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MUST SEE PLACES
veryone defines dream differ-
ently, but when it comes to re-
sorts, we envision ultra-luxe digs; five-
star food; beds that make you want to
never crawl out from between the cov-
ers; spa treatments that both rejuvenate
and relax; and exterior landscapes that
inspire awe, and would foster envy in
anyone not with you. To keep an even
keel, we’ve tempered the above crite-
ria with a touch of outdoor adventure,
historical-cultural significance, and sun-
dappled beachfront.
Tangula Luxury Train in China
Board the Tangula in Beijing and
you will soon forget you’re in a com-
munist country that officially disdains
bourgeois luxuries. The recent debut of
China’s venture into luxury train service
follows just two years after the comple-
tion of the first railway into Tibet, and
transports passengers on a choice of
two routes: the Northern Route, along
the highest rail track in the world to
Lhasa, home of the magnificent Po-
tala Palace; or the Southern Route,
to Lijiang via Guilin and some of the
most spectacular scenery in Asia. Both
routes provide opportunities for guided
off-train excursions.
The onboard services of the Tangula
trains are managed by Kempinski, the
European world-class hotelier. The ul-
tra-modern dining car serves both Con-
tinental and Chinese food, while the
ac commoda -
tion cars feature
double beds
in the suites,
one of the only
trains in the
world to do so.
Les
Sources
de Caudalie
in Bordeaux,
France
The concept of the vinotherapy spa
was born at Caudalie, amidst the
vines of the Château Smith Haut Lafitte,
where the pure waters of a hot spring
with a high concentration of minerals
and trace elements were first blended
with grape seeds and skins containing
polyphenols, one of the most powerful
antioxidants in nature’s arsenal. The in-
novative spa now offers four courses
of
therapy:
beauty (revers-
ing the rav-
ages of aging
skin),
stress
relief, weight
loss, and post-
pregnancy re-
shaping.
This
being
France,
the
cuisine vies
with the spa
treatments for
the center of
attention: two
restaurant s—
an orangerie
and a coun-
try inn—serve up gourmet fare from
equally enticing regular and “minceur”
(weightwatcher) menus (the chef also
conducts cooking classes).
Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco
Located in the foothills of the Atlas
Mountains, less than an hour from
Marrakech, Kasbah Tamadot evokes
the atmosphere of a sultan’s rural
palace, with its crenellated parapets,
meticulously manicured gardens, and
infinity pool surrounded by intricately
carved arches. Eighteen individually
decorated bedrooms and suites, as
well as the library and common areas,
are appointed with traditional Moroc-
can furnishings and antiques.
The Kanoun Restaurant offers dining
with breathtaking views from the roof-
top terrace, by the fireside when it’s
chilly, or in a private courtyard under
the stars in balmy weather. It offers
both international cuisine and deli-
cately spiced local dishes, with a fine
selection of wines and champagnes.
The Asounfou Spa, which contains its
own indoor and Moroccan hammam
(bathhouse), features treatments made
from healthful herbs indigenous to the
area.
The Caves in Negril, Jamaica
The most intimate of Island Outpost’s
string of opulent properties in the Car-
ibbean, The Caves seamlessly incor-
porates the rugged beauty of a sea-
side cliff into the resort’s design. Atop
The Top
Resorts
Dream
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