The Dandelion Chandelier Luxury Travel Calendar highlights ideal luxury travel destinations for the month of November, as well as notable luxury hotel and resort openings, new cruise vessels and luxury train launches around the world in November 2017. For the rest of the Luxury Calendar, click here. For other Travel coverage, click here.
Luxury Travel – Top destinations This Month.
- Day of the Dead celebrations in Puebla, Mexico. Each year, from October 31 to November 2, villagers throughout Mexico journey to local cemeteries to welcome the souls of their dearly departed; there are bouquets of marigolds and candles as far as the eye can see, and families don embroidered indigenous dresses for feasts, for which they cook their deceased relatives’ favorite foods. Experiencing this celebration authentically involves staying up all night, communing with the spirits, and feasting by a candle-lit tombstone. Many people head for Oaxaca, but Puebla is one of Mexico’s best-kept secrets. The UNESCO World Heritage site is just 45 minutes from Mexico City, and is home to a new 5-star Rosewood hotel and a stunning new art museum designed by conceptual Japanese architect Toyo Ito. This year, the Dia de Los Muertos offerings will include a cooking class led by Rosewood Puebla’s pastry chef Erick Astiè; guests will be invited to learn the craft behind the traditional dish of Pan de Muerto, a sweetbread baked specifically for the holiday.
- Abu Dhabi for the F1 Grand Prix + Louvre Abu Dhabi. If you’re keen to see the F1 races, stay at the iconic 5-star Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, which straddles the circuit. Before or after the races, there’s nearby shopping at Yas Mall. Or you could hang out on Yas Beach. You can also book eco-tours of the mangroves, or rent stand-up paddle boards and kayaks. If you’re feeling playful, hit Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the first and only Ferrari-branded theme park and the world’s largest indoor theme park. When you’re ready for art, head to Saadiyat Island (its just 25 minutes from the hotel) to see the stunning new Louvre Abu Dhabi.
- Cape Town, South Africa for culture and nature. All of our well-traveled friends are raving about the glories of Cape Town. You should go and check it out! It’s spring there in November, so the temperatures are comfortably balmy. The Zeitz MOCAA on the waterfront is now open; as a dedicated home for contemporary African art, it’s a must-see. The current exhibitions include Material Value, a solo retrospective of the early work of artist Namdipha Mntambo. The sleek new Silo Hotel is in the same building, and it’s getting rave reviews. This month is also the tail-end of whale watching season: you can head along the False Bay coastline to spy southern right, humpback, and Bryde’s whales. The uber-luxurious farm hotel Babylonstoren is a definite must – after a couple of days in town, head for the country for a truly special experience.
- A classic trip to Cambodia. In just a week, you can journey from the capital Phnom Penh to the temples of Siem Reap. Take a guided tour of the Angkor temple complex, including Angkor Thom and sunrise at Angkor Wat. Visit Battambang, a former trading post for Thai, Khmer and French traders, with an interesting architectural legacy of French colonial mansions and elaborate Buddhist temples. Luxury travel planner Remote Lands can tailor an itinerary to suit your needs and interests, including recommending 5-star luxury hotels in each location.
- An excursion to see the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, can be seen across the Arctic Circle from early autumn to early spring. The curtain of color that can be viewed on some cloudless nights is caused when solar flares enter the atmosphere. Luxury travel agency Scott Dunn can customize an itinerary for you, and they have a range of locations and types of accommodations from which to choose: you could travel to northern Canada, Iceland, Norway, Sweden or Finland. You could stay at a luxury tented camp, in glass igloo, a log cabin in a remote forest, a tree house, an ice hotel or a traditional hotel. Cool.
Luxury Travel – Recent and Upcoming Openings.
- The Trafalgar St. James is officially open; the iconic Trafalgar Square hotel has undergone an extensive renovation and hopes to become a food and drink destination for Londoners and international visitors alike – the Rooftop features a retractable canopy and wonderful views.
- Meliá Hotels International has announced the imminent opening of the Meliá Iguazu, the only hotel located in the heart of Iguazu National Park in Argentina; the location is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an ideal place to explore the stunning National Park and the Iguazu Falls.
- U by Uniworld has debuted its first ship in Paris: the B made its maiden voyage along the Seine, providing the world a glimpse of the first-ever river cruise brand for millennials.
- Hotel de Russie, the Rocco Forte Hotel in Rome, has revealed the completion of renovation work in the hotel’s 172 square metre presidential suite, the Nijinsky Suite – we’re calling dibs!
- The Mandarin Oriental has arrived in the Caribbean for the first time at Pink Sands Club, Canouan in St. Vincent & the Grenadines; the resort is now taking reservations.
- Tivoli Hotels & Resorts is now operating the Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels in Doha, a collection of nine unique and historical buildings featuring intricate décor and architecture, nestled in the heart of the historic Souq Waqif.
- Le Bristol Paris has partnered with all-natural skincare brand Tata Harper at Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie to unveil a new, curated treatment menu and a bespoke designed treatment suite. Green luxury – the very best kind!
- Hotel TwentySeven in Amsterdam is opening soon, helmed by one of Holland’s most celebrated hoteliers, Eric Toren; the luxury boutique hotel is in the heart of the city at Dam Square, opposite the Royal Palace
- Yotel Singapore, the first Yotel in Asia, opened its doors to guests last month with 610 rooms across 30 floors; the brand’s aim is “integrating the elements of luxury hotels into smartly designed spaces, providing a seamless and intuitive guest experience by giving guests everything they need and nothing they don’t”
- The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara has welcomed first guests after completing a multi-million-dollar renovation that included all 358 guest rooms and suites as well as enhancements to the resort’s six culinary venues.
- The Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga opened last month; the Latvian National Opera House and the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are just steps away.
See other November 2017 Events:
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