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80$ Added To Northwest Roundtrip Airfares Title: 80$ Added To Northwest Roundtrip Airfares
PermaLink: http://www.hidden-travel-gems.com/50226711/80_added_to_northwest_roundtrip_airfares.php

Filed in archive Travel News by Gloria Gamat on July 31, 2008

Northwest Airlines has added some 80$ in their roundtrip (US) domestic airfares as fuel surcharge.

Northwest Airlines Corp. confirmed on Thursday that it will add fuel surcharges of up to $80 for many domestic round-trip tickets.

The surcharge will apply to travel to about 7,000 city pairs beginning Jan. 10, Northwest spokeswoman Michelle Aguayo-Shannon said. She said Northwest is matching surcharges added by competitors in those markets. Northwest already has fuel surcharges in other markets, she said.


Read it all from BusinessWeek.

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Travel To Space: $200,000 Per Seat! Title: Travel To Space: $200,000 Per Seat!
PermaLink: http://www.hidden-travel-gems.com/50226711/travel_to_space_200000_per_seat.php

Filed in archive A World Away , Adventure , Luxury Travel by Gloria Gamat on July 29, 2008

If you are filthy rich that is! Space travellinks, if you have the money and enough adventure streak - could be the ultimate travel adventure.

A space tourism jet has already been unveiled, making the whole idea not an impossibility any longer.

British entrepreneur and adventurer Richard Branson on Monday took the wraps off an aircraft that, for $200,000 a seat, may someday take tourists who can afford it on the first leg of regular, albeit very brief, commercial flights into space.


The only other question that needs answering (even if you have all the money!) is the security that you can come back to earth. Unless one is crazy enough that the 'coming back home safely to earth' is out of the question?

Well, this one is definitely not for the ordinary citizen!

No one knows when Virgin Galactic will fly, but about 100 people have already paid full price for the trip, which comes to $50,000 per minute for the four minutes the travelers will spend in weightlessness. An additional 170 have put down deposits.


Wow. These people have nothing else to put their money into.

 

Burj-Al-Arab is the Best Hotel in the World? Title: Burj-Al-Arab is the Best Hotel in the World?
PermaLink: http://www.hidden-travel-gems.com/50226711/burjalarab_is_the_best_hotel_in_the_world.php

Filed in archive Luxury Travel by Charu Suri on July 26, 2008

Burj-Al-Arab is the Best Hotel in the World?



Several magazines have poured lavish praise on Dubai's billowy Burj-al-Arab, often touted as the "best hotel in the world." Iconic and designed to resemble a billowy sail, it's the world's tallest hotel.

Now, I don't know about you, but the idea of staying 321 meters above ground and paying $2,160 per night (or 2.33 ounces of gold) on a nosebleed-inducing room makes me think I'd rather climb on top of the empire state buildinglinks. Better value for money, plus you get to see New York City in all its glory and much popcorn on the rooftop.

We're not sure if popcorn is even allowed into the hallowed halls of the Burj. Apparently you get a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce to take you around. That's nice (we wonder how much of our nightly $2160 rate goes to him), and there's a private reception desk on each floor.

But I can see why wealthy businessmen embrace this hotel like their first trophy wife. I really do. There's something really pampering about being marooned on an artificial island in a country that has no natural water reserves. To secure a foundation for this island, builders had to drive long concrete piles into the sand (you try doing that on a muggy, hot day and see what happens).

It's the world's only seven star property too, but many travel professionals have pooh-poohed the idea of bestowing seven stars when the standard norm is five stars. What's to prevent the U.S. from coming up with world's only nine star property where you'll have an oil bed instead of a water bed?

It does have the tallest atrium lobby in the world and gold pillars. The most expensive room here is around $28,000 per night. Who needs a mortgage when you can take a private loan and head for Chapter 11 in style? Life's too short. Go set sail at the Burj and report back.

Guest post from www.butterflydiary.com

www.burj-al-arab.com

 

An Iconic Hotel Reopens in Zurich Title: An Iconic Hotel Reopens in Zurich
PermaLink: http://www.hidden-travel-gems.com/50226711/an_iconic_hotel_reopens_in_zurich.php

Filed in archive Luxury Travel by Charu Suri on July 26, 2008

An Iconic Hotel Reopens in Zurich



In Zurich , Switzerland, lies one of the most luxurious hotels and spas in the world. The Dolder Grand closed in 2004 for renovations and opened in April 2008. It has 173 gorgeous rooms and a 40,000 square foot spa and two restaurants.

More than 400m USD were invested in this massive overhauling of what looks like a castle. The original "Curhaus" (health spa) was built in 1899, and was gradually transformed into a luxury-class city resort.

London architectural firm Foster and Partners did the redesign along with spa doyenne Sylvia Sepielli, who launches her first Euroean Spa.

Top Suites include the Maestrolinks Suite, Carezza Suite, Masina Suite and Suite 100. Each suite has a unique theme and inspiration. The Masina Suite, for example, was inspired by Giulietta Masina, actress and wife of Federico Fellini. A touch of the glamour of the world and cinema of the 1950s: the Masina Suite on the top floor of the Spa Wing has a distinctive Italian interior. At the centre of the generously sized living room is an elegant, light-coloured Fendi sofa, and the suite offers another attractive facility in the shape of a billiard table.

www.thedoldergrand.com

 

Countdown for Gondwana Game Reserve Opening Begins! Title: Countdown for Gondwana Game Reserve Opening Begins!
PermaLink: http://www.hidden-travel-gems.com/50226711/countdown_for_gondwana_game_reserve_opening_begins.php

Filed in archive Adventure by Charu Suri on July 26, 2008

Countdown for Gondwana Game Reserve Opening Begins!



The first and only truly authentic Big Five safari destination in the Western Cape set to open in 2008. Book your rooms for the Winter in one of South Africa's truly gorgeous and historic reserves.

Opening in 2008, Gondwana Game Reserve will be one of the first and only authentic Big Five private game reserves in the Western Cape, located 15km west of Mossel Bay.

Experience game drives, undulating valleys that give you amazing views of natural scenery like the Outeniqua Mountains. Ever heard of the famous Garden Route in SA? Well, the reserve is easily accessible from the route, and is only a 3.5 hour drive from Cape Town.

Gondwana suite 3.jpg



They're putting the finishing touches now to lavish suites where you can stay in Hemingway style, and experience a top of the line spa as well. Fynbos Camp will be the first lodge to open its doors, and will have 25 rooms and 10 luxury suites.

The rooms will overlook two waterholes where you can have the chance to see the Endangered Cape Mountain Zebralinks, kudu, springbok, lions and leopards.

All the contemporary African suites have natural, earthy tones along with beautiful touches like fireplaces and open-plan bathrooms. Rates are R3000 per person sharing per night, all inclusive with two game drives per day.

www.gondwanagamereserve.com

 

Travel + Leisure's 2008 World's Best Cities Title: Travel + Leisure's 2008 World's Best Cities
PermaLink: http://www.hidden-travel-gems.com/50226711/travel_leisures_2008_worlds_best_cities.php

Filed in archive Cities , Travel News by Gloria Gamat on July 21, 2008

Travel + Leisure magazine's annual reader survey results for top cities, hotels, etc. in the world is now out: 2008 World' Best Awards.

Travel + Leisure's 2008 World's Best Cities
© MsAnthea



For this blog, I would like to highlight Top 10 Cities in the world:

1. Bangkok
2. Buenos Aires
3. Cape Town
4. Sydney
5. Florence
6. Cuzcolinks, Peru
7. Rome
8. New York
9. Istanbul
10. San Francisco

Well I've only been to one (Bangkok) 8 years ago. Hopefully, if all goes well, I'm going for a short visit before this year ends. Hopefully this time I make it to Chatuchak weekend market! I love that city a lot, especially the food, fruits and the nicest people I've ever met.

Except for Buenos Aires, Cuzco and Istanbul...the rest are in 'my places to visit before i die' list.

Check out the lists under the other categories too.


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