See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 05/18/08

Gore-Tex is a company that makes outdoor adventure clothes and accessories. Even better for someone with sore feet in the summer, Gore-Tex makes really comfortable walking shoes - great for summer sandals, hiking, and walking tour vacations - due to... See more

Gore-Tex is a company that makes outdoor adventure clothes and accessories. Even better for someone with sore feet in the summer, Gore-Tex makes really comfortable walking shoes - great for summer sandals, hiking, and walking tour vacations - due to their patented technology of breathable, waterproof fabric. This fabric is found in Merrill, Ecco, Clark's, and Timberland shoes (as well as some others). To highlight the comfort of their footwear, the company joined with the Adventure Travel Trade Association to suggest the Top 10 Summer Travel Destinations. These are summer vacation ideas for people who take luxury adventure vacations and appreciate the value of an incredibly comfortable pair of shoes. Top 10 Summer Adventure Travel Destinations * Australia: It's a big place with lots of adventure travel opportunities, as well as more civilized shopping adventures in Sydney and Melbourne. Australia also has some of the best new luxury spas in the world, to treat those overused feet well.... See less

See this at: travelingmamas.com| Added on 05/10/08

Posted by MudslideMama on May 5, 2008 Sometimes, travel writers take press trips. Also called familiarity trips, these involve a few professional travel journalists being ushered around a particular vacation destination by PR folks in the local... See more

Posted by MudslideMama on May 5, 2008 Sometimes, travel writers take press trips. Also called familiarity trips, these involve a few professional travel journalists being ushered around a particular vacation destination by PR folks in the local community’s travel and tourism business. I, MudslideMama, have been in the midst of a southern California beach town press trip, and just learned a valuable lesson regarding keeping one’s guard up. I carelessly left my PDA in a hotel lobby, and someone walked off with it. Travel tip: Don’t leave your personal digital assistant laying around in hotels. Yes, I know, this is a lesson that should have been learned many years ago, but hey – I’ve been burned, so lesson learned! Top 10 Vacation Loss and Theft Prevention Tips 1. Keep an eye on your stuff. It sounds simple, but the sights and stresses of travel can distract even the most inveterate travelers. For example, I had taken some things out of my purse when I was looking for my sunblock, which... See less

See this at: travelingmamas.com| Added on 04/30/08

Posted by MudslideMama on April 30, 2008 The Traveling Mamas really enjoy vacations in Mexico; I know that for me, the Yucatan Peninsula is just heaven. I loved seeing the Mayan ruins like Tulum and Chichen Itza near Cancun. Cancun has many... See more

Posted by MudslideMama on April 30, 2008 The Traveling Mamas really enjoy vacations in Mexico; I know that for me, the Yucatan Peninsula is just heaven. I loved seeing the Mayan ruins like Tulum and Chichen Itza near Cancun. Cancun has many child-friendly all-inclusive resorts with resort day camps for kids - in case the little ones aren’t up for a day trip to see those pyramids. MountainMama loved her travels in the Riviera Maya, too. But Mexico’s a big, diverse country, and not all of it is so trip-worthy. The US State Department has just put out an extended travel alert for Mexico. Specifically, border areas in the country are considered too dangerous to visit, what with scary increases in gang violence and drug trafficking. These Mexican border states include Chihuahua City, Juarez, and Tijuana. According to the State Department, dozens of US citizens were actually kidnapped or murdered in Tijuana last year. Yikes. And wait, there’s more: The New York Times reports (April 29, 2008... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 08/22/07

The Wall Street Journal had a good August 21, 2007 article regarding British Airway's atrocious record of lost and misplaced luggage. Frequent transatlantic flyers are bound to have a negative experience with air travel at some point; it's... See more

The Wall Street Journal had a good August 21, 2007 article regarding British Airway's atrocious record of lost and misplaced luggage. Frequent transatlantic flyers are bound to have a negative experience with air travel at some point; it's practically expected. However, British Airways apparently outdoes even the current US record-holder for most lost luggage, US Airways. Airline passenger satisfaction is at an all-time low, and lost luggage certainly does little to rectify the industry's image. The WSJ reports that British Airways lost the bags of more than 550,000 passengers in the first 6 months of 2007. The management in part blames this on bad weather (why is the airline industry so surprised when it rains?) and sees their problem as part of the larger airline infrastructure dysfunction. Now, no one would suggest that airlines control the weather. Too many flights, runway gridlock, and an understaffed baggage handling system, however, are things that the industry can control. No... See less

Highlights: 3-1-1 TSA Carry-on Kits Buy Your 3-1-1 Totally Compliant Carry-on Kits for Only $24.95

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 07/20/07

Remember the days when no one cared what strollers looked like? Me neither. From Maclarens to Peg Perego to Bugaboos, the market for the best luxury brand strollers has never been hotter. Putting aside what this may say about new parents' needs to... See more

Remember the days when no one cared what strollers looked like? Me neither. From Maclarens to Peg Perego to Bugaboos, the market for the best luxury brand strollers has never been hotter. Putting aside what this may say about new parents' needs to show off their baby and accoutrements, an important factor in choosing a quality stroller system is travel durability. After all, the most expensive, cosmopolitan stroller in the world won't stay popular for long, if it falls apart after one season's use. The best luxury brand strollers that are great for travel must be hardy and durable, with a design that is worth showing off. Mutsy luxury brand strollers, available in the United States for the first time in 2007, have a time-tested, respected reputation in Europe for both form and function. Reviews of the Best Mutsy Strollers for travel and urban use: * The Mutsy Spider three wheeler is lightweight and folds remarkably easily; perfect for travel. Further, the Spider comes with a carrying... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 03/29/07

Used to be, when a woman got pregnant, she didn't let her pregnancy slow her down. In generations past of my family, my ancestors would be working the fields in Hungary, growing...I don't know, paprika. Maybe beets. Anyway, my foremothers were out... See more

Used to be, when a woman got pregnant, she didn't let her pregnancy slow her down. In generations past of my family, my ancestors would be working the fields in Hungary, growing...I don't know, paprika. Maybe beets. Anyway, my foremothers were out there tending the crops, same as my forefathers, and a little pregnancy was no excuse to quit working, come inside, recline on a daybed, and ask pitifully for pudding. No, not that pudding! The kind with chocolate and vanilla swirled together! You'll have to go back to the store. Sound familiar? Apparently I wasn't the only modern woman to view my pregnancy as the last great reason to relax and pamper myself. Witness the exponential growth in the travel industry's packaging of baby moon vacations. Babymoons, or luxury pre-birth vacations for parents-to-be, have really caught on in the United States. The idea is to relax in a romantic setting, preferably with a luxury day spa nearby to tend to all the mother-to-be's prenatal massage needs.... See less

Highlights: Branson Vacation Deals 4 Days, 3 nights & 2 attraction tickets only $119. Sleeps 4

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 03/25/07

A vacation in Peru is like none other. Tourists can really delve into the Peruvian culture, and come away richer for the experience. Any trip to Peru really should include at least a few nights' stay in Cusco. Also spelled Cuzco or Qosqo, this city... See more

A vacation in Peru is like none other. Tourists can really delve into the Peruvian culture, and come away richer for the experience. Any trip to Peru really should include at least a few nights' stay in Cusco. Also spelled Cuzco or Qosqo, this city was the capital of the Inca Empire. Today, Cusco is a bustling, top travel destination. The high altitude of Cusco takes some getting used to. I know that at least one luxury hotel in the city pumps additional oxygen into its rooms and suites, to aid their guests' acclimation. And another hotel, a sweet, classy boutique called The Garden House, is just a little outside the city limits; It's just enough less elevated to also aid acclimation to the high altitude of this region. If you're planning a trip to Peru, Cusco is probably already on your list. If not, it should be. Try to arrange your vacation to coincide with one of Cusco's great festivals; you won't be disappointed. My favorite is the Inca Festival of the Sun. And, of course, you'll... See less

Highlights: Peru & Machu Picchu Tours 6-9 Day Active Vacations from $1795 The Active Travel Leader for 19 Yrs

See this at: peru-travel.suite101...| Added on 03/18/07

Two of the three most popular tourist destinations in Peru are Cusco and Machu Picchu. And the third? The Sacred Valley, which was the ancient pathway between the Inca Empire centers of Machu Picchu and Cusco. Internationally, the best preserved and... See more

Two of the three most popular tourist destinations in Peru are Cusco and Machu Picchu. And the third? The Sacred Valley, which was the ancient pathway between the Inca Empire centers of Machu Picchu and Cusco. Internationally, the best preserved and most important Inca Empire ruins and relics are in this great swath of Peru. These three spots are truly what a tourist should see while in Peru. Cusco was the center of the Inca Empire, which rivaled the Roman Empire in terms of size and influence. The Plaza de Armas is the center of Cusco, and everything touristy is available here. Cusco has the highest elevation of the three areas; at least one luxury hotel in Cusco pumps extra oxygen into its rooms and suites to help alleviate the difficulty of acclimation to the city's high altitude. While in Cusco, go see the Inca Empire's Temple of the Sun, which was converted into a Dominican convent after Francisco Pizarro and his Spanish conquistadors pillaged and plundered the city in 1533. The... See less

Highlights: Peru & Machu Picchu Tours 6-9 Day Active Vacations from $1795 The Active Travel Leader for 19 Yrs

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 03/15/07

Peru has named Cusco the "Tourist Capital of Peru," and the ancient city has also been named both the "Cultural Heritage of Humanity" (UNESCO), and the "Cultural Heritage of the World" (7th Convention of Mayors from Great Worldwide Cities). It's... See more

Peru has named Cusco the "Tourist Capital of Peru," and the ancient city has also been named both the "Cultural Heritage of Humanity" (UNESCO), and the "Cultural Heritage of the World" (7th Convention of Mayors from Great Worldwide Cities). It's clear, then, that a vacation here will not be remote or off the beaten path. In fact, during high travel season, Cusco is as crowded with tourists as are major metropolitan areas of the world. Someone who vacations in Peru, likely plans to experience high points of the Inca Empire like Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley, and other highlights around Cusco. This has meant staying in hotels in the middle of Cusco, which as a city is crowded, filled with tourists, and noisy. Booking a hotel outside of Cusco used to mean sacrificing luxury and convenience for relative quiet, but no longer. The Garden House is a new contender into the world of luxury class hotels in and around Cusco. It's a ten minute drive from Cusco: The Garden House is just far... See less

Highlights: Family All Inclusives The web's lowest prices on Family All Inclusives -$399 + kids free

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 03/14/07

Cusco was the capital of Peru during the Inca Empire. Today, its main attractions are Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley, and of course, Cusco itself. A vacation in Peru surely includes a visit to Machu Picchu, as well as Lake Titicaca and Lima. For a... See more

Cusco was the capital of Peru during the Inca Empire. Today, its main attractions are Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley, and of course, Cusco itself. A vacation in Peru surely includes a visit to Machu Picchu, as well as Lake Titicaca and Lima. For a vacation in Peru to feel more like a luxury and less like a lot of time on a tour bus, try making Cusco your "home base," as it were; book a room or suite at one of its three best luxury hotels for the week. Cusco itself is a fascinating city, and having more time to explore Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, gives a tourist a deeper appreciation of this part of the world. The three top luxury hotels in Cuzco, Peru: Hotel Monasterio Cuzco - Conde Nast Traveler awarded the Hotel Monasterio "Best Hotel in South America" in 2006. It's easy to see why: Built within a monastery circa 1592, the hotel is beautiful, with luxury amenities that are both modern, and true to the Inca and Spanish cultures that inform much of Peru's history. It's located... See less

Highlights: Peru Airfare Deals. Winter/Spring Specials to Lima. Airfares from $469 Roundtrip!

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 02/08/07

The Caribbean is one of the most popular luxury vacation spots in the world. The appeal is obvious; year-round temperate weather, soft sandy beaches, the famously clear Caribbean ocean..what's not to like? There are lots of islands in the Caribbean.... See more

The Caribbean is one of the most popular luxury vacation spots in the world. The appeal is obvious; year-round temperate weather, soft sandy beaches, the famously clear Caribbean ocean..what's not to like? There are lots of islands in the Caribbean. A list of luxury hotels and resorts would number in the hundreds. To personally review all of them would leave time for little else. However, you've got to start somewhere. This is a list of luxury travel articles on Suite 101, pertaining to Caribbean islands, activities and items of interest there, and personal hotel and resort reviews. It's a useful reference, as you plan your Caribbean vacation. Caribbean Luxury Travel Articles: * US Virgin Islands - St John * St John Ecotravel and Ecotourism * US Virgin Islands - St Thomas * St Thomas Luxury Resorts * Shopping on St Thomas Blog * US Virgin Islands - St Croix * The Ritz Carlton in Jamaica * Half Moon, Resort in Jamaica * Vacation Packages in Half Moon, Jamaica * Atlantis - Bahamas on a... See less

See this at: luxuryresorttravel.s...| Added on 01/24/07

What is the Global Scavenger Hunt? The GreatEscape2007: The Global Scavenger Hunt is the 4th annual travel competition that takes players around the world on a global scavenger hunt. It sounds like TV's The Amazing Race, but it's quite different in... See more

What is the Global Scavenger Hunt? The GreatEscape2007: The Global Scavenger Hunt is the 4th annual travel competition that takes players around the world on a global scavenger hunt. It sounds like TV's The Amazing Race, but it's quite different in important ways. In a conversation with William Chalmers, the Event Director for GreatEscape2007, he told me that - unlike The Amazing Race - The Global Scavenger Hunt involves genuine cultural immersion, with tasks like entering a camel race in India and learning to belly dance in Turkey. It is also different than The Amazing Race in that good karma comes from raising a million dollars for UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders, and other worthy charities. The winning team gets crowned "The World's Greatest Travelers." When is The Global Scavenger Hunt? It's in the Spring every year. In 2007, it runs for three weeks from April 13 to May 5th. This is a pleasant time of year for most countries around the world, in terms of weather. This is a luxury... See less