Tag Archives: luxury

3 Surprisingly Affordable Luxury Vacations

Author: Jeremy | Category: Countries, Featured | Tags: affordable, China, Crete, luxury, Portugal, trips, vacations

When you speak of a luxury holiday, most people would instantly wince at the thought of it because of the expenses that are involved. Surprisingly however, not all luxury breaks need to punch holes on your wallet. You can enjoy lavish holidays without spending too much, specifically in the three destinations that will be mentioned below.

Crete

With many luxury hotels and extravagant villas, Crete is one of the best destinations that you can consider for your next holiday. The good news is that you do not have to spend a fortune just to enjoy the luxuries that it can offer. With a length of about 350 kilometers, the island is one of the most scenic you can ever hope to find and is gifted with an abundance of beaches.

The rich history of Crete adds up to the reasons why it is popular amongst luxury travelers who are on a budget and want to experience a holiday in the Greek islands. Aside from its rich past, it also offers a wide array of exhilarating water activities such as jet skiing, parasailing, fishing, and wind surfing. If you want to play golf, you can also find several golf courses in the island, regardless of your skills. It is also home to great restaurants, many of which can be enjoyed at affordable prices. One thing’s for sure, a holiday in Crete won’t disappoint.

Portugal

Excellent value for money is perhaps one of the best things that you can get when you visit Portugal. With fascinating towns, charming villages and pristine beaches, Portugal is a popular destination in Europe because it is cheaper than most of its neighboring countries, yet it can offer an equally stunning holiday and is ideal for families. If there is only one place you can visit in the country, it would most probably be The Algarve.

If you are looking for cheap resorts that can offer the exceptional services, some of the options that you can consider include the Oporto Surf Camp, the Vilanova Resort, Clube Alvorferias, the Balaia Mar Hotel and the Atlantico Golfe Hotel. There are also many villas that can be rented, which can offer cheaper alternative to hotels if you are traveling as a large group.

China

It is impossible to run out of activities that you can do in China. More than just the multiplicity of attractions, its popularity can be attributed to the fact that China offers a luxury holiday experience in a manner that is budget-friendly. Whether you choose to explore one of its cosmopolitan cities or its native provinces, you can have an unforgettable experience without feeling guilty about your spending.

When in China, you should not miss seeing the Great Wall and The Forbidden City if you happen to be in Beijing. For those who are looking for a more urban feel and vibrant nightlife, Shanghai should be included in the itinerary. More so, the surrounding provinces will also be ideal for those who want to experience more serene holidays. Whether it is affordable hotels or self-catering accommodations, you will have lots of choices in China.

02 Dec 2015

Want Luxury? 5 Reasons You’ll Love St. Petersburg

Author: Jeremy | Category: Countries | Tags: attractions, Europe, luxury, Russia

When you think of a decadent, luxurious holiday destination, Russia might not be the first place that springs to mind. But you may be pleasantly surprised to find out what St. Petersburg has to offer to the discerning tourist with a taste for the finer things. The former imperial capital of Russia and second largest city, St. Petersburg is also a major cultural centre and bustling metropolis, home to some incredible and unique tourism hotspots. Below, we list out the reasons you’ll love St. Petersburg if you are an unapologetic lover of all things luxury…

1) Hermitage Art Gallery

Housed in the awe-inspiring Winter Palace which was built for Empress Elizabeth by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the Hermitage Art Gallery is home to one of the biggest art collections in the world, with 360 rooms exhibiting some of their 3-million strong catalogue of artworks and exhibits. Founded by Catherine the Great in 1750, the vast collection at the Hermitage is considered by some to be the most comprehensive overview of Western European art, so naturally this trip may require a little forward planning to see everything you want to see – see https://www.hermitagemuseum.org for more information.

2) Ballet

A visit to Russia would simply not be complete without seeing the ballet – and the original Mariinsky Theatre, where many of the greatest works of Russian ballet & opera were first performed, is the perfect choice. Founded in 1860, the Mariinsky continues to stage both modern and classic performances – see what’s on during your trip at http://www.mariinsky.ru/.

3) Nightlife

St. Petersburg is often referred to as the ‘beer capital’ of Russia, and many breweries and distilleries call it home. There is a great nightlife scene in St. Petersburg, and some bars & nightclubs are so exclusive you may find yourself turned away IF you have not booked in advance! The Mayakovsky bar on Pochtamtsky per 5 offers sophisticated cocktails, smooth jazz, moody lighting and sumptuous velvet interiors – ideal for a classy evening out.

4) Hotels

St. Petersburg’s many hotels offer a wide range of options to suit all tastes and budgets, but to truly revel in the old-school splendour of mother Russia, you could do much worse than stay at the 5-star Corinthia, boasting a spa and workout room, multilingual staff, full concierge service and lounge bar, the Corinthia captures the true essence and grandeur of its historic location at Nevsky Prospect, and offers the ultimate in Russian hospitality, comfort and decadence.

5) Dining

With so many amazing cultural destinations in St. Petersburg, you can expect the very best of their cuisine too. Russian food may not be a byword for fine dining, but the eateries offering traditional fare in St. Petersburg will blow you away. One of the leading high-end restaurants in St Petersburg, ‘L’Europe’ located in the Belmond Grand Hotel Europe on Nevsky Prospekt effortlessly blends handsome turn-of-the-century décor with flawless haute cuisine, offering a mix of Russian and European cuisine, including a sumptuous caviar and champagne brunch on Sundays.

04 Aug 2015

Best Luxury Honeymoon Destinations in 2015

Author: Jeremy | Category: Countries, Mauritius | Tags: Africa, Asia, Borneo, honeymoons, luxury, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, North America, Southeast Asia

With the Big Day approaching later this year, only your honeymoon remains to be planned, and despite the massive undertaking that your blowout wedding will be, you want your trip afterward to be just as epic. If you’re looking for nothing but the best for your spouse to be after your wedding this year, the following luxury honeymoons will have you both over the moon with the value that you will receive for your hard-earned cash…

1) Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

With expansive frontages on the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, Mexico has no shortage of hidden secret getaways that will grant you the post-nuptial relaxation that you so richly deserve. Those seeking the best in luxury will be pleased by what they’ll find in Puerto Vallarta though, as it has a long history of serving visitors from the chillier parts of North America, yet they are not as overrun by the tourist hordes as Cancun has experienced in recent years.

With many resorts just outside of town being nestled within their own private coves, you needn’t worry about unwelcome interlopers as you bake in the sun or play in the waves, and with an assortment of divine infinity pools on these properties, you’ll have an alluring plan B if you’d rather not swim in the ocean.

2) Mauritius

In the Indian Ocean, most attention these days is focused on the prettiest belles at the ball (the Maldives and the Seychelles), leaving unassuming Mauritius open for you to enjoy without the crowds that flood into the prior two locations during the high/honeymoon season.

This isn’t to say that Mauritius pales in comparison in the tropical beauty department, as its beaches and its peaks coated with lush rainforest will make you wonder why only vacationing South Africans seem to know about this place.

Many resorts can be found along the west coast and on Grand Baie, but make time to take a day trip to Ile Aux Cerfs, where some of the most crystalline waters in the country can be found.

3) Malaysian Borneo

Many folks seeking out luxury honeymoon destinations in 2015 automatically default to Thailand, which is understandable considering the very high quality of its beaches, food and its people. These qualities aren’t confined to this celebrated nation, as you will find destinations with similar advantages in places in Malaysian Borneo.

While it does have beaches that are world class, a cuisine that combines the best elements of its Chinese, Malay and Indian heritage, and locals that are just as accommodating, Malaysian Borneo has a fraction of the crowds that the Land of Smiles gets, while having marine and rainforests that have some of the highest concentrations of biodiversity in the world.

Tours to see orangutans and other rare species should be on your agenda here, as this will make for an action-packed day that will make your lower-key ones all the more satisfying.

16 Apr 2015