News

What to do in April 2017

It’s finally Spring! The weather’s starting to pick up and the clocks have gone forward, giving us that extra hour of sunlight in the evenings and a little bit more energy during the day. This month we’ve got plenty of events to make use of that extra hour and to allow you to enjoy the warmer weather around Europe. Have a look at the events, then give us a call to book an Easter trip for you, your friends and your family.

Sports events

There’s a huge number of outdoor sporting events this month to celebrate the beginning of spring, including a little bit of skiing if you’re not quite done with winter yet, and a couple of annual favourites like the Oxford/Cambridge boat race. We’ve also got some of the biggest marathons if you’re looking to do some running.

April 1st

  • 2017 World Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships, held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 10-day event finishing on April 10th
  • Saami Ski Race – Norway to Finland, held in Kautokeino, Norway

April 2nd

  • 2017 Tour of Flanders, held in Antwerp, Belgium
  • Rome Marathon, held in Rome, Italy
  • Cambridge Vs. Oxford Boat Race, held in London, UK

April 6th

  • The Grand National, held in Aintree, UK, 3-day event finishing on April 8th

April 8th

  • Rotterdam Marathon, held in Rotterdam, Holland, 2-day event finishing on April 9th
  • 2017 IIHF Women’s World Championship Division I – Group B, held in Katowice, Poland, week-long event finishing on April 14th

April 9th

  • Oberbank-Linz-Donau Marathon, held in Linz, Austria
  • 2017 Paris–Roubaix Bike Race, held in Paris, France
  • The Annual Paris Marathon, held in Paris, France
  • La Liga: Real Madrid Vs. Atlético de Madrid, held in Madrid, Spain
  • Zurich Marathon, held in Zurich, Switzerland

April 10th

  • 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division III, held in Sofia, Bulgaria, 6 day event finishing on April 16th

April 15th

  • 2017 IIHF Women’s World Championship Division I – Group A, held in Graz, Austria, week-long event finishing on April 21st
  • The Bordeaux Métropole Marathon, held in Bordeaux, France

April 23rd

  • Vienna City Marathon, held in Vienna, Austria
  • London Marathon, held in London, UK

April 24th

  • Hungarian Open – ATP World Tour, held in Budapest, Hungary, week-long event finishing on April 30th
  • Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell, held in Barcelona, Spain, week-long event finishing on April 30th

April 29th

  • Tour de Yorkshire Bike Race, held in Yorkshire, UK, 3-day event finishing on the 1st May

April 30th

  • Mill Man Trail, held in Echternach, Luxembourg
  • 2017 F1 Russian Grand Prix, held in Sochi, Russia

 

Music & art events

We’ve got some wonderful music events we want to recommend to you, regardless of your musical preferences. Whether you’re a fan of Jazz, opera or blues, these spring events are guaranteed to help you enjoy Easter, and set the tone for the rest of spring.

April 1st

  • Budapest Spring Festival, held in Budapest, Hungary, 24-day event finishing on April 23rd

April 3rd

  • OsterKlang 2017 (Vienna Easter Music Festival) , held in Vienna, Austria, 4-day event finishing on April 6th

April 5th

  • ArtExpo, held in Milan, Italy, 5-day event finishing on April 9th

April 7th

  • Motel Mozaique (Music Festival), held in Rotterdam, Holland, 2-day event finishing on April 8th

April 8th

  • Reykjavik Blues Festival, held in Reykjavik, Iceland, 6-day event finishing on April 13th

April 18th

  • Bourges Spring Music Festival, held in Bourges, France, 6-day event finishing on April 23rd

April 26th

  • April Jazz 2017, held in Espoo, Finland, 5-day event finishing on April 30th
  • ART Cologne, held in Cologne, Germany, 4-day event finishing on the 29th
  • Cheltenham Jazz Festival, held in Cheltenham, UK, 6-day event finishing on May 1st

 

Film festivals

There are a couple of nice little film festivals this month as well as some larger film award ceremony’s this month. A great excuse for dressing up, drinking, eating and meeting some of your film icons.

April 4th

  • Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, held in Brussels, Belgium, 12-day event finishing on April 16th

April 9th

  • 41st Olivier Awards, held in London, UK

April 19th

  • Achtung Berlin – New Berlin Film Awards, held in Berlin, Germany, 8-day event finishing on April 26th

April 25th

  • Crossing Europe Film Festival, held in Linz, Austria, 6-day event finishing on the April 30th

 

Food, drink and public festivals

There are some really big food festivals in April including a Gelato fair in Florence and a beer festival in Helsinki. There are also plenty of wine events if you’re not a big beer drinker. We’d also recommend going to Venice for the Festa di San Marco, a festival where its tradition for the men to give a single rose to a woman they love.

April 6th

  • London Coffee Festival, held in London, UK, 4-day event finishing on April 9th

April 7th

  • Helsinki Beer Festival 2017, held in Helsinki, Finland, 2-day event finishing on April 8th
  • International Cheese and Wine Fair, held in Coulommiers, France, 4-day event finishing on April 10th

April 9th

  • Vinitaly (International Wine and Spirits Exhibition), held in Verona, Italy, 4 day event finishing on April 12th

April 21st

  • Gelato Festival, held in Florence, Italy, 5-day event finishing on April 25th

April 22nd

  • Zythos Beer Festival, held in Leuven, Belgium, 2-day event finishing on April 23rd

April 25th

  • Festa di San Marco, held in Venice, Italy

April 28th

  • Budapest Pálinka Festival, held in Budapest, Hungary, 3-day event finishing on April 30th

 

Luxury fairs & Business conventions

If you want to do some international shopping, then here are our top picks when it comes to luxury fairs. We also have to recommend the AERO Friedrichshafen, a business conference dedicated to European Aviation. The event has over 600 exhibitors and accommodates more than 33,000 visitors each year! We hope to see you there!

April 4th

  • Salone del Mobile Milano (Furniture Show)/ Apr 4-9/ Milan, Italy

April 5th

  • AERO Friedrichshafen/ Apr 5-8/ Friedrichshafen, Germany

April 15th

  • Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters/ Apr 15-23/ Monte Carlo, Monaco

April 24th

  • MYBA Charter Show 2017/ Apr 24/ Barcelona, Spain

April 27th

  • Foire de Paris/ Apr 27-8 May/ Paris, France

 

Of course, if there is something you want to go to and can’t see on this list, let us know and we’ll make sure we get you as close to the event as quickly as possible. We hope to see you at some of these events, and make sure you watch out for April fools day! Lastly, Luxwing want to wish you all a great Easter weekend on the 14th of April and hope we can help make this Easter an enjoyable one.

 

Today we fly to Italy!

Italy is probably our favourite country in the world! Why? You have some of the most beautiful beaches for the summer, plenty of ski resorts for the winter, and arguably the best food and wine in the world, all year round. What’s not to love! Italy is the fifth most visited country by tourists each year, and thanks to its rich history and culture it also has the most UNESCO world heritage sites in the world (50!).

Food and wine are certainly one of the main reasons people visit the country. Not only is Italy the largest exporter of wine in the world, it is also is the birth place of some favourite international cuisines. Pizza and Pasta were of course invented here, and can be dated back as far as 2BC, meaning we’ve had plenty of time to perfect our recipe! Italy’s food is so good in fact, that on several tourism surveys it has been voted the best country in the world. When you are here, remember that the food is slightly different depending on region, if you are after Pizza the best can be found in Naples and if you want some of the best truffles in the world then Alba serves them by the bucket.

Coffee is another huge commodity in Italy, Italians consume 14 billion espressos a year, and although the coffee is not necessarily grown in Italy, attention to detail is taken over the grinding, temperature and even the kind of water used. Again, Napoli is probably the best place in the country to grab a great espresso, but the consistency is unparalleled throughout, so you’ll struggle to find a bad coffee wherever you go.

 

The temperature can reach 40°C in parts of Italy, and in the cites humidity levels can be unbearable, so you’ll want to find a spot to cool off. Italy’s coastline is a paradise, crystal clear blue sea and white beaches paired with mammoth portions of sea food and wine are hard to beat anywhere in the world. Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany and the Amalfi coast are some of our favourite regions for beaches. There are also many islands around the coast which can be accessed by a short trip on a yacht, there you’ll find some mystical gems and feel more in touch with the local’s way of life than on the mainland.

If its hiking and skiing you’re after, then Italy has you covered there too. The country is connected to the highest mountain ranges in Europe – the Dolomites and the Alps, with part of the Mont Blanc sitting nicely inside Italy. Italy also holds the only active volcanoes in Europe: Etna, Stromboli and Vesuvius which make for jaw dropping hikes. If skiing’s your thing, then resorts such as Cortina d’Ampezzo and Courmayeur offer world class skiing as well as the quality of food expected across Italy.

Tourism is one of Italy’s most profitable sectors and there’s no surprise why. The country is full of world famous monuments, bursting with culture and history. All of which are on most people’s bucket list. Some of the main attractions can be found in Rome – including the colosseum, the Trevi fountain and the world’s smallest country/ centre of the catholic church – the Vatican City. In other parts of Italy, you can find delights such as the ancient ruins of Pompeii, where time stands still after a volcano eruption preserved the city in 79AD, the leaning tower of Pisa and the canals of Venice.

If its glitz and glamour you’re after, you can’t miss a chance to visit lake Como, the upscale resort situated beside Italy’s third largest lake, is home to many celebrities including Madonna, George Clooney and Richard Branson. With picturesque views of the alps and bags of wildlife, it is one of the most beautiful and luxurious places to visit in Italy.

Lastly, how could we not mention the art in Italy. Several of the most influential Renaissance artists in the world originated here and the work certainly stands the test of time. Littered around all of Italy’s largest cities you can find work by Michelangelo, Da Vinci and Botticelli to name a few. You can see amazing sculptures such as Michelangelo’s Statue of David in Florence or world famous paintings such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper in Milan.

Are you tempted to make an impromptu trip to Italy yet? We’d love to help you explore our beautiful country by flying private. Just give us a call or contact us through our websites live chat, and we’ll arrange flights to as many cities as you can cram in! If there’s anything you’d like to hear us discuss in more detail, why not send us a message on Facebook. We’d be happy to write about it in the future!

The Safety and Flight Ops Conference 2017 is starting soon!

The Safety and Flight Ops Conference is IATA’s premium annual conference dedicated to improving safety and efficiency of airline operations globally.

 

April 24 – April 26, 2017

Seoul, Republic of Korea

Grand Hyatt Hotel

Open to all

 

To book your presence in this event please visit: http://www.iata.org/events/Pages/ops-conference.aspx

 

Conference sessions will be led by senior industry experts and will include presentations, panel discussions, and audience interaction.  The main themes will cover:

  • ATM Transformation – Challenges and Opportunities
  • Utilising Social Media to Support Flight Operations
  • New and Emerging Technology Transforming Aviation
  • Performance-based Regulations – Oversight
  • Economics of Safety
  • Regulatory Impacts on Multiple AOC Operations
  • Airport Operations and Efficiency
  • Ground Operations Safety
  • Extracting the Value of “Big Data” in Aircraft Operations
  • Maintenance Safety

Our Top 10 Restaurants to Visit in Europe

At Luxwing, we love to eat almost as much as we love to fly! And what better way to combine the two than by checking out some of the best restaurants from around Europe! Have a look below at our top 10 favourites. How long will it take you to try them all?

  1. Funky Gourmet – Athens, Greece

Setting the bar for this top 10 is Funky Gourmet in Athens, equipped with its two Michelin stars, Funky Gourmet serves food in an unconventional and innovative way, stimulating multiple senses through some of the most delicious foods and the finest ingredients. The restaurant was ranked amongst the best in Greece through 2010-2016, and has managed to hold onto the number one spot for the past two years.

  1. La Pergola – Rome, Italy

Its cuisine, La Pergola in Rome takes the trophy. It was the first and is still the only restaurant in the city to be hold 3 Michelin stars, and it certainly deserves this title. The menu is fairly small, but the food is innovative and simple. The rare white truffle is a must. La Pergola has a spectacular wine list, and when you find a moment to take your mind off the food and drink, the view is spectacular, as La Pergola is located atop of the tallest hill in Rome.

  1. La Marmite – St. Moritz, Switzerland

Possibly the best mountain food in the world, La Marmite is located on top of the exclusive Swiss alps resort of St Moritz. Even with the incentive of a ski in/ ski out approach, you’ll be in no rush to leave the restaurant, as the lobster, caviar and truffles are served by the bucket, and on sunnier days you may sit outside with the celebrity clientele to enjoy the stunning views and the vodka ice bar.

  1. NOMA – Stockholm, Sweden

As a 4-time winner of the world’s best restaurant, NOMA is not one to be missed! The reinterpretation of Nordic cuisine has created a movement in modernised Scandinavian food which is currently spreading across the globe. The menu is full of vegetables and locally foraged ingredients and the combination of flavours is simply incredibly. Located in a hip, old warehouse in Stockholm, NOMA has for the past 14 years been creating a new style of high-class dining. If you’re not planning a trip to Stockholm don’t worry, René Redzepi has furthered the restaurants fashionable appearance by opening in some of the coolest cities in the World – London, Tokyo and Sydney.

  1. El Celer De Can Roca – Catalonia, Spain

Chosen as the world’s best restaurant in both 2015 and 2013 and then number two for an additional four years, El Celer De Can Roca in Catalonia holds some of the most incredible Spanish cusine on the planet. The three Michelin star restaurant is owned and ran by three highly and individually respected brothers – each taking out a different task within the restaurant: The oldest is the chef and uses local ingredients and inventive presentation to create dishes such as caramelised olives on bonsai; The next brother is the sommelier and manages the huge 60,000 bottle wine cellar; and the youngest brother is the patissier who invents wild deserts, including some based on perfumes such as Calvin Klein Eternity and Bulgari. The restaurant is a little far out of town – about an hour north-east of Barcelona, but of course if your just flying in for the food Luxwing can help fly you closer than the international airports.

  1. Le Meurice – Paris, France

As the most sophisticated and expensive restaurant in Europe you would expect big things, and Le Meurice in Paris doesn’t disappoint. The walls and plates are lined with gold and the seasonally updated menu holds the best truffles in the world, making this 2 Michelin star eatery the perfect spot for any truffle lover.

  1. Dstage – Madrid, Spain

After receiving 2 Michelin stars working at El Club Allard, Diego Guerrero has recently gone on to open Dstage, his own, award winning restaurant which focuses on telling a story though food – Right from the beginning where you are escorted to the kitchen counter to sample a selection of tasters, to the end where you are encouraged to take home a copy of the menu. The food has a slight Asian and south American influence due to the chef’s recent travels, but the ingredients and presentation remain world class.

  1. Osteria Francescana – Modena, Italy

Moving into our top three, we have the best restaurant in Italy, and after spending the past 4-years in the top 3 best restaurants in the world, Osteria Francescana has finally, and deservingly won its place as the best restaurant in the world – The first Italian Restaurant to claim this title. The 3 Michelin star establishment has taken on the difficult task of updating the very traditional Italian cuisine, a challenge which has triggered some criticism. However, the food (at least in our opinion) has if anything improved, and the modern tastes from the classic dishes are something which just has to be experienced.

  1. Martin Berasategui – Lastarte, Spain

Martin Berasategui holds the most Michelin stars of any Spanish chef, and his signature restaurant is incredible. In fact, based on millions of genuine customer reviews, Trip advisor has just named it the best restaurant in the world! After holding its three Michelin star reputation for 14 years, the restaurants continue to serve small portions focusing on the quality both in terms of taste and presentation, as each dish looks like an absolute work of art, we recommend getting the 14 course tasting menu allows you to sample all the dishes, and some of the best Mediterranean food in the world.

  1. The Fat Duck, Bray, England

 

After being crowned the best restaurant in the world in 2005, The Fat Duck’s fusion of taste and innovation makes it, in our opinion, one of the best restaurants in the world. The combination of perfectionism and innovation can be seen by the number of staff working in the restaurant. The small restaurant seats only 42 diners but matches that at a 1:1 ratio with 42 chefs perfecting each dish. On your visit, we once again recommend the 14 course tasting menu which includes delights such as ‘nitro scrambled eggs and bacon ice cream’, as well as various other uniquely prepared dishes.

 

Are you feeling hungry yet? Give us a call and we’ll help get you a reservation, and on the next flight to any of these top restaurants. We’d also love to hear your favourite recommendations. Let us know on Facebook and stay tuned to this Luxwing’s news for more of our luxury international recommendations.

Our Favorite Locations that are Best Visited Flying Private!

Flying private brings with it many luxuries, but few seem to realise that it can in fact get you to places that are otherwise inaccessible. A lack of direct commercial jet routes or direct transport means that the places we have listed below are some of the most exclusive in the world, not only remote, but also luxurious and eloquent. If you are interested in taking a trip to a private island or remote mountain top, then look no further – Luxwing have outlined the best places in the world that are made more easily accessible through private aviation. Just choose one and we’ll take care of the rest.

Buzios, Brazil

The Brazilian seaside resort of Buzios is one of the most upscale and exclusive resorts in the country. And if you’re not one for taking several connecting flights or long drives, then a charted jet is the perfect transportation to this rustic beach town. Once you’re there, the center is full of high class dining and nightlife, with plenty of bars, clubs and fantastic restaurants to enjoy. The beaches are also fantastic, and if you’re a fan of surfing then you’re in luck as there are plenty of water sports including surf lessons by top professionals.

Naladhu, Maldives

The tiny island of Naladhu is the the most luxurious places in the Maldives. Facing out onto the Indian ocean, the clear turquoise waters and white beaches even surpass the elegance of the rest of the Maldives! There is, of course, plenty of sea life, so snorkeling is a must during your visit. If you do decide to visit the exclusive island (there are only 20 villas), then the only alternative to private jet is a boat ride from the mainland.

Calivigny Island

This huge private island is one of the most exclusive destinations in the world, and it’s pretty spectacular. The €100 million retreat is 80 acres big and boasts views of the Atlantic and Caribbean oceans from its two beaches. The Island can sleep up to 50 guests and the easiest way to get there is by private jet, so gather up your friends and family, as they will all want to get in on this experience!

Song Saa Island, Cambodia

Song Saa is a private Island off the coast of Cambodia, most of the resort is untouched by man leaving plenty of tropical rainforests and protected coral reefs – both holding plenty of exotic animals, just waiting to be explored. The part of the island which has been developed is home to a mere 24 luxury private villas which include world class spas. The entire island was built with sustainability in mind, so you can feel proud whilst you stay on the environmentally friendly island.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, Wyoming

As something a little different from the rest of our suggestions in this list, we also recommend this fabulous mountain resort. Perfect for Winter or Summer, whether you are after skiing, hiking or mountain biking, Jackson Hole in Wyoming has it all! The hard to reach corner of America is best traveled to to by private jet, to avoid a very long drive and, winding mountain trails. As part of the famous Yellowstone natural park, you can expect some of the best mountainous nature and wildlife in America, including natural hot springs and geysers. And what better way to see these marvels of nature than by flying in via private jet and getting the birds eye view!

Necker Island

Probably the most famous private Island in the world, Necker Island is owned by Sir Richard Branson, and can be rented out for up to 34 guests. The 74 acre island is part of the British Virgin Islands and includes tennis courts, pools and two beaches for you to enjoy during your stay. Unfortunately, the island can only be reached by private jet, but the good news is we have you covered!

 

Are you interested in any of the places we’ve listed above? These difficult to-get-to getaways are a great way to escape the city, and flying private allows the benefit and flexibility of jumping straight back to civilisation when you need. If you’d like some help booking a trip, you can give us a call and we’ll not only fly you from A to B but arrange all of your itinerary and transfers on the other end.

6 Reasons why Japan is on our to go List

We love to travel, which is why we’ve dedicated our lives to getting you from A to B in the most enjoyable way possible. Like every year, we’ve got plenty of trips planned – plenty new places to visit and also some places we want to revisit.

This is one of the most popular destinations to visit in Asia and its popularity is growing year on year. Check out our top 6 reasons below as to why Japan is the place to go this year!

 

The food

Right at the top of our list is the food and there’s no surprise that it’s here. With Sushi, Ramen and Udon to name a few, Japan has some of the most unique foods in the world and although they are now international staples, as the birth place of these delicacies you can expect the best of the best on every street corner, restaurant or bar. Japan also has the most three Micheline star restaurants in the world, so you can expect quality as well as quantity!

The culture

The culture in Japan feels as though it’s all about pleasing you! Although the language barriers can be difficult at times the locals will go out of their way to help you with anything and everything, and as well as being extremely polite and fun to talk to, they seem to have the amazing ability to remember your name, only after the first meeting! All of this means that Japan is the safest place in Asia and one of the safest places in the world, allowing you to have fun and enjoy yourself without constantly looking over your shoulder or being intimidated by a new country.

It just works!

One of the things that never seems to amaze us about Japan is the fact that everything just works! Firstly, it is ridiculously clean! Even Tokyo looks like something you would see in a Utopian sci-fi movie. You will never see litter scattered around the streets, and public servants are always smart and well dressed. Secondly the transport is just incredible! It has the third fastest trains in the world, and the trains are literally always on time. So much so that if a train is more than 5 minutes late you will receive an apology and a delay certificate to show at work. If a train is over an hour late, it may even make the news!

Beautiful structures

The ancient Buddhist temples and shrines are something not to be missed! These one of a kind structures will blow your mind as to how beautiful and pretty they look amongst the trees in bloom. If you want to see some of the best buildings, head to Kyoto which is one of the best preserved cities in Japan or Nara which is home to 8 UNESCO world heritage sites!

Beautiful landscapes

So far we’ve spoken a lot about the cities, buildings and technology in Japan, but have you ever thought about the natural scenery? Mount Fuji is of course the first to come to mind, and, as the tallest peak in Japan it’s absolutely stunning, even to look at from the bottom. There are also plenty of bamboo gardens to stroll through on a spring day.

The most advance country in Asia and even the World

We’ve all noticed that half of the electronics in our homes are made in Japan and what this means is that the country is heavily surrounded by futuristic tech! In fact, everywhere you go you’ll be surprised by something new and amazing making it feel as if you’ve broken free of the 21st century and been flown to somewhere in the future.

What are your thoughts? Are you interested in visiting Japan or do you have somewhere else in mind? Let us know on one of our social platforms where is your dream destination and we might feature it in one of our news articles!

Top 6 Most Expensive Private Jets

Chartering private jets is great, and Luxwing bring you many of the benefits of owning a private jet, such as 24/7 flights 365 days a year, but what happens when the sky’s not the limit? Today we’re looking at the most expensive planes in the world.

6th – Trump’s Boeing 757 – $100 million

Donald trump’s personal private jet has secured him a place on this list and it’s worth a cool 100 million dollars. The jet was was bought from a Microsoft co-founder, but in typical Trump fashion has been outfitted with his name and synonymous gold colour scheme inside and out. The jet can hold up to 23 passengers who can watch a movie on the 52inch flatscreen TV or take a nap in one of the two bedrooms.

 

5th – Boeing 747-81 VIP – $153 million

The Boeing 747 is one of the most popular commercial planes in the world, identified by many for its two stories. The Chinese real estate investor Joseph Lau decided that a commercial jet would make a perfect home in the sky, so transformed the plane into a private palace. The plane has a spiral staircase connecting the two floors which gives enough space for several guest rooms, a huge meeting room and even a personal gym!

4th – Boeing 767-33a/er – $170m

Roman Abramovich is no stranger to luxury travel, he is the owner of the one of the most expensive private yachts and several impressive cars. The Russian business tycoons personal jet is a huge Boeing 767, capable of carrying up to 300 people, but Roman has tried to make that a little more personal. There is, however a 30 seat dining room, perfectly spacious enough for carry his Chelsea football team from game to game.

3rd – Boeing 747-430 – $233m

As the richest monarch in the world, the Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal is expected to have something luxurious for international travel. This is the largest of his 4 planes and includes a living room, bathroom and bedroom, all decorated in gold – not forgetting the solid gold wash basins. The jet cost $100 million dollars from Lufthansa, but the Sultan spent a further $130 million to personalise it.

 

2nd – Airbus- a340-300 – $450m

Capable of carrying 375 passengers up to 9,000 miles, this is the private plane of the richest man in Russia – Alisher Usmanov. With a base price of $230 million, it was already an expensive bit of kit, but after spending almost the same again adding a few accessories and personalisation to the plane, you can expect the best in terms of Technology, design and security.

 

1st – Airbus A380 Superjumbo Jet custom – $500 million

This is the second jet of Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal of Saudi, the first of which could have also made this list. At $500 million you can expect the best, so it’s not a surprise its nicknamed the kingdom in the sky. Amongst other features, the plane includes a Turkish bath, a prayer room with self-adjusting prayer mats that always face mecca and a garage, so that you can bring your Rolls Royce along for the ride.

Our 5 Favourite Safari Holidays in the World

Safaris are a great way to see animals in their natural habitat, in a responsible and safe manner. They are great trips to take with the family, and you are bound to see hundreds of species of animals, as well as explore some of the more exotic parts of the world. Luxwing love helping you make the best memories by traveling to such places, in comfort and in style. Give us a call and we will help arrange your unique safari holiday today. Guaranteed to be a vacation to remember. Take a look at our 5 most recommended safaris below for a little motivation and inspiration.

5. Chiawa Camp, Zambia

Starting off our top five is the tranquil Chiawa Camp in Zambia. It has won countless awards, and was once crowned the best safari property in Africa. The family owned camp offers the best guides and equipment (they recently won best safari guiding team 2017). The camp also offers the highest level of personalisation for all guests, whilst helping to sustain the surrounding wildlife and habitats. There are 9 tented rooms, which include his and her basins, indoor and outdoor showers and king sized beds with Egyptian cotton liners, all elevated on timber decks.

4. Uncharted Affrica Safari – Botswana

Jacks Camp is part of Uncharted Africa Safari and is anything but mainstream. It is situated in the vast salt pans of Makgadikgadi and is full of the desert wildlife you’d expect, including a huge number of wild meerkats. The salt pans can be explored by quadbike or on horseback, by highly trained guides and often alongside university researchers, studying the surrounding habitats. This is one of the quietest places on earth, so it would be irresponsible not to take full advantage of the once in a life time experience of sleeping under the stars in such an unpolluted area. Back at the camp, there are ten private tents, each with en-suite bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers and a mirage like swimming pool – not something you expect to see in the middle of the desert. There is no electricity, internet or cell phones in the camp, allowing you to become one with nature and completely take in the vast open spaces that you are surrounded by.

3. Micato Safaris – Kenya

Micato is a nine-time winner of Travel Leisures ‘best Safari Outfitter’ award, and when it comes to luxury safaris, Micato is at the top. Its 15-day Grand Safari is the self-proclaimed ‘ultimate in luxury travel’, if you do decide to embark on this voyage, you will be traveling to six spectacular locations using air transportation and of course be greeted with five-star accommodation at each point. They also offer plenty of other once in a life time activities like a hot air balloon safari and wild gorilla tracking.

 

2. Zarafa Camp – Botswana

For three out of the last four years, Zarafa has won Safari awards ‘Best Safari Property’, this is partly down to the 320,000 acres of reserve, which is home to 8,000 elephants, crocodiles, lions, hippos, birds and so much more. But what really makes Zarafa special out is the accommodation that you’ll call home during your holiday. There are only four suites, each with a private plunge pool and with views over the lagoon. The staff work early mornings and late nights, so are always on call shall you need anything. The camp also has some of the best award winning cuisine, and when you arrive you’ll be greeted with complementary, top of the range cannon camera equipment and a telescope to use during your stay.

1. Royal Malawane – South Africa

And finally, at our number one position is the Royal Malawane. If you’re looking for somewhere to get the best cuisine as well as see some amazing animals, then then Royal Malawane in South Africa is for you. Not only is it the winner of the Best Safari Cuisine 2017 by Safari Awards, the ranch also has the most qualified guides in Africa so you can find the best animals and the most trusted information from the best sources.

The minimal six detached suits as well as a further two ‘Royal’ sweets mean you’ll have plenty of privacy. Even when enjoying the gym, spa, library or pool. If you’re into golf Africa’s best golf course – Leopard Creek, is also a short helicopter ride away, and the possibility of seeing wild animals on the 18-hole course is a truly memorable experience.

So where will you be going this Spring? If you like the look of any of our recommended safaris or already have an idea in mind, give us a call or chat with us online through our website, and we will help get you as close to your chosen destination (and the wild animals), as fast as we can!

 

Take your Valentine to the Best Events this February!

It’s another busy month for all of us here at Luxwing. February is full of sports, fashion and cinema, and we want to help get you to as many events as quickly as possible. Don’t forget that February the 14th also marks Valentine’s day, and if you want to show that special someone how much you care, why not charter a private jet and let us help plan the most memorable date possible.

Sports
For all you Rugby fans, February is of course the start of the 6 week long, 6 nations championship – without doubt the world’s greatest rugby tournament where England, France, Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales battle it out, playing 3 matches a week across their home turfs, to see who will be crowned this year’s greatest national team within Europe.

February 2nd
• Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series – Baie de Monaco, Monaco – 4-day event finishing on the 5th
February 3rd
• Bordeaux International Show Jumping Contest – Held in Bordeaux, France – 3-day event finishing on the 5th
February 4th
• Galway International Rally 2017 – Held in Galway Ireland – 2-day event finishing on the 5th
• England Vs. France, 2017 Six Nations Championship – Held in London, England
• Scotland Vs. Ireland, 2017 Six Nations Championship – Held in Edinburgh Edinburgh, Scotland
February 5th
• Italy vs. Wales, 2017 Six Nations Championship – Held in Rome, Italy
February 6th
• Garanti Koza Sofia Open, held in Sofia, Bulgaria – 6 day event finishing on the 12th
• Open Sud De France – Held in Montpellier, France – 6-day event finishing on the 12th
• FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2017 – Held in St. Moritz, Switzerland – 2-week event finishing on the 19th
February 8th
• Biathlon World Championships 2017 – Held in Hochfilzen, Austria – 12 day event finishing on the 19th
February 11th
• Italy vs. Ireland, 2017 Six Nations Championship – Held in Rome Italy
• Wales Vs. England, 2017 Six Nations Championship – Held in Cardiff, Wales
February 12th
• France vs. Scotland, 2017 Six Nations Championship – Held in Paris, France
• White Turf Horse Race day 1 – Held in St. Moritz, Switzerland
February 13th
• IBSF World Championships 2017/ Feb 13-26/ Konigssee* -Germany
• ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament/ Feb 13-19/ Rotterdam – Holland
February 16th
• The London Bike Show – Held in London England – 4-day event finishing on the 19th
February 19th
• White Turf Horse Race day 2– Held in St. Moritz, Switzerland
February 20th
• Open 13 – Held in Marseille, France – 6-day event finishing on the 26th
February 22nd
• FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2017 – Held in Lahti, Finland – 12-day event finishing on the 5th March
• 2017 Winter Military World Games – Held in Sochi, Russia week-long event finishing on the 28th
February 23rd
• Budapest Boat Show – Held in Budapest, Hungary – 4-day event finishing on the 26th
February 24th
• Budapest Motor Festival – Held in Budapest, Hungary – 3-day event finishing on the 26th
February 25th
• Ireland vs. France, 2017 Six Nations Championship – Held in Dublin, Ireland
• Scotland Vs. Wales, 2017 Six Nations Championship – Held in Edinburgh, Scotland
• Atlético de Madrid Vs. FC Barcelona – Held in Madrid
February 26th
• England Vs. Italy, 2017 Six Nations Championship – Held in London, England
• White Turf Horse Race day 3 – Held in St. Moritz, Switzerland

Music and arts
There are some great events in the music and art scene this month, including one of the largest music award ceremonies in the world – The Brit Awards. There is also plenty for those who prefer smaller a scale events, all of which could make for a great Valentine’s date.

February 1st
• Musica Nova Helsinki 2017 – Held in Helsinki, Finland – 13-day event finishing on the 12th
• La Folle Journee – Held in Nantes, France – 6-day event finishing on the 5th
February 3rd
• Berlin Graphic Days – Held in Berlin, Germany – 3-day event finishing on the 5th
February 4th
• The Vienna Opera Ball – Held in Vienna, Austria
February 10th
• Strasbourg Mon Amour – Held in Strasbourg, France – 10-day event finishing on the 19th
February 17th
• De klenge Maarnicher Festival – Held in Marnach, Luxembourg – 5 month event finishing 15th June
February 22nd
• BRIT Awards 2017 – Held in London, England
• Art Madrid 2017 – Held in Madrid, Spain – 5 day event finishing on the 26th

Cinema
If films are your thing, then you’re in luck! There are several film festivals this month as well as another huge British award show – The BAFTA’s. Check out some of our recommendations below to see the latest indie films and major league blockbusters.

February 3rd
• International Short Film Festival – Held in Clermont-Ferrand, France – 9-day event finishing on the 11th
February 7th
• Premiere Vision Paris – Held in Paris, France – 3-day event finishing on the 9th
February 9th
• Berlinale International Film Festival – Held in Berlin, Germany – 11-day event finishing on the 19th
February 12th
• BAFTA Awards (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) – Held in London, England
February 16th
• Audi Dublin International Film Festival 2017 – Held in Dublin, Ireland – 11-day event finishing on the 26th
February 23rd
• Stockfish Film Festival – Held in Reykjavík, Iceland – 11-day event finishing on the 5th March

Fashion
Be the first to know what the latest trends are in this year, with February’s fall/Winter fashion shows, taking place in the most fashionable cities around the world. Of course, you’ll want to make sure that you arrive in style in one of our private jets.

February 17th
• London Fashion Week – Fall/Winter – Women’s – Held in London, England – 5-day event finishing on the 21st
February 22nd
• Milan Fashion Week – Fall/Winter – Women’s – Held in Milan, Italy – week-long event finishing on the 28th
February 25th
• SUPER Pitti Immagine –Held in Milan, Italy – 3-day event finishing on the 27th
February 28th
• Paris Fashion Week – Fall/Winter – Women’s – Held in Paris, France – 10-day event finishing on the 8th March

Fairs, Shows and Carnival
If you want to dedicate some time to a hobby or would just like to spend a weekend away shopping on valentine’s day, then why not check out one of these fairs, shows and carnivals? From Gin to Wine and from Diamonds to spas. Find out what the best in the world has to offer at one of these expos.

February 3rd
• Automotoretro – Held in Turin, Italy – 3-day event finishing on the 5th
February 4th
• Bruges Beer Festival 2017 – Held in Bruges, Belgium – 2-day event finishing on the 5th
February 7th
• Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair – Held in Stockholm, Sweden – 5-day event finishing on the 11th
February 10th
• Helsinki International Boat Show 2017 – Held in Helsinki, Finland – 10-day event finishing on the 19th
February 11th
• Nice Carnival – Held in Nice, France – 16-day event finishing on the 26th
• Venice Carnival – Held in Venice, Italy – 18-day event finishing on the 28th
February 15th
• Holiday and Spa Expo – Held in Sofia, Bulgaria – 3-day event finishing on the 17th
February 17th
• London Gin Festival 2017 – Held in London, England – 3-day event finishing on the 19th
February 22nd
• VINARIA Wine Festival – Held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria – 5-day event finishing on the 26th
February 23rd
• Barcelona Carnival – Held in Barcelona, Spain – 8-day event finishing on the 1st March

Business and Media
If you want to do some networking or just keep up to date with the current trends in your industry, then these are the most popular business events that we recommend this month.

February 2nd
• Transmediale – Held in Berlin, Germany – Month-long event finishing on the 5th march
February 27th
• Mobile World Congress – Held in Barcelona, Spain – 5-day event finishing on the 2nd March

Luxwing are here to make your trips abroad as easy as possible, so let us know how we can help. As always, if there is an event you’re keen to visit but can’t see on this list give us a call. We’ll do our best to get you there and plan every aspect of your trip – so that you can enjoy the rest.

Top 10 Cities to Visit in 2017

Luxwing want to give you the best traveling experience possible, by giving you the opportunity to visit as many new places as possible in 2017. We’ve currently flown to 50 destinations worldwide, but are always looking to expand our reach, from Europe’s Capital of Culture 2017 to the host of football tournaments. Take a look below at the hottest destinations from across the world this year.

10. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon has to be one of the most underrated cities in Europe. It’s got culture, year round sun, beautiful beaches and some of the most amazing cuisine in Europe, yet only recently is it starting to gain notoriety for its beauty. What this discreetness does mean however, is that it is fantastically authentic and your money will go even further.

9. Medellìn, Colombia

Once known as a paradise for criminals and drug kingpins, Medellìn has managed to achieve one of the biggest reputation U-turns, and is now a prime holiday spot. There are plenty of bars, clubs, restaurants and some of the best Coffee in the world, and with consistently hot temperatures, it’s a definite must if you fancy visiting Colombia.

8. Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is a beautifully futuristic yet green capital city, thanks to projects like Cheonggyecheon, which, after a $900 million investment, in 2005 converted an old motorway into a public park and the waterway it once was. This year, the city plans to unveil a similar project on an old highway. The 17m high overpass is 938m long and will be filled with plants and trees known as the Soul Skygarden.

7. Montreal, Canada

Canada is celebrating their 150th year of independence this year, so what a better time to visit. The country has it all – If you’re looking for open spaces and nature the Canadian Rockies or British Columbia are beautiful year round. However, if you want to enjoy the city life, Montreal has really stepped its game up in the past few years. The city is full of bars and clubs, with one of the hottest music scenes in the world. Be prepared for all-nighters and award winning food.

6. Copenhagen, Denmark

In the last few years, Copenhagen has fought its way into the big leagues in terms of food, thanks mainly to René Redzepi’s Noma. The city is now however scattered with world class restaurants as well as striking architecture and design. For these reasons it’s no surprise that the city was awarded the European Capital of Culture 2017.

5. Bordeux, France

Wine lovers rejoice, the picturesque city of Bordeaux is on track to open the new LGV Sud-Ouest, high speed train line later this year and we couldn’t be happier. The line will allow you to get from Paris to Bordeaux in under 2 hours which is sure to further increase the selection of high-class hotels, eateries, bars and clubs which Bordeux is famous for. Be sure to check out the newly opened Citè du Vin during your trip to learn all about the regions rich history in wine.

4. Hossa, Finland

Finland is another beautifully adaptive country, whether you’re after the cosmopolitan environment of Helsinki or the winter wonderland that is Lapland the country offers a little bit of everything. To add to its offerings This year marks the opening of Hossa National park for those of you who want a cub scout kind of holiday. There is bear watching, hiking and ancient rock art, as well as kayaking and foraging to name but a few things.

3. Antwerp, Belgium

Thanks to a city which has been flocked with creatives, Antwerp is now blooming with trendy cafes, art pop-ups, boutiques and a crazy nightlife. The city is also very big into fashion, and although not quite as popular as its bigger sibling – Brussels, Antwerp is in the running to take the title of the countries culture capital.

2. Portland, USA

Although not as well-known as Los Angeles or San Francisco, Portland is becoming one of USA’s hottest and coolest destinations. Its ethical, friendly and surrounded with rich mountain tops to hike. If beer and street food is your thing, then that’s another reason to plan a trip. The city has at least 30 unique tasting breweries, and hundreds of themed food carts where innovative chefs will blow your taste buds away with the best foods from around the world.

1. Moscow, Russia

The ultra-modern capital is preparing to host two huge football tournaments– the 2017 Confederations Cup this year and of course the World Cup in 2018. Don’t be put off by political tensions, the Russians are generally friendly and make great drinking buddies. Apart from this, the capital of Russia is filled with beautiful squares and palaces, and the history that precedes them is equally as fascinating.

Whenever and wherever you want to go in 2017, we want to help make that dream a reality. Call, email or chat live with us now to arrange your chartered jet along with the rest of your trip, and make 2017 the year to visit a top, new location in luxury.