Femtalks Blog

Winter Vacation in Hotel de Glace will surely be a memorable one. Don’t miss the 10th edition of Hotel de Glace from January 4 to April 4, 2010.

The Hôtel de Glace is a nordic event that brings to life a one-of-a-kind experience combining fun and learning, with a focus on the magic of nature and the great outdoors.

This is the picture of the Hotel’s Lobby

Another shot at the ice hotel’s interior

Interior of the ice bar of Hotel de Glace

everything made from ice here even the furniture and to even satisfy ice fans they have serving on ice glass in their ice bar – check out their website for more detail and more pictures here.

Here’s a sample vacation holiday package price:

Enchanting Discovery Package:
* $324.50 (Canadian dollar)
* Admission to the Hôtel de Glace during your stay
* A welcome cocktail served on the rocks
* Dinner at Auberge Duchesnay
* Access to Hôtel de Glace hot tubs and sauna
* One night’s accommodation in an Hôtel de Glace room
* Private room at Station touristique Duchesnay on the same night as your stay at the Hôtel de Glace
* Full buffet breakfast at Auberge Duchesnay
* Hot morning beverage and an exclusive Hôtel de Glace personalized service package
* Full equipment for the night (arctic sleeping bag, blanket, and pillow)
* All gratuities

source: Hotel de Glace, Canada

The view of Lijiang Old town at night from Wang Gu Lou.
The world famous Old Town of Lijiang is located in Lijiang City. It is a UNESCO Heritage Site. I went here a couple years ago and still remembered this place as a really beautiful and serene place which sometimes remind me of a romantic ancient Chinese story. I love the weeping willows surrounding the paved stone walk way within the city. It’s truly is a beautiful place for a different kind of romance travelers.

Lijiang Old town viewed at night

Lijiang Old town in the morning

the UNESCO heritage site monument

Need more info about Lijiang and its history?
Wikipedia

Picture credits:
source1.
source2.

Different airlines hold different policy concerning luggage allowance however during the past two years I am aware that many airlines industries have decided to tighten the limit for free luggage allowance. This has upset me when I assisted one of my family member last night at the airport – I remembered for international traveling between US and other countries luggage allowance used to be 70 lbs each for maximum 2 luggage, however starting spring 08 most will only allow 50 lbs each. Aside from that part I also tried to make sure that there will be no liquid or what so ever in the carry-on luggage – remember the hassle when this started? (plus moving all liquid content to check-in luggage will add up weight faster)

What even more upsetting is the fact that US domestic flight also tighten its free luggage allowance so travellers sometimes can’t even check in one luggage because there’s no longer gree luggage allowance for domestic travel although some airlines such as southwest and virgin are still quite generous with their free allowance, while most will charge $15 for the first luggage.

here’s the info from the travel insider for Domestic Airline/Flight Policies – Checked Luggage
NOTE :  Fees are EACH WAY fees – double them for a roundtrip ticket.

for more complete listing please visit source: the travel insider.

for international luggage allowance and baggage policy please refer to link bellow:
EVA Air baggage allowance
Singapore Air baggage allowance
Lufthansa baggage allowance
Qantas air baggage allowance
Cathay Pacific baggage allowance
JAL airlines baggage allowance

So How do you like to sleep under the sea without getting wet? I always admire sea beauty and its creature, too bad I am a sea freak. I wouldn’t last very long in sea water before I shout out “help” with a hysterical tone, cuz to tell you the truth I am terrified of sharks. Well now with the luxurious lifestyle Poseidon Undersea Resort offer the benefit of enjoying the view of natural sea from your bed chamber. It’s like living in an aquarium except it’s the other way around we’re inside the air-filled aquarium and the fishes are outside surrounded by water.

Poseidon Undersea Resort is nestled in the crystal clear cerulean water of Fijian lagoon. It is said to be open in 2009, by begining of 2010 they will start taking regular reservation.

According to the developers, the island comprises approximately 225 acres, stretches a mile long and is surrounded by a 5000-acre lagoon with waters that range to 90 feet in depth. It is situated within a coral atoll that was chosen by the developers for its crystal-clear water and unspoiled tropical marine ecosystem.

So how do you like to spend a night in this suite? that’s 70% of it made up from 4 inch thick acrylic glass so you can get the beautiful sea-view while you sleep. Plus check out these features: king-size beds, sitting rooms and library, and personal office facilities such as WiFi and high-speed Internet access. They will also have flat screen TVs, CD/DVD players and refrigerators stocked with gourmet snacks and premium beverages. The ensuite include large jacuzzi tubs and hydro-spa showers. Now that’s what you’ll call underwater luxury.

Aside from its underwater suites Poseidon Resort also offer stays at over the water bungalows and beach-front villas, so if you’re so much of a water freak then maybe this is another option.

For construction and safety issue please visit poseidon’s website.

Now the cost… of course with such luxury there’s always gonna be a huge bill – well too bad it is a humongus cost to stay (as for my budget) a weeklong visit will cost $15,000 USD per person meaning a couple will be charge at $30K for a week to stay in a shared suite. The resort can accomodate maximum of 144 people (72 rooms/suites total), so if you want to book the whole thing say for a wedding event or coorporate event then it’ll cost 3 million USD for a week. yes that’s 3,000,000 with the six zeros!

This is the view of the lobby. I also read about the possibility of coming up with undersea chapel or some sort like that for a wedding event. The undersea chapel will be a splendid space for a vow renewal, with coral garden backdrop – how romantic.

So what to do there? they offer submarine piloting activity, deep reef excursion, exploring the abyss to the depth of 1000 feet bellow using the triton submersibles, scuba diving, sea-floor walks, water sports, para sailing, ultralight flight, cave exploration, star gazing, cavort (private honeymoon spot), diving and walking tours, lectures and workshop on marine science, and if these not enough they have these amenities:

• SPA
• Dining (6 restaurans & 7 bars available)
• Sport (9-holes golf, tennis, beach volley & bocce, windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, parasailing, bike riding, trail walking, birding, yoga, wellness classes and more)
• Fitness Center
• Library
• Shops & Boutiques
• Conference room, Wedding chapel & Theater

Source1, source2.

The exterior of the hotel

The Semiramis chic hotel was designed by famous industrial designer Karim Rashid. The hotel sit only 10 minutes away from the business center of Athens. It is located at Kefalari square in a quite residential area and close-by shops and galleries. If you are like Dakis Joannou, the hotel owner a true modern art lover then I think a stay at this hotel is a must.

The 52-room hotel is an Athens’ design-inspired hotel, offering a new intimate alternative to modern travelers which focuses on positive energy, heightened experiences, culture, art, and design. Set 340 meters above sea level, the hotel offers an oasis from the humidity of central Athens.

Swimming Pool View of the Hotel

The Balcony/Deck view from the pool side

Hotel Lobby and Entrance

source1, source2.

If you do like scenic travel and a little bit of a hiking fan then JIUZHAIGUO VALLEY (Nine Valley / Nine Villages / Valley of Nine Villages) might be a must visit place for you.

Jui Zhai Guo, located in Sichuan is now listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site. It is so very beautiful, like a paradise exist on this earth. The scenery will varies depending upon which season of your visit. During Spring you might seen tremendous spread of greenery and some colors from blooming flowers. In summer the tranquil lakes and azure mountains. Autum, which in my opinion would be the best season to visit, will give you a vast of beauty with golden, green and red colored trees spread across the mountain and above the crystal clear lake. and in Winter you will see the white glacial, snow covered mountain and a clear somewhat frozen lake.

There are so many beautiful sites to visit there, here’s a map of the area from travelchinaguide.com:

I remembered there’s this beautiful hotel called the Jui Zhai Paradize International Hotel when I went there (now it is called the Jiu Zhai Inter-Continental Hotel) It’s a huge hotel and it’s architecturally and interiorically beautiful.
here’s some pictures of the hotel:

Go here for more explanation and travel guide.
sources of pictures:
source1, source2, source3.

How many of you so into the beach and island life-style, that you want to own one, even at least for just a week period of time if it is unaffordable to own for a lifetime period?

Spending most of your days with serene endless blue sea and warm white sands will surely sounds good, especially if you are looking to be secluded and get that private life going. Well there’s a whole area on private island whether to own one or to rent one.

I came accross this island called Royal Davui, Fiji.
It is our for rent from US$7,200/week

well if it is still within your affordable one, might consider to hold a private event, such as wedding or special gathering in private island, how cool would that be?

not all rent fees are that high there are some that are under $500/wk
check it out here. (I saw something like $89/wk for some island in philiphines)

Here’s my favorite one $4,900/wk for Huvafen Fushi Island Resort, Maldives, Asia. All pictures here:

Above is the Huvafen Fushi Island

Showing one of their out door floatation pool, look like one of those private jacuzzi on the beach.

Showing over the water bunggalows of the island

One of the resort facility at the island

Private dining, can someone please explain to me what’s this effect? is it a fiber optic pool lighting or what? It’s so romantic.

Well isn’t it a world class underwater spa? it’s where you can get that relaxation massage with the true blue ambiance surrounding you. It’s kinda of reminds me of that Ithaa Hilton Maldives Underwater restaurant.

there are more islands listings from all over the world’s areas, if interested check it out for yourself here all pictures and sources are from privateislandsonline.com.

When I think of France I think of romance, but not romance in a country much more of a city. The city of Paris, where the Eiffel Tower rest, and a walk under glittering moon light near the Seine river or perhaps a romantic dinner cruise along this river bank. Then the walk on Champs Elysees or Rue Cler, and a time spen in a Luxembourg Castle and Gardens.

Well enough of that Notre Dame, Arc de Triumphe and all things near Paris, with seeing this pictures -Thanks to geniusbeauty.com for taking and sharing this beautiful French country side pictures with all of us (need to see more pictures? click here) – I come to realize how the beautiful romantic country-side romance should feel. Like spending time walking along the mountain, the field, enjoying views of small town in vast landscape – just magnificent.

Anyone interested in France maybe should check out this useful link on hotelscheap.org, it provide information about hotels and stay as well as places to look at.

Bulgari being the famous brand in jewelry market now branching its hotel properties outside Milan, creating one that is very private and beautiful in Bali, Indonesia.

Blending the traditional Balinese style with contemporary Italian design, the Bulgari Resort in Bali is located near the village of Pecatu and the stunning cliff top site of the Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple, on the island’s far southwestern tip. Uniquely positioned at more than 150 meters above the sea shore, the resort offers unrivalled views across the Indian Ocean. Nestled between the cliff and the ocean, a 1.5 kilometer long beach is accessible only through the resort’s inclined elevator.

Designed by architects Antonio Citterio and Partners, the 59-villa resort reflects a contemporary interpretation of the traditional Balinese design while conveying the distinctive Bulgari Italian style.

I think personally it’s a very intimate and perfect romantic setting for a special couple vacation however each night will cost roughly at about $1,500 for each villa.

view of the villages from top during the day

view of the pool during the day

view of the floating bar area during the day

The private beach accessible by the incline elevator

The view of Il Ristorante Fine dining restaurant in Bvlgari Resort.

This will be a perfect hideaway if you want a secluded vacation for a honeymoon or a romantic get-away with your love one. Island Hideaway is located in the island of Dhonakulhi, Maldives. It is open since August 2005, situated around 1.4 kilometer long, white beach with lush green vegetation around it. Don’t miss the good view of the crystal clear sea lagoon that only a waist-deep to be enjoyed.

It has about 43 guest villas available to rent ranging from $254 – $501 nightly.