There's a certain class of people who enjoy the idea of being in nature but are less than enthusiastic about the "dirt" and "sleeping on the ground" and "being outside" parts of the experience. Their idea of roughing it involves a covered caravan, a $750 credit card bill at REI, and a case of white wine. Not red wine, because that would be too luxurious. Within that group, there's a certain subclass of folks who also have something of an nouveau riche air about them. In addition to actually "camping" in decadent comfort, they need to look like they're camping in decadent comfort. The new Opera capsule caravan, styled after the Sydney Opera House, is designed with them in mind:

We can't believe we're saying this, but this "tent" has a wine cabinet and more. Find out what else after the jump. ]]> Omri 2009-11-05T17:09:22-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/8/12/0175/04856

While we realize that this isn't exactly the best week to bring up helicopter travel on account of "The Horror On The Hudson" this last weekend, still we can't deny the cool factor of this story out of Tokyo.

After l'Hélicoptère par Hermès, or the Hermes Helicopter, debuted in late 2007, we were wondering what billionaire's yacht would sport it first. Turns out it won't be the private playtoy of a person at all, since a Tokyo company has purchased the 'copter designed by the French fashion house, with intent to offer flights between the central district of Akasaka and Narita International Airport. Taking the Eurocopter EC 315 will cut the travel time by an hour, and eliminate dealing with any ground traffic. ]]> JetSetCD 2009-08-12T08:59:33-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/8/3/64458/54759

Is this the recession or what? Guess not: Discovery Communications is teaming up with travel provider G.A.P Adventures to launch dozens of luxury trips based on Discovery Channel programming. With prices starting at $2,000 per person for trips ranging from 3 to 24 days, these are not for the faint of wallet.

Locations range from common tourist destinations like the USA and Mexico to places like Botswana, where you'll probably always need a guide. All of the packages come with their share of intriguingly esoteric Discovery Channel twists; one of the USA tours revolves around historic parks in the Southwest. What travelers will see on the 12 day tour, though, ranges from rock formations to deserts to dwellings abandoned thousands of years ago.

The other USA destination is even more nature-oriented, taking travelers all the way up north to Alaska. Adventurers spend 10 days observing wildlife in their habitat, which can be both mindblowingly fascinating and straightforward deadly.]]> Omri 2009-08-04T13:09:29-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/7/27/3050/50075

Chilling in an Aman Resort in some exotic location is already pretty enticing, but we've just heard that this hotel group has got a luxury cruiser happening too, based out of their Amanwana resort on Moyo Island, Indonesia. And we want to get on it.

The 105-foot cruiser, called Amanikan, looks a bit like a romantic old trading vessel, but is full of all the necessary luxury inside in its three cabins. They are running a trip called the Komodo Expedition which includes five nights of cruising (with days full of diving) and two final nights at the island resort. While you're on the boat you get to visit Komodo dragons and stop by the Komodo and Rinca Islands to see wild horses, deer and monkeys as well, not to mention all the sea life you'll discover while diving and snorkeling.

Exotic luxury doesn't come cheap, of course. It'll cost you upwards of $22,000 for you and a mate for the week, including everything except alcoholic drinks. But getting up close and personal with a dragon and then retreating to exotic luxury might just be worth it.

Related Stories:
· All the Pretty Seahorses [Jaunted]
· Where to Find Komodo Dragons in Their Natural Habitat [Jaunted]
· Indonesia Travel Guide [Jaunted]

[Photo: Amre Ghiba] ]]> amandak 2009-07-31T09:15:42-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/7/29/122225/651

Usually when we talk about Rental Cars here, we are often griping about the humiliating car we received at the airport, or the inevitable malfunction that happens after we drive out of the parking lot. Of course, there's some good things to say too like getting a cheap one-way rental or a great weekend deal.

But we don't often comment on car rental ads much. Maybe it's because nothing has ever peaked our interest since OJ had to stop doing those ads for Hertz. (You know, because of that "pesky" murder trial.) However, Elite Car Rental has changed all that around. AdRants recently posted about this racy ad from the luxury car rental company that had Adrants a little confused about the direction of the ad which has the tagline, "Get There Faster." ]]> juliana 2009-07-29T13:59:25-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/7/17/14251/5993

Some cities look at this economic downturn and see the collapse of their tourism industries; Shanghai sees dollar and yen signs. China's biggest city is aiming to take over the luxury business market while it's on sale, even as next year's World Expo looms large.

Just as its fellow countrymen in Beijing did a general tidy in advance of last year's Olympics, Shanghai hotels and outfitters are cranking up their luxury offerings even in a time when there may not be anyone to enjoy them. The centenarian Peace Hotel is getting a major facelift, and a brand new all-glass cruise terminal opened in November to pull in shore excursions from far and wide. ]]> egw 2009-07-17T16:08:11-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/6/12/123114/589

Hey, you know, this economic downturn, we can beat this! All we need is a smile and a $45,000 luxury car for our next road trip! Such must be the thinking behind Chrysler's decision to debut a luxury Grand Jeep Cherokee for its 2011 line, despite being bankrupt two years before its debut.

Built on Mercedes M-Class bones, the 2011 Grand Cherokee is a gas guzzler of the classic model with heated rear seats, auto-dimming headlights and a built-in back-seat tray so your upholstery doesn't get dirty. Since we know gas prices will never go up again, it's an SUV bargain! At least when R. Kelly sings "You remind me of my Jeep" from here on out, you can insist on a particular model.

Chrysler filed for a quickie bankruptcy in April; a proposed merger with Fiat is currently being fought by dealers nationwide who face forced closings under the new agreement. ]]> egw 2009-06-12T13:42:10-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/