2010 March travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

The one-time capital of Russia, founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, is like a living museum where white is recurring theme. To live out those Dr. Zhivago fantasies, visit in winter when a dusting of snow covers the city’s golden cupolas, whereas in summer, the sun shines all night during the ‘‘White Nights”. Magical, full of history and charm, the Venice of the North‘s highlights include the Winter Palace, home to the Hermitage Museum‘s amazing three million pieces of art. Spoil Yourself and book into the Kempinski Moika 22 overlooking the Hermitage. Located in a traditional St. Petersburg mansion, it dates back to 1853, during the reign of Czar Nicholas I. Photo by: heini-pdm
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Guests may not expected to find a luxury country house hotel on a small island off the coast of Estonia. Certainly Padaste Manor is a unique escape: a fabulous conversion of a historic estate in a stunning location. For 700 years, Padaste was the country estate of the Von Buxhoeveden family. The crescent of grand buildings facing the sea dates from the nineteenth-century, to when the wealthy Baron Axel von Buxhoeveden was imperial hunting master at the court of Czar Nicholas II. This was his family’s summer home, but Von Buxhoeveden was assassinated by revolutionaries as he left the manor one day in 1919.
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The Glasshouse Hotel Edinburgh is a 5-star luxury boutique hotel that offers a rooftop garden with an amazing view of the city. Situated at the foot of Calton Hill within a five minute walk of the shopping district in the city centre, the hotel is voted by “Conde Nast Traveller” as one of the top 50 hottest hotels in the world.
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Trieste is the smallest province in Italy surrounded by the Adriatic Sea and close to Slovenia border. City of Trieste has always been the meeting point of trade and culture. With its many cultural attractions, restaurants, cafes, hotels, quality museums and ancient Roman remains, Trieste is the perfect base for a city vacation. Situated by the sea front, the city holds some gorgeous scenery which can be experienced when visiting the Castle of Miramare.
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Rutherford Hotel Nelson is centrally located, only a two minute walk from city centre. A nine storey 1970′s building in concrete and glass. The hotel benefitted from renovation in 2002.
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Fox Glacier is New Zealand’s largest commercially guided glacier, situated in Glacier Country, on the West Coast of the South Island, only 21 km’s south of Franz Josef.
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The pace is relaxed at 20°Sud, Mauritius‘s only boutique hotels: breakfast is served until 7 p.m. Most guests, however, rise a little before that. Truth to be told, there is a lot to get through. Windsurfers and sailors love the huge, sheltered bay with its perpetual light breeze. There is an excellent snorkeling around the nearby islands of Coin de Mire, Ile Ronde, and Ile Plate, as well as waterskiing, kayaking, and parasailing.
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The Africa World Travel Awards have voted Sabi Sabi Africa‘s leading safari lodge. Tavel-Leisure magazine calls it one of the top ten hotels of the world. One of four luxury lodges that lie nestled within the 160,620 acres of this private game reserve in the southwestern corner of Kruger National Park, Earth Lodge is a retreat that blends seamlessly with the land around it. From afar, it can scarcely be seen at all.
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The experience starts early at Lion Sands River Lodge. The first game drive of the day powers off at 5:30 a.m. Rangers and guests regularly spot the ”big five” – lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo. They stop en route for coffee, then return to the lodge for a robust breakfast at 9:00 a.m., after which the morning activities might include bush walks, lunch and child out time in the spa or on the River Deck, perhaps the evening game drive at 4 p.m., followed by drinks and dinner. The resort is devoted to its environment; it has its own ecologist, responsible for ensuring the wilderness is left undamaged by visitors.
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Burning Man Festival is a huge annual event that takes place in the Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. For eight days participants are removed from their ordinary lives and challenged to express themselves and create art. Host to a music, dance and human extravaganza, Burning Man began in 1986. In 2008, more than 48,000 people showed up for the festival. This year the festival begins August 30th and finishes September 6th and the theme is Metropolis. Event tickets go on sale 13th January 2010 and can be purchased online.

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