All Entries in the "Activities" Category

Hyde Bellagio – Vegas’ Newest Party Scene

Regular visitors to Las Vegas know the Bellagio Hotel is one of the finest luxury resorts in the entire city. This past New Year’s Eve the Bellagio was made even better with the grand opening of the Hyde Bellagio, the most anticipated new nightclub from world renowned lifestyle developer SBE. The Hyde brand from SBE combines unparalleled style and sophistication with energetic nightlife to create one of the most spectacular environments. The Hyde Bellagio will continue that tradition in grand style.

By day Hyde Bellagio is an exclusive lounge well fitted for the classic and sophisticated Bellagio name. At 10 o’clock every evening the Hyde nightlife experience begins, operating until 1 AM during the week and very late on weekends. Hyde Bellagio is certain to become one of the most important nightlife destinations on the Vegas strip as the only nightlife venue that seamlessly combines indoor and outdoor spaces for a very unique experience. At night one of the most memorable aspects of the venue is when the famous Bellagio fountains go off in what feels like just outside the club.

The nightclub features 10,000 sq. ft. of space with total capacity of 714 guests, including 40 VIP tables. Drinks include a wide selection of cocktails, classic Hyde creations, and a selection of more than 1,500 bottles of Bellagio’s award-winning wine. Guests will enjoy music from the most dynamic DJs and live performers in a space that includes gorgeous wood floors, four grand chandeliers, upscale artwork and design elements, and luxurious natural leather sofas.

LUXGetaway Announces Top 10 Hottest Luxury Travel Brands for 2012

Our panel of travel experts has chosen the top luxury travel brands of 2012 within each respective category. We call this list the LUXList.  And our winners are…

The 2012 LUXList

1. Domestic Airline: Virgin America
Virgin America’s inflight experience continues to be unparalleled by the competition.

2. International Airline: United Airlines
The merger with Continental Airlines is complete, and now provides one of the most complete global route networks in the world.

3. Hotel Company: Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Starwood has had strong growth in new and existing markets within 2011, and continues in 2012 with its luxury brands including St. Regis, W Hotels, Le Méridien, Westin, and the properties within The Luxury Collection.

4. Rental Car Company: Hertz
In a industry with lots of choice, and highly drive by price Hertz themselves with it’s customer service and Hertz #1 Club rewards program.

5. Luxury Travel Reward Card: Platinum Card® from American Express
Lots of travel reward cards promise exclusive access, but the Platinum Card® from American Express delivers allowing you to bypass arrival lines at most U.S. airports when returning from intentional travel, and free access for 3 at airport lounges around the world.

6. Fractional Ownership Network: Timbers Resorts
Timbers Resorts now has 12 properties in their collection luxury boutique resorts. Each one uniquely positioned and engrained within the culture and community of its destination.

7. Vacation Club: Exclusive Resorts
The 10-year-old vacation club has reinvented how luxury travelers view vacation home ownership. Members have access to properties in 40 of the most desired luxury destinations throughout the world.

8. Luggage: Tumi
Tumi continues to design the world’s most attractive and practical luggage for frequent travelers.

9. Travel Accessories: Bose
Bose’s recent additions of their SoundLink wireless mobile speaker & OE2 headphones make Bose an even better companion while traveling.

10. Rookie of the Year: Inspirato
Inspirato, the new travel club already has an impressive 40 destinations within its portfolio. In their first year they have become the fastest growing club in the world.

Try a Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Napa Valley

The Napa Valley region of north central California is most well known today as the seat of the California wine industry; a region producing wines that compete with the best from France and Italy. Because of that, the Napa Valley is a very attractive holiday destination for Europeans, Asians, and even Americans as well.

In addition to being America’s wine country, the Napa Valley is stunningly beautiful with her rolling hills, fertile green fields, and awe-inspiring mountain peaks. And there’s no better way to see the Napa Valley region than high in the sky with Napa Valley Balloons.

The Birds-Eye View

If the Napa Valley is awe-inspiring when viewed from the ground, imagine seeing it as the birds see it. Napa Valley Balloons has been providing the birds-eye view since 1980; that’s more than 30 years of aerial tours provided by FAA-certified pilots with a combined safety record that’s simply the best in the business. Moreover, Napa Valley Balloons boasts thousands of satisfied customers including celebrities like Chelsea Clinton and Peter Greenberg. The company has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, the Food Channel, the Today Show, and more.

Bora Bora: Explore the Best Activities On and Off the Island

There are are a variety of activities to experience in Bora Bora, here are our top recommendations.

Parasailing

The island of Bora Bora is stunning, but the most beautiful vantage point may be from 300 meters in the air (that’s over 984 feet for us Westerners). Parasailing is the perfect activity for all ages and abilities; even those who are disabled or have injuries are able to easily parasail. A great fear of heights is really the only thing that should stop you from experiencing this breathtaking activity.

Parasailing is a dry sport. You take off from the back of a boat by simply floating up into the air, with the support of a colorful parachute. No matter how breezy the day, there’s a calm stillness to the journey. The views from above are so enchanting that it almost feels as if you’re soaring over a projection on a green screen; the scenery is postcard perfect.

On our parasailing excursion, we flew across many of the islands lagoons. It gives you a real view of how the depth of the water changes so rapidly throughout the reef. In the shallower parts, we saw hundreds of manta ray and stingrays, happily feeding and basking under the sun in the waters below. Flight durations are 15 or 25 minutes, and the time passes slower than you would expect. In 25 minutes you can see the entire island and its surroundings. You can parasail solo or with a companion, and we always think it’s more fun to fly with a friend. Don’t forget your camera on this one! Just be sure not to drop it. Your postcard home may just end up being of your feet dangling over the bluest water in the world.