The luxurious Spa By Mandara is located in the trendy Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. It’s a full service salon that features both suites and private rooms.

Original antiques decorate the 32,000-square-foot Spa By Mandara, which has become an oasis for guests escaping the hustle and bustle of the Las Vegas strip.

There are 30 treatment rooms with some rooms specifically for couples with Jacuzzi baths, a large relaxation area, and a separate hair and nail salon.

Treatments include facials, massage, body wraps and floats, salon services, nail care, waxing services, makeup artistry, and tooth whitening services.

Spa By Mandara offers its customers – one-on-one Pilates sessions are available as well as personal training sessions, poolside Yoga (in-season only), stretching with core training sessions, and body composition analysis.

One of the spa’s signature treatments is the Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial, a new clinically tested facial by Elemis which aids in increasing skin smoothness and surface texture. Complimentary consultations and refreshments are also available.  Source: Spafinder.com

Hope you enjoy reading our luxury blog for the best Las Vegas travel deals and luxury getaway packages. Live a VIP lifestyle!

Courtesy of: The Lanesborough

The Lanesborough (a St. Regis Hotel) in London, is a luxury hotel located on world famous Hyde Park Corner.

The Lanesborough opened in 1991 and has been a landmark place to stay for the affluent, ever since. The luxury hotel was created inside the empty walls of the former St. George’s Hospital.

With Christmas quickly nearing, The Lanesborough is offering several holiday promotions for their honored guests.

o From December 13 – January 3 The Lanesborough is offering special holiday rates which include Champagne and petit fours, daily car parking, Sony VAIO laptops in all guest rooms, high-speed wireless internet access, unlimited movies on demand, fresh fruit and mineral water replenished daily, tea and coffee on arrival and with wake-up calls, as well as 24-hour Butler Service. Nightly rates start at 355 GBP for a deluxe double to 575 GBP for an Executive Junior Suite.

o From the 1st November 2009, ‘Apsleys – a Heinz Beck Restaurant’ at The Lanesborough offers its collaboration with Dom Pérignon, a nine course tasting menu. Served throughout November and December, the Heinz Beck and Dom Pérignon tasting menu represents the exclusive partnership of two globally respected names in the world of fine living. This exceptional menu comprises some of the finest ingredients and wines in the world, including Herbal infusion with tuna tartar and tea sorbet and a selection of rare Dom Pérignon OEnothèque Vintages, such as Vintage 1995 and Vintage 1969 – of which there are only a few bottles remaining.

o London’s premiere hotel warmly welcomes guests over the festive season to experience and enjoy the delights that the city’s foremost address has to offer. Soft candlelight, open fire and traditional decorations create the perfect ambiance for a luxurious Christmas. In addition, Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck and his team have created a sumptuous array of temping menus to be enjoyed with friends and family, accompanied by the finest wines and Champagnes.

The Lanesborough, A St. Regis Hotel
www.lanesborough.com
Hyde Park Corner
London, SW1X 7TA, United Kingdom
020 7259 559

Diamond Head – Oahu Hawaii

Diamond Head is one of the primary icons that Hawaii is known for. This majestic giant volcano towers above the Waikiki beach area and can be seen for miles.

Diamond Head’s visual prominence also benefits from Hawaii’s weather. The clear air and low clouds set off the shape the way a frame promotes a picture. “In Hawaii you see sharp, dense shadows and sparkling highlights on the landscape, and that helps define it as well.”

Government-owned, Diamond Head served over the years as a training ground and revetment for the military, rarely open to the public except during occasional music festivals. That has changed, and the two-hour hike to the 760-foot summit has become one of the most popular outings in the islands.

On the rim, visitors can also inspect the tunnels and sighting apertures dug out by the Army, when the peak was an important part of Fort DeRussy’s artillery system.

Diamond Head is a kind of logo for Hawaii, said artist Pegge Hopper. “The sheer shape of it is so iconic. A great crutch for beginning artists; if you had to ship out a label for anyone. Diamond Head, a hula girl, plumeria lei, a coconut tree — mix them together in any combination, and you have a logo that’s distinctly Hawaii.”

Diamond Head is also the name of a British heavy metal band and of a Charlton Heston movie, of a comic-book villain and of a tiny Southern hamlet. But the Hawaiian locals feel that Diamond Head is simply the best-known volcanic crater in the universe. Amen.

When one thinks of a festive Christmas holiday destination, Las Vegas is probably far down on most people’s lists. But surprisingly, Las Vegas does Christmas right.

Sin City goes all out and this city of non-stop gaming and entertainment, has a wide variety of Christmas events and decorations to make your head spin.

Here’s a sample of what Vegas visitors can expect:

At the Bellagio Conservatory’s elaborate holiday display, view a cute polar bear family that is made of over 35,000 beautiful white carnations. An elaborate water drip system helps keep the bears’ fur fresh.

You can also see eight “flying” reindeer flying over a huge holiday card that is made of thousands of blooming flowers. The centerpiece of the exhibit is a 42-foot Shasta fir tree that’s decked out in thousands of bright, shimmering lights.

Inside the Sam’s Town Hotel is a winter wonderland called Mystic Falls. Visitors are greeted with festive garland streams, snowy covered lampposts and more than 50 glimmering trees decorated with twinkling lights. An incredible thirty-foot Christmas tree that is professionally decorated will draw many rave reviews and inspire much holiday cheer.

Long nicknamed “Mr. Christmas,” the amazing Andy Williams will be performing in Vegas for the first time in years, at the Las Vegas Hilton Dec. 23 – 24. Andy Williams conveys the true spirit of Christmas. “I’ve been doing Christmas shows, seems like, all my life,” Williams states. “I like doing them. Beautiful music, beautiful sounds from the orchestra, great lights, Christmas trees, children laughing.”

The 7th Annual Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Rocks! Extravaganza: Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 8 p.m., The Joint at the Hard Rock. Brian Setzer brings his Christmas rock show to Vegas, featuring his 18-piece big band rocking out to classics from his “Christmas Rocks!” CD.

Legends in Concert Holiday Show: Daily through holiday season (dark Wednesdays), 7:30 and 10 p.m., Harrah’s. Celebrity impersonators belt out popular holiday tunes.

“The Polar Express 4-D” motion ride at the Excalibur: Through Jan. 6, 2010, Excalibur, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. weekends, 11 am. – 10 p.m. weekdays, $15 or holiday pass (good for “The Polar Express 4-D” and “Spongebob Squarepants 4-D”), $17.95. Based on the popular movie, this journey to the North Pole comes alive in an unforgettable 4-D experience.

Ice Skating Rink: Through Feb. 15, 2010, MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas, noon to 9 p.m. weekends and holidays, 3 – 9 p.m. Monday – Friday, $15 for adults and $12 for children 12 and younger. Skate on a floating ice skating rink atop Lake Las Vegas.

Believe in Magic Holiday Show: Starts Nov. 27 for a five-week run, Fashion Show Mall. Features a 35-foot Christmas tree, dancers, artificial snow falling from the ceiling and Santa. For times, call (702) 369-8382.

The Gift of Lights: Through Jan. 3, 2010, Sunset Park on Eastern Avenue, between Warm Springs and Sunset roads, 5 -10 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and holidays, 5 – 9 p.m. Sundays – Thursdays, $15 per car Fridays, weekends and holidays; $13 Mondays – Thursdays. Drive-through more than 400 animated holiday LED light displays.

Magical Forest at Opportunity Village: Through Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010 at 6300 W. Oakey Blvd., between Torrey Pines Drive and Jones Boulevard, $9.50 for adults, $7.50 for children 3-11. Passports (which include rides) are $16 for adults and $14 for children. Guests must purchase tickets at any CVS pharmacy. Festive trees, holiday displays, Santa, train rides and other winter theme attractions.

Annual Gingerbread Village: Until Dec. 25, Four Seasons Hotel, 24 hours. See 20 gingerbread houses and a working carousel made completely from chocolate and sugar.

Santa in the Shipwreck: Dec. 21 – 24, Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., $16.95 for adults and $10.95 for children. Children may take pictures with Santa with Santa Jaws swimming in the background. Pictures are free with admission.

Winter Lights Festival: Dec. 11-13, 18-24, Springs Preserve, 5 – 9 p.m., $8 for adults, $4 children 5-12, 4 and younger free. Enjoy half a million LED lights shining in an 8-acre garden while listening to carolers and enjoying holiday refreshments at the Springs Café by Wolfgang Puck.

Arctic Display opening: Dec. 9, Palazzo, 5 p.m., free admission. Located at the Palazzo’s waterfall atrium, the Ice King and Queen will pour 225,000 cranberries into a water feature. The holiday garden will also feature a 16-foot-tall polar bear mom and her 6-foot-tall baby polar bear, both made of white poinsettias.

Hawaii is a tropical paradise, well known for the many beautiful beaches, palm trees and warm Pacific Ocean waters. But its active volcanoes captivates us all and 1959 was memorable when Kilauea Volcano again roared to life and put on an incredible display of nature’s fury.

On Hawaii’s Big Island, the Kilauea Iki eruption began on the morning of November 14, 1959, three months after a rapid increase in inflation of the ground surface and the number and size of earthquakes.  The eruption started halfway up the 600-650 foot (180-200 m) south wall of the crater as a curtain of fire a half-a-mile (0.8 km) long. Lava was ejected up to 100 feet (30 m) in the air.

Watch this amazing video of the 1959 Kilauea Volcano eruption on the Big Island of Hawaii. It will amaze you. It’s nature at its very best.

Las Vegas is wild. Las Vegas is crazy. When you add a New Year’s Eve celebration to the mix, it doesn’t get any better.

Being in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve is an event you will never forget. Whether it’s a traditional fireworks display, TributePalooza, or VIP treatment at one of Vegas’ luxury resorts, Las Vegas is the place to be.

Join thousands of partiers and bring in the new year with a spectacular fireworks display by Fireworks by Grucci.

Enjoy an amazing 7 minute fireworks display from the rooftops of seven Sin City casino rooftops. The participating casinos will include – the MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, Aria, Planet Hollywood, The Venetian, Treasure Island and the Stratosphere.

Another popular spot is on Las Vegas’ famed Fremont Street Experience. Here you can rock all night and enjoy the 2nd Annual TributePalooza.

This incredible New Year’s Eve event will include live concerts by eight of the world’s best tribute bands (Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, U2, Guns N’ Roses, Van Halen, INXS, No Doubt, and Depeche Mode), plus a 2009 year-in-review show on the huge Viva Vision screen.

Join Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman as the countdown towards midnight brings in 2010. Next enjoy Fireworks by Grucci under the large canopy choreographed to virtual fireworks on Viva Vision.

There is also scheduled a live stage show titled, “Jimi Hendrix and the Psychedelic Ride.”

Ticket prices for TributePalooza are $10 for local citizens and $20 for out-of-state visitors. For tickets, please call 702-678-5600

The dolphin Trainer for a Day program at The Mirage in Las Vegas provides guests the opportunity to work side by side with a team of expert animal trainers as they care for a family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.

From learning how to feed these creatures to discovering how to communicate with them, the day-long program provides guests with an unforgettable experience.

The program is available to four people each day, Fridays through Wednesdays, and participants must be 13 years old or older.

In the true tradition of “do GOOD live WELL”, Charitybuzz is now offering its “12 Days of Christmas Travel List”.

It’s an amazing list of extravagant travel experiences to incredible destinations such as Italy, the Caribbean, San Francisco, France, Switzerland and Las Vegas! You will feel like you’re truly living a life of the rich and famous.

1.)    A Caribbean Cruise For 6 People Aboard Gadget, A Luxury Sailing Yacht: Pack your bags and get ready for an amazing week in the Caribbean!  This classic 64’ Hinckley Ketch was recently refurbished and is one of only five ever built.  Together with the Captain, you choose the itinerary.  This amazing vessel sleeps 7 comfortably in three newly appointed staterooms- one private master suite and two double staterooms.

2.)    Travel to Chakravarty Cup Polo Match and Join Hands with the British Royal Family: Travel to England for this once in a lifetime opportunity to meet Prince William and his family at The Chakravarty Cup Polo Match, which is to be played between HRH Prince William’s Team and an International Team in Spring or Summer of 2010.

3.)    Experience Las Vegas In Style Las Vegas In Style: This Vegas trip has it all!  Private limousine, world renowned spa, private wine tasting, Cirque de Soleil Love Beatles hit show, golf at the Southern Highlands Course, dinner at the James Beard Award Winning restaurant for Best Chef – Bartolotta, and a VIP visit to one of the hottest clubs in Las Vegas: Pure – where you will sip Dom Perignon and dance the night away.

4.)    4-Day Stay at the Il Bottaccio Relais & Chateaux in Italy: Renowned for exquisite properties throughout the world, this Relais & Chateaux getaway is no exception. You and a guest will enjoy a 4-day stay in a suite at the Il Bottaccio di Montignoso in the Tuscany region of Italy.

5.)    Enjoy A Luxurious 2 Bedroom Residence at the Magnificent Ritz Carlton Club, Bachelor Gulch in Beaver Creek, Colorado: Hit the slopes with this 1 week stay in January 2010 at a 1400+ square foot, 2-bedroom residence at the Ritz Carlton Club, Bachelor Gulch Premium Ski-In / Ski-Out Resort.

6.)    Bonjour! France’s premier 5-star Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat Sea View Suite Including Breakfast For 2: Mingle among the ultra rich in grand yet discreet style, amid some of the most beautiful (and expensive) real estate on earth. The peninsula of Cap-Ferrat, located halfway between Nice and Monaco in the center of the Cote d’Azur, has been a playground for kings, great artists and multi-millionaires for more than a century. And the Grand Hotel, built in 1908 at the apex of the peninsula and now a protected national monument, is Cap-Ferrat’s splendid center—17 acres of quiet shoreline and parkland surrounding belle époque architecture, a gourmet restaurant, and luxurious accommodations.

7.)    Healing Swiss Vacation at the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz : Discover the timeless elegance and perfection of peace in the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, the true source of being. You will experience the ultimate in luxury relaxation with a three-night vacation for two at the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz and Spa at the foot of the Pizol Mountains in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley of Eastern Switzerland.  Exclusive restaurants and spas are all complimentary as well!

8.)    3 Day <http://www.charitybuzz.com/categories/2/catalog_items/5100204:  Oceanfront Accommodations for Two At Costa d’Este Beach Resort: Enjoy 3-day, 2-night oceanfront accommodations for 2, including a cooking class from renown Chef David Rodriguez!

9.)    A Luxurious 3-Night Getaway in a Corner Suite at the Montage Beverly Hills: Step into a world of comfort, luxury and beauty as you and a guest check in to a sumptuous corner suite at the Montage Beverly Hills.  Your 3-night escape from the everyday will be one you’ll never forget.  Corner suites offer 875 square feet of living space, and command premium views of Beverly Drive or Canon Drive.

10.) Ciao! 2 Nights at the Villa D’Este Hotel in Italy: Villa D’Este a former 16th century princely residence, surrounded by a 25 acres park, is more than just a hotel. The luxury and magnificence of a bygone era is maintained intact.   Upon emerging from the revolving doors you feel the cares of the modern world slip away and the warm greetings of the staff make you feel at home.

11.) Travel First Class to San Francisco and Stay at the Beautiful Westin St. Francis!: This incredible package includes two first class tickets on American Airlines from anywhere in the continental U.S. to San Francisco, 3 nights at the The Westin St. Franics, and dinner for 2 at Michael Mina.

12.) Escape for 3 Nights to the Dominican Republic with Airfare from Jetblue!: Located on the exotic north coast of the Dominican Republic and directly on the water, Casa Colonial Beach & Spa is the ultimate, world-class seaside resort. This tastefully intimate resort, thoughtfully designed by Sarah Garcia, daughter of owner Don Isidro Garcia, features an exceptional fusion of old-world elegance with distinctly contemporary style. The resort sets its colonial chic vibe with sheer curtains, eclectic furnishings, fabric light elements and one-of-a-kind art throughout.

For all available auctions, go to Charitybuzz

Nothing says traditional Christmas, better than the various Christmas markets and festivals held in Germany each year.  For many years, the biggest and best is held in Munich.

There are numerous street performers to enjoy, in addition to enjoying the Munich festival’s very own Christmas market, which is used by the event’s organisers to promote the benefits of environmentally-friendly products, as well as to sell more traditional gifts.

Food lovers can also experience a wide range of local German plus other cuisines from around the world. This diversity makes the Munich market a festival a highly cosmopolitan event.

Christmas markets, or Christkindlmärkte, as they’re called in German, are open from around December 1st to Christmas Eve. This event is truly a festive occasion, celebrating all the best of Christmas.

There are at least ten different markets scattered around Munich. The biggest and most famous is the Christkindlmarkt on Marienplatz.

There are small Christmas markets all over the city, but the one at Marienplatz is the biggest and most popular. It is always very crowded. Not quite sure what the appeal is because it’s always brass monkey weather and there’s never anything going on which is really *that* exciting.

They are collections of little wooden stalls which sell various items such as sweets, Christmas decorations, and various other arts and crafts.

Perhaps the biggest attraction is the famous mulled wine (in German: Glühwein). This warm wine drink is perfect for the chilly, winter German nights.

On the lush island of Maui, a must see is the splendor of Iao’s Valley. Iao Valley and Iao Needle, is named for Iao, daughter of Maui.

The needle itself is said to be Iao’s warrior lover, found by her father and turned to stone. Once a peaceful taro farming valley, the valley at one time turned into the location of great brutality. It is the site of a famous battle (1790) in which King Kamehameha I defeated the Maui army during Kamehameha’s push to unite the Hawaiian Islands.

Historians say that warriors from Kahului retreated into Iao Valley where they were bloodily defeated in battle. A local guidebook mentions, “the waters of Iao Stream were so choked with bodies that the area was called Kepaniwai meaning ‘Damming of the Waters.’

Luckily for visitors coming today, Iao Valley is once again peaceful, lush and green.

The highlight of the park of course is Iao Needle, a 2,250 foot tall pinnacle. Due to its height, the Needle is often shrouded in clouds of fog, making for interesting photo opportunities.

There is a short paved trail that goes to a viewpoint, but better photos are from the bridge near the start of the trail. An additional short trails loop down along Iao Stream, which I believe offers the best photos.

Also to be discovered, is an inviting trail that leads farther into the lush rainforest. Unfortunately the trail is  accompanied by a “No Trespassing” sign.  Proceed at your own risk.

There is also a small area planted with native plants such as taro, and an imu pit, used by local people for cooking.

For another memorable photo opportunity, also visible from the park is Puu Kukui, the highest spot in West Maui at 5,788 feet, and also the wettest point.

Val d’Isère

Spend the holidays by cozying up to the fire in the beautiful town of Val d’Isère, a commune located in south-eastern France just 3 miles from the border of Italy.

Val d’Isère is perfect for lovers of luxury ski holidays as it is a part of the Rhône-Alpes region known for its snowy peaks dusted with white powder.

The town of Val d’Isère is known for its “chalet” architecture and is often called the “Most Beautiful Ski Area in the World.”