What Makes A Luxury Hotel Luxury?

To most, the term luxury is directly related to the number of stars or diamonds or whatever it has received. From country to country, these standards will vary but one thing most have in common is that 5 of whatever they are giving is all that they will give. 

In the United States, most hotels and travelers go by the AAA ratings of hotels which rate on a scale from 1 to 5 diamonds however, to even qualify for a 1 diamond ranking, the hotel has to meet their minimum ratings. To be approved by AAA, the establishment has to be clean, comfortable, hospitable and all during an unannounced inspection. If they pass this test, they may then move up the ladder in terms of diamonds.

Each of these ratings has specific requirements which include:

1. Budget-oriented, essentials only, no frills accommodations, basic comforts and hospitality.
2. Affordable, enhanced attributes and design elements and added amenities.
3. Multifaceted accommodations, distinct style, enhanced amenities and luxury comforts.
4. Refined and stylish, upscale attributes and quality. Extensive amenities and hospitality services and attention to detail.
5. The ultimate in luxury and sophistication. Extraordinary attributes and extensive personal service and amenities in addition to impeccable standards of excellence. 

This year the Wynn Tower Suites, Las Vegas, Nevada was named a Five Diamond hotel, one of only 6 for the year. Featuring luxury suites and exclusive packages, other features unique to this establishment include fine dining, live shows, exotic nightclubs, shops, spas, salons, fitness centers, pools, golf, and concierge in addition to a casino.

The Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai claims to be the world’s first 7 star hotel. So what does this actually mean? What are its perks? Its shape and the fact that it has been rated as the worlds most luxurious hotel has led them to actually consider themselves not a 5 or 6 but 7 star. The amenities of this luxury resort include 202 luxurious duplex suites

• Personalized butler service
• Eight world-class restaurants and bars
• Four swimming pools (two outdoor, two indoor) and a private beach
• Talise Spa
• Rolls Royce, Mercedes and helicopter airport transfer service
• Complimentary access to Waterpark for the duration of your stay

What do you think? Is a 7 star really a 7 star? Share your opinion.

Glacier National Park, Montana

The United States is home to almost 400 national parks and over 84 million acres of land protected by the National Park Foundation. First established as a service in 1916 the first national park, Yellowstone, was established in 1872 by Ulysses S grant. Today, the almost 400 parks represent and protect diverse habitats, cultures, animals plants and peoples throughout all 50 states and even American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands as well.

Glacier National Park

Nicknamed the Crown of the Continent, Glacier National Park is located in the state of Montana and includes over 700 miles of trails, pristine forests and alpine meadows, massive mountains, crystal clear lakes and numerous historic sites, amazing drives and a view like none other. Home to over 70 species of mammals, over 260 species of birds and some of the most diverse habitats in the state, this park as named the 10^th national park in the system in 1910. Part of the larger Waterton Glacier International Peace Park established in 1932, it was also designated as a Biosphere reserved and a World Heritage Site in 1995 as well.

What To Do

While perhaps the most well know destination in the park today is the Going to the Sun road, there are many other things to see and do in Glacier National Park including

• North Fork – One of the least crowded parts of the park today, it is a chance to see forest succession at its best including ample plants and animals as well.
  
• Goat Haunt – Remote and tranquil, this part of the park is most easily accessed by boat from Waterton Lakes National Park.
  
• Lake McDonald Valley – A popular area of the park, this valley is filled with trails for hiking and amazing views.
  
• Many Glacier – Considered by many to be the heart of the park, this area is glacially active today making it something you must see. Convenient and easy to get to, it also offers visitors great glacier viewing and wildlife viewing as well.
  
• Two Medicine - Once quite busy before the Going to the Sun Road was completed, this now quieter area of the park is filled with amazing views and even guided tours.
  
• Logan Pass – Filled with flowers in spring, this is a great place to see wildlife including bear, deer, sheep and goats.
  
• St. Mary Valley – Diverse and remote, this area is home to two campgrounds and ranger led activities. Home to St Mary Lake, this is a great place to spend some time.
  
• In addition to enjoying the visitor centers, guided tours and picnic areas as well.
  

Island Trader Vacations encourages you to get out and explore our state and national parks. Take advantage all this world has to offer you when you travel and learn more about these and other amazing destinations for travel with us.

A Journey To Manilla Reviewed With Island Trader Vacations

Manila is the capital of the Philippines; it is located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay. The city is approximately 800 miles from mainland Asia. Due to its location the area flourished in the last half of the Ming Dynasty as it was in direct route to trade with China.

Manila has a tropical savanna climate, and the temperatures are perfect no matter what time of year you visit as average temperatures are in the high 70’s low 80’s and the lows rarely if ever go below 70 degrees.  The humidity level in the area can be quite high, making temperatures feel much warmer though. The best time to stay is during the dry season which is from January to April.  The wet season is from May to December with typhoon season from June to September which can result if certain parts of the city flooding. 

This urban city has much to offer the traveler as they stop over here on their way to a less populated area of the Philippines or for those that love to explore the major metropolitan areas of the world. The city has many notable points of interest.  There is the historic walled city of Intramuros. The city of Manila also features one of the oldest Chinatowns called Binondo, in the entire world, with great markets that are perfect for browsing. To experience a beautiful green space in the hustle and bustle of this busy city, stroll through Rizal Park.  The park is dedicated to the national hero Jose Rizal, who was executed were the park stands today by the Spaniards for mutiny. The park features many attractions with Chinese and Japanese Gardens, an Orchidarium and a Butterfly Pavilion.

Shopping can be quite fun in this city, especially if you hit the traditional markets and bazaars that are located throughout the city. This is a perfect way to glimpse into the Filipino culture, with plenty of crafts and cuisine. If you want a great deal head to the old downtown area called Quiapo, the deals you will find here will astound you.  Filipino cuisine is far less spicy than most Southeast Asian cuisine. Their flavor profiles are lighter on the chili, and are more concentrated on sour and vinegary flavors. To have an abundance of dining options the best place to go is Makati. This area is teeming with restaurants to try some of the native cuisine, and if that’s not to your liking there are many options that serve more international cuisine.

Exploring Palau With Island Trader Vacations

The Rock Islands are located in the southern lagoon of Palau. Palau is an island country that is located in the western Pacific Ocean.  The island is part of the island group of Micronesia that includes 250 islands that is the part of the western chain of the Caroline Islands. The island of Palau share nautical boundaries with Indonesia and the Philippines.

The island of Palau was settled nearly 3,000 years ago with the closely neighboring Philippines and was first visited by the Europeans in the 1900’s when the island was part of the Spanish East Indies. There are roughly 450 islands in the group of Rock Islands that encompass 18 square miles and the top height of any of the islands is almost 670 feet.  The islands are called Chelbachbeb, and they are a grouping of limestone and coral uprisings that are parts of ancient vestiges of coral reefs that viciously surfaced to form the islands.  The islands are primarily uninhabited, but are striking to view as you set out on an exploratory view from a boat. Most of the islands have a mushroom shape, with a smaller base that have become the habitats for many underwater creatures such as sponges, chitins, and snails that live of the algae that grow on the base of the islands. The islands are located in crystal clear turquoise lagoons that are surrounded by coral reefs. The Rock Islands of Palau were named a World Heritage Site in 2012.

Although the Rock Islands are currently uninhabited there have been remains of previous human occupation found.  There have been archeological remains found on three islands, Ngeruktabel, Ngeanges, and Chomedokl. The remains that have been discovered include caves with rock art and burial sites.  It is believed that the islands were occupied by humans around 3,100BC. There are also stone villages located on a few of the islands that date from 950BC-500BC. These islands were abandoned for habitation in the 17^th and 18^th centuries with much of the population moving to the larger island of Palau and other surrounding islands. The Rock Islands of Palau are a popular tourist site for those that are traveling to Palau.

How To Miss The Crowds During The Holidays

A journey to New York City

New York is the most popular city for travel in the U.S. today, hosting over 50 million each and every year. This in mind, one of the most busy times for travel in New York is during the holidays. With millions of visitors on top of the already bustling city, its popular events and attractions fill up during the day. If you are travel savvy, you can avoid many of the biggest crowds and still have an ideal New York experience during the holidays.

Popular Attractions

Rockefeller Center's tree and rink will be must sees for anyone visiting during the holiday season. A long tradition makes the ceremony the festivities and of course the tree and the rink one of the most visited areas in all of New York. It is imperative that you plan around the crowds to enjoy these destinations. Plan on visiting the tree in the early morning hours to miss the crowds. Open from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm, after sunrise and until dark you will be fighting the crowds. If you plan on hitting the skating rink it is open from 9 am to 10 pm during the holidays but as the day progresses, the ice will become harder to skate and the crowds larger. Much like the tree, plan on visiting early to get the best experience possible.

Other popular destinations such as shopping downtown and other major attractions are also best explored in the early morning. If you have the option of purchasing tickets to skip lines, you will definitely want to choose this option during the holiday season.

Plan ahead and make the most of all your journeys by being savvy when you travel.

Island Trader Vacations reviews tips and information to help you travel smarter not harder. Save, enjoy and make the most of your travels with Island Trader Vacations reviews.

A Journey To Portugal Reviewed With Island Trader Vacations

Barcelos is located in the Braga district in the north of Portugal. The Braga district is home to 89 parishes throughout this district.  Barcelos is well known for its Festas das Cruzes, the Festival of Crosses, which dates back to the early 16^th century.

The festival originated in the observance of the Lord of the Cross.  The story is told that the local cobbler Joao Pires was walking home from mass at the Chapel of the Savior one Saturday and he observed what appeared to be a black cross in the earth. This inspired the devotion to the cross.  The devotion was recognized in a temple that was then built nearly 2 centuries later, and this is the temple that is still the epi-center of the Festas das Cruzes.

Up until the 19^th century, the parties that surrounded the Festas das Cruzes were primarily religious in nature.  Hundreds of people from the surrounding region would make the pilgrimage to Barcelos in honor of this festival.  In the 20^th century the festival evolved into more of an actual festival.  There were fireworks and parades, as well as tournaments and horse racing.  Although the festival was still religious in nature it became more fun, and less staid and serious. The festival has long been a pretext for people in surrounding areas to meet up and do business, as their parishes are far apart from one another.  The festival has also long held a premise as a place of promise. A place to have innocent flirtations for the young, and for those that are a little bit older it is an opportunity for these flirtations to turn to dating and then marriage. The festival has long been a matchmaker.  If you are traveling in the area, and even if you are not religious, this festival gives you the opportunity to take part in a centuries old festival and one of the unique aspects of the culture of the area.

Exotic Botswana Explored With Island Trader Vacations

Botswana, the Republic of Botswana, is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa.  The country is flat and 70% of its area is the Kalahari Desert.  It used to be one of the poorest countries in the world when it gained its independence from the British in 1966, but now has one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

It is a country that is rich with tradition which is called Setswana.   The music of the nation is called Tswana and is primarily based around vocals without drums.  It might feature string instruments.  The traditional folk music of the area has been highly inspired by the guitar in the last few decades. The northern villages of Etsha and Gumare are known for the baskets that the women of the villages make. There are three types of baskets usually made and they are used for storage or carrying items on the head and plates that they use to inspect the local grain. The artistry of these baskets is beautiful with rich colors, and has become quite popular in commercial use. There are also traditional art galleries that can be found in the more populated areas of the country that often show the beautiful landscapes of the native land.

A great place to stay for an adventure is Jack’s Camp.  It was recently refurbished in 2003 and is in the traditional West African 1940’s safari style.  There are 10 roomy quite stylish tents that do have en-suite bathrooms and provide indoor as well as outdoor showering facilities.  The outdoor ones are of the customary style set in a palm grove in the stark, yet beautiful environment. The tents are furbished quite luxuriously with Persian rugs and crisp cotton sheets, and quite go against the rugged wilderness of the landscape that surrounds you. The wilderness is full of lush grass and herds of zebra and wildebeest.  During the wet season you will see flocks of flamingo and other migratory birds.

The guides at Jack’s Camp are usually graduate students that combine their research with guiding.  They team up with a small group og Bushmen to guide the guests on morning walks and game drives. You can also go out on 4 wheel quads and explore the area.  Here you will see archeological sites possibly of now extinct animals.  You can ride for miles and miles, and there is absolutely nothing, it is a vista of nothing but the absolute wilderness at its best and you are the front row viewer.

White Water Adventures – Tips From Island Trader Vacations

Island Trader Vacations enjoys offering you tips on travel to enhance your vacation experience. Make the most of your vacations by learning more about travel from your friends at Island Trader Vacations, your partner in travel.

Welcome On An Adventure

Island Trader Vacations welcomes you to get to know more about white water rafting, a popular vacation idea for millions of vacationers each year. From the U.S. to South America and throughout the world, our vast water resources offer many different options for travelers wishing to enjoy an adventure. Whether you enjoy water skiing, boating, kayaking, canoeing or any other form of watercraft, your options are vast and offer experiences that you can enjoy almost anywhere. In recent years the adventure sport of white water rafting has grown in popularity for travelers looking for a thrill. Though almost anyone can do it, there are a few things that you should be aware of before you decide this is the right type of vacation for you.

River Classes – The rivers throughout the world are scaled the same to ensure that everyone knows what the danger level is. Classes range from a one to a six. Using this system, I or one, means easy and navigable by even the inexperienced while six or VI means that the river is just the opposite. VI is generally not considered a navigable river and should be avoided. II through IV are generally the most common when choosing a white water adventure tour.

What To Bring – When planning your trip you must remember a few items in order to enhance your experience. Below are some important items you should bring on any white water trip.

• Helmet, you may be provided one upon arrival
• Sunscreen – Sunny or not, you should always wear sunscreen on the water.
• A dry bag – For valuables including keys, wallet and any paperwork you may be carrying.
• Extra clothes – If you have a dry bag, put dry clothes in here. You will most likely get wet and should have dry clothes.
• Watershoes – You never want your feet to stay wet so make sure you wear shoes that dry quickly
• Water – Yes you are surrounded but you will be getting dehydrated while you paddle. This is a sport that requires some energy so make sure you have enough water to stay hydrated.

What To Expect – If you are concerned about whether you will be able to handle the trip, be sure to ask before you make your plans.

Island Trader Vacations Welcomes You To Learn More About Travel

Island Trader Vacations is here for our members. Saving members money on travel and offering a variety of options on travel throughout the year, Island Trader Vacations is the right choice when choosing the travel service provider that is right for you. If you enjoy travel, travel frequently or are looking for ways to save money on travel, visit our member site to learn more about how we can help. Enjoy all your vacations with Island Trader Vacations.

Travel Safer Abroad With Valuable Tips From Island Trader Vacations

Island Trader Vacations invites you to learn more about travel with us. From how to travel safer and smarter to where to travel and when to visit destinations worldwide, Island Trader Vacations welcomes you to spend time with us. Learn more, travel more and save more with Island Trader Vacations.

Travel abroad can be very rewarding, however, it takes some skill to look less like a tourist abroad which could impact your vacation experience. In order to enhance your vacation, Island Trader Vacations encourages you to take advantage of the following tips on how you can look less like a tourist while you enjoy your trip abroad.

Do Your Research – Make sure you look at the destination you plan on visiting to see what you should know before you go. Pay attention to any travel advisories and warnings that may exist and make sure you know about emergency numbers and destinations that you may need in case of emergency.

Learn A Little About The Culture – This includes gestures that may be seen as bad as well as a bit about the language, the food and what the locals wear so you can fit it and avoid looking like a tourist.

Duplicate Your Paperwork – Passports and itinerary's are good to make copies of and leave in a safe place in case of emergency. You may also want to make a copy of your drivers license and other important documents so they are easier to replace in case they are stolen or lost while you travel abroad.

Register Your Trip – STEP is a program that offers travelers who area going abroad, the opportunity to inform the government where they will be in case of an emergency abroad. Though not required, you may enjoy the safety you feel by offering your itinerary to a government agency in case of emergency.

Don't Drink The Water – Water abroad and food as well are not subject to the same stringent requirements as they may be in the United States and may not be safe. It is suggested that when traveling abroad, you not drink the water and avoid street vendors for food as they are not always monitored and may cause you problems later on.

Know the rules, follow the laws and be polite when you travel abroad. Remember you are a guest in the country, and you represent your own country. Act like you would expect others to act if they were visiting your country.

Island Trader Vacations

We are your ideal destination for travel savings on travel services. Saving you money on travel and offering you tips on travel, Island Trader Vacations is the place to go. If you enjoy travel, travel frequently and like saving money on travel, find out how Island Trader Vacations can help. Be part of the newest travel innovation and start saving on your travel and vacations worldwide.