Life Arts & Travel

The Middle East, in which numerous ancient civilizations and religions were born, is guaranteed to provide unlimited sight-seeing opportunities for lucky travellers. Fortunately, there are a number of luxury boutique hotels with all of the modern comforts to enjoy while visiting this history-soaked region—in fact, they are destinations in themselves! Take a peek inside some of the Cradle of Civilization’s classiest accommodations before making your choice.

Wealth and opulence are synonymous with Dubai, so it’s not surprising that the city’s real estate is pure luxury. Dubai has made a name by setting new records, from constructing the world’s tallest building to longest indoor ski slope, and its real estate matches that spirit of innovation. Whether you want to make a permanent home in this Middle Eastern trade hub or an exceptional investment, the Dubai market offers unrivaled opportunities.

The Toyota Supra and Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 have pleased sports-car enthusiasts for decades, so the newest generations of these iconic vehicles are being greeted with high expectations. Close inspection reveals that they have less rather than more in common—but both can easily claim the supercar designation, able to navigate the road and the track masterfully. To validate their value, both vehicles have recently demanded auction prices in the million-plus-dollar range.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites are chosen then preserved for their significance to humanity and include the planet’s most astonishing natural and man-made landmarks. Visiting them is rewarding, but adding luxury accommodations that are experiences in themselves makes the adventure that much more gratifying. In our travel feature, we take you to four must-see heritage sites from one end of the globe to the other and into the opulent accommodations that best complement them.

The Republic of Ireland, famous for its green shamrock and Celtic harp and cross, also boasts breathtaking country properties. How is its real-estate market faring, especially in light of Ireland’s situation of being still part of Europe post-Brexit? Certainly political uncertainties are having an impact, but favourable factors such as a healthy economy, along with the exceptional attributes of the country properties themselves, continue to attract buyers from all over the world.

The five Nordic nations are loved by all for their quaint, old-world charm and by winter enthusiasts for their abundant supply of snow. Visitors are in for an unparalleled treat when they lodge in Scandinavian’s top luxury tourist accommodations, providing rare experiences such as staying in a hotel made of ice or viewing the magnificent Northern Lights at the most advantageous location on the planet.

The West Indies nation of Barbados offers everything for which an investor could ask: a warm and sunny climate, magnificent Caribbean beaches, opportunities to score substantial profit in rental properties and real estate prices moving in a decidedly upward direction. A quick look at a few of the luxury properties currently available on the Barbados market reveals that this island nation may just be the most attractive path around to enduring prosperity.

As renewable energy becomes the norm, electrical vehicles are destined to replace internal-combustion-engine cars. So it’s no surprise that car manufacturers are unveiling their EVs in all shapes and sizes. New kids on the block Audi e-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQC combine the futuristic qualities of the top-performing EV with the practicality of the hugely popular SUV. The results bode well for the future of these ground-breaking, green-energy titans.

Over the past 30 plus years, Barbados has built a reputation for luxury second homes comparable to those of the most sought-after destinations in the world. Historically known as “The Jewel in the Crown” with its riches from sugar and rum, this British colony could boast of the second-oldest parliament outside of Britain.

How much value does a view have? It can have an awful lot. The luxury accommodations that combine lavish interiors with sumptuous views of the world’s wonders top the lodging value chain. In our travel feature, we take a world tour of the foremost accommodations that successfully combine luxury with the best views of everything from world-famous mausoleums to mesmerizing big cats.