The Valley of Fire Tour in Vegas

02 September 2011

The Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest state park and a trip to this amazing place will take you through some fantastic scenery including incredible rock formations and color reflections on the eroded sandstone through the valley that will simply take your breath away. The sand dunes here are as ancient as time is itself leaving you feeling very small indeed. People call the Valley of Fire an ‘awe inspiring’ and it really is just that.

Just 50 miles from Las Vegas the valley is 150 million years old and was named the ‘Valley of Fire’ because when the sun hits these ancient rocks it often gives the impression that the whole valley is on fire. Touring through it is like going back in time, 3000 years back in fact.

The tour encompasses authentic Pueblos, pottery, baskets, arrowheads, tools along with other ancient artifacts and the Great Anasazi - the ‘Lost City’. Once the spiritual centre of these great people, driving through it you understand why it was, and you will certainly come away having had a spiritual experience yourself. Over centuries nature has carved the sandstone rocks into unbelievable shapes that are a photographers dream.

Read the rest of this entry »

City review of Atlanta, GA

03 July 2011

One of the most important business hubs in America, Atlanta is the ninth largest metropolitan area in the whole of the US.  Companies such as Coca-Cola, UPS and Delta Air Lines have their World Headquarters situated there and subsequently the city has evolved around its corporate cliental.

That’s not to say there isn’t plenty for the general tourist to appreciate and find welcoming.  Quite the opposite, in fact the need for major businesses to have good transport links, makes Atlanta an easy city to get around.  It also means that the range of restaurants, bars and cafés provide ample choice for all tastes.

A must for any visitor is a trip to the Fox Theatre.  This is one of the biggest grossing theatres in the world and is something of an historic landmark.  There are also the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Ballet and many Choirs.  Certainly there’s lots of choice for classical music lovers.

Read the rest of this entry »

Singapore Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom Paradise on Earth

30 June 2011

Singapore boasts 50 islets all around its main island and has thousands of attractions and places to visit when travelling to this delightful part of the world. One of these is the Singapore Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom. This truly extraordinary tourist attraction is set in a lush tropical rainforest environment which will take your breath away.

The park has been designed to give the impression that it is deep in a tropical jungle, but this is just an impression because it is safe to visit. You will discover the beauty of nature at its very best in this incredible park. There hundreds of butterflies that will bewilder and bewitch you as they flutter continuously around in this perfect setting. The exotic insects will fascinate you with their shapes and colours as they scuttle along the ground and rush past you through the air.

The sheer electric atmosphere of the park will thrill you with the sounds and scents of the tropical rainforest and children will be enthralled at the many things that they can do and see during a tour of the park.

Read the rest of this entry »

Singapore Garden Festival an Event to put on the Gardening Calendar

03 June 2011

This truly spectacular festival takes place in Singapore every two years and draws together award winning professional gardeners from every corner of the globe. These talented garden and floral designers are invited to compete at this exclusive and unique festival to show off their creations to the world and win some of the most prestigious awards in gardening today.

In July of last year gardeners from seventeen countries exhibited their quite extraordinary designs during the eight day extravaganza that took place in the Suntec International Convention & Exhibition Centre in Singapore. This was the third occasion that this superb festival had taken place in this delightful country and was deemed to be a huge success with over 30,000 visitors to the event.

Exhibitors from as far away as Canada and Grenada were attracted to the festival and with 31 masterpieces of garden engineering on show visitors marvelled at the creations that were on display. There were over a quarter of a million plants, both tropical and temperate, with well in excess of 65,000 cut flowers dotted around the exhibition centre.

The garden displays were simply out of this world with inspirational touches that any fervent gardener could easily adapt to their own gardens. Trade stands at the festival offered innovative gardening products and many new species of plants were introduced to the public during the festival.

Read the rest of this entry »

Walking Tour with Professional Photographer in the Big Apple

17 April 2011

The New York City Walking Tour with Professional Photographer offers an irresistible chance for visitors to explore the city with a photographer as the tour guide. However, not everyone can afford professional cameras and posses the skills of handling them. Traveling with the heavy bulk is not an easy feat either, so most people prefer the handy and lightweight digital cameras which produce pictures of far less quality.

The assigned photographer is charged with the duties of bringing the customers to the famous landmarks around New York City and to offer his photography service when needed. Services can be catered from individual to group tours but not party tours where you walk around with complete strangers. This is certainly a perk to those who prefer to take a stroll to the places at their own pace.

New York City is a big place and it is quite impossible to finish up a tour on foot here. The majority of the tour is concentrated around the Manhattan area such as the Downtown and Midtown Manhattans, where many famous attractions are found. Pictures can be taken overlooking the famous Rockefeller Centre, the busy 5th Avenue and more along the Soho and Greenwich buildings around Downtown Manhattan.

Read the rest of this entry »

Meet the Teeth at the Singapore Crocodilarium

09 March 2011

Singapore, a seemingly unseen island on the globe stores many wonders to be discovered. One of them would be the Singapore Crocodilarium, located at the south of the island along the East Coast Parkway. Whether you are travelling with family or friends, a visit to this tourist spot is guaranteed to be an eye opener.

The Singapore Crocodilarium may sound like any typical crocodilian farm that you can find around Asia but it is not. In fact, it houses more than 1000 types of reptiles besides crocodiles and is the largest enclosed crocodilian farm in South East Asia. Normal visits usually last about 2 hours and the ticket price is a total steal; only S$2 for adults and S$1 for children.

Walking by the forum area, visitors get to be up close and personal with the crocodilians as they are displayed at a really close range. The workers at the Crocodilarium are familiar with these reptiles and visitors can ask them any questions about these reptiles. Children especially love these scary, wrinkly creatures and there is also a session when visitors are allowed to feed the young.

Read the rest of this entry »

A Review of the Private New York City by Chauffeured Classic Convertible Tour

23 February 2011

The Private New York City by Chauffeured Classic Convertible Tour is definitely not one to be missed if you’re in New York on vacation. This really is the classiest of NYC tours, and you’ll feel like a movie star as you ride the streets of The Big Apple in style.

You’ll be driven by your very own personal chauffeur in a classic 1975 Chevrolet Caprice. The chauffeur is always a born and bred New Yorker, with extensive knowledge of the city, and will take you to the most interesting parts as well as giving you expert commentary of the areas.

The tours generally last around two hours, which is the perfect amount of time for a romantic date around the bustling streets. You’ll visit several of the most popular locations of the city.

Read the rest of this entry »

Niagara Falls Day Trip from New York by Air

19 February 2011

If you are visiting New York then you just have to visit Niagara Falls, even if you are just on a weekend break there is no excuse with the Niagara Falls day trip, from New York by air.  The day trip to this magnificent thunderous product of the last ice age is now possible in as little as 12 hours.  With round trips from mid town New York to Upstate, then on to Buffalo airport for a quick transfer to the Falls.

The River Niagara stretches across the Canadian - United States border in both the state of New York and the Province of Ontario, carved by relentless ice sheets 18,000 years ago.  Niagara Falls is the second largest water fall in the world to the Victoria Falls of South Africa.  The awesome power of the combined 750,000 gallons of water dispersed over the American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe Falls every second makes this an inspiring place to visit.

Read the rest of this entry »

Singapore Zoological Gardens

12 February 2011

The Singapore Zoological Gardens are unique in character to any other Zoo; the design has been meticulously thought out to hide all the enclosure fences amongst cascading waterfalls and vegetation.  This spectacular design gives the Zoo a brilliant feeling of being a natural free habitat for the well looked after animals and has in fact been dubbed “the open Zoo”.   The atmosphere created by this fenceless illusion is one that has given the Zoo a high recognition around the world.

The idea of a Zoo in Singapore was brought together by Dr. Ong Swee Law and opened its doors in 1973 with a small collection of nearly 300 animals.  The Singapore Zoological Gardens now have over 2800 animals across 216 species and offers an excellent retreat from the city for both residents and tourists alike.  The Zoo has over 70 exhibits with many of the different species living together in perfect harmony reminiscent to the African safaris.

The Zoo is open 365 days a year and offers two exciting journeys; the daytime jungle experience and the night time safari.  The day time opening hours are from 8:30 am - 6:00 pm with the last ticket being sold at 5:00 pm, the night time safari starts at 6:00 pm - midnight with the last ticket being sold at 11 pm.

Read the rest of this entry »

Grand Canyon West Rim Day Trip by Coach, Helicopter and Boat with Optional Skywalk

08 February 2011

The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders that attract millions of visitors every year. The massive gorge that the Colorado River has formed stretches 500 miles long, most of which is underneath Lake Powel, and the best place to visit the gorge is in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Although there are various places to visit such as the South and West Rim, the proximity of the West Rim to Las Vegas makes it the ideal location.

The West Rim is on the Hualapai Indian reservation which covers a large area of the Canyon at its deepest point of around 5000 feet and 20 miles wide. The Indian tribe have made this into a tourist attraction with an airfield, visitor centre and ranch that offer over night accommodation. The West Rim is a 2 hour drive down route 93 from Las Vegas or a 15 minute flight by helicopter.

Read the rest of this entry »

City review of Boston, MA

05 February 2011

Boston is located in Massachusetts and is the capital of the state. It is well known for being one of the oldest cities in America and it has a rich wealth of history and current attractions. With this in mind a city review of Boston, MA is well worth taking a look at in order to learn more about this wonderful city.

To start with attractions in the city vary from museums and parks to shopping and dining and shows and concerts. In fact there is just so much to do while you are in Boston that you might find it difficult to fit everything in. With this in mind it is a good idea to decide on what attractions you would like to see in order of preference before you visit the area.

One excellent way to get a good idea of what there is to see and do in Boston is to go on one of the many tours of the city. These can be as serious or as fun filled as you like and there is a tour for everyone. For example if you want to combine fun and laughs with exploring Boston the CASHUNT Boston is ideal.

Read the rest of this entry »

City review of Baltimore, MD

03 February 2011

Baltimore is located in the state of Maryland and it is an independent city that is the largest of its kind in the United States. Many people have overlooked Baltimore and not consider it as a place to spend part of a holiday. However after reading a city review of Baltimore, MD you may very well change your mind as there is a surprising amount of things to see and do in this exciting city.

Firstly there is an abundance of museums in Baltimore and this is something that many people are surprised to learn. The Antique Toy Museum is a must for any toy fans and fans of baseball will be keen to visit the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Memorial. In fact with well over 30 museums in the area it is easy to see why Baltimore is a favoured place for people who like to visit these attractions.

Baltimore is also home to the National Aquarium that has in excess of 650 different species of animals. It has plenty of attractions inside to keep even the busiest of children occupied and its multiple story shark tank is absolutely amazing to see. In 2006 Coastal Living voted the National Aquarium as the number one aquarium in the United States.

Read the rest of this entry »

Zeppelin NT Airship

02 February 2011

Zeppelin NT Airships have been in production since the 1990s and the company behind them are Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH who are a German company. The Zeppelin NT is one of the more modern versions of an airship and unlike its predecessors which were non rigid it is semi rigid in design. This helps the airship to be more structurally sound thanks to an internal trust that is a triangular shape.

Thanks to the frame within the airship it is much safer than the old airships that did not have this kind of internal frame that held the steering fins, engines and control car in place. There are three aviation engines inside the Zeppelin NT which enable it to manoeuvre with ease and make for a really smooth experience whilst inside it. Each of these engines is powered using aviation fuel which is high octane and is often used in racing cars as well as aircraft.

In order to control the Zeppelin NT the pilot will use a joystick and steer the aircraft in one of three directions. The technology that is used in the steering for the Zeppelin NT is known as fly by wire. Fly by wire is a way of controlling flights using electronic signals rather than a slight control which is manual and it is a system that is used in many different types of aircraft today.

Read the rest of this entry »

A Review of the Long Island Wineries & Outlet Shopping Tour in New York City

01 February 2011

The Long Island Wineries and Outlet Shopping Tour of New York is the perfect day trip to experience the culture at the heart of the famous American city. It’s well suited to couples and friends alike.

This day trip would be an excellent gift for the wine connoisseur, as New York wines are extremely high in quality and famous throughout the globe. The day is coupled with a wonderful guided shopping trip to the best outlets.

The tour starts off at Riverhead, where you will enjoy a lovely country style breakfast with breathtaking views of the beautiful scenery. From there you will continue on to the North Fork, which is the wine making hub of New York.

Read the rest of this entry »

Melbourne: Host City of the Australian Open

29 January 2011

Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria in Australia, and is home to the world famous Australian Open tennis championships.

It is the second most populated city in Australia, and is extremely multi-cultural. It’s a place where historical meets modern day, with Victorian architecture an pretty avenues with contrasting contemporary buildings just around the corner.

In spite of the large population, the city still has the laid back Australian way of life. The Melburnians commonly use bicycles as their method of transport, and for those who prefer not to cycle there are little trams shuttling about the city too.

Read the rest of this entry »

National Museum of Singapore

23 January 2011

This amazing history museum was first established in 1849 but has been relocated and had its name changed several times.  After returning to its original location in 1887 where it remains to this day it has under gone many transformations, most recently in 2006 when it reopened after a 3 ½ restoration which included the opening of the Singapore History Gallery.

The National Museum of Singapore is the oldest in the country and an architectural icon to its people; it is host to the 11 national treasures and presents the history and culture of the country in a conventional way.  Through exhibits and colourful festivals the Museum has become a vibrant place to discover precious artefacts and mesmerising works of art.  The permanent features show off the countries culture through; history, film, photography and food all of which are allocated their own sizable gallery.

The treasures of the National Museum date back as far as the 14 century and include; the funeral hearse of Tan Jiak Kim, mace of the Singapore City, the will of Munshi Abdullah, portrait of Sir Shenton Thomas and Frank Swettenham, which can all be viewed in the History Gallery.
 

Read the rest of this entry »

The Casino at the Empire Leicester Square A Historical Account

09 January 2011

The Casino at the Empire Leicester Square is a highly opulent place that boasts of some really glamorous atmosphere and a high end crowd. It has more than 55,000 square feet of casino space and claims to offer a ’Vegas experience in the heart of London.’

The Casino at the Empire is the place to be if one is interested in gambling. It is recommended even for people who can’t afford, as it will be a wager one would only be happy to take!

The Casino is spread over the two floors of grandeur and there are many places to look out for and many tables to splurge and gamble at. At the ground floor, one finds a lot of tables and slot machines, in case you are not too interested in the card tricks and games.

Read the rest of this entry »

City Review of Burlington, VT

04 October 2010

One of the smallest cities in America to make up the largest metropolitan area of a state, Burlington, Vermont is unique in many different ways - none of the least of which is its small size for a city. As of the 2000 census, Burlington had less than 40,000 residents, and that number isn’t expected to have increased much over the past decade.

Burlington is a little larger when speaking of the entire Burlington-South Burlington metro area and not simply the city itself. With the counties of Franklin, Grand Isle and Chittenden lending to the overall area, Burlington plays host to about 200,000 permanent residents in northwest Vermont.

 In 1763, when much of America was still being colonized and the northeast was definitely in its infancy, Governor Benning Wentworth awarded 64 New Hampshire grants, Burlington was included. The coming revolution delayed immediate settlement, but a small town was organized in Burlington by 1785.

Read the rest of this entry »

Private Island Rental - Ile de Chantemesle

14 September 2010

Unless you’re familiar with France or you’re a major geography buff, you might not even be aware that there is a chain of beautiful private islands surrounding the country, known as the Ile de France - or the Island of France. The River Seine alone, the most exclusive section of the area, has about 60 small private islands scattered around.

A lot of the islands around this region are inhabited and built up as resorts, private residences, etc. Some are uninhabited, however, and some will remain that way. One of the larger islands of the immediate area, the island of Chantemesle (Ile de Chantemesle), is a 25 acre piece of land that could only be described as breathtaking.

There are two quaint villas located on the island, and Chantemesle offers about as much privacy as one could ever hope for. The main house is a lot larger than the guest house, but both structures blend in well with the overall look and feel of the island. There aren’t any “McMansion-style” structures on the island.

Read the rest of this entry »

Luxury Villas for Rent - Villa Rosemarine, Dalmatian Riviera, Croatia

12 September 2010

The Villa Rosemarine is one of the premier private locations in the Croatian area. This one-of-a-kind villa is located on the Island of Brac, one of the foremost destinations of the renowned Dalmatian Riviera. The Villa Rosemarine is turning heads for a few reasons other than its prime location, too. This recently renovated villa is certainly a Croatian area highlight.

Overlooking the waters of the Adriatic, the Villa Rosemarine is in a prime location sheltered by the surrounding trees yet still open to the sunset. The south end of the villa offers panoramic views of the entire chain of Dalmatian Islands, making this waterfront villa a sightseer’s paradise.

Croatia doesn’t usually hold the same tourism appeal as some other locations around the globe, so the designers made sure no expense was spared when reconstructing Villa Rosemarine. The white-stone front of the villa is the exact same material used on the White House in the United States and also on the Catholic Cathedral in Liverpool, England.

Read the rest of this entry »

Private Islands for Rent - Motu Tane, French Polynesia

09 September 2010

Bora Bora is unquestionably one of the hottest and most exclusive private island destinations in the world. The ultra private Motu Tane, one of the chain’s most elite islands, is able to be rented out by any one party at a time and offers up plenty of privacy without sacrificing on any scenery of the surrounding lagoon and French Polynesian waters.

The Motu Tane Island isn’t very large at all, but that doesn’t mean it’s offering up small accommodation. With only three acres of viable land to work with, the large main house, the guest house and a series of bungalows make up the island’s centerpiece.

In the native language, “Motu Tane” literally translates into “Universal Love,” and with the beautiful tropical gardens, white-sand beaches, picturesque blue skies and crystal clear waters, Motu Tane is always a prime location for honeymooners with enough money to shell out for a few nights in this one-of-a-kind location.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ultimate Gifts - Zero Gravity (Zero G) Flight

08 September 2010

There are only so many gifts out there you can give someone before you run the gamut on ordinary. Shoes, jewelry, fragrances, gift certificates, etc - it’s all been done to death and then some. If you’re looking to get someone a truly unforgettable gift, even if it’s for yourself, then a zero gravity flight will definitely stand out as extraordinary.

A zero gravity flight doesn’t hold much mystery. You’ll be getting exactly what it sounds like - a zero gravity experience. With the Zero G experience flight offered in Russia, you’ll be carried high up into the clouds via a jumbo jet and then begin a free fall where you will experience weightlessness.

Without the restrictions of gravity, you’ll be free to literally float around the large cabin of the plane. It’s like taking a space flight, minus the scenery and 99% of the risks associated with space travel, and you’ll experience the weightlessness for a few moments at a time. After the plane reaches a certain altitude, it will then climb back up and drop again.

Read the rest of this entry »

City Review of Austin, Texas

06 September 2010

Due to its sheer size in nearly everything from food to fashion, Austin, Texas, a prominent city in the United States, has managed to live up to its state’s slogan over the years - everything’s bigger in Texas. For most visitors of the city, they find out this constantly rings true, as a huge list of tourist activities always awaits any vacationer looking to explore this historic city.

Austin is the capital of Texas, located near the center of the southern state, and has been one of America’s fastest-growing cities since 2000. While the rest of the country and much of the world took a huge financial hit during the recent - and still going - recession, cities like Austin managed to avoid the fallout due to a few reasons.

For starters, Austin isn’t heavily regulated by government influence. The lack of red tape via city planners’ overeager interference has left Austin and the rest of Texas free to grow. Texas, as a single state, produces more jobs than the other 49 states, and does so with lower tax rates and more personal freedoms than anywhere else in the entire U.S.

Read the rest of this entry »

Private Islands for Sale: Olhuvelhi & Embudhufushi Islands

04 September 2010

The Maldives is one of the most spectacular sets of islands on the globe, and the Dhaalu Atoll, part of the island chain, holds dozens of beautiful islands, islets and coves, some of which are inhabited per the Republic of Maldives, and others that are privately owned like the “twin” islands of Olhuvelhi and Embudhufushi.

These two private islands are currently on the market for around $25 million, and each boasts a luxurious tropical atmosphere with beaches and many other impressive features. Most impressive is the actual setting itself. Olhuvelhi and Embudhufushi Islands share the same natural lagoon in the Dhaalu Atoll, and is close to other islands like Angsana Velavaru.

Olhuvelhi is the smaller island, coming in at around 6 hectares. However, that’s no small size when talking about a privately owned piece of land, much less an island. Embudhufushi is the larger of the two private islands, comprising approximately 11 hectares.

Read the rest of this entry »

Private Islands for sale: Narara Island, Fiji

30 August 2010

Fiji is one of the world’s finest destinations in terms of island resorts. Off the coast of one of the chain’s larger islands, Naviti, you can find the small private island of Narara - a one-of-a-kind forested island surrounded by white-sand beaches and perfect for a resort. Narara Island is part of the Yasawa Group of islands, and there are six islands and inlets throughout the area.

This group of islands is highly sought after. The biggest problem here for private islands is that the entire world is still suffering through recession. Short of that, Narara Island is one of the most popular and talked about private islands in the world today, due to its prime location and potential for building.

Fiji doesn’t look like a large location on a globe or world map, but with its Pacific location, the country is spread out over a few different areas with varying weather patterns. Narara Island is located in a drier part of the area, with only a few days of bad weather per year. This means that the majority of the time on the island will grant sunny skies and cool ocean breezes.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ultimate Experiences: Fly a Super Aviator Submersible

29 August 2010

Before modern technology caught up with science fiction, most of us were enthralled with daydreams of things like hybrid sea-land automobiles, passenger planes that could travel into space and submarines that could cruise underwater more like airplanes. With the release of the Super Aviator, now the third fantasy is a legitimate reality.

With the Sub Adventure, said to be “the ultimate in low level flying,” passengers can ride aboard a state-of-the-art submarine designed to do one thing: glide through the water like a plane flies through the air. The Super Aviator sub is to underwater enthusiasts what HD TV is to cable television enthusiasts - a serious upgrade.

There are not many spots around the world where members of the public can take the Super Aviator for a flight, as running costs make them prohibitively expensive for most of us to get close. However, for tourists with deep enough pockets and no interest in the arduous training involved in becoming a Scuba diver, they will provide a unique glimpse of underwater life.

Read the rest of this entry »

City Review of Sunrise Manor

26 August 2010

One of the biggest downsides to being located so close to Las Vegas, Nevada is that regardless of what is offered as a standalone territory it’s all overshadowed by the world’s biggest gambling Mecca. This has a positive effect on tourism in most cases, as most people travel to the area and find places like Sunrise Manor on their own, but it also results in a serious lack of identity.

Sunrise Manor is a census-designated place on the outskirts of Las Vegas, located within Clark County, Nevada. This means that it’s not technically its own city; it’s just a designed part of Las Vegas. However, if Sunrise Manor were to ever be incorporated, it would become one of the largest cities in the entire state.

Sunrise Manor is currently best known for two things: its immediate proximity to the city of Las Vegas, and its place at the seat of Frenchman Mountain. With a population of almost 200,000, Sunrise Manor is definitely a popular location to live, with plenty of hotels, restaurants, parks and upscale neighborhoods.

Read the rest of this entry »

Luxury Yacht Sales Review Desamis-B by Builders Benetti

25 August 2010

Benetti yacht builders out of Italy has been producing top-quality, high-end luxury yachts since 1873. As one of the most storied shipbuilders in the world, Benetti not only builds impressive vessels but also works on the architectural process and custom rebuilds existing ships. One of their finest vessels is the Desamis B, originally built in 1994.

When Desamis first took to the waters, she was known as Libra Star II. Libra was eventually sold to new owners who named the ship Nawal-J. After she came back to Benetti for a complete refitting in 2005, the vessel was named Desamis B.

A yacht refitting encompasses a lot more than detail work or a few new features aboard the ship. Desamis was completely rebuilt from the ground up, receiving a new exterior, interior, redesigned cabin space, refitted decks, and even the engine was switched out to give the vessel more power.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ultimate Experience Suborbital Space Flight

23 August 2010

It’s no secret that, since the dawn of time, humans have wanted to explore the stars. In this day and age, however, people not only want to get a closer view of the others stars and planets out there, but they also want to feel the various effects of space - primarily weightlessness. Zero gravity flights have become big in the absence of legitimate space flights. Until now, that is.

Recently, many investors decided that it was time to take people into space, or at least into suborbital space. They accomplished this by spending millions of dollars researching, developing and testing a craft that, for all intents and purposes, is just a heavy duty airplane able to take passengers into space, land safely and make the trek again.

The Suborbital Space Flight experience offered by Lynx gives everyone—with $95,000 to spend—a chance to be an astronaut. The idea behind the flight is to take you out of the Earth’s atmosphere and into the beginnings of space, where you’ll then orbit the globe at incredible speeds and make reentry.

Read the rest of this entry »

Private Islands for Rent - Ile Des Deux Cocos

22 August 2010

Off the southeast coast of Africa, the Republic of Mauritius is perhaps one of the best kept secrets of the world in terms of tropical island getaways. With multiple islands strewn over the pristine waters, some of the world’s wealthiest people, as well as those fortunate enough to know about it, often vacation there in high-end island resorts.

One of the crown jewels of the island chain is the Ile Des Deux Cocos. This private island for rent is located in the heart of the Blue Bay Maritime National Park and rises from the crystal clear waters with its tall forestry to create one of the most impressive-looking islands you’ll ever see for its size.

Because it’s an island chain, there’s no sense of being deserted while you’re staying on Ile Des Deux Cocos. Looking out in most directions you’ll be able to see many of the other islands in the chain. However, there’s still a full sense of privacy when you’re on the island, and Des Deux Cocos offers plenty of beaches, trails and other activities to keep you entertained.

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Most Luxury Yachts - Canica by Baltic Yachts

21 August 2010

Even though much of the world is high-octane, old-world style still has its own special niche. This is very true in the yacht market, where sailing yachts always manage to stand out as some of the most impressive vessels on the water. Currently for sale is the Canica yacht - a 141-foot luxury sailing yacht built by Baltic Yachts in 2003.

Canica is a very stylish ship, boasting a sleek exterior crafted by R&J Design. Judel-Vrolijk drew up the architectural plans and John Munford meticulously designed the vessel’s interior to be both stylish and spacious, with multiple cabins and many other modern features packed into a quasi-traditional frame.

The goal of Baltic Yachts at the time was to craft a top-of-the-line sailing yacht for the owner with both performance and practicality in mind. Even though the yacht would have a huge mast and other sailing features to operate, the builders didn’t want to forfeit technology with Canica. They integrated the two styles seamlessly.

Read the rest of this entry »

Private Island Rentals - Forsyth Island, New Zealand

17 August 2010

Over the past few decades, private islands have really picked up popularity as “in” places to rent and purchase in order to vacation in luxury. Obviously, only the uber-rich among us are able to outright purchase a private island, but more have enough financial fortune to rent one for a weekend. In the beautiful waters of the Pacific, Forsyth Island is a private paradise for rent.

Forsyth Island isn’t exactly your run-of-the-mill private island. Most islands—especially those in the Caribbean chain—are smaller and sometimes in relatively remote locations. Forsyth has a commanding location in the Marlborough Sounds between the north and south isles of New Zealand.

At an impressive 2,100 acres, Forsyth Island is far more like a resort than it is a private vacation location. The sprawling landscape is covered in greenery, wraparound beaches, private homes and much more. The peaks of the island reach upwards of 1,000 feet and the overall land mass is everything you think of when you hear the word “island.”

Read the rest of this entry »

City Review - Saint George's, Grenada

14 August 2010

The Grenadines in the southeastern portion of the Caribbean Sea are perhaps the most beautiful islands in the Northern Atlantic. Grenada is the focal point of the island chain, and is made up of six relatively small islands (much like Hawaii). Grenada is steeped with history and tradition, and the spectacular Caribbean location is a huge draw for tourists.

Saint George’s is the country’s capital city and undoubtedly the most popular of the entire area. Grenada only has a population of around 110,000, and Saint George’s only houses around 8,000 full-time, but millions pass through the streets every year and enjoy the area’s tropical climate, local cuisine and the rich history.

The city’s unique geography originally lent it fame. Grenada, like all these islands, is a volcano that rose from the ocean’s floor and eventually, over many thousands of years, became inhabitable. The volcano on this particular island has collapsed, however, and Saint George’s on Grenada is basically built in and around the crater that was left.

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Most Luxurious Yachts - Candyscape

13 August 2010

If you have a cool 17 million Euros to dish out for a yacht buy, you could purchase the ultra impressive and luxurious 146-foot motoryacht Candyscape. Or, if you’re more the chartering type, 150,000 Euros will buy you a week aboard this sprawling monument of excess. For the other 99.9% of us, just hearing about it is luxury enough.

Candyscape was built by the famed Benetti shipyard in 1994. At the time of its release, Candyscape was one of the finest motoryachts on the water. However, every great yacht needs a refitting after so many years. In 2005, Candy and Candy took on the task of completely remodeling the yacht’s interior, and the end result is the epitome of elegance.

A lot of large yachts on the water today don’t make use of their size in the way Candyscape does. Size is normally more of a standout feature to let people know you have the biggest yacht on the water. It’s rarely more functional than this. Candyscape changes this by making use of every square foot of space.

Read the rest of this entry »

Luxury Yacht Sales Review for Fleurtje

10 August 2010

With so many motor yachts out there on the waters, classic schooners are usually the last types of yachts to make front-page news when it comes to selling. Then again, not every yacht is the impressive Amsterdamsche Scheepswerf-built Fleurtje. This 187-foot master of the seas is a testament to true craftsmanship and has a priceless old-world look and feel.

Over the past two decades, Fleurtje has been completely rebuilt and modernized for the type of market purchasing yachts today. This includes a refitting, redecoration, and much more. Since the yacht was always private, it doesn’t have the everyday wear and tear of a charter vessel. This is a strong point of interest for anyone interested in purchasing Fleurtje.

In 1985, Fleurtje’s owner decided that it was time to expand the living space aboard the large vessel. She had the construction team add lavish guest cabins to the yacht, bringing the total number to 6. Each guest cabin was completely refurbished with new wood and gold trimming. Many other features were also overhauled, including the upper/lower decks and the entire hull.

Read the rest of this entry »

Brief Guide To The Capital of USA Washington DC

02 August 2010

Washington D.C. is the United States of America’s capital city and serves as one of the most popular destinations in the country as far as tourism is concerned. With many museums, federal buildings, hotels and restaurants, the District of Columbia is well equipped to handle millions of tourists every year, and the small federal city in fact thrives on the tourism.

D.C. initially stands out to people because it’s the quintessential “American” city. Although the USA isn’t always the most popular country around the globe, many people are still interested in the country that was essentially birthed of immigrants and rose to prominence as one of the most powerful countries on the planet.

America’s first president, George Washington, selected the small square area that would eventually become Washington D.C. in the late 1700s. Before the federal city was located on the easternmost border of the state of Virginia, it had been located in New York City and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Read the rest of this entry »

Private Islands for Rent - Buck Island in Caribbean

01 August 2010

The Caribbean Sea might be riddled with multiple small islands, but they’re certainly not a dime a dozen. Some of the world’s most luxurious private homes and resorts are situated on these islands, and Buck Island, a sprawling forested mass with white-sand beaches and rocky cliffs, is one of the Caribbean’s most noted private islands for rent at the current time.

Buck Island is part of the British Virgin Islands chain in the Caribbean. In total, Buck Island is a 43-acre piece of land with 1.3 acres on the nearby Tortola. The shape of the island is quite different than others to be found in the Caribbean. The main house and other buildings are situated atop of a cliff, with the backside of the island being forested.

There are three large hills on Buck Island, one holding the main house and others offering up the natural habitat. Each hill provides full panoramic views of the Caribbean, and there is also plenty of flat land on the island for future homes and/or buildings to go up.

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Most Luxurious Yachts - The 105ft Frer's Bolero

29 July 2010

Some of the world’s must luxurious yachts aren’t privately owned. Instead, they’re available to be chartered for a certain weekly or monthly amount. One of the finest charter yachts in the Mediterranean and Caribbean today is the impressive 104-foot German Frers’ sailing yacht, Bolero. For 50,000 Euros per week, anyone can have full use of this notable build.

Bolero stands out as impressive for a few reasons, none the least of which is its massive size. It was redesigned and rebuilt by German Frers and Far Ocean & Bolero Yachts, and the team did a great job of restoring a classic maxi ocean racer theme on a much more modern scale.

Back in the 1940s, Bolero was built for a Newport yachtsman who used the large yacht in many major races of the day. Bolero was considered one of the best ships on the water and even served as the Flagship of the New York City Yacht Club. It reigned for years as the top yacht in its class and developed a very impressive resume.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ultimate Experiences - Star City's Space Training Tour

12 July 2010

It goes without saying that millions of people on Earth would love to have the opportunity to travel in space. However, this isn’t a reality but for a few people on the entire planet. There’s years of training that goes into becoming an astronaut or cosmonaut, and the honor is usually reserved for individuals with extremely high IQs and a high level of flying experience.

Thanks to the 10-day Space Training Tour, though, even the average Joe’s and Jane’s of the world have a chance to experience what it’s like to be a cosmonaut by participating in Russia’s Cosmonaut Training Program. You still won’t get to venture into space, but you will be able to experience what it’s like to train as if you’re going.

Not only will you learn everything about previous space travel and the various equipment and conditions, but you’ll also get to test a lot of the stuff out. It isn’t something you can do in a day, and certainly isn’t something you can do if you’re in poor health, but for people looking for a unique vacation, this is the experience of a lifetime.

Read the rest of this entry »

Major Attractions Surrounding Las Vegas - Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve

11 July 2010

For a country of over 300 million citizens, wildlife preserves are certainly common in the United States of America. One place you might not expect to find one, however, is in the metropolitan area of Las Vegas, Nevada. The Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve is located in Henderson, Clark County and it has become a great tourist attraction in recent years.

A few places like this may be a bit difficult to locate if you’re not entirely sure how to navigate your way around Las Vegas. Luckily, the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve is in prime position next to the highway, and it’s certainly large enough to be spotted. You’ll find the preserve on Moser Drive, right next to Boulder Highway and Sunset Road.

As far as what you’ll see in there, well, the name pretty much says it all. It’s not like a zoo with multiple types of animals. The Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve is for various types of migrating birds, endangered species, a large variety of waterfowl and other species of birds.

Read the rest of this entry »

Major Attractions Surrounding Las Vegas - Cathedral Rock Trail

10 July 2010

Hiking has always been a popular activity for those among us who like to stay active, but a simple walk around the block just won’t do. Real hikers want to get out and experience various trails and mountains from all around the globe, and many make the trek to Nevada to hike along the Cathedral Rock Trail.

There are many formations named “Cathedral Rock” around the globe, and most every one takes its name due to the temple-like shape of the rock. For the Cathedral Rock located in Nevada’s Spring Mountains, the red rock rises straight up out of the ground and has a flat plateau with plenty of room on and around the rock for hiking.

The actual Cathedral Rock Trail will take hikers around the formation and through other parts of the Spring Mountain range. The actual rock is just the focal point of the entire trail. This majestic rock rises in the air around 1000 feet above the road below it. Anyone climbing to the summit, if they don’t experience vertigo, will access a priceless view of the surrounding area.

Read the rest of this entry »

Major Attractions Surrounding Las Vegas - Mary Jane Falls

08 July 2010

Waterfalls are always popular tourist attractions, no matter where they’re located. These nature-made wonders seem permanent, but they’re extremely fragile. Even one of the world’s most famous waterfalls, Niagara Falls, is eroding at an alarming rate. Some of the smaller waterfalls of the world won’t be around long, so falls like the Mary Jane Falls in Vegas are a must-see feature if you’re a fan.

The Mary Jane Falls site in the Spring Mountains in southern Nevada is one of the most visited in the region. It’s not hard to find the trailhead if you follow the proper roads. Take I-15 N from Las Vegas to 95 N in Reno. Then you’ll drive to Echo Road, just past the USFS ranger station. You’ll see a fork in the road and the marked sign at your destination.

You’ll find trails to multiple falls here. You can choose to check out the Big Falls, or you can proceed with hiking toward the Mary Jane Falls. Most likely, unless the weather is really bad, you’ll run into a lot of people at the parking area, picnic area, on the trails and especially at the falls. This is a highly visited destination, so it might not be right for you if you’re seeking seclusion.

Read the rest of this entry »

Major Attractions Surrounding Las Vegas - Lake Mead National Recreation Area

06 July 2010

While some people like to take their vacations to tropical islands and big cities, others like a more open and historic destination, and Nevada offers these types of vacation spots by the dozen. Obviously, Nevada brings in a lot of tourism due to Las Vegas, but many other landmarks in the area share the spotlight, including the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

The Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a large landmark made up of two huge reservoirs and is located in southern Nevada and northwestern Arizona. The Nevada side is the Lake Mead side of the attraction, with the Arizona reservoir Lake Mohave making up the other half. Lake Mead is impossible to miss - it’s located at the Hoover Dam.

It’s really an all-in-one vacation to visit the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Not only can folks see the huge reservoir, but they also get to tour and experience the Hoover Dam. Because of the type of location and everything Lake Mead offers, nearly 8 million people make the trek there every year, making it one of the most visited sites in the United States of America, and certainly Nevada.

Read the rest of this entry »

Private Islands For Rent - Round Island, Seychelles

05 July 2010

The archipelago nation of Seychelles is made up of over 100 islands of all shapes and sizes. Located to the east of Africa’s mainland in the Indian Ocean, Seychelles is the home to some of the world’s most spectacular private resorts, including the famed private island for rent, Round Island.

Round Island isn’t so originally named, but it is certainly a creative work of lavish art. There’s a bit of an unflattering past with Round Island. Until 1942, it was where nearby populations used to quarantine their female lepers when leprosy was still a scary, confusing and incurable affliction. Since then, the island has been repeatedly made over and transformed into what stands today.

Like many similar islands around the globe, Round Island is a luxurious private resort that lures in the rich and famous travelers with the promise of unique scenery, a tropical climate, lush amenities, and all the seclusion they could ever hope for.

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Most Luxurious Yachts - Jamaica Bay

03 July 2010

Over the past decade, yachts have grown from large boats with a few luxury amenities to lavish ships with state-of-the-art living quarters and everything else you’d find in a millionaire’s mansion. Jamaica Bay, built by Schweers Shipyard, is one of the luxury motor yachts designed for the new age, although this yacht has been around for many years.

Jamaica Bay was constructed in the late 1980s by Schweers and has been recently refitted in 1999 (with ongoing improvements) to give it a more modern look and feel. With the high cost of materials, labor and the sheer time it takes to turn out a large motor yacht, remodeling existing yachts has become something of a trend.

The legendary Schweers build has long been a head turner. With its classic canoe stern and traditional steel hull, Jamaica Bay offers a smooth ride all around. The sundeck aboard the yacht is one of its most appealing features, but there are certainly many more aspects of the motor yacht that work to make it one of the finest in the water today.

Read the rest of this entry »

Major US Attractions - Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park

30 June 2010

Las Vegas has many attractions to lure people to the city, as you could imagine, but one of their most notable attractions has nothing to do with gambling or the other activities you’ll find in Sin City. The Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park is one of the city’s only remaining relics of the pre-gambling era.

The Mormon State Historic Park gets its name from the actual Old Mormon Fort located on the property. 50 years before Las Vegas received its name and long before it was known as the gambling center of the world, Mormon missionaries built a fort on the property and it was eventually declared a historic landmark and has remained untouched over the years.

Mormons are sure to stay clear of Las Vegas these days, as their religion strictly prohibits 99% of what Vegas has to offer, but back in 1855, the natural springs flowing through Las Vegas provided the Mormon settlers with a prime location for living.

Read the rest of this entry »

Major Attractions Surrounding Las Vegas - Red Rock Canyon

27 June 2010

Some tourist attractions in the world just stand out and you don’t really need any directions to get there. Like the Statue of Liberty in New York - you’re going to see her standing there if you’re anywhere near the Hudson. The same can be said about Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas. If you look west of the Vegas Strip, you’ll see the high-standing red rocks.

Red Rock Canyon isn’t one canyon, but rather a series of large red rock formations that are located on a large National Conservation Area (NCA). These red rocks are protected by the Bureau of Land Management as part of the National Landscape Conservation System. Not that anyone would want to destroy the rocks, but they do need to be protected.

With over a million people visiting this site every year, the area could easily be damaged if folks decided that they wanted to chip away at the structure and take a piece home with them. The red sandstone isn’t exactly tough stuff, and it can easily be damaged.

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Most Luxurious Resorts - The Rania Experience

26 June 2010

The Indian Ocean is considered by many tourists to be one of the most beautiful vacation destinations in the world. Entrepreneurs made sure to capitalize on this tropical area and its crystal clear waters when they transformed a small plume of white sand into a private island and one of the most luxurious resorts in the area - the Rania Experience.

The Rania Experience isn’t named necessarily for the “castaway” feel of the small island, but actually for the large 86-foot yacht that sails guests around the waters of the Maldives. All together, the yacht and the exclusive resort make for a vacation “experience” and not simply the usual getaway.

The island is nestled in the middle of the Indian Ocean and remains hidden from much of the outside world. Even famous guests of the island find that the usually sneaky photographers are nowhere to be found this far out into the ocean. It makes a nice locale for guests enjoying the freedom of both privacy and the land/sea choice.

Read the rest of this entry »

Virgin Galactic Venture into Space

23 June 2010

Richard Branson, the eccentric billionaire CEO of the Virgin group, turned heads a few years ago with his latest spacey venture. Branson plans to give eager makeshift astronauts a sub-orbital ride in space via his Virgin Galactic air/space-craft. This space tourism industry was founded in 2004 and is currently operated in New Mexico, USA, with Branson leading the charge.

Around 2002, a contest was launched to see which company could produce an aircraft that could fly into a sub-orbital space trip, return to Earth and make the trip again. Paul Allen, Microsoft co-founder, was part of the Mojave Aerospace Ventures project that won the $10 million contest in 2004. Their craft was named SpaceShipOne, and Branson was immediately trying to top it.

Branson helped create SpaceShipTwo, a lighter, faster aircraft able to fly higher and carry more passengers. It was released to the public in December of 2009, and it’s still undergoing testing to make sure it’s designed well enough to carry people into the Earth’s orbit and back repeatedly without incident. The ship is now being called the VSS (Virgin SpaceShip) Enterprise.

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Best Helicopters - MD 902 Explorer

22 June 2010

When people think of business-class charter air vehicles, they usually think of large private jets with cushy seating and lavish amenities. However, helicopters are getting ever-more popular for private travel and some claim that helicopter travel over short distance is far more efficient. and the MD 902 is the perfect example of a large charter helicopter doing the job of a business jet and doing it well.

The MD 902 is the crown jewel of MD Helicopters’ fleet. MD began in 1947 and started introducing helicopters to the aviation market in the 1950s. In 1984, the Summa Corporation sold their stock in the company to McDonnell Douglas, who quickly took MD in a new direction after forking out over $500 million for it.

In the early 1990s, production of the MD Helicopters began, with only two basic models (though there are a few variations within the set models) to date - the MD 900, and the vastly improved MD 902.

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Most Luxurious Yachts - Forty Love

21 June 2010

Yachts are extremely hot big-ticket items these days. Nearly every wealthy person on the planet is attempting to hit the water in some type of luxurious boat.

For two yacht owners, the usually run-of-the-mill design wasn’t going to cut it. They worked with their builders to create one of the best yachts on the ocean today, Forty Love.

Forty Love isn’t your typical yacht. Most large yachts over 120-feet long do not differ very much in terms of layout and structure. This yacht, however, is the culmination of decades of ownership expertise. When West Coast Custom Yachts was commissioned to build Forty Love, the everyday playbook was tossed out.

Read the rest of this entry »

Bond Street London's Most Elegant Shopping Experience

14 June 2010

Bond Street has a long history of being one of the foremost shopping locations in all of London. Oddly enough, however, there is no actual Bond Street to be found. It’s more of a nickname that survived the times and was picked up due to the southern section being known as Old Bond Street and its northern counterpart known as New Bond Street.

The street runs through Mayfair from Piccadilly on the south end and up to Oxford Street in the north. This large shopping area is located in London’s posh West End shopping district, and it easily beats Regent Street in terms of high-end boutiques and clientele. Bond Street has been a fashionable shopping experience in London since the 18th century, and it continues on today.

Bond Street was named after Sir Thomas Bond, a developer who purchased property in the area. Bond would immediately begin demolishing the mansion he purchased and building up the area, including the nearby Albemarie and Dover Street. It wasn’t long until the area (Old Bond Street) was completed and shops started to open up.

Read the rest of this entry »

Private Islands For Sale - Emerald Cay, Turks And Caicos Islands

12 June 2010

The Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean Sea are a group of islets and cays that have undergone an upscale transformation thanks to private ownership and the real estate market. You won’t find any remote villagers inhabiting these islands; instead, developers have gone all out in developing world-class property in hopes of turning a big profit. Emerald Cay is among the group’s gems.

Approximately 2.3 acres in size, Emerald Cay isn’t exactly a sprawling piece of land. However, it is a private island, surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean on all sides and granting access to the mainland via a remote controlled drawbridge.

Emerald Cay isn’t a solid piece of land, either. It’s made up of smaller pieces of land, powdery white-sand beaches and sporadic patches of woodland. It’s perhaps one of the most unique properties currently on sale in the Caribbean.

Read the rest of this entry »

Extreme Experiences - Russian Top Gun Adventure

10 June 2010

Not everyone in the world is cut out to be a military pilot. With the quick reaction time needed, the keen vision required and a devil-may-care attitude when approaching combat, only the bravest men and women in the world sign up to fly fighter jets. However, there are plenty among us who would love the adventure aspect of it, and Russia’s Top Gun adventure provides it.

The Russian Top Gun Adventure is a week-long package provided by Incredible Adventures. The basic idea here is to take a tour of Russia, learn about the history of flight, and suit up for your own sound barrier-breaking flight in a legitimate fighter jet.

The jets used here aren’t retired military jets or planes that couldn’t make the grade. The MiG-29 and MiG-31 are top-of-the-line fighter jets that can easily fly to the edge of the atmosphere and reach incredible speeds. Any guest will be accompanied by a world-class pilot, of course, but the real fun is in having control of the jet for a short time.

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Most Exclusive Resorts - Commune by the Great Wall

04 June 2010

The Great Wall of China is one of the world’s wonders, and as such, it brings in massive amounts of tourism every year. This wall was built to keep the Ancient Chinese Empire safe from outside invaders. It was originally constructed around the 5th century BC and has been rebuilt and maintained regularly.

In 2002, the Chinese decided that their Great Wall could be even more lucrative if they decided to build a luxurious resort beside it. Commune by the Great Wall was a massive undertaking by China, and 12 of the best architects in Asia lent their expertise to seeing this project to fruition. Commune consists of a collection of private villas in Beijing, China.

Badaling has always been one of the focal points of the Great Wall, so when it was time to build a luxury resort, this section of the wall was the perfect spot. The plan in building these private villas was to inspire tourism, obviously, and also to inspire other Asian architects to eventually lend their creative vision to the project and expand the resort.

Read the rest of this entry »

Private Islands for Rent - Bonefish Cay, Bahamas

30 May 2010

Bonefish Cay is a private island for rent located in the Abaco Island chain in the Bahamas. Although the island isn’t very large, only coming in at 13 acres, it’s completely decked out with a lavish, hurricane-proof home. Bonefish Cay gets its name due to the surrounding bonefish around the island.

If you want to treat yourself and friends or family, it’s rather expensive to rent: around $50,000 per week. Alternatively, you can have it for keeps as it’s up for sale at $14.5m.

The island certainly wasn’t an accident find turned into a quick money-making venture. The owners of the island worked for years to construct the housing on the island, landscape and property and the end result is a resort-like structure that encompasses much of the island. At 15,000 square feet, the buildings on the island offer plenty of room for the guests.

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Most Spectacular Events - Dakar Rally 2010

29 May 2010

The 2010 Dakar Rally took place in South America on a route from Argentina to Chile. This two-week event is one of the largest in the world, and until 2009, the Dakar was held in Europe. Organized by the Amaury Sport Organisation, the Dakar Rally is a rally raid off-road event, featuring various types of all-terrain vehicles.

Dakar started in 1979 and has proven to be one of the sport’s most grueling endurance races. Hundreds of competitors enter the 16-day event, but only around half the field manages to finish.

The South American Dakar began on New Year’s Day in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The idea is to race an all-terrain course to Chile and back again. In total, 362 teams showed up to compete in the endurance race. 134 cars, 42 trucks and 176 motorcycles and ATVs launched from the podium in hopes of winning the race.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Paris Air Show 2011 Marks 103 Years Of Aviation Exhibition Excellence

26 May 2010

Held at the Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, the Paris Air Show is an international trade fair for the entire aerospace business. This commercial air show takes place every odd year and caters to the military, corporations and private customers. The last show was in 2009 and the next is scheduled for June 2011.

The Paris Air Show first arrived on the scene due to changing times regarding our use of transport. In 1908, during the Paris Automobile Show, event organizers decided to dedicate a portion of the show to the emerging aircraft. The following year in 1909, the aircraft got its own show held at the Grand Palais.

At the time, the Paris Air Show was an annual event and was doing quite well. The show happened for four years in a row until interrupted by the First World War. After the show returned in 1919, it started to be held in alternating years. The show took another break during the Second World War and returned in 1946 (held on odd years only starting in 1949).

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Most Luxurious Resorts - Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Thailand

25 May 2010

Mandarin Oriental Hotels are among the world’s largest and most popular group of luxury five-star resorts. They have a few widely popular locations around the globe, and their hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand is certainly one of the nicest. The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Dhara Dhevi is much more than your average vacation hot spot. It takes up 60 acres in Chiang Mai and every inch is high detailed.

The Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi claims to have built a self-contained world of beauty. The entire landscape is more like a small town than simply an average resort. You’ll find the main hotel buildings, paddy fields, sprawling plantations and the surrounding mountain scenery almost too much to take in.

Mandarin Oriental Hotels offer guests a cultural experience specific to the resort’s location. For Chiang Mai’s resort, the Mandarin was designed to be a tribute to the traditional Lanna architecture of the area. Along with many antiques from Thailand and cuisine from some of the best chefs around, guests at Dhara Dhevi get to experience a little bit of what life was like in the area in past centuries. The only difference being, of course, everyone visiting is treated like royalty.

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Most Luxurious Resorts - Iguazu Grand Resort Spa & Casino

22 May 2010

The Iguazu Grand Resort Spa & Casino is one of the most luxurious resorts in Argentina and attracts travelers from all across the globe. The resort is like a palace, drawing the attention of celebrities, high-roller gamblers, world politicians and other wealthy individuals. There’s also a rather large base of your average vacationers visiting the resort every year.

The Iguazu Falls in Argentina are a beautiful attraction all their own; throw in a resort of this size and you have the makings for a tourist draw like none other in the area. For starters, the resort is in a great geographic location as far as culture is concerned. Iguaza Falls National Park is on the border of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.

The Iguazu Grand also stands out when compared to other structures. The red-brick front of the enormous structure resembles an old-world manor from the area. The house is situated on fifteen pristine acres of semitropical vegetation. With all of the Falls and national park to peer out at from any room, even low-level suites provide guests with panoramic views of the entire area.

Read the rest of this entry »

Most Luxurious Cruise Ships - Royal Caribbean's Oasis of The Seas

19 May 2010

Oasis is a class of luxury cruise ship designed by Royal Caribbean International - the biggest passenger ships in the world. Two such ships were ordered in early 2006, and Royal Caribbean began production on two of the world’s most impressive cruise liners, Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas. Allure is currently under construction, but Oasis was finished in 2009.

Oasis is expected to join up with her sister ship by 2011, but for the moment, she stands alone as the largest vessel at sea and certainly the jewel of the Royal Caribbean fleet. The previous largest cruise liner was the Freedom-class cruise ships of Royal Caribbean. The Freedom-class ships were 1,111 feet long and 208 feet high and were like towns at sea.

Coming in even larger and with more room, the Oasis of the Seas is like a floating city. The ship’s displacement is about 100,000 tons, and its weight is astonishing at over 225 thousand gross tons. This ship was created for stability. Amazingly, only 30 feet of the ship sits beneath the water. It’s so wide that the displacement is well distributed, helping the ship to handle waves.

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Most Luxurious Yachts - The Sanlorenzo SL100 New

14 May 2010

The shipyard at Sanlorenzo headquarters didn’t waste much time getting started with a new yacht model after releasing the SL 108 only a few short years ago. The Sanlorenzo trademark is world renowned, and the company produces some of the finest superyachts in the world. Their latest venture, the SL 100 New, was a risky joint venture.

The basic idea behind the SL 100 New was to separate it from their old model SL 100 with some unique design features and improvements. Not that building a better ship is risky by any stretch of the imagination, but when a builder decides to release an entirely new model in this market after only a few short years, a lot could go wrong.

Sanlorenzo introduced the plans for the SL 100 New at the Genoa boat show. The announcement received a mixed bag of reactions at first, but after Sanlorenzo explained what they were trying to accomplish, yacht fans became very interested in the innovative way the company was approaching the revamped edition of their famous SL model.

Read the rest of this entry »

Stringfellow's - The Gentleman's Club That's A Cut Above The Rest

02 May 2010

Stringfellow’s is currently one of the most popular night clubs in the UK. Now with two locations in London in the UK, and one in Paris, France, this line of clubs started by Peter Stringfellow has stood the test of time and is recognized the world over for offering a classy gentleman’s atmosphere that still manages to get down and dirty with wild parties and nude girls.

Peter Stringfellow was born to a modest family in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England in 1940 and lived in London as a child. This is where he picked the location for his first Stringfellow’s club, the now-famous Stringfellow’s at Covent Garden.

Offering more than average nude clubs with classier dancers and high-end clientele, this table-dancing club quickly became legendary.It wasn’t long before Peter took the plunge and opened up another club in London, Stringfellow’s Angels, but the original club remains the most popular and is where it all started. Stringfellow was no stranger to the business having owned and managed clubs before, like King Mojo, and his experience shines through in his London hot spot.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Most Luxurious Yachts - Fountaine Pajot Summerland 40

28 April 2010

Fountaine Pajot has been designing some impressive and unique yachts for years now, and their 2009 Summerland 40 Trawler Cat is no exception. This 40-foot power catamaran isn’t like the typical yachts you see in the water everyday.

Catamarans are a completely different design and made more for long, slow cruises in medium-depth waters. Even still, the market is huge.

The Summerland 40 catamaran was specifically engineered to hold up very well on long cruises. The boat was designed to carry a large family safely, and there is plenty of room onboard to have a family outing chocked full of activities.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Story of Broadway Theater, New York

24 April 2010

New York City is absolutely filled with tourist attractions and historical landmarks that are more recognizable than in any other city in America. With the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building acting as the sights to see, the historic Broadway Theatre acts as the city’s hub of artsy productions and is the New York art district’s crown jewel.

A lot of people confuse Broadway the district with Broadway the building. With 40 individual theaters in the district, the multiple structures single-handedly make Manhattan stand out as one of the foremost production cities on the planet. Even with much of the world in recession, Broadway still manages to pull in close to a billion US dollars annually in ticket fees alone.

However, Broadway Theatre, the 1,700-seat centerpiece of the district, remains the top theater in the district despite the competition. It’s the one stage which every theatrical performer wishes to appear on, and no matter how many names it has gone by in the past, this building has always been the crème de la crème of New York’s play scene.

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Most Luxurious Yachts - Numarine 78HT

21 April 2010

Numarine has long been in the yachting game, building some impressive motoryachts that have caught the attentions of boat shows including Monaco last year plus top publications around the world. The company released their 78 model not long ago, available in both a hardtop (HT), and a FLY (Flybridge) model. For their HT model, Numarine really pushed the envelope.

While most yachts are certainly designed with style in mind, most stay within the accepted norms and feature light solid colors, sleek hull designs and boast an overall elegant look. Numarine’s 78 HT blew these preconceived notions out of the water with their brazing yacht design.

Paying homage to the water reptiles that have roamed the waters since long before mankind ever came along, Numarine’s HT is a colorfully designed yacht with a hull more in the shape of an alligator or lizard than any other yacht on the market. The colors also pop, with purples and greens included in the design instead of the basic blacks and whites.

Read the rest of this entry »

The History Of Times Square, New York

19 April 2010

Times Square is one of the most popular attractions in New York City and has kept people flocking to the large area for many years. Instead of the usual New York monument, Times Square is actually comprised of city blocks - it’s an intersection of the Manhattan borough, located at Broadway and Seventh and extended to Sixth and Eighth Avenue.

Although Times Square was always technically present in New York, it didn’t get its name until the early 1900s. John Morin Scott owned the area around the time of the American Revolution, and John Jacob Astor owned the property later on.

In 1904, after the New York Times moved to a skyscraper on the property, the paper’s publisher, Adolph S. Ochs, consulted the city’s mayor about constructing a subway station near the headquarters. This gave rise to a building boom and the area was named Times Square and promptly began the now-traditional electric advertising.

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Most Luxurious Yachts - Sessa Fly 54

16 April 2010

Sessa has been one of the most formidable names in yacht building for years now, renowned mostly for their stunning line of smaller sportscruisers. Recently, the yacht company decided to take on a more upscale task by building their first ever flybridge model, the Flybridge 54. The key to Sessa’s success is that they didn’t stray far from their area of expertise.

Instead of taking a chance and attempting to reinvent the wheel, Sessa stuck with what they knew and simply integrated their previous sporting style into the Flybridge. Not only does this make for a sleek-looking boat, but it also allowed Sessa to produce a feature-rich product that rivals boats twice its size.

The normal size for a flybridge design is 54-feet. This leaves little room for the types of accoutrements that larger yachts come equipped with. Even still, by traveling their own path, Sessa incorporated a very large cockpit into the yacht and also kept room for a unique bathing platform that’s large yet still blends in with the ship’s fast look.

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Most Luxurious Hotels - Oriental Hotel Bangkok

13 March 2010

Located on the Chao Phrya River in Bangkok, Thailand, the Oriental Hotel has been one of the country’s most impressive - and equally illusive - draws for many decades. While it stands alone as one of the most breathtaking and bold hotels in the country, it’s also one of the most exclusive, with high-end clientele making up the lion’s share of its guests.  

However, the Oriental Hotel is constantly renovating and adding and improving space. So this leaves some of the hotel’s rooms bordering on the affordable side, making it possible for average vacationers to stay in style and luxury. There are 358 rooms in total at the Oriental, with 35 ultra exclusive suites, including the famed Authors’ Suites.  

The spellbinding views of the River of Kings and the towering architecture of Bangkok is enough in itself to lure guests into the Oriental Hotel. However, the hotel’s reputation was built on more than surrounding scenery. It was built on elegance and decadence, and the many rooms, restaurants and spa suites keep it atop everyone’s list of the best hotels.  

 

Read the rest of this entry »

The Monaco Yacht Show

11 March 2010

The 19th annual Monaco Yacht Show was held September 23rd through the 26th. An estimated 30,000 people arrived over the three-day event, making it one of the busiest in recent memory in terms of foot traffic. However, this years show seemed to feature fewer businesses in attendance and fewer big yacht unveilings.

The lack of big-budget releases can be due to the economic downturn finally forcing even the rich and famous to tamp down their spending habits. It can also be to avoid negative publicity. Some publications love nothing more than to rail against the owners and companies of the newest and most lavish yachts, especially in times like these. It sells papers.

However, the event was far from a bust. An estimated 500 companies participated to showcase their latest offerings to the world of yachting. Not only do the companies have a welcoming and eager platform to unveil their latest builds, but it also gives them an opportunity to whet the appetites of potential buyers by divulging news and plans of future builds.

Read the rest of this entry »

Barvikha Hotel & Spa - World's Most Luxurious Hotels

26 February 2010

In the world of luxury hotels and resorts, one might expect that Moscow would be the last place to find a first-rate hotel, never mind a luxurious and modern hotel/spa hybrid thats both warm and welcoming. However, Moscow has come a long way, and the Barvikha Hotel & Spa easily stands out as one of the finest new resorts on the planet.

The hotel is located in the Barvikha Luxury Village an ultra exclusive suburb of Moscow. This high-end area, known for its style and elegance, is the quintessential spot for such a well-designed, chic property, and the design team pulled no punches when it was time to build the resort only a few short years ago.

To handle the modern design aspect of the luxury hotel, Antonio Citterioa world famous designerwas brought in. Antonio outfitted the hotels 65 suites and spa with features such as separate terraces, fireplaces, private unique massage tables, steam showers, and an overall chic and modern feel thats light years removed from how Moscow is viewed.

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Most Luxurious Resorts - Villa Aminta

28 January 2010

Italy has long been one of the world’s foremost destinations for visitors. Whether a person is looking to wax nostalgic on the ancient history of the Romans, Catholicism or even the Mafia, or simply looking for the best cuisine outside of France, Italy offers up a true feast for the mind, body and spirit like no other country in Europe.

There are many parts of this boot-shaped peninsula that keep visitors coming time and again, and when they’re there, a nice place to stay is almost a must. For the haughty vacationer, the hotel Villa Aminta is one of the best offered in Italy.

Located in the quaint town of Stresa, the hotel Villa Aminta is the area’s diamond in the not-so-rough scenic surroundings. The north of Italy is famous for its Austrian and Swiss influences, and Villa Aminta is in rather close proximity, located on the coastal road that travels straight up to Switzerland. The panoramic views are certainly all-encompassing, and travelers claim that the brisk mountain air is as clean as the waters of the Lago Maggiore are blue.

Read the rest of this entry »

Top 10 Things You Must Do In New York

15 January 2010

New York city, New York is the most famous city in America and among the most famous in the entire world. It pulls in millions of tourists every year and subsequently billions of dollars due to the plethora of shows, statues, buildings, museums and other historical landmarks and attractions. If you’re visiting NYC anytime in the near future, there are certain things you have to do while there.

In no particular order, here are the top ten things you must do in New York.

One
See the Statue of Liberty. This pure copper statue, standing 305-feet tall (in total from ground to torch), was a gift from the French, commemorating America’s freedom. Since arriving in New York in 1886 and being reconstructed, piece by piece, millions of visitors-around 3 million annually for the past few decades-have walked up the stairs inside the statue and peered out at the city from inside.

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Most Exclusive Resorts - Mentawai Wavepark, Indonesia

12 January 2010

Many island resorts are able to bring in an abundance of travelers by using their location alone. When people think about vacations, the sand, sun and water are usually the top three on nearly anyone’s list, so it’s no trouble at all getting people to frequent a resort.

However, the Wavepark Mentawai Surf Resort throws in an added bonus for people who love to catch some waves. Wavepark is, basically, a nature-made theme park, featuring some of the best swells in Indonesia. The resort offers luxurious accommodations, hand-and-foot waiting and some of the best waves in the world.

The staff at Wavepark tout themselves as experts on the Indonesian water and weather. When it comes to the surfing, there are different areas of the water and different times of the day and season that bring in a different type of tide.

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Most Exclusive Resorts - Ponta Dos Ganchos, Brazil

23 December 2009

Vacationers are forever looking for the best and brightest destinations in the world, and over the past few years, more and more travelers are working their way toward South America and finding out what Brazil has to offer.

The culture of this Portuguese-influenced country is unique in the continent, whose other countries have a history of Spanish colonialisation. On top of that, the coastal city Rio is home to some of the world’s sexiest beaches. The combination of culture and scenery is more than enough to entice tourists, but resorts like the Ponta dos Ganchos add that extra bit of luxury that makes people never want to leave.

The Ponta dos Ganchos resort is situated on a unique piece of property that most Brazilian vacationers will never get to see unless they travel there specifically. Ganchos is located directly on a privately-owned peninsula and sits directly in between two of the area’s most picturesque fishing villages, each with its own unique culture in the context of Brazilian living.

Read the rest of this entry »

World's Most Luxurious Resorts - Hayman Resort, Australia

08 December 2009

Off the coast of Central Queensland in Australia, the Cumberland Islands are a chain of beautiful islands and islets that stretch miles through the Pacific. Cumberland is part of the large Whitsunday Island chain, and its crown jewel is undoubtedly Hayman Island, home to the Hayman resort.

First built in the 1950s by Reg Ansett, Hayman Resort is the quintessential tourist attraction of the chain and of the 400 hectares of Hayman Island, the resort’s buildings and activity areas covers nearly everything but the beautiful beaches.

Of course, the actual resort isn’t that large, but after factoring in the various tour zones, different retail stores, golf courses and other sporting zones, the entire Hayman Island seems to be one giant resort. The location of the island itself is near perfection. When Ansett set out to choose his location for building a resort, he had carte blanche to choose any island in the Whitsunday chain. He ultimately settled on Hayman.

Read the rest of this entry »

Exclusive Hotels Of The World - The Ritz, London

10 November 2009

London, England is home to many of the world’s finest attractions, including, among other things, historical museums, grand concert halls, astonishing clocks that have stood the test of time, and lavish hotels that provide guests with both a reason to travel to London and a place to stay in comfort when they arrive.

The Ritz in London meets and exceeds the needs of both inquisitive first-time travelers and regulars alike, and for over 100 years, it has been one of the finest hotels in not only England, but the entire world.

Ritz Hotels are known around the globe for their amenities and luxurious settings, and this was the goal of the famous hotelier Cesar Ritz when he first opened his London location in 1906. It was built to resemble a Parisian-style block of flats at the height of the Belle Epoque, and architects Charles Mewes and Arthur Davis gave London its first large steel-frame-constructed building.

Read the rest of this entry »

Damascus Gate Restaurant, The Worlds Largest Restaurant

04 July 2009

Most high-end restaurants you’ll ever visit are medium-sized, able to handle relatively large crowds if need be, but better equipped to keep the numbers low. Other restaurants are a bit larger, offering a cafeteria-like setting, handling hundreds of people within its walls.

One restaurant, the world’s largest, by far, is like an amusement park. There’s really no logical way to describe the sheer size of Syria’s Damascus Gate. The gargantuan scale restaurant primarily serves people outside. It’s an actual replica of the famous Damascus Gate and has a working waterfall on the premises.

The restaurant is owned by esteemed businessman Shaker Samman who built the restaurant in hopes of topping Syria’s list of the areas largest. However, once word spread about this massive eatery, representatives from the Guinness Book of World Records made the trek and named Damascus Gate as the largest restaurant in the entire world. No pun intended, but that’s certainly no small feat. The world is packed with enormous restaurants, although many are not high-end; Damascus dwarfs them all with room to spare.

Read the rest of this entry »

Top Restaurant Review - The French Laundry, Napa Valley

11 June 2009

The United States of America is known as a cultural melting pot. Formed from citizens of countries throughout the entire world, America is a unique blend of everything. This is especially true with the Yountville, California restaurant in Napa Valley, The French Laundry. As one of the best restaurants in the world, The French Laundry appears from the outside as a small, 2-story cottage or bungalow.

With vines running up the structure’s face and clinging to the rails of the terrace, the middling exterior gives the impression that the food served inside is run-of-the-mill at best. However, Thomas Keller, the head chef and owner, proves that no book should be judged by its cover.

Thomas Keller is a renowned American chef and restaurateur. His landmark restaurant, The French Laundry, has won multiple awards from the James Beard Foundation, including the Best California Chef, and Restaurant Magazine of Britain listed the restaurant among the world’s top 50.

Read the rest of this entry »

Luxury travel baggage brand Mandarina Duck

11 May 2009

For people who know anything about fashion, Italy is often cited as the original home to the majority of popular fashion brands of the world. Mandarina Duck is no exception. Known primarily for their high-end luggage and travel accessories, Mandarina Duck is headquartered in Bologna, Italy, and has also stretched as far as Barcelona, London, Dusseldorf, and Paris.

Instead of fashioning a name and logo after the names of their founders, a mandarina duck is actually a real breed of the fowl that lives on the Ussuri River on the border of China and Russia.

Mandarina Duck didn’t start out as a high-end luggage producer. The founders, Paolo Tento and Pietro Mannato, childhood friends, were once in the market of producing head-sealed produced. In 1976, after a decade-long design stint in the heating front, the duo decided to form Mandarina Duck.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Yachts - Pershing 62

17 March 2009

Oh, the lifestyles of the rich and famous. It’s something a lot of people envy in their own special way. The big houses, the rare sports car collections, the private jets, the jewels with more karats than a garden - who wouldn’t want to ride on easy street? The meek may indeed inherit the earth, but you better believe they wouldn’t turn down an opportunity to cruise on a yacht, especially the Pershing 62.

Some think of a yacht as just a boat on steroids. The Pershing is more like the Titanic’s little brother. The Ferretti Group, an Italian yacht building conglomerate, is responsible for the Pershing. Ferrettis is the only nautical group on the 500 Hot Growth Companies in Europe list. And with their stellar yachts, it’s easy to see why.

The Pershing 62 introduces people to an entirely new way of yachting. It was designed with a family concept in mind, and is characterized by both the material and stylistic solutions. The emphasis is more on yacht living than yacht cruising.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Monarch Suite in The Monarch Dubai

18 February 2009

Dubai is one the most well-known places on the planet. Sitting at the corner of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is among the world’s leaders of technological building. They’re more known for catering to the mega-wealthy and rich and famous in the world than anything. The city is home to some of the world’s most famous hospitality and some of the finest luxury hotels. As a premier travel destination, Dubai has worked increasingly hard to make bigger and better monuments of luxurious over-abundance. Their premier hotel is The Monarch, and the hotel’s premier suite is the Monarch Suite.

The Monarch Dubai was recently named the Middle East’s leading new business motel, and subsequently, the Monarch Suite was named the Middle East’s leading suite - and later captured that title for the entire world. This is no small feat, especially considering popular hotels like the Hilton (and their many locations), the Four Seasons, and the Ritz Carlton. The General Manager of the Monarch Dubai, Henning Fries, stated that this recognition comes as a climax to a very successful first year of business for this flagship project.

Read the rest of this entry »

Top Restaurant Review - Mugaritz, Spain

05 February 2009

There’s something about Spain that is overly appealing to diners around the world. It could be that the land is rife with ancient history. Or perhaps the beautiful scenery is warm and inviting. It could also be that restaurants like the famous Mugaritz are just a little better than other restaurants in the world - and we all know that people will choose the best over the rest any day of the week. Mugaritz is located in San Sebastian, Spain in a beautiful and eloquent setting. Before diners even walk into the restaurant, they’re blown away by the surrounding ambiance.

It’s long been said that a person eats with their eyes and nose long before eating with their mouth. To give you a great overall dining experience, different lighting techniques, plate and food colors, and smells are used at Mugaritz to make a diner feel comfortable and to stimulate appetite. The award-winning head chef of Mugaritz, Andoni Aduriz, was once an apprentice at the world famous El Bulli, also in Spain.

While El Bulli deals with haute cuisine, Mugaritz deals with molecular gastronomy. This technique - more than a "style" of cooking - is a scientific principle that studies the physical and chemical processes that occur in cooking. It pertains more to the mechanisms behind the transformation of particular ingredients in cooking, as well as the social and artistic components of culinary phenomena.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Resorts - Casa Contenta

09 January 2009

The United States is sometimes seen as a place where hard work can earn a modest and freedom-filled life of opportunity. And other times, it’s seen as an absolute overindulgence to the umpteenth degree. For anyone who’s ever ventured off the shores of Miami, Florida’s famed South Beach, they know all too well that the latter is true. Located on the ultra-exclusive gated community Palm Island, guests can find the true meaning of luxury at Casa Contenta. This extravagant two-story residence covers over an entire acre, and that doesn’t include the surrounding areas.

The Spanish-style Casa Contenta resort boasts an exceptionally designed and decorated interior. The pristine quality of the resort looks more like a livable museum than your average "hotel." You can find authentic French furnishings, priceless artwork, and the classic feel is well rounded out by state-of-the-art technologies available to guests, so they never miss a bit of business.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Private Jets - Bombardier Global Express XRS

28 December 2008

Bombardier Aerospace introduces their Global Express XRS, a long-range business jet that was released as an improved version of the original jet. This new jet offers higher cruising speeds, improved cabin layout, greater range, and much better lighting. The letters "XRS" are said to have no real significance.

They were selected by focus groups who hoped to revitalize the overall brand of Global Express. The GE first arrived on the scene in 1999. From the first flight, it was clear that this jet offered something different from competitors. Not only is the Global Express used as a private business jet, they’re also used by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The XRS adds extra fuel for an ultra long-range flight. It can travel 6,150 nautical miles at .85 Mach without having to refuel. This aircraft also has a new design called "zero flaps" take-off ability, which allows the jet access to more airports.

The jet first entered service in 2006, and since then, the price has climbed to around $45-million. With improved computer systems onboard the XRS, it takes approximately 15 minutes less to completely refuel the jet, even though the tank holds 1,486 extra pounds of fuel.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Yachts - Evergreen

23 December 2008

Stick with what works. That’s the mantra for millions of property owners who realize that it’s far easier to rebuild on an existing structure than to demolish and build from the ground up. Another set of words to live by, "if it’s not broken - don’t fit it," is the approach Evergreen yacht owners took when deciding to have their mega-ship refurbished.

The Diana Yacht Design masterpiece Evergreen was a beautiful yacht that stretched over 92 meters from bow to stern. It had a displacement of 2,621 tons, and seemed to float on a cushion of air. Her gorgeous hull was steel, and her higher decks were aluminum - making for a strong and sleek vessel worthy of admiration.

Evergreen displayed an elegant, distinguished profile in the water. The interior components of the ship were outright impeccable and included a grand saloon and a large recreation center with a karaoke bar and full dance floor. The ship contained 14 luxury guest cabins, fully decked-out in lavish comforts and amenities. And when it comes to the master stateroom, the Evergreen’s setup rivaled some of the best real estate in the world.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Resorts - Musha Cay

12 December 2008

It doesn’t matter where you live, when you think of a vacation, the Bahamas have probably crossed your mind. No where else in the world can you find such beautiful views, pristine waters, and luxurious places to stay. For example, Musha Cay resort, located in the heart of the Bahamas, is considered to be the prime location for all vacationers. However, with its incredible price - which makes it the most expensive place to stay in the Bahamas - the dream is never realized for most, and their stay at Musha Cay gets chalked up to another champagne wish and caviar dream that never came true.

This lush and secluded resort is a hotbed for the rich and famous. From seasoned Hollywood royalty like Harrison Ford to the newest of newbie Wall Street upstarts, Musha Cay has a reputation of decadent elegance. If you can afford the tab, this beautiful resort is the idea location for anniversaries, family reunions, Christmas and other holidays, or simply a great way to find a summer-like atmosphere year round. This Exuma Chain wonderment is an "anytime" choice.

Musha Cay is located on the coast of a 150-acre island, full of unspoiled habitat. The white-sand beaches and sky blue waters are a feast for the eyes. Musha Cay employs a full-time staff of 30, well-qualified members who cater to a guest’s every need. The resort can hold up to 24 guests.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Resorts - Necker Island

01 December 2008

Not too long ago, Necker Island was considered a drab location with no commercial appeal whatsoever. However, after one of Britain’s most outlandish figures, the multi-billionaire Sir Richard Branson, purchased the property, the little praised getaway in the British Virgin Islands quickly became a mega-popular success.

The resort is operated as a private residence, and all guests have the freedom to explore the entire island and the surrounding scenery. And a staff of 31 works to provide up to 26 guests with around-the-clock service, be it a simple room cleaning or a gourmet meal.

Necker Island is 74-acres, and has a 10-bedroom Balinese villa, along with two 1-bedroom Balinese houses named Bali Hi and Bali Lo. These houses are beautifully designed and boast many wonderful features. Each house has a private swimming pool, open-air lounging areas, outdoor dining areas, and many other state-of-the-art amenities.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Four Seasons Ty Warner Penthouse

30 November 2008

New York New York, big city of dreams. We’ve all heard that line before. And if you’ve ever ventured into Manhattan, the grandiose displays of ultra-luxurious hotels and mega-expansive buildings do look somewhat like a dream.

On the "Luxist List," a well-regarded poll of the world’s most expensive and elegant places to stay, the Ty Warner penthouse tops the 10-most list at number-one. Available at the Four Seasons in Manhattan, the Ty Warner room is an insanely popular draw. However, more people like to talk about it than purchase a night’s stay in the posh penthouse. Ty Warner is the CEO of Ty Inc., creator of the Beanie Babies and owner of the Four Seasons. His estimated net worth is around $6-billion.

The Ty Warner Penthouse cost $50-million to construct, and was designed by acclaimed architect I.M. Pei, Peter Marino, and Ty Warner even lent a helping hand. The breathtaking views of Manhattan are literally indescribable.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Yachts - The Utopia

24 November 2008

From the first plans to build the superyacht Utopia, Feadship knew they were in for a huge job. Utopia was originally designed to be a 58-meter yacht, but the owner had a desire for a much larger ship full to the brim with top-level content.

The customer urged Feadship to lengthen to ship to 71.60-meters, thus making this one of the most complex ship construction projects in history. Aboard the Utopia, there are six decks which are all completely decked out with the latest innovative technologies and all the correct ultra-lavish comforts for the mega-rich.

It took very careful and precise work to build the Utopia, and the painstaking craftsmanship reflects on every single square inch of the finished product.

The level of finish leaves most astonished at the intricate detail. On an aesthetics level, Utopia reprises some solutions already successfully expressed by De Voogt Naval Architects, and also for Feadship. Rounded lines form the bow of the upper deck, and plenty of glass is set between the decks, making the ship appear more like a floating office building from a distance.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Yachts - Sea Ray Sundancer

05 November 2008

Ocean lovers set out and cruise the open water for multiple reasons. Some like the deep sea fishing, others like the feeling of freedom, and some like to flaunt their stuff with their luxury boats. Well, you really can’t refer to a man’s pride and joy as a boat.

They’re pleasure cruisers, power cruisers, and yachts, with all the luxurious amenities of a classy hotel. Even the smaller ones have enough room to maneuver comfortably. One of the more popular brands of boats floating around is the Sea Ray. Manufactured by the Brunswick Corporation, Sea Ray’s top model is the Sundancer. These boats range from 17-foot power cruisers to 60-foot yachts.

Perhaps the most popular yacht in Sea Ray’s catalogue is the 44 Sundancer. It is the number 1 selling boat in its class. And Sea Ray encourages everyone to jump aboard and see why.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Yachts - The Princess 25m

29 October 2008

Some people just can’t get enough luxury. As if a regular yacht wasn’t good enough, true opulence lovers opt for yachts which resemble wingless airplanes that gently stay afloat on the ocean’s surface. And one of the more popular brands of ultra-yacht is the posh powerhouse, Princess Yachts International.

Don’t let the name fool you at all, Princess Yachts are truly fit for a King. Founded in 1965 as Marine Projects Ltd, the company was purchased in 1981 by a South African businessman named Graham J. Beck. He eventually sold the company to a French businessman’s investment group in 2008. Throughout the years, Princess’ Motor Yachts have been turning heads throughout the seven seas.

One of the most popular models is the Princess 25m. This extravagant yacht flawlessly combines the best in style, with an overwhelming presence and heart-stopping performance. This powerhouse can easily reach high speeds for long-distance cruising.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Resorts - Altamer Anguilla

26 October 2008

The key to a good vacation is options. When you’re planning your next trip, take some extra time to think about every conceivable detail. Of course you’ll be thinking about where to go, what to eat, where to stay, what to see while you’re there, etc. But when it comes time for that much needed vacation, ask yourself the most important question of all: Do you want to go someplace simply to say, or are you looking for luxury? Any old hotel won’t do.

Besides how often do you really get to take a vacation? It would be a shame to stay in some rundown shack. If you’re thinking of a Caribbean vacation, then you’re not alone. Millions visit each year for a fresh breath of island life. And if you’re stopping in Anguilla, the Altamer resort is a place you must check out.

Altamer offers guests some of the finest luxury on the island. Their villas are amazing, and you won’t soon forget your stay. The villas were created for people who live for luxurious settings. Everything about Altamer screams 5-stars: the museum quality interior, fine wine and dining, royal service, and priceless views.

Altamer resort is a place where you can relax and be a part of the island. There are three villas at Altamer for you to choose from: the smallest is 10,000 sq ft, next we have the 12,000 sq ft villa, and finally, the African Sapphire Villa, which boasts an impressive 14,000 sq ft.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Yachts - Lioness aka April Fool

19 October 2008

The latest Feadship luxury motoryacht launched by Royal van Lent is the 200-foot April Fool, project name Lioness. Feadship brings their high standards in craftsmanship and luxury to the table for this ultimate yacht-lovers delight.

Highlights of this massive ship include a four-deck elevator, a custom electric awning on the sun deck, and a stellar full-beam owner’s suite. In addition to the owner’s suite, April Fool has four other spacious staterooms and other quarters to house up to eighteen crewmembers.

Every Feadship launch is a special occasion, but project Lioness was particularly special. Hundreds of people contributed in this yacht from design to development. The launch was a chance to show the hard work and dedication that went on for several years. Naturally, the date the owners chose to receive the April Fool was April 1st.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Resorts - Cayo Espanto

12 October 2008

Belize is one of the more famous countries in Central America. Formerly known as British Honduras, and once part of the great Mayan and Spanish empires, Belize has a storied history that rivals Greece and Rome. Vacationers love visiting the area, and in recent years, more people are enjoying their stay at the private resort, Cayo Espanto.

There are only six villas available at Cayo Espanto, but don’t let the island fool you, it’s quite deceptive. With ruffled mangrove borders and a palm tree center, Cayo Espanto appears to be a very large island, and you’ll never see another guest unless you’re out on the water or on your dock.

The anonymity of the island has made it a favorite spot for today’s celebrities. Among the many famous frequent guests are Robert De Niro, Tiger Woods, and Leonardo DiCaprio.

As well as being breathtakingly beautiful and secluded, Cayo Espanto is also famed for its fine cuisine. This isn’t like a 5-star restaurant that serves appetizer portions for dinner - Cayo Espanto dishes out the gourmet meals at belly buster rates. With all of that food, guests will definitely need some exercise to work off the calories.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Yachts - Alfa Four

06 October 2008

Alfa Four is the yacht owned by Greek yachtsman and entrepreneur Theodore Angelopoulos and his wife, Gianna. The first mission of the Alfa Four was to play host to the VIP guests during the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Alfa Four began its life at Oceanco with the codename Ambrosiana.

It is a near-sistership to Lady Lola, winner of the 2003 ShowBoats award for Best Full-Displacement Motor Yacht over 38 meters. Slated to be a 60-meter ship, Ambrosiana was originally contracted for a German client. Although halfway through the construction, the project came to an abrupt halt. Meanwhile, Angelopoulos has sold a 66-meter yacht he had been building at Feadship. He was looking for a replacement when he came across Alfa Four.

Many of the spectacular features of Alfa Four are drawn directly from Angelopoulos’ experience with yachting. The yacht’s master suite comprises a flexible and dramatic multitier space arrangement. The master is entered through a companionway off the central foyer that passes.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Resorts - Sandy Lane

01 October 2008

If your next vacation takes you to Barbados, then there’s a must-see resort that will leave you breathless. Sandy Lane in Barbados is an exclusive luxury beach vacation resort. This paradise is absolutely perfect for honeymooners, and it offers a stellar combination of privacy, a plethora of vacation activities, and world-class service.

Sandy Lane is located on the western coast of the island of Barbados. Some of the great features of Sandy Lane include three professional-style golf courses, and a 47-thousand square foot spa. In front of the resort, you’ll be met by a remarkable white sand beach, and the most beautiful look at the Caribbean Sea you could ever imagine.

Sandy Lane is a wonderful place to visit no matter what time of year you go. The island of Barbados has a tropical climate with yearly temperatures between 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit, making for picture perfect weather. Apart from being a perfect honeymoon destination, Sandy Lane is also a popular stop for some of the world’s top golfers.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Yachts - Wally Power

29 September 2008

If you’ve ever laid eyes on the Wallypower Superyacht, then you’ve probably thought the government created a stealth-like boat in their secret labs and you would subsequently be blindfolded and ultimately disposed of for witnessing the floating fortress.

Relax. This isn’t the case all; you’re totally safe. The Wally is a sleek, futuristic yacht straight out of a science-fiction movie, but it’s non-lethal. Everything about this yacht screams out cool and original. The 118-foot, Italian designed sea-beast blows contemporary yachts out of the water with its amazing speed as well.

Most yachts barely pick up enough speed to cause the water to ripple, but Wally chugs along at over 110 kilometers per hour (68.3mph).

The reason for its shape is simple: performance. Wally was built to travel at blazing fast speeds, all while keeping its guests aboard draped in luxury. The radical styling of the yacht was tested at Ferrari’s wind tunnel to ensure it would break the waves.

The Wally is equipped with three 5,600 horsepower gas turbines that are designed similarly to a jet fighter plane. Air inlets on either side of the boat effectively funnel air into the engines, thus allowing for faster revolutions and ultimate power output. It can travel at top speed for over 400 nautical miles. Wally comes in different models with price tags of $26-million and $20-million for two-engine models.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Yachts - Blue Moon

21 September 2008

The oceans seem to be flooded by the massive egos of boat owners. A battle for supremacy is taking place in the form of a yachting contest. Who owns the biggest, the best, and the most lavish?

These are all questions the rest of us now want to know. Among the top contenders is the Blue Moon, built by Feadship for owner Richard Duchossois, now in his late 80s. This 198-foot yacht is about as luxurious as a yacht can possibly get. It is Duchossois’ third attempt at his supreme boat, and thus far, he seems to be happy with the results. The third Blue Moon is a triumphant masterpiece in the world of yachtbuilding.

Blue Moon has two skylights in the roof of the observation lounge that add an elegant glow to the ship at night. The forward, half-crescent panel lights up the observation lounge completely, and the second round skylight shines down on the elevator shaft. On the top deck, a large Jacuzzi pool sits surrounded by lounge furniture.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Resorts - Fregate Island

19 September 2008

Fregate Island is the easternmost island of the granitic Inner Islands of the Seychelles. Situated in the Indian Ocean, northeast of the island of Madagascar, Seychelles has long been known as a top vacation destination. And its pride and joy is Fregate Island. Fregate is primarily known as a secluded, private resort for the well-to-do.

The Times have voted Anse Victorin beach "The World’s Best Beach," and Fregate Island’s popularity is at an all-time high. Explorer Lazare Picault named the island after witnessing an abundance of frigatebirds on the island. The island is covered with beautiful Indian almond trees, takamaka, and cashew. The water directly off the coastline also provides some of the world’s best snorkeling.

The resort at Fregate is comprised of 16 luxury villas, allowing for a total number of 40 guests to stay on the private island at any one time. The island remains totally exclusive to its guests. Unless you’re staying at the resort, then you’re not allowed to step foot on Fregate Island.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Private Jets - The Boeing Business Jet

15 September 2008

Boeing is one of the most popular aircrafts in the world. Based in Seattle, Washington, Boeing was founded in 1916 and employs over 55-million as of 2008. Their most popular model, the 737 jet which took its first flight in 1967, has now become a scaled-down version.

These rearranged airplanes are referred to as private business jets. Boeing’s jets are all factory conversions of Boeing airliners. Some of the jets are able to seat between 25 and 50 passengers in luxury, and include master bedrooms, washrooms with shower(s), a dining/conference area, and a living area. The Boeing Business Jet 2 is based on the 737-800.

Boeing advertises their jets for large scale business. When you need a plane large enough to handle your business, yet wish to fly in luxury, the BBJ2 is a solid choice. The Boeing jet has a range of up to 5,735 nautical miles, and offers passengers (up to 19 in the BBJ2 Multiflight model) 3 times more personal space than conventional jets.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Resorts - Turtle Island Fiji

12 September 2008

The 500-acre Turtle Island is a private island resort which is part of the Yasawa group in the Republic of Fiji. This island is the perfect getaway for honeymooners, families, and anyone else who wants a great, secluded vacation in paradise. If you’ve ever wanted to experience a private island resort, Turtle Island is the perfect luxury beach vacation.

Fiji sits in the South Pacific Ocean east of Vanuatu, and provides some of the greatest scenery on earth. The water blends in with the sky in perfect blue harmony. Even some of the local fish share the same breathtaking color, making Fiji one of most popular diving/snorkeling destinations in the Pacific, and Turtle Island is Fiji’s pride and joy.

Vacationers can be as relaxed or as active as they wish on Turtle Island. If you prefer the latter approach, then the area’s open for scuba diving, horseback riding, deep-sea fishing, hiking, kayaking, and you can even grab a nice, quiet picnic on the beach. And, of course, you can lounge out on a hammock and enjoy the beautiful breeze blowing over you.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Yachts - The Annaliesse

10 September 2008

Annaliesse is one the largest yachts for charter in the world. Coming in at 280-feet (85.3 meters), this beautiful yacht has an amazing presence on the open water. Her sleek hull towers above the ocean’s surface and draws attention from miles away. Once onboard this stunning superyacht, guests are welcome to explore the ship’s five extravagant decks.

Annaliesse is able to accommodate up to 36 guests in ultimate luxury, and 34 crew members make sure that their every need is catered to. The Annaliesse boasts almost 26,000 square feet of living area, so everyone can enjoy their own personal space. The choices for guests range from the top-level Sun Deck, Jacuzzis, dining halls, and much, much more.

The crew at the bar will serve anything from cold cocktails to a hot lunch, 24 hours a day. If you’re a fan of sports, there are 4 waverunners aboard Annaliesse, and also two tenders, a fully equipped diving center, and more. The Bridge Deck is completely transformed at night and turned into one of the most beautiful dining areas on the planet.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Resorts - Laluna in Grenada

09 September 2008

For vacationers, it’s not only about getting away from where you’re at, it’s about going some place new and exotic. Many people like to do a complete 180 when it comes to a vacation. Islands like Grenada, with its lavish appeal and tropical setting, draw people in by the hundreds of thousands every year.

And for those who like to immerse themselves in true elegance, the Laluna resort is a fantastic place to start. As one of the most beautiful attractions, not only on the island, but in the entire world, Laluna has a special ambiance and appeal that is almost indescribable. The overall beauty of this spectacular resort is truly one of a kind.

Laluna is one of Grenada’s best hotels, and lies on a breathtaking beach at Quarantine point, near the southernmost tip of the island. Its architectural design is something one may expect to find in Indonesia. The resort itself consists of 16 cottages, all thatch-covered with wood-and-stone siding.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Private Jets - Dassault Falcon 7X

03 September 2008

When it comes to business jets, bigger is usually better. And though it’s listed as still in production, the Dassault Falcon 7X is already one of the world’s most popular business jets. The first display of Dassault’s long-range business jet took place in 2005 at the Charles Lindbergh Hall at Dassault’s Bordeaux Merignac aerospace production center.

The craft received its FAA and EASA certification in 2007, and entered service in June the same year. Over 200 orders have already been placed for the aircraft (exact numbers subject to change), and the price of ownership is set at over $40-millionUS.

The Falcon 7X is the latest member of the Falcon aircraft family. Though the family has an impressive resume, the 7X is built to outperform any previous business jet. It can fly faster, further, and higher than any of its predecessors. Dassault claims that the Falcon 7X is the world’s first fly-by-wire business jet.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Most Luxurious Resorts - Rania The Experience

02 September 2008

For those who love the ultimate vacation, The Rania Experience is well worth checking out. Rania offers one of the most luxurious and exclusive vacations you can possibly take, and it’s all set around a very private resort that only accommodates 9 guests at any given time.

Rania is actually the name given to the 86-foot yacht which carries you through the beautiful waters of the Maldives to the exclusive, 7-acre Water Garden Island. Rania is also used to provide guests with cruises to other nearby islands. As a guest, you will travel through some of most pristine waters on the planet and beaches more beautiful than you can imagine. Anyone vacationing with Rania can divide their time between land and sea, and there are plenty of activities to occupy the time.

The vacation is happening all around, but your stay starts on the yacht. Once onboard, there are four bedrooms which are fully equipped with lavish amenities, such as a king-sized bed, en-suite bathrooms, plasma HD TVs with satellite, and more. The yacht is also complete with an open-air barbeque, a huge Jacuzzi, and indoor and outdoor lounging areas. This ship is as luxurious as it gets.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Resorts - Explora en Patagonia

28 August 2008

Chile is a country in South America that occupies a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It borders other famous tourist destinations such as Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. The entire western coast of Chile looks out onto the Pacific, making this one of the more popular destinations in all of South America.

And year after year, one of the favorite sites to see is Chile’s own Explora En Patagonia, a luxurious resort located in the south of the country. With affordable rates and priceless views, Explora contradicts itself. The resort maintains a reputable and loyal list of clientele, and the widespread good word of the resort brings higher numbers of visitors annually.

In the heart of the Chilean Patagonia region lays Torres del Paine National Park. It covers 598,000 acres and offers a spectacular array of mountains, rivers, waterfalls, lakes, and more. Considered one of the most beautiful regions in the world, this is the perfect location for a secluded getaway.

Read the rest of this entry »

Worlds Top Resorts - The Singita Game Reserve

21 August 2008

South Africa is becoming one of the more popular places to visit in the world. With new casino ventures and a wealth of development opportunity, tourists are flocking to the country in large numbers. For many visitors of South Africa, seeing the wild and native game is among the top things to do.

Singita Game Reserves is a one of a kind, top of the line series of resorts that brings visitors an up close and personal view of game in its natural habitat. The location is incredible, the ambiance is very personable yet magnificent, and the game drives are utterly unbeatable. It’s no mystery why Singita Game Reserves is one of the more popular tourist destinations in all of Africa. Consistently voted high on everyone’s best destination list, Singita is sure to win over even the harshest critic.

The word Singita means place of miracles. And to witness the breathtaking scenery of the resort is indeed miraculous. Through a private airport, guests are taken to the destination of their choice, where they are then greeted by the meek looking rooms which sit upon a vast and elegant terrain.

Read the rest of this entry »