See this at: luxury-hotels.suite1...| Added on 12/12/08

The San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito is one of the most romantic places to stay in Santa Barbara County, California. It is best for a luxury week or weekend adult getaway. Discerning travelers who love Santa Barbara California, but want to stay in a... See more

The San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito is one of the most romantic places to stay in Santa Barbara County, California. It is best for a luxury week or weekend adult getaway. Discerning travelers who love Santa Barbara California, but want to stay in a resort a bit more removed from the suburban feel of that high-end town, stay at either the Bacara Resort or the San Ysidro Ranch. Both provide 5-star lodging, with all the luxury amenities and accommodations expected in the best resort hotels. The two offer markedly different lodging. The San Ysidro Ranch is hands-down the more romantic of the two, with easily obtained privacy, a quiet ambiance, and lush surrounds. San Ysidro Ranch Overview The San Ysidro Ranch is a Rosewood Resort; Rosewood is a collection of only the finest elite resort hotels in the world. San Ysidro Ranch fits perfectly in this collection. Luxury Travel was impressed with the romance of the individual cabins, set back along the property in Santa Barbara County (but... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 03/04/08

National Sleep Awareness Week is always the first or second week of March. This annual awareness campaign is reflected in annual luxury vacation packages that focus on how to get a good night's sleep. People on vacation often have catching up on... See more

National Sleep Awareness Week is always the first or second week of March. This annual awareness campaign is reflected in annual luxury vacation packages that focus on how to get a good night's sleep. People on vacation often have catching up on sleep as a goal - it seems that many of us have forgotten how to get a good night's sleep. So much so, in fact, that several luxury destinations have travel packages purely to help weary travelers get better sleep. Select Travel Packages that Help Get a Good Night's Sleep: Faena Hotel + Universe in Buenes Aires, Argentina - This luxury vacation spa package's sleep program lasts 4 to 5 hours, focusing on traditional spa relaxation techniques. Now, Faena Hotel + Universe is the recipient of multiple Best Hotel types of awards from Conde Naste, Travel & Leisure, and other tourism media outlets. La Prairie Spa is as luxurious as the rest of the hotel (interesting, as Faena is built into an old silo, in what was once an unused storage building). For... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 12/19/07

The best city in the world is Vancouver, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit. Factors that go into city "livability" include access to arts and culture, availability of goods and services, and low crime rates. Considering that Vancouver is... See more

The best city in the world is Vancouver, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit. Factors that go into city "livability" include access to arts and culture, availability of goods and services, and low crime rates. Considering that Vancouver is the best city in the world, it's obviously a top city for a luxury vacation as well. With world-class restaurants and cultural activities, as well as the natural beauty of British Columbia, there is plenty for a luxury travel fan to do on vacation here. The best luxury hotels in Vancouver provide the accommodations and high quality amenities standard for 5 star hotels and resorts, each with their own unique, high-end service, architecture and interior design. The Top 6 Best Luxury Hotels in Vancouver, British Columbia * Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver, 791 West Georgia Street - The luxury brand is known throughout the world for its 5 star resorts and hotels. The Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver is no exception. Just renovated in November 2007, the... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 08/09/07

American Airlines offers a great respite from the stultifying boredom of long waits at airport terminals. The American Airlines Admirals Club is an exclusive area, accessible through a door and (from experience) a one-stop private elevator ride away... See more

American Airlines offers a great respite from the stultifying boredom of long waits at airport terminals. The American Airlines Admirals Club is an exclusive area, accessible through a door and (from experience) a one-stop private elevator ride away from the noise and semi-chaos of the airport. Luxury travel loses a lot of the "luxury" ambience when elite business and first class fliers are herded, sheeplike, into crowded terminals next to screeching, bored children and other airport passengers - who may stretch out across three or four terminal seats for a nap. The American Airlines Admirals Club provides a sophisticated, relatively quiet and private alternative. Becoming a member of the Admirals Club allows for access at any club lounge, at any airport that has this amenity. Travel agents consistently suggest arriving at airports 2 hours before the time of departure. Two hours! That's a lot of time, especially when traveling with children. According to the US Department of... See less

Highlights: Air Miles Credit Cards Fly on Any Airline. 15,000 Bonus Miles. $0 Fee. Compare & Apply.

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 06/21/07

Luxury travel isn't solely about the destination. Traveling in luxury is an important part of an upscale family vacation as well. A week in Florence is one thing; 13 hours crammed (with unhappy children) in the maximum-capacity coach section of a... See more

Luxury travel isn't solely about the destination. Traveling in luxury is an important part of an upscale family vacation as well. A week in Florence is one thing; 13 hours crammed (with unhappy children) in the maximum-capacity coach section of a plane is quite another. Business and first class seats on transatlantic flights go a long way towards easing the annoyance element of travel, but the prices can be hard to justify when traveling as a family. Even when families do fly business or first class, parents need additional resources. Travel with a baby or young child, and you'll need more than comfortable seats to get through the trip relatively unfrazzled. There are other ways in which to bring luxury to family air travel; plan ahead, and flying with a baby or child can be (almost) easy. Luxury Family Air Travel Tips * Tip One - Take a high quality portable DVD player. Don't cheap out and buy one with poor sound quality, or whose battery life won't get your child through a... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 04/26/07

It's hard out there for an environmentally aware luxury traveler. Armed with the desire, and the means, to travel in style - yet also armed with the knowledge that disproportionate amounts of nonrenewable natural resources are used for the leisure of... See more

It's hard out there for an environmentally aware luxury traveler. Armed with the desire, and the means, to travel in style - yet also armed with the knowledge that disproportionate amounts of nonrenewable natural resources are used for the leisure of luxury travel - can lead to an uncomfortable feeling of guilt. And who needs guilt when taking a well-earned vacation? After all, leisure travel and luxury vacations are all about pampering and relaxation, not cognitive dissonance. * Carbon offset programs offset client's emissions by funding renewable energy programs. The carbon dioxide emitted by airplane travel, for example, is measured per person (for each consumer), and funds are proportionally given to supporting wind power and other clean, renewable energy resources. Sustainable Travel International offers just such a carbon offset program, and several luxury hotel and adventure travel companies have already signed up. * The Fairmont luxury hotel chain is quietly leading the way for... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 03/26/07

Babymoons are well known to pregnant mothers in the US. Long romantic weekend getaways, or full one or two vacation weeks away during the second trimester, are relaxing and pampering for both mother-to-be and father-to-be. One last romantic vacation... See more

Babymoons are well known to pregnant mothers in the US. Long romantic weekend getaways, or full one or two vacation weeks away during the second trimester, are relaxing and pampering for both mother-to-be and father-to-be. One last romantic vacation before motherhood is a great idea, and now it's catching on overseas as well. Babymoon luxury pre-birth getaway vacations in top Five Diamond Award hotels across the world have been screened and collected on one handy website, Baby-Moon. Baby-Moon getaway trips include 5-star resorts and hotels in Europe, Australia and Asia, North America (Canada and the United States), the Caribbean, and even the United Arab Emirates. I spoke with Ilonka Molijn, the founder of the Baby-Moon luxury vacation website. She told me that, along with Baby-Moon acting as a portal to luxury hotels and resorts with prenatal vacation packages, her company also offers services to create babymoon packages in top luxury hotels, that are as of yet unfamiliar with the... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 03/06/07

Elite Travel International works closely with clients to arrange luxury vacations around the world. It's not the only travel company to do so, of course, but it is the only luxury travel company I know of that donates a large amount of time and... See more

Elite Travel International works closely with clients to arrange luxury vacations around the world. It's not the only travel company to do so, of course, but it is the only luxury travel company I know of that donates a large amount of time and effort for a good cause. Trips for Cancer 2007 is a luxury travel auction that benefits The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Organized by Elite Travel International, the auction includes several of the most romantic luxury destinations in the world, with air travel costs donated by Continental Airlines. Elite Travel International's Stacey Small will also donate travel planning assistance to all winning bidders. 100 percent of all proceeds go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Luxury trips offered for auction in 2007's Trips for Cancer: North America * The Fairmont Orchid (Big Island) and Princevelle Resort (Kauai), Hawaii - Six nights total, plus round-trip airfare from Continental. * La Playa Beach & Gold Resort, Naples Florida - three... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 02/27/07

St. Croix is the largest and most purely residential of the three US Virgin Islands. A Caribbean vacation here is different than a Caribbean vacation in St. John or St. Thomas. St. John is the best Virgin Island destination for nature travel fans,... See more

St. Croix is the largest and most purely residential of the three US Virgin Islands. A Caribbean vacation here is different than a Caribbean vacation in St. John or St. Thomas. St. John is the best Virgin Island destination for nature travel fans, while St. Thomas is a top Caribbean travel destination for tourists who love to shop. What unites the three US Virgin Islands? Great beaches, of course, with soft sand and turquoise water. There are three top hotels and resorts on St. Croix, and a slew of not so great ones; choose your hotel carefully, and you're sure to have the Caribbean vacation that's best for you and your needs. Be it a destination wedding, romantic honeymoon, or a family vacation with young kids, one of these will be the right resort for you. The three top resort hotels on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands: * The Buccaneer. This is the Caribbean's oldest continually running hotel; it was founded in the 1600's, and today is one of the best Caribbean family resorts. The... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 02/09/07

Part of planning a trip overseas involves figuring out your transportation ahead of time. When we last went to Florence, we knew we'd be traveling outside of the city for half of our trip, so we rented a car. But, honestly, don't rent a car in... See more

Part of planning a trip overseas involves figuring out your transportation ahead of time. When we last went to Florence, we knew we'd be traveling outside of the city for half of our trip, so we rented a car. But, honestly, don't rent a car in Florence if you don't have to. It's a walking city. Walking. The Florence residents own cars, of course, but these are those European midget cars that you expect a hundred clowns to pop out of, and usually stick shift to boot. Italians on mopeds or bicycles don't often obey right-of-way or other traffic laws, from what I've seen, and the entire city is a Traffic Limited Zone (cars go in only for pick-up or drop-off). Streets are one-way, bustling during tourist season, and an American attempting to navigate these Florentine streets in a car would surely muck things up. We rented our car and drove right out of the city, and returned it immediately upon our return. The train station at Santa Maria Novella is centrally located: Tourists and... See less

Highlights: Italy Italy Vacation Packages from $499 Air and Hotel Included - Book Today

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 01/30/07

The Ritz Carton Golf & Spa Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, looks like it should provide for one of the best luxury vacations in the Caribbean. It's a Ritz, after all. The grounds are beautiful and well maintained, and the hotel rooms and suites are... See more

The Ritz Carton Golf & Spa Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, looks like it should provide for one of the best luxury vacations in the Caribbean. It's a Ritz, after all. The grounds are beautiful and well maintained, and the hotel rooms and suites are updated, clean, and lovely. Honeymoons are popular here, and it's a family travel destination as well. However, it is as popular with the leisure travel class as any other chain of luxury resorts in the Caribbean. As such, it can get pretty crowded, especially around the holidays and other peak travel seasons. The Setting The beach at the Ritz Carlton in Jamaica is manmade, rocky, and substantially smaller than you'd expect from a beachside resort. The romantic, private feeling is therefore less than you'd expect. The Ritz Carlton gets crowded around the holidays and Spring Break - and the pool is smaller than you usually see at romantic or child-friendly luxury resorts - so you really feel the crowds. I think that because the beach is... See less

Highlights: Jamaica Vacation Packages $99 - Jamaica All Inclusive Resort! $149 - Luxury Grand Opening Sale

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 01/28/07

Renting luxury through expensive, upscale clubs is nothing new. Fractional jet ownership allows partial owners to have access to a private jets and airplanes, and fractional ownership of vacation homes though timeshares is common in every luxury... See more

Renting luxury through expensive, upscale clubs is nothing new. Fractional jet ownership allows partial owners to have access to a private jets and airplanes, and fractional ownership of vacation homes though timeshares is common in every luxury resort vacation town. A new site, called Fractional Life, combines many luxury items in one "superstore" for people who enjoy a luxury lifestyle, without having to contend with the maintenance of private jets, resort homes, and other markers of the lux life. spoke with Piers Brown, the Managing Director of Fractional Life, and he told me he got the idea while driving a club-owned Ferrari F430 Spider. His concept is that of a "superstore" that maintains, and constantly updates, all manner of luxury items that are available for fractional ownership. This ranges from private jets, boats and luxury class cars, to smaller items like luxury label handbags. Even racehorses are available for fractional ownership. Imagine being partial owner of a... See less

Highlights: Sky Jet Jet Leading the Private Jet Industry. Call Today & Receive $1000 Off!

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 01/05/07

* A bed and breakfast. A bed and breakfast in the country should be cozy and warm, with a sense of privacy (and a fresh breakfast, regardless of how late you sleep in). For luxury during your long romantic weekend, I like The Simpson House Inn; it's... See more

* A bed and breakfast. A bed and breakfast in the country should be cozy and warm, with a sense of privacy (and a fresh breakfast, regardless of how late you sleep in). For luxury during your long romantic weekend, I like The Simpson House Inn; it's the only B&B in North America that's in the 5-star Alliance. The Simpson House Inn is in Santa Barbara, a coastal California town that is beautiful and romantic in and of itself. * If you plan a romantic getaway in winter, or will take a trip for Valentine's Day, consider the romance of an upscale ski lodge. The best luxury ski resorts offer apres-ski couples' activities like hot tubbing and couples massages. If you love warming up after skiing with hot chocolate and an open fire, a week or weekend at a ski lodge would be perfect. The Four Seasons at Whistler is especially romantic. * Another popular getaway that is romantic, is also good for the body, mind and spirit. Exclusive, luxury spa resorts almost always offer Valentine's Day... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 11/10/06

While I was putting together an article about the best luxury ski resort towns in the US and Canada, I almost left out Aspen. After a bit of hue and cry from a couple winter sports enthusiasts in my writer's group, I decided to add it, albeit... See more

While I was putting together an article about the best luxury ski resort towns in the US and Canada, I almost left out Aspen. After a bit of hue and cry from a couple winter sports enthusiasts in my writer's group, I decided to add it, albeit begrudgingly, and at the very bottom of the piece. Why? What's my problem, you ask? It's generally known, after all, that Aspen has a nice variety of slopes, dependable snowfall and plenty of upscale apres-ski activities to pamper the skier in the evening. Well, as a luxury travel writer here, I sure can't get away with complaining about luxury treatment at a ski resort. And I'm not. But what I can complain about, and with some justification, is the transformation of a great ski town into a place that starlets go to be seen, and photographed "all unawares" in their high-end ski gear. It's like Aspen is Hollywood East, during Christmas and the peak holiday ski season. And where young Hollywood goes, expensive and trendy boutiques shall follow ( I... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 10/20/06

Part of planning a trip overseas involves figuring out your transportation ahead of time. When we last went to Florence, we knew we'd be traveling outside of the city for half of our trip, so we rented a car. But, honestly, don't rent a car in... See more

Part of planning a trip overseas involves figuring out your transportation ahead of time. When we last went to Florence, we knew we'd be traveling outside of the city for half of our trip, so we rented a car. But, honestly, don't rent a car in Florence if you don't have to. It's a walking city. Walking. The Florence residents own cars, of course, but these are those European midget cars that you expect a hundred clowns to pop out of, and usually stick shift to boot. Italians on mopeds or bicycles don't often obey right-of-way or other traffic laws, from what I've seen, and the entire city is a Traffic Limited Zone (cars go in only for pick-up or drop-off). Streets are one-way, busting during tourist season, and an American attempting to navigate these Florentine streets in a car would surely muck things up. We rented our car and drove right out of the city, and returned it immediately upon our return. Taxicabs don't respond to hails; the Traffic Limited Zone law disallows this. There... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 10/19/06

Thanksgiving is North America's busiest travel holiday, as disparate family groups fly, drive, or travel by rail to meet up with their larger family groups for a hearty turkey dinner. One activity that many Americans (with their families or not)... See more

Thanksgiving is North America's busiest travel holiday, as disparate family groups fly, drive, or travel by rail to meet up with their larger family groups for a hearty turkey dinner. One activity that many Americans (with their families or not) enjoy, is watching the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Thanksgiving Day Parade Route The parade starts at 77th St and Central Park West, at the American Museum of Natural History. It marches south on CPW to Columbus Circle, and follows the circle to Broadway. The parade then marches south, along Broadway. and ends at 34th St and 7th Ave. This is right past Macy's Herald Square, by the way. Recommendations for Pedestrians * If your schedule allows, try to catch the balloons being blown up the night before Thanksgiving, and the pre-parade rehearsal - also on Wednesday evening. Both are right by the American Museum of Natural History, where the parade commences the next morning. * Get there early. I mean it; this is a big event,... See less

Highlights: Computer Science Average graduates make $60,622 graduate in 30 months. Free Info.

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 10/19/06

Thanksgiving is North America's busiest travel holiday. Travel, especially with little kids in tow, can be extremely stressful. Plan your Thanksgiving trip well, however, and it can be - dare I say it - a calm and relatively relaxing holiday... See more

Thanksgiving is North America's busiest travel holiday. Travel, especially with little kids in tow, can be extremely stressful. Plan your Thanksgiving trip well, however, and it can be - dare I say it - a calm and relatively relaxing holiday vacation. Luxury travel and holiday travel are not necessarily mutually exclusive! Thanksgiving travel tips Travel by car A Mapquest poll regarding Thanksgiving traffic indicated that most people who travel by car for Thanksgiving, have more than an hour's drive ahead of them - and 25% have road trips that exceed 200 miles. With all those Thanksgiving travel cars on the road, traffic can get pretty messy. The busiest Thanksgiving travel days are Wednesday and Thursday. If your schedule allows, try to leave Tuesday. It feels early, sure, but nothing dampers the fun of a family holiday more than hours stuck in close quarters, as the highway - crowded with cars at a near standstill - stretches out interminably before you. And, since you've started a... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 10/19/06

Luxury travel denotes well-appointed hotel suites, fine dining, and massages at an on-site full-service day spa. To the uninitiated, ecotourism conjures up images of pup tents, manual labor, and, if you're lucky, hot water for your shower. Where the... See more

Luxury travel denotes well-appointed hotel suites, fine dining, and massages at an on-site full-service day spa. To the uninitiated, ecotourism conjures up images of pup tents, manual labor, and, if you're lucky, hot water for your shower. Where the two meet are often exotic, remote or tropical locales. Fans of upscale vacations may feel the pull to give something back to lovely places that have provided great trips for them, but fear that green travel means no running water. And I know that's not much fun - but it's also an exaggeration. While ecotourism may be lacking in high-end amenities, no one actually suffers (of course), and you only work as hard as you want to. And, of course, luxury travel buffs who decide to make the foray into eco travel, choose their destination, as tropical as they wish. Luxury ecotourism destinations * Madagascar, a unique island nation off the coast of eastern Africa, is geographically separate enough from the rest of the world that many of its plants... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 10/16/06

Luxury travel denotes well-appointed hotel suites, fine dining, and massages at an on-site full-service day spa. To the uninitiated, ecotourism conjures up images of pup tents, manual labor, and, if you're lucky, hot water for your shower. Where the... See more

Luxury travel denotes well-appointed hotel suites, fine dining, and massages at an on-site full-service day spa. To the uninitiated, ecotourism conjures up images of pup tents, manual labor, and, if you're lucky, hot water for your shower. Where the two meet are often exotic, remote or tropical locales. Fans of upscale vacations may feel the pull to give something back to lovely places that have provided great trips for them, but fear that green travel means no running water. And I know that's not much fun - but it's also an exaggeration. While ecotourism may be lacking in high-end amenities, no one actually suffers (of course), and you only work as hard as you want to. And, of course, luxury travel buffs who decide to make the foray into eco travel, choose their destination, as tropical as they wish. Luxury ecotourism destinations * Madagascar, a unique island nation off the coast of eastern Africa, is geographically separate enough from the rest of the world that many of its plants... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 10/11/06

When you're in the mood for breakfast, but your friends are in the mood for lunch, the happy occasion of brunch is born. Who doesn't love brunch? A little bacon and eggs, a little half-soup-half-sandwich, and everyone is happy. Put that together with... See more

When you're in the mood for breakfast, but your friends are in the mood for lunch, the happy occasion of brunch is born. Who doesn't love brunch? A little bacon and eggs, a little half-soup-half-sandwich, and everyone is happy. Put that together with New York, the city that never sleeps or cooks a morning meal at home, and you know you have some mighty fine restaurant brunch options available. I've gotten into some pretty heated discussions with friends and family, regarding best brunches in the country (Okay, Chicago, you win already!) but my NYC friends and family come close to agreeing on the best brunch restaurants in the Big Apple. Best Brunch in New York City Nothing too fancy before noon, brunch for us means comfort food and informal settings. These more than fit the bill. * Bubby's - Bubby's, at 120 Hudson St. in Tribeca, is the epitome of casual dining, with waitstaff that allow you to linger over your second or third coffee refill. I've never felt rushed to leave. Because... See less

Highlights: The Tavern on the Green Nightly reservations $66.47/person. 3-course meal includes tax & tip.

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 10/10/06

Charlotte Amalie has the busiest cruise port in the Caribbean. Cruise boat tourists pour out, buy some duty-free souvenirs, and pile back on. But there's a lot more to this US Virgin Island than high-end shopping. Snorkeling and scuba diving, hiking... See more

Charlotte Amalie has the busiest cruise port in the Caribbean. Cruise boat tourists pour out, buy some duty-free souvenirs, and pile back on. But there's a lot more to this US Virgin Island than high-end shopping. Snorkeling and scuba diving, hiking and walking tours attract outdoorsy types as well as fans of luxury travel. I recommend these upscale hotels and resorts on St. Thomas. All are great for family groups, couples, or people who choose to travel solo. * The Ritz Carlton, St. Thomas is a car trip away from the bustle of the shopping district, which I like. When I was there, I didn't think of it as much of a kids' place. The Ritz Carlton seemed, instead, to be a quiet and peaceful resort, hard to find in St. Thomas and lovely for newlyweds on a honeymoon. Families with children seemed mostly clustered around the pool. I understand that the Ritz on St. Thomas is undergoing a major overhaul, with renovations due to be completed by early 2007. The Ritz Kidz day camp for children... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 10/10/06

People on the US Virgin Islands have a saying: Live on St. Croix, shop on St. Thomas, and vacation on St John. True, most locals do live on St. Croix, but that is largely due to its being the largest of the three US Virgin Islands. Suffice it to say,... See more

People on the US Virgin Islands have a saying: Live on St. Croix, shop on St. Thomas, and vacation on St John. True, most locals do live on St. Croix, but that is largely due to its being the largest of the three US Virgin Islands. Suffice it to say, there are plenty of things to do and see on St. Croix, and many shopping opportunities as well. It's a great vacation island! Some interesting locales on St. Croix: * Point Udall, on the eastern tip on the island, is the easternmost point of the United States. There's a small monument attesting to this, hiking hills, and not much else. The windswept simplicity of Point Udall is, at least, a good photo opportunity. * The largest town on St. Croix, Christiansted, has many duty-free stores and upscale shops, as well as a wide variety of restaurants. Christiansted is on the notably arid and desert-like east end of St. Croix. * On the west end of St. Croix is Frederiksted, the other major town of the island. Frederiksted is a cruise port, and... See less

Highlights: CommonTies.com pays $200 for compelling personal stories.

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 10/04/06

Charlotte Amalie has the busiest cruise port in the Caribbean. Cruise boat tourists pour out, buy some duty-free souvenirs, and pile back on. But there's a lot more to this US Virgin Island than high-end shopping. Snorkeling and scuba diving, hiking... See more

Charlotte Amalie has the busiest cruise port in the Caribbean. Cruise boat tourists pour out, buy some duty-free souvenirs, and pile back on. But there's a lot more to this US Virgin Island than high-end shopping. Snorkeling and scuba diving, hiking and walking tours attract outdoorsy types as well as fans of luxury travel. I recommend these upscale hotels and resorts on St. Thomas. All are great for family groups, couples, or people who choose to travel solo. * The Ritz Carlton, St. Thomas is a car trip away from the bustle of the shopping district, which I like. When I was there, I didn't think of it as much of a kids' place. The Ritz Carlton seemed, instead, to be a quiet and peaceful resort, hard to find in St. Thomas and lovely for newlyweds on a honeymoon. Families with children seemed mostly clustered around the pool. I understand that the Ritz on St. Thomas is undergoing a major overhaul, with renovations due to be completed by early 2007. The Ritz Kidz day camp for children... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 10/02/06

Planning a trip to Italy takes a lot of forethought. A country so steeped in history should not be traveled lightly; there's so much to appreciate there. if your travel plans allow, plan to explore Florence. Florence, in the Tuscany region of Italy,... See more

Planning a trip to Italy takes a lot of forethought. A country so steeped in history should not be traveled lightly; there's so much to appreciate there. if your travel plans allow, plan to explore Florence. Florence, in the Tuscany region of Italy, would be an important, and memorable, part of your Italian vacation. It may be the art and architecture that draws the sophisticated traveler to Firenze. It may be the great Tuscan food. Luxury travelers appreciate the amenities of expensive, high-end hotels, while those who tour Europe on a budget are happy to make reservations at well-kept inexpensive hotels and bed and breakfasts. However you like to travel, this Suite 101 Florence Basics index is certain to help you plan your trip. Florence Overview Luxury Hotels in Florence Budget Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts Best Florentine Restaurants La Giostra The Duomo in Florence The Florence Airport Fantasy Vacation Poll Copyright 2006 Jennifer Miner and Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 10/01/06

Planning a trip to Italy takes a lot of forethought. A country so steeped in history should not be traveled lightly; there's so much to appreciate there. if your travel plans allow, plan to explore Florence. Florence, in the Tuscany region of Italy,... See more

Planning a trip to Italy takes a lot of forethought. A country so steeped in history should not be traveled lightly; there's so much to appreciate there. if your travel plans allow, plan to explore Florence. Florence, in the Tuscany region of Italy, would be an important, and memorable, part of your Italian vacation. It may be the art and architecture that draws the sophisticated traveler to Firenze. It may be the great Tuscan food. Luxury travelers appreciate the amenities of expensive, high-end hotels, while those who tour Europe on a budget are happy to make reservations at well-kept inexpensive hotels and bed and breakfasts. However you like to travel, this Suite 101 Florence Basics index is certain to help you plan your trip. Florence Overview Luxury Hotels in Florence Budget Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts Best Florentine Restaurants La Giostra The Duomo in Florence The Florence Airport Fantasy Vacation Poll Copyright 2006 Jennifer Miner and Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 09/30/06

The Maui Prince Hotel isn't your typical full - service luxury resort. There are many ways to enjoy Hawaii, and the Maui Prince is a good fit for people traveling without children, and who perhaps want to be left to their own devices. It's of a... See more

The Maui Prince Hotel isn't your typical full - service luxury resort. There are many ways to enjoy Hawaii, and the Maui Prince is a good fit for people traveling without children, and who perhaps want to be left to their own devices. It's of a Japanese design, with architecturally clean lines and the minimalism you'd expect to find therein. Zen gardens and koi ponds are dotted along the indoor-outdoor pathways. Beyond a doubt, the Maui Prince Hotel is the quietest resort in which I've ever vacationed. As with all hotels in Hawaii, visitors are greeted with a lei and fresh juice. However, an additional touch is that at check-in, visitors are also given oshibori, those little hot washclothes that feel so good after a long trip.The Japanese influence is also evidenced by one of the in-house restaurants. Hanoke, a Japanese restaurant and sushi bar, is known to have the best sushi on the island. Four miles south of the ultra-lux resort area of Wailea, this hotel is nested on the beach in... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 09/30/06

We had so many expectations when we booked a family vacation at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, in Ojai California. Early morning hikes, laps in the pool, intense cardio in the gym followed by deep tissue massage (him) and a spa treatment (me). Did you... See more

We had so many expectations when we booked a family vacation at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, in Ojai California. Early morning hikes, laps in the pool, intense cardio in the gym followed by deep tissue massage (him) and a spa treatment (me). Did you ever book a suite at a fancy resort, only to realize when you get there that the only thing you want to do is veg out? What were we thinking? The minute we entered our suite, with the king-sized bed in one room and the pull-out sofa in the other, we realized that the intensity of work and stresses of life finally had to be released. In other words, we CRASHED. We enrolled the kids in the terrific day camp and proceeded to sleep for the next 4 hours. Yes, a nap. Yes, in the middle of the day. Glorious! When we walked the short distance to retrieve our children, they were excited and spent much of the next hour happily recounting the many games and crafts they did with their new best friends du jour. The stroll to the resort's restaurant was... See less