As the world’s largest archipelago, Indonesia is naturally home to plenty of sea-faring indigenous tribes. The stories of their bravado and skills in navigating treacherous seas are legendary. Such as the Bugis people of South Sulawesi (Celebes) whose magnificent Phinisi wooden schooners have plied the seas for centuries and ventured as far away as Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. When not at sea, these proud “sea people” still live on the sea, literally above the ocean, in houses on stilts.

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to live in a traditional floating house, there’s a hotel just like, the Nirvana Roemah Air floating hotel in Lombok Island, Bali’s neighbor to the east.

Akin to staying in a house boat, except that Nirvana Roemah Air doesn’t move around, and stays “moored” on site, the name translates to Nirvana Water House in Indonesia.

Nirvana Roemah Air is located in the village of Medang – Sekotong Tengah, Lombok Barat – NTB. It is a real boutique resort, extremely unique. It is a combination of ‘Crystal Turquoise and Silky Green’ environment: the Medang Bay with its Mangrove forest.

From your floating villa sitting on the calm and crystal clear waters, you can see Jukung traditional fishing boats. And a plethora of marine life is on your doorstep; Clown fish, Angle fish, Baby Lobster, Crabs or even Lion Fish surround you. They live side by side with you under the villa. You can feed them, you can play with them and of course you can go fishing from your floating villa.

The condition of the sea of Medang Bay – Lombok island is absolutely perfect for this unique concept. Not only because this little bay has the advantage of the rise and fall of the tides, but also it is very well protected by 4 little islands called Gili on front of the bay, they protect the villas from strong wind, current and waves.

Each floating villa is carefully designed and constructed in accordance with the concept of the hundred of years of well proven local fishermen floating bamboo hut, called “Bagan”, it has been carefully modified in to a comfortable and safe floating accommodation. You are among the special people who have the chance to enjoy the comfort of luxurious and adventurous experience in the first Floating Villa in the country.
Each floating Villa consists of: private living room, private balcony, and private shower. It is also equipped with: refrigerator, stereo set & VCD player, tea and coffee maker. Other Facilities are: traditional motorized boat, simple snorkeling equipments, mini-market.

You can enjoy one of the most spectacular sunset in life from your floating villa. At night, lay down on the lazy chair at your balcony and watch the stars, say your wish as you see the shooting star and surely you don’t want to miss the chance to feel the romance on the floating villa during the full moon

Source: Enchanting Eden

Here’s a look at the WORLD’S BUSIEST AIRPORTS, by passenger traffic – 2010 (Jan-Feb) according to Airports Council International.

Passenger traffic is measured by number of total passengers, and a passenger is described as someone who arrives in, departs from, or transfers through the airport on a given day.

Denver International Airport, Denver, Colorado, USA
Total Passenger: 7,477,348 (Jan – Feb 2010), 50,167,485 (2009)

Source: Unique Travel Destinations Blog

Here’s a look at the WORLD’S BUSIEST AIRPORTS, by passenger traffic – 2010 (Jan-Feb) according to Airports Council International.

Passenger traffic is measured by number of total passengers, and a passenger is described as someone who arrives in, departs from, or transfers through the airport on a given day.

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Dallas, Texas, USA
Total Passenger: 8,122,059 (Jan – Feb 2010), 56,030,457 (2009)

Source: Unique Travel Destinations Blog

Here’s a look at the WORLD’S BUSIEST AIRPORTS, by passenger traffic – 2010 (Jan-Feb) according to Airports Council International.

Passenger traffic is measured by number of total passengers, and a passenger is described as someone who arrives in, departs from, or transfers through the airport on a given day.

Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, California, USA
Total Passenger: 8,570,217 (Jan – Feb 2010), 56,518,605 (2009)

Source: Unique Travel Destinations Blog

Here’s a look at the WORLD’S BUSIEST AIRPORTS, by passenger traffic – 2010 (Jan-Feb) according to Airports Council International.

Passenger traffic is measured by number of total passengers, and a passenger is described as someone who arrives in, departs from, or transfers through the airport on a given day.

O’Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Total Passenger: 9,061,143 (Jan – Feb 2010), 64,397,891 (2009)

Source: Unique Travel Destinations Blog

Here’s a look at the WORLD’S BUSIEST AIRPORTS, by passenger traffic – 2010 (Jan-Feb) according to Airports Council International.

Passenger traffic is measured by number of total passengers, and a passenger is described as someone who arrives in, departs from, or transfers through the airport on a given day.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Total Passenger: 12,414,584 (Jan – Feb 2010), 88,032,086 (2009)

Source: Unique Travel Destinations Blog

Julia Roberts’ upcoming 2010 summer movie, “Eat, Pray, Love”, based on the hugely successful novel by Elizabeth Gilbert, will no doubt help promote the travel destinations depicted in the novel.

Regardless of whether the movie will be a commercial success, Tuscany, India, and the undeniable star attraction – BALI – are already gaining traction. Initial interest in the book, and now the movie, has already seen an increase in tourist arrivals in Bali. Led by female travelers, for whom the book is intended for, the novel’s theme of self-discovery and actualization, in search of life’s balance and – most importantly – the balance of body, mind and soul – strikes a chord with Bali’s offering.

Therefore, boutique resorts & hotels, gourmet cuisine, yoga, meditation, spa, herbal remedy, traditional markets, organic spa treatments, ecotourism practices, Bali’s Green School… are all key word searches that are popping up in the Googledom search universe.

For North American female travelers, their search for what Bali has to offer might just have ended, with a travel package designed specifically with this novel in mind.

Women’s Retreat from Wake Up in Bali, is a travel-program laden with activities that attempt to remain faithful to the novel. Designed as a wholesome approach to journey of self-discovery, Women’s Retreat is positioned as a transformational experience that is unique and life-enhancing.

The tour promises a travel in the company of other women who share the same passion for intelligent and soulful experiences, providing the opportunity to connect with a community of new friends.

The tour is limited to no more than 14 travelers to ensure a profound learning and bonding experience. Participants will also have the opportunity to join in Wake Up Bali’s “Give Back Program” mission for education and poverty alleviation by sponsoring a little girl’s school tuition.

Wake Up in Bali is a division of Sterling Ideas, Inc., brainchild Atlanta-based Nelson Sterling, specializing in experiential journeys to explore culture and self. Check out Sterling’s blog www.theauthenticjourney.blogspot.com.

Inspiration: Unique Travel Destinations Blog

Going against the grain of boutique hotels seems to be the basic premise of Seattle-based Ace Hotels, which has gone eastward and planted their first brand of new cool in the Big Apple. This is after a series of successfully acing hotels by the same name in Seattle (obviously), Portland and Palm Springs.

After all, what boutique hotel could claim having bunk beds, turntables and SMEG fridges in the guest rooms, an industrial-style elevator, and mix and match vintage furniture so unique, it feels as if New York’s famous ABC Carpet & Home furnishing has decided to start allowing stay over night in the store.

Ace New York City, a reincarnation of the 1904 edifice that housed the former Breslin Hotel, and what a sumptuous reincarnation at that! Ace defies classification, it’s as if you’ve entered an old aunt’s living room in Prague, Berlin or Paris.

From the 18-foot-high ceiling that adorns the lobby, to the original mosaic tile floor and carved plaster ceiling in the public areas, to the vintage faucets and blackboards for scribbling your thoughts in the guest rooms, Ace is uniquely different.

Ace , positions itself impeccably against Gotham City’s plethora of hotels with personality. For this one’s shines through.

Inspiration: Enchanting Eden

Bali is synonymous with world-class resorts, luxurious villas and even quaint traditional losmen guesthouses.

Regardless of choice of accommodation, you can be assured that it comes with the personal level of service from the warm-hearted Balinese people with their intoxicating culture and distinctive style. The grace in which they extend their hospitality is of course legendary across the world.

The last decade has seen a mushrooming of luxury villa offerings across the island. Each villa with its look and feel, but share in common the Bali Design Style that has evolved into a recognizable style that is emulated around the world.

Defined by elegant interiors, tropical gardens, Balé open-air pavilions, covered verandas or shaded terraces overlooking stunning views over the rolling ocean, dramatic limestone cliffs, or the lush paddy fields, and verdant hillsides. All of this awaits for discovery in Bali.

The Royal Santrian Villas & Spa, one of Bali’s newest resorts, is no different. A fine addition to Bali’s growing portfolio of exquisite villas available for a select few discerning clientele.

The absolute beach-front resort is a gem of a property, sandwiched between the large Conrad Bali, and Nusa Dua complex where you’d find all the big names such as Grand Hyatt, St. Regis, Sheraton, Westin Laguna Resort, Nikko, Novotel and Melia Bali, among others.

What is lacks in size, Santrian makes up in its presentation of a personalized collection of exquisite Villas, some with their own pool, in a setting that is absolutely sublime. A tranquil retreat of 22 superbly-appointed villas spread across 2.5 hectares of lush tropical gardens with Bali’s flowers always in bloom.

Inspiration: Enchanting Eden

What happens when Bali meets a Scandinavian city in Northern Europe? If that place is Copenhagen, home to Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid, and a city renowned for its clean design flair, the result is a pleasant exercise in mix and match.

That special hotel is Axel Hotel Guldsmeden, and the location befits a hotel that defies categorization, in Vesterbro, Copenhagen hippest neighborhood.

Axel is casual and laid back, with furnishing that is part Balinese, part vintage local finds. The adjoining organic Bakery Cafe gives it the home appeal it screams out so comfortably.

Inspiration: Enchanting Eden