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Enjoy New Zealand Spas and Natural Remedies
New Zealand spas offer a hands-on way to experience New Zealand’s natural wonders. Several spas throughout this clean green country use products made from local plants, honey, and – even – clay in wonderful massage therapies, body treatments, facials, and treats for hands and feet. I made this discovery after a long hike in the Bay […]
New Zealand – Hot Spas and Good Times
Majestic scenery and a clean, green environment draw visitors to New Zealand. We hike through native forests; kayak in crystal clear water; bike past picture-perfect views and, if we’re smart, we recover by soaking our bodies in water warmed by the country’s geothermal hotline. Thermal spas throughout New Zealand offer pools of naturally-heated water where […]
Authentic Luxury Travel is a winner!
Thanks to all of you who voted, Authentic Luxury Travel tied for first place in the “Luxe Travel Writer” category of The Luxury Hub’s readers choice competition. Voters were asked to choose their “favourite luxury travel writers and travel journalists, who make travelling possible from your arm chair.” The sample of my writing on the ballot was […]
3 Best Dubai Luxury Hotels
Dubai luxury hotels The best travel advice I ever received? “Pick your hotel carefully. More than any other factor, it will color your impression of the destination.” Nowhere is this more true than in Dubai. Travelers who report “it’s just another big city” obviously didn’t make a good choice on lodging. The problem is that it’s […]
Christchurch, New Zealand, Memories
Christchurch Cathedral, with its copper-sheathed spire. I wouldn’t presume to understand the emotional trauma residents of Christchurch, New Zealand have experienced this past week, as their city was torn apart by a devastating earthquake. Even I, who have merely called New Zealand my home-away-from home for the past 3+ decades, have wept at the sight of […]
Cruise The World in Luxury
Cruise ships are fun for families and provide many conveniences, but – in my opinion – they don’t really qualify as Authentic Luxury Travel. The ports that cruise ships visit are crowded with tourists, and the short stay in each place precludes any real contact with the local culture. However, I do know of one […]
What Is Authentic Luxury Travel?
What is authentic luxury travel? When I first started writing about Authentic Luxury Travel no one seemed to know what I meant. Most folks thought that ALT was synonymous with five-star resorts and high-end cruise ships. In those days, I spent a lot of time defining “authentic” as it applies to travel. But times have […]
Australia’s Top Five Experiences
Paul Hogan (AKA Crocodile Dundee) promised to “slip a shrimp on the barby” for us and Americans and others flocked to Australia in record numbers. Will Oprah Winfrey have the same impact on Australian tourism? We’ll soon find out. The four shows she taped down under will air January 18 -21, and rumor has it […]
Insider’s Guide to Peru
Machu Picchu has been on my bucket list for a long time, but the thought of being herded around like a tourist has kept me from booking a flight to Peru. I’d love to see this UNESCO World Heritage site but, until now, I didn’t know how to do it in a way that felt […]
Hideaway Report Winners
As mentioned on my last post, Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report Winners for 2011 have just been announced. These places are of interest to Authentic Luxury Travelers because they offer character, genuine hospitality, and a real sense of place. And the winners are: HIDEAWAY OF THE YEAR Il Salviatino (Florence, Italy) NORTH AMERICA Amangiri (Canyon Point, […]
Go to Heaven – Utah’s Amangiri Resort
Amangiri took my breathe away – literally. The approach to the resort is down a long, winding road with expanses of desert and huge sandstone boulders on both sides. The rocks, sculpted by wind for millions of years, resemble pieces of modern art. I was stunned. I mean I’d been driving through beautiful Southern Utah scenery for several […]
Hangover Prevention Formula
Just in time for New Year’s Eve, I’ve learned about an all-natural product that prevents the ravaging symptoms of a hangover. Hangover Prevention Formula is made from the fruit of the prickly pear cactus and a handful of B vitamins. Planning on imbibing? Just pop one capsule per 130 pounds of your body weight, avoid fibrous […]
Your Travel Expert in Japan
I wish I’d known about The Real Japan when I was traveling in Asia. Instead, I tried exploring this fascinating destination on my own and ended up nearly in tears – OK, actually in tears – when I couldn’t figure out the street signs, the menus, or pretty much anything else. In shear frustration, I […]
Napa Valley, California, USA, for the Holidays
Where to celebrate the holidays? That seems to be the question everyone is asking these days. If you’re looking for a small community with Currier & Ives appeal, I suggest you head to Yountville in Northern California’s Napa Valley. If you read my earlier post on Yountville, you already know that this small town is […]
