DFS Galleria Waikiki

The luxury DFS Galleria Waikiki shopping mall is located in the heart of Waikiki, Oahu.

Known as one of the world’s leading shopping destinations for international travelers, DFS Galleria Waikiki offers the world’s finest brands.

DFS Galleria Waikiki is a 175,000 square foot luxury retail shopping. In addition to best in luxury retail, DFS Galleria Waikiki also offers other shopping experiences, including the new Waikiki Luxury Walk and the all-luxury Duty Free floor.

On the first floor, you can find the Waikiki Luxury Walk. It features top branded boutiques such as Emporio Armani, Coach, Emilio Pucci, Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Chloé, Marc by Marc Jacobs, See by Chloé, and Loewe.

To quench your hunger and thirst, enjoy the Food Hall and Starbucks.

On the second floor, you can find a variety of luxury perfumes and cosmetics, Hawaiian jewelery, sunglasses, fashion apparel, plus stylish handbags and accessories.

Up on the third floor of the DFS Galleria Waikiki, which is better known as the duty free level, you can shop at designer boutiques and purchase high fashion apparel, handbags and accessories, scarves and ties, fashion jewelery, fine watches, and of course liquor and tobacco, all at tax free prices.

Shoppers can access all three floors of the DFS Galleria Waikiki, but only those traveling on a non-stop international flight from Honolulu International Airport, are allowed to buy any duty free items.

Oahu’s DFS Galleria Waikiki is open daily from 9am to 11pm.

Bellagio Winter Wonderland – Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

The world-famous Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Las Vegas has just completed its incredible transformation and has turned into a winter wonderland …. just in time for the Christmas holidays.

The iconic Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden is visited by more than 6.5 million people a year!

Filled with picture-perfect botanical creations and the magical sounds and colors of the season, the spectacular Winter Wonderland display will be open to guests from December 3 through January 2.

The transformation is truly amazing. It’s a week-long process that includes between 50-75 people, who work 24 hours a day for six days straight.

Here is a list of the some of the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens exhibit’s major features:

· The exhibit will feature over 16,000 flowers to start the show.

· The dazzling centerpiece will be a stately 42-foot Shasta Fir from Mount Shasta, California covered in 7,000 lights and 1,800 ornaments.

· Eight reindeer, each comprised of 110 pounds of whole pecans, will be captured in mid-flight surrounding the holiday tree.

· A family of 28 adult and baby penguins will come to life, waddling on a patch of arctic terrain.

· A polar bear family adorned with coats made of 16,000 white carnations will tug on the heartstrings of visitors.

· Five twinkling gold holiday ornaments, ranging in size from 4-feet to 8-feet tall, will welcome guests amid dancing water.

Bellagio Winter Wonderland – Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

The world-famous Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Las Vegas has just completed its incredible transformation and has turned into a winter wonderland …. just in time for the Christmas holidays.

The iconic Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden is visited by more than 6.5 million people a year!

Filled with picture-perfect botanical creations and the magical sounds and colors of the season, the spectacular Winter Wonderland display will be open to guests from December 3 through January 2.

The transformation is truly amazing. It’s a week-long process that includes between 50-75 people, who work 24 hours a day for six days straight.

Here is a list of the some of the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens exhibit’s major features:

· The exhibit will feature over 16,000 flowers to start the show.

· The dazzling centerpiece will be a stately 42-foot Shasta Fir from Mount Shasta, California covered in 7,000 lights and 1,800 ornaments.

· Eight reindeer, each comprised of 110 pounds of whole pecans, will be captured in mid-flight surrounding the holiday tree.

· A family of 28 adult and baby penguins will come to life, waddling on a patch of arctic terrain.

· A polar bear family adorned with coats made of 16,000 white carnations will tug on the heartstrings of visitors.

· Five twinkling gold holiday ornaments, ranging in size from 4-feet to 8-feet tall, will welcome guests amid dancing water.

The 2011 holiday exhibit at the complimentary to the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is open to the public – seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Happy Holidays from the Bellagio !

Andre’s Restaurant & Lounge at Monte Carlo

Andre’s at Monte Carlo is a AAA Four Diamond restaurant featuring celebrated chef André Rochat.

Plan on enjoying an unforgettable Las Vegas New Year’s Eve meal at Andre’s at Monte Carlo.

Legendary Las Vegas chef and restaurant namesake André Rochat has created a fine dining menu to perfectly capture both the energy and excitement of a Las Vegas New Year’s Eve celebration.

Utilizing an eclectic approach on a classic, Andre’s at Monte Carlo restaurant meshes the finest style of dining with a comfortable, elegant setting.

The New Year’s Eve meal at Andre’s Restaurant at Monte Carlo will definitely please the palette.

The multi-course New Year’s Eve menu begins with an amuse of kumamoto oyster, sea water granité and caviar followed by a choice of chilled foie gras terrine with brioche toast, pistachio butter and cassis gastrique or a succulent lobster salad with hibiscus gelée, lotus root, frissée and truffle cream. Next, indulge in the flavor of either maitaki mushroom soup with winter truffle and crispy artichoke or jumbo sea scallop with a roasted jewel yam, citrus butter and salsify chip. Then, cleanse and invigorate the palette with a sparkling grapefruit intermezzo.

Next, enjoy a delicious main course consisting of Andre’s Maine lobster thermidor served with asparagus and hollandaise or roasted duck breast featuring beluga lentil cassoulet and braised romaine roasted quince jus or provimi veal loin with foie gras, jumbo asparagus hollandaise and anna potato with black truffle and aged armagnac. The holiday meal also includes a red and white Belgium endive salad with Gruyère cheese and a mild mustard dressing.

Last but not least is dessert. The amazing meal is finally topped off with three sweet treats in Andre’s New Year’s Eve dessert trio. It’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth

You can enjoy the chef-selected New Year’s Eve meal on Friday, Dec. 31, 2010. The cost is only $175 per person.

For additional information and reservations, please call (702) 798-7151

Andre’s Restaurant & Lounge
Monte Carlo Resort and Casino
3770 Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Experience Fascinating Florence, Italy.

The fascinating city of Florence is one of the most popular cities in all of Italy. Florence offers a wide variety of attractions for tourists of all ages.

Florence is truly a Renaissance city in the heart of the Tuscany region. It includes many of Italy’s best museums, spectacular churches and cathedrals, as well as intriguing streets and squares with elegant buildings and quaint shops.

There is almost no time of year one cannot find events somewhere in Florence Italy. There are parades, parties, festivals, exhibits, and fun almost every week. Many of the city’s events last for several months. People can enjoy the festive environment and sincere love of the Italian people for a fun and entertaining time.

The year starts off with fireworks, parades, and parties with the New Year’s Eve celebrations which take place throughout Florence. This party and several fashion shows are held throughout the month of January. This time creates an exciting place for visitor to enjoy the excitement of fashion and the great food that Florence offers.

February brings Italy’s largest carnival which lasts throughout the month. This carnival includes street festivals, dancing, street acrobats, and festivities throughout the city. A person can spend time in the plaza with the actors and performers and talk about the history and tradition of the carnival in Italy.

The month of April is another that will take a visitor on an adventure in both the culture and love of life shared by the Italian people. One begins the month with the Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart). This parade and party begins on Easter Sunday and includes a huge fireworks display on a cart that is set ablaze by a dove that comes from the cathedral on a wire.

In May, the Festa del Grillo/Cricket Festival is held and crickets in woven cages are released by their owners for good luck. This festival includes parades, food, wine, and dancing. Through the rest of May and early June the Maggio Musicale is held celebrating the city’s major arts festival. This event in Florence Italy include concerts, dancing, outdoor theatre, and ballet performances.

Also in June one can participate in the Calcio in Costume/Football in Costume which is held in the Piazza di Santa Croce. There are parades, parties, food, wine, and a game that combines football and rugby is played by regional champions. The Estate Fiesolana/Fiesole Summer held right after this festival celebrates music, arts, drama, dance and film.

Through the months of June to December there are regular parades, parties, festivals, dancing, and exhibits. The Festival Puccianiano performs the composer’s operas in an open air theater by the lake near his home through the early winter.

The Giostra del Saraceno is a huge event that starts with a parade through Florence with participants in costumes. It ends with a party in the Piazza Grande. This medieval-style joust is something that one shouldn’t miss.

Nearby Tuscany is another popular destination for people who want to experience the best of Italy. Tuscany is rich in natural beauty, artistic and culinary treasures. Enjoy your stay in a luxury Tuscany villa. Another popular choice is an exclusive Tuscany villa with pool where you can enjoy beautiful local views and relax by the villa’s private pool.

The Gleneagles Hotel – Perthshire

Scotland, UK – Four Luxury Reasons to Visit.

Five star hotels:
Scotland has been popular with royalty and the rich and famous for hundreds of years. Whether for country pursuits in the highlands, golf at St Andrews – birthplace of the modern game, or visiting the cities of Glasgow or Edinburgh, Scotland has luxury hotels to match. One of the original and best known is The Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, perhaps the most famous of the 5 star hotels in Scotland. The hotel’s world-class facilities and remote location in the foothills of the Scottish highlands were some of the reasons it was chosen to host the G8 Summit of world leaders in 2005, and its famous golf courses have been selected for the 2014 Ryder Cup.

Whisky:
Scotch whisky has to be Scotland’s most famous international export? To be rightfully called Scotch, the spirit has to be aged in oak barrels in Scotland for a minimum of 3 years. Malt whisky can be blended from different distillings of malt barley, but for purists it has to be Single Malt – pure unmixed whisky from one of the many distilleries around the country, each with their distinct favours. Aging in oak barrels develops the taste and the length of time allowed for this adds both interest for the connoisseur and naturally, the price paid for a dram… With prices for a 55 year old single bottle from a famous distillery such as Macallan reaching $25,000, Scotch whisky really is one of life’s luxuries!

Food:
Scotland is a popular destination for fine dining. In the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, recent years have seen a huge growth in excellent restaurants offering a regional variation on the vogue for Modern British cuisine. As in London and other UK cities, the modern trend for regional fine dining, using the finest locally-available ingredients has really taken off in Scotland. Utilizing a choice of excellent fish and seafood from the shores around the Scottish coast, high quality meat and produce, and a heritage of traditional recipes; Scotland has some fantastic new restaurants rapidly gaining an international reputation.

Entertainment & Shopping:
Scotland’s capital Edinburgh hosts a world-famous arts festival annually in the month of August. The Edinburgh International Festival showcases performances from the world’s leading musicians and orchestras, and is a famous fixture on the worldwide performing arts calendar. For sporting fans, the annual rugby match between England and Scotland is a spectacular occasion that elicits passions based on the ancient rivalry between the unified nations. The luxury hotels of Edinburgh are busy during this popular time to visit the city. For those disinterested by sport, shopping may be an alternative attraction… Scotland’s major cities have an interesting mix of boutiques and major label stores, such as in Edinburgh’s St Andrews Square district. Scotland has a number of unique luxury products on offer, in particular very high-quality cashmere along with unique tweeds – perhaps most famously Harris Tweed, which has been woven on the Hebridean island of Harris for hundreds of years.

Munich, Germany is full of popular beer gardens, magnificent public spaces and buildings with ornate stucco facades. Tradition and modernism rub shoulders in Munich as in no other German city.

The small town charm of many Munich districts stands in great contrast with the hectic pace of big city life on the Marienplatz or along the sidewalks of Maximilian Street. Quite aside from the famed Oktoberfest held each autumn, this city on the Isar River offers visitors an abundance of architectural treasures.

During the course of the last century, Munich has become one of Germany’s most important media and business centres. Munich’s unique combination of Blackberries and lederhosen have made the city one of the most popular business and tourism destinations in Europe.

From Petersbergl to Munich. Monks settled on the Isar in the eighth century, building Tegernsee Monastery at the place they called Petersbergl. The crypt of the church of St. Peter, Munich’s oldest, dates back to the early Middle Ages. In the twelfth century Heinrich the Lion, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, founded the city of Munich around St. Peter’s. Under the command of this powerful duke, Munich became an important city. It was the official residence of the Bavarian dukes from 1255 and named the capital city of Bavaria in 1506.

A square for football celebrations. Just as Munich is the heart of Bavaria, the Marienplatz is the heart of the city, the most popular and best known of the many squares in Munich. The new city hall is on the north side of the square, with the old city hall, the Rathaus, on its eastern side. St. Peter’s is just a few meters away. The famous and beloved Bayern Munchen football team has traditionally celebrated its championship titles on the Marienplatz with thousands of enthusiastic fans.

Munich conjures up images of Oktoberfest, the Hofbrauhaus, shady beer gardens and people wearing lederhosen and dirndl. All of these images are accurate, but Munich is more than simply a bastion of Bavarian traditions. The city is one of Germany’s most important publishing and television centres, for example. Many publishing houses, radio and television stations, film production companies and music studios are headquartered in the media city of Munich. As a result, Munich is home to more actors, artists, TV producers and stars than any other German city.

Summer residence of the Bavarian monarchs. The celebrities of the past, the Bavarian dukes, princes and kings, also resided in Munich. Their legacy has left the city with a number of fascinating historical drawcards. There are so many to choose from, visitors may have a hard time deciding which of the many sights to head for first.

Nymphenburg Palace and its park should be near the top of the list. The former summer residence of the Bavarian rulers, Schloss Nymphenburg is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bavaria today. Its elaborate interior furnishings, including King Ludwig I’s almost surreally ornate “Gallery of Beauties” should not be missed.

Symbol of Munich. The twin towers of Munich’s most famous symbol, the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Lady), are 99 metres tall. Duke Sigismund laid the cornerstone of Munich’s most beloved church on 9 February 1468. Today the Frauenkirche is officially the Cathedral Church of the Archbishops of Munich and Freisling. Its towers can be seen for miles around, is in part because the city administration prohibits the construction of any building within Munich’s central ring taller than 99 metres. New construction of taller buildings further away from the centre has been permitted in the past, but is currently under review. Only the south tower of the Frauenkirche can be climbed. It offers a unique view of Munich, its surroundings, and the nearby Alps, which on clear days appear to be close enough to touch.

PURE Nightclub in Las Vegas brings together the allure of the red carpet, the promise of intimate moments and the pulse-quickening sounds of the hottest DJs to produce the most dynamic nightlife destination in the world’s most dynamic city.

With an unparalleled view of the Las Vegas Strip, PURE symbolizes a new standard in Las Vegas nightlife. With three distinct experiences enveloped in two stories of decadence, PURE is not just a nightclub; it is The Strip’s first nightlife destination.

At 36,000 square feet, PURE is three venues in one, each featuring its own DJ, sound system and sexy style.Strikingly stylish, the club features three bars, oversized bed seating and a raised VIP area that overlooks an luminous dance floor.

Ride upstairs in the glass elevator, or ascend PURE’s dramatic twisting staircase to the 14,000 square foot terrace, a hidden enclave four stories high offering incredible panoramic views of Sin City’s jewel box: The Strip.

Catering to a discerning, upscale clientele – an evening at PURE ranges from intimate to extravagant.

Easily one of the biggest attractions on the island of Kauai is Waimea Canyon – it’s been called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” and when you see it you’ll understand why.

Located in Hawaii, Waimea Canyon is more than 10 miles long, 1 mile wide and 3,000 feet deep – and the rosy, warm colors are reminiscent of the Grand Canyon on the mainland. But Waimea Canyon has one big thing that its mainland counterpart could never boast – proximity to world-class surfing.

Like the Grand Canyon in the American Southwest, Waimea Canyon on Hawaii’s Kauai island was formed by a river – the Waimea River – over millennia. But quite unique to Waimea Canyon, the whole process was aided by a major collapse in the earth during a massive volcanic eruption.

The same volcano which created the island of Kauai itself also helped create the rift which became the Waimea River bed. And because the island’s highest peak, Mount Wai’ale’ale, holds the distinction of being one of the wettest places on earth, the river was fed by a steady – and heavy – diet of rainfall, which helped further cut into the earth and create Waimea Canyon.

Today, Waimea Canyon is part of a state park which covers almost 1,900 acres with lots of great hiking trails at all experience levels and a wilderness area. You can get to many great lookout spots from your car, too, if you don’t feel like getting your feet dirty. But if you’re planning to do a lot of driving to see the canyon, be aware that there aren’t any gas stations along the 40-mile stretch of Waimea Canyon Drive – so be sure to start with a full tank!

Waimea Canyon State Park borders another state park in Kauai – Koke’e State Park – and actually the rangers station/visitors center for Waimea Canyon is located in Koke’e State Park. The museum at Koke’e State Park also houses the rangers station, where you can find hiking maps of the canyon and surrounding park lands.

Location:From Lihue, drive southwest on Kuhio Highway (HI-56), which turns into Kaumualii Highway (HI-50), into Waimea. Turn right on Waimea Canyon Drive (HI-550).

Hours: Daily during daylight hours

Surf Lanai Restaurant – The Royal Hawaiian

The Surf Lanai Restaurant is located in the luxurious The Royal Hawaiian Hotel on Oahu. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel is also known as the “Pink Lady” … a truly Hawaiian landmark.

Surf Lanai Restaurant is a terrific outdoor restaurant, that showcases a wide variety mainland classic dishes that are dressed with local Hawaiian ingredients, and served with Hawaiian style.

This upscale, outdoor beachside cafe can be found next to the The Royal Hawaiian Hotel pool.

The Surf Lanai Restaurant serves both a great tasting al fresco breakfast, as well as a delicious lunch service.

Kukui’s Restaurant – Kauai Marriott Resort

Kukui’s Restaurant is a relaxed, open-air restaurant that overlooks the lush poolside setting at the luxurious Kauai Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach.

Both resort guests as well as locals and other visitors can enjoy a casual meal while dining in a tropical setting.

Kukui’s Restaurant serves both breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is served between 6:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Monday to Saturday and from 6:30 am – 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.

Dinner is available daily from 5:00pm – 10:00pm.

For breakfast, Kukui’s Restaurant features a permanent all-you-can-eat buffet or you can order from their menu.

Breakfast menu selections consist of  Kalbi Steak & Eggs, Fried Rice Omelet, Hawaiian Omelet, Nawiliwili Meat Lover’s Scramble, or The Best Banana Mac Nut Buttermilk Pancake Stack.

We had the buffet each morning during our stay and truly enjoyed the variety of choices including: pancakes, waffles, rice, eggs, bacon, ham, french toast, salads, pastries, breads, fresh fruit, cereals, oatmeal and more. Several tasty juices are also available.

So before you start your day, be sure to enjoy your breakfast at the Kukui’s Restaurant buffet. The buffet is definitely worth the money and Kukui’s Restaurant is clearly our choice for Best Buffet on Kauai.

For dinner, soak in the beauty of Kauai by having a terrific meal near the lush poolside setting and overlooking beautiful Kalapaki Bay.

The dinner menu offers both local Hawaiian and Pacific Rim entrees. You’ll find a wide selection of salads, fresh fish, chicken, steak, pork and even meatloaf.

I really enjoyed the fish special that night and had Mahi-Mahi along with a Tiger Shrimp Crunch Salad. Be sure to leave room for delicious dessert selections. I had the decadent Chocolate Lau Lau dessert and it was fabulous.

The restaurant service is superb as we were consistently treated with gracious Hawaiian hospitality.

For an unforgettable meal, we highly recommend Kukui’s Restaurant on Kalapaki Beach!

For additional information, please visit: http://www.kukuis.kauaimarriott.com

Kristiania Lech Hotel – Austria

Looking for luxury hotel this winter but something without the large crowds and a little more intimate?

We are featuring three luxury hotels from Europe, New Zealand and the U.S., offered by Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), so choose from a dazzling choice of ski and winter breaks to enjoy your luxury getaway in style.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World features an unrivaled portfolio of some of the world’s finest small independent hotels, consisting of over 520 hotels in more than 70 countries,

These luxury hotels also feature a wide range of action packed activities, including glacier tours, heli-skiing and hiking. Wanting some more relaxing, then try several rejuvenating options, including après ski fun, spa treatments and horse riding.

Europe:

Kristiania Lech Hotel, Lech am Arlberg, Austria – www.slh.com/kristiania

Situated in stunning alpine scenery and only a short walk from Lech, the upmarket ski resort, Kristiania Lech Hotel has a very friendly and warm feel. The vibrant resort of St. Anton is also nearby for those seeking a livelier après ski. Rooms are luxurious and very classic and have beautiful views across the village of Lech. Kristiania offers a high level of personalized and flexible service. From ski guides to demonstrate the runs and local mountains, to a ski and leisure consultant, you will be told all the local secrets and discover the best places to see throughout your stay. Lech boasts an excellent range of slopes to suit all levels. Slightly more adventurous skiers can try heli-skiing at the resort, which is which is the only place in Austria where it is permitted. Rejuvenate after an action filled day with a spa treatment or simply lay back on the sun deck with one of the many types of malts from the hotel’s well-stocked cellar. Kristiania Lech offers SLH guests a Silver Ski Escape package for friends and family to enjoy the renowned snow in Lech.

Silver Ski Package – Book seven nights at Kristiania Lech hotel between 2 December 2011 and 22 April 2012 and receive daily breakfast and a five course gourmet dinner, champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries and daily newspaper, based on two people sharing.

Price from €380 per room, per night based on double occupancy.

United States:

Castle Hill Resort and Spa, Cavendish, USA – www.slh.com/castlehill

A smart 20^th century governor’s mansion located in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Castle Hill Resort and Spa is an elegant property with noticeable period features. This family-friendly resort offers a magnificent variety of unique snow sports such as snow tubing and Nordic skiing, challenging terrain (for the more daring skier!) and a park for boarders to spend their time.

Latest Offer – Book a minimum of 3 days at Castle Hill Resort and Spa between 20 November 2011 to 30 April 2012 and receive daily breakfast, one four-course dinner for 2 (alcoholic drinks not included) and a two-day ticket to Okemo for two people. Price from USD $999 per room, per 3 night stay, exclusive of tax.

New Zealand:

Blanket Bay, Queenstown, New Zealand – www.slh.com/blanketbay

SLH offers skiing opportunities all year round – and come summer, New Zealand is the place to head for excellent skiing from June onwards. Known as one of the world’s most secluded hideaways, Blanket Bay is at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by breathtaking views of the Humboldt Mountains. For the fearless skier looking for a challenge, heli-skiing is available from the hotel between June – September. The lodge arranges a vast array of activities, tours and adventures to ensure guests can experience the beauty of this area.