High above the Las Vegas Strip

ON the first day of 2019, superheroes went sky-high to become the first to fly into 2019, high above The LINQ Promenade on the brand-new FLY LINQ, the first and only zipline on the Las Vegas Strip.

FLY LINQ Fast Facts:

• The $20 million FLY LINQ is the first and only zipline on the Las Vegas Strip.
• Developed by the team behind High Roller, the world's tallest observation wheel.
• 10 side-by-side ziplines, capable of simultaneously launching all riders. 
• Height of launch tower: 114 feet or 14 stories.
• Height of landing tower: 54 feet or more than five stories.
• Positions to fly: seated or superhero (prone).
• Length of each zipline: 1,121 feet.
• Length of time: the ride takes approximately 35 to 45 seconds.
• Average speed: 35 MPH.

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Epic dream job from Ski.com

THE Epic Pass offers more access than ever, and Ski.com, the largest provider of ski vacations in North America, is searching for a candidate who can show what it's like to experience it all. 

One lucky person will be hired to travel the world for two months via United Airlines to seven countries on three continents, and ski or ride more than a dozen of the 65 destinations available on the Epic Pass. In addition to being introduced to unique experiences at world-class resorts, he or she will be decked out in head-to-toe gear from Helly Hansen, Rossignol and Oakley; capture enviable content with video equipment from GoPro; have a direct line to custom snow forecasts from OpenSnow and collect a paycheck of US$10,000.

The ideal candidate must have a serious desire to travel to some of the most amazing mountain destinations in the United States, Canada, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, France and Japan; must be able to ski and/or snowboard and must love après, mingling with locals and documenting new experiences.

To apply, interested job seekers must submit an application video between September 5 and October 15, 2018 explaining in 60 seconds or less what makes them the perfect candidate. For more information and to apply, applicants should visit www.ski.com/dreamjob or apply by posting an application video to Instagram tagging @skicom, @epicpass and using the hashtag #EpicDreamJob.


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On the catwalk . . .

ONE of the largest travel e-commerce companies in the world, Booking.com and New York-based contemporary fashion brand alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet have partnered to showcase the emotional and cultural touchpoints that travel inspires through Bendet's Spring 2019 collection at New York Fashion Week. 

For the very first time, Booking.com is offering travelers the incredible chance to book a stay at an iconic property serving as the stage for alice + olivia's show, the Fashion Yacht at Chelsea Piers in New York City, complete with shopping sprees for the ultimate fashion week experience.

Anyone interested in taking this fashion journey must be quick as only a few select nights are available for booking. Everyday at at 5:00 p.m. EST on September 5th, 6th and 7th, Booking.com will release a one-night stay aboard the Wonderland Fashion Yacht for September 11th, 12th and 13th respectively.

www.booking.com/hotel/us/alice-olivia-fashion-yacht.html.


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World's Largest 3-D Printed Reef Installed at Summer Island Maldives

THE world's largest 3-D printed reef was submerged on Saturday (11 August) at Summer Island #Maldives, in what is hoped could be a new technology-driven method to help coral reefs survive a warming climate.

The artificial reef, assembled with hundreds of ceramic and concrete modules, was submerged at Summer Island's 'Blue Lagoon' -- a sandy part of the lagoon, where the resort hopes to create a new coral reef ecosystem.

The project started in a lab in Melbourne, Australia, where industrial designer Alex Goad of Reef Design Lab used sophisticated computing modeling to design reef structures similar to the coral reefs found naturally in the Maldives.

A large 3-D printer whirred away for 24 hours to print moulds of the reef structures. These moulds were cast in ceramic -- an inert substance, similar to the calcium carbonate found in coral reefs. The ceramic moulds were shipped to the Maldives, and filled with concrete on the beach at Summer Island. 220 ceramic, concrete filled moulds were then slotted together, like a giant LEGO set, to create the new reef.

The new reef sits in seven metres of water, close to the resort's existing coral nursery. Fragments of coral from the nursery are being transplanted onto the 3-D reef, where they will grow and colonise the structure.

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Under the stars

FALLING asleep in the arms of your lover under a clear African sky of twinkling stars is probably one of the most romantic things you could ever do.

An elaborate, four-poster bed, dressed in crisp, white luxurious linen, draped in an elegant mosquito net, is placed in a stunning location - normally just far enough from the main lodge to feel alone. Dinner is then served, either at the location, or before you leave for the location. Then you are left to re-connect with open space, the nocturnal sounds of nature and of course with your loved one.

Nkwichi Lodge, located in northern Mozambique (on the banks of Lake Malawi), offers this incredible experience to their guests. There is a choice of three different locations:- on a rocky outcrop (surrounded by water); or a deserted beach (surrounded by baobab trees); or a-top the elevated viewpoint with an incredible sunsets and morning vistas over the lake – the location is determined by the elements, and which is most suitable at the time.

Another Mozambican Star-Bed experience to watch out for is at Anantara Medjumbe, located on a tiny island in the Quirimbas Archipelago. They have taken their star bed concept one step further, where you are left alone on a completely different, nearby island. 

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Polar Explorers

WHAT does it take to guide over 500 people to the North and South Poles? The answer is 25 years of experience and hundreds of days skiing in the world’s most extreme environment, where an average day "at the office" includes enduring minus forty degree temperatures and keeping everything you don't want to freeze on your body.

On April 14, PolarExplorers, the world’s leading polar expedition guiding company, will kick off their 25th anniversary. PolarExplorers’ reputation has been built over hundreds of expeditions and thousands of cold, frozen miles in some of the planet’s least forgiving environments.

To celebrate their 25th anniversary PolarExplorers is offering several exciting expeditions including a ski expedition from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole, a ski traverse of the Greenland Icecap, Last Degree Ski Expeditions to both the North and South Poles, a ski traverse of Europe’s largest glacier, and numerous other polar expeditions. 

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More in Dubai . . .

DUBAI is a place of incredible contrasts. Humble homes and dirt roads are juxtaposed with out of this world luxurious resorts and plush ocean view pads. But #Dubai has always been a place of extremes. A place where more is more. A whole lot more.

Luxury homes here all share certain things: abundant space, stunning design, and, of course, privacy. That’s certainly the case with the XXII Carat ultra-luxury villas that are just about to welcome their first ever occupants. Located right at the end of the Palm Jumeirah’s West Crescent, this is where things get rather fancy. For today's new generation of well -heeled travelers, the bar for luxe hideaways has reached dizzying heights.

All the villas are furnished with high end finishing materials and equipment imported from France and Italy such as La Cornue, Baldi, La Cuisine Française, Devon&Devon, Schuco and Miele, to name just a few. Built using only the finest materials, XXII Carat is where all the determinants of uber luxury can be found.

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Winter phenomena: snow monsters

SURROUNDED by grand mountains and 1,900 years of venerable hot springs tradition, Zao is located in Yamagata prefecture only 3 hours away from Tokyo and known as a top-tier traditional skiing and snowboarding resort in Japan. Zao is known for its multiple winter phenomena. Because of the unique weather conditions, trees are covered with ice and snow, or as locals call them, Juhyo, or even Snow Monsters. 

The Snow Monsters winter scenery which combined with the wide panoramic scenery make Zao Onsen the best winter resorts in Japan for scenery. The Juhyo can be seen from morning till late evening if you board the Zao Ropeway, which starts at the foot of the mountain. Furthermore, on weekends until 4th March 2018, visitors are treated to, “Juhyo Corridor of Fantasy” tour where the Juhyo are lit up throughout the night and are visible from snowmobile.

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See in the New Year over Antarctica

WHAT are your plans for New Year’s Eve? How about sipping your drink as the sun is still shinning high in the sky, as you count down to 2018 on a sightseeing flight over #Antarctica? 

Antarctica Flights operate the world’s only ‘flight-seeing’ trips to the remote region and their New Year’s Eve departure surely is the world’s most unique party! Departing Melbourne mid-afternoon, the 14 hour return chartered QANTAS flight positions passengers over the icy continent right in time to ring in the New Year while witnessing glaciers, icebergs and lunar landscapes, as the sound of a four piece jazz band plays live in the cabin.

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First South America project for Six Senses

THE latest project to be announced, with a setting that offers exceptional natural beauty and out-of-the-ordinary guest experiences, is Six Senses Formosa Bay in #Brazil. Located at Baia Formosa, which translates to ‘Beautiful Bay’, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, it is the most eastern territory of Brazil and the country’s closest point to Europe. 

The extraordinary site, which is a part of the Eco Estrela Project, features almost 4.5 miles (7 kilometres) of Atlantic Ocean beachfront and covers an area of 6,350 acres (2,570 hectares). It was home to a former coconut plantation, which shared the land with prolific mangroves through which guests can navigate by boat. Ongoing development of additional fresh water canals and lakes will enhance the experience and also provide opportunities for a raft of water activities. 

In line with Six Senses sustainability commitments, construction materials come from sustainable sources together with repurposed materials, with much of it being produced within Brazil. Villa designs, which are currently being finalised, will follow a contemporary line with minimum energy consumption wedded to guest comfort as a strong consideration. #Travel within the resort will be by electric buggies, bicycles and foot power.

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Enjoy a magical knights stay

THE hotly anticipated LEGOLAND Castle Hotel at Windsor Resort is now open and welcoming guests to enjoy a magical ‘knights’ stay. Situated right on the edge of the theme park, the brand new hotel is home to over 2.1 million LEGO bricks and 657 LEGO models, bringing to life an enchanted world of brave knights, magical wizards and mischievous jesters.

Colourful lego touches and models large and small feature throughout; from the astonishing lobby - dominated by a giant floor to ceiling brick Wizard unleashing magic from his staff - to the tiny 7cm high dragonfly models. With building stations across the Hotel, plus an á la carte Tournament Tavern Restaurant which is home to an impressive 80,500 Lego brick snoozing dragon and a Jester’s Play Den, guests are guaranteed the ultimate stay inside the Castle walls.

Fun Facts about the build:

• It took a team skilled LEGO Model Makers from LEGOLAND Model Shops across the world months to create the hotel’s 657 LEGO models
• Over 2.1 million individual LEGO bricks were used to create the models, bringing the total number of bricks on the resort to over 80 million
• Guests are greeted in the entrance lobby by a spectacular, floor to ceiling, 35,000 LEGO brick wizard unleashing magic from his staff, which comes to life in colour, light and sound at the press of button
• Each model is individually made by hand and every one of the 61 themed bedrooms features a range of them – from owls and swords to dragons and frogs
• The rooms have been created around two themes – Knights and Wizards. Each Knight room is home to a 17kg LEGO dragon which took 60 hours to build. Each Wizard room is home to a family of 3 owls which took 90 hours to build
• Every room contains a safe and children are invited to crack the code by solving hidden clues; then break it open for their exclusive hidden LEGO surprises
• ‘The Golden Dragon Door’ - the official bedtime storybook for the Hotel - was written by 10 year old competition winner Joseph Parkes from Wiltshire.
• 900 LED’s light up the stained glass window in the Tournament Tavern restaurant
• The biggest individual model is a 160,000 LEGO brick knight on horseback standing at 8.5ft tall, designed by 11 year old competition winner, James Waine from Darlington, UK.
• The smallest individual model is a 7cm high dragonfly
• Grey is the most frequently used LEGO brick and Lavender is the least

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Swim with Whales in Tonga

THE biggest-ever whale swim season in Tonga – both in numbers of whales and travellers – has been chronicled in two compelling, new, short videos produced for Majestic Whale Encounters that capture the beauty and power of swimming with the gentle humpbacks in the kingdom’s tropical lagoons. The inspiring and moving clips – both under four minutes long and now available for viewing on www.majesticwhaleencounters.com.au

Following a bumper whale swim season in Tonga for Majestic Whale Encounters, with more whales than ever and bookings for the Australian eco operator up 15 per cent on last year, Majestic Whale Encounters will offer eight eight-night whale swim tours in Tonga in 2018.

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I Do . . .

IMAGINE walking towards the rest of your life over a glass-bottomed aisle, accompanied by ancient turtles and kaleidoscopic fish. Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru now offers its most breathtaking bridal backdrop: a “floating” overwater pavilion that elevates the #beach #wedding concept to a spectacular vantage point, allowing couples to pledge forever above the infinite life and endless beauty of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve ocean in the #Maldives.

Located off the northeast tip of the island, accessible only by boat, the overwater Wedding Pavilion is a freestanding, pillared structure: light and airy with lofty vaulted ceilings (maximum height 6 metres or 20 feet); shimmering titanium-polished concrete floor with glass bottom “aisle”; and wrap-around, bi-folding floor-to-ceiling glass doors to three sides, opening onto timber decking.

“Landaa’s wild natural beauty has hosted so many incredible weddings and celebrations,” comments Regional Vice-President and General Manager Armando Kraenzlin. “Our UNESCO Biosphere Reserve location really sets up apart, and our vision with the Wedding Pavilion was to incorporate this in a way that surpassed anything we’d offered before. Now wedding couples can surround themselves by – and draw inspiration from – the power, possibility and abundant beauty of the ocean.”

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Luxury Rail Travel: Japanese Style

TRAIN Suite Shiki-Shima (meaning ‘Island of four seasons’) made its maiden voyage on May 1, from #Tokyo to the northern island of Hokkaido. Made up of 10 cars, with four being dedicated to lounge, dining and viewing areas. A maximum of 34 passengers will stay in 17 lavish rooms in the remaining six cars. The highest-grade suite on the train has a bath made of Japanese cypress. 

From JR East, ‘Train Suite Shiki-Shima’ will offer luxury journeys departing from Tokyo’s Ueno station through the north-eastern region of Tohoku and up into Hokkaido. #Train Suite #Shiki-Shima will offer a prime view of Japan’s rich, beautiful natural scenery, and the local arts, crafts and foods of each region and the unique culture that permeates Japanese people’s daily lives.

Shiki-Shima passengers will have the opportunity to get off the train and explore local areas along the railway route. Itineraries are to include places such as Nikko Toshogu Shrine in Tochigi Prefecture, the Shirakami-Sanchi mountainous area in Aomori Prefecture, a facility related to the culture of the Ainu in Hokkaido and experiences to get a deeper feel for the local culture, such as visit to the region’s onsen hot springs and fish markets.

Already tickets have been fully booked until March 2018! 

www.jreast.co.jp/shiki-shima/en

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With or without the family in Vietnam

SPICEROADS Cycle Tours is proud to present its first #family #cycling tour in #Vietnam. This tour spends 5 spectacular days in the lush mountains of Northern Vietnam, cycling through charming villages, hillside rice terraces, and fantastic scenery. Plenty of additional activities from making local cuisine, to meeting new wildlife, ensure that riders are getting immersed in local culture and having fun.

This fun and exploratory tour of Northern Vietnam's natural and cultural sites is the perfect way to travel, get active, and make memories with the family. This 5 day, 4 night tour totals 162 kilometers on a variety of terrain, from tarmac to concrete paths to dirt roads. The ride is easy and gentle and allows plenty of time to stop for photo opportunities or rest.

www.spiceroads.com

ANOTHER option from Cheapflights.co.uk is a thirteen-night tour of Vietnam spending your nights in four- and five-star accommodation, return flights from London Heathrow with Vietnam Airlines, all round-trip transfers and 30kg baggage allowance. Based on two adults sharing.

The tour includes a journey of discovery through Vietnam's most-loved areas and offers the perfect combination of serenity, culture, and hustle and bustle. The tour begins in the capital city of Hanoi with a three-night stay at the four-star Thien Thai Hotel, before guests embark on a stunning one-day Halong Bay Cruise to Phu Quoc Island – the largest island in Vietnam. Then spend seven nights at the five-star Novotel Phu Quoc Resort before three nights at the four-star Eden Star Hotel in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), where guests can indulge in a street food tour of classic Vietnamese cuisine.

www.cheapflights.co.uk

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Travel by Inca Rail to Machu Picchu

INCA Rail is introducing two new additions as of January 2017. A new, enhanced version of their First Class service, which now features an Observatory- Lounge carriage with a balcony, bar and live music, as well as the launch of a new gourmet menu prepared using Andean ingredients, accompanied by wine. 

Inca Rail is also launching a new combined transfer service (bus and train) in which passengers will be collected from San Pedro Station in Cusco and taken to Inca Rail’s private parking facilities in Ollantaytambo, to then board the train for #Machu Picchu train station. For the return journey, the same sequence applies in reverse. 

www.incarail.com

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230 year old warrior fort to re-open as boutique resort

IN Rajasthan is Fort Bishangarh - a 230-year-old defensive fortress which has been seven years in restoration and transformation, Alila Fort Bishangarh will open in February 2017.

Found in the Aravalli hills between Delhi and Jaipur and Fort Bishangarh is thought to be one of the only warrior forts of its kind to be converted into a unique heritage resort of this stature. It has a remarkable presence, sitting up high on a granite hill with staggering 360-degree views of the Rajasthani landscape, surrounded by hills and dotted with havelis, villages and temples. A tiny village skirts its base and adds to the rural charm.

Bishangarh Village in the Arvalli hills is in the Jaipur district. It is a three-hour drive from New Delhi and an hour’s drive from Jaipur. It is ideally located to explore the charm and beauty of rural Rajasthan.

www.alilahotels.com

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Solar eclipse tours

THE total solar eclipse will cross into the #USA and the path will cross Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Missouri, southern Illinois, Tennessee and South Carolina. Weather statistics indicate that the west has the highest probabilities of clear skies.

A total #solareclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and earth. For two plus minutes, the moon will be black with the sun's corona, or rays of light bending around the moon creating a mystical experience for the observer. The sun will set in all directions. Day turns to night for a couple of minutes.

Tropical Sails Corp has been offering solar eclipse tours since 1991 when they led 35 motorhomes down the Baja Peninsula. Since then they have taken groups to Africa, Australia, Caribbean, China, El Paso, Faroe Islands, Indonesia, Tahiti, and Turkey. This year they have three tours to choose from.

Idaho solar eclipse tour from Salt Lake City - the tour will prepare for the big day touring Idaho and staying in Idaho Falls. On eclipse morning, they will proceed to Rexburg, which is anticipating many observers.

Solar eclipse tour Denver to Mt. Rushmore - the eclipse in Wyoming, Yellowstone and Tetons National Parks ending in Salt Lake City. The 8-day 7-night adventure includes a chuck wagon dinner and a float trip on the Snake River. 

12-day 11-night solar eclipse tour - going from Phoenix, visiting Sedona, the Grand Canyon, the Parks of Utah, the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone and off to Mt. Rushmore. The solar eclipse will be seen from the Jackson, WY area.

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Picture Credit: michailkirkov flickr.com/photos/107937702@N04/16675069287 Solar Eclipse March 20, 2015 via photopin