W Retreat Koh Samui - Koh Samui , Thailand

W Retreat Koh Samui is ideally located at Tambol Maenam Surat in the city of Samui. Popular attractions of the city include Lamai Beach, Ang Thong National Marine Park, Na Mueang Falls, Mummified and Sawadee Shrine. The resort offers luxurious accommodation in peaceful setting. Set amidst the water falls and small rivers, this property is heavenly haven in the Gulf of Thailand. With the best outlook of Koh Samui's northern coastline and surrounding islands, the Living Room Lounge will be the preferred lounge destination for the island's best, socialites and guests alike. The Chaweng Beach, Hin Lad Waterfall, Samui Butterfly Garden, Secret Buddha Garden and Wat Phra Yai are some of the major attractions.

The 73 all private pool retreats offer the indulgence and luxury you could possibly Wonderlust for with custom-designed furniture, private patios and pools, breathtaking views, spa-ready bathrooms and more.

W Retreat Koh Samui serves delicious food at the Japanese restaurant. Freshly baked treats, gourmet pizzas and buffets are offered in the Kitchen Table. Cool off at the pool bar that serves a selection of drinks.

Boracay Island

Boracay Island

Boracay Island is a haven for those who want just want to relax their days away in a picture-postcard vision of perfection. Accessed by boat from the jetty at Caticlan, this 7km long island is blessed with natural beauty, wonderfully warm culture and weather that is perfect all year round. Boracay Island is a holiday destination that one should at least experience once in their life-time.

Booking a room at one of the high-end Boracay hotels will place you on the very edge of paradise. Imagine just sinking your feet into the powder-soft sands at the sheltered White Beach. It is a luxury that has to be experienced to be believed.

If you prefer to be in the heart of all the nightlife, choose one of the Boracay hotels in the lively station two area or, if you are looking to travel on a budget, the station three Borocay resorts are friendly on the wallet.

There are over 350 Boracay Resorts, so whether you prefer to gaze out over the Pacific from your choice of Boracay Island villas or choose from a wide range of Boracay hotels, suitable for all budgets, you won't be disappointed.

From luxury Boracay hotels run by prestigious companies such as Shangri-La and Best Western, to simple batik-themed budget resorts, you will find something to suit your means and style.

Once you're settled into one of the Boracay Island hotels, hire a bicycle or a motorbike and explore the intricate network of paths, or take one of the many yacht cruises and set off around the coast. The sunset cruise is one thing you should not miss.

Boracay Island - Sunset

Whether booking one of the Boracay resorts, hotels or even villas, you are going to want to know what to do with your time. If you are content with kicking back in a hammock as the breeze gently stirs the leaves of the palm trees that line the silky white beaches, then Boracay Island will not disappoint.

However, if you are looking for a holiday full of fun-packed adventure then leave White Beach for a moment and cross over to Bulabog beach. The hills to the north and south of this water sport hotspot funnel the easterly winds onshore to create ideal conditions for windsurfing and kite-boarding. In fact, if you book your holiday for late January you could witness the awesome skills of the sporting professionals on the Asian Windsurfing Tour.

If you prefer to spend your time beneath the glassy waves, you will be pleased to know that many of the Boracay resorts are within easy reach of a number of dive centres; whether you prefer to snorkel or SCUBA dive, Boracay is the place to come. Land sports are also available, and golf fanatics can practice their strokes on Graham Marsh's 18-hole course.

If you are an avid nature-lover, you within easy reach of exquisite butterfly gardens, extensive hiking and walking trails. A hidden extra at the northern part of the island is the impressive bat caves, home of the Boracay fruit bat.

After you have spent an exhilarating day in the Bulabog spray or just recharged your batteries on a tropical beach, you will probably want to sample the Filipino cuisine in one of the many restaurants or bars.

However, if European is more to your taste you will find plenty of options to wet your appetite. Round off a perfect day by taking in the stunning sunset from a beachfront bar, acoustic music in the background, while lying back on your beach chair.

The Setai - Miami Beach, United States

The Setai - Miami

The Setai is an intimate, serene oceanfront resort in the heart of South Beach.  Its design vision artfully combines the rich architectural history of the neighborhood and its cultural diversity with the International Art Deco movement, particularly its influence in Asia. Infused with natural materials, space and light, The Setai bears the unmistakable imprint of legendary hotelier Adrian Zecha.

The Setai - Miami Beach - Pool

The Setai introduces the Asian traditions of simplicity and elegance to South Beach. With 75 impeccably detailed guestrooms and 50 suites, an intimate private spa, three pools and remarkable restaurants and bars. It is located on Collins Ave at 20th street near Miami Beach's thriving cultural district, as well as the nightlife, fine dining, shopping and other South Beach attractions.

The Setai, Miami - Room interior

Top 3 Emerging Luxury Destinations

1. Maldives Luxury Holiday

Maldives Luxury Holiday

Sun, sea and sand are the three ingredients behind the Maldives’ success. Boasting a huge range of luxury resorts, an abundance of water sports and fun-filled excursions for all ages, the Maldives can offer an exotic beach holiday like no other. If romance, relaxation or sun-worshipping are your main aims for your holiday, you can’t go far wrong with the Maldives.

2. Dubai Luxury Holiday

Dubai Luxury Holiday

Home to some of the most luxurious hotels in the world and with a constantly changing skyline, Dubai is a fast-paced desert destination with a twist. Where else in the world would you be able to shop, ski and dine all under the same roof? And the plans for this mega-city are ever-expanding. From theme parks to sports centres, soon Dubai will encompass everything that we love about our favourite holiday destinations within striking distance of one another.

So sit back, sunbathe and take a sip of your cocktail while it all unfolds around you…

3. Mauritius Luxury Holiday

Mauritius Luxury Holiday

Luxury beach resorts do not come much classier than this. From Michelin-starred eateries to exotic spas, the hotels themselves set the trend for the rest of the island. Whether you are looking for timeless elegance or trendy and contemporary, you will be able to find accommodation in Mauritius to suit your own personal style. Try your hand at star-spotting as you sip your exotic cocktails by the pool.

Check the full Top Ten List Here.

New York City-The City that Never Sleeps – TRAVEL TIPS

Airport Security

JFK Airport

Airport security is tight everywhere-- as it should be. If you haven't flown in awhile (especially since 9/11/01) be prepared for some very long wait times in security lines. Plan to be at any US airport at least 1 and a half hours before your departure. The TSA will have a full list of prohibited items and procedures. Do a search for "tsa flight rules" to get the latest on what not to bring.

Leave your guide books at home

New York City

Everyone hates those people who stand in the middle of side walks, head down engrossed in a map or guide book- oblivious of the pedestrians around them that want to get past. Don't be one of those people. Even other tourists get annoyed by those people, and more than likely, you will be verbally abused. Read your guidebooks before you leave the house, over breakfast or before you go to sleep the night before. Know where you're going before you step onto the busy sidewalk! If you need to double check, pull over to the side so you're not in the way, or better yet- pull out the books and maps over a coffee break so you can concentrate more. Secondly, by leaving the guidebooks out, your bags/ backpacks will be much lighter and less likely to hurt your back later! If you need to, rip out the maps or make notes that you can refer to.

Don't dilly dally

New York City

This has many positive results. Genuine New Yorkers know where they're going and how to go about it. If you don't want to look like a tourist, be confident and walk with authority. NYC moves at a mile a minute and its residents will expect you to also! Once you have your bearing, walk there quickly. Not only will you save precious time and see more, but you won't get pushed or shoved out of the way, or even sworn at as people pass you. The most important positive with this one, is that you'll burn tonnes of calories if you walk fast which means you can eat more hot dogs.

Avoid tourist attire

Statue of Liberty

It can be tempting when you're in a new city to dress for comfort rather than style. This is fair enough, since you're the one who has to put up with annoying clothing or sore feet at the end of a long day. But keep in mind that New York is a global fashion capital and there are some places where sneakers just won't do. Ditch the sneakers and try comfortable walking shoes instead, there are heaps of funky and dressy styles that won't have you feeling dowdy. Sportswear is a popular option for tourists, but try to mix up styles and designs by wearing a jacket instead of a sweater, or trousers instead of jeans. Not only will you feel more comfortable if you stop for a nice lunch or dinner, but shopping in upscale areas will be less embarrassing and you'll get less cruel stares.

Get used to the smell

New York City Brooklyn Bridge

New York has rubbish. Not just a little bit either, loads and loads of it. It lines the streets in central Manhattan, despite being cleaned away every day. Get used to bad smells and brief wafts of strange stench whenever you pass a dark alley. While the smell of rot is a little more subdued in winter, it's still not going to go away, so don't let it ruin your sight- seeing walkabouts.

Have eyes in the back of your head

New Yok City - Night

If you don't know where you're going, and you probably don't, don't get caught up in the atmosphere of it all. Crime in New York is rampant just like all the TV shows tell us, but you still have to be smart about what you do and how you go about it. Keep an eye on your belongings at all times, don't leave stuff sitting around- as you might as well put up a sign that says 'I don't know where I am, so feel free to rob me'. Don't walk around with bags unzipped or flash your money around. Yes yes, all the stuff your mother tells you when you go travelling without her...Put the more expensive stuff out of view for as much time as possible. That digital camera around your neck is begging to be snatched in the crush of Times Square peak hour. Only pop it out when you need to along with phones, PDA's, laptops and freshly bought goodies. Ladies, don't go for the obligatory jog in Central Park alone, or after dark (even with a running buddy). Keep your eyes open to the people around you and where you're travelling. Dark alleys with dead ends are not good places to hang around!

Top 5 Japan Travel Tips

The Top 5 Japan Travel Tips are shown in the below content. Even though it seems very simple,sometimes, somehow people might forget about it. So hope this will serve as small reminder.

Japan Flag

1. Time Difference
Japan time zone as if set to GMT it is +9 hours. So it is 1 hour faster than most of the Asia countries.

Sunset

2. Language
Japanese is still the main language that widely use in Japan public, private and government body. A lot of younger generation people do speak English but they are speaking in Japanese mixing English term with very strong Japanese pronunciation flavor, so it is very strange or sounds funny when you first time hearing this. No worries, helpers or workers in tourist spots, hotels and restaurant are all well trained with English speaking skill and fluency but learning some simple Japanese will be useful for moving around Japan, though most Japanese are very helpful.

Mount Fiji

3. Power Source & Plug
Japan is using 100 volt, with two straight thin flat pin, it is different from some of the Asia country and different to Europe countries too. Digital appliances should be supporting 100 volt - 240 volt, just to make sure, you need to counter check your digital travel gear. Also you need to equip with universal power plug just in case.

Tokyo

4. Tap Water
All the while Japan tap water is drinkable, just recent years of heavy pollution, some places tap water is no longer drinkable, so before you drinking any tap water either from hotel or public places, need to make sure is there a any sign saying it is directly drinkable or not.

Hiragana - Alphabet

5. Weather
Japan has four season, each of the season really vary a lot in term of temperature and rain level. It will impact a lot if you did not pay much attention on this and bluntly plan your trip. Spring season is from March to May, average temperature is 14.5 degree Celsius, normal rain level. Good to have umbrella bring along your trip. Summer season is from June to August, average temperature is 27.7 degree Celsius, most heavy rain fall during this season, must bring a long umbrella. Autumn season is from September to November, average temperature is 18.8 degree Celsius, not much rain at this season, but the temperature different a lot during day and night, need to prepare a jacket. Winter season is from December to February, average temperature is 7.6 degree Celsius, will have snow fall sometimes in January, so need to prepare winter clothing. However inside building or public transportation there will be heater, so advice is to wear a long sleeves clothing and pair with winter cloth jacket, so you can remove the jacket and more comfortable at indoor.

Cuba Travel Tips

Vacation is a time in the year when many of us look forward to visiting a new location and if this time around, you will be travelling to Cuba, which is located in the Caribbean, then these tips may be helpful to you.

Flag of Cuba

Official Language

The official language of Cuba is Spanish and, unless you can speak and understand it, or, you have an interpreter with you, you may struggle to communicate with its people. Therefore, it is best to make as much of the arrangements as you can about the things you would like to do and the places you would like to visit, before you arrive in the country.

Surveillance

Your activities on the island can be closely monitor by its government and this is within their rights.

Medical Insurance

You will need proof of medical insurance upon entering the island and if you have a US- base one or you do not have one, they will supply you with one, but at your cost and you must pay for it only by cash.

Driving

This is done on the right hand side of the road. Additionally, if you choose to rent a vehicle while visiting and you are involved in an accident, be it your fault or not, you can be prevented from leaving there until everything is settled. Bear in mind that it can take months and not just days for everything to settle. Also, if you are a witness to a vehicular accident, you can also be prevented from leaving there until after an investigation is done. Therefore, if you can get around without renting a vehicle, perhaps you should think twice before doing so.

Photography

Most often than not, we look forward to taking photos of our vacation and as you do, bear in mind that you are prohibited from taking photos of airport facilities.

Money

Credit Cards are not widely accepted there, therefore, it is best to use the local currency. There are two official currency and they are the Cuban convertible peso (CUC) and the national peso (MN). When you give a businessperson the CUC, make sure that you are given back your change in the CUC and not in the national peso (MN), because the latter is worth much less than the CUC. You can convert your money at the airport, hotels and at exchange business (houses). Before leaving your country, just double check to see if your country's money is accepted there, because, as with many other countries, they do not accept all of the monies in the world.

Cuba