I love elephants. So it made sense on my first safari to Africa to explore the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania, which has more elephants than anywhere else in the Africa.

I also like my luxury. I do not always get to indulge but deciding on exploring the Selous there was, and still is, only one lodge for me, Beho Beho Luxury Safari Lodge. Beho Beho is a small camp in the huge Selous Game Reserve. It is the oldest camp in the reserve and enjoys a stunning setting overlooking a beautiful valley dotted with riverine woodland, home to some of Tanzania’s most precious wildlife.

With just 8 bunda’s (luxury two-person villas), outstanding food, and I suspect the best staff and guides found anywhere, there is very very little not to like about Beho Beho. But at more than $1,000 per person per night, I can honestly say it’s worth every single penny.

And those elephants! Our guide, Sean, led us as close to several of the beasts as was comfortably safe. The elephants oftens stuck their trunks into our 4×4 to get a further look/sniff at us, and we them. They are brilliant animals and seeing them on TV doesn’t do them justice. Most nights they would meander through our camp, snacking on the trees while we had our dinner by candlight, while the birds and beasts of the Selous serenaded us - bliss.

The safari was arranged by aardvarksafaris.com. The staff are very good and there were lots of phone calls from them to me, plus emails, to ensure they were organizing exactly what I wanted, before a penny exchanged hands.

1. Selous Game Reserve encompasses 48,000 square kilometres, or 5% of Tanzania’s surface area, making it larger than Switzerland. Only about 16% of the game reserve is accessible to visitors due to its landscape.

2. Seeing a herd of zebra, a group of bull elephants and dozens of impala and hyenas – all in the space of an hour’s bush drive.

3. Waking up in the blue-light of an African morning, while being serenaded by birdsong as fresh, hot coffee is left outside your lodge door.

4. The thrilling electricity of fear as you step out of a safari truck and walk on foot through the bush for the first time, headed towards the Rufiji River for sundowner drinks.

5. Once darkness falls taking a flashlight and sitting on your open veranda and pointing it in to the inky black night – and seeing what’s staring back.

6. Having to wait until two bull elephants stop grazing just in front of your bunda (lodge) so you can get inside.

7. Taking a hot shower al fresco in a room that’s larger than your 3rd bedroom back home.

8. Watching the open-mouthed expressions of the group in the bush truck next to you as they are surrounded by a group of bull elephants, jostling for road space and making lots of noise.

9. Experiencing ‘khaki fever’ for the first time (falling for your safari guide).

10. Watching a newborn giraffe suckle its mother while its umbilical cord is still attached.

Author Bio : Julie Clark, Texas USA – Guest blogger

Already a tourist hot spot Bangkok is now unlike any time in the past, as the readers of Travel and Leisure just acknowledged by voting Bangkok the “World’s Best City, 2008″. Being a city so rich in sights and sounds, seemingly everywhere, Bangkok can feel overwhelming at times. Luckily Bangkok hotels have made enjoying the city’s wonderful madness a little easier, by creating outstanding viewpoints to enjoy this vast city. Agoda.com salutes Bangkok and proposes top 10 hotels to check out some of Bangkok’s amazing views.

Today, Bangkok sprawls in every direction, extending beyond the horizon. Still a massive network of streets and sois, the city now bristles with skyscrapers, mega malls, elevated expressways and sky trains. The ubiquitous food stalls, markets, world class shopping and nightlife still attract tourists in droves, but it’s the elegance and modernity of the city that consistently surprises.

Michael Kenny, CEO of Agoda.com says “Bangkok is a city full of energy and beauty. It’s also a city with an eclectic mix of contradictions. The food stalls, markets, shopping and culture; all this activity happens in surroundings that are both classically Thai and ultra-modern. The churning Chao Phraya River lined with ancient temples set against a modern skyline is truly a unique sight. Bangkok hotels have embraced the city’s diverse nature, creating rooftop bars, restaurants and viewpoints that rival anyplace in the world. Those who get to live in Bangkok experience all its delights on a daily basis. It looks like the rest of the world has finally started to take notice. Bangkok deserves this award.”

Agoda.com is an Asia-based, worldwide online hotel bookings company, renowned for its expertise in the Bangkok marketplace and offers hotel reservations with 300 Bangkok hotels to choose from. The staff at Agoda has chosen the top 10 hotels where tourists can indulge in some amazing views of Thailand’s “City of Angels”.

Agoda’s Top 10 hotels showcasing Bangkok’s amazing views are:

1. Lebua at State Tower, Sirocco-Located on the 63 rdfloor of The Dome at the Lebua at State Tower, Sirocco is the world’s highest al fresco restaurant. Also one of Bangkok’s most coveted dining choices, the experience never fails to leave one mesmerized. This award-winning restaurant offers breathtaking views of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River.

2. The Banyan Tree, Vertigo Grill & Moon Bar - Located on the 61stfloor, Vertigo is one of the landmarks of fine dining in Bangkok. The top floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel offers spectacular panoramic views of Bangkok. Even without trying the decadent menu, just witnessing the sunset at Vertigo is an unforgettable experience. The slow melt of the sun into darkness, ultimately revealing the sparkling lights of the Bangkok night, leaves guests awestruck.

3. Centara Grand at CentralWorld, A gourmet dining & grill restaurant, Fifty Five is dramatically perched on the 54 th& 55 thfloors, with amazing views of Bangkok, set to serve the very best Thailand has to offer. Red Sky a chic, urban bistro and lounge with breathtaking, al fresco vistas of Bangkok, located on the 55 thfloor. Both scheduled to open in September 2008.

4. The Dusit Thani, D’Sens - A graceful French restaurant, D’Sens is located on the top floor of the hotel. The large windows allow guests to gaze out onto all the early evening activity of historical Lumpini Park and the hustle and bustle of Silom, Bangkok’s city center.

5. The Landmark Hotel, RR & B Bar- A roof-top steakhouse and bar, RR & B is located on the 31 stfloor, offering breathtaking views of the city’s skyline and one of Bangkok’s best grills.

6. The Westin Grande Sukhumvit Hotel, Horizon Sky Lounge and Karaoke- Follow dinner with drinks, music and questionable karaoke at the Horizons Sky Lounge and Karaoke with its panoramic views of Bangkok’s sparkling lights.

7. The Baiyoke Sky , Thailand’s tallest hotel with 3 fantastic restaurants located at its peak. The Bangkok Sky Restaurant on the 76 th&78 thfloors, the Crystal Grill on the 82 ndfloor and the rocking Roof Top Bar & Music on the 83 rdfloor, Thailand’s highest entertainment venue.

8. The Oriental Hotel , The Verandah - With a massive patio extending out onto the Chao Phraya River, the elegant Verandah is the perfect spot to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner. Renovated in 2005 the Verandah serves delectable Asian and Western cuisines in subtle Thai surroundings. The majestic Oriental Hotel was just ranked number 14 in Travel and Leisure’s Top 500 Hotels.

9.The Millennium Hilton Bangkok - Three Sixty Lounge- Sitting 32 floors up and chilling out to a little jazz, the Three Sixty Lounge provides the perfect setting to take Bangkok all in. A relaxed, romantic setting with an extensive cocktail list, this jazz bar is quickly becoming a city favorite.

10. The Peninsula Hotel , Thiptara Restaurant - Thiptara literally translates to ‘heaven on water’ and the Thiptara Restaurant is just that, set on the picturesque banks of the Chao Phraya River nestled under a huge Banyan tree. The Peninsula’s new Thiptara Thai restaurant offers authentic, Thai home-style food served outdoors, in teakwood, Thai-style pavilions. Bangkok’s outstanding Peninsula Hotel was just ranked number 17 in Travel and Leisure’s Top 500 Hotels.

Royal Suite, Burj Al Arab

Demand for the top end of the luxury hotel market has been unaffected by the credit crunch, keeping prices for the best rooms at very high levels : the superrich are still willing to spend huge sums on staying at the best hotel rooms in the world, paying as much as $34,000 a night to lodge at the most luxurious suites, according Wealth-Bulletin’s survey of the Top Ten Most Expensive Hotel Rooms in the World.

Also worth noting is the appearance of Dubai (the Burj Al Arab’s Royal Suite, above) and Moscow hotels on the list, which would have been unheard of just a couple years ago. Here are the Top 10:

1. The Warner PentHouse, Four Seasons; New York, $34,000 per night.
2. Royal Penthouse suite, President Wilson Hotel, Geneva, $33,000 per night.
3. The Presidential Suite, Hotel Cala Di Volpe, Costa Smeralda, Italy $21,000 per night.
4. Royal Suite, Burj-Al-Arab, $18,000 per night.
5. Royal Armleder Suite, Le Richmond, Geneva, $17,500 per night.

6. The Ritz Carlton Suite, The Ritz Carlton, Moscow; 16,500 per night
7. The Royal Suite, Four Seasons George V, Paris; $15,500 per night
8. The Imperial Suite, Park Hyatt Vendome, Paris; 15,500 per night
9. Brook Penthouse, Claridges, London, $10,000 per night
10. Penthouse Suite, Hotel Martinez, Cannes, $9,300 per night (During the Cannes film festival week in May the price rockets to $48,000 a night).

1. Voted one of the top five resorts in Thailand, and situated high above the Andaman sea, Sri panwa comprises of 22 luxurious tropical contemporary private pool villas scattered throughout more than 30 acres of lush, tropical surroundings.

2. Sri panwa’s signature restaurant Baba offers relaxed dining with spectacular sea views, and is renowned on the island for both its authentic Andaman specialties, high-quality western cuisine, seafood and fresh grills.

3. A private fleet of boats and cars ensures that no destination in southern Thailand is out of reach. Stunning Islands are just minutes away from Sri panwa.

4. Experienced estate hosts will help custom-tailor excursions and adventures by both land and sea to suit your wishes.

5. Fans of Sri panwa include Gordon Ramsey, Bob Burns, P.R.S. Oberoi, Kenny G, Paula Taylor, Janesude Parnto, Michele Waagaard and Charina Sirisinha.

6. Personalized service with experienced and friendly staff. Highest quality products and maximum privacy.

7. All villas have private terraces, decks and salas, infinity-edge swimming pools and outdoor bathing areas overlooking the breath-taking Andaman Sea and outlying islands

8. At Sri panwa’s Sai Spa & Wellness Retreat, traditional techniques are offered alongside modern treatments such as sport massages, refreshing herbal exfoliations and soothing full body wraps, which can be enjoyed either in professional treatment rooms or in the comfort and privacy of your own villa.

9. The resort has a private beach with a swimming pool, beach club, water sports, and a swimming pontoon. Cooking classes, Thai lessons and other authentic Thai learning experiences are also available on request.

10. Sri panwa IS the Ultimate Resort experience!

Price range from: 25,500 to 159,800 Baht (Approx $750 to $4,700)

If you are in the need of some new luggage and are looking for something that is a bit out of the normal and attracts attention, then you should check out this new collaboration between Samsonite’s Black Label and Swarovski.

This re-edition of a 1920’s trunk got entirely covered in Swarovski rhinestones that will succeed in grabbing every co-traveler’s attention.

As with any item given the Swarovski touch, it is sure to be expensive, and only a limited few will be able to get their hands on the Samsonite Black Label Swarovski Trunk—there are only thirty available worldwide (available at Colette in Paris).

Sometime a deal sounds almost too good to be true….

Just months after launching one of this year’s most lavishly expensive holidays - an epic USD 1 million trip “Around the World” - the Leading Hotels of the World is celebrating its 80th anniversary by passing on some incredible discounts to its guests.

To commemorate its founding year (1928), at 12 noon GMT (8am Eastern Standard Time) on October 1, 2008, they will release a limited number of the world’s most-coveted hotel rooms at the unprecedented rate of $19.28 per night.