Search Results for: blog amtrak luxury travel

Luxury Travel—-Private Jet Vacations

Imagine not having to deal with the hassle of luggage fees or wondering if you’ll miss your connecting flight because of weather delays. Those are just a couple of the perks associated with private jet travel. While most of us can only dream of indulging in such a luxury there are some who exclusively fly via private plane. They are the ones who don’t need to look for private jet travel bargains. However, if you have been saving up to splurge on a once in a lifetime trip you might consider the following private jet package deals. Right now TCS … Continue reading →

Luxury Travel: Europe

Last night as I was watching FOX News I saw yet another story on the weak state of the U.S. dollar. I’m as guilty as they are. Looking through the Families.com archives I noticed that I have written about the pathetic downfall of the dollar at least four times in the last few weeks. Re-reading those blogs inspired me to write this one. Far be it from me to dissuade readers to explore Europe simply because it is more expensive than it used to be. After all, some people have money to burn. Especially the person who is holding the … Continue reading →

Cruise News: Luxury Sailings, Toy Story on Water, and Hollywood on the High Seas

LUXURY SAILINGS In previous blogs I’ve fantasized about staying in luxury hotel suites and riding the rails in ritzy train cabins, but none compare to the ultra-luxe trip being offered by Silversea Cruises. For a mere $110,000 per cabin you can set sail on a 92-day Pacific voyage in 2009. The award-winning luxury line is a favorite of the rich and famous and the $110,000 price tag is one of the cheapest seats on the ship. The best cabin (which features two bedrooms) is retailing for $393,000 or roughly $4300 per day. TOY STORY ON WATER If your kids are … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits: Cha-Ching!

I’ve written about luxury travel destinations and high priced travel items in previous posts, but this next one just might take the cake… or, at least the fruit compote. Visitors trekking to the upscale Sri Lankan resort called The Fortress, located in the coastal city of Galle, can now dine on what is being heralded as the “world’s most expensive dessert.” For $14,500 you can dig into the fruity confection complete with a chocolate sculpture and a gigantic gemstone (that latter is the real deal and is not made for human consumption). I’m not kidding. According to hotel managers, “The … Continue reading →

Luxury Travel: Pampered Pooches and Flying In Style

PAMPERED POOCHES It’s no secret that some pets travel better than their two-legged counterparts. (There are even some furry tail waggers who are financially way better off than most people in the world.) And now an increasing number of hotels are taking notice of these well-to-do-animals’ standings in life. In a previous blog I told you about the growing number of hotels in paradise that are catering to pampered pets. Several resorts in Hawaii provide fresh-baked peanut butter flavored biscuits for doggie guests with their name inscribed on each. That’s on top of the special water bowl, pet-sized bed, and … Continue reading →

Luxury Travel: The Perks Of First Class

Must be nice to spend your vacation being lavished with seven-course gourmet meals, pampered with gifts by Ferragamo and Bulgari, and swaddled in Australian wool blankets—at 35,000 feet. Ah, the luxuries of first class flying… how I wish I knew thee. Actually, I’ve had the great pleasure of flying first class a couple times in my life, unfortunately both experiences happened in the mid 80s, long before first class flying included access to fully flat beds, silk sheets, and a three-to-one passenger-to-crew ratio. These days the first class cabins in most airlines are akin to luxury spas. To say some … Continue reading →

Luxury Travel—Where The Millionaires Stay

There is no way I could pay to stay in a luxury suite at a four-star hotel (or any hotel for that matter), but it’s nice to dream, right? In my previous blog I detailed the latest and greatest entry into the Brave New World of lodging—billionaire Ty Warner’s luxury pad at the Four Seasons New York. The Beanie Baby tycoon spent a jaw-dropping $50 million to create the 4,300-square-foot suite and is charging guests $30,000 a night to stay in it. Even if I won the lottery I’m not sure I could afford to stay in a $30,000 a … Continue reading →

Amtrak = Luxury Travel

When I think of Amtrak, the first word that pops into my mind is NOT luxury (wait, maybe I’m thinking of Greyhound). Kidding aside, Amtrak, by all accounts, may be the first name in efficient rail travel, but five-course meals and personal butler service it’s not. Or is it? According to Amtrak executives, it is… and then some. Five-course meals, personal butler service… and mahogany interiors will all be available on several Amtrak routes in just a few months. The nation’s leading passenger train service is teaming up with GrandLuxe Rail Journeys to attach seven special GrandLuxe cars to regularly … Continue reading →

Take the Train to Thanksgiving Celebrations

With just 13 days until Turkey Day, now is the time to solidify your holiday travel plans. In most cases, last-minute flights to and from major cities during Thanksgiving week are far from a frugal option. Fortunately, travelers determined to get to grandmother’s house to share in a festive Thanksgiving feast don’t have to rely solely on the airlines. Amtrak is moving full speed ahead with a campaign to reunite families this Thanksgiving. The passenger train corporation offers 30 routes to more than 500 destinations in 46 states. With a single ticket you can visit the most popular destinations in … Continue reading →

Spend the Summer Riding the Rails

Are you sickened by the prospect of spending $45 to store your carry-on bag in an overhead bin on a flight that already cost you an arm and a leg? Amtrak hopes you are. The national railroad leader is hoping the hassle and growing expense involved with flying to your vacation destination will prompt you to ride the rails this summer… and beyond. To lure frequent flyers to railroad tracks, Amtrak has been working hard to improve its services and amenities. “We are investing in our infrastructure to improve the reliability, safety and security of our operations,” said Amtrak President … Continue reading →