The Travel Snob

Set Sail on the Sea of Cortez Aboard an 80 Foot Luxury Schooner Owned by Marquis Los Cabos Beach, Golf, Spa and Casitas Resort in Mexico. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

      

The new 80-foot Turkish schooner, Novia Mia ( My Girlfriend), recently debuted at the Marina of San Lucas, and can accommodate 35 passengers for day excursions or 8 overnight guests in six comfy cabins with bathroom; one kitchen; two dining rooms for indoor and outdoor dining; sun deck and TV with DVD player. Four exclusive packages are currently available (don't worry - you're not required to be guest at the resort):

• Snorkel Tour Three hours of snorkeling adventure from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Includes snorkel and fishing equipment, kayaks, towels, refreshments including domestic open bar and gourmet snacks. Marquis butler and Michelin-star chef are included. A light lunch menu features Marquis appetizers such as Ceviche Yucatan Style, Shrimp Sushi, Oysters, Clams, Prosciutto & Provolone Sandwiches and Haagen Dazs ice cream for dessert. $120 USD per person (plus tax and service charge).

• Sunset Tour Three hours of spectacular sunset-viewing and evening snorkeling from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. The tour includes snorkel and fishing equipment, kayaks, towels, refreshments including domestic open bar and gourmet snacks. The evening fare includes Marquis appetizers such as Salmon Sashimi, Fruit Brochette, Lobster Frittatas, Beef Turnovers with Fried Bananas and Chile Poblano and Mini French Cakes for dessert. (Marquis butler and Michelin-star chef are included.) $200 USD per person. 

• Private Tour Four hours of seclusion and water sport activities like snorkeling, fishing and kayaking. The tour includes snorkel and fishing equipment, kayaks, towels and refreshments including international open bar. The Michelin-star chef will customize an elaborate menu from signature restaurant selections at Vista Ballenas and Canto del Mar. $3,500 USD to rent the entire boat, plus tax and service charge.

• Wedding Package Cmbines 24 hours of wedded bliss on the high seas with water activities and brunch for guests. The bride and groom can host 8 overnight guests and 35 day guests on the schooner. The wedding ceremony can be performed in the afternoon aboard the Novia Mia, and afterward, the boat will travel through the Sea of Cortez overnight and arrive near the shoreline in the morning. After a Michelin star chef prepares brunch, arrival at the Marina of San Lucas is set for 2:00 PM - 3:00 P.M. Includes boat rental for 24 hours; fishing, snorkel and kayak equipment; international open bar; gourmet snacks; Maitre Cuisinier de France, Marquis butler, waiters and service employees to assist all wedding guests. $9,500 USD plus tax and service charge. (Wedding ceremony, reception dinner and décor are additional.)

For more info, visit MarquisLosCabos.com

- The Travel Snob

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La Pleta Hotel in the Pyrenees Introduces New Total Wellness Summer Spa Packages. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Tucked away in Val d'Aran, Baqueira, a scenic 2 hour drive from the Toulouse Airport and 3 ½ hours from the Barcelona Airport is one of Spain's premier five-star resorts & part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World portfolio: the 70-room La Pleta Hotel & Spa.

From June 23rd through Sept. 19, 2007, La Pleta is offering three, five and seven night wellness packages at its 2,000 square foot Occitania Spa, featuring modern design with exquisitely lit, glass-floored treatment rooms that still retain the regional rustic feel amid décor of slate, local stone and wood.

• 3-NIGHT PACKAGE includes accommodation in one Occitania superior room, breakfast buffet, transfers service from/to Barcelona, one spa honey massage per person, and one bottle of Cava sparkling wine in your room. from $1,870.42 (per room, per stay, & exclusive of the 7% tax)

• 5-NIGHT PACKAGE a superior Occitania room with sparkling water, breakfast buffet & transfers, as well as a mineralised aromatic exfoliation, facial, and hot stone massage. from $2,780.28

• 7-NIGHT PACKAGE superior Occitania room with sparkling water, champagne and Vin Caud (Catalan hot wine), breakfast buffet & transfers, a flower elixir treatment, an anti stress treatment, one hot stones treatment, and one facial treatment. from $3571.83

To make a reservation, visit Small Luxury Hotels of the World at slh.com. For more info on La Pleta, go to LaPleta.com.

- The Travel Snob

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Remote Lands' First Private Jet Journey to Asia to Feature Gael Greene and Simon Winchester. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Learn about Asian culture through its food on a two week adventure that will take travelers to five countries as part of the newest trip on the roster of Asian luxury "bespoke travel specialist" Remote Lands.  High flying activities include dining with members of the Thai royal family; visiting Yekshenba Bazaar, the world's largest open-air market located in Kashgar; savoring dinner with the Maharaja at his palace in Udaipur; enjoying a wedding ceremony in a charming Bhutan village; and observing a private young-monk ordination and ritual head-shaving in Burma.   

As part of the  Passionate Epicures and Insatiable Travelers private jet journey, scheduled for October 13-26, 2007, you'll be whisked through five countries, stay in splendid hotels, and indulge in spa treatments and magnificent cuisine. Celebrated food critic and best-selling author Gael Greene and award-winning author and Asia expert Simon Winchester will be along as raconteurs for the trip.

Remote Lands Passionate Epicures and Insatiable Travelers Jet Journey:

• COUNTRIES VISITED Thailand, Burma, Bhutan, India & China
• MODE OF TRANSPORT luxury Boeing Business Jet outfitted with just 40 first class seats
• LIMITED SPACE no more than 15 - 20 guests
• CELEB SPEAKERS author Simon Winchester & food critic Gael Greene
• TRIP DATES October 13-26, 2007
• COST $50,000 per person (double occupancy) with a $5,000 supplement fee for single occupancy

On an earthy-friendly note, Remote Lands donates five percent of its profits directly to local charities in Asian countries for continued development of tourism projects. They also support geotourism, which sustains and enhances the geographical character of a place - its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents - that helps build a sense of national identity and pride.

- The Travel Snob

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With a New Hard Rock Hotel, San Diego will Officially Rock this Fall. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Livin' large in a rock star suite.

The hopping Gaslamp Quarter will host the new hotel, a combination of four-star luxury with a rock vibe, replete with upscale, contemporary design, signature restaurants, sophisticated nightlife, exceptional customer service and, of course, rock ‘n’ roll. The 12-story, 315,000-square-foot property will feature 420 suites, including 17 Rock Star Suites,  a landscaped rootop pool deck with a smattering of private cabanas, a retro coffee shop, luxurious spa, a fourth floor urban garden overlooking the Gaslamp Quarter, Nobu restaurant by celebrated chef Nobu Matsuhisa, and a stunning lobby lounge and rooftop pool bar created by design daredevil Michael Czysz and Rande Gerber. "Hard Rock Hotel San Diego is one of our most exciting projects to date," explains Gerber. "The design of the bar and rooftop pool bar will incorporate the energy, passion and originality of San Diego's lifestyle with a rich cutting edge design. As with all of our properties, we will create a unique ambience that will play host to an eclectic crowd and offer an international mix of music, as well as a few surprises. When I look at this city, it feels like Miami did years ago with the vitality and anticipation to take off. It's exciting to be part of a city with such spirit and people who are ready to shake it up a bit."

Enlisting the talents of renowned San Diego-based architect Graham Downes, the interiors of Hard Rock Hotel San Diego include both layering and staging elements, such as the dynamic 40-foot lobby at the hotel's entrance with custom-designed furniture and fixtures, leading to a striking lobby bar. The surround-sound music & constant energy are orchestrated under the watchful eye of the hotel’s Vibe Manager (!).

"Every guest will receive true rock-star treatment and services when staying at the property," promises Trevor Horwell, Vice President of Hard Rock Hotels. The life of rock royalty includes cantilevered furniture, 300-thread count cotton linens, green-room inspired refreshment centers, halo-illuminated beds that create a sense of floating, and sensually-styled bathrooms with ceiling-mounted rain showers. Technology pulses through the rooms with integrated video and sound systems, including a home-theatre entertainment center with WiFI and large HD TVs. Life in one of the 17 custom-designed, one-of-a-kind Rock Star Suites is even sweeter with matte leather couches, vibrantly colored fur pillows, dark ebony floors and hand-woven custom rugs. The top floor suite features a fire pit and deck seating for 20, while another boasts 270-degree views of the San Diego Bay and an outdoor hot tub. In the Black Eyed Peas Suite designed by will.i.am, Fergie, apl.de.ap and Taboo, everything from the furniture to the bed linens reflects the band members' personal touches, including a video greeting from will.i.am, where he’ll suggest everything from his favorite haunts in the historic Gaslamp Quarter to choice tunes stashed in his personal music collection.

For guests choosing to eat at the hotel, Nobu awaits - the seventeenth location in Nobu Matushisa's chain. With offerings such as Yellowtail with Jalapeno, Tiradito Nobu Style, Lobster with Wasabi Pepper Sauce and Black Cod with Miso, sushi lovers and A-listers will be vying for reservations at this see-and-be-seen destination. Guests will have the option of dining in the main dining room, in the private dining room, or at the sushi bar. "Hard Rock Hotel San Diego is a natural next step for Nobu,” says Nobu Matsuhisa. “We’ve been in Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas for about eight years and the brand is so strong worldwide. I also live in Los Angeles and I love coming to San Diego, so when I saw the location, I was in. The hotel and the city itself have such a dynamic, fresh energy and is the perfect setting for us to provide exceptional food and service in an atmosphere that is stylish and comfortable."

For more info, visit HardRock.com.

- The Travel Snob

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Travel Like a Gazillionaire on a Real Person's Budget by Joining a Private Residence Club. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Offering access to luxury vacation homes with five star services at a fraction of the cost of owning an equivalent second home, destination clubs and private residence clubs are growing in popularity. As with anything to do with real estate, the main factor people consider when buying into one - according to research by both Ragatz Associates & PricewaterhouseCoopers - is location.

“The new directory allows prospective members of these clubs to search by destination to find the home and club that’s right for them,” explains Nick Copley, Editor of SherpaReport.com, which educates consumers with in-depth coverage, reports and directories on luxury destination clubs, private residence clubs and private jet markets. Their new vaca home directory lets prospective members to easily find luxury vacation homes in various locations, complete with pix, descriptions, and listing of amenities such as travel services and on-site concierges, so its easy to compare the various residences. “Each of the clubs has multi million dollar residences in a variety of locations; with the directory you can now see which clubs have homes in your favorite destination. It’s a great tool as you evaluate the clubs and decide which one to join.”

Check it out at SherpaReport.com.

- The Travel Snob

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Rejuvenate at one of the Top Destination Spas on the Condé Nast Traveler Annual Best-Of List. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

The April issue of Condé Nast Traveler recently released their 2007 readers' poll celebrating the top 56 spas in North America, showcasing  the best spas and highlighting the opinions of their very sophisticated, discriminating travel-enthusiast readers. "Readers raved about destination spas this year," explains the magazine, " with more than twice as many high scorers as last year". Of the top nine awards, Destination Spa Group spas - a select, by-membership-only group - received seven, including:

    * Lake Austin Spa Resort
    * Cal-a-Vie
    * Canyon Ranch in Lenox
    * Golden Door
    * Canyon Ranch in Tucson
    * Rancho La Puerta
    * Red Mountain Spa

Get your spa on at DestinationSpas.com.

- The Travel Snob

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Find the Best Hotels in Latin America - Mexico, Central America & South America - at Luxury Latin America. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

The recently launched Luxury Latin America provides upscale travelers with filtered, authoritative recommendations on the top hotels and best luxury travel opportunities in Argentina, Belize, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay.

Travel articles are based on deluxe trips in the region - experienced first-hand - that are a clear cut above the standard tourist fare; candid and detailed hotel reviews are penned by seasoned travel writers & guidebook authors who have inspected them in person, and cover only the most luxurious hotels and resort. "Even in well-developed resort areas in Mexico and Costa Rica, "deluxe" and "5-star" designations are so widespread that they have become meaningless," explains Timothy Scott, Luxury Latin America's editor, who has plans afoot to add more destinations in the coming months. "Our aim is to filter out the also-rans and save wealthy travelers time by pointing them to only the best hotels and tours in the Americas."

Check it out at LuxuryLatinAmerica.com.

- The Travel Snob

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Enjoy the Kentucky Derby That Much More by Staying Like a Local. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Instead of watching the Derby on TV this year, celebrate My Old Kentucky Home style during 133rd Run for the Roses on May 5. RentMyHouse4derby.com specializes in houses in and around Louisville at a variety of price ranges, so gather up a group of friends, party & stay together, and enjoy a unique and memorable vacation by renting a local house.

- The Travel Snob

Stressed Out Europeans Seek More Vacation Options Than Their American Counterparts. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

R&R at London's Landmark Hotel

A recent article published by the International Herald Tribune (The Workplace: U.S.-style Work Stress is Spreading to Europe) revealed the extent of the increased stress levels sweeping through European nations. According to the author, Britain, Ireland, and most recently, the Netherlands and other areas of Scandinavia are most prone to suffering from stress and anxiety caused by the adoption of stressful American-style work habits. The European Commission estimates that stress and anxiety result in a cost of at least 20 billion Euro annually, much of which is derived from the lack of productivity caused by continuous levels of stress in the workplace.

However, unlike their American compatriots, Europeans are more inclined to take recuperative action. "Even though the stressful American lifestyle has now crossed the ocean and crept into Europe, it seems that Europeans aren't so caught up in the frenzy that they won't make the time to relax and regroup," says Marcel Stillekens, co-owner of EuroBookings.com, a Holland-based travel and tourism company that offers deep discount rates on more than 25,000 hotels across Europe. "We've seen a marked increase in wellness and holistic traveling -- destinations that offer dedicated spa's, yoga retreats, and other relaxation activities."

This rising wave of stress directly correlates with rising interest in health tourism in Europe at places like the Landmark London (spa treatments) and London's Radisson Edwardian Pastoria hotel (body wraps, facials, and full treatment courses in a 4-star luxury setting), and other European hotels that cater specifically to relaxation and rejuvenation.

- The Travel Snob

New Punta Cana Resort Provides the Excuse You & the Fam Were Looking for to Visit the Dominican Republic. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

The new 554 suite Paradisus Palma Real resort has a special Paradisus Palma Real Family Concierge on the menu: specially appointed kid-friendly suites (Play Stations on request); children’s mini bathrobes, slippers & bathroom amenities; a fully stocked minibar with children’s drinks; turn-down service with milk and cookies; kid's Jacuzzi; activities menu - including a Paradise Kidz Beach-kit with all-day assistance from a family concierge reachable by walkie-talkie radio to coordinate family activities and sports.

For more info, visit ParadisusParmaReal.com.

- The Travel Snob