Gallery in the Air

Virgin Atlantic will launch a commercial art gallery at 35,000ft, offering Upper Class passengers flying between London and New York the opportunity to view, and purchase, a series of one-of-a-kind paintings by renowned British artist, Ben Eine, all from the comfort of their seat.

The canvases will be on display across the London Heathrow, JFK and Newark Clubhouses and, as passengers take their seats, they can take a virtual tour of the Gallery in the Air, look behind-the-scenes at the making of the Virgin Atlantic artworks by Eine in his studio and buy the unique pieces of art for themselves in exactly the same way as they would a duty-free shopping purchase.

Ten bespoke works of art priced between £2,500 and £15,000 (approximately AUD$3700 - AUD$22650) in Ben Eine's trademark typography style will be featured. Each piece has been inspired by the adventurous and innovative spirit of Virgin Atlantic, its entrepreneurial owner Richard Branson, and the iconic transatlantic cities of London and New York.

Sir Richard Branson said: 'I am a huge fan of Ben's work and like us, he does things differently and doesn't follow the crowd. We're delighted to be working with him, mixing things up a bit and having a bit of fun along the way'.

The Gallery in the Air, a world first, will take place between 1 to 28 February 2013. www.virgin-atlantic.com

Royal Warrant for The Goring

Congratulations to one of TLTB's favourite hotels, The Goring, which has received a Royal Warrant of appointment to HM The Queen for Hospitality Services.

Jeremy Goring, Cheif Executive of the hotel said: "We are hugely honoured to have been appointed a Royal Warrant holder by The Queen. To be able to display Her Majesty's coat of arms is something that the staff will be enormously proud of. Without doubt this is the most important recognition their work could ever receive. It is made all the more special for us because I believe this is the first Royal Warrant The Queen has ever granted to an hotel."

The Goring family has run the hotel for 103 after Jeremy's great grandfather built it in 1910. Ever since it has provided the higHest level of service to all guests including British and foreign royalty and Kate Middleton famously stayed at the hotel the night before her wedding in 2011. www.thegoring.com

... a new luxury suite ... always

There is a lot happening in Sydney right now: - the Park Hyatt soon to be re-opened, a new five-star, The Darling opening Friday  - but for today we're celebrating the new Terrace Suites at Sheraton on the Park. The "opening of these suites marks the culmination of a $40 million renovation at Sheraton on the Park." says Mr Sean Hunt, Regional Vice President for Starwood Pacific Hotels and Managing Director of Sheraton on the Park.  Covering up to 120 square metres, they are designed with loft apartments in mind. Views are of the Sydney skyline and nearby Hyde Park. The colour scheme is what we like to call 'Barista browns' - cafe colours like warm mocha carpets and deep chocolate and biscuit for the leather lounges, with a little lightness in the silvery-green walls. Then of course thereare the beds (hotels' just love their signature beds) in this case luxurious King-size Sheraton Sweet Sleeper beds. In the bathroom you'll find a big bath tub and Bvlgari toiletries. Access to the Sheraton Club Lounge is part of the deal.  MT

Luxury Links: www.sheraton.com/ , www.starwoodhotels.com/

... sweet treats

Those with a sweet tooth are rejoicing that the new Pudding Parlour at London's athenaeum hotel is now open. The Luxury Travel Bible attended the opening (to coincide with British Baking Week) and tested the delectable delights on offer.

Each month the menu will feature a ʻPudding Of The Monthʼ by Great British Bake Off winner Edd Kimber.  'The Boy Who Bakes' was on hand at the opening to demonstrate how he made October's featured pudding, the delicious 'Plum Almondine'. The lovely Edd revealed some of the upcoming featured puddings and TLTB particularly likes the sound of December's Traditional Home Made Mince Pies (a Kimber family recipe).

The menu will also feature puddings ranging from Macaroons to chocolate truffles to Champagne jellies  by the hotel's head pastry chef Marion.

So, forget cocktails bars and head to the pudding parlour instead for a post-theatre or late night treat.

The Pudding Parlour at the athenaeum will be open Monday - Friday from 8.00pm -11.00pm and Saturday from 9.00pm - 11.00pm.£10 per visit, £15 including a glass of Pudding Wine. SB


Luxury Link: http://www.athenaeumhotel.com/ www.theboywhobakes.co.uk

... from the mouths of babes - Virgin Galactic

We're loving this quote from a Richard Branson employee's kid  during  the Big R's trip to Christchurch New Zealand (20 October). Branson was in town to cheer up his troops, help the earthquake-beleagurered city - oh and go on to see the final of the Rugby World Cup in Auckland on Sunday.

''The most gruelling thing was the staff's kids questions,'' Branson told press. ''They were budding journalists in there.''  Yes, such as Daniel Trenberth, 11, whose father Dave is a Pacific Blue training manager, who asked Branson if he was entitled to staff travel on Virgin Galactic.

''He said he was thinking about it,'' Daniel said.

TLTB says, "And what about using Virgin frequent flyer points Richard"?

Luxury Link: http://www.christchurchnz.com/

... a great Aussie Travel App

New travel App, AUSTRALIA: Where to Go has just launched on the Apple iTunes store and we just had to share with TLTB readers.

This App is the definitive guide to the best places and authentic experiences Down Under. Want to go snorkelling off tropical islands, dine at Sydney's hottest spots, muster cattle in the outback, see native animals, enjoy deserted beaches, discover centuries-old Aboriginal rock art or watch some of Australia's finest actors on stage? It's all detailed on this App and TLTB readers will be pleased to know that there is plenty of luxury content.

Sue Gough Henly has condensed all that Australia has to offer and created a visually rich (there are more than 2500 photos and videos) app that gives the insider low-down on how to explore Australia like a local, whether visiting for just a few weeks or have lived there a few years.

TLTB loves how user friendly AUSTRALIA: Where to Go is with content filtered by criteria such as outback, on the water, wildlife, family, luxury, urban, eco and sorted by name, distance, price and state. It also features maps and directions and direct links to Wikipedia, State Tourism or Parks Department websites (whichever is most useful to the user). MT

Click here to read more about the App on iTunes.

... being a cowboy

Deep down, The Luxury Travel Bible thinks everyone wants to be a cowboy (or at least spend some time with one).

But there is no need to venture too far into the Wild, Wild West as The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana  is offering a more luxurious cowboy adventure.

With over 20 outdoor activities to try out ranch staff felt guests were overlooking the simple art of relaxation. 'Cowboy Kipping' or 'Napping', as it is known on the ranch, has joined the line-up of Autumn activities, giving guests the opportunity to kick-back in rugged terrain, just like the Lone Ranger.

Six hammocks across riverside and mountain locations are all newly equipped with soft pillows, warm blankets and all offer up-close viewing points for local wildlife and the golden Autumnal foliage. Guests can either hike to the napping spots or be driven out by one of the onsite ranch hands for some quiet contemplation.

For the full cowboy experience guests can saddle-up and horseback ride through the throughout the 6,600 acre ranch, learn fly fishing at Rock Creek and try their hand at a spot of clay pigeon shooting. MT

Luxury Link: www.TheRanchatRockCreek.com