With their sumptuous decor, incredible views, comfy beds and splendid bathrooms, exquisite hotels deserve to be appreciated and admired. And spending extra time in a luxury hotel means the gift of time; time for relaxation, time with loved ones, time to explore as well as precious time for yourself.

Extraordinary hotels are at the heart of every vacation with Luxury Gold, and to transport you to a world of decadence we’ve put together a selection of the finest 5-star hotels in Europe and across the world. Whether you prefer to pamper or work out, sip cocktails, see the sights or stroll magnificent grounds, there are so many self-indulgent ways to spend a blissful 24 hours.

As a treat to our guests, Luxury Gold is giving the Gift of an Extra Night across selected luxury guided tours this summer, offering the chance to extend your stay at these exquisite hotels.

Mena House Hotel, Cairo

One of the world’s most spectacular sights, the Great Pyramids of Giza are the pinnacle of any journey to Egypt. Now, just imagine having this iconic natural wonder watching over you as you relax in your luxurious hotel. A frequent stop for dignitaries and celebrities, the Mena House Hotel is a truly exceptional retreat. Sip champagne cocktails on the terrace, soak in the heated outdoor pool and stroll 40 acres of green gardens, all under the pyramids’ mighty gaze.

We recommend slipping into pure relaxation at the sumptuous spa. Pamper yourself with a rejuvenating body wrap, indulge in a sublime foot massage and spend time with your loved ones in peace and serenity.

Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Cape Town

The exclusive, tranquil location of the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa is simply breathtaking. The Atlantic Ocean rolls endlessly out in front of this exquisite hotel, with Table Mountain National Park and Lions Head towering behind. Enjoy the calm and privacy of a country hotel, whilst residing just on the outskirts of Cape Town.

Renowned for its dining, a stay at the Twelve Apostles is the perfect opportunity to treat yourselves to a gastronomic journey around the Cape. Think succulent produce and rich culinary traditions, from craft gin tasting to fine dining. And revel in fine South African wines, skillfully selected by their expert sommelier.

Grand Villa Argentina, Dubrovnik

Reside in decadent style with sublime views across the Adriatic Sea and Dubrovnik’s fairytale Old Town. Set into the steep hillside, surrounded by lush Mediterranean gardens and enchanting terraces, the Grand Villa Argentina is one of the finest luxury hotels in Europe.

With both the beach and the city just minutes away, we recommend spending time by the crystal waters of the Adriatic, letting the golden sand run through your toes. Followed by a stroll through the cobbled lanes, fountains and Baroque churches of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Maybe browse local shops for gifts, or simply sip a coffee and watch the world go by.

Olha Eixample, Barcelona

This exquisite urban boutique hotel is set in one of the most vibrant neighborhoods of Barcelona. The perfect location from which to enjoy the delights of the city, you are just a ten-minute walk from two of Gaudi’s major works, La Pedrera and Casa Batlló.

With numerous luxury boutiques on your doorstep, we suggest you treat yourself and engage the expert assistance of the hotel’s personal shopping service. Then, dine in style at the on-site Michelin-starred Xerta Restaurant. Savor traditional flavors and aromas from the Ebro Region, expertly crafted with fresh fish sourced daily from the local market. No stay at the Olha Eixample is complete without taking in the incredible views of Barcelona from the rooftop. Toast your travels with a glass of fine Spanish wine and enjoy one of the best vantage points in the city.

Hotel Schweizerhof, Luzern

Among one of the most prestigious destinations in Switzerland, Hotel Schweizerhof has been owned and operated by the same family since the 19th century. Marble columns, crafted floors and delicately molded ceilings exude elegance from every angle. It comes as no surprise that this luxury hotel is a favorite of royalty, writers, politicians, musicians and actors; Karl Frey, Richard Wagner and Leo Tolstoy have all rested here.

A hotel so striking you won’t want to leave; this is perfect reason to simply relax and enjoy your surroundings. Explore the art and architecture, indulge in opulent rooms and enjoy flawless service. All with spectacular views over Lake Luzern and the Swiss Alps.

JW Marriott Hotel, Lima

Serenely rising high above the city with its vast glass frontage, the 5-star JW Marriott Hotel is a majestic sight. Everywhere you turn there are windows, inviting you to feast on the sprawling ocean views and the golden beaches of the Costa Verde.

The Peruvian capital offers an extraordinary range of colors, flavors, emotions and sensations, and we recommend spending your time exploring this intriguing city. Step outside and into the vibrant Miraflores district, stroll beautiful parks and discover colonial-era riches. And take time to browse the many art galleries and museums offering a fascinating insight into the history and culture of Peru.

Bauer Palazzo, Venice

Located in the heart of Venice, the exquisite Bauer Palazzo epitomizes true Venetian lifestyle, giving guests a taste of 1930s glamour. Sumptuous interiors transport you to a bygone era, while elegant outdoor terraces invite you to sip fine Italian wine and bask in unforgettable views across Venice.

With its truly enviable location, this is the perfect opportunity to explore this magnificent city at your leisure. Just a few blocks from the iconic St Mark’s Square, take your time to admire the sights in peace and serenity before and after the day trippers leave.

Click here for more information on our Gift of an Extra Night offer and to see the full range of exquisite hotels where you could be staying an extra 24 hours.

Switzerland is famous for its postcard-perfect scenery, with some of its most incredible photographs captured from the panoramic carriages of the Glacier Express.

Whether chugging through looping tunnels (which are considered some of the longest in the world) or passing over breath-taking viaducts the views are simply breath-taking. As ravines rush below, there are plenty of opportunities to snap up some of the most picturesque panoramas in the country.

Known affectionately as the slowest express train in the world, the Glacier Express route from Zermatt to St. Moritz covers over 170 miles. It crosses almost 300 bridges, passes through 91 tunnels and takes roughly seven and a half hours from start to finish.

A masterpiece of technical ingenuity on the inside and beautiful scenery on the outside, here’s a guide to capturing some incredible photos of Switzerland on your first-class Glacier Express journey.

The Mattertal

One of the most stunning sites in Switzerland, the Mattertal makes for perfect photographs. It is fringed by a number of ‘four-thousanders’ in the mountain department, including the majestic Matterhorn and Weisshorn, as well as even older glaciers. Making the most of the area’s sensational contours, the Glacier Express dips with the valley down from almost 2,000 meters to the charming towns of Visp and Brig, which both sit at roughly 650 meters above sea level.

OBERALP PASS

From Sedrun, the line becomes increasingly steep until the train reaches its highest summit at the Oberalp Pass, at 2,033 meters. Located near to the source of the Rhine, which is marked by a lighthouse, the pass gained importance when 19th century tourists insisted on being taken on horseback via its striking windswept scenery, and it has been an essential stop for budding photographers ever since.

The Rhine Gorge

After leaving Disentis, the Glacier Express encounters a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Rhine Gorge, also known as the Ruinaulta, which is as close as Europe gets to anything approaching the Grand Canyon. Created when 10,000 million cubic meters of rock broke off an even bigger mass thousands of years ago, the result – dotted with steep valleys, deep caves, fabulous wildlife and dark pine forests – undoubtedly makes for one of the most stunning photographs of Switzerland.

Landwasser Viaduct

As the train follows the Albula Valley, just before reaching Filisur, it crosses the famous Landwasser Viaduct. Used as the main location for the Glacier Express publicity shots, this is quite possibly one of Switzerland’s most photogenic spots. Running from a cliff-edge on one mountain, across a vertiginous valley and then straight into a mountain tunnel, it’s easy to imagine such a scene from a James Bond movie.

Engadin Valley

Blend the tall peaks of the ‘roof of Europe’ with a chain of blissful lakeside scenes and you’ll have a good idea of what to expect from Engadin. Dominated by the chic ski resort of St Moritz, the area’s steep-roofed, wall-painted houses, surrounded by the country’s only national park, look like Narnia in the snow and a scene out of The Sound of Music in the summer. For one of the most iconic photographs of Switzerland, keep your eyes peeled for the red funicular that runs up the Muottas Muragl Mountain – definitely one for the photo album.

If the sight of these stunning scenes has you itching to capture Switzerland on camera, book a spot on the Glacier Express on our Magical Switzerland luxury guided tour. Discover the highlights of this journey from Traveling Concierge Daniele in our blog Majestic Switzerland through the lens of a Traveling Concierge.

For more information on Majestic Switzerland, and our full collection of luxury guided tours please visit our  website  and download our 2022 & 2023 interactive brochure. 

Small yet mighty, Switzerland is a truly sublime destination and a must for anyone who loves snow-capped mountains, exclusive hotels and the very finest watches, cheese and chocolate.

To get the inside view on visiting Switzerland, we caught up with Luxury Gold Traveling Concierge Daniele, who has recently returned with happy, satisfied guests from our Majestic Switzerland luxury guided tour. Passionate about people, travel and Switzerland, Daniele has worked with The Travel Corporation since 2006 and has been leading tours for Luxury Gold since its inception in 2012.

As highly experienced Traveling Concierge, we asked him what makes this tour so special, and heard more about his role along the way.

Why choose Majestic Switzerland for your next vacation?

“The beauty of Switzerland is quite unique. The scenery and nature are simply amazing, and it is an undeniably ritzy and glamorous destination. Guests who chose this tour have a shared passion for nature, the Alps, and for comfort and luxury.

“Every day we are in beautiful or exclusive places and, as it is not a crowded destination, there is no waiting to see things. On our first night celebration dinner we take a cable car to an amazing restaurant, which we have to ourselves. All the attention is for you, our guests. It still leaves me speechless, and I have done it quite a few times!

“On this tour we tend to start around 09:00 each day, so you have the time to enjoy the exclusive hotels in which we stay, something we know our guests really appreciate. There are also plenty of choices through the days of how you spend your time. Overall, this relaxed pace gives us the opportunity to make things really extra special.”

What inspired you to become a Traveling Concierge?

“I think it was something I had in my DNA already! I actually started off on this path accidentally but quickly realized that I was having so much fun taking people around, sharing my knowledge and taking care of them. At first, I honestly did not realize it could, and would, become my career. I worked all over Europe, and then worldwide, always striving to go higher and higher. When Luxury Gold first began operating it was an opportunity not to be missed – when things are meant to be they just are, they fall into place.”

“Sharing the enthusiasm with someone who is enthusiastic about the same things is the best thing about this role. I love being in a position to make people happy – when I see people that are happy then I am happy. That is always my goal.”

Tour highlights

Stunning St Moritz

“The luxury alpine resort town of St Moritz, one of the early stops on the Majestic Switzerland tour, is a simply splendid location. Guests can choose how to explore the town with choices of scheduled activities, including a hike with a nature guide and a wildlife tour, and also choose for themselves what they want to do. Choice and personalization is an important feature of Luxury Gold tours.”

“When we first arrive at our destinations, I talk with guests to get a feel for what they are interested in doing and seeing in their free time. I will tell them the possibilities and show them the various transport options etc. I also work in tandem with the concierge of the hotels to help with tickets to special events such as the theatre, or the opera. In St Moritz, some guests want to visit the famous whiskey bar Devil’s Place, renowned for offering the widest selection of whiskeys in the world. Others are interested in hiking and so we would host a briefing with small parties and then off they go.”

First Class on The Glacier Express

“This is a really elegant, first-class experience – soak up spectacular scenery over a delicious five-course lunch. You get a unique feel for a country when traveling by train.”

Magnificent Mountains – Zermatt & Gornergrat Experience

“This is always a very memorable day in the sense that it is the day our guests meet the mighty Matterhorn. We take the cogwheel train, a spectacular yet gentle ride through the woods and past waterfalls and valleys to arriver arrive at the Gornergrat, which faces the Matterhorn. Here we dine at a beautiful restaurant with unforgettable views.”

Reside like Royalty in Geneva

“In Geneva we stay at the exclusive Hotel d’Angleterre. All our hotels are exceptional, but this is my very favorite on this tour and plays a huge role in our stay in Geneva. It is great base to explore this international city, with perfect views out over the lake and the famous Jet d’Eau.”

Fondue in La Gruyere

“In Switzerland, despite a wide variety of choices of cuisine, the big question always comes down to rösti or fondue!  When we visit La Gruyere, we enjoy a very tasty cheese fondue which is delicious, followed by traditional meringues with double cream – true culinary decadence.”

VIP visit to the Rosengart Collections in Lucerne.

“What makes this so VIP experience special is that you can enjoy the most beautiful artwork, by Kandinsky, Picassos, Cézanne and Monet among others, all to yourselves. As this location is less well known to the wider public, it feels like being invited to a private collection. Whether you are an avid art lover, or just like to look, you will greatly enjoy the whole exclusive experience.”

What makes travel with Luxury Gold extra special?

“I really take the time get to know the guests, so I can tailor and personalize their vacation. The notes sent at the time of booking contain precious information. I can see who is traveling with who, friends or family for example, and what their interests are. From this I can fine-tune their tour.

“People often celebrate major birthdays and anniversaries with us and we make these occasions extra special. Little touches here and there, and a big cake of course! I always let the hotels know ahead of time if people are celebrating something special so that they can take extra good care of them as well.

“The bottom line of Luxury Gold is that guests actually receive much more – we always try to exceed expectations.”

For more information on Majestic Switzerland, and our full collection of luxury guided tours please visit our website and download our 2022 & 2023 interactive brochures.