For everyone who likes to get some inspiration on where to spend their next holiday in style, Conde Nast Traveller presents The Luxury Travel Fair. Taking place at Olympia (London) from November 3-6, 2011, here are some preview highlights of what’s hot at the Fair
Romantic Destinations
If you are looking for a romantic break, make sure you visit Red Savannah, specialists in all African travel. They have some fantastic locations in their portfolio, including Sindabezi Island (see picture below), an idyllic, luxury bush camp on a private isle near the Victoria Falls. You can stay in one of five open-thatched cottages with views across the Zambezi….it doesn’t get more romantic and on top of that it’s eco friendly.
Six Senses have created a new romantic destination with the Zighy Bay in Oman. The setting of this beautiful indigenous village style hotel with its private marina, the dramatic mountains on one side and a 1.6km sandy beach on the other is rather spectacular. Famous for its culinary delights and holistic treatments, it ticks all the boxes for a romantic break.
Oriental Escape is new to the UK and offers the ultimate romantic packages. Specialists in bespoke luxury tours of Thailand, they even have a special Romance Package. The packages include one of the most romantic hotels in Thailand, spa treatments, a helicopter ride over Bangkok and a personalised fireworks display, combined with some fantastic gourmet treats.
Learn more about Spain’s historic Paradors and Portugal’s Pousadas and their romantic locations with Keytel. Highlights include the Pousada de Cascais, opening in 2012, which is situated in an old Fortress and combines striking architectural designs of Gonçalo Byrne and David Sinclair. In addition, the Parador de Cáceres underwent extensive refurbishment in 2009-11 and has only just re-opened. New energy efficiency measures have made it a hotel that will set the standard for tourism and gastronomy in the region.
The Mustique Company will also have details on the newly opened and renovated Cotton House, which was originally an 18th century cotton warehouse and sugar mill. Today, this beautiful 13-acre retreat is recognized as one of the Caribbean’s most refined luxury resorts. There are now direct-shared charter flights from this private Caribbean island to Saint Lucia to make it easier to reach this romantic destination.
Only just opening this very week Ayada Maldives (see image right) is a brand new awe-inspiring destination comprising an opulent 112 villa resort located on the 150,000sqm paradise island of Maguhdhuvaa in the stunning Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. There are seven indulgent restaurants, bars and cafes, an extensive 3,500sqm AySpa Spa & Health Club by ESPA as well as a kids’ club and a scuba diving centre.
City Breaks
If you prefer City breaks, Mr & Mrs Smith are showing their portfolio of boutique hotels at the Fair, just pick a city and they will suggest a variety of hotels…something for everyone, from bohemian to rock ‘n’ roll to classic elegance or slick designer style. Some ‘celeb’ hangouts are included such as Robert De Niro’s The Greenwich Hotel in trendy Tribeca or Lacroix’s Hotel le Bellechasse on the cool Left Bank in Paris. This will also be one of the first opportunities to buy their new guide to Italy, and they will be offering it at 50% of the retail price.
Ultimate Experiences
What about vineyard touring with a difference? Arblaster & Clarke have introduced a Wine Cruise, aboard the stunning ‘Sea Cloud’ from Rome to Nice, sailing from wine estate to wine estate. This luxurious authentic square-rigger, with four masts that support 29 sails when fully unfurled, offers a voyage of discovery passing by Ischia and Amalfi, Corsica, Portofino and St Tropez, stopping at small ports and islands, tasting wine varieties from across the regions alongside local speciality dishes.
Discover the World is working exclusively with Spaceport Sweden are collaborating with the ICEHOTEL to launch an exclusive space tourism flight that will allow clients to get an even closer look at the magical and mythical northern lights.
Abercrombie & Kent will be having a New Zealand theme on their stand this year and with the successful recent rugby World Cup, there will no doubt be a chance to celebrate with them on their stand. They have also added a new, exciting tour to Antarctica – explore the white desert with the experts and stay in the beautifully designed and ecological camp in one of the last wildernesses of the world.
ITC Classics has created an online Autumn Experiences Guide highlighting travel ideas to inspire, including new editions to their portfolio, such as Aqua Expeditions, luxury Amazon River Cruises in Peru and the addition of Zanzibar to the ITC collection with the arrival of The Residence Hotel.
African Pride, specialists in South and East African bespoke holidays, have added some new, high standard lodges with fantastic game viewing opportunities at much better rates allowing their clients to enjoy longer African safaris without having to compromise on luxury. Family Holidays
If you are looking for a family holiday with a difference Journey Latin America has launched a ‘Family Journeys’ brochure which is full of exciting and horizon-expanding opportunities through which children can learn to appreciate different cultures, spot wildlife and taste new and exciting foods. With a combination of tailor made holidays, small group tours and ‘linger longer’ breaks, families of all ages looking for a new adventure will find a huge range of destinations and activities to choose from.
Tribes have made African holidays more child friendly. They have experts advising families and creating special trips for the whole family. They will create luxury, but good value holidays suitable for all ages, whether you are looking for a safari or wildlife tour, activity or beach holiday in Africa.
Holidays on the move
A unique way to explore more than one city is booking a trip on the Danube Express, where you can enjoy exploring various treasures of Eastern Europe by luxurious train. You travel through wonderful natural scenery and arrive straight in the heart of some of the most vibrant and beautiful European cities including Budapest, Istanbul, Cracow and Gdansk. Enjoy a journey back to the age of luxurious train travel.
In 2012, as part of a maiden summer season of Baltic tall ship cruises, Star Clippers will offer a sailing from Southampton on the 170-passenger, full-rigged tall ship `Star Flyer’, the first time one of the Star Clippers’ tall ships has been in British waters since the ship’s launch in 1991.
Discover Africa by rail and there isn’t a more luxurious way of doing this than with Rovos Rail, who offer short and long rail trips, including a train safari with three excursions, two of which are game drives in South Africa.
Mundy Cruising are offering special cruises to enjoy the carnival in Rio in 2012 and an eight-night Japanese Culinary Adventure voyage to explore the wonders of Japanese cuisine. They are also giving passengers the opportunity to take part in its “You Care, We Care” voluntourism programme, with excursions on all Mediterranean and US Pacific Coastal cruises giving them the opportunity to assist people-in-need (as well as Mediterranean sea turtles).
Admission Prices / Tickets:
Advance £12.50; Joint with Spirit of Christmas (Advance) £16;
Advance (Children) £6.50
Joint with Spirit (Children) £8.50 (Under 12 free of charge)
If you would prefer to book by phone, please call 0871 230 1091
For further information, please visit: www.luxurytravelfair.com
Follow the Fair on Twitter @LuxTravelFair
Full list of exhibitors: Ayada Maldives, Conde Nast Traveller, Grace Hotels, Keytel, Mr & Mrs Smith, Oriental Escape, Paradizo, Quintessentially, Red Savannah, Siam Kempinski, The Mustique Company, Ville in Italia, Zighy Bay, Melia Cuba, Malawi Travel Marketing, Wellbeing Escapes, Casas Brancas Boutique Hotel & Spa, Hotel Lido Palace, Oxford Ski Company, Aphrodite Hills, Sandals, 4U Yachting, Arblaster & Clarke, Discover the World, Abercrombie & Kent, ITC Classics, African Pride, Journey Latin America, Tribes, Danube Express, Star Clippers, Rovos Rail Mundy Cruising
