Like the Aman-junkies (devoted Aman resort followers who langorously troupe from one luxury Aman resort to another), Banyan-junkies are now flocking to the latest Banyan Tree hotel high up in the mountains of Yunnan, China which opened this month.

Amid a Tibetan-style atmosphere of meditative Buddhist temples, prayer flags and gorgeous mountain views, the hotel is located a gasping (literally) 10,500 feet above sea level in a beautiful part of Sothwestern China in between Tibet, Myanmar and China’s Sichuan province.

The rooms are massive and decorated rather somberly with dark woods and large splashes of Chinese red lacquer and quilted curtains teeming with Tibetan flavour. The smallest room of the hotel, the Tibetan suite sprawls at 2,200 square feet and all the other rooms of the hotel are likewise on two floors.

The bathrooms are equally grand and spa-like in size, with more lacquer and tubs so large that one guest reported that his actually took over an hour to fill. To be expected are the mod cons easily found in most top hotels and resorts these days – the dvd and cd players, satellite television and high-speed internet to perhaps keep up with your blogging away from home.

There are two restaurants and a tea house to choose from, serving Chinese, Tibetan and Western cuisine. Of course, you could also choose the in-room dining option which is served until late in your room or in the romantic privacy of your courtyard garden.

The reason why this resort is so special (and near the top of my list of hotels to visit) is not its opulent comforts, but in its location, location, location. For the Banyan Tree Ringha is set in what James Hilton so wonderfully described in one of my favourite novels, “Lost Horizon” – reportedly Shangri La itself.

And after a hard day’s trekking and exploring (by four-wheel-drive) with one of the hotel’s expert guides, you can then treat yourself to a gloriously exotic-sounding treatment at the resort spa – perhaps a rice wine bath followed by a black sesame scrub to prepare you for another day in the Himalayan paradise.

Inn of the Five Graces
New Mexico
Here’s a cheaper package for $500++. For this price, you can Paint the Town Red and get the following:
• One night’s accommodations
• Passionate fruit cocktail
• Chocolate-covered cherries and blush Champagne
• Red rose bath salts sprinkled in a staff-drawn bath
• Frette bathrobes
• Red Turkish slippers
• Red incense coils to burn
• Two red-thread eternity bracelets

Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas
Las Vegas
If glitz, glamour, and gambling is what you are after, then head on to Las Vegas – it can’t get any better than that! For $897 you will find yourself Hopelessly Devoted while you enjoy the following:
• Two nights’ luxury accommodations
• Champagne and strawberries upon arrival
• Three-course Valentine’s Dinner for two
• Breakfast for two daily
• “Six Simple Kindnesses:” Message in a bottle, aromatherapy bath, massage mentoring session, love note under pillow, memory book, rose-petal turndown
• Valet parking
• Resort fee included

Now if only you could split yourself into three and go to all of those places!

Photo courtesy of http://www.flyawaycafe.com/

Top Destinations for the 2009 President’s Day / Valentine’s Day Weekend(1)

Ranking Destination Average Daily
Hotel Rate
1 Las Vegas , NV $111
2 Cancun, Mexico $262
3 Orlando, FL $116
4 New York, NY $203
5 Honolulu, HI $137
6 San Diego, CA $134
7 San Francisco, CA $108
8 Chicago, IL $125
9 New Orleans, LA $124
10 Puerto Vallarta,
Mexico $201

(1) Based on package and hotel bookings from 1/13/09 – 1/17/09 and average daily hotel rates from 1/13/09 – 1/17/09.

These are only some of the destinations that you might want to consider for your romantic weekend getaway. As they are the “top” destinations, the prices they fetch are actually still a bit high. I am sure that if you look into other destinations that are not so popular – but no less romantic – you will be able to find even sweeter offers. What are you waiting for? Take this chance to spend time with your loved one.

Photo courtesy of http://www.seatwave.com/

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your own private island? Or wanted to feel like a celebrity? Well, staying in Turtle Island in Fiji will give you a good idea of what “privileged” feels like. This super-romantic island hideaway is guaranteed to give you a taste of paradise. Turtle Island is even famous for being Hollywood’s idea of paradise, having been the site of the Blue Lagoon films.

Turtle Island gives unparalleled exclusivity, admitting only fourteen couples at one time. It’s designed primarily for couples, with activities such as romantic picnics for two, intimate moonlit dinners at seaside, horseback riding at dawn, relaxing and sensual massages. Indeed, the island is a prime choice for honeymooning celebrities, such as The Bachelor’s Trista and Ryan, Nick and Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears. Accomodations are luxurious: a two room “bure” that provides separate sleeping, dressing and bathing areas, with amenities like a Jacuzzi, double showers and king-sized beds. And with 500 acres and 14 beaches for the 14 couples, you really won’t have to worry about sharing your space (or your man!) with others.

And how’s this for exclusivity: you can even rent out the entire island. Lest you’re worried about getting bored (as if!), Turtle Island offers a lot of activities. There’s the usual water activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and even a sunset cruise. And for the landlubbers, you can go on island and garden tours, hike, go horseback riding, or have a lobster and champagne picnic. Ahh, the good life!

When I found out that I was pregnant (for the 3rd time!) a couple of months ago, some of the issues that came to mind was having to cancel a trip to Singapore for our anniversary in July (too early in the 1st trimester), and the long-postponed Christmas trip to Europe (at 8 months, forget it). A bore, but the good news now is that I’ve just entered the “honeymoon period” of pregnancy, also known as the 2nd trimester, which means, yes, we have a 2-3 month space to plan a fabulous holiday before life gets even crazier with a third child.

When one is pregnant, the most vital aspect to keep in mind is the safety and health of both Mum and baby. Obviously that vetoes ultra-exotic destinations where jungles and industrial strength mosquito repellent are involved, multiple-modes of transport (including camels, bumpy dirt tracks, elephants end the like) and of course, extreme sports (duh). So with my nightmarish first-trimester all-day nausea behind me, I am eagerly surfing the web, looking for the ideal spot.

According to the BBC, from 12-24 weeks is the ideal time to travel, and this is what one should be preparing:

Preparing to travel

* Check with your doctor, midwife or consultant that in your particular case, it’s all right to travel.
* Take a copy of your pregnancy records with you.
* Keep a record of your blood type.
* Check with the airline that they’ll allow you to travel. Some companies won’t take women after 32 weeks of pregnancy.
* Ensure you have all the medicines or remedies you’ll need for typical pregnancy symptoms, such as heartburn, constipation, and so on.
* Make sure your health insurance is valid while abroad, and during pregnancy, and covers a baby (if you did give birth at 24 weeks, your baby would need some very special and potentially very expensive care).
* Find out about medical facilities at your holiday destination, so at least you know where to go if there are problems.

It was the first time we took our two kids, ages 5 and 2 on a proper family holiday abroad without any help to speak of, so when when it came down to choosing the best hotel in Bali, the Westin Nusa Dua seemed like the perfect choice. Not just because it looked pretty, clean, and was in a safe neighborhood, but because of its Kids Club and the reasonably priced “Family Package” (from US$135 ++) which promised my husband and I the chance of some ” R & R” in our two-week holiday.

Upon arrival at hotel, the kids were given paper bags, each containing a sippy cup (refillable at any of the resort’s f & b outlets), which upon receiving they promptly started filling with the bowls of boiled sweets on the tables. I was also given a handy info sheet which said that all kids meals and laundry were 20% off, that we could ring “service express” for any needs of the kids (like a step stool for the sink, which I did), and that the Kids Club was free. Oh, and we also got 2 free tickets to the Bom Bom Water park. Super!

We settled into our ground-floor room, which although was the cheapest category, was perfectly lovely and spacious, with a large bathroom and private veranda which looked out into the garden and sea. After a delicious room service dinner (the kids meals had large portions!) and a bit of Disney channel, we all slept soundly in the “heavenlly beds” the Westin is famous for.

After a sumptous breakfast of absolutely everything (the kids loved going from station to station filling their plates with waffles, cheese, sausages, eggs etc..), we headed for the Kids Club. First there was a small shop with sleeping area behind it (great bunks, toys, tv and kid sized bath tub and loos), and behind it was a arched entrance with 2 super playgrounds, trampoline, sand area, outdoor musical instruments area and even a large hutch with rabbits and iguanas! To the side was an enclosed glassed area with tables, chairs, tv area, and enough toys, and activities to rival a small pre-school. And, two separate video game/computer rooms. My kids were thrilled!

Karmini and the other ladies in charge were very helpful and upon registering the children, told us that there were activities throughout the day which changed daily. That day there was arts and crafts followed by kite making. I could order lunch for them there too. The only hitch was that children under 4 could not be left unaccompanied, and so I had to call for a babysitter ($5 an hour) for my 2 year-old boy. Her name was Darmi, and although my 5-year-old didnt like her much (glasses and funny teeth), my boy didnt seem to mind, so she stayed our babysitter for the entire holiday.

All in all, I have to say that we couldnt have had a better time at the Westin, or asked for a better family-friendly hotel for all of us. Most days, the children stayed at the Kids Club after breakfast while I went to the spa, did a spot of shopping or simply sunbathed. We then had lunch together at the pool, then my husband took them swimming in one of the 3 pools (complete with slide and swim-to- bar for ice cream stops!). We also took a glass-bottomed boat out to Turtle Island (not what you’d expect, but the kids still enjoyed it), bought and flew lovely kites on the beach, explored a bit of the island, but most of the time just relaxed around the resort, having a perfectly lovely time. The food was excellent in all the restaurants, there were several cultural shows in the evenings (which entranced the children), and daily sunset rituals near the beach, which my daughter and I would dash to watch and enjoy with a cocktail.

Considering we ate most meals at the resort, and did most of our activities there, the whole holiday didnt cost too much, in fact it was one of most reasonable we ever had. A place definitely to return to!

France – Of course France is always part of anyone’s list when it comes to romantic getaways. Paris would be great but France has so much to offer that you really would need to spend an entire month touring different parts of France. The only problem with France would be that you might end up focusing on the tours instead of the romance. Wanting to cover as much as you want of France make sure you don’t end up getting caught in a frenzy as you try to see the Alps at Provence, the vineyards at Bordeuax and Champagne, the rugged beautiful coastlines of Brittany, and the wonders of Paris.

Venice - Ever since I was a kid riding a gondola in the canals of Venice has always been one of the most romantic settings I could think of. Being the land of Amore, Italy has more places to offer than Venice but a trip to even just Venice would be a sure way to have an unforgettable honeymoon.

Amanpulo – My dream beach resort. Actually any Aman Resort would be great. Amanpulo tugs at me for some reason that eludes me. Aside from its clear tranquil waters, unbelievably beautiful beaches and corals, quiet and secluded venue, and luxurious accommodations it just has this magical feel that makes me dream of someday being able to spend some quiet time with my husband basking underneath the Palawan sun.

There are the usual beaches covered with white and pink, tropical areas where people can hangout and getaway for the time-being and the landscapes that offer complement to the clean blue sea surrounding them. The Bahamas has so much to offer and people are sure to take advantage of it. But tourists may not be able to enjoy such escapades without proper guides.

For its part, Bahamas natives can accompany people around the area and learn more about the hidden secrets and treasures they have. It is a certainty that tourists will not be able to cover all aspects of the Bahamas since so much has to be considered. With native guides leading the way, chances are people may get more attracted with the Bahamas islands once they set foot on it.

[tags]Bahamas, beaches, islands, tourism, tourists, vacation[/tags]

Hawaii has a lot to offer. Aside from the usual luau, wonderful sunny beaches and natural habitats, the setting is perfect for couples who put premium in their romantic getaways. With a lot of accommodations and tour packages aimed at pleasing the various demands that couples would look forward to, the island of Hawaii will surely comply with their various demands.

Parks, beaches, hotels and other recreational areas that aim to make their stay worthwhile is something that differentiates Hawaii from other tourist destination spots.

[tags]Hawaii, romance, getaways, honeymoon[/tags]

Dubai has its share of attractions as well. These include the Dubai Creek, The Grand Mosque and various golf courses that tourists would usually fit in their itinerary in most cases. Shopping malls are also present to provide the necessary purchases of souvenirs and other items to bring back home. A good place to oblige to such tourist shopping demands would be that of the Deira City Shopping Mall in Dubai, a good stopover for people who simply want to get something to bring back home from the country.

[tags]dubai, beaches, shopping, attractions, golf[/tags]

Valentine�s Day would always mark the spread of giving roses, chocolates and stuffed toys. To some, a simple dinner or a quiet place in town would be the resort for people who spend the day of the hearts as tradition provides. But to go on a cruise on the special day of the hearts has to be something that would top them all off!

Imagine couples scheduling their cruise in romantic places as Italy, Rome or any place known for bringing that proper ambiance on Valentines Day. If people are concerned about spending Valentines on a different note, this has to be something that will surely be a memorable and unique experience for lovers all over the world today.

Cruise tours have become fairly associated with the Caribbean as well. Traveling by sea with various activities in store is what people, particularly couples, would fall for. While going on Caribbean tours has become a level of quality in the world of world tours, such can be attributed to the fact that feedbacks and the expectations have become fairly high and increasing.

Promotional and information campaigns with regards to what a Caribbean tour has to offer will be variant, but the important thing is still being able to go in an actual Caribbean tour that people are always looking forward to checking out.

[tags]caribbean, tours, tourism, scuba diving, cruise, luxury cruise[/tags]

With a masterfully laid out beach and a number of establishments that provide quality vacation a good name, it has been evident that such has rubbed off on visitor referrals and guests, becoming a crowded place especially during the months of March and April.

Given the proper boost and promotions, Boracay has certainly made its mark as the best outdoor and continental place to be at any time of the year. Along with the trained hospitality and preservation standards, it is not surprising why most people have chosen to frequent their visits in the popular place that Boracay has carved for the Asian tourism figures of today.

[tags]boracay, beach, tours, tourism, asia, philippines[/tags]

Lake Tahoe is a good place for lovers and romantic people. Using the scenery and the crystal lake like waters is a good setting of ambiance that would make the normal person consider it as a dream place to bring their special someone. Propositions and other romantic partners will surely love the setting. Lake Tahoe houses a lot of them; especially in peak seasons of the year where people would rent canoe�s and join cruise holidays to savor the sweet setting made for lovebirds and nature tripping people today.

[tags]tahoe, lake tahoe, cruise, romantic tour, tourist, travel[/tags]

If you’re planning a trip to New Zealand, the Friars Guide is indispensable. In fact I’ve yet to see another guide of its kind anywhere else in the world. For a country as stunningly gorgeous as New Zealand, this guide does it justice in showing you a fantastic selection of places to stay.

So what is it? The Friar’s Guide is a guide to luxurious accommodation in New Zealand for the discerning traveller. This means NO large impersonal hotel chains (although NZ has a few which are good value and pretty darn decent), but a variety of the most wonderful inns, cottages, b&b’s, lodges, homestays and boutique hotels – all of of them uniquely charming and in the most idyllic places. The book’s authors have strict standards, so the properties have to be very high in quality, as well as “character”.

When we were routing our way around the country during our honeymoon, this guide was a godsend. Not that we could afford to stay in a Friar’s Guide hotel during all of our 6 weeks (places range from at least NZ$200 up a night and many go up to a steep N$500 or even more!), but we did select a few places and treated ourselves – which was well worth it!

On our honeymoon about 5 years ago, we spent 6 weeks travelling around New Zealand by car. Although we booked some of our hotels ahead of time, the most charming place we stayed was found by chance.

We drove into Nelson, (North of South Island, and said to be the artists town of NZ) late in the night, and after spending the evening at a pretty dreadful motel, explored the city in hopes to find something befitting to a honeymoon.

We walked into a potter’s shop, and after chatting to the proprietor (whom we fondly called the “Happy Potter”), found out that he was renting out a few cottages around the corner from his shop, in historic “South Street”, which was the oldest preserved precinct in New Zealand.

Without a deposit, credit card details or anything to speak of, he cheerfully gave us the keys to “Briar Cottage”- which turned out to be absolutely perfect.

Built in 1864 and obviously renovated with a lot of care, the cottage was incredibly cosy, with a kitchen stocked with delicious breakfast essentials (homemede marmalade, butter, cheese etc), and the bedrooms had fluffy pillows and huge soft duvets. There was a cd player and an assortment of music to choose from (big band jazz- my favourite!), as well as a washer/dryer.

My favourite part however, were the french doors that led to a good-sized garden with a paved seating area. We did a shop at the local market and ate all our meals in, by the fireplace or under the stars in honeymoon-induced bliss.

No place in the world can really match India in terms of pure, unadulterated exoticism. The colours, culture and smells of the country often said to be overwhelming in every sense, making it a fascinating place to visit.

The Palace on Wheels, is the journey fit for a maharaja. One of the most luxurious trains in the world, it takes you through a seven-day journey through Rajasthan, where you�ll be taken through some of the most stunning landscapes of Asia in royal style.

The journey starts at the Delhi Cantonment Railway Station where you�ll be greeted with a ceremonial welcome by brightly dressed staff, complete with garlands to adorn your neck.

For the next seven days, prepare to be taken back to the time of old royal splendor as you travel from the Pink City of Jaipur to Agra, home of the imposing Taj Mahal. You�ll pass through the charming historical towns, desert cities, opulent palaces, majestic forts and picturesque countryside.

And all in the quite luxury of your train, which comes with a personal �khidmatgar� or butler in each saloon, dressed in traditional Rajastani attire of course!

Needless to say, all rooms and saloons are air-conditioned with private loos, hot showers and wall to wall carpeting no less.

Two restaurants, lavishly decorated, are at hand to serve you Indian and continental gourmet cuisine, as well as very well-stocked bar for before and after dinner drinks.
Prices on the Palace on Wheels start at $295/ per person per night.

Maybe its my penchant for colonial elegance ( think White Mischief), but I do believe that one of the best ways to see this magnificent continent is through the famous and ultra-luxe Blue Train of South Africa.

The transport of choice of kings and heads of state, the Blue Train is really akin to being a 5-star hotel on wheels. Instead of a rickety hard carriage seat, picture yourself in a gorgeous suite furnished with a spacious bed complete with fine cotton linens and a goose down duvet. The sweltering African heat outside is a non-issue with individually-controlled air conditioning, as well as under-floor heating in both the bathroom and bedroom for when things do get chilly.

And the bathrooms! For a train (and perhaps even a hotel on land), the bathrooms here are incredibly indulgent (bordering on the ostentatious) with gold-fitted baths and marble vanities.

When away from your private sanctuary, you can unwind (what else would be there to do?) in the chic lounge car reminiscent of a smart gentleman�s club, and play bridge or read a book from the train�s library with a frothy cappucino.

Dining naturally, is also an experience in itself. There�s a strict dress code for dinner (jacket and tie for the gents, evening dress for the ladies), and quite rightly so. You wouldn�t want a heathen in ripped jeans and flip-flops to ruin the ambience while you tuck into your gourmet meal, would you?

To top it all off, you�ll have a personal butler and a little boutique stocked with elegant African mementos to take back home. Main routes stretch from Pretoria to Cape Town and vice-versa, or from Pretoria to Durban. Other routes include stops at game reserves, and special chartered journeys are also easily managed for those who want to really splash out in style.

After feeling harassed in Hoi An (too many “lonley-planeters” and bad tailors), arriving at the tranquil Pilgrimage Village in Hue was a welcome relief. The drive as pleasant as well, and was a wonderful way to see the beautiful scenery of central Vietnam. We passed by a marble factory too, and bought quite a large selection ofexquisite handicrafts . Gorgeous boxes, a Buddha tea pot and candle holders which showed the 4 seasons, all carved from sandstone (or was it soapstone?).

Walking through the gates of the Pilgrimage village, and you’ll find wooden walkways connecting to “houses” where different handicrafts were being made – there was a wooden carver, a conical hat weaver, textile weaver etc etc. Surprisingly, it didnt have the commercial feel one would expect. And the prices were fair too.

The place isnt big, but they’ve designed it cleverly, with lots of plants, sculptures and water features. Our room, which overlooked the pool was a real steal at $50 a night. Large and furnished comfortably and tastefully, it had a fireplace (with an electric heater, but it looked nice still), a balcony and a roomy bathroom with a great bathtub. We loved it!

That evening we checked out the hotel’s bar, where we had a game of pool and sampled the mean cocktails. Meals were all at the restaurant, which served decent Vietnamese food but, according to my husband, a lack of western food. I myself could eat spring rolls and pho everyday, but clearly he couldn�t.

The hotel�s staff was great. Eager to help and quiet. They arranged all our sightseeing for us, and after a week here, we were sad to go. And a week later back home, they even sent us an email saying how much they appreciated the comments we left ( bad massages, great rooms).
A hotel that we will definitely visit again, and maybe even bring the children!