by Editor | Aug 17, 2009 | Luxury Travel
A waiter shaves white truffle slices at Les Ambassadeurs
The butter at Les Ambassadeurs
The beautiful dining room at Les Ambassadeurs
Our team’s lunch at Les Ambassadeurs, the gourmet restaurant at the well known and well situated Hotel de Crillon in Paris, France, was a resounding success. A combination of excellent and detail oriented service, expertly prepared and presented and delicious tasting dishes, and an elegant dining service and dining room with a pleasant ambiance made the midday experience memorable.
Jean-François Piège, Les Ambassadeurs’ young and confident chef, and his team show much promise. We look forward to following their progress. Click here to read a complete article about Les Ambassadeurs.
by Editor | Aug 3, 2009 | Luxury Travel, Restaurants
A private entrance at the foot of the Eiffel Tower leads to Le Jules Verne
A Jules Verne treat
Few places are more distinctive and reminiscent of Paris, the capital of love, as the iconic Eiffel Tower. Our team dined at the popular (rumor is that reservations require three months advance planning) Le Jules Verne, a revamped and renovated gourmet restaurant within the Tower. They reached the restaurant through a private and well marked entrance at the foot of the famed monument. After being cleared by a restaurant staff member at the ground level reception they were escorted by a young man in a private elevator to the restaurant lobby.
Sweet temptations at Le Jules Verne
On their return, they raved about their meal which was outstanding even in a city whose citizens have for centuries venerated gourmet experiences; and a setting that was ideal for romance. Le Jules Verne stood out for its attractive dinning room, handsome dinnerware service, delicious dishes and a meal with one of the most memorable views in Paris. Click here to read more about why they would return to Le Jules Verne.
by Editor | Jul 27, 2009 | Accomodations, Books, Ecotourism, Luxury Travel, New Articles, Products, Restaurants, Spas
Lions at Rattray's
Many travelers familiar with luxury safari lodges in South Africa know of or may have stayed at the Mala Mala Reserve, one of the oldest reserves within the larger Sabi Sand Reserve. The well known reserve fronts a fenceless portion of the http://simonandbaker.com/kruger.
A vigilant kitty at Rattray's
Our team's suite at Rattray's
The family owned property offers accommodations for 54 guests in the Mala Mala Main Camp . Nearby there are exclusive luxury accommodations at Rattray’s, an eight suite fenced lodge for guests 16 and older with a fitness center and swimming pool. Click here to read about our team’s impressions during their most recent visit in a dedicated article about Rattray’s.
by Editor | Jul 20, 2009 | Luxury Travel
Article by Andrea de Gosztonyi and Douglas McRae and photo by Andrea de Gosztonyi
Home to the 2010 Winter Olympics Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada is a city my husband and I like to visit both summer and winter. We find this destination to have urban sophistication as well as satisfying our need to explore the countryside, all within easy reach of our hotel. The climate in Vancouver is mild and temperate, but the region’s mountains are equally renowned for their epic snowfalls. Nestled between the Rockies and the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver has much to offer the active tourist. Gastown, Chinatown, Stanley Park, beaches and the financial district are all within walking or cycling distance.
We enjoy the fine dining, the shopping, the many museums, galleries, parks and entertainment options that abound for visitors of all ages. For our more adventurous days, day hikes are close at hand and for the truly adventurous times the Rockies are only a drive away. Located in the city center, the Port of Vancouver is the home port for cruise ships operating luxury summer cruises from Vancouver to Alaska. The Canada Place cruise ship facility is near hotels, shopping, dining and entertainment. Its distinctive white sail design made Canada Place an attractive start to our Alaskan Cruise. Click here to read an article about Vancouver.
by Editor | Jun 22, 2009 | Accomodations, Ecotourism, Luxury Travel, New Articles
Article by Elena del Valle and photos by Gary Cox
Elephants at Camp Jabulani
Carl met us at the Kapama Gate and we drove behind him to the camp where we would spend the next two nights. On our arrival, Elsie, his wife and camp co-manager, welcomed us with moist refresher towels. After a few minutes we followed our luggage across a quaint suspension bridge to our suite. We had arrived just in time for a quick bite and our first elephant back ride.
A short while later we met Rudolf Van Den Berg, the property’s talented chef who made us look forward to every meal. The day we left, Lente Roode, the enthusiastic conservationist behind Camp Jabulani, came to greet guests at the breakfast table.
Our luxury suite at Camp Jabulani
At 4:30 p.m., we and six other guests met Paul, the elephant handler, who introduced us to the elephants and their grooms. He also shared information about the herd including their origin, behavior, what we should expect during the ride as well as dos and don’t. He invited us to touch Jabulani, the elephant who led the herd and for whom the camp was named.
We were surprised to discover parts of his skin were amazingly soft while others felt thick and coarse. I even had a chance to feed him. Apparently this made him friendly because the next thing I knew his trunk was two inches from my face and he was breathing on me. His breath was hot but it smelled alright and although I was a bit disconcerted by the proximity of such a large and unfamiliar animal, I stood my ground. At Paul’s suggestion, I blew into his trunk, and he moved it away.
Lente Roode, one of the owners of Camp Jabulani
Soon, we were on our way. Paul had invited me to ride on Jabulani with his groom, a personable young Zimbabwean who told me a little about Jabulani, his life as an elephant groom and his homeland during the hour long ride. We were at the head of the herd which moved, single file, at a surprisingly comfortable and sedate pace. From the height of Jabulani’s back (there was a saddle that made the ride cushy) the bush had a different look and feel from the ones I had experienced on bush walks and safari drives.
Chef Rudolf Van Den Berg at Camp Jabulani
It seemed far away and at the same time as if we might see anything in the company of these gentle creatures. At sunset, we arrived at a lovely picnic spot where we dismounted to enjoy South African bubbly and snacks and share our thoughts on this newest experience and how special it had been. Click here to read more about Camp Jabulani.
by Editor | Jun 15, 2009 | Luxury Travel
An exterior view of Rock House Villa
Rock House Villa
Looking for a little rest and relaxation in the Cape Town area? We found two multi-million dollar luxury rental properties each with its own distinctive charms. Rock House Villa, a recently constructed luxury four bedroom rental home, hugs a popular South African beach. The two-story house with a live-in staff person is perched on the edge of the rocks of Camps Bay, Cape Town’s famous beach suburb.
The living room at Villa Higgovale
The back deck at Villa Higgovale
Villa Higgovale, a 4,000 square meter property, sits in a residential hillside neighborhood and has a splendid view of Cape Town and its bay. Two full time employees, a housekeeper and a gardener, looked after the six bedroom house which is minutes away from shopping and the city.
Click here to find out what our team discovered during their stay about Rock House Villa and Villa Higgovale.
