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Welcome to the April 2008 issue of WOWconfidential, Kiwi Collection's exclusive insider's newsletter by Mary Gostelow, editor-in-chief of WOW.travel, our online luxury magazine for discerning global travellers.
Please enjoy the rest of this month's WOW.travel. Our Insider is Gamal Aziz, President and CEO MGM Mirage Hospitality; Concierge Corner is Luis Perez, of W Mexico City; Style Specialist is Kiwi Collection's Sydney-based Bradley Cocks, Senior Vice President Asia Pacific and Away Nights is Grand Hotel Europe, St Petersburg, Russia. See also Seven Sensational hotels to stay above the water. As always, there are hosts of exciting entries in both VIP and future events and happenings. Around The World takes us to Berlin, Germany; Florence, Italy; Jodhpur and Udaipur in Rajasthan, India; Moscow, Russia; Pamplona, Spain, and Shanghai, China.
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A magnificent month
March was a sensational month for the international WOW.travel team, with much of the world covered yet again. My own schedule included southern Florida and Mexico's Mexico City and Riviera Maya (in the photo I am with Julian Smaldoni, GM of The Tides Riviera Maya). I have had a sensational arts and architectural insight into the growing luxury lifestyle destination of Toronto, and so much else. All will be shared with you, in future issues of WOW.travel.The Tides Riviera Maya, Riviera Maya, Mexico
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Tokyo Attractions
Talking of Japan, kids visiting Tokyo Disneyland with their parents will just love the 142 new Happy Magic bedrooms that Hilton Tokyo Bay has just opened. Designed by Asao Nakayama of W Design International, they are themed for Little Witch Tiara & the Magic Forest.
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Berlin’s Coiffeur & Casa
Shan and Claudia Rahimkhan - shown flanked by Mary Gostelow and Carrie Harrison - run Coiffeur & Casa, Berlin. The ultimate lifestyle parlor has raised catwalks separating its hairdressing, must-buy boutique and coffee-shop areas - and Leading Hotels of the World held a stunning party there during the annual ITB.
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Zibalianja has a new owner
Colin Bell, whom many know from his years at Wilderness Lodges, is now co-owner of Zibalianja, which re-opened in the far eastern sector of Botswana's Selinda Reserve this month. The four luxury tents each have copper baths and showers, and private pools, and 'air-conditioning' comes from underground air tunnels.
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Tents to die for
Tents are obviously in. The 37,000 Paws Up Dude Ranch, between Garnet Mountains and Blackfoot Valley in Montana, re-opens its Tent City safari-style tents for the summer visitors. It is a 30-mile drive from Missoula airport and, once settled in (your temporary home is one of six tents with heated floors and all mod cons) you have a range of activities from fishing and hiking to treatments in the spa tent.The Resort at Paws Up, Greenough, United States
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Birthday Fun in Fiesole
Want a birthday of a lifetime, to share with up to 90 of your favorite friends? Take over the entire 46-room Villa San Michele in Fiesole, Italy. You could dine in the old cloisters, looking down to Florence far below, or they can arrange exclusive rentals, which they would cater, in Palazzo Borghese or Palazzo Corsini. You, as birthday boy (or girl) would obviously stay in room eight, the Michelangelo Suite.Villa San Michele, Florence, Italy
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Fabulous Fashion
What is new and hot, fashion-wise? For girls, Roman gladiator sandals are in - Dolce & Gabbana's look is some of the most authentic. Stella McCartney has introduced her first full collection of women's relevant 21st century underwear, including sequined chemises (photo).
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Technology Trends
For technology nuts, the must-have mobile phone in Moscow is the 18-carat gold and diamond GoldVish Illusion model, as shown - in Cape Town the BlackBerry Pearl 8100 is best seller, in Shanghai, it is the translucent flip-top Motorola Ming.
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The New York Times’ New Critic
I love perfume - but does such a reputable hard-news paper as The New York Times, really need a perfume critic, namely Chandler Burr? He does have time, it seems, to talk at dinners. Two, in Paris, on June 5th, 2008, and in Rome, on June 10th, 2008, are organized by Context Travel, who also arrange fabulous edu-walks.
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Synery at Sculpture Square
Singapore currently hosts an exciting and timely exhibition, Ecology, Design, Synery, at Sculpture Square. Shown is the Millenium Biologix Headquarters, Kingston, Ontario, designed by participating Stuttgart-based architect Stefan Behnisch, said by many to be the leader in sustainable architecture.
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A special appearance in Buenos Aires
If you are in Buenos Aires this month, you can catch Argentina's best-known female tango singer, Adriana Varela (shown) every Saturday night at Café Homero, named for famous film maker and wordsmith Homero Manzi. Adriana's appearances are sponsored by winemaker Bodega Familia Zuccardi.
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Mercedes Benz Fashion Week
Designs by Alejandro Carlin (shown) and Arturo Ramos will be included during Mexico City's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, April 7-11, 2008. There is a lot going on in this exciting capital this month: the annual FEMACO, Feria México Arte Contemporáneo, is April 23-26, 2008.
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Yoga Retreat in Bali
Uma Ubud, in Bali, offers an Ashtanga Yoga Retreat with Australian yoga master Don Peers April 20-26, 2008. Lessons will focus on the personal Ashtanga practice of each participant, so that the retreat is both suitable and challenging for students of all levels. A favorite at the 29-key resort is the Shambhala Suite, which has its own treatment area and an infinity-edged private pool.Uma Ubud, Ubud, Indonesia
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A chance to give back while on vacation
This likeness of Vajrasattva, Buddha of purification, is on show at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, Hawaii through May 23rd, 2008. Last time I was in Honolulu, I adored the Halekulani's room 743, right above the sandy beach - next time I want to try the Vera Wang Suite.
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Tour St Petersburg the right way
Get vacation exercise in another form - with volunteer tourism. At Fairmont Winnipeg in Manitoba, you can spend time with Habitat for Humanity building housing for the homeless - ground transport, materials and instruction, plus a special amenity kit, are provided. Hotel GM is a lovely lady, Indu Brar.
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Sail away at Hotel Grand Europe, St. Petersburg
Thomas Noll, who runs Orient-Express' Grand Hotel Europe, St Petersburg (the Russian one!) has just assured me that he will have his boat in operation by the end of April - he has ordered a facsimile of the Cipriani's 47-year old wooden launch, which has pale pink velvet interiors. What a lovely way to tour St Petersburg, ideally at cocktail time. See what it is like staying in this historic hotel.Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg, Russia
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