Several blocks away from The Dolli in Athens’ central Plaka, visitors encounter the ruins of Hadrian’s Library and the Roman Agora before climbing the hill up to the Acropolis. Guests of The Dolli, though, have an easier time if they want a glimpse of the Parthenon’s splendor: they can take a table at the rooftop restaurant or sit in or by the infinity pool, both with straight on views of this iconic temple. It’s one reason to stay at this new boutique hotel, a part of Grecotel Hotels & Resorts, which opened officially in January and one reason owner Mari Daskalantonaki selected this site. But it’s not the only advantage of being in residence here.
What It's Like to Ride the Seven Stars Kyushu—Japan's Version of the Orient Express
29.09.2023 - 13:29 / cntraveler.com / Agatha Christie
Demand for luxury train travel has surged in the wake of the pandemic. The leisurely pace and atmosphere of Old-World glamour that define these voyages appeal to travelers seeking time for reflection and deeper connections to the people and places encountered along the way. While Europe boasts the Orient Express, Japan’s Seven Stars in Kyushu represents the pinnacle of luxury rail travel in Asia. Newly renovated last year—and a reader favorite—the Seven Stars celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. With only 10 cabins and a maximum of 20 guests, the deluxe liner elevates the art of omotenashi (Japanese hospitality) to new heights.
The Seven Stars Kyushu runs east from Fukuoka to Oita Prefecture, south to Kagoshima Prefecture and then back up through Oita, returning to Fukuoka over the course of three nights and four days.
In late August, I climbed aboard the Seven Stars—known as the Nanatsuboshi in Japanese—to find out what it’s like to ride the country’s most elite train. The three-night, four-day Kirishima route runs east from Fukuoka to Oita Prefecture, south to Kagoshima Prefecture and then back up through Oita, returning to Fukuoka. Reservations for tickets are accepted via a lottery system, and slots are already booked solid through 2024. On the morning of our departure from Hakata station, the passengers convened at an exclusive lounge, where crew member Satoko Yamamoto, impeccably dressed in a white conductor’s uniform adorned with gold buttons, briefed me on my itinerary. After a toast to the journey ahead, we were whisked through a priority gate onto the platform.
In true Japanese fashion, the Nanatsuboshi pulled into the station at exactly 10:37 a.m. Inside, the magnificent interior, designed by Eiji Mitooka, looks like the stage of an Agatha Christie novel set in a fantasy of Meiji-era Japan: a different type of wood was used for the paneling of each car, and the corridors are decorated with intricately crafted kumiko woodwork lattices and gold fixtures. Craftsmen from the region’s most venerated ateliers have designed every detail, from the shoji paper window screens and Aritayaki porcelain lamps in the guest rooms, to the cutlery that punctuates the tables.
The train has two deluxe suites, 183-square-foot rooms with rosewood touches, coffered ceilings, and screens separating the bedroom from the living area.
General manager Yoshihiro Shiojima escorted me to room 702, one of the train’s two deluxe suites. The 183-square-foot room, sprawling for a train, and so stunning with rosewood touches, a coffered ceiling, and kumiko screens that separates the bedroom from the living area; the ensuite bathroom is furnished with a cypress-paneled shower, Aveda amenities (the compact but powerful
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forbes.com
17.10.2023 / 19:29
The Dolli Is The Best Place To Stay In Athens Now
Several blocks away from The Dolli in Athens’ central Plaka, visitors encounter the ruins of Hadrian’s Library and the Roman Agora before climbing the hill up to the Acropolis. Guests of The Dolli, though, have an easier time if they want a glimpse of the Parthenon’s splendor: they can take a table at the rooftop restaurant or sit in or by the infinity pool, both with straight on views of this iconic temple. It’s one reason to stay at this new boutique hotel, a part of Grecotel Hotels & Resorts, which opened officially in January and one reason owner Mari Daskalantonaki selected this site. But it’s not the only advantage of being in residence here.
insider.com
17.10.2023 / 14:21
I've lived in Seattle for 9 years. When I need a break from the city, there's a peaceful Japanese garden nearby that I can always count on.
When my now-fiancée and I started dating, we would take each other on hometown dates.
breakingtravelnews.com
17.10.2023 / 09:09
Mesa, Arizona is the First City Worldwide to Receive the Destination Verified Seal
Mesa, Arizona is the first city worldwide to receive the Destination Verified Seal from Wheel the World, an inclusive online booking platform for travelers with disabilities. Through the Destinations Verified Program, Wheel the World sends trained Mappers to visit and assess destinations. These individuals evaluate accessibility information via WebApp, Wheel the World’s Accessibility Mapping System, which amasses over 200 Data Points of accessibility-related information. Once the data is gathered, the organization provides recommendations to travel service providers on enhancing their infrastructure, along with offering them access to their E-learning platform to expand their knowledge of disabilities and accessibility.
cntraveler.com
11.10.2023 / 22:53
Learning Peru's Hidden History, From the Cloud Forests of Amazonas to the Volcanic City of Arequipa
For Conde Nast Traveler's Iconic Itineraries, we partner with our travel specialists to create classic trips through our favorite destinations that showcase the difference it makes to travel with the help of an expert. This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
nytimes.com
11.10.2023 / 10:53
In Northern France, Riding the Rails Into the Past
On the tracks of a railway depot in northern France, a steam locomotive puffs out smoke as if it just took a drag. An engineer and two apprentices stand inside its teal-colored cab wearing dark clothing and gloves. It’s hard to make out their faces under the glare of the midmorning sun. They’ve been warming up the engine for three hours and are ready to roll out.
cntraveler.com
10.10.2023 / 21:37
This Is the Best Private Island Resort in the Caribbean
It’s not often that traveling off-grid for a vacation actually accomplishes lasting relaxation. For any sense of real remoteness, I’ve long come to terms with the fact that you usually need to sacrifice some luxury: Hiking through silent desert valleys, camping in elephant-adjacent safari tents, and sleeping in jungle-nestled tree houses lit only by candlelight all come to mind as the kinds of places I’ve savored the off-grid experience, but felt there was a mandatory “roughing it” subtext. Often, you have to choose between remoteness and relaxation—but every once in a while you find the rare place that serves you both on a silver platter; that happened for me for the first time recently over a stay at Ambergris Cay, a completely private island located in the southwest Atlantic off the main chain of Turks and Caicos.
matadornetwork.com
10.10.2023 / 14:03
Bryce Canyon Country Is the Perfect, Less-Crowded Alternative To the Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon sees around 5 million visitors a year for good reason: its grandeur is unlike any other place in the world. However, just a few hours away, there is another “canyon” national park that is smaller, much less trafficked, more colorful, and surrounded by distinct natural wonders. Bryce Canyon Country includes Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Capitol Reef National Park, Kodachrome State Park, and so much more in its 3-million-plus acres of protected lands. It’s the perfect Grand Canyon alternative for anyone who wants to see Utah’s natural splendor without the same level of crowds — Bryce Canyon sees about 2.5 million annual visitors, Capitol Reef about 1.5 million, and not even one million visit Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument every year.
breakingtravelnews.com
10.10.2023 / 11:13
Destinations like RAK place nature, culture and conservation at the heart of their tourism framework
“Responsible growth and environmental stewardship can exist in harmony, by making smart changes from the ground up,” says Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) CEO Raki Phillips.
cntraveler.com
09.10.2023 / 22:03
24 Things to Do in Japan, Voted the 'Best Country in the World' by Our Readers
Japan was voted the best country in the world in the 2023 Readers' Choice Awards. Here, resident foodie and travel connoisseur Tokyo Halfie explains 24 reasons why you should visit Japan in 2024.
insider.com
08.10.2023 / 12:27
Going to Halloween Horror Nights for the last five years was like exposure therapy. Now, I love the jump scares.
I'm a theme-park journalist who's been covering happenings everywhere from California's Disneyland to Missouri's Silver Dollar City for over a decade, but for several years there was one event that was a hard "no" for me: Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando.
cntraveler.com
06.10.2023 / 22:49
How Japan Became the Hottest Honeymoon Destination of 2023—and Beyond
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