One of the top luxury travel trends for 2011 (as chosen by Luxury Travel Magazine) is visiting far-flung destinations. Forget Las Vegas and Cancun and opt for exotic destinations—like Hangzhou, China (right)—that offer the ultimate in adventure and luxury. We rounded up five of our favourite exotic destinations that won’t be off your radar for much longer:
Hangzhou, China
Marco Polo described Hangzhou as “the City of Heaven”; it’s no wonder it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011 for its influence over garden design.
The Dragon Hotel should be your home base: this five-star property not only comes with a low price tag, but also with incredibly high recommendations. For $163 a night, you can enjoy every modern amenity—including plasma TV screens and jetted bathtubs—in this newly renovated hotel. And the dinner buffet is second to none—perfect for the hungry tourist.
Trancoso, Brazil
Trancoso is committed to preserving the natural beauty of its powdery, white beaches, forests and parks. Its most famous beach is Praia do Espelho or Mirror Beach with natural, warm swimming pools; it’s the perfect place to indulge in a variety of water sports from kayaking to kite and wind surfing.
Trancoso is such a new destination that luxury hotel options are few and far between. Your best bet is the Bed & Breakfast, Pousada Quarto Crescente, with prices as low as $88 CDN per night. The interior design and décor are five-star, but its the warm and attentive service of this family-run inn that will have you coming back for more.
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Luang Prabang, Laos
Luang Prabang in northern Laos has been called the best-preserved city in Asia with its mélange of colonial mansions and Buddhist temples. Visitors adore its languid pace.
You can maximize the relaxation by staying at the Luang Say Residence: they have their “pioneer suites” at $120 a night if you book at least 21 days in advance: these suites boast the best in elegant simplicity from their white linens to the modern amenities and mountain views.
Panama City
According to International Living magazine, Panama City is one of the best retirement cities—what better place for a luxury vacation? It has the best of both worlds: this bustling, historic metropolis is surrounded by the beauty of a dense, tropical rainforest.
The Trump Ocean Club International Hotel & Tower Panama opened in July and is offering a spectacular deal until October 31, 2011: for $350 a night, enjoy a room with an ocean view, a tour of one of Panama’s unique attractions, and daily continental breakfast for two; you may even score an upgrade to a suite.
Although this is a deal for a Trump Property, it’s not as reasonably priced as the Panama Marriot Hotel: for as low as $125 a night, you can purchase their Stay and Shop in Panama package and not only enjoy deluxe accommodation, but also a shopping discount card for Panama’s premier shopping centres.
Montenegro
Montenegro (or Black Mountain) not only has deep canyons and cerulean lakes, but wonderful for culture vultures. The world’s newest country (independent as of 2006) has come into its own as another jewel in southeastern Europe.
For $125 a night, you can feel like royalty at the Queen of Montenegro in Budva. This hotel opened in the same year as Montengro’s independence and is a fitting tribute to its new luxury status. The attractive Budva Riviera will make you forget the French Riviera in a heartbeat.
So let this be the year that you forego the same old destinations for something new. These exotic destinations may have seemed off the beaten path before, but now they’re not only on your radar, but also within reach of your budget.
(Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons; authors: Bernard Gagnon, Jaaron, Michel Meunier, Halun, dsasso)