World Heritage: UNESCO World Heritage, a division of the United Nations, brings to life geographical sites around the world that provide invaluable cultural and education wealth to all global citizens. These sites are universal in scope and support the beauty of each unique cultural worldwide. Some of the newest UNESCO World Heritage Sites this year, such as Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe in Germany – a monumental and romantic water park and garden (pictured,) or Medici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany, Italy – 12 villas and two pleasure gardens spread across the countryside, bearing testimony to the influence the Medici family exerted over modern European culture through its patronage of the arts.
New Disney Magic
Princess Fairytale Hall: Disney pays homage to their beloved princesses in this new Walt Disney® World Resort attraction, scheduled to open in Fall 2013. Visitors can meet and greet their favorite princesses in an elaborate, royal foyer leading into separate fairytale chambers.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: A new Disney family coaster, set to open in 2014, showcases the whole Snow White cast amidst exhilarating dips and turns.
Must Have Apps!
Streamlining travel plans is our specialty and technology is making a world of difference. We recommend some free, smart phone apps to help make your life away from home even more fun and effortless, including our very own Pocket Travel Consultant app.
Gate Guru is a surefire way to keep all your flight information organized in one user-friendly package. The smart, intuitive interface displays current and upcoming trips, providing, real-time flight status, departure gate info, airport tips and amenity information from fellow travelers and more.
Need a ride? Enlist Taxi Magic to get you there; this app allows you to book a nearby taxi, track its arrival with real-time GPS and pay for your ride all with your mobile device. Taxi Magic is available in over 60 cities across the U.S. and is free for iPhone and Android devices.
Pack the Bag, serves as a pocket butler, helping you to create comprehensive packing and pre-departure to-do lists. Select items from suggested lists to help you remember things that you might have otherwise left behind.
With our very own Pocket Travel Consultant app, you can have our knowledgeable insights around the clock. Complete with mobile access to your personal trip itinerary as well as the ability to search maps, city guides and restaurants in your destination of choice – all downloaded directly to your mobile device for offline use.
Hotels & Resorts Spotlight
Our Hotels & Resorts Collection includes more than 800 of the world’s finest hotels, resorts, lodges, spas and unique places to stay. All participating properties offer exclusive benefits, including breakfast for two daily and unique, value-added privileges, which vary by hotel. In addition, hotels in the collection offer upgrades, early check-in and late check-out, whenever available. We are constantly adding new properties to our collection, so please contact us for the latest information on our worldwide portfolio of fine hotels and resorts.
Corinthia Hotel London, new to our collection as of June 2013, is ideally located in the heart of Westminster, overlooking the River Thames. The hotel features 294 guest rooms, including 40 suites and 7 two-story penthouses with spectacular views across the capital. For dining, look no further than the vibrant Massimo Restaurant and Oyster Bar which offers modern Italian cuisine and home-made pastas, or enjoy modern British fare at supremely elegant restaurant The Northall. The musically inspired destination bar ‘Bassoon’ serves masterfully created cocktails while spa-lovers must visit ESPA Life at Corinthia, spanning 35,000 square-feet and four floors, featuring 17 treatment rooms, a thermal floor, gym open 24/7 and Daniel Galvin hair salon. Enjoy exclusive privileges of full breakfast for each guest daily at Northall Restaurant; $100 food and beverage credit, per room, per stay; fruit and water welcome amenities.
New Museums
The highly anticipated BioMuseo, slated to open in 2014, brings Panama’s cultural, environmental and archaeological history to life through a series of eight distinct exhibits, each richly detailing the varied and unique aspects of this Central American nation. Prolific architect Frank Gehry designed the museum space, which pays homage to the beauty of Panamanian seas, wildlife and biodiversity. The space includes a public atrium, a shop and an outdoor café.
See Rembrandt’s iconic “Night Watch” along with hundreds of other stunning pieces of art at the newly redesigned Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The reopening, after a ten-year renovation, boasts sparkling new facilities, including a garden and Asia Pavillion. This museum is an outstanding source of traditional and modern Dutch culture, with pieces ranging from the Middle Ages to contemporary times.
