Hot Tables: Thierry Marx’s Chateau Cordeillan-Bages, Pauillac, France

Surrounded by the finest wine-making chateaux in the world, this converted 17th century monastery is now home to a small hotel and Thierry Marx's inspired restaurant. (Of course the star chef's creative cuisine is paired with the best Bordeaux grand crus from the Medoc region.) Named "Chef of the Year" by GaultMillau, Thierry Marx is one of the finest, cutting-edge chefs of the day. A recent review in the International Herald Tribune describes his food as intensely creative, and thus "not for everyone":

Look at the titles of some of his dishes and you simply may want to run the other way. Liquid quiche Lorraine? Virtual sausage? Bean sprout risotto? Sweetbread spaghetti? Wacky, yes. But Marx is not taking food to another level of perfection or enjoyment, but to a different level. Food such as his makes us look at taste in a new way.

In my book, none of this would be any good if the food did not offer pleasure as well as amusement, shock as well as satisfaction. And it does. Most of the time.

For me, the most satisfying, surprising and enjoyable dish of some 15 little tastes was his smoked Aquitaine beef. Marx sears the filet quickly, slices it, then sets the beef on a miniature hibachi set above burning Merlot vine clippings. All of that is wrapped in clear thick plastic, tied with ribbon and paraded to the table. As the wait staff unwraps your dinner gift, light, delicate, pleasing smoky aromas waft through the room. The end result is a meat that is juicy, delicate, sweet and oh-so-gently smoked, a dish created with a stroke of genius.

Bring it on.

Spotlight On: Blakes Hotel London

By Alex Rose

One of the most enticing hotels you'll find in London where you can spend a sexy weekend that will indulge your senses in the most extravagant ways. Blakes is the creation of former Bond girl Anouska Hempel who has taken luxury and couture to a new level with her hotel. Each of the 52 rooms are a veritable feast for the eyes with all the decor and furnishings providing a feel of sumptuous luxury. If you value your privacy, no worries here; this is one of the very few hotels where celebrities from all walks of life can check-in and not worry about paparazzi. Jack Nicholson, Robert DeNiro, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Gisele Bundchen, and other well-known celebs have stayed here. What rooms are recommended? All are extremely luxurious and chic, but request the White Suite or Room 309. There's a wonderful bar and restaurant downstairs, but room service is all you'll need at Blakes. Quite spectacular by any standard for those sophisticated travelers who appreciate a superb quality of service.

Cruise the Riviera Package at the Palais de la Mediterranee, Nice, France

Cruising the Med this Summer? Enjoy a Pre- or Post-Cruise Package at the most fashionable palace in Nice. Situated on the Promenade Des Anglais, the legendary Palais de la Mediterranee is a sophisticated jewel on the Cote d'Azur, offering the ultimate Riviera experience. For those planning a Mediterranean cruise, the Palais has designed a fabulous Pre- or Post-Cruise package at a guaranteed U.S. dollar rate. This is savings up to 35 percent off the regular rack rates! Packed with value-added amenities, the Cruise the Riviera package includes full American breakfast, upgrade upon availability, VIP treatment including fresh fruit and sweets in room upon arrival, early arrival and late checkout, welcome drink at the Pingala Bar. $300 per night, Superior Room.

The Perfect Honeymoon

From the Eternal City to Bali beaches, from the Hawaiian islands to the Seychelles, we've scoured the earth for special honeymoon offers.

But choosing-- (you see Kenyan safari, s/he sees tequila and tanning in Mexico)-- and planning a honeymoon can be more taxing than the actual wedding planning. Just ask The Post. This Sunday, The Washington Post Travel section is devoted to the honeymoon: top 10 destinations; tips on making it a trip to remember; tales from readers (honeymoons worth telling the grandkids about), and the best of all: 5 Couples, 5 Budgets, 5 Honeymoons, a case study of five DC area couples who honeymooned in different ways (Disney World, anyone?)

And now we're looking to our readers for planning tips, packing advice, ideas on memorable locations and luxury hotels worldwide. Just how do you go about picking and planning the perfect honeymoon?

Want To Sleep in Ronaldinho’s Bed? (Park Hotel, Weggis, Switzerland)

This is not a joke. And I quote:

The Park Hotel in Weggis, Switzerland, which is hosting the Brazilian national soccer team during training for the FIFA World Cup, is auctioning off a chance to spend a night in rooms once occupied by the team. As of last night, the high bid for Ronaldinho's double room was $415. The hotel is offering fans the chance to stay in the rooms as well as getting signed shirts. (how about signed bed-sheets?) "We just hit on the idea by chatting among ourselves in the hotel management," assistant manager Philipp Musshafen revealed. Normally, the rooms at the luxury hotel go for around 480-780 Swiss Francs. And no, Ronaldinho does not come with the room. Check out the auction on Ebay.

Summertime in Prague: the Boscolo Hotel Carlo IV

There's just something about Prague. All that Baroque architecture, artists congregating on Charles Bridge, the old-world charm of the city's squares and streets, buzzing nightlife, and romance oozing from each distinct neighborhood. Prague is magical and alluring. In the middle of it all in the captivating Czech capital, the Boscolo Hotel Carlo IV is a majestic historical masterpiece. It is elegant, refined, and absolutely gorgeous-- definitely the place to stay in the heart of Prague's historical center. Behind the neo-classical facade, the appointments are sophisticated: a melange of wood, fine marble, ornate stuccowork, and exquisite furniture. There's a business center, Cigar Bar, excellent Wellness Center with noteworthy indoor swimming pool (its beautiful mosaic floor is pictured), fine dining, and state-of-the-art technology in all luxurious rooms. What's not to love?

Related Articles:

Fodor's Travel Wire, Prague's Many Neighborhoods

Jeffersons Private Jet Holidays

A recent article in the Times UK focused our attention on Jeffersons Private Jet Holidays:

And since the demise of Concorde, private jet travel has grown apace, and prices have tumbled. The tour operator Jeffersons specialises in holidays by private jet, and four people sharing a plane can have, for example, two nights at the Four Seasons in Milan starting at a little over GBP 2,000pp.

I sampled a Jeffersons trip to Italy last month, and what made it special was not so much the caviar and champagne on board the jet, or the wonderful hotel, Villa Feltrinelli, where we stayed on Lake Garda, but the sheer lack of stress. Stuck in roadworks on the M1? The plane will wait for you. Fancy bringing back two cases of Italian wine? They’ll load it on to the jet, and then drive you home with it in a limo.

Sign me up! In its fleet, Jeffersons features the Premier 1, Cessna Citation Excel, and Hawker 125-800, and all jets are outfitted with ample space, luxurious furnishings, chilled champagne, soft drinks, and meals. And with Jeffersons, you'll fly to Europe's most luxurious and exclusive hotels.

Announcing the Villa Olmi Resort in Florence, Italy

As if you needed another reason to go to Florence. The newly-opened Villa Olmi Resort, poised on a six hectare estate just outside the gates of Florence, has been renovated into one of the region's most exclusive and enchanting properties. The park and Italian gardens have been witness to centuries of history, dating back to the Renaissance, and the beautiful Villa still retains original characteristics such as 18th century murals. Villa Olmi is comprised of three main buildings: the Villa, the Country House and the Colonica, now gorgeous hotel facilities. The restoration was a careful and diligent process, managed by the Government Service for Monuments. And the hotel, with its focus on privacy and careful attention to detail, preserves an aura of an 18th century private nobleman's home. The 50 rooms and suites don't skimp on modern conveniences; they're loaded with Wi-Fi, plasma TV screens, DVD players, marble bathrooms with jacuzzis, and individual air-comfort systems in-room.

Magic in Madrid: Get the Royal Treatment at the Gran Melia Fenix

The recently renovated Gran Melia Fenix offers distinguished rooms and service to the most discerning of visitors to Spain's buzzing capital. The 215 guest rooms are exquisitely decorated in 19th century style, and equipped with cutting-edge technology: domestic control systems, Bang and Olufsen TVs, three phones and internet access, CD player, and electronic mini-bars. All complimented by highly-personalized service and excellent fine dining. Book a suite and enjoy the outdoor jacuzzi with awesome views of the city. But the best part of all is the exclusive Royal Service Floor, where guests are spoiled with the private reception area, butler service, pillow menu, private buffet and permanent bar.

Private Da Vinci Code Tour at Dukes Hotel in London

Forget the big group tours at the Louvre, or commercial two- and three-country package tours sprouting up to appease eager fans of Dan Brown's best-selling novel. Dukes Hotel in London does it right, with a "Dukes Does Da Vinci" package with a private guide and driver tracking the scenes and clues from the book. And with the movie set to hit the big screen in a matter of days, and the best London season fast approaching, what a better time to cross the big pond and crack the code. Dukes is an award-winning, privately-owned hotel set within a quiet courtyard between Mayfair and Green Park, with a prime location near the city's finest restaurants, theaters and museums. Their Da Vinci Code tour is a three-hour adventure, offered in the morning or afternoon, with private car and guide who encourages guests to track the book's clues, stopping to visit each relevant, noteworthy site. The three-day package includes: accommodation in a Classic room, double occupancy, full English breakfast for two daily, private three-hour "Da Vinci Code Tour" with car and driver, picnic lunch in St. James's Park before or after the tour, foot massage for two (20 minutes each), two martinis in Dukes Bar, dinner at Dukes Restaurant for two (excluding beverages). Offered for Friday night arrivals now through July 24, or any day from July 24-September 10. GBP 1050, inclusive of VAT.

Related Articles:

MobiBlog, "Following in the Footsteps of the Da Vinci Code- Pop Culture Tours"