Travel News
Luxury Living International Magazine leads-off it's "Best of Paradise" series with The Best Spa Residences in the Caribbean, Latin and Central America.
In the past, the words "tropicalî and ìparadise" elicited visions of sea breezes rustling the palm trees along ivory white sand shorelines and pastel-blue waters, sailboats cruising by. Now, for most people, it still includes all of that...but may also include an amazing massage or exotic spa treatment on a pier over the azure blue water or herbal rainforest mud bath. Could hours of relaxation and self-indulgent quiet time spent in a tranquil spa environment while receiving soul-renewing treatments really be yours for a lifetime? For those who love to be pampered at a world-class spa there are now more choices of second and vacation home communities offering spa facilities than ever before. Luxury Living International magazine shortens the list for you with its Top 10 Spa Residences in Paradise, the finest places at which to own property and indulge in a piece of the pampered life in the Caribbean or Latin America; from Costa Rica to Grand Cayman and Mexico to Antigua. The feature story is currently online at www.luxurylivingint.com, part of its new Best of Paradise series.
Marriott looks to a little more luxury as revenues suffer
LUXURY hotels will become the fastest-growing business for Marriott International, a US company with its roots in budget lodging, president and chief operating officer Arne Sorenson said.
Marriott, the owner of mid-priced brands such as Courtyard and Residence Inn, has added upscale locations to capture that sector's higher profit margins as the economy improves. The company announced a new luxury brand last week, the Autograph Collection, through which it expects to add as many as 100 independent hotels as operators struggle with a travel slump.
''There's talk about a return to simpler things but that talk always happens during recessions,'' Mr Sorenson said. ''The fact is, the wealthiest demographics are growing very fast, like in China and Russia. They will become increasingly important.''
Read the full Business Day article.
Latin America travel is on the rise and www.latinamericacollection.com offers the best in travel to Mexico, Central and South America. Latin America Collection has put together a select choice of tours, travel packages, and cruises for every destination. All vacation packages have been carefully designed and are constantly being monitored to meet high standards of quality. Latin America Collection only features hotels that have been visited and stayed in and that they believe are the best in the area in value and service. Visit historical and luxurious places in Brazil, Columbia, Chile, Mexico, and the exotic Machu Picchu.
Costa Rica, where unspoiled and untouched localities still exist is a travel destination for those who are seeking for a vacation filled with adventure and nature, without sacrificing comfort. Here, it's possible to lie alone in a beach and only listen to the sounds of nature. This is a bird watchers paradise, with more than 800 species of birds in such a small territory. Bosque de Paz Nature Lodge offers excellent bird and wildlife viewing, expert and friendly guides, delicious food, wonderful service, spectacular surroundings and unequaled hospitality.
For everthing from luxurious accommodatons at the finest resorts and hotels in Costa Rica, to information on travel and vacation packages, living and retiring in Costa Rica, adventure tours like white water rafting, SCUBA Diving, or just a favorite wedding and honeymoon location, www.1CostaRicaLink.com explores Costa Rica's friendliness and temperate climate and offeres the best choices for a holiday / vacation at any time of the year. For a luxury vacation with limousine and helicopter service, www.1vipCostaRica.com offers an impressive assortment of the best in upscale resorts and hotels and rental villas.
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica is a relatively small corner of Costa Rica where tourists can find the excitement and adventure of a vacation in the tropical forest, surrounded by one of the country's most beautiful natural environments, without sacrificing life's modern conveniences. There's a magic to Manuel Antonio that is hard to explain. One thing, however, is absolutely certain: once you've been here you'll want to come back again. The Byblos Resort Hotel & Casino in Manuel Antonio is a boutique hotel located on the central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica near Manuel Antonio Park, one of the most beautiful coastal national parks in the country. Surrounded by the rain forest at the top of the hill, Byblos offers opportunities for adventure-sport travelers, Quepos fishing, and relaxation seekers alike.
For those family visitors traveling to Costa Rica, or three or four couples traveling together, renting a luxury beach vacation rental villa may be the perfect answer to a holidy dream. Casa Oceano, www.casaoceanocostarica.com , is located within the Tango Mar Beach and Golf Resort and Executive Conference Center. This luxury villa is a "no compromise" luxury beach vacation rental with six bedrooms, an infinity pool sitting almost on the sand, three jacuzzi tubs, and premium satillite channels in each bedroom. Have gourmet meals served to you right by the ocean by including a three meal a day food plan, and taste the best in Costa Rican and international fare. For vacation rentals in Jaco, Hermosa Beach, Tamarindo and Flamingo beaches, www.villascostarica.com is your complete source of rental villas all over Costa Rica.
Of course, in your travels around Costa Rica, there is nothing better than to have your own quality car rental from Sixt International rent a car franchise service, your assurance of a quality rental car. Most signs in Costa Rica are the international symbols type, so you know what they mean. Plan your route ahead of time and check your map when needed. Remember to carry your driver's license, passport and the car rental contract at all times. If you get in an accident, do NOT move your car out of the road. You must leave it where it is, even if it's blocking traffic, until the police arrive.
All in all, enjoy your time in Costa Rica and Latin America - some of the best travel baragins still around.
Costa Rica Hot Springs Resort & Hotel - With hot springs tours, spa facilities, private bungalow accommodations in a cloud forest, The Blue River Hot Springs Resort Hotel is a most relaxing place to vacation in Costa Rica.
Antarctica Cruises & Arctic Polar Expedition Cruises - Take an Arctic or Antarctic nature tour. Look at this selection of cruise tour ships and different itineraries on www.arcticantarcticcollection.com and see penguins, the northern lights, polar bears and more aboard luxurious polar cruise vessels.
Riviera Maya, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta Vacation Rentals - Also, Ixtapa Rentals in Mexico - Find the vacation villa of your dream with www.villaexperiencemexico.com - anywhere in Mexico. One of the top rated vacation rental companies in Mexico, www.villaexperiencemexico.com has the best selection waiting for you.
Panama Cruises - Tours, Vacations, Hotels - Panama Trails is a licensed provider of travel in Panama and specializes in custom travel planning itineraries. Take a cruise or let us create a special vacation with a custom itinerary just for you! Vacation / holiday in confidence with www.panamatrails.com.
Costa Rica Hotels, Vacations, Travel, Luxury Tours & Packages - Costa Rica licensed travel agency and ground operator offers the best of Costa Rica with honeymoon packages, family vacations, selection of recommended beach hotels and adventure tours. Find out why more and more people take their holiday in Costa Rica with www.costaricantrails.com.
Costa Rica Rental Cars by Service Car Rentals - Service Car Rentals offers good value on quality cars and 4 wheel drive utility vehicles with many drop off points within Costa Rica. Deal with a trusted local dealer whose emphasis is on service for a care free Costa Rican Vacation.
