Hovertravel is the only scheduled Hovercraft operator in Europe.  It’s also the quickest way for visitors traveling to the UK, to reach the Isle of Wight.

The scenic Isle of Wight offers some of the best beaches in all of Britain. In addition, enjoy the historic Victorian architecture, all alongside some of quaintest English villages. It is definitely the perfect place for a day out.

Launched in 1965, Hovertravel’s service is a safe and speedy 10 minute flight across The Solent to the Isle of Wight.

More importantly, it means that from London to the Island is a journey of just 1 hour and 45 minutes.

As the world’s longest running hovercraft operator, the Hovertravel experience is also one your children will never forget.

Neil Chapman, managing director of Hovertravel, explains, “For any Americans visiting Europe, the quick flight on our hovercraft is a truly unique and enjoyable experience. We regularly welcome visitors from around the world who have traveled many miles to witness this iconic British invention.”

The Hovertravel terminal is linked to London via several transport options including trains and the Greyhound coach service which departs directly outside the Hovertravel terminal.

For additional information on deals and events, please visit www.hovertravel.co.uk

Now in its 18th successful year, Life Ball has gained a reputation as Europe’s most dazzling spectacular AIDS fund-raising event, reinventing the glamorous Vienna-style ball tradition inside the historic gothic Vienna City Hall.

This year Life Ball, normally held in May, has been moved to July 17 to coincide with the 18th International AIDS Conference, also being held in Vienna. Life Ball tickets are much sought-after and every year there are 80,000+ requests worldwide but only 3,780 exclusive Life Ball ticket holders attend the event.

Steele Luxury Travel, the Life Ball exclusive North America tour operator, offers the ultimate package. Life Ball Land Packaging includes:

- Four (4) night five-star accommodations at one of Vienna’s most extravagant hotels
- Do & Co transfers to and from hotel
- Viennese coffee and pastry tasting at Demel, one of Vienna’s most classic confectionary houses
- Welcome dinner at Do &Co’s Albertina Restaurant at Albertina Museum
- Vienna City Tour
- Dinner at restaurant Motto
- Motto Bar and Vienna Nightlife Tour
- Viennese Wine Tour & Lunch
- Post Life Ball Brunch Party at Halle
- One 2010 Life Ball ticket.

With every Life Ball Package purchased, Steele Luxury Travel will match the Life Ball ticket price and donate $200 to AIDS LIFE.

Prices are $4,200 per person including business class roundtrip airfare and land package, $3,200 per person including economy class round-trip airfare and land package, and $1,950 per person for the land package only.  A single occupancy charge will apply to single travelers. Travelers also have the option to extend their stay in Europe.

On July 17, at the Life Ball 2010 Opening Ceremony, international designers Calvin Klein, Diane von Furstenberg and Kenneth Cole will present an extravagant Grand Finale Fashion Show with a series of music and dance performances by international artists in front of the picturesque Vienna City Hall.

Each year, some 40,000 Viennese, international media, and visitors from around the globe gather on the square to experience this glittering spectacle.  Past guests have included Donatella Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood, Roberto Cavalli, Gianfranco Ferré, Missoni and Moschino and many other leading designers have presented their creations in previous years.

Elton John, the Scissor Sisters, Grace Jones and Kylie Minogue have all performed at this event; and Fran Drescher, Eva Longoria, Sharon Stone, Ivana Trump and other international celebrities have attended.

Life Ball attracts huge interest in the international media and is broadcast live on Austrian National TV primetime.  The Life Ball is organized by AIDS LIFE, an independent non-profit organization, created with the objective to raise money to support people in areas of the world most affected by HIV and AIDS.

This mega-event has raised funds over $16 million to date for AIDS groups in Europe, Africa and Asia.

For more information visit www.lifeball.org

Bordered by the majestic Rhone River on the west, Provence France is coincidentally a Province in France. The Rhone River forms a natural frontier with its neighbor Languedoc.

Provence France is a region of mountains, fertile plains and rivers that display all the magnetic beauty and contrast of Mediterranean mountain country.

The Rhone River borders the Provence France on the west which is a fast flowing river. The true artery of the Province of Provence France is the Durance River which was one a seasonally destructive torrent that has since been tamed by the use of dams.

The Durance River sluggishly curls around a broad valley like a snake. People who are interested in sight seeing on their trip, will definitely want to see these two rivers during their trip to Provence France.

The landscape of Provence is filled with many distinct contrasts and characters. You will find lush valleys throughout Provence. These lush valleys are commonly associated with areas with less fertile vegetation. The Alluvial plains are lined along the edges of the major rivers. The Camargue offers an interested landscape that is great for sight seeing as there is often a blurred distinction between the land and the sea. The wildlife of Camargue is similar to that of an African environment.

You’ll find carved caves between the limestone rocks in certain parts of Provence where the water meets the land. There are some really large and easily accessible caves located in Provence. These caves happen to be the some of the most popular tourist spots in all of Europe. In some located rivers have cut deeply into the limestone forming gorges. The Verdon Gorge is one of the most popular sight seeing gorges in the Province of Provence France.

You will find a very complicated range of mountains in the Provence France. These mountains lay west of the Verdon Gorge. This is the area where the Alpine and Pyrennean folds meet. You will also find Mont Ventoux in this region which is the highest peak in all of Provence. If you travel further south you will find the buckled mountain ridges of Montagne Ste Victoire. These mountains were one of Paul Cezannes favorite perspectives.

Provence France follows in suit with the rhythms of the common Mediterranean climate in which seasons tend to change in abrupt succession. You will find that the rapid autumn rains of autumn quickly end the extensive heat of summer. Winters really tend to be mild in Provence France. The region gets the most rainfall in the spring which is around the same time that the plant life explodes into growth.

The Province of Provence France happens to be located in the northern section of the Sahara Desert which means that the summers in this region tend to be brutally hot. The Provence would be nothing but Saharan without the Mediterranean which is a strongly salted inland sea that is almost tide less. There are times within the Algeria when there will be six months without rain. The Provence can go three months without rain at times.

Berlin is the capital of Germany and one of the most fascinating cities in all of Europe. A visit to Berlin will provide exciting sightseeing, superb gourmet food, the newest in modern art, and a fantastic nightlife.

During the many years World War II, many of Berlin’s buildings where heavily damaged. After the reunification process, almost all were rebuilt.

As World War II ended, the Allies had Berlin divided up into four different sectors. In West Berlin, the Americans, the British and the French controlled this sector.  In the Eastern part of Berlin, the USSR had control.

Since the fall of the infamous Berlin Wall in 1989, the city was incredibly merged together. Now, the united Berlin is once again the capital of all of Germany.

The landmark Brandenburger Tor, at 85 feet (26 meters) in height, was originally the main gate to Berlin. During the bleak years of the Cold War, the Brandenburger Tor was a forgotten icon in run-down East Berlin. Now it proudly represents the symbol of German reunification.

Another very important historical building is the German Parliament Building, also named the Reichstag Building.

After a 1933 fire destroyed the dome, Adolph Hitler used the accident to declare a state of emergency in Germany. But 12 years later the Red Army showed their victory by planting a flag on the roof.

After a major renovation, the building reopened in 1999. Significant improvements included a brand new, spectacular glass dome.

Visitors will find man many remains of the Cold War in Berlin. For one, Check Point Charlie is great example.

Originally, Check Point Charlie was a primary crossing point between East and West Berlin. Its museum showcases a reminder of difficult time in Berlin’s history.

In the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, view photos, and various memorabilia from the Berlin Wall and an assortment of devices that were used by citizens to escape from the East to the West.

Berlin boasts a variety of fine shopping. Here you can find Europe’s largest department store, called KaDeWe.

Make a trip to the sixth floor, where the food and beverage department is located. Gourmet lovers can rejoice and find approximately 1700 different cheeses, 1000 different sausages and 800 types of bread.

Berlin hosts a multitude of weekend markets. Several of the best ones include: Grosser Berliner Trdel- und Kunstmarkt at Strasse de 17. Juni in Tiergarten, Kunst-und Nostalgiemarkt at the Museumsinsel and Flohmarkt am Arkonaplatz.

At Christmas time, indulge in the taste of sausages, waffles and the popular German Gluhwein at one of the many festive, Weihnachtsmarkt events around the city.

The dark, enchanting blue of the Mediterranean, white grains of sand from the beaches of the coast, and the serenity that murmurs quietly in distant city sounds.

These, mixed with the fresh air, tinged slightly with salt from the sea, and a gentle breeze that appears near ceaseless, are what make a Cote d’Azur villas nothing short of but, entirely and completely, a paradise.

Cote d’Azur, a hybrid name inspired by the French word for gold and the azure blue of the Mediterranean Sea, is deservedly and well named.

The beautiful coast of the South of France has been a tourist hot spot for centuries, and many of the first visitors to this luxurious landscape were royalty and aristocracy from around the world.

The cities that line the coast, Nice, Cannes, and St. Tropez, are famous for not only their beautiful views, but also the wonderful culture and architecture that these cities have been built upon and around.

It is no wonder then, that such a place has drawn so many famous writers and artists from around the world as well, hoping to catch a spark of inspiration from its calming beauty. In the past, greats such as Pablo Picasso and Edith Wharton visited, lived in and worked on the Cote d’Azur.

Today, celebrities like Elton John and Bridget Bardot have even made their homes on the French Riviera.

Cote d’Azur is a dreamlike haven for foreigners and locals alike, as the weather that permits outdoor activities and relaxation stays relatively moderate year round.

In Cannes, it has been boasted that the city regularly receives sunlight for twelve hours a day, almost every day. Rich in history, culture, beauty and still so full of a sweet piece of calm, Cote d’Azur calls out to the heart of the weary and wishful, offering rest and peace.

Many visitors to the city often rent or stay in hotel rooms or suites, if only to rest for a bit when running low on energy from enjoying all that Cote d’Azur has to offer. But, for an optimal experience on the French Riviera, it may be better to stay at a villa.

While it may be an interesting enough experience to run into and listen to other foreigners and visitors to the coast, for a more private and focused stay a hotel does not offer the same feeling as a villa might. Crossing paths with strangers on the street, is very different from brushing shoulders in a crowded lobby or narrow hallway.

To stay in a villa is similar to staying in a vacation home, providing one with a more authentic and at-home feeling. Enjoying a drink on a private deck or patio as the sun sets is a surprising amount more serene than staring at the sky through a hotel room window.

Full of beautiful land, buildings, people and history, Cote d’Azur is paradise in waiting.

The sun continues to shine over this French vacation spot, and all that is left is for more people to see and take in for themselves, the blue gold that is Cote d’Azur.

Luxembourg or frequently named Luxembourg City, is often called the “Gibraltar of the North”.
Luxembourg is a stunning city with numerous valleys and plateaus that provide beautiful scenery.

The city is divided into 24 different districts. Only 3 of those should be a concern for any visitor to the city. Ville Gaute is known as the medieval core, the train station can be found in Gare, and Kirchberg is the modern city.

By far, the best choice to get around Luxembourg is by foot or using the bus network. Luxembourg is a small city so walking isn’t difficult at all, and this way you can fully enjoy this attractive city.

Luxembourg Castle is the best known attraction. The castle, over a 400-year period had been attacked on a repeated basis, then rebuilt by the Spaniards, Austrians, French, and then the Dutch. The result of the rebuilding is Luxembourg Castle has become the strongest fortress in all of Europe, second only to Gibraltar.

Be sure to visit the Casemates Bock. It’s a series of underground fortifications that were developed back in the 18th century.

The Casemates Bock are a World Heritage Site and can be found beneath all of the city. The Bock is the rock where the very first castle stood.

The old town is extremely picturesque and on both Wednesday and Saturday, enjoy a local market at Place Guillaume. You can also view a statue of William II of Netherlands.

Another must see is Alzette, which is a small but scenic river. The surrounding valley is locally known as the Grund. Here you can find a fortress that surrounds the valley. Nearby take a visit to the Neumunster cathedral, which has become a cultural center.

Containing the Parliament, the Grand Ducal Palace has been completely renovated. The Notre Dame Cathedral was constructed in the 17th century.

Nearby, take a look at the Gelle Fra, or Golden Lady. It’s a golden statue of a woman that holds a wreath, representing a symbol of victory.

Grand Duke’s birthday is held on June 23rd and is a national holiday in Luxembourg. It’s a fun time with multiple street celebrations and firework shows at night.

Schueberfouer is large celebration that runs two weeks between August and September. There is lots of great food to enjoy and many rides.

Don’t be confused because of the relatively small size of Luxembourg. It is rich in history, has numerous architecturally stunning buildings, and is a scenic pleasure to behold.

For an art aficionado or antique collector, Europe is a literal treasure trove of hand-crafted goods from centuries past, in addition to numerous masterpieces from contemporary talents.

But how do you find the right art pieces for you. The knowledgeable concierge teams at Europe’s Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts are your ticket for success.

Beyond the overcrowded gallery trails, the Four Seasons local experts can arrange artful experiences for you to enjoy. View a private collection or attend a top auction. The options are endless.

The Four Seasons is offering the Cultural Capitals Programme to entice avid art and antique collectors off the beaten track to private galleries, artisans and auction houses in Europe’s most alluring cities.

In March, hoards of antique lovers flocked to Paris to the famous Parc des Princes (March 20 to 21), where some 250 exhibitors displayed one-of-a-kind furniture, silverware, artwork, jewelery and objects.

Novice collectors should put themselves in the hands of the concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris, who will guide guests through the fair, offer tips on the best sellers and even arrange an expert escort.

In a tiny lane in Old Prague sits the brand new Manto Gallery. Visitors are encouraged to create their very own art pieces against the inspirational backdrop of Antonin Manto’s most striking works. Visitors learn the traditional art of glass painting before passing their designs through an 800°C (1,470°F) kiln and watching them come to life.

If you’d like to enjoy other secrets the city has to offer, the concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel Prague has endless tips for art lovers and can even arrange private tours of the Lobkowicz Palace’s private art collections with Prince Lobkowicz himself.

In Budapest, the Nagyházi Gallery on Járőr Street has been drawing international collectors since 1984. Hungary’s first auction house, this gallery has grown from a modest 60-square-metre (645-square-foot) space to a multi-storey gallery that spans over 200 square metres (2,150 square feet) and hosts 10 to 12 auctions every year.

Concierge staff at Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest, an exquisite Art Nouveau landmark, will arrange home delivery of guests’ precious findings, which may include fine art, sculptures, furniture, watches, jewellery, folk objects and china.

Visitors to Lisbon’s Tile Museum can see a collection spanning five centuries of the decorative tiles, called azulejos, that cover the city. Housed in the monastic building of the Madre de Deus Convent, this unusual museum has one of the most magnificent interiors in the city and is home to the largest collection of its kind in the world.

In addition to being another reflection of the fine nobility and charm of historic Portugal, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is home to the largest contemporary art collection in the city. In the 1950s, a group of local entrepreneurs committed to showcasing contemporary artists in a new hotel, which today represents the region’s rich history and its vibrant present.

Visit Four Seasons Magazine online for endless tips for travelers to help you get to the heart of your destination.

Torino in Italy, is known around the world for its art and culture. Many know this city as Turin, but locally known as Torino, the city of extraordinary historic and artistic wealth, including fabulous museums and Baroque buildings.

Torino, Italy will be exhibiting The Holy Shroud for the first time in ten years. The Holy Shroud is said to be the linen cloth that Jesus Christ’s body was wrapped after the Crucifixion.

This Spring, all of Italy is preparing for this exciting event. The public exhibition of the Holy Shroud, will be held in Torino’s St. John the Baptist Cathedral, located in Piazza San Giovanni (San Giovanni Square).

The 2010 Holy Shroud Exhibition will be an event of worldwide importance. Historians and religious figures are looking forward to this once in a lifetime event.

The importance from a religious point of view cannot be overstated enough. Even Pope Benedict XVI has plans to visit the Shroud exhibition on May 2nd.

The Holy Shroud is one of the world’s most sacred of religious artifacts. The Shroud is well preserved and kept away from public view.

But occasionally, the Holy Shroud is put on display for public viewing. The last time this occurred was ten years ago.

According to historians, the linen cloth that’s kept in the Cathedral of Torino, is the same Shroud that is mentioned in the Bible’s New Testament. The cloth was used to wrap the body of Jesus Christ in the sepulcher, after his Crucifixion.

In 1578, the Shroud first arrived in Torino based on the request of the Savoy family. It’s been preserved inside the Cathedral of Torino since 1589, and studied for years in order to better understand its origin and authenticity.

The 2010 Holy Shroud Exhibition will be held from April 10th to May 23rd, 2010. Church viewing hours are from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, daily.

For more information go to: Holy Shroud (Official Site)

The island of Formentera is the smallest of the four primary Balearic Islands of Mallorca (Majorca), Eivissa (Ibiza), Menorca (Minorca) and Formentera. Eivissa and Formentera are the two smallest islands and together are known as the Pine Islands. This is due to abundance of pine trees.

The archipelago can be found in the Western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Combined, these scenic islands are an autonomous community and province of Spain.

Palma is the capital and the official languages are Spanish and Catalan. Formentera is ten miles south of Eivissa and is accessible only by boat. There is no airport.

Formentera is a small island and only thirty two square miles in size. One of accommodations to consider is the resort Es Pujols. It’s really the only real resort on the island.

Formentera has a wide range of hotels, hostels, and apartments, and can be found just minutes away from the pristine white beaches and turquoise ocean waters.

Formentera offers travelers other overnight options. Consider one of the many rural farmhouses that are rented out for the summer. There are only a few thousand houses on the island so it may be difficult to actually reserve one. Take a look at the islands many hostels.

Be sure to take into account where you would like to stay. If you’re looking to be in the center of all the party action, Es Pujols would be the natural choice.

If you’re searching for a more rural experience, try the farmland area near Far de la Mola or Far de Barbaria. I would recommend you stay away from the villages of Sant Francecs and San Ferran. Bu there are nice areas just outside these 2 villages.

Formentera has a wide variety of accommodation choices.

Munich, Germany is full of popular beer gardens, magnificent public spaces and buildings with ornate stucco facades. Tradition and modernism rub shoulders in Munich as in no other German city.

The small town charm of many Munich districts stands in great contrast with the hectic pace of big city life on the Marienplatz or along the sidewalks of Maximilian Street. Quite aside from the famed Oktoberfest held each autumn, this city on the Isar River offers visitors an abundance of architectural treasures.

During the course of the last century, Munich has become one of Germany’s most important media and business centres. Munich’s unique combination of Blackberries and lederhosen have made the city one of the most popular business and tourism destinations in Europe.

From Petersbergl to Munich. Monks settled on the Isar in the eighth century, building Tegernsee Monastery at the place they called Petersbergl. The crypt of the church of St. Peter, Munich’s oldest, dates back to the early Middle Ages. In the twelfth century Heinrich the Lion, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, founded the city of Munich around St. Peter’s. Under the command of this powerful duke, Munich became an important city. It was the official residence of the Bavarian dukes from 1255 and named the capital city of Bavaria in 1506.

A square for football celebrations. Just as Munich is the heart of Bavaria, the Marienplatz is the heart of the city, the most popular and best known of the many squares in Munich. The new city hall is on the north side of the square, with the old city hall, the Rathaus, on its eastern side. St. Peter’s is just a few meters away. The famous and beloved Bayern Munchen football team has traditionally celebrated its championship titles on the Marienplatz with thousands of enthusiastic fans.

Munich conjures up images of Oktoberfest, the Hofbrauhaus, shady beer gardens and people wearing lederhosen and dirndl. All of these images are accurate, but Munich is more than simply a bastion of Bavarian traditions. The city is one of Germany’s most important publishing and television centres, for example. Many publishing houses, radio and television stations, film production companies and music studios are headquartered in the media city of Munich. As a result, Munich is home to more actors, artists, TV producers and stars than any other German city.

Summer residence of the Bavarian monarchs. The celebrities of the past, the Bavarian dukes, princes and kings, also resided in Munich. Their legacy has left the city with a number of fascinating historical drawcards. There are so many to choose from, visitors may have a hard time deciding which of the many sights to head for first.

Nymphenburg Palace and its park should be near the top of the list. The former summer residence of the Bavarian rulers, Schloss Nymphenburg is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bavaria today. Its elaborate interior furnishings, including King Ludwig I’s almost surreally ornate “Gallery of Beauties” should not be missed.

Symbol of Munich. The twin towers of Munich’s most famous symbol, the Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Lady), are 99 metres tall. Duke Sigismund laid the cornerstone of Munich’s most beloved church on 9 February 1468. Today the Frauenkirche is officially the Cathedral Church of the Archbishops of Munich and Freisling. Its towers can be seen for miles around, is in part because the city administration prohibits the construction of any building within Munich’s central ring taller than 99 metres. New construction of taller buildings further away from the centre has been permitted in the past, but is currently under review. Only the south tower of the Frauenkirche can be climbed. It offers a unique view of Munich, its surroundings, and the nearby Alps, which on clear days appear to be close enough to touch.