We are proud to represent Wailea Beach Villas, an exclusive residential vacation resort with an enviable and quiet location on Maui's famed Wailea Beach, the most exclsuive beach front villa resort in Wailea. Located in prestigious Wailea golf and tennis resort on the south shore of Maui, the luxury resort offers two, three and four bedroom spacious residential-style accommodations ranging from 1,900 to 3,100-square-feet on 11 acres of lush gardens and refreshing pools.

SHA Wellness Clinic was recently awarded the prestigious Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2012 in the category of ”Most Excellent European Destination Spa”.  Recent press agrees, with Departures Magazine highlighting SHA as one of their Top 10 Medical Spas. Enjoy SHA in the New Year with their “New Year, New Life” Promotion - For every 5 nights of accommodation receive 2 nights complimentary, plus an upgrade to a sea view until February 19, 2012.

Our new Blog is going strong and we invite you to engage with us, sign up to receive new feeds, or share our articles with your friends. Travel articles will provide a new insight into our properties and our aim is to provide useful and interesting content. Our latest blog entry is about Wellness Travel, the importance of it in our lives, and the studies to prove it. We are proud to represent a special handful of wellness retreats around the world, and wish you health and happiness on the New Year. May Wellness Travel be in your future!

Many people are asking, "Can I age better? Can I stay vibrant and healthy for years to come?" Pritikin provides the results they desire, and in a beautiful vacation resort. Guests begin their stay with a state-of-the-art blood panel and a 1-hour consultation with a board-certified physician that involves a complete history and physical, and analysis of health and weight-loss goals. Next, under the supervision of doctors and exercise physiologists, guests take a treadmill stress test to determine their fitness levels and personal exercise prescriptions. Winter Season Special until March 16, 2012 from $6,250 for one week.

The Best Hotels in the World list is out and The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs and The Farm at Cape Kidnappers made the list -Kauri Cliffs for Best Leisure Facilities and Cape Kidnappers for Best Food. Go south and find summer with three great lifestyle packages available at both lodges - Romantic Hideaway, Revitalizing Retreat, and Family Heaven Packages. Whether it’s a romantic escape with a loved one, a rejuvenating and replenishing retreat, or some well-earned time away with the family, the new packages are sure to appeal on many fronts and provide “no-fuss” short breaks within one inclusive price.

Armani Hotel Milano brings to life the “Stay with Armani” philosophy delivering a genuine home approach and a unique lifestyle experience where a new and unique level of service which combines visual aesthetics, personality and professional skills are delivered. The dining venues, with their floor-to-ceiling high glass windows, give breathtaking panoramic views of the rooftops and terraces of Milan, creating an elegant and vibrant atmosphere. The Armani/SPA features 1,000 square meters of beauty, peace and quiet overlooking the city from the top floor of Armani Hotel Milano. Stay with Armani - milan@armanihotels.com

Recently featured in Forbes Life Magazine, “Best New Hotels” Article, Imanta is a stunning secluded gem with just eight villas all with private pools adjacent to a vast ecological reserve. Visit Imanta this February with a new President's Week Special. February 17-26, book a five-night package including meals, two spa treatments, and more from $5160.

On January 4th, Estancia Vik hosted a special Polo match with world renowned La Dolphina vs. Fiat Polo Team. Estancia Vik has extensive Polo facilities and offers private lessons to hotel guests. February 2-7, 2012 a very special itinerary for Art Lovers – participants will experience a day in the life of local artist ateliers through private workshops, guided visits to local galleries, museums and more. Also not to be missed, a six-night Yoga Retreat "Inner Series Adventure" will be led by Nadia Zaki, renowned Yogi and fitness expert, March 1-7, 2012 at Estancia Vik.

Focus on a healthier you for 2012. Make yourself a priority in the New Year and focus on exercise, nutrition and clarity of your mind, body and spirit. Click the link below to view a brief overview of The Ranch at Live Oak / Malibu from owner, Alex Glasscock. The Ranch was recently featured in People Style Watch as an “IN” thing to do.

The Bristol Hotel in Panama City is an ideal hotel to explore all that Panama City has to offer and the concierge can arrange for a number of city tours and nearby cultural adventures. Tours feature private vans and English speaking guides. Tour recommendations from the concierge include three cities tour - includes Old Panama Ruins, Colonial Panama and Modern Panama. Or, explore the Panama Canal up close with a “cross through” excursion available Thursday – Saturday. A full day tour to an indigenous Embera Village can also be arranged.

We’ve always been able to accommodate sensitivities to certain types of foods, but with the rising popularity of a gluten-free lifestyle, here’s a great way to stick to it at the Ranch. Or try it for the first time and get a great jump start on a new way of life that might be right for you. Seven-night Gluten Free Package includes 10% off accommodations, $300-plus value in services and amenities, Seaweed Wrap, Therapeutic Massage, Nutritional Consultation, gluten-free cooking class, and more. Download our Gluten Free Muffin recipe below!

If savoring local foods is one of your favorite things about visiting new places, then this journey was designed for you, Explore the classic sites, from the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors, while immersing in local food culture with market visits, cooking classes, and local snack tours with a Culinary Host. Savor the culinary treats China has to offer with behind-the-scenes experiences such as a visit to a Peking duck kitchen and make traditional dumplings or noodles at a farmhouse near the Great Wall. Departs April 14-28, May 12-23, September 8-19, and October 20-31, 2012. Photo by Jeff Fuchs.

The Address Downtown Dubai, the five star premium hotel in Downtown Dubai won the prestigious award for ‘Best Hotel in The World’ at the Global Traveler Awards 2011. More than 36,000 business and luxury travelers from around the world took part in the survey, and voted for The Address Downtown Dubai for the top honor. In addition, Armani Hotel Dubai has received the ‘Runner up- Best Overseas Hotel’ award during the renowned Condé Nast Traveler - Traveler Awards India 2011. As one of the most reputable awards in travel industry Condé Nast Traveler the leading luxury travel magazine, invites their readers to vote for their favorite hotels in the world. Located in Burj Khalifa, world’s tallest tower, occupying the floors concourse to 8 and levels 38 and 39, the hotel features 160 luxurious guest rooms and suites, eight innovative restaurants, exclusive retail outlets and a spa.

Among the popular packages at Ananda is the newest offering – The Ananda Yogic Detox Package, designed to work with the mind and body to eliminate toxins and induce good health. Repeated exposure to environmental toxins, chemicals in regular use products and processed foods interfere greatly with the body's regular cleansing function. The specialists at Ananda in the Himalayas have introduced a carefully crafted detoxification program with experiences working holistically using herbs, essential oils, organic food and clean water. This, coupled with incredible Yogic techniques, is by far the most effective detox program.

Bring in the New Year by booking the trip of a lifetime to your own private island. Musha Cay, David Copperfield’s magical isle in the Bahamas offers the ultimate private island experience, available only for exclusive use for up to 24 of your closest friends and family. Recent press writers describe their on-island experience below.

Experience winter in Tuscany at Il Salviatino, a luxury villa nestled in the rolling Tuscan hills with sweeping views of Florence. Book your winter promotion to visit one of the most beautiful and romantic places in the world. Stay three nights for the price of two until March 31st, 2012. Promotion includes full American Breakfast for two, complimentary City Transfer to/from Florence downtown, 24 hour Service Ambassadors, and more.

Opening in 2012, The Siam is set on 2.8 acres of verdant frontage along the Chao Praya River, The Siam is a private 39-suite luxury retreat located in Bangkok's royal Dusit district. Designed by internationally acclaimed architect, Bill Bensley, the property fuses Art Deco with Thai antiques. Guests can reach Vimanmek Teak Palace Museum and Dusit Zoo in 5 minutes, and a boat ride to the Grand Palace is just 15 minutes. For an unforgettably unique experience, relish the exclusivity of staying at one of the Orient's most distinctive destinations. Read what Elle UK Online described as “The Five Best New Hotels Of 2012”. Also - The Robb Report lists The Siam as one of the top 10 new hotels of 2012!

India is a kaleidoscope of races, languages, religions, customs, traditions and changing landscapes. To see and know all of India would take a lifetime, and the experience of discovering the wonders and great diversity of India first-hand can only be described as an unforgettable feast for all five senses. Peirce and Leslie, India’s premier luxury travel specialists, bring years of meticulous planning and constant discovery to the business of luxury travel. Creating tailor made itineraries to suit any individual clients need; their bespoke trips are creative and uniquely memorable India itineraries that go off the beaten path in style and luxury.

Our bodies are all different, of course, and contain a varying balance of nutrients, some of which we lack, whether for everyday health needs or during detoxification programs. This is why Chiva-Som's pharmacists now offer individual micronutrient profiles for each guest. The micronutrient profiles are accessed by a blood analysis, used to create your own nutritional supplement intake prepared by pharmacists, using the precise nutritional requirements calculated for each guest.

The 2012 Micato Safaris brochure is now available. Whether your pleasure is East Africa or southern Africa, a Micato safari is sure to be exhilarating, luxurious and unforgettable. With amenities such as a personal butler, a 24-hour concierge, a safari director who won’t rest until you do and personalized service brought to you by the Pinto family, no wonder Micato has been voted World’s Best by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine a record eight times. Micato has also won two World Savers Awards from Condé Nast Traveler for its charitable and educational work, including the groundbreaking “One for One Commitment”: when your client goes on safari with Micato, an African child goes to school.

“We asked some of the most discerning travelers we know — the executives of luxury brands who spend dozens, if not hundreds, of days each year traveling the globe — to nominate their pick for the best hotel they've stayed at in the past five years.” Well, Kim Jones, Men's Style Director at Louis Vuitton submitted Molori Safari Lodge into the hat, and it more than made the list.

From the heart of New York to the relaxing shores of Rhode Island to the legendary Atacama desert in Chile, discover our new properties or even prepare an entire series of “Routes du Bonheur” or “Roads to Happiness” through more than 60 countries. 14 new Grands Chefs have also joined the Association, each in its own, individual way, contributing its contemporary signature to the realm of fine cuisine. Among them, Michael White of NYC’s Marea and Mark Ladner and Mario Batali of Del Posto, also in NYC. For reservations or information, call 800-735-2478 or email Martina Reznick at m.reznick@relaischateaux.com.

A magical location on 24 acres overlooking the awe inspiring limestone pinnacles of Phang Nga Bay, Six Senses Yao Noi was recently added to the Condé Nast Gold List “Best Hotel for Leisure Facilities”. The island of Yao Noi is midway between Phuket and Krabi, and can be easily reached from the Phuket airport. Download a list of their amazing activities and excursions below.

The surrounding countryside of The Lodge at Doonbeg is full of activities for the whole family and Doonbeg’s expanded kids club includes a clubhouse, petting farm, soccer fields, and go-cart track. Here is a list of guests comments of the top 10 things to do at and around Doonbeg; Surfing on Doughmore beach; Romantic day trip to the Burren and the Burren Perfumery; Day trip to Loops Head; Dolphin watching in Carrigaholt; Reflexology in White Horses Spa; A pint and a chat in Doonbeg Village; Horse Riding; Morning walk on Doughmore Beach; Lunch in Kilkee; and A round of Golf on Doonbeg Golf Club.

There’s not a more magical time than a full moon glistening over the serene May River. The full moon not only provides brilliant light but also incredible energy, it brings the highest and lowest tides and is fabled to have many mystical wonders. We hope that you will feel its pull bringing you toward Palmetto Bluff to share in this special monthly celebration of unique activities that only take place when the moon is full. Dates through 2012 of the Full Moon Package start at $665 per night and includes luxurious accommodations, bottle of Jermann Pinot Noir, "Red Angel on the Moonlight", Full moon kayak tour along the May River, 90 minute hot stone massage, and breakfast daily at Buffalo's or in your cozy cottage by the fire.

Explore the resort through a wonderful article ‘Ranch with Dressing” that explores the ins and outs of this Auberge Resort including cuisine, activities and more. A romantic spa hideaway ideal for year round escapes.

We are proud of our charitable program Going There, Giving Back®. Our list of charities around the globe make a profound difference in the lives of many. This New Year please participate in our program. It is simple - if you are a travel agent please let us assist you in making your next booking, and we will make a donation to a charity in the country your clients are travelling to. If you are not a travel agent, and you are travelling to one of our properties, please contact us to arrange for the donation, or let your travel agent know you would like to participate.

Sign up today for a Kurtz-Ahlers Webinar.  Upcoming dates include:

January 26, 2012 – Il Salviatino and Armani Milan by Dora Karanikas at 1pm EST

February 1, 2012 – Imanta by Farimah Parang at 10am PST 

February 9, 2012 – Vik Retreats, Uruguay by Dora Karanikas at 1pm EST 

February 23, 2012 – Wellness Collection by Scott Bull at 11am PST 

February 28, 2012 – New Zealand by Dora Karanikas at 1pm EST

If these dates do not work for you, please contact becky@kurtzahlers.com for a custom webinar, or contact Dora@kurtzahlers.com, Farimah@kurtzahlers.com, or Scott@kurtzahlers.com to sign up for scheduled webinars.