Cabin fever setting in? Here are five top luxury travel ideas to liven up your plans. Prices range from few thousands to the millions, but each promises a unique escape, to say the least.
Residential Cruising in High Style
May I suggest The Magellan, with 15 decks and a crew of 500, slated to be the ultimate residential cruise ship when she makes her maiden voyage in 2010. Three million to $15 million will buy unparalleled luxury with private ownership of your permanent home at sea. You’ll circumnavigate the globe, with box seats to the most coveted events in the world, no less than 300 potential port stops in 150 countries from the luxurious surroundings of your own, personal home on the sea. Included: space observatory, putting green, jet heliport, tennis court, four fine dining restaurants, casino, gourmet food shops, concierge services, spa onboard marina and a 430-seat Broadway theater. On a bit of a budget this year? Fractional ownership is available for under $250,000. [www.residentialcruiseline.com]
Moon Tourism Takes Off
Space Adventures is now taking reservations now for the world’s first vacation flight to the far side of the moon. Price tag: $100 million. Per seat. No date set yet, but a number of travelers already reserved their spots. Meanwhile, available now is the zero gravity flight for just $95,000, then a suborbital flight including five full minutes of weightlessness for $102,000. It comes with a lapel pin and documentation suitable for framing. [www.spaceadventures.com]
Relaxing Florida Keys Getaway
It already costs $1,400 a night for a romantic getaway at Little Palm Island, the private fantasy isle in the Keys. That includes turndown service with candles and a rose petal bath at no extra charge. But why not upgrade to the La Crème de la Crème turndown service. The rose petals start at the stairs of your Tahitian style bungalow on stilts, and make their way to the chocolate truffles the chilled bottle of sensuous Cristal Rose champagne, and finally, the rose petal bath with SpaTerre oils and lotions, and signature robes and slippers to keep. For that, take another $1,000 to your stay. [www.littlepalmisland.com]
Custom-Made Suits in Hong Kong
Living the life of a Hong Kong tycoon needn’t be out of reach. For instance, pop into the mezzanine of the Mandarin Oriental there and you can get a suit made from Europe’s finest wools and cottons at A-Man Hing Cheong, established 1898. Relax in a deep leather chair, but be patient. The tailor will want to do several fittings over a few days. Of course, service is what you are buying, although get ready to plunk down somewhere easily north of $2,000 for the finished product. It’s said that the best customers are movies stars, royalty and, of course, the city’s moguls, but don’t expect any name-dropping. Discretion is part of the service. [www.mandarinoriental.com]
Barefoot Massage in Vegas
Attention athletes and fitness buffs: Think you’re a tough guy? Spa Bellagio in Las Vegas will challenge you with Ashiatsu, the deep-compression massage by a barefoot therapist suspended from ceiling-mounted bars. And don’t let her girly looks fool you. This is intense stuff. The gliding, pushing and pulling of Oriental bar therapy is considered excellent for chronic lower back and neck pain. [www.bellagio.com]
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