The New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) just held a dedication of Spaceport America, bringing ordinary people one step closer to actually being able to visit space from the desert of New Mexico.

Governor Bill Richardson, Sir Richard Branson and about 30 Virgin Galactic future astronauts were there to support the building of the launch pad in New Mexico. The overall goal of those in attendance is to make consumer space travel the next big ticket.

Luxury travel has never seen anything quite like this before. If you are the kind of traveler that has to be the first person in your group of acquaintances to do the next big thing, you can’t get bigger than traveling in space. Imagine traveling to the moon on your next vacation! You can join the 30 Virgin Galactic astronauts in space as early as 2011. This will be the ultimate in experience that will make you the envy of everyone you know. Obviously, this is the kind of experience that only a select few people can afford to enjoy.

And keeping up with the latest and greatest news from NMSA is easier than ever. Check in regularly and you will get to see just how soon it will be before you are launching to the moon for your next luxury vacation. Construction currently is underway on the launch pad, which will be designed to support nearly every type of aircraft that the world has available today.

NMSA will be able to host all of the returning launch vehicles, fly-back rocket boosters and every other launch into space including the training vehicles. This state-of-the-art launch area is being built near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and everyone expects it to be operating in 2011. Trust me, you don’t want to miss being one of the first luxury travelers to take this ride.

The New Zealand government made it a point to announce its $2 million recycling program for Rugby World Cup (RWC) today. The plan was made to ensure that the RWC committee can host its 2011 New Zealand tournament in an environmentally responsible fashion.

Dr. Nick Smith, New Zealand’s Environmental Minister, stated that there will be 700 “love NZ” recycling stations posted all over regions where the matches will be held. Some those stations will be posted in places such as: fan areas, campsites, main streets, in the stadiums, bus/train terminals and everywhere else that the fans and players will be expected to be.

“The government is determined that in hosting the largest event in our history, we minimize the impacts on our environment,” Smith says. “We also want to ensure the visiting 85,000 rugby fans and 2,500 international media have an experience that matches our 100 percent pure brand.”

The program’s money will come from a $1.6 million waste minimization fund and a $440,000 fund via the Glass Packaging Forum. Smith said that he was hoping to talk various councils and industries into contributing as well so that he could add $1 million more to cover the cost adding more recycling areas. Smith also hopes that he can use the “Love NZ” recycling facilities to help change the global attitude about recycling and help make recycling at world events like the Rugby World Cup the norm. That is a tall order, but one that New Zealand is willing and more than able to take on, he says.

It is an effort that could very well set the worldwide standard in future RWC events. With at least 20 teams participating from all across Europe, the word about the recycling facilities in New Zealand is likely to spread and catch global interest. That being said, RWC is sure to be an exciting one this year to say the least. The best part is that the event will also be easy on the environment, which is something that we can all enjoy.

If you’re looking to experience the best New Year’s Eve celebration in the world, look no further than Sydney. When you opt for an Australian vacation package on New Year’s, you are guaranteed the experience of a lifetime.

Join the 1.5 million people that who are expected to be a part of the New Year’s Eve celebration at Sydney Harbour. Witness the amazing Aerial Flyovers that take place starting at 5 p.m. Sit in awe of the Indigenous Smoking Ceremony with indigenous vessels working to clear the harbor from any and all negative spirits as projections beam on to the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons.

You can choose any of Sydney’s famous vantage points from which to watch the fireworks display, including Gladesville Bridge to the Heads of Sydney Harbor. There will be fireworks barges located between Point Piper in the east and Cockatoo Island in the west. For public safety and to ensure that everyone has a good time, there will be alcohol-free zones, as well. That said, for the visitor who likes to enjoy a little bit of spirits during his or her celebrations, Australia’s vacation packages allow you to bring your own alcohol as long as it is in plastic containers.

In terms of places to stay during the festivities, many Australian vacation packages that a hotel room in some of the world’s most beloved and exclusive suites. The view of Sydney Harbour from your suite will be breathtaking, particularly with the lights and fireworks display. But don’t think that these are your only options. The mariner in your group will love watching the celebrations from a boat that can be placed in either direction. The experience is sure to be unforgettable whether you prefer to stay in, roam around Sydney or just lounge around on your very own boat. One thing is certain: When you are enjoying your Australian vacation package during the New Year, you will bear witness to the greatest New Year’s celebration in the world.

The word is out: Oprah is planning to offer 300 audience members Australian vacation packages, including tours of the Great Barrier Reef.

Just about every Australian tour operator is vying for the chance to provide Oprah and her guests with his or her Australian vacation package in December. Oprah and 300 audience members all will get to spend eight exciting days testing and trying out all of the best that Australia has to offer, including gorgeous beaches, fabulous vineyards and shopping. Oprah also likely will be expecting to experience some of the best luxury travel packages since she wants to tour the world famous Sydney Harbour.

At the end of this tour, Oprah and her guests will be recording a session of her famous talk show. They will be doing this at the temporarily-renamed Sydney “Oprah” House, and some lucky locals will get to attend. Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson says he is happy about her visit and the boon it will provide to Australian tourism. Oprah will be expecting only the best luxury travel during her stay, and her choice of Australia is considered to be a “major endorsement.”

“To date, there have been expressions of interest from 3,000 product and service offerers,” Ferguson told members of the Australian parliament.

For all that Oprah’s visit can do for the locals, her 300 guests will be touring one of the most beautiful locales on the planet. Whatever Australian vacation package she chooses, these fortunate people will get the best experience of their lives. With so many Australian vacation packages to choose from and each one offering a special tour that guarantees them the experience of a lifetime, there will be no shortage of extremely happy visitors.

If the name doesn’t convince you, the experience will. Australian Luxury Escapes provides you with just what its name suggests. This is one tourist experience that lets you decide what you will be doing and where.

Each private tour offered by Australian Luxury Escapes is completely customized to suit whatever your desired experience. Whether you want the luxury of a helicopter flight that takes you along a rugged coastline or deep into a gorge, or if you prefer to spend the day aboard a private yacht on the world’s most beautiful harbor, Australian Luxury Escapes has the answer.

Some of the beautiful places that you can tour include Sydney, Tasmania, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Cairns. You can travel by vehicle, private jet or even take a yacht. Since each tour is customized to suit your needs, there is no limit to the excitement that you can bring to your personalized tour.

Each customized tour is tailored to suit both your needs and even some of your whims. You can make sure that your family has a one-of-a-kind experience that they won’t soon forget. Such a journey is not only exciting, it’s also filled with as much luxury as you can afford. That said, Australian Luxury Escapes aims to meet almost any budget. You even can create a custom tour that is so exclusive that only a privileged few have ever seen it. Why not become a part of an experience that is not to be found anywhere else in the world?

When you travel for your Australian luxury vacation, the scenery, heritage and culture alone make the journey worth every dime, but the locales that surround you each possess their own unique aspects that will certainly bring you back again.

If you are looking to take an Australian luxury vacation journey that you can’t find anywhere else, you can’t go wrong with a custom tour in a well-appointed, truly comfortable vehicle.

When visiting the tropical locale of North Queensland while you are in Australia, Down Under by Appointment is how you will want to take your exploratory journey. This fully-customizable tour can be anything that you want it to be. Staff have exceptional skills in client service, and the guides are highly trained and knowledgeable about the unique destinations and experiences of North Queensland. They are regionally-renowned and go beyond the amazing service you would expect from a luxury vacation tour.

You can choose to travel with like-minded adventurers and create a specialized trip that suits whatever your imagination can dream up: drive to the rainforest and see the sites, picnic in the outback, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. Learn the sacred legends of the Nugal-Warra people, the ways of the Kuku Yalanji people, or visit the Lumholtz Tree Kangaroos and other rainforest dwellers. An array of experts can indulge any of your interests.

During your tour, you will stay in the finest accommodations and sample some of the best regional foods available. You might want to explore the breathtaking panoramas of Cairns, Kuranda, the Atherton Tablelands, Chillagoe, Cooktown, Daintree, Port Douglas, Mossman, Babinda, Cape Tribulation and more. There are also private custom tours available if you prefer not to travel with strangers.

When you decide to take your luxury vacation down under, remember that your trip should be designed with your interests in mind. The touring operation’s 4-wheel-drive vehicles are geared to travel over any terrain. That guarantees that no journey that you can come up with on land will be hard for DUBA to fulfill. You will truly be in first class hands.

The world’s leading soft drink will supply beverages for the participating Rugby World Cup (RWC) teams. The competition will be hosted in New Zealand in 2011.

Coca-Cola will be giving away non-alcoholic drinks including water and Powerade to each of the 20 participating teams throughout the tournament. The cup currently is ranked the 3^rd-largest single sports event in the world, and Coca-Cola has been working hard with the RWC since the 1995 RWC in South Africa to promote and develop Rugby worldwide.

“Rugby World Cup Limited is delighted that Coca-Cola has joined the impressive portfolio of sponsors and suppliers for Rugby World Cup 2011,” says RWC Chairman Bernard Lapasset. “The extension of this special partnership with one of the world’s most recognizable brands further enhances the enormous prestige and attraction of Rugby World Cup in the global marketplace.”

While the Rugby World Cup is a huge sporting event in Europe, it hasn’t reached the global mainstream the way FIFA has. Coca-Cola hopes to be a part of changing that. Host country New Zealand, along with Coca-Cola, wants to add some sparkle to this year’s event. In any case, the New Zealand hosts and Coca-Cola are determined to make this year’s RWC the best Rugby World Cup ever.

“We look forward to working closely with Coca-Cola to promote Rugby around the world as the global sporting community counts down to the start of Rugby World Cup 2011 in just under a year’s time,” Lapasset adds.

Other sponsors of the 2011 RWC are: MasterCard, Heineken, ANZ, DHL and Emirates Airlines. With so much beauty in New Zealand, combined with the excitement of the tournament, this Rugby World Cup should be amazing!

Wendt on Tours is a wonderful way to get your full-on Australian experience with an amazing Australia vacation package. Hosts Glenn and Margaret Wendt offer a fantastic private and personalized day tour that takes you all over Sydney and more. Destinations include Sydney, Blue Mountains, South Coast and Hunter Valley. You can choose your own Australian adventure.

Sydney

Cross the Sydney Harbor Bridge to North Sydney to get a nice look at the Sydney Opera House and skyline, which you can see from Milson’s Point and Kirribilli. You also can tour the Northern Beaches through Neutral Bay and Mosman. You can see everything of note that there is to see in Sydney including the Sydney Rocks, where you can view the historic streets and houses that have been there since the 1800s.

Blue Mountains

Listed under The World Heritage, Blue Mountains are just to the west of Sydney. This popular destination suits those looking for breathtaking panoramic views and richly-historic towns and villages — all while breathing in the fresh, clean mountain air.

Hunter Valley

The Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s oldest wine-producing districts. This tour brings you all over the winery as well as taking on a full-featured tour through the country. You will sample some of region’s finest wines and foods served a la carte.

South Coast

This part of the tour takes you through historic towns and villages while you are witness to some spectacular ocean views and waterfalls. Tour the vineyards and wineries, and cap off your time by taking in the sights of the forested National Parks and sandstone valleys.

No matter what kind of tour you are in the mood for, it will be arranged for you. These day tours take you through some of the most beautiful scenic journeys that Australia has to offer. You don’t want to miss out on this!

Wolgan Valley resort and spa is a luxury destination in Australia that gives visitors the full frontier visual and makes them feel like true Australian pioneers.

For the outdoorsman, Wolgan Valley is an ideal Australian luxury vacation getaway spot. It is located right on Australia’s Great Dividing Range — just a 3-hour drive from Australia’s capital of Sydney. Visitors are surrounded by the amazing sights of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, making this fabulously-built resort right at the center of Australia’s famous wildlife.

Wolgan Valley is fully immersed in a 4,000-acre conservancy reserve and two national parks. Here tourists have the option of staying in their own individual suite with a private deck and a swimming pool, and even a double-sided fireplace. Each suite takes guests back to the colonial times, but with contemporary edge that takes one’s breath away. Indoors is beautifully tranquil, and much of the furniture is handcrafted by locals. Also, the outdoor activities that visitors can enjoy with their own guide on hand will ensure that their stay is both fun and exciting. Some of the fantastic activities that guests and their families can participate in are:

• Horseback riding
• Hiking the terrain
• Mountain biking
• Wildlife safari
• Taking a 4-wheel-drive tour

Visitors to Wolgan Valley resort and spa can do all of this while viewing Australian wildlife including kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and wombats.

For guests who want to wind down after a long day of vigorous activity, the on-site spa definitely provides with the right balance of rest and luxury to make them feel their best. Visitors’ days will be complete once they dine on fresh, authentic, local foods from the region, including the regional ploughman’s platter, antipasto, a salted white bait fritter served with a crispy salad and butternut pumpkin with black cod tortellini.

As guests end their full day at the resort, they can look outside of their suite window at some of the most breathtaking terrain they will ever gaze at. Wolgan Valley is the perfect luxury vacation spot for those that want to experience a side of Australia that often is overlooked when creating a luxurious atmosphere. Here you get to go back in time and see Australia the way it was so long ago.

Visiting Thorngrove Manor is like a vacation in itself. This hotel, located in Adelaide, Australia, features some of the most luxurious living quarters you can find. Choosing Thorngrove Manor as your base locale will make your Australian luxury vacation the most relaxing and tranquil of your life.

Thorngrove Manor combines the rich opulence of old world castle charm with contemporary design and style. The hotel itself is a piece of modern artistic ingenuity, and the architecture will take your breath away. It hosts very distinctive baroque towers and turrets, as well as a fine combination of antique and bespoke furniture. The grounds are so beautifully kept that you will feel Thorngrove’s magnificence before you even enter the hotel.

Located only 17 minutes from Adelaide City Centre and 35 minutes form the Adelaide Airport, it is also very convenient. When you want to take a stroll to enjoy the casual beauty of the city and get a taste of local customs and culture, it takes just 7 minutes to walk to the local historic village of Stirling and look around.

While Thorngrove may feel like a hideaway because of its luxurious and peaceful surroundings, it boasts all of the modern amenities that you could need. This Australian luxury vacation spot has HD LCD TVs, wi-fi Internet access and even an in-suite spa for your comfort. You even can conduct business and host videoconferences during your stay.

Should you prefer to make this a romantic getaway, your private living quarters will provide all of the privacy you could want. Take high tea for two in your suite and then indulge yourself in the full spa treatment. Spa features include body wraps, masseuse, facials and mani/pedis. When you want to relax in your room, its opulent design and plush furnishings will excite you. Rooms have features such as panoramic windows, rich Irish linens, hilltop locations, leather furnishings, fully crafted and hand-painted friezes and authentic artwork.

You’ve never experienced a true luxury vacation stay until you have experienced an Australian luxury vacation at Thorngrove Manor.