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North America

North America

North America

Top 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

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Did you know that there are now more than 900 UNESCO World Heritage Sites? According to Tripadvisor, the top 10 – as rated by their users, I assume – are:

1. Taj Mahal, India
2. Petra / Wasi Muda, Jordan
3. Palmyra, Syria
4. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
5. Abu Simbel, Egypt
6. Prambanan Temples, Indonesia
7. City of Venice, Italy
8. Siena, Italy
9. Easter Island, Chile
10. Trentino Dolomites, Italy

Once again, Italy have fared well as they did in Tripadvisor’s top 10 destinations in Europe.  But are there any UNESCO World Heritage Sites that you would have expected to make the top 10 but didn’t? Please share your thoughts with us by posting a comment.

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North America

Luxury rental company creates Green Village on Anna Maria Island

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The Anna Maria Historic Green Village, is a new development soon to get underway on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria Island, created by the owners of the luxury vacation rental company Pineapplefish, Mike and Lizzie Thrasher. The Village will consist of 8000 square feet of retail space, including café and beautiful gardens, for Islanders and visitors to enjoy. One of the most notable elements of this project, is the extensive, ‘green’ initiatives that are being incorporated. The whole Village will be run using renewable energy sources, including ground-source heat pumps, photovoltaic electricity generation via solar panels, and solar hot water. The project will also see the recycling of some of the old buildings from the Island to incorporate into the build, bringing new and old together. One of these buildings is a 1935 Sears Catalog Cottage, that was donated to Mike and Lizzie and was moved last week, very slowly by truck, from its current site on the Island, to its new spot on the development! The majority of the Anna Maria Historic Green Village will be open to the public by the Anna Maria Pier Centennial in Spring 2011.

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North America

Top 10 places to monkey around

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Love primates?  Here’s another top 10 from Tripadvisor and this time they’re swinging from the treetops with the ‘top 10 places to monkey around’.  Here’s the list:

1. Singapore Zoo, Singapore
2. The Jungle Place, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
3. Bodden Tours, Roatan, Honduras
4. Monkey World, Wareham, UK
5. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Ngamba Island, Uganda
6. Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, Sandakan, Malaysia
7. Gamboa Rainforest Resort, Gamboa, Panama
8. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali
9. Tanjung Puting National Park, Borneo, Indonesia
10. Caves Branch Adventure Co. & Jungle Lodge, Belmopan, Belize

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North America

Guy walks across America

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This is actually a viral video from Levi’s rather than another story of some guy walking right across the USA. That said, it makes entertaining and uses frame-by-frame video footage of an actor and model by the name of the Michael Johnson as he passes various landmarks. Apparently it uses some 2,770 still photos that were taken on a 14-day trip across the country.

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North America

Interview with Julian Carr, Managing Director of bmibaby

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Julian CarrJulian was appointed Managing Director of bmibaby on 1st April 2010. He previously held the position of commercial director for two years, responsible for marketing, revenue management, public relations, network planning, e-commerce and customer services. Prior to this Julian spent two years working for IATA in Montreal where he was responsible for marketing and business development opportunities within the airline sector. His initial entry into the airline industry however was with Jet2.com, where he was involved in the business planning and launch of the airline. After a term as business development manager for Jet2.com, he moved to MyTravelLite as Head of Marketing and Development, though soon took over as Managing Director of the airline. Prior to entering the airline industry, Julian had ten years of management experience within the entertainment industry, working with both Virgin and Blockbuster.

What is it that you do exactly?

Working at bmibaby there is no such thing as a typical day! We work in such a fast paced environment my day can vary hugely. I am responsible for the oversight of the airline’s ongoing business, from day to day management, through to longer term strategic planning. My team look after the commercial side, which encompasses sales and marketing, network (where we fly and when), pricing, customer service, and e-commerce. Others areas include operations (the day to day delivery of the flights), engineering (making sure the aircraft are safe and fit to fly), cabin services (offering the in-flight service we pride ourselves on), and ground services (the airport activities we undertake).

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

My background is more commercial, but I really enjoy the actual flying and travelling aspects of the job. I try to fly as often as possible to interact with the crew and customers and this keeps it real for me in seeing the business come to life. I also enjoy the challenge of keeping the business prominent in the eyes of the consumer, and so enjoy interacting with media and doing promotional activity.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

Fiji: I did some consulting work for an airline there for a few months, and grew to love the place and the atmosphere. Relaxing in a hammock on the beach, watching the sunset while reading a book after a hard day in the office can’t be beaten!

Montreal: I lived there for two years, and came to know the place as home. The city is one of the friendliest and most exciting cities I’ve ever known, and was such a great mix of North America meets Continental Europe.

Las Vegas: The fountains of Bellagio are one of my favourite places on this planet! You can lose yourself in the grandeur of the place, and provided you take it all with a healthy pinch of salt (and are sensible with the chips!), you can have the most amazing time!

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

A Beef Teriyaki dinner in the Bahamas, when a group of us sat around the chef’s hot plate and ate from the edges as he prepared the food. I’ve always tried to find Teriyaki that tasted that good since, but am still looking!

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

In my time as a cinema manager I met a few celebrities. On one occasion I had to ask Stephen Gately what his name was (I knew he was in a boy band, but that was all I knew!). I also had to escort U2′s ‘The Edge’ out the back door once as word had got around he was there, and so he needed to escape! My most memorable encounter though was escorting Pierce Brosnan around the cinema during a premiere – I had given the staff explicit instructions not to trouble him, but then went and did it myself by asking him if he’d have his photograph taken with my girlfriend (I got good brownie points for that though!)

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

I want to do a long overland expedition one day – taking a few months to travel from a to b. I’d like to overland it to the Far East from Europe or from North to South America perhaps. I will one day!

Many thanks, Julian, and good luck with your new role at bmibaby.

If you would like to be interviewed on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

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North America

Return to Alaska for Crystal Cruises

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With its return to cruising Alaska for the first time since 2005, luxury specialist Crystal Cruises announces Experiences of Discovery options designed to entertain and inspire. In addition to wellness programming for the mind and body, and creative culinary offerings, seven 12-day itineraries sailing round-trip from San Francisco will feature a performing arts focus, with an expanded series of Emerging Artists cruises.

Emerging Artists – Through Crystal’s exclusive partnership with The Music Center, Los Angeles, the brightest upcoming stars and finalists in the center’s annual Spotlight Awards will perform in various musical realms including classical voice, piano, dance and others. (21st May 2011; 2nd, 14th and 26th June 2011; 8th and 20th July 2011; and 1st August 2011)

Mind, Body & Spirit – Guest fitness experts explore wellness through presentation on general health and complimentary classes in Tai Chi, Pilates, yoga and other specialties. (9th May 2011)

Wine & Food – Crystal’s popular culinary-themed voyage features cooking demos and hands-on instruction from guest chefs, wine tasting with sommeliers and guest experts, plus specially prepared menus. (13th August 2011)

The 12-day Alaska voyages visit Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia; Sitka, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, Alaska, with eight itineraries cruising Glacier Bay (the June 2 voyage visits Hubbard Glacier). For bookings by September 30, Two-for-One cruise fares begin at $4,650 per person, double occupancy, with $500 per person ‘All Inclusive – As You Wish’ shipboard credits, and complimentary air transportation from more than 20 North American gateways.

Sailing on worldwide itineraries of seven- to 100+ days, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity are consistently distinguished as the highest rated ships in the world.

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North America

Get into the swing of the US Open

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Visiting New York during the US Open? Swing by The Fitz Bar & Restaurant at the Fitzpatrick Manhattan or The Wheeltapper Pub at The Fitzpatrick Grand Central to catch up on every backhand, ace and volley. Throughout the tournament, each of these unique spots will be serving up food, fun and specialty cocktails, including:

The John Isner – A cocktail to be savored over a (very) long match. Vodka, coconut liqueur, banana liqueur, raspberry liqueur, pineapple juice shaken and served in a chilled martini glass.

The Martini Navratilova – A classic with a spin. Gin and dry vermouth shaken over ice and served with 3 blue cheese-stuffed olives.

The Fitz Bar & Restaurant, located on Lexington between 56th and 57th Streets, is a chic, relaxed spot where you can enjoy all the Grand Slam action either at the bar or in The Library. The Wheeltapper Pub, located on 44th Street between Lexington and Third Avenues, offers two indoor bars and a spectacular 2,200-square-foot outdoor Patio- perfect for watching Murray’s strategic strokes, Nadal’s acrobatics and Venus Williams’ power shots.

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North America

Hyatt Regency Atlanta to undergo $60 million transformation

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Hyatt Regency Atlanta has commenced a $60 million transformation. The landmark downtown hotel, located on Atlanta’s famed Peachtree Street, has started updates to the property including the Atrium lobby and the Atrium Tower’s guest rooms.

Designed by famed architect John Portman, Hyatt Regency Atlanta has long served as a leader in the Atlanta hospitality industry. When it opened as the world’s first atrium style hotel it stunned the public, awed the professionals and was photographed and written about throughout the world. The hotel again drew attention with the addition of the Centennial Ballroom, Georgia’s largest hotel ballroom, in 1996. Ideally located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, the property boasts a total of 180,000 square feet of function space, 1,260 guest rooms and is renowned for unprecedented guest service.

The first phase of the $60 million transformation includes work to the hotel’s lobby area, giving it a clean and stylish feel. In total, 576,000 pieces of fan-shaped tile covering 36,000 square feet and a 13.5 ton Parasol metal sculpture over the escalators have been removed. Plans for the front desk area include the installation of black walnut wooden pod-style desks crafted from rescued trees allowing for a more intimate check-in experience.

Hyatt Regency Atlanta will also create new restaurant and bar concepts in addition to the lobby upgrades. The new offerings will include the introduction of a new full-service restaurant, lobby bar and market, a grab-and-go option for guests looking for an alternative to sit-down dining or room service.

The main entrance off Peachtree Street will also receive a fresh new look with the addition of marble columns, expanded front drive and a new, larger revolving front door, enhancing guests’ sense of arrival as they enter the hotel.

The Atrium Tower guest rooms will be redesigned, giving each room a more contemporary style complete with relaxing and inspiring colors, wall coverings, drapes and artwork. New tile flooring, granite vanities and fresh lighting will be upgraded in the guest room bath areas.

As the first-ever Hyatt Regency, the Atlanta hotel enjoys a rich heritage, rooted in local history. A number of high profile guests have visited the property over the years. Every President in office since the hotel opened in 1967 has been a guest at the hotel.

As for the iconic blue dome, Polaris, transformation plans are underway, but have yet to be revealed. For more information about Hyatt Regency Atlanta and its transformation, see www.hyatt.com/gallery/atlrarenovation

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North America

Adventure tours in California

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Travelers heading to Southern California can get more than they bargained for by scheduling an adventure tour instead of simply seeing Hollywood. Southern California offers some of the best adventures tours in all the United States with options you wouldn’t believe available to you if you can afford them. Here are some of the top.

Indy Style Auto Racing is available for the race enthusiast, and allows you to drive your own Indy car around a track at speeds of up to 150 mph. You can even race your friends in 16 and 32 minute races with a pit instructor providing feedback while you race. If you have ever wanted to race Indy cars then this is the adventure for you. Cost ranging from $400 to $2000

In San Diego you can find yourself piloting a Glider plane reaching elevations of up to 5000 feet. These planes are designed to take either one to two people as they are small sleek planes, thus allowing them to do aerobatics normal planes cannot. These planes are not for the faint of heart as they are able to turn any way possible and have been known to cause sickness in the unprepared. However, if you are looking for awesome flying experience that is one of a kind, these are the way to go. Cost ranging from $200 to $400 for 25 minutes.

Shark diving is something most people only think they can do off the coast of Africa; however, this is far from the truth. Shark diving is available in California if you have the time to take a 5 day adventure about 210 miles from San Diego. You can see makos, hammerheads and tiger sharks from the safety of a steel cage. This trip is perfect for the adventurer that is not looking to travel all the way to Africa to experience interaction with sharks. Cost ranging from $2000 to $3000.

These are just some of the adventures available in Southern California. If none of these suits your fancy there is canyoneering and bungee jumping off bridges available in Northern LA County, and hang gliding and all day kite surfing adventures by the coast, just to name a few. Next time you are in Southern California make sure you don’t simply see Hollywood, but that you take an adventure trip that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Josh McNair is a Marketing Lead for OutdoorPros.

If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

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North America

A luxury Christmas in New York City

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Christmas in New York is like Christmas in no other city in the world; the magic created here by the sights and attractions made famous to many of us by our favourite childhood Christmas movies come to life when you visit at this time of year. What better way to experience the most enchanting of holidays than by staying in one of the world’s most luxurious hotels, and from boutique to internationally recognised five star elegance, New York has an abundance of luxury hotels to choose from to ensure the most opulent of Christmas stays.

A name synonymous with New York luxury has to be Trump, and a stay at Trump International Hotel and Tower is to experience the very best in exclusivity and grandeur. A favourite with celebrities, guests here can enjoy the highest level of service and hospitality in an unrivalled location, the hotel is situated just off Central Park on Columbus Circle and Broadway, perfect for visiting all of the splendour The Upper East Side has to offer. Trump New York also features, Jean Georges, a five star restaurant ideal to enjoy a Christmas meal with a difference; the restaurant offers contemporary cuisine from one of only 3 ‘3 Michelin-starred’ chefs in the city, Jean-Georges Vongerichten. And if you require a touch of pampering during your stay The Trump Spa offers a range of treatments to help you to unwind and relax into your holidays. The hotel is ideally situated for winter walks and ice skating in Central Park and last minute Christmas shopping on Fifth Avenue.

If large chain hotels aren’t for you, New York offers the best of stylish and unique boutique hotels. There are many fantastic boutique hotels in the city but one that particularly stands out is The Library Hotel, a beautiful, traditional 1900s brick and terracotta building situated aptly between The New York Public Library and the Pierpont Morgan Library and close to the timelessly elegant Grand Central Station. The hotel boasts an individual charm combining attentive service with unique personal added extras. Each of the floors at the hotel are themed around the 10 categories of The Dewey Decimal System, including Social Sciences, The Arts and Philosophy and in turn each of the rooms have been individually stocked with books and art relating to one distinctive topic within the category of the floor you are staying in. Along with providing the basis for a truly fascinating stay, the hotel offers a host of complimentary amenities including a selection of refreshments available throughout the day, fine wines and hors d’oeuvres each evening from 5pm to 8pm and daily passes to the nearby New York Sports Club. Curling up with a copy of A Christmas Carol in front of the fire in this elegant hotel is a fantastic way to spend a memorable festive evening.

Luxury and New York go hand in hand and a stay in either the well know grand 5 star hotels or the small, individual boutique lodgings will provide the most fitting of setting for an enchanting and truly unforgettable Christmas stay.

Charlotte McCulloch writes for the travel site Simonseeks.com.

If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

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