02Jun

World?s Best Cuisine Created on Board Luxury Yacht Charters

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For vacationers who haven’t fully discovered the benefits between a cruise vacation and a private yacht charter, the cuisine is definitely one of the major differences. While most cruise ships host all you can eat buffets and stringent meal times often compared to a cattle call, the relaxed structure of a personalized yacht itinerary totally justifies the marginal expense differences. With a fully crewed private yacht charter, guests are able to enjoy their own personal chef who prepares exotic gourmet cuisine tailored to their guests’ tastes. Also on a crewed yacht charter, meal times and snacks in between are always flexible.

The luxury yacht charter industry takes menu and provision preparation very seriously when coordinating dream vacations for its affluent clientele. Some of the best chefs in the world have been recruited from five star kitchens to work on luxury yachts. Since the industry is so detail oriented, it is often its own toughest critic which keeps the caliber of talent extremely high.

There are two definitive charter shows each year in December that allow the industry professionals to inspect the world’s finest yachts for charter and sample chef cuisine. The St. Maarten and Antigua Yacht Charter shows attract the most talented yacht crews and charter experts looking to make their recommendations for the best charter vessels for the upcoming Caribbean Yacht Charter and Mediterranean Yacht Charter seasons.

The shows fill up two weeks worth of non-stop events including captain conferences, wine tasting events and most importantly, gourmet cuisine competitions. The 2007 winner at the Antigua Yacht Charter Competition, was Emma Rye who works aboard Lazy Z. She received accolade in several of the judging categories including best table display and best overall cuisine.

Emma Rye was an England native who developed a passion for cooking as a child when she would vacation in France and make exotic deserts with her father. Rye got her start as a chef when she won a scholarship in a one-day cookoff to attend the Academie de Culinaire in France. She then went on to study as an apprentice at the Savoy Hotel and the Michelin restaurant in London.

After college, Emma got her first call from the head chef of the 416 foot mega yacht, The Octupus which was owned by one of the Co-Founders of Microsoft, Paul Allen. She went to work as their villa chef in the South of France and became accustomed to cooking on boats. Rye also gained experience as a second chef on a yacht before she found a home as head chef on Lazy Z.

Lazy Z is a 165’ Oceano that can accommodate a party of 12 for a motor yacht charter. The vessel is maintained by a crew of 12 who are available to facilitate each guest’s wish. A one week luxury yacht vacation aboard Lazy Z is like a stay aboard a floating 5 star luxe resort with every amenity you can imagine. The 165 footer comes with all of the toys, she has a top of the line Jacuzzi 2 wave runners, water skis that are pulled by a versatile tender, compressor, scuba & snorkel gear, ski-biscuit, skurfer, kneeboard, volley ball set-up, beach tent and games.

The vessel has one king and two queen staterooms with six single berths. The yacht typically charters in Caribbean locations such as Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands during the winter months and Mediterranean locales such as French Riviera, Gulf of Naples and Sardinia in the summer months.

Lazy Z is just one of the many luxury vessels that provide excellent service and decadent fare, the worldly lifestyle of the yachting industry has attracted the most talented chefs from across the globe and contributes to some vacationer’s most memorable travel experiences. If you plan a luxury yacht charter vacation, you can be sure that the menu will be one of the most extravagant elements of your experience and unparalleled to any commercial cruisline vacation.

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30May

Facilities on board a luxury charter yacht

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Life is all about enjoying, being happy and living it King size whenever possible. Travelling is the best way to explore the world and to experience everything it has to offer. While most of us might be travelling on a tight budget, once in a while when you have the desire to splurge or to celebrate a special occasion you might think to heading to a 5 star resort for a luxurious holiday.

Well, there’s a better option. Consider chartering a luxury yacht. Yes, most of us think that travelling on board a luxury yacht is just for the rich and famous celebrities. Well, most of us can’t own a luxury yacht but we sure can hire one for a while. Chartering a luxury yacht is not really expensive; a holiday at a 5 star resort and on a chartered luxury yacht could be for the same cost.

Travelling on a luxury charter yacht can be an experience like no other; they are like a mobile 5 star resorts, complete with all the facilities and amenities that you might find in a luxurious property. Depending on the size of the luxury charter yachts the facilities on board can vary, but most of them have facilities that are quite impressive. Average luxury charter yachts can accommodate around 10 to 15 people easily. There is usually a master bedroom with attached bath, furnished in elegant designs. Other than the master bedroom, there would be a few guest cabins, although the word “cabins” is really an understatement.

All the luxury charter yachts come with their own crew, the captain, deckhands and chef who ensure that you are comfortable during your stay. The chef on a luxury yacht would prepare gourmet cuisine customized as per your preferences served in either a casual setting or at a formal dining table if you are entertaining your friends or family.

Some of the bigger luxury charter yachts have more than three floors. Most of them have a beautiful sun deck where you can lounge, soak in the sun and relax in luxury. There would even be a fully stocked bar where you can spend your evenings in the lounge with a drink. Some of the bigger luxury yachts even have a gym and a salon on board so that you do not miss out on your workouts even when you are travelling.

All luxury charter yachts would have some “toys”. The toys could be anything; Jet Ski, surf boards, speed boats, diving equipment, fishing gear, kayaks, wind boards, floating trampolines and some even have a helicopter pad- just in case you would need it!

If you thought the only place you could go for a vacation if you wanted to splurge was to a fancy holiday resort, you were wrong. With so many facilities and amenities on board a luxury yacht, this is an experience that is not worth missing.

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21May

Ski in Luxury at a Catered Chalet

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A ski holiday can be a fantastic experience, but we all have memories of low budget ski vacations, where the accommodations left much to be desired as far as amenities and comfort went. If you’d like to make your next trip to the snow the holiday of a lifetime, try renting a luxury catered ski chalet. Instead of sharing facilities, upmarket chalets offer en-suited rooms, sumptuous bedding including duck-down duvets, fluffy towels, exclusive toiletries, DVD and CD players, telephone and fax facilities, and broadband wireless internet. This all adds up to a ski holiday in style.

Resorts and chalets range from charming, picture-book alpine chalets to ultra-modern apartments with the latest media technology built in. The best chalets have a complimentary bar and ambiance is provided by roaring log fires. Your weekly tariff often includes delicious and hearty breakfasts that set you up for the day’s skiing, afternoon teas with fresh, homemade cakes and biscuits, and four-course gourmet dinners, prepared by a chef. You can round off the meal with a glass of Pinot and dessert. Dining options range from delicious home cooking to the fine haute cuisine, and all diets are catered for.

A well-stocked library of books and popular board games keep you entertained in the evenings. And separate TV rooms with satellite, video and DVD players and a stock of films are further entertainment alternatives. There are generally music systems that cater for most tastes and which connect to Mp3 players and dedicated internet computers, plus ethernet, WIFI and Bluetooth access for your own laptop.

An in-chalet boot and ski fitting service makes daily action on the slopes more comfortable, and the best luxury chalets have a ski and boot room, with a heated boot warmer. Weekly rates starting from around 850 Euros, although lift passes, ski rental and lessons are all extras that you should budget for.

The ski resort of Meribel, in the French Alps, is world renown for the quality of its chalet accommodation. Some of the more exceptional luxury self-catered chalets in Méribel include: Chalet Rousillon, a traditional, alpine-style chalet with great character and warmth, just five minutes’ walk from the piste. In the private Dou du Pont enclave, Chalet Chopine, with great views, has an outdoor hot tub that is perfect for après ski relaxation.

At Chalet Lamato, a five-star chalet in Méribel Village, it is usually possible to ski back to the chalet door, while the luxurious Chalet Kouneli has superb views and is just a 10-minute walk to and from the pistes. The enormous sitting room is beautifully furnished with antiques and all rooms have views. The Jacuzzi spa and sauna room is perfect at the end of a skiing day.

Whichever resort you choose for your ski holiday, book a luxury catered ski chalet and enjoy great service, sumptuous accommodation and fine cuisine to top off each memorable day.

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22Mar

Luxury Ski Resorts in the U.S

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For ski aficionados, a winter vacation is a highly awaited event. Everyone enjoys the thrill of swooshing downhill. Of course, the luxury resorts in the Rocky Mountains offer the best winter vacations. They get a plentiful amount of fresh powder and have a variety of slopes.

Vail, Colorado, the largest ski mountain in North American, can be considered the ultimate luxury ski resort. Hotels with upscale amenities and quality dining are the perfect setting for skiers looking to get pampered. Vail has fifteen day spas for some supreme indulgence, snowmobiling and a ski school.

The Arrabelle Resort at Vail has European-inspired architecture, together with timely elegance and Austrian charm. Guestrooms feature alpine d’or with fireplace. The Rock Resorts spa features a full range of inviting treatments. Dining can be casual or inspired French cuisine at the Centre V Brasserie.

Park City is located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Rooms at the Goldener Hirsch Inn offer sunken tubs and king-sized beds from Austria, complete with down comforters. Many rooms have wood-burning fireplaces. The Goldener Hirsch Restaurant offers an extensive menu for groups or more intimate dining.

The Hotel Park City is one of the top Park City resorts. This all-suite hotel has 100 spacious accommodations with king-sized beds, marbled bathrooms, private patios and mountain views. The on-site Ruth Chris Steakhouse offers steaks, seafood and tantalizing desserts. There is first-class skiing and snow boarding on three different mountains, including a ski in/ski out Nordic course.

The Sundance Resort is a fine Utah skiing resort, but it offers much more. A monthly author series and the annual film festival keeps bringing people back on a regular basis. The Resorts Tree Restaurant offers organic cuisine in accordance with its earth-to-table?philosophy.

The rustic Sundance suites feature queen-sized beds, stone fireplaces, decks and kitchenettes.

For exceptional luxury, Sundance offers a secluded house nestled in the serenity of the mountains. Three floors of living space, three bedrooms, three full baths and two ?baths make this a perfect family or group getaway. There is a lap pool for summertime swimming and a sauna for winter relaxation.

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14Mar

Austrian Ski Package This March: The Best Of The Best From Elite Luxury Travel

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Thinking of an Austrian holiday this March?  The Thurnhers Alpenhof resort is offering a very limited Firn & Sunny Days package from March 13 – 26, 2010.  Family owned and run for more than 35 years, the Thurnhers Alpenhof luxury ski resort opens its doors each winter to travelers who come to explore the snow-covered wonderland of Zürs, Austria.

Guests of the Thurnhers Alpenhof are enveloped with the sense that they have been welcomed to a gracious private home. Gourmet breakfast buffet, traditional afternoon Austrian snacks and sumptuous five- to seven-course dinners at the Alpenhof’s renowned restaurant – all are included in the stay for a luxury ski vacation that is truly carefree.

The Firn & Sunny Days package includes 7 nights accommodation with Gourmet half board, Firn and/or deep-snow skiing with a guide, one 25-minute massage, a 6-day Arlberg ski pass excursions to the prettiest ski huts in Arlberg.   Enjoy barbecues on the sun terrace, as well as Pilates, yoga, and relaxing massages and beauty treatments.  Rates start at 3,600 Euros (or $5,100) for a double room.

Each room or suite of this lovely country estate offers a private balcony with a spectacular view of the Alps and Murnauer Moos, Europe’s largest nature reserve. Luxury accommodations are furnished in charming alpine country style with every modern comfort. There are six exclusive and very individual suites that range in style from colorful country-house to classically elegant, plus apartments and flats ideal for longer stays. New for the 2009/2010 ski season is a luxurious Spa Suite, complete with a spa bath with private whirlpool, steam shower and integrated table for in-room massages.

Enjoy ski-out access to many of Zürs’ acclaimed ski slopes, as well as the complimentary services of a sports and activity trainer — a certified ski trainer and guide who is equally at home entertaining youngsters with trips to the in-house cinema and carefree romps in the snow. At the end of the day, guests can retreat to the hotel’s health club for soothing water therapy. Night might bring a romantic torchlight hike with Austrian baked apples and punch. Or, a venture into a lively Alberg club to dance the night away.

The Thurnhers Alpenhof is a member of Elite Luxury Travel, which offers luxury travel packages at some of the world’s finest spa, golf and ski resorts in sought-after European, U.S. and now Central America luxury destinations.

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28Apr

European Ski Packages: The Best Of The Best From Elite Luxury Travel

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Experience the excitement and romance of the Alps with the best ski resorts and five-star hotels in Europe.  Elite Luxury Travel offers unparalleled vacation opportunities with their Elite Ski Packages that will take you the world-class alpine slopes of the unforgettable Bavarian, Swiss and Austrian Alps.  

Ski the Zugspitze in Germany

Nestled in the heart of Germany’s winter sports capital, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the Alpenhof Murnau, currently offering the SKI THE ZUGSPITZE package available from January 2 – March 31, 2010.  The Alpenhof Murnau in all of its Bavarian charm is well blanketed in pure, natural snow nestled in the shadows of the towering Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak.

The SKI THE ZUGSPITZE package includes 5 nights accommodation, Happy Ski Card for 3 days, 3-course dinner at Hofmann’s nightly, full daily breakfast buffet, and complimentary entrance to Yavanna Wellness & Spa. Rates for this very special package start at $1,116 per person double occupancy, and for more fun additional nights are available for just $194.  

March Ski Package in Austria

Thinking of an Austrian holiday this March?  The Thurnhers Alpenhof is offering a very limited Firn & Sunny Days package from March 13 – 26, 2010.  Family owned and run for more than 35 years, the Thurnhers Alpenhof luxury ski resort opens its doors each winter to travelers who come to explore the snow-covered wonderland of Zürs, Austria.

The Firn & Sunny Days package includes 7 nights accommodation with Gourmet half board, Firn and/or deep-snow skiing with a guide, one 25-minute massage, a 6-day Arlberg ski pass excursions to the prettiest ski huts in Arlberg.  Rates start at 3,600 Euros (or $5,100) for a double room.

Easter Ski Break in Switzerland

Switzerland’s Kulm Hotel in St. Moritz is calling for this Easter’s Ski Break.  Commonly called the “cradle of winter sports”, St. Moritz was the first to promote itself as a winter destination back in the late 19th century, playing host to the winter Olympic Games of 1928 and 1948, and continues today to be the playground for Hollywood stars and royalty.

The Kulm Hotel is offering this 4 night package April 1-5, 2010.  This package includes a lavish breakfast buffet and a 6-course dinner menu daily at the elegant Grand Restaurant, a 3-day regional ski pass for the entire Upper Engadin ski region, transfers from the hotel to the Corviglia train station and return.  Also included for your relaxation is one regenerating sea salt bath of your choice and unlimited access to the Panorama Spa and Health Club that includes complimentary participation in the weekly fitness program.  Rates start at CHF 1,520 ($1,458) per room for this entire package.

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15Nov

Luxury Ski Holidays

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Why ‘the L word’ is so crucial to ski holidays this season, and how pushing the ’sledge’ out a bit can banish the credit crunch blues…

Luxury ski holidays have been around a while – the winter breaks that used to be just about snow and piste are now very much about high end style, delicious food and drink, and top class service too. As demand for luxury ski holidays has grown, so has the number of companies who specialise in providing them. Normal ski operators have created high-end luxury divisions such as Mark Warner, and other companies such as Elegant Resorts or Scott Dunn have created the perfect bespoke one stop ski holiday service.

The scope for what is possible on these kinds of tailor-made holidays is enormous – whether its hotel or chalet, these companies can ensure you get the very finest things in life – from Michelin trained chefs and vintage champagne, to indoor swimming pools and mountainside hot tubs.

As the credit crunch has taken hold, it has become clear that people are not actually cancelling their ski holidays, but are taking the attitude that the little extras really need to count. Those people who love to ski so much that they may in the past have gone three or four times per season, for short weekend breaks, are now just travelling the once, but for a longer period and in real luxury. They see that they get more value from their day on the piste by being able to ski to their door, or by being driven to the lift; or that they save valuable skiing time by having their boots and skis fitted in house; or that they can guarantee every meal is memorable and every glass of champagne is perfectly chilled if they spend that little bit more.

The luxury ski holidays have become more about an absolute guarantee, in tougher times, of having the best ski experience money can possibly buy.

What to look for in a luxury ski hotel
Less intimate than a chalet, and slightly more anonymous, the luxury ski hotel can provide more flexibility for smaller groups or for arrival and departure. If you want four days skiing instead of week, or if you want a two centre holiday and want to ski two regions instead of just one, the hotel is the way to go.

A good luxury operator will offer various types of luxury ski hotels – small boutique and family run properties, or huge mountain residences or ‘super-resorts’. Both can exhibit the ultimate luxury and sophistication but in very different ways. Huge rooms and state of the art business centres – go for the larger, more modern, hotels. Handmade traditional furniture and original Alpine design and décor – try a cosy candlelit boutique hotel.

Whichever you go for, both should have stone fireplaces, private balconies and superb views pretty much as standard. Look out too for luxurious bathrooms, fabulous free products, and superb hotel concierge services – all give real added value to your holiday.

Luxury Ski Chalets
A good luxury chalet holiday should place emphasis on impeccable service and attention to detail.

At companies such as Scott Dunn the majority of chalets have a wellness area of some sort, or an indoor swimming pool.

Laurent-Perrier Champagne is served every evening and dinner is five-course feast. Look for in chalet ski, snowboard and boot fitting, ski pass on arrival, rainforest showers, or private in chalet cinemas. And your staff? Concierge, hosts, driver, housekeeper, experienced chef, dedicated ski guides and instructors, sports therapists and nannies, pretty much anyone and everyone should be available at your beck and call.

Again the added value of a luxury ski chalet comes from the detail – the fresh flowers and complimentary bar, the well-stocked cellar and the classic movies and board games.

If your money is spent wisely, with reputable companies who really know what luxury is, then you can be sure to have the best ski trip going. In fact, the only thing they can’t guarantee you is the snow!

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