​Florence was once called the rich city on the Arno, the capital of the new kingdom, and the intellectual center of Italy.

Florence is an open museum, and today we can still walk the boulevards, move through the old fortifications, enjoy the old quarters, piazzas, and streets - the same streets that Dante, Bocaccio, Amerigo Vespucci, and Machiavelli walked some five hundred years before us.

Notable buildings like Palazzo Vecchio, The Ufizzi Palace, the Pitti Palace, the Duomo, and the Santa Maria Novella Church, completed in 1357, are still visible and well kept.
 
One of my Florentine friends told me, “In Florence, people live and die in the same house”.

​I have visited and stayed in several hotels in Florence, but there are two in particular that I enjoyed very much.

The first is J.K. Place, which is beautifully appointed in Santa Maria Novella.

​From the outside, the hotel looks like a regular four-story Florentine building, but once you step inside, you will notice that the old-fashioned building has been transformed into a chic modern–designed boutique hotel with high, painted ceilings and paneled walls.

​There is no reception desk - instead they have a very private room, full of books and sculptures, with a Louis XV fireplace, which makes the whole welcoming process very homey. I knew then that I was in a very intimate place, rather than a big and impersonal hotel. 

The communal areas are elegant and homely, with books, sculptures, and a profusion of antiques and artworks - a great collection of objects and framed prints create the feeling of a private mansion.

There is a great library with very unique books of many artists, and design books full of drawings.

The decoration is super-chic, mixed with muted colors, and cream upholstered furniture

​The use of local fabrics, like cotton, linen, and cashmere makes this such a relaxing place! …and did I mention the hidden elevators disguised as bookshelves?!

There are only 20 rooms, no two alike, all with the modern comfort of pure linen sheets and LCD televisions.

​The bathrooms are big and decorated with beautiful Biancone marble.

There is also a stylish suite with views to the plaza!

In addition to the terrace in front of the hotel, there is a very nice, secluded roof terrace with a lounge area, which is serviced on demand.
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This is a boutique hotel where the ratio of staff to guests is excellent, and they deliver personal service with warmth and enthusiasm. 

The second hotel is the Hotel Savoy by Rocco Forte Hotels.

It is built on the site where the Mercato Vecchio and the Church of San Tommaso were once located. 

​The hotel was inaugurated in 1893, and hailed in the chronicles as one of the most modern and luxurious hotels of that period. 

The ambiance of this place is very relaxing, modern, and elegant.

The sister of Sir Rocco Forte re-styled the hotel, combining the discreet luxury of the age-old atmosphere with sleek, contemporary, classic, and modern Italian interiors, including muted colors and beautiful mosaic bathrooms.

A feeling of discreet luxury pervades the décor of the entire hotel.

​There are 102 luxury rooms, including 14 suites, with their charming views over Piazza della Repubblica, a glimpse of Giotto's Bell Tower, and all within whispering distance from the Cathedral Dome by Brunelleschi.

The breakfast buffet is plentiful, with fresh and varied foods, and the service in the restaurant, Irene Firenze, was excellent!

​The manager, Paul Feakes, is truly a delightful person who will make your dinner experience very special. He has great stories about Florence, its culture, and great tips about this enchanted city.

Within walking distance, you will find the elegant shopping streets, the monuments, the river Arno, the Ponte Vecchio, and all the places that make Florence one of the most beautiful and celebrated cities in the world.

Cooking and wine classes in Florence:

Mama Florence
Owner: Filippo Bartolotta

With their hands-on cooking classes you can learn to prepare and eat a 4-course meal with local, seasonal ingredients & great Tuscan wines.

You won't find a better place for classes, and if you want a real Tuscany experience, Mama-Florence will arrange incredible tours for you.

Don’t forget to enjoy an organic prosecco, rose, or red. They are fantastic!
 
Shopping:

The Ponte Vecchio, the oldest and most famous of the six bridges that spanned the Arno, is filled with goldsmiths, curious shops, and  fashionable boutiques.

One of those boutiques is Casini Firenze, which is across from the Pitti Palace. This is my go-to place for fine Florentine leather goods.

It is the best shopping experience for clothing and accessories in Florence.
With Impeccable Service, Outstanding Quality and Unique Designs, Handmade items are carefully cut, designed, and executed by Florentine artisans. A variety of leather goods, accessories, and leather garments which are proudly handmade in Tuscany.

Casini offers custom fitting, and the custom, handmade items will arrive swiftly from their workshop to your home within a couple weeks.

Jennifer Tatanelli, the owner, and her team, all took very good care of me.
​I felt like I was shopping with family.

In Paris, I met with Sebastian Jonqua, the son of Jean Pierre Jonqua, who is the Président of Creative Destinations Collection.

A client advised me to make sure that I do a VIP service, due to security delays and long lines, as a result of the attacks in Paris that had just occurred less than a week before my trip.  My client arrived in Paris, wishing he had thought to do so. So as he advised, I requested the VIP service. It took me no more than 10 minutes to go from the door of the plane to the luggage carousel.  I did not have to do the long queues upon arrival, thanks to the service of Daly Global Chauffeur Service.

I stayed at Le Burgundy, and I truly believe this is the best kept secret in Paris.
​
Le Burgundy is a fashionable boutique hotel located 5 minutes walking distance from Place La Madeleine.  There is shopping close by, on Rue St. Honre and Place de la Concorde.  The Paris Opera is located on a very quiet street, only a 2 min walk from the Madeleine metro station.

What a beautiful boutique hotel, near perfection!  There are 8 suites, 10 Junior suites, an apartment, classic rooms, superior rooms, and deluxe rooms, all 59 of which provide free WIFI and 24-hour room service.  My bed was one of the most comfortable I ever slept in.  Thanks to the premium bedding, I slept until 11:30 AM the next morning.  I have not done that since I was a baby!

The bathrooms are spacious.  All rooms are equipped with generous amenities, and the staff couldn't have been more helpful.
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The décor of the hotel is chic and contemporary, with a great use of primary colors; yellows, blues, and reds.  The elegant furniture blends well with innovative modernity and elegant fabrics

I enjoyed looking at the frescos, art, and lithographs which decorate the hotel.  The floor in the front lobby is a piece of art designed by Guy de Rougemont; a black marble puzzle, with brass wire running through it.
Amenities include a spa, sauna, and a hammam, as well as an exercise room, and an indoor pool with a fountain.

Le Baudelaire Restaurant is a Michelin Star restaurant, serving contemporary French cuisine.

I definitely enjoyed my stay and I recommend this fine experience to my clients without any hesitation.

Creative Destinations crafted a great trip for me! 

After enjoying Paris, we left the hotel and moved to the Loire Valley, about a two-hour drive away. The Loire Valley has a long history, with about 1000 years of astonishing, rich architecture. Kings, queens, dukes, and nobles established their feudal strongholds in this broad and fertile valley along the side of the River Loire.

We arrived at the Relais & Chateaux Domaine des Hauts de Loire in Onzain, 20 kilometers from the city of Blois, home of the Chateau Royal de Blois, the residence of seven kings and ten queens of France.
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The Chateaux is a former 19th-century hunting lodge, with 31 Empire-style rooms, set on 178 acres of majestic forest. The gardens and lakes are inviting for a leisurely walk, which will most likely be accompanied by black and white swans, Egyptian geese, ducks, and even deer.

The rooms all have views of either the garden, forest, or park.  They are very spacious, and decorated with traditional furniture, balancing the past with the present amenities.

The Hotel has a great culinary school with a very modern kitchen equipped with the latest in appliances, and the instructors are great chefs, who work at the two star Michellin restaurant in the hotel. I took a class, and I was very impressed with the chef and his teaching.  French food can be complicated, but his demonstration and willingness to share his secrets made the whole class fun and very informative.  I learned lots of new tricks!

​The pool and spa are beautiful.  This hotel is wonderful for families, and children will be very happy here with so much for them to do, even cooking classes are available to them.

​The hotel is located near the Loire Valley wine route and close to many of the Loire Castles, and Chateaus.

Our next stop was Le Vieux Castillon, in Provence, the pride of the medieval village Castillon-du-Gard.  It is a charming Renaissance building with newly refined contemporary décor.  There are 21 bedrooms, all fully renovated.  The hotel also has 10 rooms in an annex building, decorated with the typical Provence atmosphere for anyone who would to like experience it.

​The outdoor pool is located on a raised terrace, overlooking the vast vineyards.  The openness allows you to see the most dreamy sunsets and glorious sunrises.  The cozy terraces, shaded patios, and the sweetness in the air from the citrus trees,  make this a very special vacation home.

​There is also an outdoor cinema next to the pool for a unique cinematic experience.

​Walking on the cable stone streets makes you feel like time has stopped, but suddenly the toll of the bells coming from the church awakens you from the spell, and you are transported to medieval time. 

​The  Renaissance facades, stone arches and carved-stone window frames and doorways make up this enchanted Medieval village, perched on a rocky hill.  The morning light gives the whole village a touch of gold. 

​Nearby, you will find the gorgeous Pont du Gard, a three-level stone aqueduct crossing the Gardon river valley.  It was built over 2000 years ago, in 19 BC, by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, the son-in-law of Augustus.

Other activities include visiting wine cellars and olive mills, doing cultural visits, riding on hot-air balloons, mountain biking, and visiting Arles and Avignon. 

​We then moved to yet another beautiful property, Oustau de Baumaniere.  Five historic buildings make up this beautiful, single domain.  Located between the land of Cezanne and Van Gogh in Les Baux-de-Provence, this is one of the most and unique sites in the world.

The property is suranded by olive, cypress, and pine trees, magnificent gardens of roses, a swimming pool, a kitchen garden. 
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Once I arrived, I submerged myself in the gentle charm of Provence.

​The rooms are tastefully decorated, all with their own unique decor, featuring a blend of Provencal and contemporary styles.  Some of them even have a nice outdoor area to sit.  

​L’Oustau de Baumaniere is great for families, it has a spa and the legendary 2-star restaurant, La Cabro d’Or which serves fresh, organic food.

​Creative Destinations had another wonderful surprise, another jewel from their portfolio:  The Relais Bernard Loiseau, in Saulieu, a small town in the Cote-d'Or department of Burgundy.

​The Hotel is located in a historical building, an old rustic-chic mansion, with exposed beams, traditional red-clay tile floors, and elegant furnishings.  The rooms vary in size, but they are charming overall, and some come with perks like fireplaces or balconies that face the gorgeous garden courtyard.   With elegantly decorated rooms and beautiful lounges, gardens, and the spa, the welcome is warm and attentive.

​It is also the place of one of the best restaurants in France, The Loiseau.  According to Guide Michelin, it is a “feast-day for your tastebuds”.

​I ordered the best frog legs I have ever tested. 

The service was as good as ever!

M. Loiseau, the lovely and charming wife of the legendary Bernard Loiseau, was a great hostess.  I had the pleasure to savor one of her  latest champagne creations!   Dominique Loiseau spoke with great passion about her late husband’s legacy and his culinary art.

The Town of Saulieu is at the edge of the Morvan Natural Park, an area of woods, pastures, lakes, and rivers. Anyone who enjoys walking, cycling, bird watching, fishing, or riding will enjoy the unspoiled countryside all around.

It is a key stepping-off point if you want to venture in a variety of directions.

Saulieu is located between Chablis and Beaune, between Auxerre and Dijon, between Beaunee and Châtillon-sur-Seine, and between the Auxois and the Morvan.  

The hotel makes a great stop for people vacationing in the Alps or for drivers cruising the region, who want to rest for a day or two in this timeless place. 

Next we moved to the South of France, to stay at the beautiful property of Cap Estel.  It is located on a private 4-acre peninsula with a 180 degree view of the coastline. The Hotel is positioned at the edge of the peninsula, between Eze and  St. Jean-cap-Ferrat, only 10 minutes from Monaco, and 35 minutes from the airport in Nice. 

The gated property is nested amongst terraced gardens, statuesque palm trees, green pines, and bougainvilleas - a scene like a “Dulce Vita” movie.

Cap Estel consists of a main building and one separate building called La Corniche, as well as two bungalows, La Mer and Le Parc. All of the suites and rooms have either a balcony or a terrace, and all of them have sea view.

I really like Le Parc and La Mer, both positioned at the edge of the peninsula, with super panoramic vistas of the Mediterranean Sea and the pretty beach.

With 8 deluxe rooms and 12 suites, all decorated with great taste and comfort, the hotel has a Michellin restaurant called The Table of Patrick Raingeard.  There is also a cinema, spa, gym, and a library with DVDs and CDs.  It has it’s own private beach, and the outdoor pool is really beautiful.

 This is a great place for honeymoons and anniversaries.
​ 
Eze Village is only 4.3 kilometers away.  The ancient, fortified village is a must-see while visiting Cap Estel.  The 12th century stone town has castle ruins and a tall bell tower. 

​The sunsets at Eze are especially romantic. 

I spent the first night in Nairobi at The Fairmont - Norfolk Hotel, a hotel with many lives.  It has been the place to stay in Nairobi for years.  Once I entered the lobby I felt like I had entered a movie set from a bygone era.  

The décor of the bar and the softly playing melody coming from a piano were welcoming the guests to the lobby, and the restaurant was busy with tourists and businessmen. The rooms are discrete in their décor, some of them facing the green courtyard where you can see robust tall trees, tropical bushes and flowerbeds. The attention was superb with a warm welcome from the staff, all with beautiful smiles that made me feel at home.

The next day I departed from Wilson airport to KichecheLaikipia camp located within the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, about 45 minute flight from Nairobi.  The guide was waiting for me outside of the airport.   We drove about and 1 hour through villages and herds of cattle and goats.

The Conservancy is open grassland at the feet of Mount Kenya.  Laikipia is located in one of the loveliest lands in Africa, with an Acacia forest and Thorn Whistle trees.  The tents are located on vast grasslands, where the wind moves free without barriers, sweeping the plains, and carrying away numerous sounds and voices that rant the air. From the moment you enter the conservatory you can see all kinds of game; herds of elephants, families of giraffe and rhino, the most endangered species in the world!  

The guides were good quality, with great knowledge of the wild life, and rich with stories of their land.  Andy, the manager of Laikipia camp was a great host, and the food was amazing, thanks to his wife Sonia, whose cookbooks have had to be reprinted several times, because everyone wants to buy one.  They run out of copies quickly once you arrive at the Camp’s store.

In Laikipia I did an evening safari and I saw lots of nocturnal animals, like the white tailed mongoose and many nocturnal birds.

Then I flew to the Maasai Mara national reserve.

The Mara covers 1,510 sq km (583 sq miles) in South Western Kenya, and is situated in the heart of East Africa rift.

I visited 3 of the Kicheche camps.

The first camp, Kicheche Valley Camp, within the Naboisho conservancy, has an amazing ecosystem, beautiful views, and plenty of wild animals.  The tents are opulently put together above granite.  The camp has a Spa, which helps after a long walking safari in the morning.  I was able to visit my guide’s village, and  he  introduced me  to his children and family.  It was a great experience being able to see where and how they live;  they were beautiful, unique, and welcoming people. 

The second camp was the Kicheche Bush, within the Olare Orok Conservancy.  Emma and Davren, the camp managers, are a delightful couple.  They ran the camp with fun and Joi de vivre, as they prepared pizzas and cooked Indian food for the guests.  They are great storytellers and treat the guests as friends.   

The landscape there is opulent and diverse in habitat, with high numbers of species to entertain guests.  It is called also “the photographers camp” and the camp was full of them, both amateurs and professionals.  Some of them have returned to the same camp for over 10 years.  Their published pictorial books are on the coffee tables of the camp for us to look at it and enjoy the magnificent photographs. 

The tents are of a great quality, comfortable and well served by the staff.  In this camp, I saw all the big fives.

The last camp was the Kicheche Mara Camp, eight luxury tents above a spring-fed stream, in the heart of Mara North Conservancy.  It is considered the most beautiful site in the Mara, if not in all of Africa, by Brian Jackman, a veteran Africa journalist. The tents are very spacious and beautiful, decorated with colorful textile.  At night you can hear the calm, soft water stream in front of your tent.  I had a wonderful  sunset safari.  I sat by the guide, at a well put together table, with all kind of hors d’ouvres and drinks, and watched the most spectacular sunset move down, like a fireball illuminating the sky and the grassland.

Peter Cadot, the manager, was quite a character, with a great sense of humor and smile.  He was always ready to help.

The conservancies were not only breathtaking, but inspiring as well.

The camps were great, and Kenya’s plains and forests were teeming with game!


John Rios, Century Travel

Traveling to Bali was unexpected to me.

I knew very little of Bali. I knew where it was, because I had sent people there.  I knew they were 99% Hindu, and that it has great resorts.

There are many ways to reach Bali from the States.  We did it via Australia, as we stopped to get married in Maui, but it can easily be reached via Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, or Singapore.

When arriving in Bali, I highly recommend advising your clients to obtain a VIP service via a hotel concierge, as it greatly expedites an antiquated Customs and Immigration process. 

Bali continues to be popular for travelers.  The day of our arrival, five planes came in at the same time, and there was an immigration issue for a little more than an hour.  We really recommend the VIP service.

Bali has a low season that starts in January and ends in mid-June, but judging from the Immigration line, they were having a good low season.  The high season is from mid-June to August.  Their peak season is short - just December and early January.

We chose to divide our stay in Bali.  For the first few days stayed in Ubud, the heartland of Bali, about 90 minutes from the airport, at the Viceroy Bali All-Luxury Villas, (helicopter transfers are available via the resort, and they change the transit time to a mere 12 minutes.)

Traveling from the Airport to Viceroy Bali in the rush hour was less than quick, but the city is buzzing with the roar of the many motorbikes and cars.  I like the fact that they drive on the left side of the road, so you see more. You know right away you are in a Hindu country because of the colossal statues of Hindu Deities that you encounter along the drive.  Once you leave the city behind, the lush jungle starts showing more and more.  The SUV moves into the heartland and it becomes much quieter. 

The Viceroy Bali is located in the town of Lanyahan, and once you pass their community center, the hotel is only five minutes away, nestled in rice paddy terraces.  The hotel sits on top of a ridge overlooking an enchantingly lush forest.  After a long day of flying, we knew we had arrived to something very special, upon entering our Deluxe Terrace Villa. The Villas are very ample, each with its own infinity pool and a gazebo.  There are great views of the river gorge and the opposing hillside jungle.  The sitting room is open with the bedroom area, and exposes a beautiful, luxury bathroom.

The Viceroy Bali has 25 one and two-bedroom Villas.  It is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.  The property features the Balinese architecture, with its tall canopy roofs made out palm straw, and there is great local art displayed all around.  The hotel is owned and operated by the Syrowatka family, and the manager, Anthony Syrowatka, made sure our stay was memorable. 

Trips are not always about the hotel solely, but also about the destination.

Ubud is a great destination to explore. It is an artist’s hamlet, with a busy town full of unique and awesome stores, ancient temples, and palaces.  Some local attractions include the Monkey Forest, the Royal Palace, and the Museum of Fine Art.  I hiked the volcano Mt. Batur, a 5½-hour hike, to catch the spectacular sunrise!  The hotel organized private tours to the Holy Springs Water, and to a coffee plantation were we were given rounds of delicious teas and coffees to sample.  We even tried the exotic Kopi Luwak, brewed from beans that have been fermented via the digestive system of mongoose.  I wanted to work in the rice paddies, so the hotel organized a morning of fun working on the terraces with the locals.  I hope the rice I helped to plant will grow to maturity.  

We then moved to the St. Regis, to experience the beach. The St. Regis has their only Asian resort in Bali.  It is located 10 minutes from the airport in Nusa Dua.  I have been in different St. Regis resorts in Bora Bora, Mauritius, and Princeville in Kauai.  St Regis in Bali is the biggest of their resorts.

Beautifully decorated rooms are here, and they have great living rooms and large bathrooms.  We enjoyed the service of the tea and coffee in the morning, brought by staff, directly to your room.  The beach is beautiful, with a generally private location.  In addition, the Spa has great treatments options.  I personally recommend their Reflexology and Reiki massage. 

Bali is relatively inexpensive, and a great place to have clothing tailored for you.  I recommend Anika Taylor, a name given to us by the concierge at the St. Regis. They have great prices, a great selection of fabrics, and very quick service.  They arranged to pick us up at the hotel for both the consultation and the fitting, as well as delivered the finished product to the hotel.  

Bali is very safe.  I walked everywhere and encountered lots of young European women and men traveling by themselves, many staying in Bali for weeks, before they moved on to other places like Sri Lanka or Nepal.  It is a very tranquil and hypnotic place so I recommend it very highly, especially for honeymooners, but truly, just for everyone.

Please be aware that there is a tax of 200,000.00 rupiahs per person to leave the country – roughly, $20 USD.

We took Singapore Airlines from Denpasar to Singapore, and then Moscow (refueling and crew change).  I am glad we decided on them.  We had a great crew and service.  Business Class seats gave us the comfort we were looking for on such a long trip.  The seats do convert into a flat bed, they have good entertainment monitors and a vanity area with its own mirror, so you can freshen up pre-landing.  The food was absolutely the best airline food I have ever tasted!   Not having Wi-Fi access was disappointing though.

John Rios, Century Travel

When I thought about going to Mauritius, I thought that Mauritius would be as far as paradise, but now as I return, I realize that it was neither too far, nor too short of paradise.

I flew on Emirates to Dubai from DFW and stopped in Dubai, which I recommend after a 16 hour flight.  The flights on Emirates are such a pleasure!  The comfort of its business class cabins, the attention of the flight attendants, the food and wines, and the entrainment system all make the flight  a very pleasant experience.  I have flown Emirates many times, and every time I feel like it is my first time.  If you ever have a chance to fly with them please do it!  You won’t be disappointed.

In Dubai I did a Dune dinner safari with Arabian Adventures.  It was a magical evening with safari guides that transported me by four-wheel-drive vehicles to the Dubai Desert Conservatory Reserve. The adventure started with a Falconry demonstration.  Before starting your thrilling journey deep into the heart of the desert, over the rolling dunes of the reserve, watching the sunset from the crest of a high dune is spectacular!  From there I was taken to the camp to have an authentic Arabian night.  Relaxing on comfortable low cushions in Bedu tents, I painted my hands with henna and dressed in traditional Arabic attire, ate and drank, and did short camel ride.

The flight from Dubai to Mauritius is roughly six and a half hours long. Mauritius has been described as the “Jewel of the Indian Ocean”.  It is below the Sea Shells on the East coast of Africa.

Once I arrived, the turquoise water and the jade mountains thrilled my senses unlike any other island I have visited.  I thought Bora Bora and Morea were beautiful, but Mauritius is  way more beautiful to me. Mark Twain said it better; "Mauritius was made first, and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius."

The hotels were amazing!  

The One & Only Le St. Geran, located about an hour from the Airport, is the oldest in the area – well-kept and known for years by wealthy Europeans, and with repeat celebrity guests like Boy George, Gina Lollobrigida, and Alan Delon.  The One & Only is a beauty, with gorgeous   beaches, and the best hotel lounge I seen, with a great band, and the ambiance was refined without being overdone.  The service and food were amazing!  The hotel is great for families and has a great children’s program - in fact there were many couples with children. l recommend this hotel for families.

The One & Only has great programs every day to entertain the clients; yoga classes, fitness programs, a “go for a run with the manager in the morning”, and even a program called Harmonia, which is done by a Spanish doctor at the Spa, who treats the guest with local and Chinese herbals medicine and acupuncture.

The picture below is from La Vallee de Ferney, a hike I did close by, which was organized by the hotel  concierge.

The property  size is much smaller than the One & Only, and the beaches are all manmade, with lots of lava rocks.  The Spa is one of the best I’ve encountered, and their fitness program has a private instructor for yoga.  The food is a delicious mix of Indian and French cuisine, called Mauritius Creole.

The Oberoi, has a much more sophisticated ambiance, and is great for couples celebrating anniversaries - very romantic, for old and young, and for people that don’t want to do anything but relax. The room service is very quick , nothing beats that!  The rooms are cozy, elegant, and their bathrooms are full of light, connected to a great courtyard, lush with nature and palm trees. 

The Four Seasons, located on the West central part of the island is below the One & Only, about 45 minutes by car.

The Four Seasons has a completely different atmosphere; more relaxed, with lots of young couples, and  it is a much larger property.  Everybody seemed to be on bicycles or golf carts to get around.  All of the villas have their own plunge pools and very large and comfortable rooms.  The best restaurant in the island is here, with great food and quite an experience. They are connected to an small island called Ile Aux Cerfs, which is where the golf courses are located. 

The Oberoi
If you care about beauty and luxury this is the place to be!

Located on the Northeast side of the island, opposite from the One & Only West North Side, about an hour drive from each other.  Located in a small bay, the Oberoi hotels are such magnificent properties.  I have stayed at the Oberois in India, and I  always admired their buildings.  This one is no exception.  What a beautiful property! - A fusion of African and Southeast Asian architecture.  The entry to the property is very impressive, and the layout of the entire place is well thought out. This part of the island is less windy because it is protected by the massive range of mountains in front of the bay, which give it a magnificent view from all the rooms - so you get ocean AND mountains! 

Their beaches are all manmade, since they are in a cove with a lagoon. I did not care for the beaches at all, but the lake and the river nearby were pretty.

The Spa rooms are all villas as well. Very Zen, and being over the water was magnificent.

Mauiritus has a very unique past.  I loved the mixed of cultures; 70% Hindu, 20 % Muslim, and the rest Christians, Chinese, and African.  This was the best hospitality I have experienced in any country.

An African Safari is a great combination with the trip to Mauritius, only 3.5 hrs from Joburg, or it could be a Safari in the Serengeti or the Mara.

If you have any questions about these destinations, please feel free to call or email me.


John Rios, Century Travel

Traveling to the Kingdom of Bhutan can be challenging, but once you arrive in this tiny jewel, nestled in the crown of the Himalayas, it's serene, pristine, and ethereal landscape will take your breath away. The air is filled with prayers and divinations coming from all the beautiful Dzongs (temples).

When the King states that the government’s goal is “Gross National Happiness”, he means it. Happiness is very much everywhere!

While I was in Bhutan, I was introduced to their hot springs in Gasa, which were pretty, with a beautiful Dzong, and incredibly scenic, with waterfalls leaping down the cliffs.  You can see the Dzong above in the distance, with clouds and mountains perching behind it.  You can drink sulfuric water and even sniff from a bottle in the mountain; the bottle is very concentrated hot spring steam, which is said to clear sinus issues.  

I also discovered Gangtey, which has great traditional hot stone bath, mixed with  local herbs, which are soaked in the pool to disperse their natural remedies.  The seating is beautiful.  In the distance you can see the cows grazing in the valley and enjoy a spectacular sunset without clouds.  There is a perfect window view while you are soaking inside the bathhouse.  It is truly an exquisite setup and phenomenal experience.

Another great place is called Bumthang.  Bumthang is the general name given to a complex of four valleys, and it is considered to be one of the most beautiful valleys of Bhutan. It is also considered the cultural hub, and therefore a very sacred place for the Bhutanese, with many temples and Nyes (holy places). The places of interest are Jakar Dzong, Konchogsum Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang complex, Jampey Lhakhang, Wangdicholing Palace, Swiss Farm, Jakar Lhakhang, and Namkhe Nyingpo’s Dratshang.  A visit to Mebartsho (flaming lake) is a must. 

There are many good things about Bhutan, but I was most impressed by the Bhutanese people’s genuine compassion for others, their sense of humility, and sincerity.

Because of all that Bhutan is able to offer I can tell you with certainty that Bhutan is one of the best top destinations for 2014.  You will leave with this idyllic country imprinted in your hearts forever.

Sincerely,

John Rios, Century Travel 

My guide was waiting for me outside the baggage area at the airport in Beijing, and promptly escorted me to my hotel. 

The Opposite House is a very trendy, stylish hotel located on the second ring, among all the Embassies and well-known designer shops.  The Opposite House is connected to a great shopping center with unique stores and fashionable restaurants.  The rooms are spacious, and the walls are covered with a nice yellow wood, making the room warm, with elegant, but simple decorations.  The furniture is made of a shiny honey-colored wood, complementing the room.  The bed was quite comfortable. The bathrooms are great - covered in wood, from floor to ceiling, with a massive square, wooden bathtub.                       

The guide in Beijing that Wild China provided was excellent, with superb knowledge of the city and its history, which we all know could be overwhelming.

From Beijing, I flew the 2-hour flight to Xian, where I stayed at the Shangri-La. The hotel rooms are refined, with a great carpet to walk on and elegant décor.  The Shangri-La staff was very attentive and had expedient room service. 

Wild China has special access for the clients at the Terracotta Warriors site, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  I was able to visit the lower viewing area, which is typically only open to China’s officials and premiers. 

From Xian, I went to Huangshan to see the Yellow Mountains. Huangshan is by far one of the most beautiful places I have visited.   There are no words to describe the mountains, and the very ancient villages spread out around the valleys, with stone houses and cobblestone lanes. If any of you ever have the chance to visit China or go back to China, please go to see this place!

Wild China arranged my accommodations in a hotel located in one of these old villages, The Pig’s Heaven Inn, an old house from the 1300’s.  The rooms are simple, but very comfortable, with great mattresses.  The bathroom is modern, with windows facing different view points (mine faced the vegetable garden).  The hotel used to be the house of rich merchants, and the new owners that I met converted it into a hotel with 10 unique rooms.   The food there was excellent, and the staff very attentive.

At the top of the Yellow Mountains there is a fabulous hotel call Xi Hai.  I did an inspection, and I can tell you it is very nice; the rooms are beautiful, looking at the mountains, lots of beautiful polished marble, and a great mix of Chinese modern and old style art.  Good restaurants and awesome service.

The Yellow Mountains are another UNESCO world heritage site and great destination for photographers, serious hikers, and casual amblers. Wild China offers a 13-day program for this region alone.  Tours include visits to historic villages like Hongcun, which I visited.  This is where they filmed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon!

We drove 3 hours to Hangzhou.  The drive was not as tiring as I thought, perhaps because of the beautiful scenery of rice fields and towering mountains side by side. Hangzhou is another beautiful city along the West Lake - very green and the lake is very beautiful. There is a Four Seasons and a Mandarin Oriental in front of the lake. 

From there I took  the bullet train to Shanghai.  The first-class cabins are very  spacious  and have comfortable seats.  It takes only 45 minutes to reach Shanghai from Hangzhou.

The Peninsula in Shanghai, located on the Bund, is just too good to be true!  Extremely beautiful with a great location, and the service is the fastest I have experienced in any hotel.  Later I found out that they assign three members of their staff to each room, having more than 600 employees.  Clients get free international calls and free fax. The rooms are wonderful (love their modern approach), and there are large windows to observe the futuristic landscape of Shanghai and the river.

The Shanghai Museum is a must-see, and the Tao Bao City Gift Market has the best knock-offs.

From Shanghai, I went to Guilin.  From the hotel to PVG airport, I took the Maglev bullet train.  The train goes 350 km per hour, for around  217 miles, and took  only seven minutes to reach the airport, which is great because the traffic in Shanghai can be chaotic!  My luggage was given to the driver, so I just took my carry-on with me, and he met me at the airport with the rest of the luggage.

In Guilin, I stayed at another Shangri-La for the first night, spending the two other nights at the Yangshuo Resort, a four-star hotel with spacious rooms and private balconies by the river, with views of the gorgeous mountains.   I arranged great hiking trips and cooking classes while I stayed in these areas.

From Guilin, I flew back to Shanghai and stayed at the new Four Seasons in Pudong with 147 rooms all above the 34th floor, with great views of the city.  The Four Seasons, contrary to what people think, is in a great location.  It is not at the Bund, but it has a very quick access to it - about 10 minutes by car. It is great for business people, because of its location in the business district.  

While in Shanghai, I also visited the Waldorf Astoria (also in the Bund) which has a great history.  Rooms are pompous and ornate, with English furniture and decoration, and massive chandeliers.  Both The Peninsula and The Waldorf offers a great afternoon tea with all the English tradition.

The guides which were given to me in each city were so knowledgeable of the history of each region.  They were very attentive and made sure I was comfortable and well taken care of.  Their choices of restaurants were great, especially the ones in Shanghai and Beijing.

Overall, China has a lot to offer and it will be a memorable trip for everyone.

Turkey was not a disappointing destination.  It was a fusion of beauty, culture, age-old glories, and millennial history.

The Istanbul Airport has the easiest immigration I have experienced so far, and thanks to the good VIP service Travel Refinery provided me, it took me no more than 20 minutes from the moment I left the plane to get to the door of the car that was waiting for me.

The guide who was waiting for me quickly gave me general information of the city, the weather, my hotel, and its surrenders.

Istanbul is an amazing and beautiful city the epicenter of architecture, art, and culture;  great for shopping and heavenly for foodies. 

The waters of the Bosphorus, always flowing, gives the city a sense of calm for the 12 million people living in Istanbul and the metro area. 

I stayed at The Ritz Carlton (although its location is not the most convenience for many people) located on the top of one of the seven hills of Istanbul; a tall building with spacious rooms and good food.

I visited three more hotels - the two Four Seasons and the Shangri-La.

The two Four Seasons in Istanbul are two gorgeous properties!

The Four Seasons - Bosphorus 
Waterside palace with amazing rooms and décor.  The prices of the rooms could be high for many people, but believe me it is worth it every penny! The palace has views, gardens, and a movie set swimming pool. The views from the hotel over the Bosphorus waterfront are quite gorgeous, especially at night.

The hotel is walking distance from Ortakoy, one of the Istanbul’s more happening suburbs. With a string of fashionable stores, fish and vegetable markets,  a cluster of restaurants side-by-side in front of the water, riming the  square.  The Ortakoy Mosquein at the corner of the square is absolutely breathtaking.  

Hotel Istanbul at Sultananhmet
It is a treasure!  A Turkish neo-classic bastille, converted into an extraordinary jewel of a hotel, that sits around a tranquil courtyard. With 65 rooms and suites, some  facing  the garden, the landscaped courtyard, or the city streets,  they are brightly lit, with high ceilings, large windows, and are generously proportioned. The hotel has a great terrace where you can see the Blue Mosque, which is only steps away from the hotel, as well as the Topkapi Palace and the Haghia Sophia, three of the wonders of Istanbul... so the location is perfect!  The hotel has contemporary Turkish artwork from the Ottoman period on display.

The Shangri-La
The Shangri-La, next to the Naval museum, and across one of the ferry stations, not too far from the Four Seasons Bosphorus, is another wonderful property by the water - a relatively new hotel since 2012.  It provides an oasis of quietude and beauty.  

The rooms are decorated with soft pastel colors, white marble everywhere, and beautiful tilt blue silk curtains framed the tall glass windows. My room faced the river, so when you enter the room the first thing you see is the water of the river making you believe you are not on a hotel, but a ship. Some other rooms faced the garden, where a tall painting of Shangri-La  hangs. 

This hotel has a nice restaurant, with good choices from Turkish, Greek, Spanish and of course Asian food. The afternoon tea is quite opulent, with lots of great pastries, and live music, plus a good selection of local and international wines.

Sianji Well-Being Resort
In Bodrum I  stayed at the Sianji Well-Being Resort,  composed of suites and villas, and located on a private beach.  The resort has a nice combination of pleasure and wellbeing, offering unique wellness packages like spa treatment, clinical implementations, wellness and spiritual therapies.

My suite was a duplex, with the room on the second floor.  It had a huge hydro-massage bath next to the tall window with an awesome view of the Aegean sea and the Greek Island of Kos. 

The service was excellent! I did a package of well-being, and I can assure you that the nurses and the staff were all knowledgeable professionals,  ready to answer questions, and explaining everything.  This place is good for people that are looking for healing and rejuvenation.


The Amanruya
In Bodrum I also saw the Amanruya located on the Southeast go the Aegean cost.  

The hotel was closed for winter, but I have spoken with the manager this summer and told him I will be in Boldrum, and I would like to see his property.  So the day of my inspection, the director of sales and reservation manager were waiting to show me around.

The property is a fantastic resort, with wide open views of the Mandalay Bay.  It is surrounded by a great forest of ancient olive groves, and Mediterranean pine and sage. The Architecture is Mediterranean and Ottoman; simple, but elegant, with an organic ambiance. It has 36 pool terrace cottages, each with their own garden, a traditional Turkish charcoal fire place, and fitted with under-floor heating.  Because it is a family resort, the room comes with a TV and DVDs for families with children, and they offer lots of family activities, plus there is a golf club nearby. 

  
Bodrum is quite an adventure , with lots of shops, night life, good restaurants and  the old  Bodrum castle.

The Museum
In Cappadocia, The Museum is the place to stay. 
It Is indeed a real living museum, with many valuable and priceless antiques!  Even though the building is small, the hotel was created to give you a sense of a much larger place.  Nested above a sleepy main square with stunning a view of the very surrealistic and strange landscape of Cappadocia, I felt like I have stepped inside a painting made by Salvador Dali.  With 30 luxe cave rooms all decorated differently, so no one is alike, all with great views to enchanting and mystical valley, it is a great place to sit and dream.

The Museum exceeded all my expectations, with a great service, food, and a good local wine selection.  Eating at the restaurant is an experience like no other;  the food is one of the best I had in Turkey... What a great selection of traditional local and Turkish cuisine!

The Argos
The Argos in Cappadocia is another wonderful rock hotel - it is magical!

Located in a gigantic fairy-chimney, it is a hotel that has undergone so many transformations, from Christian residence, to a caravanserai, and later, even a linseed oil factory. 

There are 53 suites, all in different Mansions, some with private cave pools, and all designed with different styles.

From the terrace you can see the hundreds of abandoned pigeon houses  cut out of the rock. 

Tafoni House
I also visited Tafoni house in a different village, Ortahisar, about 20 minutes from The Museum and Argos.

The  village where this property is located  does not have the same feeling as the village where the two other hotels are located.  My initial feeling was that I just  arrived at a truck stop;  the plaza was full of cars, but once we quickly drove by the square, the stone houses and the cobblestone streets started giving me a warm feeling. The hotel is ok for younger people, and for budget-conscious travelers, but offers spacious suites, very opulent bathrooms, and also panoramic views of the valley.

In general, Travel Refinery did an outstanding trip for me. The guides were exceptional, with a great knowledge of their country and their overwhelming history, and full of facts.  The drivers were on time, so ready to help, and very attentive to keeping the cars super-clean.  What a great company to use for our clients!  I would not recommend any other company than Travel Refinery, and we all love Ziya and his partner Derya, don’t we?

If anyone is interested on knowing more about my trip please call me or email me, I will be more than happy to share more information with you.

John Rios.

I arrived via Santiago , Chile with LAN.  The flight from MIA to SCL takes around 8:40 minutes, easy connection to MVD and the flight takes 2:30 Minutes, other alternatives will be American Via Miami, to MVD non stops or Delta to either Santiago or BA.  I was smitten by the beautiful crossing of the Andes from Santiago to Montevideo, from my window I can see the snow picks.  

Lan Chile is a great airline, clean planes comfortable business class seats that go flat,  and same as the other carries I have taken in business class, they do your bed, good electronics and great menu with Chileans wines. Air buses A300. 

The Manager of the hotel waited for me to be taken in one of their jeeps to the Hotel Estancia. 

The road is very good, and the panoramic views were gorgeous, especially when you get into the coast of Punta Del Este! It reminds me of Southern California. The estancia is about 40 minutes from Punta del Este and 1:40 from the airport of Montevideo.

This the second property we stayed at, Playa Vik, is just 10 minutes away from the Estancia, but two different worlds. Beach, sun and warm breeze.  Two very different concepts in such a close proximity, this resort is very dramatic due to the location and the architecture, the buildings  were designed by the same architect who designed the opera house in Paris and the airport in Montevideo spectacular very modern structure, lots  of glass and steel, the suites  locater in the main building upstairs are magnificent with a wide open view to the Atlantic. The main focus is the infinity pool, which is located in this building behind the solid cooper doors designed by a local artist, who named it "the doors to paradise," Behind is the pool with a great perspective, and almost half of its body hangs in the air!

It’s in the chick town of Jose Ignacio, with a magnificent view of the bay.  The resort was closed due to the low season getting ready to be open the next month, but it was  open just for us so we can experienced it.  There were working and  getting it ready, but we the rooms we stayed were good to go. My room was very large with two rooms , one for the children and  the master bedroom, with a courtyard around  it full of lavender’s bed and herbs, big windows surrounded the room,  and the bathrooms were also big, master bed bathroom has a  huge  oval marble tub and lots of stone forming the walls of the  bathroom, lots of closet space and Plasma TV, a fire place. Like the Estancia, Playa Vik also is decorated with fine art and each room has a theme, mine was more western style, and the walls hand painting with cool texture.

The rest of the rooms were also very big and cozy.

It has two small restaurant, a gym, and a place to seat down around a fire pit looking at the ocean.

My impression of Playa Vik is that is very welcoming for families.  Most of the rooms have two bedrooms and include beds for children.  But I will also recommended it for couples.

The restaurant on the property is not too fancy; small, and the seating is very communal - large tables with chairs on each side.  The Spa is not actually a Spa; it’s more like a massage room with a sauna. I wish that they had a real Spa, but I'm not sure where it could go, since the property is not too big, and it’s already taken by the buildings where the rooms are. The access to the beach needs to be clear and clean of debris, and could use better steps with handrails to help to find the way to the beach.

The web site needs an overhaul. www.vikretreats.com at least has imagery and looks high end but www.vikhotels.com looks a little like "Holiday inn". It is not luxury at all and definitely does not communicate the experience. It feels like an online booking engine and not at all what they are offering. The front picture of the pool is enough to make someone seeking a luxury experience to look at something else, the other problem is that if someone thinks Vik Hotel and Vik Retreats are related and they have an incredible experience in Jose Ignacio and they expect the same at the property in Lanzarote, etc. they may be disappointed with what the web site may cause them to perceive as a "brand".

I can see why they are reluctant to call it a hotel, I did not feel at all I was in one, like when we stay at the Ritz Carlton  or Mandarin Orientals, they are beautiful but they are hotels. Love the contemporary style but simple, the rough texture and the sensuality of the architecture. The earth elements mix together to give balance to this place which is not an ordinary ranch house:  The fresh winds that are born a mile away in the Atlantic Ocean spread free in the vast Pampa to endless wonder in the L-shape corridors and move freely inside the comfortable rooms in La Estancia. The sunrise and sunset offers an incredible array of hues dressing up the place for great effects.  The sense of remoteness and quietness, gives so much peace to your tired body after a long flight. The passion for Art is  show case  throughout the property, each room is decorated from sensual paintings , old- world French furnishings, mosaics and modern abstract paintings all originals . The Estancia has four beautiful master suites and eight smaller but still very big suites.

For me when I arrived at this grand and amazing place I thought I was back on time at the “Marlboro country’’:  the horses, the cows the gauchos collecting and moving the cattle, the sheep.   There is so much to do here or just nothing if you wish: Biking, horse ridding, which is so much fun because of the openness and the beauty of the land, the smell of the eucalyptus, families of parakeets flying above you. Also you can learn about local food, hiking, fishing, hang out at the pool, bird watch, and the solitude move by the  fresh whisper of the wind making you feel like you are in a constant  state of meditation.

Food  and local wine is the best complement of la Estancia Vik.  Fresh  and fresh all around, the best veal and meat the stapler of Uruguay is cooked to perfection by the Chef, salads, their home made cheese, and yogurts all serve in this great big dinner room.  The service is so wonderful all graduated from Hospitality schools, some of them with experience working in Europe; very attentive, diligent, professional and with great genuine smiles.

Overall, this is a place to unplugged yourself and come down to the earth and fell the generosity of its primitive abundance and sublimes.

And did a mentioned it has not TV, love that!  and free internet.

Now the cons I see were minimal, the trails for hiking are not demark, the toilette in the bathrooms when flushing   the water come with some much rush that could  overspill,  I did not see a spa which it will be fabulous by the stables with that great view, a list of children activity and more bicycles for the guess.