This week’s Friday Travel Photo comes from Elyse Carlucci of Chicago. Here she explains her shot: “During my semester abroad in France, my friends and I decided to take a day trip to the medieval village of Carcassonne. It is an amazing town in the south, founded in the 5th century. Our day in Carcassonne consisted of seeing the sights, eating lunch at a cute café and walking around the fortress seen here in the picture. There is so much incredible history, and as we were walking away I had to take one last snapshot. It made for a great memory!”
Friday Travel Photo: Carcassonne, France
London to Be the Next Forbes Travel Guide Rated City
While the world is abuzz about London and the coming Summer Olympics, Forbes Travel Guide is excited to let you know we’ll soon be rating and covering properties found throughout London.
Our professional inspectors visit every hotel, restaurant and spa we rate, anonymously testing every aspect of a property’s experience. When we check in to a hotel we not only notice the facilities (which can range from casually chic to traditionally formal), we also focus on the quality of service. Our top-rated properties are consistently providing guests with superb service. Our ratings — no matter the location — are designed to guide you to excellent travel experiences, from Wisconsin to Whistler, Hawaii to Hong Kong and Sea Island to Singapore.
Check back for the upcoming Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star ratings of London. In the mean time, discover our editors’ take on the best and brightest London has to offer at Forbes.com.
Photo courtesy of iStockfoto Voyager
Pop the Cork on Summer Bubbles
When warm summer nights call for dining alfresco, pick a refreshing sparkling wine as the perfect accompaniment to your meal. We asked top sommeliers at Forbes Travel Guide Four- and Five-Star restaurants for their recommendations, and came up with a list of 10 bright and bubbly bottles that will stand up to summer salads and grilled meats. From a Hungarian sparkling wine to a coral-colored multi-vintage rosé champagne, go to Forbes.com to explore the summer selections.
Photo courtesy of Addison
Spend Your Next Layover in One of These Cool Airport Bars
Instead of merely passing the time getting during your layover, now you can enjoy it. Puff on a stogie in a cigar lounge in Zurich, have a local microbrew in Portland, or sip a signature cocktail in Los Angeles. We’ve rounded up the five airport bars that stand out in the crowd on Forbes.com–from international to domestic favorites.
Photo courtesy of Jay Berkowitz/LAWA Photographer
Luxurious Hotels in Exotic Locales
Big cities are full of high-end hotels, but there’s a new wave of luxury chains that are heading to far-flung destinations. From Aman Resorts’ newest endeavor on Turkey’s Aegean Sea to a restored 16th-century convent in Peru, Forbes Travel Guide explored five exotic resorts that have opened up over the past year. Go to Forbes.com to see these tucked-away haunts, but first check out the slideshow below to peek inside Vivanta By Taj – Bekal in India’s hidden paradise.
[slideshow id=11]
The Five Best Things About Waldorf Astoria Chicago
There’s much to love about Waldorf Astoria Chicago. As an upscale Chicago hotel, the service, amenities and little details make every stay at here personal. The five things we love most about this hotel include:
1. The unique service. The service at Waldorf Astoria Chicago is different from most hotels. At Waldorf Astoria Chicago, all staff members do all things. You won’t see a traditional bellhop here; we often see the director of rooms out front greeting guests, but any other member of the staff can likely be seen pitching in to do the same. And when you settle into your room, don’t bother looking for a directory — there isn’t one. Simply press the single button on the phone to be connected to a staff member who can do practically anything for you, from arranging transportation to ordering room service.
2. The design. Waldorf Astoria Chicago is a stunner. The hotel’s exterior certainly catches your eye, with its old-fashioned motor court and beautiful ironwork. The building looks more like quintessential Paris than Chicago. Once inside, you’ll see the eye-catching sunburst chandelier inspired by Coco Chanel in the lobby, and the Christian Dior-inspired kick pleated drapes. The actual seating area looks more like someone’s fashionable apartment, with velvet couches, a cozy fireplace and art books stacked on tables. The nickel ribbon wall is a glamorous background to the enormous classical busts, while the wide ribbon pattern on the marble floors serves as a whimsical anchor. A soft black, white and gray color scheme is only interrupted by the occasional jolt of color — a crimson seat, a flash of green in the artwork. It’s one of the most exciting designs (hotel or otherwise) we’ve seen.
3. The food. The third thing we adore about this hotel is that you can eat and drink with delicious abandon. You can visit Balsan, Ria or order from the terrific in-room dining menu. Menus feature artisanal, local, organic ingredients that are painstakingly procured (the hotel grows its own tomatoes for the ketchup and other sauces). Everything from the tastings at Ria to the housemade potato chips at Bernard’s is a foodie treat.
4. The secluded entry. The private cobblestone entrance to Waldorf Astoria Chicago adds a level of intimacy to the hotel. Featuring an off-street roundabout with a lovely fountain in the middle, the hotel’s entrance was designed to shelter you from the rest of the world. Beneath the cobblestones is a special ice-melting system, so you never have to worry about slipping (although ladies do have to worry about getting their heels stuck).
5. The coziness. We love the intimate feel of the Waldorf Astoria Chicago. Whether you’re cozying up in front of the fireplace in your room in the dead of winter, looking out over the city from one of the balconies or imbibing in a dark corner at the handsome Bernard’s, Waldorf Astoria Chicago feels snug.
Photo courtesy of Hilton Worldwide
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