Unique luxury hotels, fashionable travel and much more

Italian officials estimate that up to two million visitors will view the Shroud of Turin – Christ’s purported burial cloth – when it goes on display in the spring for the first time for ten years.

A million people have already reserved their chance to spend a maximum of five minutes observing the relic in Turin from April 10th to May 23rd. Pope Benedict XVI will visit on May 2nd.

The large rectangular piece of cloth is said to have been imprinted with an image of Christ’s body, notably his face. It’s kept in a bullet-proof, climate-controlled case in Turin Cathedral.

It was discovered in the French city of Troyes, south-east of Paris, in the mid-14th century. Radio-carbon dating analysis in 1988 determined that the fibres in the cloth dated from the Middle Ages – sometime between 1260 and 1390 – but those findings have, in turn, been challenged.

The Vatican has tiptoed around the issue, making no claim about the authenticity but calling it a powerful symbol of Christ’s suffering.

by Andy Moreton

If you’re visiting for a glimpse of the Shroud or just to explore this vibrant city, Luxique offers the best rates at six luxury Turin hotels – from the grand Principi di Piemonte to the stylish Townhouse 70.

Work has begun on a $1.5 billion (£1 billion) expansion of the international terminal at Los Angeles airport (LAX).

Upgrades to the Tom Bradley Terminal will include new restaurants, fifteen new boarding gates and other passenger services. It’s thought the project will be completed by 2013.

All this is not before time, some travellers might say, as LAX has frequently been judged among the worst in the United States. A recent survey found the airport received poor ratings for accessibility, terminal facilities, food and retail services, security screening and overall customer satisfaction. It achieved a ranking of just 2 among large airports in the US.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was at the ceremony marking the beginning of the project. “By modernizing the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX, we will provide a better service for passengers from around the world,” he said.

“Tourism and international trade are major contributors to Los Angeles’ economy that generate jobs and contribute to the city’s ability to retain its position in the ever-increasing competitive global marketplace.”

by Andy Moreton

If you have a visit to the City of Angels in mind, take a look at Luxique’s selection of luxury hotels in Los Angeles, which includes all the top names.

The up-market area of St John’s Wood in north-west London has been a magnet for many tourists because of its association with The Beatles.

The band recorded many of their songs at the Abbey Road studios there and the cover of the 1969 album Abbey Road features them walking across a zebra crossing close to the studios (although many tourists have photographs of themselves at the wrong one!)

There’s been speculation over the past week that the studios – a former 19 century townhouse – might be put up for sale by their struggling owners, EMI.

One of the two surviving Beatles, Sir Paul McCartney, said he had so many memories of the place and he’d heard of plans to try to rescue the building. “There are a few people who have been associated with the studio for a long time who were talking about mounting some bid to save it,” said Sir Paul. “I sympathise with them. I hope they can do something, it would be great.”

EMI clarified its position this week by saying that it wasn’t intending to sell the loss-making studios, but was looking for investors to help it finance what it called a ‘revitalisation’.

One of those who might put his hand in his pocket is the composer and theatrical impresario Lord (Andrew) Lloyd Webber, who has used the studios on a regular basis.

by Andy Moreton

If you’re visiting the UK in 2010, be sure to take a look at Luxique’s selection of 52 luxury hotels in London and our Top Destination guide to getting around.

The travel industry is being urged to continue supporting Madeira’s tourism despite the devastating floods over the weekend.

The Portuguese island – a favourite destination for winter sun-seekers – was hit by violent storms that caused torrents of water to sweep through streets and buildings. Forty-two people lost their lives.The worst affected area was the centre of the capital, Funchal.

The Madeira Tourist Board says the airport is operating as normal and the majority of hotels, which are located on the periphery of Funchal, have not been affected. Most areas now have electricity and water, and the harbour and main roads are now open, excluding the main route to the north.

Atlantic Holidays, a specialist Madeira tour operator in the UK, wants the industry to know that the island is open for business as usual. Sales and Marketing Manager, Dino Toouli, said:

“As many will know, Madeira heavily relies on tourism for its economy and the last thing we want now is for people to stop visiting the island.”

by Andy Moreton

Luxique features five of the finest luxury hotels in Madeira, including the celebrated Reid’s Palace, set on cliff tops overlooking the Atlantic, where traditional afternoon tea is an event not to be missed.

Italian police have acted to prevent large numbers of counterfeit goods reaching the streets and markets.

In a raid on eight warehouses east of Rome, they seized hundreds of items – said to be of ‘amazing quality’ – including clothes, shoes, leather goods and other accessories. It’s thought the items would have been given designer labels and sold around tourist attractions.

Italy’s national retailers’ association says that around 6.9 billion euros’ (£6 billion/$9.4 billion) worth of fake products are sold each year.

It’s not only brands such as Gucci, Bulgari and Armani that the Italians fight hard to protect – it’s foodstuffs as well.

And the pizza makers of Naples are celebrating after the European Union officially protected Neapolitan pizzas from imitations. They will now carry what’s called a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed label and become part of Europe’s food heritage.

It’s essential for a genuine Neapolitan pizza to include, among other things, only San Marzano tomatoes and fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese. The Italian farmers’ association says half of Italy’s 25,000 pizzerias currently use the wrong ingredients, such as East European cheese or Ukrainian flour.

Italy now tops the EU chart for products that are protected – it has 180, more than Spain or France.

by Andy Moreton

If you’re planning to visit Italy, take a look at Luxique’s comprehensive selection of luxury hotels in Rome, Venice, Florence, Milan and many other cities.

Just when you thought airlines were going to be a bit more accommodating to economy (coach) class passengers (see Flat Out Comfort in Economy), along come American Airlines.

American are planning to charge passengers $8 (£5) for a pillow and blanket on domestic trips and some international flights longer than two hours.

Not just any pillow and blanket, mind you. It’s ‘a blue fleece blanket with an inflatable neck pillow in a clear zip-up pouch.’ They’re even going to throw in a money-off coupon for the Bed, Bath and Beyond store. Needless to say, blankets and pillows will remain free in first class cabins.

To be fair to American, I gather US Airways already charge $7 (£4.50) for a pillow and blanket set, which comes with eye-shade and ear-plugs.

Airlines have steadily added or increased fees for various services since 2008, first to help cover jet fuel costs, then to offset large losses. British Airways recently announced that it had made a pre-tax loss of £50 million ($78 million) in the three months to December 2009. This was better than expected and BA said the figures were representative of cost-cutting measures across the company.

by Andy Moreton

Eurostar – which provides the train service under the Channel Tunnel between the UK and the rest of Europe – has been strongly criticised for the chaos caused by severe winter weather before Christmas.

Five trains broke down in the tunnel and 2,500 people were left for hours without food and water in carriages that were dark and unventilated.

An independent report says Eurostar had not properly prepared its trains for the heavy snow on the French side. The snow got under the trains’ winter cladding and then melted as they passed into the warmth of the tunnel. The resulting condensation caused electrical problems.

The report said Eurostar had no working plan to evacuate multiple broken-down trains. The result was that passengers were left in the dark – literally and figuratively, because they were given little or no information. One of the trains was carrying families back from Disneyland, Paris. Parents had to strip children to their underwear as the heat rose in the darkened carriages.

Eurostar’s Chief Executive, Richard Brown, said the company would be investing more than £30million ($47million) in order to implement all the review’s 21 recommendations.

“I recognise that we let down a considerable number of our passengers very badly with the disruption and breakdowns before Christmas, and, once again, I’d like to say, on behalf of Eurostar, I am very, very sorry,” he said.

by Andy Moreton

Just over a month after it was formally opened, the world’s tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, has been closed to the public.

The observation deck on the building’s 124th floor is currently out of action because of unspecified technical problems. The owners said they were carrying out ‘maintenance and upgrade’.

One report says about 60 people were stranded there for more than an hour four days ago because of a power supply fault. They were brought down by service elevators.

Tickets to the observation deck had been a sell-out since the opening day and it’s thought this unexpectedly high traffic contributed to the problems. Guests who hold tickets will be offered the option to re-book or receive an immediate refund.

by Andy Moreton

See the wonder that is Dubai – Luxique offers a selection of a dozen of the finest luxury hotels in Dubai City.

The Peruvian government says it expects the historic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu to re-open to tourists in about three weeks – earlier than expected.

Recent flooding and mudslides swept away parts of the railway leading to the sacred site. About 4,000 tourists and locals were evacuated by helicopter after being stranded there.

The Minister of Transport and Communications, Enrique Cornejo, said tourists would be able to get round blockages between Cusco and Machu Picchu by travelling part of the distance by road and the rest by train. He said two temporary bridges would be built to help by-pass the ten obstructions that are currently blocking access to the citadel.

The cost in damage to infrastructure, agriculture and tourism is estimated at 680 million soles (£152 million /$238 million).

Tourism is one of Peru’s largest sources of revenue, and Machu Picchu is the main attraction. According to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, the 15th century Inca citadel attracts more than 850,000 tourists a year. More than 600,000 of those are foreign visitors.

by Andy Moreton

Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge – the only hotel adjacent to the heritage site – offers luxury accommodation and is bookable at the best rates through Luxique.

A debate has been raging in the media about the decision by the cruise line Royal Caribbean International to continue to dock its ships at a private luxury resort in Haiti.

Passengers have been enjoying the beautiful expanse of white sand at Labadee, only 60 miles from the capital, Port-au-Prince, where up to 200,000 people are believed dead in the devastating earthquake.

The burning question has been: Should vacationers relax and have fun with so much suffering elsewhere on the island, or would it be worse to stop the port calls and deprive locals of what they earn from tourism?

One cruise passenger wrote:

“I just can’t see myself sunning on the beach, playing in the water, eating a barbecue, and enjoying a cocktail while [in Port-au-Prince] there are tens of thousands of dead people being piled up on the streets, with the survivors stunned and looking for food and water.”

But Royal Caribbean President and CEO, Adam Goldstein, defended the decision to continue with scheduled stops in Labadee. He said the site had sustained no damage and the Haitian government had welcomed the ship. The country reaped a fixed cost per passenger, plus annual fees and the cash that tourists spent on goods at a market where locals sold trinkets and crafts.

In addition, he said, Royal Caribbean was delivering food and water during every call and pledging $1 million (£620,000) plus net revenue from Labadee to the relief effort.

by Andy Moreton