Prague is a great city to visit, especially in December when the city’s famous Christmas Markets are in full swing with lights, carols and spirit!

One of Europe’s most gorgeous cities is Prague – and no trip to Europe is complete without a visit there.

Think cobble stone streets, great beer, gorgeous historical architecture and some of the best hotels in the Czech Republic, and you’re only just scratching the surface of this gorgeous city.

Winter (or more specifically, December) is an excellent time to visit Prague because of the wonderful Christmas Markets hel there. The entire city center of Prague glows with Christmas lights and decorations. The Christmas Markets run daily during December in the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Havelske Trziste and Namesti Republiky.

Grab a cup of hot wine and spend some time outdoors shopping for gifts at the wooden stalls set up in the squares, enjoy the carols and feel the Christmas spirit!

And, of course, there’s more to Prague than excellent Christmas shopping (although, that is a good reason to visit Prague in December). There are loads of beautiful sites that are perfect all year round.

The Prague Astronomical Clock, found on the southern wall of the Old Town City Hall is a must see (it’s so beautiful that it’s rumored that the government purposely gouged out the clockmaker’s eyes so he couldn’t construct a similar clock for any other country)!

Right out of a fairy tale (and home of the Czech Crown Jewels) is the Prague Castle, which is one of the biggest castles in the world. It overlooks the Vltava River and gives visitors an excellent view of the area.

And, you will definitely want to take a stroll across the Charles Bridge, and visit the Old Town Bridge Tower, which is a gothic tower constructed in the 1300’s. This is where you can get the best views of the old town and the river.

For travelers looking for the best in accommodation, there are a few great luxury hotels in Prague, and visitors to the city definitely have their choice in both modern and historical types of places to stay!

The Mandarin Oriental Prague is a romantic boutique hotel on the left bank of the Vltava River. Set within a carefully restored 14^th Century monastery, all of the rooms and suites here are individually designed, and guests get excellent views of some of Prague’s most scenic streets from here.

Kempinsky Hybernska Prague is another good choice. This hotel is located right in the heart of the city and has maintained the original façade of the building, while totally modernizing the interior. Lovers of “old meets new” will really enjoy this boutique hotel. Most rooms here feature a separate bedroom and living area which is especially convenient if you plan on entertaining any friends during your stay.

And, for lovers of modern design, no trip to Prague is complete without a stay at Hotel Yasmin, which is conveniently located just around the corner from the Wenceslas Square. This particular hotel is really close to the markets, sites and tourist attractions in the city, which makes it a good base for sightseers.

Romeo Hotel in Naples, Italy has crafted the perfect present for travelers still seeking to jet away for the holidays.

Capitalizing on the city’s boisterous festive atmosphere, the Romeo Hotel is now offering L’incanto del Natale a Napoli (The Enchantment of Christmas in Naples) package to immerse guests in long-standing Neapolitan holiday traditions.

Days can be spent browsing the Naples market stalls on Via San Gregorio Armeno to find the perfect handmade-stocking stuffer or a one-of-a-kind nativity crib.

At night, get the chance to indulge in another Napoli pastime – feasting on festive fare.

The Enchantment of Christmas in Naples at Romeo Hotel includes:

* Round-trip transfers from the hotel to Via San Gregorio Armeno
* Gourmet dinner in the hotel’s roof-top, fine-dining restaurant Il Comandante, which offers indigenous Naples ingredients served in surprising ways
* Classic Italian breakfast buffet daily featuring fresh melon, cured meats, cheese and assorted pastries
* Neapolitan holiday themed welcome amenity upon arrival
* 2 nights accommodations

The Romeo Hotel was designed to reflect the new face of Naples by architects Kenzo Tange Associates, the eighty-three room Design Hotel is literally a work of art.

Romeo Hotel offers guests an experience of the dual personalities of its home as both a historic city and lively commercial center through its decor. From classic Neapolitan fare in Il Comandante to both traditional and Italian-inspired Japanese sushi in Zero Sushi Bar, dining at Romeo Hotel is an international affair, while the Cigar Room and Cristallo Bar provide social spaces for mingling and cocktails.

Offering a place to escape the hectic pace of Naples, the hotel also features a roof-top 7,500 square-foot Daniela Steiner Spa, fitness center and pool offering uninterrupted views of Mt. Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples.

Please use the Contact Form below to submit your travel request and book a reservation at the Romeo Hotel in Naples. We will promptly get back to you.

Tollwood Festival

The traditional Christmas holiday Tollwood Festival is held in Munich, Germany from November 27th – December 31st 2012.

This popular Christmas market event is just a few U-Bahn stops from Marienplatz, here you’ll find live music, performing arts, and handicrafts from around the world.

This wonderful tent spectacle at the Theresienwiese (winter) or Olympiapark (summer) offers an exciting mix of international musicians and drama groups, performances and live music. Theresienwiese is where the amazing Oktoberfest beer festival occurs.

Art and culture as well as the popular market of Ideas with handicrafts and cuisine from all over the world turn a visit to Tollwood into a very special experience.

Visiting Germany anytime of the year is a wonderful luxury travel experience. There is so much to see and do traveling throughout this Western European country. The Life of Luxury can help you plan and book your trip. We can offer great pricing and VIP experiences that will create memories that will last a lifetime.

Swissotel Changsha

A new luxury hotel joins the impressive portfolio of Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts. This one is in China. Swissôtel Changsha will be part of a mixed-use development that will feature a Grade A office tower. The luxury hotel is planned to open in 2014.

The Chinese city of Changsha is the capital of Hunan Province and the transportation hub in south-central China.

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts is an international hotel group providing luxury hotels with accommodations targeted the high end of the worldwide hotel industry.

The Swissôtel Changsha hotel is a continuation of the expansion in China for Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts. The impressive Swissôtel Changsha will feature 400 luxurious rooms and suites, each with a minimum room size of 40m2. In addition, hotel guests can enjoy five restaurants and bars, over 2000m2 of meeting and banqueting space, plus recreational facilities including a Pürovel Spa.

President of Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts – Meinhard Huck was quoted, “Changsha is one of the most important economic centres in the country, and as the ‘entertainment capital of China’ it is a year-round attraction for visitors. Swissôtel Changsha is another important step in our expansion in China, where we already manage several five-star hotels, and it is significant for the growth of our brand recognition in Asia.”

The China district has become well-known for its natural environment and also an important cultural spot. Due to these attributes, the area is thriving as an affluent residential area in Changsha.

My Luxury Auctions

How would you like to enjoy an incredible 4 day – 3 night getaway for 2 people and attend the 2013 55th Annual Grammy Awards? Of course you’d love to, but what if it didn’t cost you anything to win the auction. Even better, right? Now read on and make your dream a reality.

My Luxury Auctions “MyLuxuryAuctions.com” helps everyday people achieve uncommon prestige and gives anyone a wonderful opportunity to own and experience everything that is luxury – luxury vacations, cruises, jewelry, cars, yachts, real estate and much more! The thrill of online bidding is truly an adrenalin rush – become part of this exciting trend.

The Life of Luxury (https://www.thelifeofluxury.com) has partnered with My Luxury Auctions to create and provide an array of luxury products and travel packages to auction off. The first package (valued at $12,000) we offered is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to attend the 55th Annual Grammy Music Awards scheduled for Feb. 10, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.

Grammy Music Awards

If you are the auction winner, two people will fly to Los Angeles, California on Friday then spend Saturday exploring the city’s  popular local landmarks and luxury stores. On Sunday, you’ll attend the Grammys then fly home on Monday. This amazing luxury auction travel package includes all airfare (first class) and hotel accommodations (five star or greater.)

As a leading provider of VIP Event Tickets, The Life of Luxury is very excited to partner with My Luxury Auctions and provide the best life has to offer.

With an ambitious goal of becoming the world’s best online penny auction service for luxury products, MyLuxuryAuctions.com offers people a chance to experience uncommon prestige.

I asked Jason Mottley from My Luxury Auctions what was the driving force behind the company’s concept?

A: “We realized there was an untapped market for a quality online venue which could hold high-end luxury auctions and most importantly – give back to the community through charitable donations.

Of course everybody is familiar with eBay but is not built for the luxury market. A lot more finesse and care is required with selling luxury items or assets that can be valued sometimes into the tens of millions of dollars.”

Auction sites like My Luxury Auctions provide numerous advantages over traditional auctions. Discover that many luxury items may be obtained at a fraction of their regular cost. By simply visiting, you’ll get an opportunity to bid and win a luxury product or vacation package for a whole lot less … literally pennies on the dollar.

Jason Mottley was asked about the large amount of interest and media coverage My Luxury Auctions has received so far?

A: “We’re not really surprised at all. We saw the need for such a niche. By creating this auction venue, we created a single place on the web to buy the best luxury products available. This levels the playing field the field by making luxury items within reach of almost anyone.

What we’re most proud of is the winning auction bid becomes our Auction Donation Value. MyLuxuryAuctions.com will donate this closing value of the auction price to one of five charities the winning bidder selects, including: American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Promise House and Loving My Neighbor.”

To begin, the process is quite simple. All you’ll need to get started is purchase your credits in advance then start bidding on any luxury item you like. Access high-end luxury products and services at extremely low prices.

Looking for a memorable tropical vacation? There are currently several terrific luxury vacation getaways available including a 9 day trip to Hawaii for 4 people. Begin by visiting The Big Island and Maui, then end up on the capital island of Oahu. Looking for a romantic getaway for 2, then you’re in luck. Enjoy time on the lush, Garden Island of Kauai, the tranquility of Lanai, then finish up by experiencing the true Hawaiian culture on magical Molokai.

If you have always wanted to own a luxury boat, then take a look at a 2009 Supra Sunsport 24V. This incredible red craft measures 24 feet long, and offers a 340 Hp engine. The boat holds up to 16 people and is loaded to ensure a fun-filled afternoon on the lake. If purchased new, this luxury boat would retail at around $80,000. Bid now and can you can end up winning it for just pennies on the dollar.

Don’t worry about getting a sub-par trip. Each vacation package offered is booked using only first class travel and the best accommodations. In addition, the winner will also receive a pre-paid debit card valued at thousands of dollars of instant cash available to spend as you wish!  This offering is an unheard of value-added reward.

Keep a look out for many other luxury products such as fine watches, jewelry, high fashion, vacation getaways, shopping experiences, and much more!

You’ll receive A+ service throughout the auction process. One of their Destination Experts will help the winner customize their vacation experience.

So what are you waiting for!  Please visit http://MyLuxuryAuctions.com and start bidding!

The Lodge in Verbier

The Lodge at Verbier in Switzerland is one of the few ski-in locations in the town of Verbier.

The Lodge is a privately owned ski chalet that is owned by Sir Richard Branson. This luxury lodge opened back in January of 2008 and has been a popular Swiss winter destination.

Now you have your chance to rent individual rooms at The Lodge this winter. The Lodge at Verbier is typically only takes reservations up to 18 guests at a time.

To start off the upcoming 2012-13 ski season, individual rooms can now be booked beginning December 9th. The luxurious The Lodge offers nine incredible rooms and suites in addition to a bunkroom that can accommodate up to 6 kids.

Privacy is a nice touch as the lodge is located on a quiet road surrounded by Swiss Alp forest, but close to the ski slopes.

The Lodge in Verbier is part of Sir Richard Branson’s privately owned hotel collection – Virgin Limited Edition – consisting of many award-winning luxury retreats.

The Lodge’s luxury amenities abound, as the Virgin Limited Edition sophistication influence is evident.

Escape the cold weather and swim in the luxury ski lodge’s indoor heated pool, or you can warm yourself up in the stylish indoor or outdoor Jacuzzis. The Lodge also offers fine dining offering both Swiss and international cuisine. Choose from a delicious menu or allow the talented chef to create a delicacy. The lodge’s wine cellar has a terrific selection of great tasting red and white wines.

The Lodge in Verbier jacuzzi

Individual rooms at this Swiss mountain retreat can be booked for stays of 3, 4 or 7 nights between December 9th and the 16th, 2012.* Lodge rates begin at CHF 4,200 (£2,752/$4,340**) per room for a 3 night stay and based on shared double occupancy.

Your packages includes your luxury accommodations, plus breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner. A light lunch is also served during winter for those lodge guests who do not eat on the mountain. Enjoy unlimited drinks including premium branded spirits, wine, beer and house champagne. Guests can also enjoy 24 hour driver service within the town of Verbier.

To learn more about The Lodge at Verbier or to book a reservation, please use the Contact Form below to submit your travel request.

Rhine River

Scenic Cruises is part of Scenic Tours, which provides its clients award-winning, all-inclusive escorted tours in Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and other popular destinations.

An exciting new cruise has been added to the Scenic Cruises “France River Cruising” program for 2013 – an incredible 14-night cruise from Amsterdam to Nice. This sailing combines the popular seven-night Amsterdam-to-Basel cruise followed by a new seven-night Chalon-sur-Saône-to-Arles cruise.

This is an amazing opportunity to discover the treasures of France, in addition to Germany. Cruise highlights includes – dinner in the home of a local French family near Tournon, learning about their everyday life and foods; a visit with local vintner and wine tasting in the Beaujolais village of Oignt; taking electric-assist bicycles out for a spin on the well-developed paths along the Rhine River near Koblenz; and visiting the Hockenheim Formula 1 track, including entry to the museum and an insider tour of the circuit.

The European cruise itinerary begins with one night in the canal city of Amsterdam prior to setting sail along the scenic Rhine River, which is about 600-kilometer in length. Cruise passengers end the Rhine portion in the beautiful Swiss city of Basel. Also enjoy the local charm and beauty of historic Cologne; the 2,000-year-old city of Koblenz; romantic Rüdesheim, the “city of the squares’; Mannheim; and Breisach, the German town with the Celtic name that translates into “breakwater.”

Numerous shore excursions include Cologne’s historic section; Germany’s most beautiful medieval castle, Burg Eltz; and Siegfrieds Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rudesheim, including guided tours of many of the museum’s treasured rooms.

Cruise prices for trip departures in either March, April and September range from $6,290 to $10,140 per person, double including free flights to Europe for guests booking standard staterooms (D&E category) if booked by Sept. 30, 2012.

Scenic Tours also offers three extended versions with you wan to take more time to enjoy Europe: a 20-night version, adding three nights in Paris and three in Monaco’s glamorous Monte Carlo – which includes visits to Cannes and Nice (starting at $9,930); 18 nights, from Paris to Nice (fare starting at $8,285); and 18 nights, from Amsterdam to Monte Carlo (priced from $7,935).

Please contact us to learn more or book your cruise:

Getty Images – AP Photo

As the 30th Olympiad is finally here, London, England is the host country for third time in history – a record (1908, 1948 and now in 2012).

It would be almost impossible to surpass the impressive Opening Ceremony 4 years ago in Beijing, China, but London made its statement.

The London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony was themed around the theme of the “Isle of Wonders.” The phrase reference from Caliban’s speech in the William Shakespeare classic play “The Tempest.”

The opening ceremony began with an uplifting flyover of roaring fighter jets leaving behind a trail of red, white and blue smoke. The sold-out Olympic stadium of 80,000 people loudly applauded.

This colorful Olympic ceremony was created and directed by Danny Boyle, who is widely known as director of the hit movie Slumdog Millionaire. Boyle’s vision was to share with the world a glimpse of Britain’s history.

As the opening ceremony began, groups of children positioned around the stadium floor popped balloons with each number, counting down from 10 to 1.

Popular local Bradley Wiggins, who just won the 2012 Tour de France bicycle race was shown, waving to the massive audience.

The U.K.’s pastoral landscape of grass, hedgerows and farm made way to an impressive transition to the Industrial Revolution. The 18th and 19th centuries were a defining time in Britain’s history and basis for the its powerful empire.

Getty Images – AP Photo

The stadium turned into an impress array of towering smoke stacks that rose from the ground, machinery and hundreds of workers, representing the backbone of their labor engine.

Boyle next changed the direction of the show by adding a blend of pop culture with pomp and circumstance. Queen Elizabeth and James Bond, played by Daniel Craig boarded a helicopter and flew over London’s popular sites and monuments, such as Big Ben and Houses of Parliament. The crowed roared as it was depicted that both the Queen and James Bond 007 jumped from high above the stadium and parachuted in.

Getty Images – AP Photo

Next was a tribute to British pop culture and its rich history of music. A series of video clips and songs from Britain’s most famous band and singers were heard including The Who, Rolling Stones, Beatles and Queen.

The colorful parade of nations next took center stage beginning with Greece, the birthplace of the Olympics. 204 countries will be representing during the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, featuring over 10,000 Olympic athletes with the single goal of winning a medal.

What everybody waits for is the arrival of the Olympic flame. Who else but local, East London world soccer star David Beckham could ignite the crowd. The flame was delivered from a speedboat driven by David Beckham. The flame was passed on to Steve Redgrave who is one of Britain’s greatest Olympians of all time.

Getty Images – AP Photo

The torch was then handed over to seven sports legends of the Games and then passed to seven young athletes, signifying a passing of the torch. The flames then simultaneously lit up 200 miniature torches that rose together to create a stunning cauldron in the middle of the Olympic stadium.

Getty Images – AP Photo

An incredible fireworks display lit up the skies above London. Singing legend Sir Paul McCartney led the audience with rocking performance of Beatles hit song “Hey Jude,” as the audience sang along in unison, ending the memorable ceremony. Thank you Danny Boyle.

Getty Images – AP Photo

Now … Let the London 2012 Olympic Games begin!

The Lanesborough Suite

To fully enjoy the upcoming Summer Olympics in London, stay in a luxurious London hotel suite.

London’s preeminent luxury hotel is well known to be The Lanesborough. Finding the best accommodations will be a challenge during this busy time while the Summer Olympics are underway.

We wanted to share with you one of the largest and most luxurious suites available anywhere in London – The Lanesborough Suite.

The Lanesborough Suite was designed by world-renowned interior designer Alberto Pinto. This ultra-luxury hotel suite features the ideal blend of 19th century elegance along with contemporary sophistication.

Greater than 4,000 square feet in size, this elegant hotel suite at The Lanesborough features four bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, two living rooms, a kitchen plus a dining room.

Lanesborough Suite suites can enjoy a whole package of luxury amenities including: tea and coffee upon arrival and with wake-up calls, a complimentary chauffeur driven Rolls Royce Phantom, 24-hour Butler Service, change of clothing pressed on arrival, plus numerous other luxury services.

The Lanesborough

Pricing for The Lanesborough Suite is £14,000, (approximately $21,716) per night plus VAT.

Make a stay at The Lanesborough hotel your perfect way to enjoy all that London has to offer and the Summer Olympic Games.

Ciragan Palace Kempinski

Istanbul, Turkey is a mystical place, rich in both history and culture. Istanbul is unique as the only city in the world that connects two continents.

The Bosphorus Strait connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara and lies right in the middle of Istanbul – an ancient city well known as an exotic hub of Eastern and Western culture.

Ciragan Palace Kempinski is Istanbul’s only imperial palace and the hotel is the perfect location for an accommodation for travelers who desire to explore this beautiful body of water and immerse themselves in true Turkish culture.

As a way to experience the Bosphorus at its best, visitors can enjoy a dinner cruise, a romantic and elegant way to see some of Istanbul’s historical and contemporary landmarks, opulent Ottoman palaces and structures; and a ferry ride on the Turkish Maritime Lines (TML) where you can step off at Andalou Kavagi, a unique little village known for its delicious fish restaurants.

If you want a personal touch, Ciragan’s well-trained concierge offers customized itineraries for guests who want a unique, personal adventure.

Don’t miss the chance to walk along the path of a prince or princess up to the ruins of the Byzantine Castle fortress to see spectacular views of the strait that joins the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara.

A stay at the Ciragan Palace Kempinski is not complete without the exploration of both shores of the Bosphorus on a cruise. Starting at the Ciragan Palace, the boat will take you along the European side of Istanbul, and you will see the Ortakoy neighborhood, a trendy area that can also be explored by foot as it is only a five minute walk from the hotel.

Ortakoy, once literally “the village in the middle,” is now amongst Istanbul’s coolest and most artsy neighborhoods with trendy boutiques, plenty of outdoor cafés and bistros, and crowds of young, sophisticated locals and visitors.

As you pass the Ortakoy area, take in the majestic view of the Bosphorus Bridge which connects the two continents. As the boat turns towards the Asian shores, be sure to admire the particular architectural style of this area characterized by wooden mansions and marble palaces.

A top attractions is the Beylerbeyi Palace (which means “Lord of Lords” in Turkish), located in the Beylerbeyi neighborhood of Istanbul. An Imperial Ottoman summer residence built in the 1860s, it is now situated immediately north of the 1973 Bosphorus Bridge.

After a full day out enjoying the water, lift up your feet and be treated like royalty. Lounge on the balcony of any of Ciragan’s 313 rooms, 80 percent of which overlook the Bosphorus, ensuring a glorious view.

To learn more or book a reservation, please contact us at:

Sightseeing in Malaga, Spain, is wonderful. As a visitor, you will feel like you are back in the days of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.

Did you know Malaga was founded during the Phoenician era?

You can still see evidence of ancient ruins as well as those from the Roman and Moorish eras. Malaga Spain, is proud of its ancient heritage.