Viking River Cruises and the European Christmas Markets
Viking River Cruises and the European Christmas Markets Autumn and winter in Europe are the time to take advantage of crispness in the air and good value cruise rates. From a comfortable observation lounge on a deluxe purpose-built vessel you sail past towns sporting more locals than tourists. Only cruises during the weeks of late November to December are dubbed “Christmas Markets”... Read More
Delights of Champagne and Burgundy, France
Delights of Champagne and Burgundy, France Elisabeth Grieder sees Paris as a logical start or end point to the delights of Champagne and Burgundy. About a one hour drive from Paris, Champagne is a wine district with well-signposted roads that encourage a decelerated approach through tidy vineyards, grand cru estates and ancient villages. Champagne’s capital is Reims, a fairly... Read More
An Inn at the end of a gourmet trail in Paris - France accommodation
An Inn at the end of a gourmet trail in Paris - France accommodation It’s just a convenient Eurostar trip to the heart of Paris where dining and lodging choices are pivotal for any successful stay. Concierge Traveller recommends the Victoria Palace Hotel, located in a quartier of mostly private apartments and close to The Luxembourg Gardens, famed museums, fashion boutiques... Read More
A Capital Meal - London accommodation & dining
A Capital Meal - London accommodation & dining A stay at the 5-star Capital Hotel will leave you totally indulged. This small, traditionally furnished hotel faces residential Basil Street, diagonally opposite Harrods, so its rooms enjoy natural light. The Capital has evolved from being a talked-about restaurant with rooms to an establishment that is the best of British... Read More
Toasts of Tuscany - Villa accommodation in Italy
Toasts of Tuscany - Villa accommodation in Italy In Florence we know the restaurants where real Florentines go to enjoy some of the best traditional food in the city. Chianti is a region where there is an embarrassment of restaurant choices and we have previously extolled the virtues of a self-guided Chianti walk that takes you from Florence to Siena. The walk skirts some... Read More
Como hotels & resorts - Tick, toque and easy on the dough
Como hotels & resorts - Tick, toque and easy on the dough Throwing a pebble into a pond creates a wash of concentric circles that expand until they reach the edge of the pond. In the case of COMO Hotels & Resorts, they have gathered up a talented group of Australian chefs and made masterful ripples in kitchens around the globe. COMO Shambhala Estate near Ubud is... Read More
Sail with a legend - Cruise with Sea Cloud
Sail with a legend - Cruise with Sea Cloud Erika Affolter loves a small ship experience with an “Adventures in Paradise” touch. In 1931 a New York heiress said exactly the same thing but she wanted a yacht built that would be unstintingly lavish and tasteful. Her husband granted her wish and the result was a masted yacht that took the collective breath of high society... Read More
Artful expeditions afloat with Orion cruises
Artful expeditions afloat with Orion cruises John Chekian reminded us that for the past 5 years Orion has delivered up-close-and-personal, all-inclusive explorations with an ease that larger ships cannot even contemplate. It is such a successful company that some passengers have sailed on Orion no less than 20 times. Now Orion II is steaming over the horizon to make its inaugural... Read More
Singapore accommodation at the Shangri-La
Singapore accommodation at the Shangri-La Singapore’s healthy economy and spotless rapid transit system are well-acknowledged but you may be less familiar with its Arab Quarter, the revitalized Chinatown and centuries-old temples. We canvassed our Advisors to find out why you should choose Singapore as a stopover or a holiday destination. The reasons are: art galleries, antique... Read More
A Hong Kong haven - 2 night accommodation package
A Hong Kong haven - 2 night accommodation package Paul Patane outlines some of the features of his favourite Hong Kong Island hotel that make it one of the most outstanding to grace the harbour foreshores: traditional décor, spotless rooms, impeccable service, exceptional comfort and modern facilities. He is talking about the Island Shangri-La. With staff who without exception,... Read More
