Halulu Heiau is located next to the ancient seaside village of Kaunolu on the Hawaiian island of Lanai.

Halulu Heiau is well-preserved heiau and the site is simply full of beauty. It was once a very sacred refuge and traditional meeting place for Hawaiians back in ancient times.

Leaving inland from the eastern bank of Kaunolu, you will find Halulu Heiau across a wide gulch. Looking around, you’ll notice being surrounded by towering cliffs on three sides and view one of the most amazing sights in Kaunolu.

History states the after King Kamehameha the Great captured Lanai in the early 1800′s, he used the village of Kaunolu as his personal favorite vacation spot. The location offered him excellent fishing opportunities.

King Kamehameha rebuilt the old heiau that was once found on this site and declared it a luakini heiau or place of refuge.

Halulu Heiau was one of the last heiaus built on Lanai, because the old god were replaced several decades later when missionaries arrived on the island.

Overall, Halulu Heiau is in very good condition. The Bishop Museum built an interpretive hike through the Kaunolu Village and points out the heiau which is difficult to reach but can easily be viewed on the far side of the gulch.

Remember that Halulu Heiau is an ancient, religious site. Please be respectful of this ancient Hawaiian site.

To book your vacation reservation to Lanai or any of the Hawaiian Islands, please contact The Life of Luxury and one of our travel concierge specialists will help you book your trip.

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Olea Gourmet Healthy Food is made from certified and organically grown ripe olives that contain no preservatives, solvents or chemicals.

100% cold-pressed, the company’s Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is absolutely fresh and delivered direct from their olive grove in Spain to your home.

What makes this brand so unique is that only the finest olives are selected by hand and promptly pressed within hours of harvesting. The goal is to retain the fresh, wholesome goodness of nature’s finest gift.

There are numerous factors that contribute to the quality of a particular olive oil. First, the quality of the fruit is critical, followed by the processing and post-harvest storage. Next, oxidation is caused by light, heat & age.

Olea Gourmet Healthy Food guarantees their Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil to be 100% unadulterated Extra Virgin, plus without any of the bad practice that is often associated with the mass production of Olive Oil.

The quality of the Spanish company’s olive oil is vitally important. They take enormous pride to ensure the results of an organic approach to farming and attentive post-harvest handling. Their goals is preserving the unique organoleptic and nutritional characteristics.

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Spain’s  Olea Gourmet Healthy Food is great tasting. Once you try it, you will never go back to any other olive oil.

Have you ever dreamed at staying on a private island? Well now is your chance. Wilson Island is an exclusive private island on the Great Barrier Reef near Australia and it’s waiting for you to enjoy it’s scenic beauty.

This tropical oasis is available for you to stay and have your own private island all to yourself! You need to be quick, since the chance to rent your own private island is only valid through the end of this month.

This could be a once in a lifetime experience for those discerning travelers who only want the best life has to offer. Make it your ultimate private island escape or maybe an exclusive wedding party? How about the most sought after girls’ getaway? The sky’s the limit!

Wilson Island is a small five-acre coral cay that’s part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The island can only accommodate a maximum of 12 guests in six safari-style luxe tents.

“Glamping” is the trendy name for the combination of glamor and camping. That personifies Wilson Island perfectly. Enjoy safari-tents that provide luxurious king-sized beds, signature duvets and bathrobes, hammocks, in addition to privately secluded areas surrounded by pisonia and pandanus trees. Don’t forget the amazing views of the Great Barrier Reef, one of the great wonders of the world.

So what are you waiting for? Why not live it up and rent your own private island!

For Wilson Island reservations through the end of this month, prices are only $447.50 per person – per night for 12 total people. Pricing includes all your meals and beverages, snorkeling equipment plus return boat transfers from Heron Island.

Getaway from the busy life back home and escape to a simpler time. Wilson Island has no mobile phone reception, no internet access and no TV It’s the quintessential island escape.

To learn more about Wilson Island or book your fantasy vacation on your own private island, please contact The Life of Luxury.

Rosewood Little Dix Bay is a luxury resort located in the Caribbean and offers its guests a choice of luxurious villas and suites, plus a luxury spa. The property is one of the most exclusive five star hotels in the British Virgin Islands.

With the success of the current U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York City, Rosewood Little Dix Bay is now offering its WorldTeam Tennis Legends Camp package.

This is an ultimate tennis-themed travel package that is sure to appeal to tennis lovers, who also want to enjoy a luxury stay in the beautiful British Virgin Islands.

The WorldTeam Tennis Legends Camp package features lessons from professional coaches on the Caribbean resort’s state-of-the-art courts, in addition to the opportunity of watching famous tennis superstars such as Rafael Nadal, Ana Ivanovic, and Stefan Edberg in action.

Between November 12-16, 2013, the luxurious Rosewood Little Dix Bay, Caribbean resort will offer exclusive access to train with celebrated coaches Wayne Bryan and Murphy Jensen. The resort is known for its state-of-the-art courts and top notch tennis programs.

You’ll also get the opportunity to watch the Necker Cup Tennis Charity Exhibition with courtside seats and view the tennis talents of Rafael Nadal, Ana Ivanovic, and Stefan Edberg.

After the Necker Cup Tennis Charity Exhibition ends, you will enjoy a fine dining experience at Sir Richard Branson’s legendary “End of the World” charity dinner, auction and party.

WorldTeam Tennis Legends Camp tennis package at Rosewood Little Dix Bay includes:
* 4-night / 5-day all-inclusive package
* Entry into the Legends Tennis Camp and Clinics for two (2)
* Two (2) courtside seats to the Necker Cup Charity Exhibition on Necker Island
* Two (2) entries to the “End of the World” Charity Dinner, Auction & Party with Sir Richard Branson and other ATP / WTA Tennis Legends, on Necker Island
* Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. (cocktails, house wines included; excludes Super Premium alcohol, wine lists, & sparkling wines)
* All food and beverage service charges
* Round-trip transfers from Tortola and VIJ Airport
* 20% discount on spa treatments from 9am-2pm
* Unlimited use of Rosewood Little Dix Bay resort facilities including snorkeling gear, movie presentations, fitness, pool and tennis

Pricing for this amazing tennis getaway package is $13,000. 10% of the package proceeds are designated for charity.

Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this tennis-themed travel package. It’s truly a tennis-lover’s dream come true.

If you are interested in booking a reservation at the Caribbean’s Rosewood Little Dix Bay luxury resort, please contact one of the travel concierge specialists at The Life of Luxury.

The Temazcal steam bath is one of the oldest and most effective purification rituals in the world. In ancient Mesoamerican tradition, Temazcal offered the chance to be reborn and reinvent oneself via invocation, chanting as well as purification.

The luxurious El Dorado Casitas Royale and El Dorado Seaside Suites by Karisma in Riviera Maya, Mexico are part of the premier hotel collection of adults-only properties throughout the Riviera Maya, Mexico.

If you want to detox your body, mind and spirit in a traditional, Temazcal steam bath service, then indulge yourself at the N’aay Spa.

The goal of a Temazcal steam bath is to provide a calming and therapeutic experience with numerous physical benefits. A few are cleaning the body of toxins, purification of the respiratory system, and the alleviation of skin and nervous system conditions.

Temazcal Ritual sessions at N’aay Spa occur inside a round earthen structure that is meant to symbolize the womb of mother earth. Inside, you will find the elements of water, fire, and air which are combined together with fresh herbs to create an authentic herbal steam bath experience which invites both physical and spiritual healing.

A N’aay Spa spa attendant will facilitate each Temezcal Ritual session and will adjust the heat, humidity, and herbal vapors as needed, to meet spa customer’s individual needs.

The Temazcal Ritual at N’aay Spa is available as part of two couple’s spa packages:

* Golden Elements Couples Grand Experience: Enjoy a couple’s massage performed with a massage cream infused with citrus and ginger, followed by a Jacuzzi session with an elixir of bamboo ending in a detoxification Temezcal Ritual. Amenities include a fruit basket and a glass of sparkling wine. Session: 80 minutes / $260 per couple.

* Golden N’aay Couples Grand Experience: Revel in the Kukulcan massage, a creation of ancient techniques that shall give your body profound relaxation, accompanied by a bubbling Jacuzzi session using a green tea elixir. Finish the experience with a Temazcal steam bath of eucalyptus essence. Amenities include chocolate fondue with fruits, a glass of sparkling wine and a selection of bites created by our Chef. Session: 120 minutes / $350 per couple.

For groups of five or greater, resort guests can purchase the relaxing session for a starting price of only $68 per person.

The luxury spa offers a variety of services that are designed in the Mexican tradition. Choose from a menu of indigenous and alternative spa therapies, each utilizing ingredients from the local region. The treatments also include ancient healing to soothe the senses and pamper the body.

If you’re ready for a relaxing getaway, consider the gourmet inclusive, El Dorado Casitas Royale and El Dorado Seaside Suites. Be sure to book a relaxing, Temazcal steam bath session at N’aay Spa. Contact The Life of Luxury for all your personal and business travel needs.

Shania Twain’s husband, Robert John “Mutt” Lange is not some recluse who never leaves his home. He travels the world with Shania. His work as a music producer takes him to the States and Europe.

Shania Twain is a popular Canadian country pop singer-songwriter. Shania’s hit 1995 album The Woman in Me brought her instant fame all across the world.

The 1997 album by Shania Twain titled “Come On Over” became the best-selling studio album of all time by a female. Quite an accomplishment.

“He on his own has never had this kind of success. And me on my own, I doubt very much I would have had this kind of success. First of all, would I even have found anyone who had so much faith in me? Part of why I think I flourished is because he believed so much in me. He loved my voice; he loved my songwriting. He was my biggest fan.“ says Shania Twain.

Her “The Woman In Me” album may be one of the most expensive country albums ever produced. When Mercury balked at the price Mutt agreed to pay a part of it out of his own pocket.

When asked when she feels most sexy, “I think it’s when i get out of the tub. your skin is fresh and you’ve stuck your hair up without even looking. that’s when you look your best.”

“I don’t want my body to be a distraction from my talent or my brain.”

Referring to Dolly Parton, “I was inspired by her, and inspired to be my own thing, she was so individual, so unique on her own, what I took from her was go out and be yourself, and be different, dare to be different.”

By Sara Collaton, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link

Raffles Hotels & Resorts is proud to be an award-winning, luxury international hotel company. Its history dates all the way back to 1887 when the with Raffles Singapore was first opened. Now the Raffles Hainan will open in China this month on the tropical island of Hainan.

Raffles Hainan is the company’s second hotel to open in China. The new luxury resort will open in Clearwater Bay, which has become the new hotspot on China’s southeast coast of Hainan Island.

Clearwater Bay is a 500 square-kilometre development that includes the Raffles resort, plus two championship golf courses adjacent to Raffles, private residences, a cinema complex, luxury retail, yacht clubs and a 780-berth marina for sailing and water sports.

Offering 12 kilometres of gorgeous coastline, Clearwater Bay is likened to the French Riviera and is destined to rise near the top the luxury tourism market.

Raffles Hainan offers hotel guests the perfect beachfront location with 299 rooms – starting at 80sqm – plus 32 villas, all with private balconies and scenic views of the ocean or golf course.

With a strong connection to art, Raffles Hotels &; Resorts wanted to continue that trend in Hainan. Raffles Hainan showcases over 1,000 beautiful works of art throughout the luxury China resort.

Herbert Laubichler-Pichler is the General Manager of Raffles Hainan and was quoted, “Raffles Hainan will be one of the most prestigious addresses on China’s popular holiday island as the first luxury opening on Clearwater Bay, the only resort adjoining championship golf courses and with Sanya’s largest guestrooms, all with sea-view balconies. With the addition of Raffles’ signature warm and graceful service embodied by the Raffles Butlers, we are setting a new luxury benchmark on the island.”

The Raffles Spa offers ultimate pampering an relaxation. The spa features both Asian and Western treatments to its clients. Foodies will enjoy seven fine dining restaurants and bars, and private events spaces will sit alongside Hainan’s homage to the Long Bar at Raffles Singapore, in tribute to the Hainanese bartender who created the Singapore Sling.

Rooms and suites at the Raffles Hainan will feature a contemporary design that combines local inspired interior design accents. Artisan wood furnishings, colorful fabrics and artworks pay homage to the traditional hill tribes in Hainan, and bring a sense of place to the interiors.

To make plans and visit China and stay at the luxury Raffles Hainan hotel, please contact The Life of Luxury and talk to one of our travel concierge specialists to book your dream vacation.

Situated amongst 550 acres in Kildare, Ireland – the K Club Hotel, Spa and Country Club is a luxurious Irish country retreat that offers guest 69 rooms.

Straffan House was built on the countryside grounds of the K Club property. 34,000-sq-ft in size, Straffan House was first inspired by the original structure of the same name built back in 1832 in the style of a French Chateau that now houses the nearby K Club Hotel.

This elegant private residence is now available for exclusive use for all to experience its beauty. Guests will enjoy traditional outdoor pursuits of fishing on the River Liffey, falconry, skeet shooting and horse riding.

For golf lovers, you’re in luck. You can play unlimited golf on either the Arnold Palmer designed championship courses: The Palmer Course which was the location of the 2006 Ryder Cup, or the Smurfit Course, which for the last three years has hosted to the European Open.

If you are looking for a little pampering, guests can also enjoy the luxurious 20,000 square foot K Spa which is widely recognized as one of the finest spas across all of Europe. It’s no doubt considered the finest in Ireland.

Straffan House spa

The private estate Straffan House features a total of 10 bedrooms which are all ensuite. Also find an indoor swimming pool with ‘swim up bar’, spa, games room, cinema, gym, in addition to a glass-enclosed, thermostatically-controlled wine cellar. Plus for foodies, enjoy a dedicated service team, concierge and private chef.

Three stories tall, Straffan House offers luxurious amenities and high ceilings, fine stucco work and gorgeous chandeliers. You will also find original works of art by noted Irish artists Sir William Orpen and Jack B.

Rates at Straffan House are currently US$26,000 per night in the summer months and US$16,000 per night in the winter which runs from September 15th to March 15th inclusive.

If interested in learning more or booking a reservation at the Straffan House or K Club Hotel, Spa and Country Club in Kildare, Ireland (near Dublin), please contact a travel concierge specialist at The Life of Luxury.

Vichayito, Peru is a beautiful destination that offers an abundance of wildlife all year
round. Area guests can observe dolphins, ocean turtles, sea lions, plus the amazing seasonal migration of humpback whales.

Vichayito Beach can be found on the north coast of Peru. There you will find the idyllic resort Vichayito Bungalows & Tents By Aranwa Hotels. The luxury resort provides a variety of Bedouin-style tents and stilted bungalows that have been set on the sand and offer incredible views of the Pacific surf.

Vichayito Bungalows & Tents is the perfect spot to watch the humpback whale migration as these gentle mammals travel on their annual migration along along the Peru coast from Antarctica.

Vichayito Bungalows & Tents by Aranwa offers hotel guests a rare and close-up opportunity to see the migrating humpback whales. The resort is offering the “Peru Country of Whales” package in partnership with The Blue Whale Foundation and their non-profits campaign.

Between now October 31, 2013, choose from one of two the “Peru Country of Whales” packages. Both include a morning whale watching tour guided by FBA marine biologists with round-trip transportation from the hotel to Organos port, drinks and snacks on board, and access to FBA whale specialists while on land.

This once-in-a-lifetime 4 day/3 night Peru package begins at around US$222.00 per person and the 3 day/2 night package starts at around US$177.00 per person inclusive of VAT and service.

In addition to the humpback whale activities, the two packages include accommodations for two, plus an American buffet breakfast and pizza night for two.

The hotel’s fresh and rustic ambiance is the ideal complement to the relaxed Vichayito beachside location.

The Bedouin-style tents are a luxurious way to connect to the environment with their soothing
natural soundtrack of ocean waves and are well-appointed with amenities such as spacious bathrooms with multi-jet showers, a large terrace for dining and lounging, flat screen TVs, minibars and much more.

Looking for something more upscale? The suite tents also offer air conditioning, a separate living area, and bathrooms with separate showers and claw foot tubs.

If you are interesting in watching the annual Humpback humpback whale migration from Vichayito Bungalows & Tents in Peru, please contact The Life of Luxury and one of our travel concierge specialists will assist booking your trip.

Dr. Michael Tick is a biochemist, laboratory director for The Institute for Skin Sciences (ISS). Dr Tick is also the founder of Edimi, which is a quality line of organic skincare and body care products that can be found at the best luxury spas and salons located around the world.

Dr. Tick is well respected and an internationally renowned research Scientist. His life-long goal is to bring good health and wellness to the people through their own skin.

According to Dr. Tick, it’s important to realize that skin is not all the same, particularly between men and women. So when you choose your skincare products, be careful and get the right product for your specific skin type.

Proper skincare is very important. Here are some of the key differences in skin types between men and women:
– The skin of a man is thicker than the skin of a woman and has more collagen; therefore women tend to age faster than men.
– Women have more subcutaneous fat – fat below the skin – than men. Therefore women suffer from cellulite.
– Men secrete more sebum (oil) and they secrete it throughout life. Women stop secreting sebum after menopause, therefore the skin looks coarser and drier as the woman ages.
– Men sweat more than women and the sweat stays on the body longer. Men also have more body hair and therefore more surface area for bacteria to develop.
– The female skin is also more functionally responsive than the skin of men. Therefore female skin has a greater tendency to redness and to irritation to skin care products and so women are said to have tender skin.

In addition to men having facial hair, there are additional structural differences between a
man’s skin and that of a woman. For example, a man’s skin is about 25% thicker dues to androgen (testosterone) stimulation which results in a greater skin thickness.

Due to the increased skin thickness of men, Dr. Tick says, “These differences are important in developing skin care products, for example odor control is more difficult in males than in females, because of the presence of body hair and the increased production of sweat and of sebum. Facial stinging is also more prevalent in women and therefore we must test facial products and cosmetics more rigorously for sensitive skin in women. Less collagen in female skin combined with thinner skin means a larger anti-aging market for women. Lastly, the increased subcutaneous fat in women means that the market for the development of cellulite treatment is almost completely confined to this group.”

Men also have a higher collagen density than women, regardless of their age. Dr. Michael Tick states, “Because collagen content is directly related to the signs of skin aging, it has been said a woman’s skin is about 15 years older than a man’s of the same age. However, men are less sun savvy than women, meaning they don’t use sunscreens, and could contribute to why the “15 year” skin age difference is not readily noticed. UV damage from the sun can add years to a man’s skin.”

Dr. Tick believes that men and women need to search for skincare cleansing products that do not contain sodium lauryl sulphate (or equivalent). The reason is that these types of skincare cleansers are alkaline based and alkaline are “drying agents” which will ultimately dry out your skin. Not the desired result for your skin.

Also, look for skincare products that have a high pH (pH stands for potential hydrogen, which is a measurement of the acid vs. alkaline levels in the body and your skin. Remember, you don’t always have to go to a high-end spa to get great skincare products.

Another skin difference is a man’s skin texture tends to be tougher. Production of skin sebum (oil) is also a difference compared to women. Soon after puberty, the level of sebum production in males increases which results in greater androgen secretions. The result is a higher level of unsightly acne in younger males.

Pololu Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii is a pristine and beautiful valley once inhabited by early Hawaiians, but long since abandoned because of fear of Tsunamis.

The valley, however, offers spectacular vistas of green sloping cliffs dropping into the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean below. Pololu Beach, located at the bottom of the valley, is also a gorgeous black sand beach. Because of these areas inaccessibility to cars, the area remains calm and pristine and is a great out of the way destination.

To get to Pololu Valley, drive to the very end of Highway 270 on the big island. At the parking lot/trailhead at the end of the highway you can either enjoy the spectacular Hawaiian scenery from your car, or you can take the adventurous route and hike down into the valley and onto the black sand beach below.

The hike is relatively short (about 25 minutes), but is rather steep and can be wet and treacherous. In fact, the trail was long closed due to earthquake damage, but has now re-opened to the public.

The zigzagging dirt path will take you through beautiful ironwood trees, through marshland, lead you past the creek flowing through the valley and offer you stunning views of waterfalls and the cliffs dropping into the ocean.

Once you arrive at Pololu beach, bring a picnic, spread out and relax. The breathtaking local island scenery is well worth the steep climb up and down.

Some people do brave the rough surf and go for a swim at this beach, but use extreme caution, especially in winter months as the surf and currents can be very strong.

If you are ready to book that dream vacation to tropical Hawaii, then contact one our travel concierge specialists at The Life of Luxury.