October 26th, 2011
Diwali, also known as Deepavali or Devali, is a holiday observed by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains. Known as the “festival of lights,” Diwali is celebrated between mid-October and mid-November every year, as it is based on the luni-solar Hindu calendar. It is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, and Fiji, but it is celebrated all over the world. While the story behind Diwali varies from region to region, as do the celebrations (which may include the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil, but can also involve fireworks, sharing sweets, and many other traditions and forms of worship) the fundamental meaning behind the holiday remains the same – to celebrate the victory of good over evil, to rejoice in the inner light (known as Atman), and to celebrate the reality in all things (Brahman).
For our friends who celebrate Diwali, we wish you a very happy holiday!
June 30th, 2011
Fashion icon Donna Karan unveils some of her travel tips and secrets in an interview on Saks Point of View. We’re not surprised that this chicster favors COMO Hotels and Resorts properties. She loves water and nature, which she finds at her home on Parrot Cay, and her most memorable summer vacation involved a yoga retreat in Bali at COMO Shambhala Estate. There are also useful tips on what to wear and how to pack. We wish we could travel like Donna…
June 1st, 2011
Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond, would have celebrated his 103rd birthday on May 28 (had he not passed away in 1964). After a WWII mission brought him to the Caribbean, Fleming returned to “paradise on earth” and built his dream villa, GoldenEye.
While we can’t all spend the rest of our days soaking in the Jamaican sun like Commander Fleming did (although we wish we could), why not celebrate his birthday with a trip to the birthplace of James Bond. There’s no better time than now with summer rates starting at just $448 per night for a Lagoon Suite. If you’re in the mood to party, grab the whole gang for a blow out bash and rent the Fleming Villa with rates starting at $4,400 per night. When not swimming in the turquoise lagoon or lounging on the beach, be sure to chat up Ramsey Dacosta, resident historian of GoldenEye, having worked at the property since the days when Fleming was in residence. He certainly has some good stories to share…
Trade in your martini (shaken, not stirred) for a red stripe and your tuxedo for a new bathing suit and toast to our Commander in Chief’s 103rd birthday!
May 20th, 2011
Hercule Poirot? Yes. Orient-Express? Yes. Murder? Not so much… Feeling low since the ending of the latest Upstairs Downstairs? Counting down the days until the next installment of Downton Abbey? Ease your Masterpiece cravings this weekend with everyone’s favorite detective Hercule Poirot. The main character of Agatha Christie’s epic Murder on the Orient-Express is about to board the train once more. Actor David Suchet (known for playing the savvy Poirot) will be traveling from Calais to Prague, stopping off in Venice, aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for PBS’s documentary David Suchet on the Orient Express: A Masterpiece Special. Suchet will trace the history of the Orient-Express, from its elegant beginnings to its tumultuous final days, and explore what made it the perfect setting for one of Christie’s most recognized novels. Break out the pipe and slippers and tune into Masterpiece Theatre on May 22 (check local listings for the time).
March 10th, 2011
Crystal Cruises ahora ofrece su entera 2011 formación de crucero (211-pages) como un Atlas lleno del español-Idioma. If you can read that sentence, it’s all you need to know…. If not, we wanted to share that Crystal Cruises is now offering its complete 2011 cruise atlas in Spanish. Crystal is the only luxury line to publish a full atlas in Spanish and they hopesto start a trend!
Crystal noticed a growing interest from 23 primarily Spanish-speaking countries, and hopes the new atlases will make it easier for native Spanish tongues to understand all of the details within a Crystal itinerary. Crystal prides itself on being the ultimate service-oriented cruise line– and the new publication extends its service to the millions of Spanish-speaking travelers worldwide.
March 4th, 2011
Bali residents celebrate New Year Day, or Nyepi, in total silence as a way to start afresh, contemplate, and reassess one’s values in life. On this day, Baliense abstain from traveling, working, and all forms of entertainment. No flights depart from or arrive at the airport, the streets are closed to pedestrians and vehicles, and even street lights are turned off for the evening. Guests and travelers are expected to follow the same rules.
Anantara Seminyak Resort & Spa is a tempting silent haven. It will be easy to win the quiet game while relaxing in your Anantara Suite’s signature deep terrazzo tub or looking out at the Indian Ocean from the deck of an Ocean Suite. Don’t miss Anantara’s Thai Culinary Journey with a cooking class guided by Wild Orchid’s experienced Thai chefs, followed by a lunch of the students’ own creations. Spend a peaceful afternoon at the Anantara Spa with an expert therapist who will tailor a package according to guests’ needs, to be enjoyed in a single or couple’s treatment suites, each complete with private terrazzo showers or bathtubs, a personal iPod connection, and views of verdant tree tops and Mount Batukaru. Now that’s something to shout about.
Celebrate the “Day of Silence” at Uma Ubud with the Nyepi Package. To honor the tradition, the hotel asks guests to remain on the grounds of the resort where complimentary yoga is offered, the Kemiri restaurant is serving a traditional Balinese Rijstaffel dinner, and guests can experience quiet seclusion with a one-hour COMO Shambhala treatment. The package includes two nights’ accommodation and a daily a la carte breakfast, one two-course set lunch at Kemiri restaurant (excluding beverages), one thre-course dinner at Kemiri restaurant (excluding beverages), a 60-minutes COMO Shambhala or Indonesian massage treatment per person, a three-hour guided tour of Ubud, and private return airport transfers. Rates start at $756
February 17th, 2011
The Rubin Museum of Art in New York City is inviting families to create their own Himalayan towns and stupas this Saturday with clay, fabric, and mixed media. The museum will provide photographs of Himalayan villages, tents, temples, and stupas, but then it’s all up to the imagination! Get those creative juices flowing!
Or make the picture a reality on a family trip with Shakti. Customize an itinerary based on your families interests in three distinct regions of India’s North: Kuamaon in Uttarakhand; the tiny state of Sikkim, and Ladakh, in Jammu-Kashmir. Ideal for active and engaging family travel, guides will lead travelers on daily walks and exploration of temples and monasteries. In Ladakh, adventurous types can try their hand at rafting down the Indus River, camping out under the stars, or riding an indigenious Bactrian camel through the Nubra. You might need a few more supplies, but we’re certain the personal treks will leave all ages inspired.
February 16th, 2011
Etihad Airways and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) are inviting visitors to experience all that Abu Dhabi has to offer with the Essential Abu Dhabi campaign. After flying Etihad’s new three class A330-300 aircraft featuring the new Diamond First Class, simply show your boarding pass at participating hotels, restaurants, shops, adventure parks, cultural attractions, and sports facilities – including one of our favorites, Ferrari World – for exclusive offers and deals.
After all the essential action in Abu Dhabi, unwind at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara located just ninety minutes outside the city in the heart of the Liwa Desert. The landscape is home to some of the world’s tallest sand dunes, and was built from the vision of celebrating the traditions of the Emirate and celebrating the culture of the Bedouins. Enjoy a pampering treatment at the spa featuring a real hammam, a camel ride through the desert, or the 2,500 museum-quality Bedouin artefacts sourced from all over Arabia throughout the resort. It’s hard to know what’s more relaxing, the resort or Diamond First Class – let us know your findings!
January 24th, 2011
We all know that Bob Marley is cool – his melodies are the perfect soundtrack for a warm sunny day with a rum punch in hand. What we may not have known is that his coolness may stem from Jamaica itself! CNNGo recently ranked countries by their coolness, and Jamaicans were ranked third coolest nationality in the world. The reggae tunes, the laid back life style, the effortless use of the word, “mon”… all of these things make Jamaicans pretty darn cool. Americans aren’t too far behind (we ranked #5 due to things like rock n roll, surfing, and Hollywood), but if you want to up your coolness factor, head down to Jamaica and kick back the newly opened GoldenEye with a Blackwell Rum cocktail.
January 14th, 2011
worldmusiccentral.org
Western India will be audible along Broadway in New York tonight as the Rhythm of Rajasthan Ensemble performs at Peter Norton Symphony Space (2537 Broadway) at 8 p.m. The ensemble’s folk music blends driving percussion, ecstatic Sufi songs, and hypnotic sarangi (bowed lute) and algoza (double flute). To add a little flair, the group will be joined by Suva Devi, a dancer seen in the film Latcho Drom, who is a master snake charmer.
Sound inciting? Tickets are $35. For more information, call 212-545-7536 or visit www.worldmusicinstitute.org.