Travel Bulletin Luxury Supplement 2014

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Luxury

Your one-stop guide

All About

August 2014

to all the latest news and developments in Luxury Holidays

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A 5 star resort that is an oasis of luxury in a peaceful location on Pissouri Bay and is very popular with our discerning guests.

Prestige Holidays have two great offers for holidays started & completed between 15 Aug - 31 Oct when booked by 31 Aug: Book a Junior Suite for 7 nights or more and receive one night free, saving at least £100 per person. OR Book 5 nights or more in an Executive Suite and receive complimentary half board, saving £255 per person per week.Love to Shop vouchers for each booking made.

More affordable luxury holidays from your local airport.

Prestige Holidays on 01425 480400 www.prestigeholidays.co.uk

Columbia Beach Resort

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What’s new - 4

Caribbean - 6

Luxury in the UK - 10

Escorted tours - 12

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Publisher: Jeanette Ratcliffe Written and researched by: Angela CroninEmail: [email protected]/Layout: Ranganath GS & Prashanth APPrinted by: Buxton PressCover Picture: The Per Aquum resort of Huvafen Fushiin the Maldives

ISSN: 0956-2419

Lower Ground Floor, University House, 11-13

Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EX

Tel: 020-7834 6661

LUXURYThe luxury market is a dynamic arena these days, so it seems, and what

clients expect from their luxury holidays is changing all the time. SmallLuxury Hotels of the World recently conducted a survey of 13,000 of its

customers worldwide and the results are very surprising, an indication ofexactly how much the market has transformed.

The full story on the survey results is in our What’s new section on pages 4and 5, which is a must read for agents keen to boost their luxury hotel bookings.

Operators in general are reporting a good year, and upmarket operatorPrestige Holidays have said that it’s very much “business as usual”.

General manager David Skillicorn says they have noticed an increase indemand for experiential holidays.

“Pre-bookings for 2015 summer holidays are up massively. In particular,experiential packages such as our bear watching Canadian tour. While they maynot come under a traditional ‘luxury’ banner’, they’re not cheap. Some peopleknow what they want and will pay for it. A perfect example is our nine-day tourto Bosnia and Croatia escorted by journalist Martin Bell OBE.

“We’ve run it twice so far and it’s sold out quickly. We are currently planningthe third and are looking to run other special tours in the future.”

Skillicorn says Prestige has also seen an increase in demand for Sicily. “TheItalian island seems to be popular with our four and five star clients looking forsomething different. These aren’t what we class as holidaymakers – they aretravellers looking for experience and adventure, and willing to pay for it.”

So, with some input from luxury specialists, we have put together this AllAbout Luxury Holidays supplement.

The features include a focus on luxury Caribbean style, with a look at whatyour clients can come to expect from luxury on the smaller islands versus thebigger islands in the region.

Our UK holiday features looks at the domestic market, from the city to thecountryside and the coast.

The escorted tours feature includes recommendations from the experts onthe best-available tours by road, rail and sea.

Finally, Holidays for less than... features a collection of some of the bestluxury escapes on the market at the moment.

So, I hope you enjoy reading this supplement and offers some inspiration foryour clients looking for a luxury escape over the next year.

Angela CroninSupplements editor

CONTENTS

All about

All About Luxury Holidays

OR Book 5 nights or

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Holidays for less than... - 15


All About Luxury Holidays4

Luxury is a very subjectiveconcept. One person’s conceptof luxury could be to have 24-

hour butler service, while anotherperson’s idea of luxury could be allabout the exclusiveness of theexperience.

Small Luxury Hotels of theWorld has conducted a survey of13,000 of its customers worldwideand the results are very interesting.Free wifi is more favourable than afree breakfast with clients who opt tostay in luxury hotels, apparently, with53.1% of respondents preferring freewifi access over complimentarybreakfast.

The poll also identified Italy as the

most luxurious holiday destination,Chanel as the most popular luxurybrand and Nespresso/ coffeemachines being the most favourite in-room accessory, followed by aniPod-docking system.

In the minibar, UK respondentsopted for Bombay Sapphire, whilewhen picking one hotel attribute overanother, most markets chose aMichelin-star restaurant over a rooftop bar.

Ultimately, when picking a luxuryhotel, the most importantcharacteristic was ‘character/charm’selected by 59.6% of all respondents,followed by five-star facilities.

Fascinating results, which help

hotels and tour operators tounderstand exactly what theircustomers are looking for.

We catch up with luxury operatorsand hotel groups to find out abouttheir plans for 2015.

Sovereign The luxury operator has introduced16 properties in Greece, Cyprus, GranCanaria, Portugal, Italy, Dubai andBarbados and a new destination to its2015 brochure, which features 220properties in 19 destinationsworldwide.

The new destination is Ras AlKhaimah, one of the seven emiratesthat make up United Arab Emirates.

Who would have thought that what makes a clientchose a luxury hotel is whether they have free wifi ornot? Maybe, those wealthy clients are not as hard toplease as you thought they would be

The Tiger’s Nest temple, which sits ontop of a cliff 900 metres above thevalley floor, is a feature of Insight

Vacations’ new tour of Bhutan

What’s new


Less than an hour’s drive from Dubai airport, it offers beach,desert and mountains and to capture this variety of holidayexperiences, Sovereign is featuring the Waldorf Astoria Ras AlKhaimah, Banyan Tree Ras Al Khaimah Beach and Hilton AlHamra Beach and Golf Resort.

Prices for seven nights’ bed and breakfast at Waldorf AstoriaRas Al Khaimah lead in at £1,029 per person, based on 11 May2015 departure and include flights and transfers.

Meanwhile, new hotels include the Ikos Oceania in Halkidiki,Greece, the Olympic Lagoon Resort in Paphos, Cyprus, theColumbia Beach Resort in Cyprus and the Sheraton La CaletaResort and Spa in Tenerife.sovereign.com

Insight Vacations The escorted tours specialist has recently added the landlockedsoutheast Asian country of Bhutan to its collection of worldwideitineraries.

This 11-day Bhutan-Dragon Kingdom premium tour visits thefamous Tiger’s Nest temple, which sits on top of a cliff 900metres above the valley floor, and the 7th-century KyichuLhakhang temple, as well as offering guests the chance to try aBhutanese cooking class with a local chef and a Himalayancelebration dinner.

Accommodation includes the five-star Zhiwa Ling Hotel and anovernight stay at the luxurious Taj Tashi in the Thimphu Valley.

Prices start at £4,475 per person and includes return flights,transfers, 10 nights’ accommodation with breakfast, travel inmodern and air-conditioned luxury touring coaches and theservices of a tour director throughout.insightvacations.com

Classic Collection HolidaysThe luxury operator has teamed up with Bookajet so it can nowoffer clients travel via private jet.

The executive jets can seat between four and 14 passengers,with an eight-seater jet from a London Airport to Palma inMajorca costing from £2,500 per person return.classic-collection.co.uk

Caesars EntertainmentA new hotel has opened on the Strip in Las Vegas.

Owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment, the Cromwellfeatures 188 rooms and suites, a casino, hotel lobby bar, lounge,restaurant by Giada De Laurentiis and beach and nightlifevenues by Victor Drai two lower-level main pools, 40 poolsideday beds, 9 VIP Bunglalows, 15 cabanas with private pools, twofull bars and a DJ booth.

Meanwhile, Caesars Entertainment is launching a new brandand website that will make a collection of nearly 2,000 luxurysuites and villas across the entire Las Vegas portfolio of resortsavailable to the general consumer.

The Anthology Suites will include villas and suites at TheCromwell, Harrah’s, Flamingo, Planet Hollywood, Rio, Bally’s,Caesars Palace and Nobu Hotel.

Guests will benefit from VIP check-in and Total RewardsDiamond queuing at locations throughout all CaesarsEntertainment Las Vegas resorts. Select rooms will also includecomplementary limo transportation from the airport and 24-hour butler service.caesars.com. n


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Caribbean


The big question

Resorts in the Caribbean know athing or two about the luxurymarket, and it seems, they are

always looking for new ways toimprove what they do.

But does luxury mean differentthings depending on whether you arestaying in one of the bigger islands,such as the Dominican Republic orCuba, or one of the smaller islands inthe BVIs?

The larger islands often have biggerresorts with more facilities to choosefrom, while the smaller islands cancater for those who want thatparadise-lost feel.

Here is a selection of small vs bigisland ideas from the operators whoknow the Caribbean inside out.

Small islandsThe island: St LuciaThe hotel: Sugar Beach, a ViceroyResortThe L (luxury) factor: This hotel issituated directly between the Pitonmountains, so the views alone areluxurious before we event startgetting down to the nitty-gritty of theresort itself, and offers amazingservice and facilities. Theaccommodation is pretty impressiveand spacious, all with impressiveviews of either the Pitons or the sea.The private residences have infinitypools and gardens. Anything else? The resort is popularwith big hitters from Hollywood; infact, Matt Damon hired out the wholeresort for his wedding – wow! So ifyou feel like living it up as if you were

an A-list movie star, then takeadvantage of the hotel’s yacht orspeed boat, and arrive in style.How much? Hayes and Jarvis offersseven nights’, room-only trip to SugarBeach with prices from £1,799 perperson, including flights andtransfers.To book: hayesandjarvis.co.uk

The island: the family-ownedBahamian island of Kamalame Cay,which is located off the northeastcoast of Andros is the largest island ofthe Bahamas, and the fifth largest inthe West Indies. The region is

renowned for its spectacularsnorkelling, diving, fishing anduntouched beaches and world-renowned bonefishing. And with apopulation of just 6,000 it’s the leastdensely populated of all theBahamian islands.The hotel: Kamalame Cay is a privateisland resort near Staniard Creek thatis only accessible by private ferry orseaplane. Its accommodation istucked into 96 acres of swaying palmsand flowering tropical foliage fringedby three miles of white, sandybeaches.The L factor: its pure paradise-lost

The beauty of theCaribbean is the variety ofholiday experiences it canoffer, but does the size ofan island determine theluxury that it can offer?

Holiday like a HollywoodA-lister and spend a week at

Sugar Beach in St Lucia

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7

Caribbean

Sandals Emerald Bay Golf, Tennis and Spa Resort,set on a white, sandy beach in Great Exuma


feel isolation from the outside world,its stunning tropical surroundings andits plethora of pastimes for guests,from spa programmes to world-classdiving, snorkelling, fishing andsporting excursions. Anything else? The icing onKamalame’s cake is its underwaterspa.How much? Abercrombie and Kentoffers seven nights’ bed and breakfastin Angler’s Nest Room leading in at£2,165 per person including returnflights to Nassau, return charterflights to Andros Town, taxi and boatto the island.To book: turquoiseholidays.co.uk

The island: there are 360 islands thatmake up the Exumas, but one inparticular that ticks the luxury box isGreat Exuma.The hotel: Sandals Emerald Bay Golf,Tennis and Spa Resort, set on a white,sandy beach in Great Exuma. Theluxury property has 245 oceanviewand oceanfront rooms and suites.

There are seven restaurants andbars, a zero-entry pool with poolsidebutler service, unlimited land andwatersports, a Red Lane Spa, an 18-

hole Greg Norman-designedchampionship golf course, full-servicemarina and six tennis courts all lit fornight play.The L factor: well, everything aboutthis resort screams luxury, from thespa to the food, the sports facilities tothe marina, but the icing on the cakethere is concierge and butler servicefor all of the 245 oceanfrontaccommodations, which are just feetaway from the resort’s white sandybeach.Anything else? The Exuma CaysOcean Safari from Island RoutesCaribbean Adventures Tours givesguests the chance to see theBahamas’ big five; sharks, stingrays,starfish, swimming pigs and theendangered Bahamian rock iguana,on a half-day ocean safari on a speedboat through more than 70 littleislands, cays and coves.How much? Seven nights’ all-inclusivecosts from £2,145 per person andincludes flights and transfers. To book: sellingsandals.co.uk

The island: GrenadaThe hotel: Mount Cinnamon Resortand Beach Club

The L factor: it has to be the location,the intimacy of the resort and theaccommodation, of which there are22 villas all located on a lush hilloverlooking Grand Anse Beach.Anything else? Traditional Grenadianmasterclasses are available at theresort’s sister 17th-century workingplantation, Mount Edgecombe, whichsupplies Mount Cinnamon with manyof its spices, fruit and veg. Guests canhead over there to learn how to cooklocal dishes.How much? Caribtours offers sevennights from £3,995 per family, basedon two adults and two childrensharing a one-bedroom pool/ocean-view suite including breakfast, flightsand transfers.To book: caribtours.co.uk

British Virgin IslandsThe island: Virgin Gorda, the BritishVirgin Islands The hotel: Oil Nut Bay is nestled on aprivate peninsula of the eastern tip ofVirgin Gorda.The L factor: Oil Nut Bay’s location ona private peninsula gives it thatexclusive feel and its accommodationreally puts the l in luxury as the villas


have private entrances, infinity poolswith breathtaking views, expansiveoutdoor living space and top-of-the-range kitchen facilities. And not manyresorts can brag about THEIR marina.There’s also a wellness studio, beachclub facilities including three poolsand restaurant, water-sports, NutHouse kids’ club and nature centre,and guests at a resort of this calibrewould expect a personal conciergeservice – and of course there is one.How much? Turquoise Holidays offersseven nights’ B&B from £2,099 perperson including boat transfers andall flights.To book: turquoiseholidays.co.uk

Big islandsThe island: CubaThe hotel: Hotel Saratoga in HavanaThe L factor: a modern-day haunt ofthe very rich and extraordinarilyfamous, most recently frequented byBeyonce and Jay-Z, Hotel Saratogadates back to 1879 and is an exclusiveretreat in the heart of Old Havana.Anything else? This elegant five-starhotel has stunning views acrossHavana from the rooftop pool, whichmakes it the perfect spot to enjoy aglass of champagne as the sun setsover this fascinating capital city.How much? Hayes and Jarvis offersseven nights’ B&B from £995 per

person, including return flights.To book: hayesandjarvis.co.uk

The island: Travel 2 product managerKevin Coles recommends theDominican Republic as “it is widelyregarded as having one of the mostdiverse landscapes. From thehistorical, warm and vibrant city ofSanto Domingo to lush tropicaljungles and 250 miles of some of theworld’s top beaches, there’s plentyfor visitors to do. The island is hometo an abundance of magnificentresorts and hotels too”.The hotel: Travel 2’s Colesrecommends Hard Rock Punta Cana.“The Hard Rock Punta Cana resort isone of the largest on the island. Theresort offers guests an array offacilities and the majority of these areincluded within their all-inclusiveprogramme.

“For those activities of facilities notincluded, the hotel gives guests up to$2,500 of credit to spend in resort.This can be used on anything from around of golf on the Jack Nicklauscourse, to room upgrades and finedining and wines,” adds Coles.

The resort has 15 swimming pools,so there is plenty of space for guests,especially those looking for a bit ofseclusion. There are plenty of diningoptions, including ice cream parlours

and coffee shops, most of which areincluded at no extra charges. For thekids there is a full arcade with all thelatest games.

“The accommodation options forguests are spacious and the Rock Spais available for guests and treatmentsthat can be booked using resortcredits.”The L factor: Coles recommendsbooking a Rock Star Suite as “guestswill have their own butler on call 24hours a day. The hotel will provide aluggage packing and unpackingservice, complimentary ironing,couples massage and VIP privatecheck in. At check in, guests willreceive a code to download playlistsdirectly to their room. Guests caneven have an electric Fender guitardelivered to their room should theywish to practice their guitar skills inprivate.Anything else? The hotel is perfectfor families with children, who wantluxury – and choice in equal measure.With four kids pools, including logflume waterslides and a mini golfcourse, there’s plenty to keep theyounger family members busy duringthe holiday.How much? Travel 2 features sevennights’ all-inclusive from £1,369 perperson including flights and transfers.To book: travel2.com

8All About Luxury Holidays

Big island luxury at the Hard Rock Punta Cana resort on the island of Dominican Republic.


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Luxury Cruising by Compagnie du Ponant

ADRIATIC AND AEGEAN SEA: THE ULTIMATE YACHTING EXPERIENCETaking a cruise with Compagnie du Ponant in the Mediterranean offers you a perfect combination of relaxation, exclusivity and cultural discoveries across a range of locations such as Venice, Kotor and Athens.The 132-cabin, 5-star yacht LE SOLÉAL reaches some of the Mediterranean’s best kept secrets whilst treating guests to unrivalled passenger service, the finest cuisine and a bilingual crew ready to tend to your every need. Discover the treasures of the World by sea.

Start your journey on ponant.com

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S03 TB Luxury Supp 2014 UK Market_Layout 1 8/11/2014 12:07 PM


The domestic market is performingwell with demand for luxury shortbreaks strong and agents can play

a key role in matching their clients’luxury tastes to the right UK hotel,according to operators.

Graham Balmforth, national salesmanager at SuperBreak, says: “Specialoccasions such as birthdays, weddinganniversaries and the like drive theluxury market as customers look for thatextra something special to do.

“We find that more and more peopleare looking for a reason to travel andare buying more with their breaks. It isnow possible to add a host of treatssuch as afternoon tea, spa treatments,museum and exhibition tickets, diningexperiences and so much more.”

Luxury properties and experiences

can be found throughout the UK, and inthis feature, domestic operators havetold us their favourite destinations forcity, countryside and coastal escapes.

In the cityThe hotel: The LowryLocation: ManchesterWhat’s the L factor? Named after oneof England’s most prolific artist, TheLowry was Manchester’s first five-starhotel, and is part of the Rocco Fortestable of luxury hotels. The Lowry likesto lay claim to having GreaterManchester’s most lavish hotel room,the Charles Forte penthouse suite.

The suite has a dressing room, a hugebathroom and large walk-in wardrobe,while the spacious reception lounge hasa plasma screen television and grand

piano with a separate area for dining. Abutler and private chef are also on callalong with a bath butler to deliver aselection of bath goodies to the room.Private in-room beauty treatments arealso available, as well as personalshoppers and fitness trainers.Who would it appeal to? Coupleslooking for a chic city break, businesstravellers, or families visiting the city towatch Manchester City or ManchesterUnited.How much? Rates from £150 a night.To book: roccofortehotels.com

The hotel: Town Hall Hotel, LondonWhat’s the L factor? Located in theimposing Town Hall building in BethnalGreen, the Town Hall Hotel is a DesignHotel that features many local andinternational artists.

The hotel’s basement houses the pooland gym and the pool area wasdesigned in shades of white marble withtouches of brass to recall the eleganceand charm of a traditional spa.

Great summers over recent years, and a fantastic array ofluxury hotels make holidaying in the UK a very popularoption with clients who have a bit of money to spend

The Chewton Glen Hotel on the edge of the New Foresthas recently introduced luxury treehouse suites

Domesticbliss

Luxury in the UK


11

The flagship suite, the De Montfort,has triple height ceilings, huge archedwindows with original stained glass withtwo statues by famous sculptor HenryPoole. The space has been divided byglass partitions, which make themaximum use of natural lighting. Thehotel’s Peg and Patriot bar has apioneering mixologist Matt Whiley, whodistils spirits for all cocktails in-house.Who would it appeal to? Those lookingto experience the artistic East End ofLondon.How much? From £172 per nightTo book: townhallhotel.com

In the countrysideThe hotel: Cromlix, Dunblane.What’s the L factor? Located in thestunning Scottish countryside, thisboutique, luxury five-star hotel is ownedby Wimbledon champion Andy Murrayand is just a short drive from the RyderCup venue of Gleneagles.

The hotel has 15 rooms, each withtheir own individual design andcharacter, along with views of theCromlix Hotel’s grounds.

There’s a library with a billiard table, awhisky room, a bar and drawing rooms.Various activities are available to guestson the estate, including a tennis court,fishing on the loch, archery, falconrydisplay, outdoor garden games and inroom spa treatments. The Cromlix isalso home to Albert and Michel RouxJr’s sixth Scottish Chez Rouxestablishment. Who would it appeal to? Ideal for clientswanting something a little different withthe opportunity to do a range ofactivities in a wonderful setting. Price: From £125 per person per nightincluding breakfast.To book: superbreak.co.uk

The hotel: Chewton Glen Hotel and Spain the New Forest, Hampshire.What’s the L factor? Chewton Glen is aprivately owned luxury country-househotel and spa located in 130 acres ofpicturesque grounds on the edge of thehistoric New Forest National Park.

The hotel has recently introducedluxury treehouses suites built high in thetrees in a secluded valley inside thehotel’s grounds. The suites have balconies

and huge windows offering views throughthe canopy to the valley beyond.

Guests can enjoy the seclusion of thetreehouse suite without having toventure outside as food and spatreatments can be brought to the treehouses.Who would it appeal to? Familieswanting a ‘get-away-from-it-all’ stylebreak in the English countryside.How much? Rates from £325.Website: chewtonglen.com

By the coastThe hotel: Christchurch Harbour Hoteland Spa.What’s the L factor? Recently selectedby The Sunday Times Travel as one ofthe top 10 coastal hotels in the UK andIreland, the Christchurch Harbour Hoteland Spa is the ideal hotel for a relaxingretreat. The hotel boasts breathtakingviews across the harbour, and it also hasa spa, which includes a pool, areas forrelaxation, a hydrotherapy pool, sauna,crystal steam room, salt grotto,gymnasium, five treatment rooms and arest and refresh area.

The on-site restaurant The Jetty is runby Michelin-starred chef, Alex Aitkin andthe restaurant has walks of glass, that

allow diners the chance to enjoy viewsover the Mudeford estuary.Who would it appeal to? Spa lovers orfine diners who have a love of goodfood. How much? Prices from £72 perperson per night including breakfast.This price is available from Monday toThursday in October. To book: superbreak.co.uk

The hotel: The Cary Arms, BabbacombeBay, Devon.What’s the L factor? This boutique innhas eight bedrooms all with viewsacross the bay. There are also fourconverted fishermen cottages all withcosy fireplaces and their own gardenswith sweeping sea-views. The hotelboasts plenty of coastal character withechoes of New England that capturesthe essence of seaside living. Who would it appeal to and why? Bothcouples, who can check into the hotel’seight rooms, or families who can enjoythe space of the fishermen cottages.How much? Rooms start from £155 fora deluxe and £195 for a luxury, includingbreakfast. The five-room Rose cottagecosts from £1,650 for one week.To book: caryarms.co.uk n

Luxury in the UK

The Charles Forte penthouse suiteat Manchester’s Lowry Hotel



Escorted tours

12

Time to tour

Experential tours are where it’s at these days, with moreand more Brits wanting to get under the skin of acountry rather than just scratch the service.

With an escorted tour, your clients are guaranteed to comeback from their holiday, bursting with knowledge andfirst-hand experience of the country they have visited as aresult of the experiences specialists now offer, and theextremely knowledgable guides on these tours.

We talk to the experts to find out what tours are availablefor those who want to travel by road, rail or sea.

By railThe tour: the 10-day Palace on Wheels luxury tourWhere does it go? After a one-night homestay in Delhi, thenit’s time to hop on the luxurious Palace on Wheels for six

nights for an adventure through India. First stop is Jaipur,known as the pink city because of the colour of the stone usedto make the city’s breathtakingly beautiful buildings.

The train then heads off to Ranthambhore National Park forsome tiger spotting. The park is one of the best places in theworld to see these majestic predators in the wild.

Udaipur, the city of lakes, is the next stop on the journeyfollowed by Jaisalmer. Like an oasis, Jaisalmer is in the centreof the Great Thar desert, so this is the perfect opportunity tomake like the locals and jump on a camel to explore the sanddunes. The spectacular blue city of Jodhpur follows, aptlynamed due to the vivid blue-painted houses around thestunning, Mehrangarh Fort.

As the journey comes to an end, the Palace on Wheels callsin at Bharatput for a visit to the national bird sanctuary beforefinally arriving at Agra for the ultimate photo opportunityoutside the iconic Taj Mahal. Then it’s back to Delhi for twodays of sightseeing before the flight home.What’s the L factor? The Palace on Wheels has been rated asone of the 10 best luxury train journeys in the world. It oncecarried the rulers of Indian states and British leaders, and wasbrought back to life in August 2009 after a full refurb.

By road, by rail or by sea, there’s aplethora of escorted tours to choosefrom, whatever your favoured mode oftransport might be

Insight Vacations' Italian Vogue tour takesin the must-see destination of Venice


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The cabins all have their own en-suitefacilities and liveried attendants, and anew spa saloon has been recentlyintroduced offering aryuvedicmassages. Authentic experiences along the way?Every stop along this luxury trip is filledwith cultural and authentic experiences,from visiting the City Palace and theJagdish to taking a boat ride on LakePichola, exploring the sand dunes andtaking a camel ride. How much? This 10-day tour costs from£3,279 per person, including flights.To book: agents.kuoni.co.uk

The tour: the four-day TrenCrucero Guayaquil to Quitojourney in Ecuador.Where does it go? The TrenCrucero ride through the Andesof Ecuador, covering a vastarray of landscapes, frommoorlands through to cloudforests, to tropical coastallandscapes and spectacularmountain terrain. The train ridetravels through the Avenue ofVolcanoes, home to more than10 volcanoes, some of which arestill active.What gives it the L factor? Theluxury of access to Andean andcoastal indigenouscommunities, where visitors canwitness their traditional way oflife.Authentic experiences alongthe way? Yes, plenty. Theexclusivity and authenticitycomes with giving passengersthe chance to get close to thescattered communities of thedifferent regions as the trainjourneys across the plains of theinterior, through the Andes tothe coast.How much? Prices start at £824per person, sharing a doubleroom on board. The priceincludes excursions, hotelaccommodation with full boardand tour guides.To book: luxurytrainclub.com/trains/tren-crucero-ecuador

By roadThe tour: Wendy Wu has

introduced a 14-day Exquisite Chinatour, which is new for 2015 and willfeature in the Exclusive Collection, arebrand of the specialist’s Deluxe Tours. Where does it go? Beijing, Xian,Chengdu, a cruise down the Yangtze andShanghai.What gives it the L factor? Wendy Wuoffers experiences that money can’tbuy, such as champagne on the lesser-known Huanghuacheng section of theGreat Wall, the chance to try your handat calligraphy with a learned scholar, orcreate exquisite dumplings withrenowned chefs. Then there’s private

viewings of the Terracotta Warriors andthe giant pandas, an evening at theSichuan opera, a Yangtze river cruise tothe dramatic gorges, a visit the ShanghaiFinancial Centre viewing platform ormaybe a cocktail on bar M on the Bundwith stunning views of the Pudongskyline.Authentic experiences along the way?Perhaps less authentic and moreexclusive, this tour gives guests aninsight into some of the China’s longest-held traditions.How much? From £3,990 on a fullyinclusive basis including international

13

Escorted tours



flights, transportation, touring with guides, meals,accommodation, all activities and entrance fees.To book: wendywutours.co.uk

The tour: Italian Vogue by Insight Vacations.Where does it go? Rome, Capri, Florence, Viareggio, and Venice.What gives it the L factor? Well, there’s plenty on this tourthat gives it the L factor including VIP entrance to the VaticanMuseum to explore parts of the Vatican the public doesn’tusually get to stay.

In Florence, guests will be treated to a four-course menuthat pays homage to the home of Italian Cooking, and inVenice, there’s a celebration dinner held at a historicrestaurant behind St Mark’s Square.

An all-out glamorous cruise to the isle of Capri is also one ofthe highlights. And, of course, a luxury tour of this naturewouldn’t be complete without overnight accommodation infive-star hotels, such as the Capri Palace and Bauer’s L’Hotelwhich features chandeliers, Art Deco furnishings and handwoven Venetian fabrics. Authentic experiences along the way? Guests get taken on aprivate guided tour of the buried town of Pompeii, visit theancient wine growing estate of the Mazzei family in theChianti Hills to sample the famous regional wines and pop intoan artisan showroom and workshop to see master craftsmenhonouring age-old Venetian crafts.How much? Prices lead in at £4,135 per person includingreturn flights, 10 nights’ B&B, sightseeing and the services of aprofessional tour director.To book: insightvacations.com

The tour: the nine-day Best of Morocco Tour with Trafalgar Tours.Where does it go? The tour starts off in Casablanca beforehitting the road and heading to the capital Rabat for a tour ofthe city taking in the grand 17th-century palace and the 12th-century mosque.

Then it’s off to the imperial city of Meknes for a trip to Babel-Mansour, one of the most impressive monumentalgateways in North Africa, before an overnight stay in Fez, thecountry’s oldest imperial city.

From Fez, the tour follows the old caravan trail south across theHigh Atlas mountain ranges to the edge of the Sahara, continuingon to the Todra Gorge and on to Ouarazate for an overnight stayexploring the kasbahs that are thousands of years old, and haveprovided the backdrop to many a blockbuster film. The journeythen passes through the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass to its final destinationof Marrakech for two days exploring the city’s souk.What gives it the L factor? Travelling in style in a luxury, air-conditioned coach with first-class accommodation all the way.Authentic experiences along the way? Strolling around thekasbahs of Ouarazate and haggling with the market tradersin Marrakech.

How much? Prices start at £1,250 and include transfers, eightnights’ B&B, sightseeing and the services of a professionaltravel director throughout.To book: trafalgar.com

By shipThe tour: the 21-day Epic Antarctica voyage with QuarkExpeditionsWhere does it go? This icy adventure starts off at Ushuaia inArgentina before embarking on the Ocean Diamond to set sailfor the Falkland Islands to spend two days exploring by Zodiacexcursions and daily landings. The Ocean Diamond is Quark’smodern, super yacht, and the largest of its small ships.

South Georgia is the next stop on this adventure, which was awhaling and sealing metropolis in its heyday, before sailing onto the South Shetland, and crossing the Antarctic Circle which isa momentous occasion. The cruise continues northbound alongthe peninsula before spending some more frozen days crossingthe Drake Passage for more wildlife encounters.

The voyage ends with a return to Ushuaia.What gives it the L factor? This really is one of those tripswhere the luxury factor is more about the exclusiveness of theexperience, and the Antarctic is definitely one of the regionsthat is well off-the-beaten track. Authentic experiences along the way? Plenty. There’s thechance to see 30 species of breeding birds, including fourspecies of penguin in South Georgia, often referred to as “theGalapagos of the South”. Cruisers get the chance to follow inthe footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s perilous voyages onSouth Georgia and pause for a moment at his graveside; learnabout Antarctica’s unique geology, history and wildlife withan expert team of lecturers; and meet the locals of thequaint, British town of Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands.Passengers can also try their hand at camping in Antarcticconditions and kayaking.How much? Prices lead in at £11,833 based on a January 29departure. International flights are not included.To book: quarkexpeditions.co.uk �

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Visit the Terracotta Warriors in Xian onWendy Wu’s Exquisite China tour


Trafalgar Tours' Best of Morocco journey starts inCasablanca, home to Mosque Hassan II, one of the

largest mosques in the world


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£2,000Kuoni has seven nights’ B&B in a deluxebungalow at the five-star VelassaruMaldives.How much? Prices lead in at £1,348 perperson, based on two sharing, includingflights with SriLankan Airlines andtransfers. To book: agents.kuoni.co.uk

ITC Luxury Travel is offering sevennights’ B&B at the luxury Sani Resort inHaldikiki, GreeceHow much? Prices are from £1,075 perperson based on two adults sharing ajunior suite with a marina view andincluding flights and transfers fordepartures on 17 October.To book: itcluxurytravel.co.uk

£3,000Hayes and Jarvis has a week’s all-inclusive at the five-star ConstanceMoofushi Resort in the Maldives.How much? Prices start at £2,499 perperson, including savings of £1,006 perperson. Flights and transfers feature andthe price is based on 4 Septemberdeparture.To book: hayesandjarvis.co.uk

Kuoni is featuring five nights’ B&B in aking hillside villa at the Hilton SeychellesNortholme Resort and Spa, Seychelles.

How much? Prices lead in at £2,060 perperson, including flights with Emiratesand group transfers in resort. To book: agents.kuoni.co.uk

If Only offers a seven-night couplespackage to Shangri-La Villingili Resortand Spa in the Maldives, which includeshalf-board accommodation in a poolvilla, a special honeymoon bath, aromantic dinner and a couples spatreatment. The resort has its own atolland is the only hotel in the Maldives tohave a golf course. It also offers culturalprogrammes and boasts its own privateair terminal.How much? Prices lead in at £2,869 perperson and include flights withEmirates, half-board and boat transfers.To book: agents.ifonly.net

£5,000Carrier is offering savings of up£1,770 per couple on a seven-night,half-board break at the St RegisMauritius Resort.How much? Prices lead in at £3,375 perperson based on two adults sharing anocean view deluxe room, includingWorld Traveller flights with BritishAirways and private transfers. The offeris valid for travel 11 October-12December 2014.To book: carrier.co.uk

£10,000Silversea has a 17-day voyage fromHoniara, Solomon Islands to Koror,Palau in the South Pacific on board thenew Silversea Discoverer. The voyagedeparts on 21 February 2015. How much? Prices lead in at £9,950 perperson and are based on a doubleoccupancy of an Explorer Suite incombination with the SilverseaEconomy Air Programme.To book: silversea.com

Luxury safari operator Scenic AirSafari has a 16-day Air Safari AboutAfrica which takes guests on ajourney through the heart of Africaon a luxury Cessna Grand Caravanaircraft.The itinerary takes in the SerengetiNational Park in Tanzania, the MahalaMountains, Lake Tanganyika, LikomaIsland in Lake Malawi, the LowerZambezi National Park, the ChobeRiver and the Okavango Delta inBotswana and the Zambia side of theVictoria Falls.How much? Prices lead in at £10,128per person and includesaccommodation on a mixed-boardbasis, all park entry fees, someactivities and transfers. Internationalflights are not included.To book: severin-travel.com �

From chilling out on the white, sandy beaches of a luxury, all-inclusive resort in theMaldives to going on an explorer voyage of islands in the South Pacific, here is acollection of some of the best luxury packages around at the moment

Silversea Discoverer calls in at the islandof Koror in the South Pacific


Luxury packages

Holidays forless thanHolidays forless than


Travel Bulletin Luxury Supplement 2014

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Transcript of Travel Bulletin Luxury Supplement 2014