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Kylie Knott

Scottish castles
1 Airth Castle Hotel & Spa Resort  
Old and new rub shoulders at this castle nestled in the parklands overlooking the Forth Valley. Dating back to the 14th century  and once owned by the family of Robert the Bruce,  the castle is a popular venue for weddings. www.airthcastlehotel.com  
2 Aldourie Castle
This castle was a private residence for more than 100 years before being converted into a country house hotel in 1969. Spend days playing tennis, fishing in the loch or shooting clay pigeons and at night, sit by a crackling fire with a glass of the country's finest Scotch. www.aldouriecastle.co.uk   
3 Inverlochy Castle 
Luxury, luxury and luxury  sums up the Inverlochy Castle  in the Highlands. It was a private residence for more than 100 years before being converted into a country house hotel in 1969. Spend days playing tennis, fishing in the loch or shooting clay pigeons and at night, sit by a crackling fire with a glass of the country's finest Scotch. www.inverlochycastlehotel.com
4 Glenapp Castle  
It looks like the sort of place where fairytales could become reality. Located on a rugged stretch of Scottish coast, the castle - which reopened in 2000 as a luxury hotel - has  perfectly manicured gardens, a golf course and 17 rooms with views across the Irish Sea. www.glenappcastle.com  
5 Dundas Castle 
If you want to dine, sleep and play like a king then the Dundas Castle, wedged deep in the heart of lush countryside, is for you. Dundas is known as the Secret Castle because many people - including some locals - are unaware it is there. Expect five-star service and  an ambience that combines the grandeur of a castle with the warmth of a family home.  www.dundascastle.co.uk
Luxury train journeys
1 The Palace on Wheels, India 
Glide across the deserts of Rajasthan and get a delicious taste of Raj life with an elephant welcome in Jaipur, lunch at the Lake Palace in Udaipur, a camel safari near Jaisalmer and an afternoon at the Taj Mahal.  www.palaceonwheels.net  
2 El Transcantabrico, Spain 
For more than 25 years,  El Transcantabrico  has been entertaining passengers. Whether winding from Santiago de Compostela to Leon, cruising through the lands of Castile and Leon,  or visiting the shores of the Bay of Biscay  you can indulge in food, art, monuments and landscapes and five-star comforts. www.transcantabrico.com 
3 Royal Scotsman, Scotland 
Just 36 guests get to travel through Scotland's finest countryside in the Royal Scotsman's private cabins, with an open-deck observation carriage providing the best seats in the house. Life on board is chilled, and indulgent - thanks to a fine menu. After dinner, over a wee dram, a clansman recounts tales that bring Scottish history alive. www.royalscotsman.com 
4 Orient-Express, London
It might be short but this is ride is very sweet. 'The Dinner' on the Orient-Express adds sparkle to its exclusive dining experience  next month, teaming up with champagne house Laurent-Perrier  to create a journey for the taste buds onboard the restored 1920s carriages of the British Pullman. Indulge in a menu crafted by executive chef de cuisine, Matthew Smith, and Laurent-Perrier's master of wine, David Hesketh.  www.orient-express.com  
5 Rovos Rail, South Africa 
Classic touches overflow at Rovos Rail. The coaches of this South African-based train firm have been refurbished to mint condition, while the service has been polished to five-star standards. www.rovos.com
Indian palaces
1 Samode Palace, Jaipur
Set amid the rocky outcrops of the Araveli hills, 42 kilometres north-east of Jaipur, this palace will immerse you in a lost era. Detailed walls, ceiling decor and step-up baths add to the drama. www.samode.com  
2 Shiv Niwas Palace, Udaipur   
Built in the early 20th century during the reign of Maharana Fateh Singh,  the Shiv Niwas oozes its original splendour and the 17 suites still contain portraits and furniture selected for the royal family. Carved bronze and curtain canopied beds dominate the bedrooms, while ceilings and walls are hand-painted with traditional Indian motifs. For the full  Mughal fantasy, opt for a royal suite. www.hrhhotels.com 
3  Mihirgarh, Jodhpur   
This palace is royal glamour with a modern twist, and an ideal place for extreme relaxation. Some suites have a plunge pool and Jacuzzi and the large terraces have views of the desert. Live like Lawrence of Arabia (it has an equestrian centre stabled with the finest Marwari horses) or enjoy a yoga session before settling in for some sunset gins.  www.mihirgarh.com  
4 Rambagh Palace, Jaipur   
With its grand gardens it's easy to see why some call  this the 'Jewel of Jaipur'. In the 1930s it hosted dignitaries - a sort of 'It' palace of Rajasthan. Today, guests still  get the royal treatment. Take a dip in the indoor pool, chill out in the spa and indulge in single malts and Cuban cigars in the Polo Bar.  www.tajhotels.com 
5 The Raj Palace, Jaipur   
This palace not only boasts one of the largest suites, but also one of the most expensive in the world at SUS$40,000 a night. The Maharaja's Pavilion spreads over 16,000 sq ft with four floors and a private entrance. A gold-panelled elevator  shuttles you between the levels, which include the original Maharaja's bedroom. There's a roof terrace with Jacuzzi. www.rajpalace.com
Boutique hotels in Paris
1 Hotel du Petit Moulin  
Fashion designer Christian Lacroix leaves no style stone unturned in this 17-room hotel in the heart of historic Le Marais. The rooms take you on a journey through the many faces of the uber-cool Marais district. One room is decked out Moulin Rouge style and another with a Zen-inspired den.  www.paris-hotel-petitmoulin.com  
2 Hotel Keppler 
Smart and sophisticated - much like the French - this trendy hotel impresses with its splashy decor and sumptuous rooms, all set in a convenient and quiet central location (it's a hop, skip and jump from the Champs-Elysees). Interiors guru Pierre-Yves Rochon designed this hotel, which is dotted with covetable antiques. www.keppler.fr  
3 Hotel Le A 
 This is one for lovers of design and art. Centrally located, the hotel oozes minimalist charm. Spend time in the library - filled with art and design books - and after a day's work head for champagne cocktails in the sleek hotel bar, under a 19th-century glass roof.  www.hotel-le-a-paris.com   
4 L'Hotel 
Right in the heart of the Left Bank can be found this intimate 20-room gem that will leave lovers of architecture in awe. Full of French charm and glamour, the hotel boasts themed rooms: there's the Italian Baroque-style room; the Pagode, with an antique Japanese theme; the Leopard, finished in leopard-print fabrics and the Oscar Wilde room. www.l-hotel.com   
5 Seven Hotel 
Despite having opened only recently, the Seven Hotel in Paris is already attracting the cool crowd and winning plaudits for its quirky design, which includes levitating beds and suites in themes as varied as 007 and Alice in Wonderland. At last, a hotel for people who aren't only concerned with location, but who also want their stay to be an experience. www.sevenhotelparis.com



High 5