The effortlessly chic fashion line, Haute Hippie, and the highly-lauded Jamaica hotspot GoldenEye Hotel announce their collaboration and the creation of a new “All Things Gold” clothing collection. Inspired by Island Outpost’s flagship property and the simply stunning north coast of Jamaica where the hotel is located, the Haute Hippie designs will launch in time for Resort 2012.

The laid-back rocker-chic designs of Haute Hippie founder Trish Wescoat Pound are in perfect harmony with the simple, iconic Jamaica-style glamour that Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chris Blackwell has nurtured at the recently re-opened hotel.  Their shared affinity for a relaxed approach to high style has resulted in this special “All Things Gold” collection, which will feature the vintage-inspired, yet modern vibe that both brands embody.

“So much of what inspires us is drawn from the places we travel and the music we listen to. The partnership with Chris Blackwell and GoldenEye is a true meeting of the minds – a sharing of aesthetics, tastes and influences,” said Trish Wescoat Pound, founder of Haute Hippie.

The “All Things Gold” Resort 2012 collection will be available later this year at Haute Hippie stores. The collection will also be carried on-site at GoldenEye and at its sister property Strawberry Hill Hotel, Spa & Gardens, which is set high among the Blue Mountains and offers breath-taking views over the city of Kingston below.

Haute Hippie draws from a myriad of cultures, genres, people and places, and embraces the lifestyle for which they design.  More than just a line of beautiful clothes, Haute Hippie is an expression of a collective conscious, a common mindset and a shared worldview.  It’s no wonder Wescoat Pound was inspired by Jamaica and GoldenEye following her recent wedding at the property. The hotel and its lush surroundings are steeped in old-Hollywood history – after all, it is the former home of author Ian Fleming and the location where he penned all 14 James Bond novels – yet thoroughly infused with the vibrant spirit of this most unique island. Set along the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, GoldenEye successfully pays homage to its rich heritage while offering contemporary luxury with an authentic Jamaican feel with brand new beach- and lagoon-front Cottages and Suites, swimming pools, and dining options.

About Haute Hippie

Founded by designer Trish Wescoat Pound, Haute Hippie is the expression of a love affair with clothing.  From boy shorts to ball gowns, each piece in the Haute Hippie collection is inspired and designed by people who are passionate about the clothing they create.  Haute Hippie embodies the spirit of the global nomad – blending vintage, urban chic and other cultural influences from around the world. The Haute Hippie woman is as comfortable exploring the jungles of Peru as she is the streets of New York; a true citizen of the world – comfortable in her own skin and free from the need to conform to trends. A believer in the democratization of fashion without compromising luxury, Trish infuses Haute Hippie with the same carefree – yet sophisticated – aesthetic that characterizes every aspect of her life. Founded in 2008, Haute Hippie is sold in over 100 stores across the United States and more than 40 countries worldwide.

About GoldenEye Hotel

GoldenEye overlooks the Caribbean Sea in the quiet village of Oracabessa Bay on Jamaica’s north coast. Built by the novelist Ian Fleming as his Jamaican retreat, GoldenEye is where Fleming wrote all 14 James Bond novels. Today, GoldenEye is an award-winning Island Outpost hotel. It is owned by Chris Blackwell, the Jamaica-raised founder of Island Records. Though built in 1949, GoldenEye reopened in 2010, following a two-year renovation. The hotel now encompasses Fleming’s original villa, three villas built by Blackwell, plus nine new Beach Cottages, two new Lagoon Cottages and six new Lagoon Suites. GoldenEye is sited on 52 stunning acres and is home to secret coves, breathtaking private beaches, tropical forests and a singular lagoon. Two new restaurants—The Gazebo and Bizot Bar—serve quintessential Jamaica-style cooking and signature cocktails mixed with Blackwell Fine Jamaica Rum. The FieldSpa is the home base for the fitness and activities program. Treatments are given by the water, in-your-own-room, or at a cottage named Royal Palm, at the lagoon-edge where open-to-the air treatment rooms are a sanctuary for massage, salt scrubs, skin brightening facials, herbal wraps, and energy work. A pioneer in a variety of green initiatives, GoldenEye supports the Oracabessa Foundation, which educates and encourages sustainable development within the community.

Crystal Cruises is surely doing their part to help make the world a better place. It all started in January 2011, when they introduced the “You Care, We Care” voluntourism program where guests and crew can be directly involved in worthwhile causes in the destinations they visit, including opportunities such as assisting with poverty relief, education, cultural preservation, environmental conservation, animal welfare, and more. In May, Arun Gandhi joins guests aboard Crystal Symphony for a Iberian Peninsula sailing.

Few names in world history evoke such powerful images of integrity, courage, social harmony, and – perhaps most of all – hope. Arun Gandhi carries within himself the same guiding principles as his grandfather, the legendary peace-maker and spiritual leader, Mohandas K. Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi. A speaker of international acclaim, Gandhi has spoken at hundreds of colleges and universities, and corporate and civic organizations. His unique talents and cross-cultural experiences have brought him before governmental, social, and educational audiences in countries all over the world. Arun is a cultural treasure, offering firsthand insights into one of history’s most influential leaders.

From May 9 – 21, 2012, join Gandhi aboard Crystal Symphony’s  ”Iberian Journey“ sailing from Barcelona to London, with calls in Mallorca/Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, and Málaga, Spain; Tangiers, Morocco; Lisbon and Oporto/Leixoes, Portugal; and Bordeaux, France. You too can help make the world a better place!

Photo courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Red Fort in New Delhi (new-delhi-tour-india.blogspot.com)

Happy, Happy birthday to the city of New Delhi today! The foundation of the city was laid on December 15, 1911 by King George V and Queen Mary. Since that date, it has become one of the fastest growing cities in the world with a population of 19 million!

Stop by to give your best wishes and see how well it’s aged with Banyan Tours & Travels. The bespoke tour company can arrange an itinerary to see the city’s sights and many cultural offerings! Here’s to another prosperous 100!

Every November, Thailand celebrates Loi Krathong, or the Festival of Lights. During the festival, elaborate floats line the waterways and fireworks and paper lanterns illuminate the night sky. The release of lanterns into the night sky is thought to cast away grief and misfortune. Like blowing out the candles on a birthday cake, releasing a lantern is also an opportunity to make a wish. While lanterns are released all year round for various celebrations, this spectacular nationwide festival occurs on the full moon of the 12^th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar (in the Western calendar, it usually falls in November). This year, Loi Krathong took place on November 10, but don’t worry, it’s not too late to release your own lantern! Click here to take part in the Loi Krathong celebration!

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!

When most people think of the Maldives, they think of powdery beaches, deserted pearl-strung islands, and world-famous diving, but that’s not all – the pristine and virtually untouched open water is home to some extraordinary big game fish. From now through November 13, the Maldives Game Fishing Association (MGFA) is holding the first ever Maldives Game Fishing Challenge. In this “tag and release” tournament, competitors bait their lines in hopes of landing Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo, Yellowfin, Big Eye, and Dog Tooth Tuna. In addition to supporting sustainable recreational fishing methods, scientists are present at the tournament to tag the caught fish for research and conservation purposes.

With temperatures dipping below freezing and a snowstorm in October, it’s no secret that winter came much too soon. While we can’t control the weather, we can certainly run from it! Ditch the snow boots, pack your warm weather gear and escape with top luxury line, Crystal Cruises, instead.

Voted World’s Best more than any other cruise line in history, Crystal Cruises offers a diverse collection of itineraries exploring the Panama Canal, South America, Caribbean, and the Pacific Coast. Book before December 31, 2011 and receive up to $4,000 per couple in additional savings! But hurry, Crystal Cruises’ Book Now Fares don’t last forever.

Other exclusive offers, available for a limited time, include 2-for-1 fares, special savings for repeat Crystal Society guests, families and friends traveling together, new-to-Crystal savings, early full payment savings, and generous savings for back-to-back combination cruises. So, pull out your bathing suits and sun block, put away your hats and gloves, and book now to save!

Alice Marshall Public Relations is thrilled to announce its representation of the One&Only Resort collection. Set in some of the most beautiful locales in the world, each award-winning resort offers guests a distinctive style, genuine hospitality and lively energy that is unrivaled.  Properties include One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives; One&Only Le Saint Géran in Mauritius; One&Only Royal Mirage in Dubai; One&Only Ocean Club in The Bahamas, One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico; One&Only Cape Town, South Africa and One&Only The Palm, Dubai which opened in November 2010.

As an authority on luxury hotels and goods for over 20-years, AMPR is adept at identifying trends and reporting news from their clients in a carefully crafted and nuanced way.  From high-end hotels to exceptional cruises, trains, exotic spas and lavish products, One&Only Resorts joins an exemplary roster of AMPR clientele bursting with exciting and original content.

To kick-off the holiday season, we would like to share with you our One&Only Gift Guide. From a mouth-watering cookbook by South African chef Reuben Riffel to a Physique57® Fitness Retreat, One&Only has your gift wrapped up.

Your One&Only Gift Guide

• Instead of the traditional gift of wine, One&Only Palmilla’s sommelier Manuel Arteaga recommends gifting a bottle of Mezcal from his four favorite artisanal producers: Pierde Almas, Alipuz, Ilegal Mezcal, or Los Danzantes. Often touted as ‘the new tequila,’ mezcal is distilled from the agave (like tequila) and has a distinctive smokiness – perfect to warm up a winter-chilled body. For the ultimate Mezcal Tasting Experience, guests at One&Only Palmilla can schedule a private tasting with Manuel and learn about the production process, regions, and categories, followed by a tasting of seven mescals at the Agua bar. $55 per person.

• For the fitness buff, pair Physique 57®’s new book, The Physique 57® Solution: The Groundbreaking 2-Week Plan for a Lean, Beautiful Body in stores nationwide on January 4th, with the promise of a stay at One&Only Ocean Club during one of their 4-night Physique57® Fitness Retreats. Guests enjoy two daily classes with Physique 57® instructors, use of a Balinese-style spa, nutritional cuisine by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, all in a Bahamian paradise. Retreats are scheduled for December 4-8, 2011, January 12-16, 2012, May 3-7, 2012, September 20-24, 2012, and December 2-6, 2012.

• For the chef, One&Only Cape Town’s Reuben Riffel’s new cookbook Reuben Cooks Local, takes home chefs on a journey through one of South Africa’s most well-loved culinary repertoires from his celebrated city bistro. Filled with over 230 pages of recipes and tempting images, readers also learn what inspired this chef and his rise through the South African restaurant ranks.

• Cape Town-bound spa-goers will swoon over ‘The Essence of Africa’ at One&Only Cape Town’s award-winning spa. The new therapy combines traditional African massage tools, such as the ‘Eucalyptus wooden rungu,’ and age old healing ingredients such as Baobab tree oil and Rooibos herbs from the bush to lift the senses, improve skin elasticity, and reduce stress. If you can’t make it to South Africa, try gifting some new in-room bath and body products by South African Charlotte Rhys, just out with her new line of men’s amenities in time for the holidays.

• For the music buff, give the gift of three nights at One&Only Ocean Club during December 7-13 and get VIP tickets to hear country sensation Brad Paisley perform live at the Grand Ballroom at Atlantis, Paradise Island, on Saturday, December 10 at 9:30pm. (Book by December 5.)