The Most Expensive and Extravagant Getaways in the World
By Orli Steinberg

Art deco style travel, visits to haunted and fairy-tale castles, and relaxed vacations on friendly islands all make perfect extravagant getaways!

The star of six motion pictures, and most recently helped Cruella Da Ville make her escape to Paris in "102 Dalmatians." What is The Orient-Express?

Although the Orient-Express, founded in 1883, was simply a long-distance passenger train, its name has become synonymous with intrigue and luxury travel. The original Orient-Express line connected between Paris and Istanbul while running in several routes via various cities such as Strasbourg, Vienna and Bucharest.

Orient-Express services were suspended during World War I, and interrupted during World War II. In both cases, however, most services were resumed following the end

of the war. According to ForbesTraveler.com, the business of luxury trains had started to decline in the 1950s, with the advent of air travel. However, just as cruise ships have made a comeback, so have high-end trains.

James Sherwood, a rail enthusiast, bought two art deco 1920s Orient-Express carriages at an auction in 1977. He restored the carriages, and other vintage sleepers that he bought. Thanks to Sherwood, it is now possible to travel by rail between some of the most alluring cities. Passengers can now travel in the kind of comfort that travelers in the 1930s could only dream of - for a mere $3000 per night.

Renamed the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Sherwood's train debuted in 1982 and has been very popular since then. The train offers journeys that start in London, Venice, Paris, or Istanbul: The Venice-Paris-London journey is one day long and costs $2830 per person. The Venice-Krakow-Vienna-Paris journey lasts six nights and costs $4510 per night, per person, one-way.

There are no showers onboard the Orient-Express, but transfers to five-star hotels are available on stops throughout the longer routes. Guided tours to local attractions are part of this truly unique experience as well.

Orient-Express travel agents do not encourage passengers to travel with children under age 12 on the longer journeys; children might spoil the perfect romantic ambiance onboard the trains. Children are welcomed onboard one-day Orient-Express excursions available throughout the UK.

The Orient Express offers gourmet meals. All meals are included as part of the Orient-Express experience: continental breakfast and afternoon tea are served in the compartments, while passengers can enjoy lunch and dinner in the dining cars. Drinks are not included in the fare and may be purchased at an additional cost. Attire is formal on most routes, and passengers are expected to wear black tie and evening gowns during dinner.

Many travelers make the Orient-Express the centrepiece of a European holiday. The Orient-Express booking office can arrange any required flights, hotel accommodations and transfers around the Orient-Express trip. However, it cannot arrange flights departing from North America: Your local travel agent can book any flights to Europe. Please contact the Orient-Express booking office at http://www.orient-express.com, call 1.800.524.2420, or visit your local travel agent for a complete list of prices and available journeys.

This original hotel-on-tracks became second-home to royalty, celebrities, and fictional murderers. Why not charter the train for a corporate event, family celebration, or a murder mystery game replicating Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express?

From murder mysteries to castles that are home to the undead: Vampires in Transylvania.

Transylvania is an historical region in present-day central Romania. Outside Romania, Transylvania is strongly associated with the novel Dracula. Within Romania the region is known for the scenic beauty of its Carpathian landscape and its rich historic heritage.

In its early history, the territory of Transylvania belonged to a variety of empires and states, including the Roman Empire, the Hun Empire, and the Kingdom of Hungary. However, Transylvania has been part of Romania since World War I, apart from a brief period of Hungarian occupation during World War II. Cluj-Napoca is the region's capital.

A number of notable Victorian writers were fascinated by Transylvania's long history of Muslim Turkish influence and its late industrialization (in the late 19th century, Transylvania was still covered with wilderness). Bram Stoker, who wrote his gothic horror novel Dracula in 1897, used Transylvania as a setting. Since then, the region became associated in the English-speaking world with vampires. Many fictional works have used it as a setting to represent mystery and magic.

Haunted castles are now the center of an entire tourism industry. However, Transylvania is not only famous as the homeland of Stoker's Count Dracula; it is also associated with the dramatic history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and well-preserved medieval villages.

In a remote village in the foothills of the Carpathian Mount-ains, Count Kalnoky, who is not related to Count Dracula, owns a castle that dates back to the 1800s. After 50 years of exile, the count returned to the castle and restored it as a guesthouse. Visitors may stay at the estate and track bears and wolves, or take guided tours to discover local medieval cities.

The guesthouse offers a wide range of cultural and nature tours including hiking, mountain biking, and one to two-day horseback rides between the villages. There are no fences and there are no roads; there are just hills, forests, pastures, streams, and the occasional shepherd with his dogs.

Guided tours from Kalnoky's guesthouse include visits to Sighisoara and Castle Bran. Sighisoara is one of the seven major Saxon towns dating back to the 13th century. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is also the alleged birthplace of Vlad Tepes, "The Impaler". Another guided tour goes to Castle Bran, which has become synonymous with Count Dracula. Surprisingly, Bram Stoker never actually visited the region at all!

Full board and activities are available for free if you do not have a reflection in the mirror, or you are over 200 years old. Otherwise, the price is about $853 per week, per person. Flights are not included. For more information on Count Kalnoky's guesthouse, activities and guided tours, please visit his website at www.transylvaniancastle.com or call the guesthouse at 011.40.745.921891.

Transylvania Live is a unique and friendly U.S.-based travel agency that specializes in creating tailored tours to Transylvania. Transylvania Live offers Dracula tours, hunting excursions (e.g., Bear Hunt, Boar Hunt, Red Fox Hunt, and Red Deer hunt), and entry to various local attraction sites: the Torture Room in Sighisoara, the Rasnov Peasant Citadel (the largest peasant fortification in southeastern Europe), Bran Castle, and the Village Museum.

Transylvania Live offers countryside accommodations as well as luxury accommodations in four-star hotels that include gourmet meals and spa treatments. Prices vary from $691 per person for a four day guided tour departing from Bucharest, to $2326 for a luxury eight-day package departing from Cluj-Napoca. For more information and to book your Transylvania adventure, please call Transylvania Live at 1.866.376.6183 or visit their website at http://www.visit-transylvania.us.

If you plan on being in Transylvania on October 31st (Halloween), you are invited for a candle lit dinner at Count Dracula's Castle. You are also invited to spend the night...

From horrific castles to fairy tale castles: Luxembourg.

Luxembourg, officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is a tiny country nestled between Germany, France and Belgium. This little country is located on the crossroads of several major highways. When driving through Europe, don't blink or you might miss it! Luxemburg has a total area of 999 square miles and a population of 400,000.

Luxembourg is a fairy tale kingdom with magnificent medieval castles towering over quaint villages. Located in the very heart of Europe, Luxembourg is a land of friendly, cordial, multilanguage natives. The country has a highly developed economy, with the highest Gross Domestic Product per capita in the world (U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, 2007). Luxembourg City, its capital, is a modern business and banking center.

Tourist attractions in Luxembourg City include underground fortifications built in the 17th and 18th centuries, the remains of the Luxembourg Castle, and the Palace of the Grand Dukes - an exceptionally beautiful façade from the 16th century. The city's historically impressive Old Town enjoys an international reputation: in 1994, UNESCO listed its fortress ramparts as a World Heritage site. Travelers are welcomed to join guided thematic city tours and "Hop on Hop off" guided coach sightseeing tours. For more information on guided tours in Luxemburg City, please visit www.lcto.lu and www.sightseeing.lu.

Luxembourg offers magnificent landscapes that consist of verdant forests and fertile meadows. Two of Luxembourg's most beautiful regions are The Ardennes and the Centre. The fine conifer forests of The Ardennes stretch from Belgium to France and cover a large part of northwest Luxembourg. This scenery includes high plains with extensive fields, slate rocks and steep slopping valleys. It is a paradise for walkers, cyclists, and cross-country skiers in the winter. The heart of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is known as the "Centre". The Centre is surrounded by farms and woodland, beautiful villages nestled in picturesque valleys, and verdant slopes topped with splendid castles.

The Luxembourg Card is available for purchase and offers free admission to 58 tourist attractions and free public transportation. It also includes visits to the many castles - from secular Gothic buildings to underground fortifications, and museums. For more information on the Luxembourg Card, please visit www.luxembourgcard.lu.

Numerous comfortable accommodations are available in Luxembourg where guests can experience luxury with a French twist in five-star hotels. The Sofitel Le Grand Ducal in Luxembourg City offers a high-class restaurant serving gourmet cuisine. Other hotels offer spa treatments and Hammam baths. For more information on accommodations, please visit Luxembourg's national tourist office at www.ont.lu. For a complete list of featured hotels in Luxembourg including reviews, please visit www.booking.com.

Luxembourg's national tourist office provides an impressive list of sights and attractions with detailed descriptions on their website. A PDF file with all the information is available for download as well. The office also has a branch in NY. Please visit their website at www.visitluxembourg.com.

Luxembourg is so small that on most maps of Europe, its name can't fit in the borders of the country. But it is a charming little country and visiting Luxembourg feels like strolling around a fairy-tale book illustration.

From one country influenced by the French, to another; this time it is an Island: Mauritius.

Mauritius is an island off the coast of the African continent in the southeast Indian Ocean, about 560 miles east of Madagascar. Mauritius was successively occupied by the Dutch (1598-1712) and the French (1715-1810), and was ceded to Great Britain in 1814 through the treaty of Paris. In 1968, Mauritius became independent.

Most people in Mauritius are bilingual and are equally fluent in English and French. Mauritius is a blend of diverse cultures and religions: Hindus, Creole, Chinese, Muslims and Europeans. The Mauritian people offer natural hospitality.

Mauritius is of volcanic origin. Barriers of coral reefs that form natural, clear lagoons shelter it. With its sweet water lagoons and endless white beaches, Mauritius is a dream destination. Some of the island's finest public beaches include Grand Bay and Pereybere in the North and Ile aux Cerfs on the east side. Grand Bay is one of the best areas for sailing, windsurfing and water skiing, and Pereybere is a magnificent bathing spot. Ile aux Cerfs is an island with the most beautiful beaches in Mauritius. For more information and to book your travel, please visit www.mauritius.net.

Mauritius is a paradise for deep-sea fishing. Several world fishing records were made in Mauritius including an 1115 pound Mako Shark, a 41.5 pound Bonito, and a 224 pound White Tuna. Visitors can hire fishing boats from almost all hotels in Mauritius. The most prestigious deep sea fishing competition is the Marlin World Cup hosted by the La Pirogue hotel on Mauritius' west coast, 21 miles from the capital, Port Louis. For more information on La Pirogue luxury resort, please visit their website at www.lapirogue.com.

Mauritius offers several world-class spas that are oases of peace and tranquility. One of the island's most famous spas is the One&Only Le Saint Geran, which offers a range of tailor-made treatments that soothe, heal and relax. One&Only Le Saint Geran is a luxury resort hotel nestled peacefully in the private white sands of its own peninsula.

One&Only Le Saint Geran offers luxury suites and a variety of activities. Suites at Le Saint Geran feature private terraces facing the ocean and hand selected exquisite furniture. The hotel offers water sport activities including water-skiing, snorkeling, windsurfing and fishing. Land activities include golf, badminton, volleyball and tennis. For more information on Le Saint Geran, and other luxury hotel packages and quotes, please visit www.mauritius.com.

From one friendly island to another: Fiji.

Fiji is an island in the South Pacific Ocean. The country occupies a cluster of about 322 islands. Only 106 are permanently inhabited. The two major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, account for 87% of the population. Fiji's culture is a rich mosaic of indigenous, Indian, Chinese and European traditions.

Fiji's first inhabitants arrived before or around 1000 BC. The Dutch explorer, Abel Tasman, visited Fiji in 1643 but it was not until the 19th century that Europeans settled the island permanently. The islands came under British control as a colony in 1874. The United Kingdom granted Fijian independence in 1970.

Most Fiji islands are tropical islands with lush rainforests and cascading waterfalls, yet every island has its own distinct identity. The Fiji islands are surrounded by reefs and an entire spectrum of underwater terrain, from sharks and rays, to colorful soft corals. Divers know Fiji as the soft coral capital of the world.

Endless adventure experiences are available in Fiji. Popular activities include jet boating, hiking through rainforests, mountain biking, fishing, island hopping and yachting. Travelers can spend a day, a week, or even a month hopping amongst Fiji's magical islands. Travelers can charter private jets and book jet vacations and tours by visiting www.travelwizard.com. Information on private luxury yachts is available on www.travelwizard.com as well.

Turtle Island is a private tropical paradise island that offers a unique experience. Both "Blue Lagoon" movies were filmed on Turtle Island. Visitors to the island may reserve one of 14 private beaches or settle on the beach outside a private cottage. Activities on the island include hiking, horseback riding, sailing, and scuba diving.

Turtle Island offers luxurious all-inclusive packages for about $1600 per couple, per night. The packages include a private cottage on the shores of the famous Blue Lagoon, all meals, beverages, activities, and a complementary massage.

Guests on Turtle Island can enjoy a romantic picnic on the beach. A luncheon of lobster or other island delicacies is dropped off at the site by boat, by the resort's catering staff. For more information on how to be pampered on Turtle Island, please visit www.turtlefiji.com, or call 1.800.255.4347.

The award winning, five-star Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort is one of the most renowned vacation destinations in the South Pacific. The resort is located on the island of Vanua Levu, on 17 acres of a coconut plantation overlooking the peaceful waters of Savusavu bay.

Activities at the resort include scuba diving and other eco-friendly adventures. Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort is the only resort that employs a full-time marine biologist to help visitors appreciate Fiji's underwater world.

A Fiji Island Reef & Romance package at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort costs $3500 per person and includes seven nights in a luxurious cottage. For more information on this five-star resort, please visit www.fijiresort.com, or call 1.800.246.3454.

Mauritius in the Indian Ocean and Fiji in the South Pacific Ocean are both heavenly getaways. Go ahead and make your paradise dream come true!

Riding onboard a famous train, visiting medieval castles in Europe, or sunbathing on endless white beaches: it is a tough decision to make. On all adventures though, a lifetime experience is guaranteed!