East England is full of unexpected pleasures and Lindisfarne is no exception.

Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, is located 12km to the south of Berwick-upon-Tweed

Lindisfarne is connected to the mainland of Northumberland by a causeway.

Walking into Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas is like stepping back into ancient Rome in its heyday but with every modern convenience.

Caesars Palace is Las Vegas. Period. Caesars Palace replicates the vibrance and decadence for which the Romans are remembered.

It is the original themed hotel and casino and the service and quality they provide has always been at the top. Located in the center of all the action Caesars Palace will overwhelm you with its size and its grandeur.

From gambling to upscale shopping in the Forums to dining in some of the finest restaurants in Vegas, this hotel has it all. Although it is located on the strip, except for visiting some of the shows at various hotels, you may never have to leave this hotel during your entire stay.

The amenity list is too long to list but here are a few highlights.

You can relax in their stress melting spa, have your hair done in their salon, watch one of your favorite performers at the Colosseum, shop ’til you drop in one of their 120 upscale shops, play golf at either Cascata Golf or Rio Secco.

You can also dance or socialize at one of their many clubs, or swim in one of their gigantic pools.

The new Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, formerly the Hyatt Regency Kauai, is a luxurious 602-room resort recognized by the most respected travel publications as one of top tropical resorts anywhere in the world.

Located on 50 ocean front acres, the Hawaii resort on Kauai is elegant, yet casual and captures the classic, timeless beauty of the islands. Its architecture is reminiscent of Hawaii during the 1920s and ’30s, creating a romantic sense of place that evokes an emotional connection with the land and its people.

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa is thoughtfully built into a hillside overlooking beautiful Keoneloa Bay, blending into the lush mantle of rolling green mountains, and sloping gently to the Pacific and five acres of man-made lagoons that blend with a white sand beach.

The award-winning ANARA Spa recently completed a multi-million dollar expansion and renovation. The project added five new elegant open-air hale (thatched roof bungalows). Each hale now features its own exclusive lava rock shower and steam grotto.

Each of Anara’s personalized spa services embrace elements of traditional Hawaiian healing to release your mind from stress, promote optimum health in your body, and achieve lightness in your spirit, enabling a profound sense of harmony, or lokahi.

The recently renovated guest rooms offer a spacious 600 square feet and each room includes: a private lanai, a separate seating area, elegant Hawaiian style furnishings, air conditioning and ceiling fans, double marble sinks in each bathroom and expected amenities such as remote control color TV with cable reception, in-room safe, high speed internet access, and three telephones including one portable phone.

Close to 70 percent of the rooms provide an ocean or partial ocean view. The remainders are lagoon, garden and mountain views.

Within the resort are six restaurants and lounges, including two of Kauai’s finest dining establishments—Tidepools and Dondero’s. Stevenson’s Library, a favorite gathering place for cocktails and pupus (appetizers) offers fun atmosphere and nightly entertainment.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa
1571 Poipu Road,
Koloa, Hawaii, USA 96756
Visit their web site

What is the life of luxury? Could it be owning your own private jet with a pilot ready at a moment’s notice to whisk you away to your favorite Caribbean Island?

Or, could it be spending $37,200 a night for a room?  That’s right. $37,200 per night.

According to Forbes, the most expensive hotel room in the world is the Penthouse Suite at Hotel Martinez in Cannes, France.

So, what do you get for a year’s salary? A private entrance, four bedrooms, plasma TV, open bar, a Jacuzzi, and the most important amenity of all — bragging rights.

For more information, or to book, you can directly contact Hotel Martinez.

Via Bellagio at the Bellagio Las Vegas is one of the most elite shopping streets in the city.

Here, high-end retailers, such as Hermes, Tiffany and Co., Chanel, Dior, Yves St. Laurent, and Giorgio Armani compete for shoppers’ attention.

Via Bellagio, the shopping arcade at the Bellagio hotel-casino, is luxury at its finest. To call it expensive would be an understatement — you could plunk down a year’s salary in less than an hour, no matter what you make. But if you’re looking to do some high-end shopping (or just observe it), the Bellagio is the place to go.

Tiffany & Co. also features the designs of Elsa Peretti, with fashionable pens that cost no more than their equivalent elsewhere (unless purchased in 18-carat gold), sterling silver baby accessories, frames and paperweights. Designer Paloma Picasso’s jewelry also is featured.

Hermes is the perfect stop if you’re looking for finely made silk scarves, ties and suits. Chanel has a great handbag collection. Moschino, Giorgio Armani and Prada will keep your wardrobe up-to-date with the latest styles from the runway.

The shops are on the second level, at the entrance — a refreshing change for those used to hotel shops stuck in the back of the building. Definitely worth a stop — if for nothing else than the time-honored tradition of window-shopping!

The Bauer Il Palazzo in Venice, Italy was awarded one of the world’s ten best romantic hotels by Five Star Alliance.

An intimate boutique hotel within the heart of Venice, Bauer Il Palazzo is a truly authentic, Venetian-style palazzo overlooking Venice’s Grand Canal. More like a sophisticated home than a hotel, it is both elegant and luxurious.

Bauer Il Palazzo, with its stunning Gothic facade, reflects Venetian opulence at its best, with lavish decor and furnishings designed for the ultimate in comfort for visitors to Venice.

Benefiting from the most spectacular vantage point in Venice, Bauer Il Palazzo is conveniently located just steps from St Mark’s Square, and is close to Venice’s finest shops, museums and sights.

With its own private boat dock on the Grand Canal, guests arriving at Bauer Il Palazzo are greeted by the hotel’s sumptuous lobby, decorated in wood paneling and antique veneered Venetian panels, a lasting impression that is reflected in the unique decor and attention to detail in each of the hotel’s guest rooms and suites.

Experience the real Venice in the most elegant, romantic, private Venetian palazzo at Bauer Il Palazzo. Full article

Aureole at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas is one of the fine-dining experiences around. It’s four stories of probably the finest wine collection in all of Las Vegas.

Charlie Palmer just does things right. His restaurants are always good and the same can be said for Auroele. It is as much of an event to eat there as it is a culinary foray into the depths of the limitations of your taste buds.

The wine list is exceptional and it is a small PDA that lists what seemed like a million bottles,(actually about 10,000). Get a good look at the wine tower and imagine yourself leaping off of that thing with an expensive vintage.The dining room is open and comfortable and feels like you walked right into a designers dreams. The lines of the place give it a very modern look.
You might try the rack of lamb in sweet garlic and any of the number of seafood dishes. The sole or the salmon it really does not matter they are all prepared with such care and served by a staff that knows how to do things right.

My wife had a very creative Halibut, the menu changes seasonally and I can only assume that everything is this good.   Article by Zeke Quezada, About.com

Wet Republic, an alluring 53,000-square-foot ultra pool combining an exclusive nightlife vibe with poolside pampering and relaxation.

An adults-only mecca for discerning party goers, the glitterati and celebrities, Wet Republic will feature distinct experiences within a series of intimate spaces and redefine poolside entertainment as the first ultra pool in the world’s sexiest city.

Elite VIP service, high-end amenities and renowned entertainers will be the standard at Wet Republic.

While Wet Republic’s main area will entertain the crowds, the highest level will serve as an exclusive escape with six VIP bungalows, three private spas and dedicated restrooms.

Bathed in beiges, browns and ruby red, the ultramodern bungalows will be decked out with plush offerings including a king-sized day bed, teakwood furniture, giant flat screen TV, video game console with the latest games, DVD library, fully stocked mini fridge, ceiling fan, telephone, personal safe and more. Complimentary Wi-Fi will be offered throughout Wet Republic. Sheer drapery will offer optional seclusion for moments of privacy.

Each bungalow will boast a panoramic view of Wet Republic and have pool-goers salivating for a chance to reign at the top of the party scene.  Full review

Photo by: Dale Walsh

Bubba Gumps is a really fun place to dine. Shrimp heaven to say the least. Ocean front dining in Lahaina, Bubba Gumps is a great place to stop for lunch. The menu is moderate in price starting at $12.95 and capping at about $22.00.

Bubba Gump’s is like a box of chocolates!  You never know what the great tasting food you’re going to eat there.

Bubba Gumps is open for both lunch and dinner. The menu is the same all day, so take advantage of the ambience during the day for lunch, or and early dinner. The views are outstanding of the waterfront.

The fun at Bubba Gumps begins with the license plates on the table. The license plates (sign) flips up with one side stating “Run Forrest Run” and the other side stating “Stop Forrest Stop”.

If you want the server to stop the license plate must be showing “Stop Forrest Stop”. You will be surprised how quick they stop when you flip the sign over. The staff at Bubba Gump will also come around to the tables and quiz you on the movie Forrest Gump.

The very best thing about Bubba Gump’s is the view. Do whatever you can to sit at one of the tables that overlook the water. Then order a blue Hawaiian,  throw back some fried stuff, and enjoy the scenery.

Good food and good service. A must for dining in Lahaina, Maui.

Staying at the Halekulani on Oahu is a real treat. If you’re used to luxury or simply want luxury on your vacation, consider staying at this resort, located directly on Waikiki Beach.

The Halekulani offers an unmatched service that starts already at check-in, where you’ll be escorted right to your room to do all the formalities there. A box of chocolates and a fresh fruit platter will be waiting for you.

About 90 percent of all rooms have some sort of ocean view. All are oversized and have a spacious bath with a deep tub and separate shower and a large, furnished balcony. Of course, you’ll also have other luxurious amenities, such as a DVD player and wireless Internet access.

Many things are for free here, such as room safes, local calls, valet parking, the newspaper, cribs and entertainment. For an extra touch of luxury, you can book the Royal Suite, which comes with a personal butler, an airport limo, a baby grand piano and breakfast in the suite.

The Halekulani has 455 units spread out over 5 buildings. It includes 5 conference rooms and a business center. For guests interested in culture, the hotel supplies free tickets to some of the city’s cultural offerings, such as the Honolulu Symphony, the Honolulu Academy of Arts, the Contemporary Museum, the Bishop Museum and the Iolani Palace.

If you’re health conscious, you’ll like their fitness center and spa, which offers various body treatments drawn from Asian, Hawaiian and South Pacific healing traditions. The hotel’s food services are outstanding and everything is created there, from chocolates, pastries, ice creams to breads.

Are there any disadvantages, you ask? Well, there is small one. It’s their beach. Unfortunaltey, it’s small and partially lined by a seawall. But otherwise, it’s a relaxing place to stay and probably won’t leave a wish open.

One of the most popular attractions at The Mirage Hotel & Casino is the aquarium located behind the front desk. This 20,000-gallon saltwater aquarium is home to angelfish, puffer fish, tangs and other exotic sea creatures.

Information:
Managed by The Mirage’s own in-house aquarists, the aquarium accommodates more than 1,000 coral reef animals representing 60 species from Australia, Hawaii, Tonga, Fiji, the Red Sea, the Marshall Islands, the Sea of Cortez and the Caribbean. These sea animals were all selected for their adaptability to the environment and compatibility with other species.

One of the most elaborate and technically advanced aquariums in the world, the tank is 53 feet long, eight feet from top to bottom, and six feet from front to back. The acrylic used in the aquarium is 4 inches thick.

The interior was carefully created to simulate an intricately detailed, artificial coral reef. To preserve the living reefs in the ocean, no live coral is used in the tank.