FSMagic: Luxury Travel & Vacations

The Landmark

One of the most exclusive luxury hotels in the world, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental is a masterpiece of contemporary design. The Landmark is a chic boutique retreat in the heart of Hong Kong’s business and fashion districts. Famed for its stunning contemporary design, peaceful ambience and impeccable service, they offer guests a highly exclusive experience that exudes style and serenity.

With 96 elegant rooms and 13 spacious suites, excellent dining and a luxurious spa, The Landmark offers a unique five-star experience. With a striking contemporary décor, their rooms and suites are among the largest in Hong Kong.

OMAN

At the edge of the Indian Ocean, with thousands of kilometers of coastline, Oman is at heart the historic maritime nation of Sinbad the Sailor and has opened its doors to tourism only in recent decades. It’s a destination full of surprises amid beautifully preserved Omani culture and pristine natural wonders from mountains to sand dunes and fjords. You heard that right …. fjords! Sultan Qaboos bin Said has taken care to modernize and promote the preservation of local arts, culture and architecture (note the traditional whitewashed buildings). It shows in the charm and laid-back atmosphere of cities like Muscat or in the shipyards of Sur, which still turns out the wooden dhows of old. Find a luxury hotel on the north coast to use as your base in the cooler, pleasant months of October through April. Or head south during monsoon season (we’re not kidding) between June and September, when mountain rains create lush tropical blooms. Get that selfie stick ready: It’s a sight to behold.

Russia

The Russia you hear about in the news is very different from the Russia you’ll see in person. It’s a vast and varied country — the world’s largest — spanning nine time zones from the Volga River’s birch forests and the grassy steppes to the serene countryside of Lake Baikal and Dachas along the Black Sea. Russia dazzles with its turbulent history and fascinating culture, full of amazing food and passionate conversations, of bold art and political intrigue, often fueled by a few homemade vodkas. Cosmopolitan restaurants and luxury hotels have created a buzzing post-communist nightlife and culinary scene, and performances at world-renowned venues such as the Russian National Ballet Theater are highlights of any trip. Alternatively, tread in the footsteps of literary greats, including Tolstoy and Pushkin, or climb an active volcano in Kamchatka.

One of the best ways to see the country is by train on the Trans-Siberian railway from Moscow or St. Petersburg across Mongolia to Beijing, China or Vladivostock in eastern Russia. Most people start with the capital cities, touring the Kremlin and St. Basil’s Cathedral on Red Square then going on to the majesty of Czarist Russia at Alexander Column and the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. Golden-domed cathedrals can be found in the outlying “Golden Ring” cities such as Rostov Veliki, while beaches and ski slopes are a quick flight away. The magnitude of this country is astounding… Na Zdorovie!

ICELAND

Iceland is an otherworldly place of fire and ice. With some of the world’s most spectacular natural sights from vast flat landscapes to gargantuan cliffs, this is a paradise for anyone who loves the great outdoors and a foreign adventure. Rainbow-arched waterfalls cleave mountains with snow-capped peaks. Rugged fjords and lush valleys lace the countryside, and peninsulas reach their fingers toward the Arctic circle. Thingvellir National Park sits on the edge of two continents while Iceland’s still-active Hekla Volcano is a fiery counterpoint to the chilly splendor of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier also known as the Water Glacier. Here, the forces of nature have created a volatile playground where you can swim outdoors in a snowstorm in geothermal pools, trek across a mossy lava field or power a skidoo over an icy glacier. Go whale-watching off Snaefellness or swim in the Atlantic at Nauthólsvík, Reykjavik’s heated ocean beach.

Iceland’s Viking spirit is reflected in its friendly, independent people, making this a journey not to be missed, and travel between June and August tends to be the most popular times with visitors. June offers 24 hours of Arctic daylight, while July and August are the warmest months with the best chances for good weather. Or, sneak in to one of Iceland’s luxury hotels before snowfall and avoid crowds from mid-September to mid-October, when you also have an excellent chance of catching the Northern Lights.

SWITZERLAND

If you like to watch television indoors all day, then Switzerland is probably not the place for you. This is a destination of intense natural beauty for travelers who revel in the outdoors, from high peaks to rolling meadows and pristine lakes, and are pleasantly surprised by the cultural treasures of its cities. The main attraction: The Swiss Alps, whose full impact is hard to appreciate until you have stood in their shadow. Walking, hiking, and driving along scenic routes and paths are all possible if you want to unlock a landscape that almost seems too beautiful to be real.

Sure, there’s cheese, chocolate, clocks, and that oft-noted Swiss emphasis on diplomacy and punctuality, but there’s also cosmopolitan cities and a vibrant, multilingual populace that speaks at least a little English along with at least one of the four official languages. It’s more of a melting pot culture than you might expect, and that is one of the many joys of entering Swiss borders.

The varied landscape means weather patterns vary greatly, but summer is a terrific time to visit with warm and sunny days. For skiers, sledders and snowboarders, December and March offer the best powder — along with the best hot chocolate you can imagine.

United Kingdom

You don’t have to enjoy tea to make the most of London and its environs (though it is a treat in the city’s finest five-star hotels). The UK’s iconic capital has something for everything, from world-class theater, museums, shopping (don’t miss Harrod’s!) and nightlife to popular tourist sites Buckingham palace and the Tower of London. Hit the backstreets and markets in Camden and Kensington for trendy clothing and cutting-edge art, and keep your “brolly" handy. It’s an easy trek by train or car to places farther afield such as the academic Oxford and Cambridge, the Georgian town of Bath and the Victorian seaside resort of Brighton, with its famous pier. The sweeping countryside and thatched cottages of Cornwall are sure to appeal, as are the Lake District and the Beatles’ home of Liverpool. Bookstores are a thing across the country, and pubs are a great place to connect with friends and fellow travelers. Whether it’s your jumping off point to explore Europe or your final destination, the United Kingdom is an all-season destination with plenty to do inside and out.

TURKEY

Turkey is the home of chic: Stylish cities (Istanbul has one of the world’s youngest populations) and luxury hotels, hip beach towns along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, world-class historic sites and ruins, and memorable desert landscapes such as Cappadocia and beyond. Add to that the upscale eateries and nightclubs, Bosphorus cruises, outdoor cafes and parks, diverse artisan bazaars and decadent spas, and you've got a vacation to call home about. This is a place both cosmopolitan and sophisticated but still possessing the unspoiled native culture and sights that make this destination so distinct. Come alone or with others — regardless, you'll make friends. Turkish people are known for their warmth and eagerness to share their country’s past and present. In the summer, coastal regions are cool and wet in winter, dry and sunny in summer. Skiers and snowboarders will freak out at the incredible mountain snow in the winter, leaving the rest of us will enjoy Istanbul year-round. It’s that good.

INDONESIA

Bali grabs all the travel headlines, but Indonesia has a sprawling archipelago of more than 17,000 islands if the unbeaten path is your jam. Hike in the mountains and rainforests and explore everything from rice terraces to beaches outside luxury hotels. Check out some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world. Between sports, you can see more wild animals than you imagine: wild orangutans and Komodo dragons, to name just a few. Temples and ancient palaces are the places to roam on quieter days unless you just want to kick up your heels at a spa for some top-class pampering. What we’re saying: If you haven’t been to Indonesia, then you haven’t seen anything yet.

U.A.E

For most people, the United Arab Emirates means one place: Dubai. To be sure, the futuristic city of cloud-high skyscrapers, city-sized shopping malls and indoor ski slopes has its allure. Yet beyond the glitter awaits a mosaic of six more emirates (or sheikdoms) in the desert and on the coast, each with its own character and appeal. There’s Abu Dhabi, the country’s capital, which is positioning itself as a hub of culture, sport and leisure. Sharjah is a charming Old Town, and sleepy Umm Al Quwain offers a peek at life in the pre-oil days. Ras Al Khaimah, home to five-star hotels and beach resorts, snuggles against the mighty Hajar Mountains, and Tiny Ajman has a pretty palm-lined beach. But if swimming and diving is your happy place, then grab your board shorts and head over to Fujairah and the clear waters of the Gulf of Oman. Given the desert heat of summer, the most pleasant time to go temperature-wise is between October and April. Hotel rates will increase this time of year. But trust us: It’s worth it.

Morocco

Morocco defines dazzling with an energy and culture infused with Arab, European and African influences. An enormous variety of sights are packed into its corner of North Africa: Desert fortresses rise up from Saharan sands. Sapphire waters stretch beyond white sandy beaches. Purple peaks of the Atlas Mountains glitter with snow. Kasbahs and mosques of ancient Medina and the back alleys of Marrakesh offer glimpses into the mystical times while hip cafes, high-design riads and popular Atlantic resorts like Asilah and Essaouria reflect the country’s modern, cosmopolitan side.

Morocco’s varied geography also means that you can take your pick of when to travel. In general, April and May offer the best weather across the country. The desert region — and to a lesser extent, the plains cities — should be avoided in mid-summer due to the heat, but that’s the time when coastal cities are lovely. Mountains can be chilly in the winter (a word of caution: many hotels don’t have heat), and even desert temperatures can plummet at night in the summer. Take your pick, and pack a bag. Perfect for independent or group travel, Morocco’s tradition of hospitality, generosity and openness is one of many reasons visitors return time and again.