Well, today we found him at the “top of Europe”, at Jungfraujoch’s Sphinx Observatory, located 11,745 feet above sea level in the Swiss Alps. Most well-known for as the setting for the 1969 James Bond film, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, Mr. Lauer arrived by train to the highest railway station in Europe  this morning.

Accessible only by cable car, the Swiss Alps are an outdoor sports enthusiasts’ dream come true. The majestic mountain peaks offer the world’s best Alpine skiing and snowboarding, as well as some incredible lower altitude activities on the crystal clear mountain lakes, such as boating and ice skating. Besides the vast array of activities available in the Alps, it is also incredible just to sit with a glass of champagne and enjoy the extraordinary scenery. From the glittering snow-capped peaks to the impossibly blue lakes, it is a sight to be seen at least once in a lifetime.

The Alps stretch through France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Slovenia; but we found Mr. Lauer in Interlaken, Switzerland, the home of the beautiful Victoria Jungfrau Grand  Hotel & Spa.

Read more about Matt’s Swiss adventures here and be sure to stay tuned to see where Matt will be tomorrow!

Now that fall is on the way and the days are getting shorter, we are dreaming of ways we can stretch the weekend just a little longer—especially while traveling! Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa has whipped up a way to pack a few extra hours into your stay by offering guests most treasured amenity of all, time.

30 Hours:
A day of hiking breathtaking alpine trails, swimming in crystal-clear mountain lakes, and unwinding in the spa at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa can leave guests wishing for more hours in the day. Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa has begun granting this wish and giving guests a chance to extend their dreamy Swiss stay with Your 30-Hour Day package. Valid until December 23, each night booked at the Interlaken hotel will last 30 hours, rather than the usual 24. This means a three night with a 5pm arrival will accrue an extra night free of charge! Rates start at CHF 345 (approximately $436 USD per night).

72 Hours:
Upon entering one of the Victoria-Jungfrau’s secluded Bel-Air spa suites, it may be impossible to fight total, immediate relaxation.  The hotel’s “72 Hours in Your Bathrobe” package encourages guests to ditch their suits at the door and spend three full days lounging in plush bathrobes in and around the spa. Upon arrival in Zurich, guests are met by private chauffeur and driven to the hotel, then welcomed to by-pass reception and head straight to a luxurious Bel-Air suite, equipped with private balconies boasting stunning mountain views. From the Bel-Air suite, the spa beckons, promising a day of complete unwinding with six hours of custom spa treatments, including ESPA or SENSAI SELECT face and body treatments, as well as indoor and outdoor pools, Jacuzzis, whirlpools, and the newly re-opened sauna with candlelit relaxation room.  At night, there is no reason to dress to impress as guests are invited to leisurely dine at the Spa Café or within the privacy of their suite. Rates start at CHF 3315 (approximately $4,161 per night).

Swiss design doesn’t have to be all about strict minimalism and clean lines. Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa in Interlaken has declared ‘auf wiedersehen!’ to such Swiss tradition by renaming Suite 250 the ‘Yash Chopra’ Suite and converting all 915 square feet into a Bollywood wonderland as a tribute to the famous Indian film director and newly-appointed Interlaken Ambassador, Yash Chopra. With nary an equilateral red cross to be found, the suite’s walls are adorned with posters of Mr. Chopra’s award-winning film Veer-Zaara, while decadent silk fabric and gold motifs appear throughout.

Thun-based design firm Raumforum selected whimsical Indian touches for the living room space, including a lacquered white Ganesha sculpture and velour leopard-print pillow cushions that pop against the deep neutrals of the leather furnishings. Additional Indian accessories include traditional Indian carpets and silk bedspread, while an Indian tea service is available for Bollywood stars and starlets to enjoy a cup of morning Darjeeling.

The Yash Chopra Suite includes a living room, bedroom with en suite bathroom, and guest bathroom. It has its own balcony with views of the Jungfrau Massif and is available from 2,250 CHF, approximately 2,695 USD, for two, breakfast buffet included.

We can’t all be Sukanya Roy, and for us mere mortals when it comes to spelling, things are about to get a little more tricky: “Sensai” is a Japanese spa that is a master of luxury goods and services, not to be confused with the ubiquitous “sensei,” the Japanese word referring to a master of a particular art form or skill.

The editors of Robb Report have awarded Sensai Select Spa at Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa in Interlaken, Switzerland, a coveted spot on their 23^rd annual “Best of the Best” list, the culmination of an entire year’s search for the world’s most exceptional resorts, hotels, spas and more.

Opened in 2010, Sensai offers guests the unique opportunity to experience treatments based around the silk produced by Koishimaru silkworms. These silkworms were proprietary to the Japanese imperial family until the late 1990s, when permission to study their silk was granted to Sensai. The silk they produce triggers the creation of hyaluronan, a natural moisturizer with anti-aging properties. (We’ve never heard of it—but we bet Sukanya can spell it!)

This Valentine’s Day 30 lucky couples will learn all about the importance of body heat. Igloobase is open each winter as an idyllic winter wonderland escape and is partnering with Victoria-Jungfrau Collection to make February 14 a little more special (and memorable!).

Couples will enjoy romantic poem readings, musical performances, and a fire show before taking part in the action with waltz or a tango lessons on the frozen Lake Hinterstockensee. After working up an appetite, participants will enjoy an intimate meal at the Panorama Restaurant at the top of the mountain (at 7,185 feet) before returning down to the valley for an overnight stay at Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa.  The “Fire & Flame” package for two is 260 Swiss Francs (about $270) and includes transfers, dinner, and the shows.  The best reason we’ve encountered to brave the cold!

Hot off the press…

AUGUST  2010

Here is our monthly news in tweetable form.

New and Notable

Hotel Parq Central

• Up up and away for #BalloonFestival!  #HotelParqCentral opens on 9/23/10. Rates starting at $179/night including breakfast and other treats.

Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas

• #AnantaraBophut in Koh Samui, #Thailand will be getting an upgrade! And we have the pics (http://bit.ly/cSwDte) to prove it!

Deals and Steals

Island Outpost

• Beat the heat w #BlueMountainBreezeOut at #StrawberryHill in #Jamaica. Includes accommodations, massage, 20% off #spa + free guided hike.

Pavillon de la Reine

• #PavillondelaReine in the heart of #Paris has a winter package w mini in-room #Christmas tree, half bottle of champagne +free parking.

Food and Wine

Andaz 5^th Avenue

• Be sure to check out the shop at #Andaz5thAvenue in #NYC. Enjoy dishes from NY icons like #Katz’sdeli and GREAT people watching.

Inn on the Alameda

• #InnontheAlameda challenges you to a #margarita contest. Submit your recipe-winner gets a 2-night stay for 2 in a suite w fireplace.

Royal Mansour Marrakech

• After the souk, sample #RoyalMansourMarrakech tasty pastries at the #PatisserieBibliotheque -a library of treats to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Hotel Crillon Le Brave

• #Provence chic #HotelCrillonleBrave is offering all-inclusive cooking program package, which combines spectacular culture and cuisine.

Park Hyatt

• Michelin-starred Jean-François Rouquette invites top chefs and sommeliers to Masters of Food & Wine at #ParkHyatt Paris-Vendôme Oct 11-16
• #Ramadan begins on Aug 11. Taste 30 days of amazing after dark holiday menus at #ParkHyatt #Dubai, #Istanbul, #Jeddah, #Baku.

Body and Soul

La Réserve

• Work off those summer ice creams with hikes and spa at très français #LaReserveRamatuelle #bootcamp this September. 9/15-9/19 or 9/27-9/31

Parrot Cay

• Get your chakras in line w @ElenaBrower on 5 day yoga retreat at @ParrotCayResort. 5 hours of #AnusaraYoga daily and #COMOShambhala cuisine.

Grand Hyatt Tokyo

• W #GrandHyattTokyo Grand Summer Escape, get a bbq for 2 and access to Nagomi spa and fitness w 20% off all treatments http://bit.ly/bpJlUL

ESPA

•  Get smooth skin with #ESPA Beach Body Ready gift set feat. smoothing shower gel and moisturizing balm w/ #free salt scrub gift!

Action Packed

Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa

• Stay at the #VictoriaJungfrau in #Interlaken and check out the summer lugers in the #SwissAlps http://bit.ly/arzVyg

COMO Hotels & Resorts

• Bike through #Bhutan on a 7 night trip based at #UmaParo. From $3413 single occupancy see monasteries, prayer flags, and dramatic valleys.

Crystal Cruises

• W #CrystalCruises New Perspectives, go backstage at #MonteCarloBallet, dip in #Reykjavik hot springs, or see #SierraMadres by private plane.

Shakti Village Experiences

• See #India at new heights with #ShaktiVillageExperience‘s stays in mountain villages #Ladakh, in season now, #Kumaon or #Sikkim in October!

See and be Seen

Rosewood Mayakobá

• Stay at #RosewoodMayakoba and see young golfers compete in Mayakoba Junior Golf Classic August 16-19. The savvy golfers are all 18 and under

Nantucket Island Resorts

•  Take a trip to #Nantucket this winter for the island’s classic Christmas Stroll and stay at @WhiteElephantMA, open for this holiday event.

Royal Oak Foundation

• See @CharlotteMossNY receive #RoyalOakFoundation #TimelessDesign award for work as an interior designer author speaker and philanthropist.

Andaz Wall Street

• #WallStreet2 premieres September 24. See what all the fuss is about in the #FiDi with a stay at #AndazWallStreet or a meal at #WallandWater.

It’s Summer! And that means it’s time to take advantage of the outdoors. There is no better place to do so than at the charming and elegant Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa in Interlaken, Switzerland. Surrounded by three different mountain ranges ( Jungfrau, Niesen, and Harder) the Victoria Jungfrau Grand not only offers exquisite views, but also a plethora of outdoor adventures. Even the most timid of hikers will be swept away by the beautiful forests and mountains. Take in the lush greenery and sparkling lakes while hiking along the over 50 kilometers of trails very close to the comfort of your hotel. One of these can’t miss hikes, suitable for beginners and experts alike, is a route from Grütschalp to Mürren that runs parallel to the railway, and overlooks the stunning Lauterbrunnen Valley. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Here’s something worth yodeling about: travelers can now extend their next Swiss vacation at no extra cost. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love freebies?

For any three consecutive nights booked at La Réserve Geneva Hotel, guests will enjoy the third night FREE. Spend the extra evening relaxing in refined comfort on a soft velvet bedspread, or dining on seasonal Mediterranean dishes at the Le Loti restaurant. Rates start from CHF 900/night (about $857); offer is available for Executive and Deluxe Rooms and all Suites and includes access to all of the hotel facilities.

We all wish we could slow down Father Time. Well, at the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, it’s truly possible with a 30-hour day offering. For every 24 hours booked, with check-in at the guest’s convenience, six hours are added on as a gift. For example, a noon check-in is good until 6 p.m. the next day.  And, multiple 24-hour days can add up! Arrive at noon on Friday with expected check out on Monday at noon – that’s three 24-hour days plus an extra 18 hours.  So, one can stay an extra day and a half (until Tuesday at 6 p.m.) for nothing. 

No offense, Charlie, but we can’t stay silent with this news. Fans of Chaplin will soon be able to pay homage to his life during a stay at the elegant La Réserve Geneva.

Already over a decade in the making, the famous silent film actor’s home is in its final two years of transformation from a residence to a museum.

And when the museum finally comes to fruition? Make sure to book a night or two at the nearby La Réserve Geneva. Complete the package with a Lake Suite for views of the water, exquisite dining at the Le Loti restaurant, and a hot springs-infused treatment at the spa.

Then head on over to the museum to enjoy memorabilia and displays from Chaplin’s life, including the piano at which he composed film scores and a desk where he wrote an autobiography and scripts for two of his movies.

Not ready for home post-lounging on Lake Geneva? Extend your vacation in Switzerland and jet to Interlaken’s Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa for a majestic hike or an exclusive treatment at the new SENSAI SELECT SPA.

These unconventional end-of-year getaways will scratch the travel itch. Rounded up here are cozy and kid-friendly locales for families, unique spots for adventurers and enriching destinations for those craving cultural stimuli.  

Family Festivities

WHAT:  Getaway to a Country Cottage

WHERE: National Trust Holiday Cottages – UK

WHY: Because a trip to the English countryside with a family membership in the Royal Oak Foundation to see old castles and gardens (for free!) could just be the best present for the Harry Potter-loving kids (or parents).

DETAILS, DETAILS: With over 360 cottages from which to choose, here are a few:

• Emley Farmhouse in Surrey sleeps up to 10 and has a traditional country kitchen, perfect for that big Christmas dinner. A three night stay starts at $740.35, a seven night stay, $1416.75.
• 89 Church Lawn in Wiltshire sleeps up to seven and has exclusive access to the National Trust’s stunning winter gardens. You can even go fishing in the beautiful lake. A three night stay starts at $590, a seven night stay, $1065.50.
• Abermydyr in Wales sits on the banks of the River Aeron and sleeps up to six. Brings the kids here for the Christmas food and craft fair at Llanerchaeron, a Trust protected gentry estate. A three night stay starts at $493.50, a seven night stay, $957.30.

WHAT: Swiss Family Reunion

WHERE: The Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa – Interlaken, Switzerland

WHY: Christmas dinners, a Children’s Party for New Year’s Eve, and Dad treating Mom to a Festive Foam Bath with winter aromas and champagne all conspire for festive fun.

DETAILS, DETAILS: Splash Hour at the pool, the Zurich Zoo and the St. Beatus caves will thrill the kids, and fitness classes, Turkish baths, and professional childcare will restore their parents’ sanity. Rates start at $877 per night for double occupancy.

Adventurers Only

WHAT:  Arabian Eco-experience

WHERE: Anantara Desert Islands Resort & Spa – Sir Bani Yas Island, UAE

WHY: It feeds the craving for sun while heeding the call of the wild.

DETAILS, DETAILS: Home to one of Abu Dhabi’s largest Arabian wildlife conservancies, guests can go hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, take a game drive, or learn archery. Double occupancy rates start at $537 per night; book at least 30 days in advance to receive a 15% discount.

 WHAT: Modern Day Pilgrimage

WHERE: Uma Paro – Bhutan  

WHY: Because hiking to a Buddhist monastery sure beats waiting in line at a department store with frantic holiday shoppers.

DETAILS, DETAILS: One of its many active adventures includes a trek to Tiger’s Nest monastery, located in the sheer cliffs 2,700 feet above Paro Valley and a peaceful orchard picnic with spectacular views. For the month of December, double occupancy rates start at $330 per night.

WHAT: Chance to Step Foot on Antarctica

WHERE: Crystal Cruise’s Symphony departs from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Valparaiso, Chile.   

WHY: Due to an upcoming ban on cruise ships in the Antarctic Ocean, this will be Crystal’s final voyage to the area.

DETAILS, DETAILS: In addition to visiting amazing locales in South America, six thrill-seekers will take the rare overland trip to Antarctica to see remote villages, a petrified forest, and a penguin breeding ground. Rates start at $8,995, double occupancy.

Cultural Cravings

WHAT: Revelation in the Red City 

WHERE: Royal Mansour Marrakech – Morocco 

WHY: It will be impossible to miss the carolers when exploring Djemma El-fna, a square in the historical district of town known for having the best musicians, dancers and storytellers.

DETAILS, DETAILS:  When in this city of cultural fusions be sure to visit the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs, and the largest souk (traditional market) in Morocco to bargain for spices or clothing or tea pots. Riads start at €1,500 a night.     

WHAT: Balinese New Beginning

WHERE: Uma Ubud – Bali  

WHY: What better way to start the year then with the New Year package’s complimentary massage on the first day of 2010.   

DETAILS, DETAILS: Guests will see the village decorated with traditional bamboo poles and banana leaves and enjoy a Balinese-inspired New Year’s Eve dinner, followed by a cocktail party with DJ at the pool bar. Rates start at $260 per night, double occupancy.

WHAT: A Resolution Well-Kept

WHERE: Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa, Chiang Rai, Thailand 

WHY: Utilizing those new Thai cooking skills back home will keep the post-holiday gloom at bay.

DETAILS, DETAILS: The cooking lessons are just the beginning of the cultural immersion; at the Elephant Camp (part of the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre), a 30-minute lesson will teach adventurers to drive an elephant. Rates start at $520, double occupancy.