The red awnings and scarlet geraniums have returned to the newly buffed Art Nouveau balconies of the Hotel Plaza Athenee, whose facade still graces the chic Avenue Montaigne after a EUR 200-million expansion and renovation. The newly refurbished Hotel remains the epitome of Parisian luxury with spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower.

The 15-month closure enabled the smooth integration of recently aquired adjacent properties into the existing hotel, allowing the creation of six new guest rooms, eight suites, a ballroom and two event spaces. The Bar au Plaza Athenee has been also lavishly redesigned and with mixologist Thierry Hernandez at the helm you can expect exceptional cocktails.

Other than that, nothing's changed at the Plaza Athenee: it's still one of my very favourite hotels on the planet!

Here's one motivational speaker's assessment of why First Class is the Only Class for him. It boils down to Who You Meet, Faster Status, Faster Perks, Better Productivity, and that most valuable asset of all: Time, as you can show up later with fast-pass security and clear your luggage off the carousel faster (or have more allowance for carry-on and skip that carousel entirely). He also points out that the frequent flyer mile is the fastest depreciating currency in the world - and encourages you to spend them quickly rather than accumulate.

Sure, first class costs more, but once you calculate the added value, and often the amazing negotiated fares that I can get, the price tag looks a lot more attractive.

Flying has become more and more stressful, as it actually takes longer to get from home to your hotel today than it did 20 years ago. What if you could reduce that significantly? Luggage Forward will pick up your luggage from your home a couple of days before you depart. Skip the airline counter and simply present your boarding pass to the security agent, then walk off the plane into a waiting taxi or limo, check into your hotel and find your luggage already in your room. Many of us have learned to wear the same shoes for a week to travel within the carry-on limits, but what about golf clubs, or a wardrobe for a change in climates? That's where Luggage Forward comes to the rescue.

Try them once and you'll never carry bags again!

With the growth in peer-to-peer marketing programs such as Airbnb, VRBO, Uber, etc., it is incumbent upon me to offer some counsel here. I'm not opposed to these services; however, I cannot endorse them, simply because I don't have personal assurance they are properly vetted. I usually suggest Virtuoso properties, not only because they are the best, and often offer the best value when you consider the exclusive amenities, but because I am 100% sure they have been properly vetted and if there is a problem for any reason, I have the contacts and means to address it. When I suggest other properties or services, it is because I have either personally investigated them or trust the mechanism in place to do so.

An owner listing their home for rent does not aim the camera at the freeway outside their door or the aircraft landing pattern in the sky above. You don't know the neighbourhood or the neighbours, or the driving (or criminal) record of the unlicensed driver, and you often find too late (nods to New York and San Francisco lately) that what you're renting or riding is illegal.

So please, if you use these services, beware. We have a lifetime of travel together. Let's be safe.

An selection of blog posts recently have set about comparing the value of airline and hotel loyalty points, an interesting review especially as Air Canada, once the industry's leader in point value, has recently devalued their program. Things to consider are the ability to make stopovers and use other carriers, and of course availability, an area that Air Canada (at 1.3c/mile) still excels in. The best major program is the one who started it: American (at 1.8c/mile). See more details here.

Meanwhile, hotels have their own programs. While collection is easy, redemption is complicated and values even more disparate than airlines. Starwood and Hyatt lead the pack. See one assessment here:

Etihad Airways has just placed orders for 86 Boeing 777/787s, while Emirates ordered $99 billion worth of equipment-including 150 Boeing 777s and 50 Airbus A380s-the largest single aircraft purchase in civil aviation history. Last year, Dubai International Airport passed London's Heathrow as the world's busiest gateway for international travelers.

Why all the interest? How about the world's tallest buildings, the famous gold souk, luxurious man-made islands that have doubled the shoreline, the biggest mall, splashiest fountain, gorgeous beaches, ski slopes and sand dunes and gold-plated cars for a start? They even have Lamborghini police cars!

Can't wait!

Four Seasons has reached an agreement to run the 58-room Hotel Casa Medina Bogota as the Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota, while the 64-room Hotel Charleston Bogota will be rebranded as the Four Seasons Hotel Bogota.

The Four Seasons Hotel Casa Medina Bogota will feature renovated French and Spanish architectural touches, while the Four Seasons Hotel Bogota's food-and-beverage operations will have a Japanese open-grill concept. Both hotels closed late last year.

A new security crackdown announced recently by the U.S. Homeland Security and echoed around the world means that all passengers must ensure all electronic devices, including cell phones, being carried in their hand luggage are sufficiently charged to be turned on.

Any devices that can't be turned on might be confiscated. Powerless devices will not be permitted onboard the aircraft. The traveler may also undergo additional screening.

Ever since Virgin Atlantic first introduced the revolutionary concept of the Premium Economy cabin in 1992, less price-sensitive air travelers have been able to enjoy a better flying experience than frugal Economy passengers without having to dish out the big dollars for Business or First class travel. Which are the airlines that do it best, according to one extensive study? Virgin Atlantic, Japan Airlines, SAS and Air France. Where is Air Canada? Thirteenth place out of 15 total.

Venice to Rome in 2016

Our next almost-annual "Reunion" cruise embarks from Venice on September 16, 2016, aboard the luxurious Azamara Journey, visiting Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Crotone, Taormina, and Sorrento before arriving in Rome a week later. The voyage includes one of Azamara's AzAmazing Evenings in Montenegro, a Virtuoso Voyager Club excursion in Kotor, will be the 12th of our Reunion cruises with friends and clients-who-become-friends, and is the only group that Jim, Ian and I personally host. (Rupert will stay home and take care of business.)

Join us now and receive a USD1000 on board shopping credit per stateroom!