Mobissimo

The Romans fell under the spell of the vines, composed odes to the wines, and then camped out in Gaul for centuries. The battling Medieval kings allowed the township independent rule as long as it kept producing brilliant wines for the royal table. Tapestry weavers threaded images of the harvest—peasants knee-deep in buckets of grapes, chalices stained with red wine—into their designs.

These vineyards are steeped in history, and have been producing deliciously intoxicating reds for millennia. Stroll through the cobble-stoned streets of UNESCO-heritage protected Saint-Emilion, savor a sun-kissed carafe outside, and you'll also start singing the wine's praises. The picturesque township and rolling hills that surround it provide a window into a fascinating past and world's longest tradition of winemaking. And the wines here ain't so shabby! After all, these guys exported their know-how to our Cali growers, who are now perfecting the art and even surpassing Bordeaux in competitions.

Related Articles:

The Informed Traveler, Sipping Bordeaux Wine at the Grand Barrail Chateau Resort

TripAdvisor, Chateau Grand Barrail

This August, forget joining all the bronzed sun-worshippers on the Cote d’Azur. France 's less-visited Basque country is a picturesque delight of narrow, winding streets, quaint houses with red and green shutters, and grass-covered ramparts. The region's capital-- known for its spicy smoked ham, extraordinary chocolate and pelota games-- is just a hop from the more celebrated and ritzy Atlantic surf capital of Biarritz. Since 1932, August has been marked by the Fête de Bayonne, the riotous street party that puts Mardi Gras to shame. For five sun-filled days (August 2-6 this year), the town is transformed by a sangria-infused celebration of outdoor concerts, music, cow-racing, and street dancing. Not to mention the bullfights. A little tip: wear white along with a red scarf around your neck. If you don't don the traditional garb, you might just be doused with water by the locals.

Related Articles:

• The Informed Traveler, "Surf, Sun, and Sand: Europe's Surf Capital in Biarritz, France"
• Frommer's, "Bayonne: Planning a Trip"

How could these small islands in the colder, Antarctic-touching Pacific be packed with such diversity of landscape? Snow-capped mountains, sheep-dotted valleys, blue lagoons, rivers frothing with white water, crystal-clear fjords, and a breathtaking, rugged coastline. All squeezed into a country the size of Colorado.
Thanks largely to Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, New Zealand now looms in the imagination as an epic travel destination. But the islands remain far enough off the beaten track to ensure no Disneyland hordes for the time being. The country's majestic wilderness offers activities aplenty: from the dare-devil, adrenaline-pumping adventure sports in Queenstown (the original capital of bungee-jumping and jet-boating) to winery-hopping the Sauvignon Blanc - producing vineyards of Marlborough Valley. Not to mention ice-climbing at Franz Josef Glacier, where the ice appears sapphire blue in smooth cave-like formations.

Related Articles:

• National Geographic Traveler, Into the Wilds of New Zealand
• The Informed Traveler, Luxury Travel in New Zealand: Queenstown's Blanket Bay

Spring break is upon us, and if the merry-making revelers in Key West, Cancun, Panama City, FL - complete with wet t-shirt and tequila guzzling contests - aren't your idea of fun … think Caribbean. To be more specific, your own private island in the Caribbean.

The antithesis of beer-pungent bars and off-key karaoke, Peter Island is as exclusive and luxurious as it gets. Basking in the sun on its perch overlooking the turquoise waters and white sand of the British Virgin Islands, Peter Island has it all. Here, you can indulge in the spa, laze on the secluded beaches, take a dip in the pool, venture out to snorkel, or dive or sail the breathtaking environs.

The best part about Peter Island? The luxurious private villas - perfect for your whole family or family of buddies. Plunge pools, private decks, and all the amenities and services of a five-star resort are at your fingertips. Services like the 'Villa Director,' who takes care of all the details to customize the place before your arrival: like stocking the fridge with your favorite grub and selecting your selection of CDs. Rock on.

With all the media furor and frenzy over the Port Deal and Dubai Ports World, let's take a look at the capitalist, open-market stronghold in the Middle East, the luxury playground for the rich and famous, and easily the hottest destination of the planet. Dubai is the site of the world's only seven-star hotel: the Burj-al-Arab soaring over the city skyline and turquoise sea like a billowing sail. (Did I mention the joint's got an underwater restaurant?)

Dubai is also the site of the mind-blowing development project, dubbed 'The World' of miniature man-made islands shaped like the continents of the world. Thus, of all these private artificial islands spread out across the Arabian Gulf, you could buy up your own continent! Plus, Dubai has world-class shopping at the upscale BurJuman Centre, and its Mall of the Emirates is the biggest shopping mall outside of North America. Its indoor ski resort is a miracle of design: an alpine village and Snow Dome smack in the middle of the desert. And let's not forget … with almost all flights to Germany booked for the World Cup Championship in June, Dubai serves as a backdoor entry as the hub for Emirates Airlines, the games' sponsor.
Related Articles:

The New York Times, "Dubai Expected to Ask for Review of Port Deal"

Gridskipper, "Ski Dubai"

Frothy green beer. "Kiss Me I'm Irish" t-shirts. Shamrocks aplenty. Fantastic, feisty festivals and perfect parades. Pubs gone wild. Sure, the global Irish diaspora guarantees a par-tay on March 17 in just about every urban metropolis, but to really do it right—you've got to get to Ireland. Dublin's St. Patrick's Day Festival is a rip-roaring good time, with music, theatre, family carnivals, comedy, street arts, visual arts, dance, and more… This is Ireland's biggest annual party, with 4,000 performers and 1.5 million spectators over 5 days. And the city's finest hotel-- The Merrion-- has designed a truly awesome St. Patrick's Day Getaway from EUR 655 per couple. The package includes luxurious accommodations for two nights (double room in the Garden Wing), daily full Irish breakfast, two grandstand tickets for the St. Patty's Day Festival Parade with a picnic box of snacks, and a signature Merrion "Black Velvet" cocktail upon arrival. Valid from March 16th- March 20th, 2006.

After a series of mishaps and delays (cracked and peeling runways, fires a-blazing), the hotly-anticipated new Bangkok airport will make its debut in June. Covering a whopping 7,900 acres, Suvarnabhumi will be able to handle 45 million passengers a year, catapulting Bangkok into position to become a regional aviation hub— competing with Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. What does this mean for flyers? A new high-speed rail link and five alternative routes to the city center means a guaranteed dodging of that nasty and notorious Bangkok gridlock. Pack your bags—or don't! (just take an empty suitcase for some serious shopping in the city's world-famous night bazaars and markets)— and get ready to absorb the noisy chaos, energy and colorful culture that characterizes Bangkok. And flights to Phuket's paradise—where luxurious hotels are a steal in the wake of the devastating tsunami—are a mere hour and change in length.

Related Articles:

The International Herald Tribune, "Free Flow: Can New Thai Airport Deliver the Goods?"

The Informed Traveler, "Upscale Shopping in Bangkok: H1"

Embrace your inner redneck and jet on down to Islamorada in the Florida Keys. The "sport fishing capital of the world" may be lined with flashing neon lights, tourist shops touting tacky tees and pastel island-wear, giant stuffed gamefish dangling outside restaurants, and the enormous glowing conch shell (amidst fountains and hedges pruned into dolphin shapes) marking the entrance to the Theater of the Sea amusement park ... but the perfect climate and turquoise waters — dotted with mangroves and coral reefs — are the best that the 48 Continental States has to offer.

This is the "southernmost" point in the United States, and the latitude sure does shine with the whimsy and good-natured friendliness of the place. If lux is your thing, skip the Hells Angels hang-outs and head to the glamorous Cheeca Lodge — with its splendid spa and famous saltwater lagoon — and the Morada Bay Restaurant and Bar, from where chic couples and families alike enjoy breathtaking sunsets on the white sand beach.

Related articles:

• The Washington Post, "All Keyed Up"

• The Informed Traveler, "Spotlight On: Cheeca Lodge and Spa in the Florida Keys"