t you? They are known as the Initiation Wells, which were used not for water gathering, but for Tarot initiation rites. The tunnel system connects the two wells and other monuments to each other, and the the larger of the two wells contains a 27-meter spiral staircase with several small landings.

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, Bali

Located in Bali, which as you already know, is a major tourist destination, this lesser known Shiva and water temple sits on the shores of Lake Bratan in the mountains near Bedugul. Due to the importance of Lake Bratan as a main source of irrigation in central Bali, this temple was built in 1663 and is used for offerings to the Balinese water, lake and river goddess, Dewi Danu. While out of the way of the major tourism areas, this temple is also features on the Indonesian 50,000-rupiah banknote.

Huacachina, Peru

From a water temple near a lake to and oasis in the Peru desert. This town in the Ica region has a population of 115, and just like the temple, is featured on the back of a bank note. Tourists usually visit this town for sandboarding (like snowboarding, but on sand) and to go for rides through the endless dunes on a dune buggy. Legends say that the lagoon got its start from hunter finding a beautiful princess bathing in a pool of water. When she fled, the pool of water became the lagoon, and the folds of her mantle as she ran away, became the surrounding dunes. She is rumoured to still live in the lagoon… as a mermaid.

Marieta Islands, Mexico

This is one for the marine lover. The Marieta Islands in Mexico requires a permit to visit, and the area surrounding the island is teeming with marine life, as it is protected from fishing and hunting by the Mexican government. Marieta Islands are several small uninhabited islands formed by volcanic activity thousands of years ago a few miles off the coast of Nayarit, Mexico. The protection of the eco system makes for amazing scuba diving and snorkelling, and is easily reached by an hour long boat ride from the coast of Puerto Vallarta. Visitors often report seeing Octopus, Manta Rays, Sea Turtles, Dolphins and Humpback Whales, and of course, many species of tropical fish.

Hang Son Doong, Vietnam

son Doong Cave is located in the Quang Binh Province in Vietnam and it has the largest known cave passage cross-section in the world. Inside the cave is a large, fast-flowing subterranean river. The cave was discovered by a local man named Hồ-Khanh in 1991, and in August 2013 the first tourist group explored the cave on a guided tour cat the price of US$3,000 each. Like the islands in Mexico, you need a permit in order to visit the cave, and only 500 permits were issued for the 2015 season, which runs from February till August. After August, seasonal rain makes the cave largely unaccessible. The cave also boasts some of the tallest stalagmites in the world, some reaching up to 70m tall.

From Campbell Bevan Founder and Managing Director at Amazing Accom., A Luxury Travel Blog

Introducing Indonesia’s New 5-Star Beach Club And Villa Resort

With the introduction of BASK Resort, a new luxe beach club and villa resort development debuting in early 2016, the unspoiled island of Gili Meno is soon to become the go-to destination to visit in Indonesia for in-the-know jet setters. A welcome alternative to the now overdeveloped island of neighboring Bali, Gili Meno’s natural beauty is being proactively preserved by the BASK Resort development team, who are dedicated to creating this first five-star, sustainable and ecological resort on the island that spares no expense on luxury or style.

Located in the unspoiled Gili Islands of Indonesia neighboring Bali, BASK Resort Gili Meno is a new beach club and resort offering a niche luxury travel experience for well-heeled creative global influencers seeking off-the-beaten-path privacy, and is set to open in early 2016. As the first such property in the region, BASK is being developed at the forefront of international travel trends, resort aesthetics and ecologically minded construction and sustainability by a strong team of industry leaders.

Spearheading creative direction and the development of BASK’s forward-thinking aesthetic is George Gorrow, an award-winning creative director who has worked across the fashion, lifestyle, hospitality and advertising industries for over 20 years. Best known as the co-founder of the designer denim line Ksubi, Technology entrepreneur Greg Meyer is financing the project and multi-award-winning architect Gary Fell has crafted the resort’s exterior design.

Fell first rose to prominence when he was shortlisted for the Cardiff Opera House competition whilst still a student at the prestigious Bartlett School of Architecture in London. This led to work with the Four Seasons Sayan project in Ubud, Bali and onto a number of residential projects in Australia. Fell founded the Bali-based firm Gfab in 1999, specializing in residential and resort projects for which they have won a swag of awards. In 2011, Bloomberg Google named Fell the top architect in the world for a multiple residence development. And in 2015, Gfab operations extended through the Asia Pacific region and beyond, with active projects in Indonesia, Thailand, India, Turkey, Vietnam, Cambodia, Dubai, Hungary and Australia.

Situated on 300 metres of private white-sand beach on the island’s west-facing shore, BASK Gili Meno will feature 82 individual villas, totaling over 120 rooms in studio, loft, two-bedroom and three-bedroom suite layouts. Local fishing villas, with their thatched roofs and bamboo frames, serve as inspiration for the resort’s architectural design. Flat garden roofs, textured concrete, and sleek wooden finishing combine to form an aesthetic that is both contemporary and authentic.

The beach club will be open to guests and non-guests alike, offering panoramic beachfront and lakeside views from its generous infinity pool deck. The indoor cocktail lounge and beach bar will serve locally sourced organic food, including a raw beer that will tempt even the most health-conscious drinker. The restaurant will serve Indonesian-influenced Asian and Western cuisine, designed by Chef Dan Moran of Sydney’s iconic Rockpool Bar and Grill. Australian mixologist Mark Ward of Hugo’s and Regal Rogue Vermouth will concoct his signature cocktails blended with unique local ingredients. In addition, BASK’s spa and wellness center boasts treatment rooms that offer a wide range of services including massage and local therapies. For those interested in more active pursuits, the resort offers diving, golf, surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding and hiking.

Gili Meno resides in the middle of the three Gili islands, located 30 miles off the coast of the Indonesian province Lombok, and is accessible by international airports on Bali and Lombok, followed by a fast-boat ferry or a private speedboat charter. Gili Meno has seen a steady increase in tourists seeking adventure and looking for an idyllic alternative to neighboring, overdeveloped, and heavily trafficked Bali. Local authorities and landowners endeavor to preserve its natural splendor through conservation efforts such as the Gili Eco Trust and maintaining that the island remains free from motorized vehicles. Rich marine life thrives in the clear waters of the surrounding Indian Ocean, providing world-class scuba diving and snorkeling, and the island is the self-proclaimed “turtle capital of the world”, making it perfect for wildlife enthusiasts.

Adhering to BASK’s dedication to sustainable living, the property will feature a recycling program, no-plastic policy, a water treatment plant and composting system. BASK also aims to minimize its ecological footprint through the establishment of a carbon neutral program, preserving the beauty of Gili Meno.

Villa sales will target investment-savvy buyers looking to produce a yield on a rental product in an already-proven solvent and sustainable real estate market. This unique addition to Indonesia’s high-end resort scene provides potential investors a great opportunity to join what will be a premier destination for travelers from across the globe. The 82 individual villas in studio, loft, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom suite layouts span from 59.8 sqm to 356.9 sqm respectively. The open floor plan villas range in price from approximately $222,000 to $900,000.

The island of Gili Meno is located only 700m from Gili Trawangan, an emerging hotspot for young tourists visiting the Gili Islands and neighboring Lombok. Roughly 370,000 tourists visit the Lombok area each year.

Contributed by Paul Johnson

5 Reasons Why You Should Go To Portugal Right Now

Something’s up in Portugal. Despite a stellar history and a heritage that saw the nation become the great seafaring pioneers of the Age of Discovery in the 1500s, this small country on the geographic (and, dare we say, metaphorical) margins of Western Europe has of late been happier flying under the radar. But that might be about to change. To seek parallels from the world of football for a second, Portuguese star manager Jose Mourinho and star player Cristiano Ronaldo are at the very top of their games; blending outrageous talent, more than a little brashness and more than a lot of arrogance, safe in the awareness that they are very, very good at what they do. This new-found confidence translates perfectly to tourism (which represents 16% of GDP) in the country as well. Sure, the Algarve has long been a lure for families and golfers, but beyond the south coast the rest of the country has been something of a backwater. No longer. Welcome to our five favourite things in Portugal right now:

1. The Alentejo region

The bit that spans the width of Portugal from the Atlantic Coast to the border with Spain. Above the Algarve, the Alentejo is an area of outstanding beauty, characterised by gently rolling hills, forests of cork oak trees and vineyards. The latter two are synonymous because the Alentejo is one of Portugal’s finest wine regions (on which more later) and the forests supply much of the cork for fine wines around Europe. Add in some excellent design hotels, Neolithic stone circles that pre-date Stonehenge and then the icing on the cake, coming up next…

2. Comporta

You heard it here first – Comporta will be the next big beach thing in Europe. Lisbonites have long known about this seductively sunny spot less than an hour from the capital but with a lack of quality of hotels it was somewhere to borrow a friend’s villa – very much an ‘insider’ destination. Now there are chic boutique hotels, such as Sublime Comporta, emerging, and persistent rumours of an Aman on the horizon. What’s all the buzz about? Well, mile upon mile of beautiful and untouched beaches, a very sexy boho vibe and great restaurants and bars.

3. Wine

Brits have long known about the pleasures (and the hangovers) of port but Portugal’s other wines are undergoing something of a revolution too. The fresh and very slightly fizzy Vinho Verde (literally ‘green wine’ but referring specifically to young wines) is made in the far north of the country, in Minho Province, which is within easy reach of the lovely city of Porto. The Douro Valley which winds its way inland from Porto is, of course, home to Port wine vineyards but also to some decent red wines in both claret and Burgundy style. Staying in Douro Valley vineyard country is also about to get much more civilised thanks to the opening of the first Six Senses property in Europe. Speaking of civilised places to stay, some of the Alentejo’s best wines are made at Malhadinha Nova, where guests can get involved in the grape harvest, donning head torches and getting up before dawn to pick grapes. No obligation, mind – guests can always just drink the eventual end product instead.

4. Areias do Seixo

We’ve touched on some pretty good boutique hotels, but now it’s time to concentrate on one in particular that might just be one of the coolest hotels in Europe. Areias do Seixo is about an hour north of Lisbon and two and a half south of Porto so positively demands a road trip between the two. What’s the draw? There are several: quirky design (funky free standing wood burning stoves suspended from the ceiling, beds on wheels etc), delicious food (not a given in Portugal, if we’re being honest) and wonderful rugged beaches just a short walk away. A near perfect long weekend destination, basically, that works brilliantly with the under-rated capital Lisbon as well.

5. Surfing

Surfers should forget the south-facing Algarve of white villa complexes and golf, golf, golf and head to the wilder, woollier west coast, namely the Costa Vincenta National Park stretching from Cape St Vincent (from where Portugal’s great navigators set sail) to the border with the Alentejo. There are charming little communities dotted along the coast such as the lovely Pedralva, once a working village and now a very good value hotel, and superb surfing beaches such as Amado for reliable and beginner-sized waves and fun surf schools. There are plenty more technical beach breaks for pro-surfers as well. The whole place has a laid-back Brazilian Costa Verde vibe, but it’s a 2.5 hour flight to Faro away instead of having to fly to Brazil.

Contributed by Tom Barber, Co-Founder of Original Travel. A Luxury Travel Blog 

Follow us on Twitter: @TraveloreReport

5 Reasons Why A Luxury River Cruise In Europe Might Be Perfect For You

 I recently had the chance to experience a 5 star European river cruise for the first time and I certainly wasn't disappointed. Stepping aboard the ‘Space-Ship’ like boat that was docked in Amsterdam, I was about to glide through Amsterdam’s remarkable network of canals, in river cruising luxury – if you want to explore European destinations at a gentle pace, river cruising is certainly one of the best ways to do this. Imagine yourself sipping sparkling champagne, whilst listening to nothing but the calm, gentle sounds of the river lapping against the bows.

Here are five reasons why a luxury river cruise might perfect for you.

1. Location, location and even more locations…

Rather than staying in one resort for a week or spending all day at sea, your cruise will take you too many different towns, cities and countries, where you can discover new cultures and sample the tradition and cuisines. You will drift through gorgeous towns and villages, visiting beautiful cathedrals, churches and pretty cafes. Docking stations are always close to the city or town, so you will never get lost or have to endure long transfers when experiencing the different places.

2. Smaller ships = more personal attention

Whilst large ocean liners can accommodate thousands of passengers in one voyage, river cruises tend to be a lot smaller and more intimate. With regular social interaction at meal times it’s easier to make friends on-board, and staff can pay more attention to you than they would with more passengers to assist. Various ships, depending on the operator, have a personal butler service. This means you can enjoy room service on the balcony (cocktail in hand) and take full advantage of other luxury services, such as having your clothes freshly laundered each day. Guests can also expect the evening entertainment on-board to be inspired by the culture of the port they have visited that day.

3. Luxurious surroundings

Holiday operators are now investing more money, into expanding their ships and equipping them with deluxe furnishings. Modern river boats contain restaurants, WiFi, spas, open bar, a gym, butler service, balconies and even a swimming pool – all within 50 feet of your door. My recent luxury river cruise contained a fully stocked mini-bar each day, at no additional costs.

4. Gourmet food and service

Not content with a run-of-the-mill buffet? Look no further than a luxury river cruise – you can sit down, relax and order your food without having to lift a finger. Buffet breakfasts are the norm but the evenings, after a long day sailing and exploring the cities, you can tuck in to a multi-course gourmet meal. There are also extensive wine lists, with fine red wines from France and fruity white wines from Italy – The professionally trained waiters will pour you whatever you like, when you like.

To say the food on board a luxury river cruise is ‘quality’ would be an understatement! The chefs prefer to choose home-made dishes from the country they are docking in that day, so you can experience the food culture from country you are in – anything from Hungarian Goulash to Danish cheese platters

5. Relaxation and rejuvenation

A luxury river cruise will have a spacious, cosy lounge area so you can sit back and enjoy a cocktail whilst taking in the magical views of the river banks. You can unwind on your private balcony or mingle with other guests over canapés. River Cruising is all about going at your own pace, and that doesn’t matter if it’s relaxing on the deck taking in the sights, or having a few drinks over dinner with friends.

Over 130,000 British travellers took a River Cruise in 2014 – a six percent increase on the year before, with Europe being the most popular destination. With an abundance of food, wine and luxurious amenities at your fingertips, it isn’t difficult to understand why river cruise holidays have become so popular in recent years.

Contributed by Colin Matthews , Managing Director at Travel Club Elite. A Luxury Travel Blog

Follow us on Twitter: @TraveloreReport

7 Of The Best Wineries In South Africa

South Africa is renowned for its verdant Winelands, where a host of wineries produce some of the world’s greatest produce. If you are planning a trip to South Africa, visiting a quintessential winery should definitely be on your to-do list. But where are the best wineries, and which are worth seeing? We’ve compiled a list of the Best Wineries in South Africa, so you won’t have to waste a moment in your search for the perfect glass of wine. Cheers!

Vrede en Lust

Dating back to 1688, the Vrede en Lust winery has had years to perfect its construction of fine wines. Located in the heart of the Cape Winelands, this modern farm establishment rests on a foundation that is more than 300 years old. Vrede en Lust produces red, white and rose wines, which guests can sample on a wine tasting activity day or as they stay in the winery’s luxurious accommodation.

Maison Estate

Maison Estate is a relatively modern winery located in the Valley of the Huguenots, and has won various awards for its fragrant and delicious wines. You can sample the estate’s produce at a wine tasting or even at your own wedding, as they offer luxurious event facilities. There is also an impressive tasting room and deli for you to feast in: your taste buds won’t know what hit them.

Rustenburg

Located in Stellenbosch, Rustenburg boasts stunning landscapes as well as delicious produce. Each bottle of wine has been aged to perfection, with the utmost care taken to perfectly preserve its array of flavours. Rustenburg is open seven days a week, where visitors are welcome to partake in wine tasting events and learn more about this fine estate.

Cederberg

Having won multiple awards for their wines, it’s no surprise that Cederberg is considered one of the greatest wineries in South Africa. Cederberg also takes great pride in its conservation work and biodiversity, with the winery being involved in various projects and initiatives to benefit the surrounding community and environment.

Boekenhoutskloof

First established in 1776, the homestead and vineyard of Boekenhoutskloof is still at the forefront of winemaking today. Located in Franschhoek Valley, the winery enjoys both stunning surroundings and an environment conducive to producing the world’s finest wines. A visit to the winery is guaranteed to delight all of your senses, particularly your taste buds.

Lammershoek

This family-owned and run vineyard in Swartland is committed to creating wine which aptly reflects South Africa. Vibrant colours clash with bold flavours, resulting in some of the world’s most celebrated wines. But don’t just take our word for it: Lammershoek hosts wine tastings, where visitors are invited to sample many of the estate’s offerings.

Tokara Estates

Situated in Stellenbosch, Tokara Estates specialises in making its own olive oils, deli items and of course delicious wines. You are welcome to feast upon all of these masterpieces at the estate, including its own restaurant, which is also home to breath-taking surroundings and a knowledgeable team of winemakers.

Contributed by Matthew Coe, Online Marketing Manager for Wanderforth.  A Luxury Travel Blog

Follow us on Twitter: @TraveloreReport

10+ Incredible Experiences In Newly-Cool Jerusalem

My last trip to Jerusalem was over ten years ago and while it was an eye-opening experience from a religious and historical perspective, it was not a place that I would describe as particularly fun or edgy. But with a slew of recent innovations which can be seen in the city’s dynamic food scene, counter-culture nabes, hip bars and an abundance of stylish new designer boutiques springing up, Jerusalem is really having a “moment”. Newbies will most certainly want to allow time to see Jerusalem’s awe-inspiring Big 5: the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, City of David, the Western Wall, the Temple Mount and Yad Vashem.

Sleep in style

The historic American Colony Hotel is the antithesis to cookie-cutter chain establishments since every room in this elegant property (once a Pasha’s palace) is uniquely furnished combining classic Arabian arches, opulent Oriental rugs, Armenian ceramics and polished stone floors with welcome modern updates including a flat-screen TV, Italian “Frette” bed linens, modern bathrooms and evening turndown service. The whole staff is exceedingly gracious and just a sampling of the hotel’s many amenities include a champagne welcome drink, complimentary Wi-Fi, parking and (how sweet is this?) 20 minutes of free long distance calling nightly. Conveniently located at the crossroads of East and West Jerusalem, the American Colony Hotel has hosted a plethora of famous guests over the last century including Sir Winston Churchill, Lawrence of Arabia, Mikhail Gorbachev, Graham Greene, Robert De Niro, Bob Dylan, Giorgio Armani, Sir Ben Kingsley, etc. With its world-class restaurants, high-tech fitness center, fabulous swimming pool, and beautifully landscaped gardens filled with tropical flowers, stone fountains and olive trees, it can be difficult to tear yourself away.

Insider tip: If you’re jetlagged, be sure to set your alarm because you won’t want to miss the bountiful breakfast buffet-one of the city’s best.

Techie travels

You can aimlessly wander through the labyrinth of cobblestoned alleyways that make up the Old City, where you are almost certain to get lost and could miss out on some of the four quarters ( Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Armenian) or you can get smart and download a free app, The Old City of Jerusalem Audio Walking Tours has 16 self-guided tours (complete with user-friendly directions, maps, descriptions of the sights and photos) covering a wide range of interests such as In the footsteps of Christian sects, The Jewish Quarter, or Marketplaces in the Old City. This app kicks Siri to the curb!

Underrated gem

The new Herzl Museum opened on the 100th anniversary of Binyamin Ze’ev (Theodore) Herzl death, the founder of modern political Zionism, to commemorate the impact his life had on the creation of a Jewish State. A visit here includes a riveting hour long, audio-visual, theatrical encounter with this visionary Zionist. The presentation provides fascinating insight into Herzl’s ambitious goals and incredible achievements, as well as his deep disappointments and turbulent personal life–fodder for a reality show. Herzl and his wife Julia, who was prone to mental instability, had three children, each of whom met a terrible end and Herzl died when he was only 44. Yet only fifty years later, his daring dream, the establishment of the independent State of Israel became a reality.

Insider tip: The museum is adjacent to Mt. Herzl, where Herzl is buried alongside many of Israel’s presidents, prime ministers, Knesset speakers and other leaders.

New/old discovery

A half-hour drive into the Judean Desert brings you to the seldom-visited Herodion, a magnificent seven-story, palace-fortress built between 23 and 15 BCE. After a 35 year search, Professor Ehud Netzer recently discovered Herod’s royal tomb. Herodian, the third largest palace of its day, is similar to Masada, which was also designed by Herod, the greatest builder of the ancient world. The Talmud states, “If you have not seen the Temple that Herod built, you have not seen the most beautiful structure in the world.” You can appreciate Herod’s incredible building skills as you wander through the palace remains, complete with courtyards, a Roman theatre, synagogue, banquet rooms, opulent living quarters, and the largest Roman bathhouse in the country, where you can still see some of the original tiles and colorful frescoes. This gifted builder was also an extremely cruel and paranoid leader, who murdered several family members.

Shoptalk

Small but fabulous Little Bezalel Street is the epitome of style. The pedestrian-only, cobblestoned street is lined with postage stamp sized, stone built shops, home to some very talented Israeli clothing and jewelry designers, as well as a handful of fashionable outdoor cafes. Two chic clothing boutiques, Momi Mia and Homi, feature sophisticated Israeli fashions, while Alit Heiman, a one-woman force to be reckoned with, recently opened a gorgeous jewelry shop. Once a dancer, Alit’s gracefully designed sterling silver and vermeil pieces combine elegant poise and balance.

Insider Tip: If you’re there on a Friday take in the Bezalel Arts Fair, a lively street fair with over 100 crafty booths between Bezalel Street and Shmuel HaNagid Street, next to the old home of the renown Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design.

4,000 years of history in 45 breathtaking minutes

You can not find a more spectacular setting (hence the name, “The Night Spectacular”) than the massive expanse of ancient citadel walls that serve as the backdrop for the Tower of David -Light and Sound Show. Jerusalem’s 4,000 year old history is brought to life during this state-of-the-art, multi-sensory experience that utilizes 20 projectors, 10 video players, 14 computers and 14 loudspeakers resulting in an extraordinary experience that will linger long after the last orchestral note and breathtaking, virtual reality image has faded away.

Insider tip: See below for the perfect end to your evening.

Unique tour experiences

If you’re afraid you won’t have time to see it all or just want to take in the city’s highlights from another perspective, join ZuZu on one of their magical, mysterious Midnight Bike Tours. The company will supply you with a good bike, light and helmet, and a fun, knowledgeable guide who will lead you on a 2 or 3 hour circle tour offering spectacular views of the Old City, as you pedal through the quiet, empty streets up to the top of a hill overlooking the city lights.

Insider tip: Zuzu also offers a variety of Segway City Tours in either Hebrew or English.

Non-schlocky souvenirs 

Yad LaKashish: Lifeline for the Old not only offers one-stop shopping for beautiful, gently priced, hand-made jewelry, candlesticks, menorahs and other quality crafts but at the same time you’ll be performing a mitzvah (charitable act) since this non-profit organization provides approximately 300 of Jerusalem’s needy elderly and disabled a sense of purpose through creative work opportunities. Located in the Musrara neighborhood of Old Jerusalem, the small shack which was originally used as the bookbindery has grown into an impressive complex, offering daily workshops in ceramics, metalwork, embroidery, silk painting, woodwork, paper mache and much more. Standouts include colorful Ethiopian clay mobiles, recycled paper stationery, and very cool hand made metal Star of David necklaces.

Insider tip: Sign up in advance for a tour where you’ll be able to meet these inspiring artisans and see their work works-in-progress.

Market mayhem

The Mahne Yehuda Market aka The Jerusalem Shuk ranks up there with the world’s best. The minute you step foot in the Shuk you are enveloped by the same captivating cloud of scents, sights and flavors that has wooed shoppers since the Ottoman Era, when it served as a social meeting place. Join the throngs of mankind at this cacophonous food market haphazardly lined with over 250 stalls stocked with the finest local produce, freshly ground coffee, exotic teas and spices, dried fruits and nuts, fish, meat, cheese, olives, and baked goods, many which offer tasty free sample! After a recent revitalization the market now includes many new bistros, lively espresso bars and hip clothing boutiques and has become a popular evening hangout.

Insider tip: Some faves here include an incredible cup of freshly roasted coffee served by the sweetest baristas at Cafelix; Basher’s Formagerie, opened since1956 and considered to be the finest cheese outlet in Israel; Marzipan Bakery for their renown gooey, fudge-y, piping-hot, killer-rich chocolate rugelach and The Halva Kingdom which offers 100 different flavors of this ground sesame treat. For a more substantial meal head to Manou ba Shouk, for their decadent baked eggplant anointed with a pool of creamy tahini.

Food to fly back for

Machneyuda is a vivacious venue run by three wildly inventive Jerusalem chefs. Every seat has a view of the open kitchen where you might see the chefs banging on pots in time to the blasting music or painstakingly adding the final touches to their “I’d like to be under the sea, in an octopus garden with you” dish before dancing it over to your table. The creative menu changes daily featuring the freshest ingredients from the adjacent Mahne Yehuda Market.

Insider tip: Foodies near and far have discovered this treasure so be sure to make reservations waaaay in advance.

Adom restaurant, hidden away in the newly renovated First Train Station complex, is a great choice if you’re looking for someplace a bit more romantic. Dramatic design elements include lots of wood, stone and glass with camel, black and burgundy leather banquettes, and outdoor seating. The fusion food has Italian, French and Mediterranean nuances which pairs nicely with the extensive international wine list. Top hits here include any of the seafood dishes, gnocci, a seriously good burger (served with little potato croquettes instead of fries) or any of the not-overly sweet desserts.

Insider tip: The bar is party central after 10:00 pm when a special ½ price menu is available.

Timely transport

Finally someone gets mass transport right! Hop on the environmentally friendly, electrically operated, Jerusalem Light Rail for a virtually noise and pollution free mode of transportation which takes you to many of the city’s popular destinations.

Insider tip: The red line takes you across the new Chords Bridge, also called The Bridge of Strings, a cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge designed by the Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava. Costing over $70 million the bridge has sparked major controversy for both its price and artistic merit.

For help in planning your exciting trip to Jerusalem visit the Israel Ministry of Tourism website.

Contributed by Janice Nieder, aluxurytravelblog.com
Follow us on Twitter: @TraveloreReport