Orient-Express Hotels has purchased two distinctive properties in Taormina, Sicily from The Framon Group.

The 83-key Grand Hotel Timeo is considered by many to be the most luxurious hotel in Taormina, and the nearby 78-key Villa Sant’Andrea has a private beach on the Bay of Mazzaro.

Commenting on the transaction, Paul White, President and Chief Executive of Orient-Express Hotels said,”These hotels typify Orient-Express Hotels’ core business – established properties with history and personality. Currently, they both punch below their weight and because they occupy a premier position in the Sicilian market, we are confident we can make significant improvements in performance, as we integrate the properties into the Orient-Express Hotels collection”

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has been growing in popularity as a tourist destination and was recently voted Conde Nast Traveller UK Readers’ favorite holiday destination in the magazine’s 2009 Travel Awards. The Grand Hotel Timeo is adjacent to one of the city’s most famous attractions, the legendary Greek Theater, which dates back to the 2nd century AD. Below, looking out across the sea, Villa Sant’Andrea, built in 1830, is right on the beach. The two properties, linked by a private shuttle, have the synergy of Hotel Splendido and Splendido Mare, giving guests the best of both worlds Taormina has to offer. The city has good transport links and is located 40 minutes from Catania International Airport, which has direct flights to all major European cities and good connections to those serving the US.

Grand Hotel Timeo

Built in 1873, the Grand Hotel Timeo occupies an excellent position in the historical center of the city. From the hotel’s panoramic terrace, guests can admire spectacular views of Mount Etna and the coastline. Since the 19th century and the era of the Grand Tour, the hotel has been popular with an elite group of international travellers, who choose to vacation here. Each guest room has its own terrace and the hotel’s ‘Il Dito e la Luna’ restaurant specializes in regional Sicilian cuisine, in elegant surroundings.

The Company anticipates that post refurbishment, The Grand Hotel Timeo will trade at RevPAR levels closer to those of its key Italian properties, Hotel Cipriani in Venice and Hotel Splendido in Portofino.

Villa Sant’Andrea

Villa Sant’Andrea is located on the Bay of Mazzaro, the heart of Taormina’s seaside district. The atmosphere is that of a private villa set in lush gardens, with a private beach. Several of the hotel’s suites open onto a private terrace. The ‘Oliviero’ restaurant, on a panoramic terrace overlooking the Calabrian coast, is known for its fish and seafood specialities.

The Company anticipates that the Villa Sant’Andrea will trade, post the refurbishment which will lift it into a category of its own among the beachfront hotels, at RevPAR levels closer to those achieved at its properties Hotel Caruso in Ravello and Villa San Michele in Florence.

Thornybush Game Lodge

South Africa, Kruger Park Safari Lodges

The Plettenberg

The Garden Route, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

 Which of your favourite stars provide a ’star treatment’?!

1	Rustic Luxe with Robert Redford: Sundance Resort, Sundance, Utah Situated at the base of Mount Timpanogos on 6,000 acres of rolling hills and babbling brooks, the Sundance Kid’s retreat has TripAdvisor travelers raving about the resort’s rustic beauty, excellent service, and outdoor activities. “Robert Redford did us all a favor by opening this resort, remaining loyal to nature, and preserving the beauty of the canyon,” noted one TripAdvisor traveler.
2	City Chic with Robert De Niro: The Greenwich Hotel, New York, New York Travelers are talking about the understated elegance and complimentary in-room snack baskets found at Robert De Niro’s Greenwich Hotel in New York City. Located on a quiet street in Tribeca, De Niro’s hideaway features 88 uniquely decorated rooms and suites, plus a zen-like indoor pool enclosed in a 250-year-old Japanese bamboo farmhouse. One TripAdvisor traveler commented on the celebrity clientele that The Greenwich Hotel attracts, “We stopped by the drawing room for coffee and were surprised to see that Mel Gibson chose to do the same at the table next to us.”
3	Rejuvenation Retreat with Olivia Newton-John: Gaia Retreat & Spa, Brooklet, Australia  With only 20 rooms, this boutique retreat features tranquil grounds, healthy food, a full-service spa, fitness center, and relaxing pool.  One TripAdvisor traveler said, “The one thing above all else was the incredible feeling of calm I felt as soon as I arrived on the property. It’s almost magical.”
4	In the Jungle with Francis Ford Coppola: Blancaneaux Lodge, San Ignacio, Belize  At Francis Ford Coppola’s Blancaneaux Lodge in San Ignacio, Belize, architecture blends effortlessly with nature. Situated in the northwest corner of the 107,000-acre Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, the lodge’s high-end cabanas and villas enhance the natural surroundings with thatched roofs, open-air living areas, and hammocks. One TripAdvisor traveler noted that, “Blancaneaux definitely provides a luxurious experience – though the setting is rustic, the accommodations are not.”
5	Life’s a Beach with Gloria Estefan: Costa d’Este Beach Resort, Vero Beach, Florida  One thing guests won’t experience at Costa d’Este, Gloria Estefan’s posh Vero Beach resort, is a diva attitude from its celebrity owner.  Costa d’Este boasts a beachside location, pool, spa, and a Cuban restaurant. As one TripAdvisor traveler revealed, “We had drinks at the pool before dinner and to our surprise Gloria Estefan was there with some friends. We saw many people approach her for pictures and she was as sweet and gracious as could be.”
6	Haute Travel with Donatella Versace: Palazzo Versace, Main Beach, Queensland, Australia High fashion and hospitality join forces at Donatella Versace’s trendy Palazzo Versace resort on Australia’s Gold Coast. All aspects of the resort were designed to reflect the Versace brand, including luxe freebies like mini bottles of Versace perfume. With so much lavishness in one place, it’s no surprise that one TripAdvisor traveler said, “Staying here is like having a taste of what it can be like living ‘rich’!”
7	On a Mission with Clint Eastwood: Mission Ranch, Carmel, California When celebrated actor and director Clint Eastwood purchased the historic Mission Ranch in 1986, he saved 22 acres of prime real estate on Carmel’s Monterey Peninsula from impending development. Eastwood, who owns a home nearby, is still spotted on occasion at Mission Ranch, a cozy farmhouse with 31 unique rooms, ocean views, and sheep grazing in the meadow. One TripAdvisor traveler offered, “We admit it – we wanted to stay at ‘Clint’s place.’ It was worth every penny.”
8	Camp Fever with Kate Pierson: Kate’s Lazy Meadow Motel, Mount Tremper, New York After jet-setting around the world as a lead singer for the B-52s, Kate Pierson caught cabin fever and decided to open Kate’s Lazy Meadow Motel near Woodstock, New York. Visitors have their choice of kitschy 1950s camp cabins, or vintage Airstream trailers. While guests note that these are not luxury accommodations, one TripAdvisor traveler wrote, “Kate’s has an aura of ‘cool’ and you feel cool because you’ve stayed there.”
9	Counting Sheep with John Malkovich: The Big Sleep Hotel, Eastbourne, United Kingdom TripAdvisor travelers admit that they were attracted to Hollywood heavyweight John Malkovich’s Big Sleep Hotel because of the budget-friendly prices, seaside location, and trendy reputation. While many travelers praise the hotel’s overall value and excellent free breakfast, opinion is divided on the funky decor, including photos of John Malkovich and furry curtains. One TripAdvisor traveler sums it up, “Cheap and comfortable with a wee bit of cool and trendy.”
10	Rockin’ Out with Bono and The Edge: The Clarence, Dublin, Ireland Purchased in 1992 by world-famous rockers Bono and The Edge of U2, The Clarence Hotel in Dublin, Ireland is adjacent to Temple Bar, a popular nightlife area. Although most travelers praise the hotel’s location, some cite the evening noise as a problem. As explained by one TripAdvisor traveler, “The rooms are stylish and comfortable. The location is excellent, but note that due to the location in the Temple Bar district, it can be a bit noisy.” “While travelers may visit a celebrity-owned hotel hoping for a brush with fame, these top celebrity-owned properties offer more than just star power,” said Christine Petersen, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. “Excellent accommodations, mixed with a famous owner’s personal touches, have earned these A-list hotels high marks with TripAdvisor travelers.”

Elounda Gulf Villas & Suites

Elounda, Crete, Greece

Orient-Express Hotels to have announced the acquisition of a fifth property in Peru. The Rio Sagrado Hotel, Villas & Spa is a 21 suite luxury hotel, which opened in April 2009.

Hotel Rio Sagrado, a rustic two storey property set in beautiful gardens overlooking the Urubamba river with an imposing mountain backdrop, is three kilometres from the town of Urubamba and fifteen minutes from Ollantaytambo, home to an important Inca village and fortress as well as the main PeruRail station stop en route to Machu Picchu. The hotel has eleven deluxe and ten junior suites plus two 250 sq m villas, constructed from natural stone and woods such as eucalyptus and cedar, with marble and onyx bathrooms and flagstone terraces. Its 230 sq m spa has a large treatment room with views of the mighty Urubamba, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis and a sauna.

The Sacred Valley, located between Cuzco and Machu Picchu, is a popular part of holiday itineraries in Peru. Green and fertile, the valley is an important agricultural area, seen from its high towns as a patchwork of fields and Inca terraces. Attractions include the famous Sunday Pisac craft and produce market, Chinchero, according to legend the birthplace of the rainbow, as well as important Inca ruins at Ollantaytambo. PeruRail, the rail operator run by Orient-Express, stops regularly at Ollantaytambo station, as well as Cuzco and Aguas Calientes (the station for Machu Picchu), allowing guests to travel between the Company’s hotels in style, while offering fantastic views of the valley and the Andes.

Paul White, President and Chief Executive of Orient-Express Hotels said, “Expanding the Orient-Express Peruvian experience to the Sacred Valley is a natural as well as a strategic move and enables the company to provide its guests with a luxury itinerary from arrival through to departure. The key sights in this part of Peru are the city of Cuzco, the Inca sanctuary at Machu Picchu and towns, antiquities and markets of the Sacred Valley – arguably one of the most beautiful and scenic places in this wonderful country.”

Eh Chicago! The windy city has it all. Amazing architecture, pretty parks and fantastic nightlife, what more could you want? More details? I’m too good to you, here you go.

Nightlife doesn’t come much better than Chicago’s. Whether it’s an evening at the theatre you’re after or to kick back at a blues club Chicago has it all. The Magnificent Mile is home to a host of theatres where you can catch cream of the crop of shows and plays. And for a more raucous night out why not try one of Chicago’s many clubs. From blues, jazz, rock and hip hop there are clubs to suit every taste.

But before you hit the clubs why not treat yourself to a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants Chicago has to offer. Michigan Avenue is the place to be for an eclectic selection of eateries. But if you know exactly what you want then it couldn’t be easier. From China Town to Little Italy, Chicago has a restaurant for everyone,

And ladies, worry not, there is plenty of shopping to be had in Chicago. Michigan Avenue is home to some of the most up market and fabulous shops in the world from Bloomingdales to Tiffany’s and, of course, Saks Fifth Avenue so get your credit card at the ready.

Culture vulture are not left out. Visit The Art Institute of Chicago for an fascinating selection if impressionist art. The architecture in Chicago is second to none. Make sure you check out the Sears Tower where you can get a birds eye view the city.

Check out all the Drake & Cavendish luxury hotels in Chicago from our luxury hotels Chicago page

If you’re anything like me Bermuda is one of those places you know if probably gorgeous, you take that as a given, but you’ve never actually got round to visiting. Why, is anybody’s guess.  The island is as colourful and interesting as you’d imagine. Here are the top five reasons to visit.

Weather

Probably the most obvious reason to visit Bermuda is the weather. It’s humid climate means you can guarantee hot weather on your holidays giving you the perfect excuse to buy more bikinis than you know what to do with.

Wildlife

There is plenty of wildlife in Bermuda, including wild cats meaning your trip will be interesting to say the least. But be warned there are also plenty of insects and bugs. Now I know what you’re thinking, I’m not a huge fan of creepy crawlies either but, hey, I think a couple of beetles in a stunning country like Bermuda is much more agreeable than a spider back home in Swindon. As they say, everything looks so much better in the sun.

Beaches

As you might expect Bermuda is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With deep blue waters and white sand Bermuda beaches are a little taste of paradise. And there are so many of them you may even find one you can have all to yourself. Then again, you could want to find a slightly busy one to show off your bikini!

History

St Georges in one of the oldest towns in the Southern Hemisphere and is extremely popular with tourists. It has been named a World Heritage Site.

Dance

While you’re in Bermuda be sure to catch a performance from the Gombey Dancers. The group’s performances are influenced by imported Native American and African slaves and the shows should not be missed.

If spending more than 10 hours on a plane sounds like a version of hell, then you’ll want to be sure you land in somewhere like heaven. Of course, if you’re stepping off that plane in Sydney, then you have nothing to worry about.
Australia offers some of the most breathtaking sights, fabulous cities and stunning beaches in the world. It is impossible to list all the reasons to visit the Australia so here are five of the best of Sydney:

Sydney Harbour Bridge
You cannot visit Australia without seeing the view from Sydney Harbour Bridge’s Pylon Lookout. Alternatively, if you’re feeling fearless, take the opportunity to climb a section of the bridge itself. Visitors are now offered the chance to climb part of the bridge at dusk. For more info check out www.pylonlookout.com.au

The Rocks
Dating back to the days when Sydney was a convict colony, The Rocks is a maze of sandstone lanes, cul-de-sacs and courtyards, jam-packed with shops, warehouses and terraces that were built in the early 19th century. Once home to Sydney’s dockworkers, The Rocks is now popular with international visitors, who flock to its many shops, pubs and restaurants.

Luna Park
If huge, modern amusement parks aren’t your thing then Luna Park in Sydney is the place for you. The 1930s fun fair features vintage rides and has no entrance charge so if you don’t fancy riding you can wonder round this charming park for free!
And keeping with the vintage theme is the North Sydney Olympic Swimming Pool. Built in 1938 the outdoor pool has its own restaurant with views over Sydney harbour.

Sydney Opera House
The Sydney opera house is one of the most distinctive buildings in the world and is one of the most famous performing arts venues of all time. It is also one of the most popular tourist attractions in Australia.

The Sun
Finally, what better reason to visit Australia than the glorious sunshine? It is always sunny in Australia and the best part is when it’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere it is summer in Australia so you can escape to Australia for two weeks of sun, sea and sand while everyone back home endures the wind and the rain!

In football it may be one of our biggest rivals but if you can put aside your national pride for a little while Argentina is one of the most fascinating countries you could wish to visit.

Despite its economic and political problems Argentina’s natural beauty makes it a great place for a holiday and there is plenty to do once you get there.

In Andean Northwest you’ll find some of the most striking natural attractions in the country from subtropical rainforests to desert canyons. There are also plenty of archaeological sites to visit here.

Of course when it comes to natural attractions they don’t get much bigger, or much better than the Iguazu Falls. The 230ft water fall is situated in the Parque Nacional Iguazu in Puerto Iguazu. As well as being aesthetically breathtaking the falls and surrounding areas are also home to various water sports including kayaking and canoeing.

Patagonia is the best place to go to spot wild animals. Think of it as one of the world’s greatest safaris and you won’t be far wrong. Here you can witness flamingos, elephant seals and magnificent sea birds in their natural habitat. Be sure to take your camera!

Then there is Buenos Aires. If it’s a bustling city with fabulous restaurants and a vibrant atmosphere you’re after Buenos Aires is the place to be. It’s also great for a night out with plenty of clubs and bars and great music.

Argentina is a captivating country that will leave you amazed. If you’re looking for a holiday that’s colourful and interesting and full of great places to visit then look no further than this South American gem.