While we are certain that our relationship is a lasting one, we’re just going to come right out and say it: We think you should see other blogs. Now don’t get upset, we’ll still be here whenever you need us, but you’re young and beautiful and there are so many fun and interesting fish in the sea. We’ll even point you in the right direction with ten of our favorite luxury-traveler-oriented blogs; we think they’ll be just your type. But please, don’t get too attached to any of them—we already want you back.

1. Vagablond
This long, tall beauty of a blog celebrates three of life’s greatest pleasures—travel, food and wine. (And shopping, too.) It’s full of useful information for the discriminating traveler, with travel recommendations, restaurant reviews, wine news and events, and relevant shopping and product information. This site is classy and interesting, and there’s something about it that makes one crave a dirty martini.

2. A Luxury Travel Blog
Though we can’t decide if this blog’s name is pure creative genius or pure uninspired laziness, we love it for its simplicity. With a list of article categories as long as Chile, this blog has info on everything from Vacation Rentals to Space Travel, not to mention something about virtually every country in the world—and every state in the nation. Maintained by the same company that created the travel site compendium Aardvark Travel, we think this blog lives up to its name.

3. Hotel Chatter
Anyone who wants the inside scoop on where to stay in the world of luxury travel—and where not to—needs to bookmark Hotel Chatter yesterday.  This smart and in depth (read: multiple posts daily) blog covers everything from deals to reviews and even celebrity sitings.   There’s even a good bit of industry info, for those who like to know about exciting news coming down the travel pike—like everyone who reads the Halogen Guides Travel blog.

4. Luxury Travel Butler
Luxury Travel Butler is a stylish blog for stylish travelers. (Or, as they would say, travellers. It’s a European blog.) Recent post topics include luxury limo service in Belgium, luxury camping near the stone-city of Petra and the fast-growing luxury industry in New Zealand. With news, deals and destinations, this is a great travel resource, though not quite as cool as a personal butler.

5. The Suite Life
Disney Channel references aside, The Suite Life is a professional, no-nonsense piece of work that most definitely deserves your attention. With minimal ads and zero clutter, this blog takes a similarly streamlined approach to its posts, which are concise tidbits of travel news, tips and deals. It’s a fun and interesting site, and a good one to peruse if your attention span is similar to that of America’s youth.

6. Luxury Holiday Hotel and Travel Portal
For those unfamiliar with the British usage of the word “holiday,” across the pond it means something more akin to “vacation” than “Fourth of July.” A thin line, but an important one. This UK-operated blog is all about vacation, and makes you feel like you might be on one, what with all the lingo and extra letters in words like “rumour.” Check out the post about the world’s most luxurious swimming pools—awesome.

7. Globorati
Globorati’s motto is “travel. beautiful.” and we think they’ve got both parts down pat. This attractive blog covers travel news and trends, and profiles destinations and trips of interest to the discerning globetrotter. Each post is accompanied by a sexy photograph, which we think is a nice touch, and Globorati sports some nifty search and booking tools as well.

8. The Informed Traveler
Cal Simmons, Founder and Chairman of luxury-hotel booking site Five Star Alliance, created this little gem to highlight—you guessed it—news and deals from the world’s best luxury hotels. Posts highlight destinations from Singapore to St. Petersburg, and all link to Five Star Alliance’s booking and reservation pages.

9. KWE Blog: Luxury Travel & Lifestyle Trends
This blog has as much luxury lifestyle information (changing bridal registry trends, the revival of gold bullion) as it does luxury travel info (luxurious hotel pools, staycations and “luxury days”), but we think you’ll find all that their posts are interesting and useful, if not strictly travel-related.

10. Concierge.com
Another clean, professional blog with plenty of information and resources to whet your travel appetite. The site is a division of Condé Nast, so you know that the articles here are well-researched and written, and there’s even a handy map that lets you find posts by clicking on the area of the world where you want to go.

If you thought booking a deluxe suite has gotten pricey, hold on to your hat. Some of the world’s most luxurious hotel suites are going for tens of thousands of dollars per night. So fire up your private jet, pack your Louis Vuitton bags, and get ready for an over-the-top stay.

Hotel Martinez Presidential Suite, Cannes, France
Certainly most U.S. Presidents haven’t even experienced the level of luxury of the Penthouse Suite at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes, France—and it can be yours for the bargain price of 12,000 to 34,000 Euros during the high season (that’s about $53,000).  Clocking in at a massive 10,700 square feet, the Art Deco-inspired suite (which can be split into two apartments) offers a Jacuzzi on a private terrace, four bedrooms, four bathrooms equipped with Whirlpool baths and Turkish baths/showers, an open bar and two saunas. And in case anything is amiss, you’ll also have a butler at your disposal 24 hours a day.

Palms Resort Hugh Hefner Sky Villa, Las Vegas, NV
Get ready to don your red smoking jacket and slippers: Even if you can’t party at the Playboy Mansion, you can stay in the lavish Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at the Palms, featuring Playboy artwork selected by Hef himself. For $40,000 a night, you’ll have an outdoor terrace overlooking the lights of Vegas with a cantilevered Jacuzzi tub, a personal massage room, workout room, dry sauna and more. Oh, and there’s also an eight-foot round, rotating bed with mirrored ceiling, in case you’re thinking of living out any of those Playboy fantasies.

Four Seasons New York Ty Warner Penthouse, New York, NY
Forget the view from the Empire State Building. This lavishly appointed Four Seasons suite’s floor-to-ceiling bay windows offer a sweeping 360-degree view of all of Manhattan. For $30,000 a night, guests can enjoy the view, as well as living and dining areas, a library illuminated by a gilded bronze LaLanne chandelier, an infinity-edge bathtub, a master bedroom with a gold-threaded Thai canopy bed, an indoor-outdoor Zen garden and a private spa room. Should you want to leave the suite, you’ll also have access to a private chauffeur in your choice of a Rolls Royce Phantom or Mercedes Maybach. Decisions, decisions.

President Wilson Hotel Royal Penthouse Suite, Geneva, Switzerland
In case you’re thinking of entertaining while you’re away, the mahogany dining table at this $37,000 per night suite at the President Wilson can seat 26 people. The suite, reached by private elevator, also boasts a cocktail lounge, a library and billiards room, along with four bedrooms that all overlook serene Lake Geneva. If you’re concerned about security, all of the windows and doors are bullet-proof to ensure maximum safety.

Grand Resort Lagonissi Royal Villa, Attica, Greece
This gorgeous resort villa at the Lagonissi, going for about $35,000 a night, on the Aegean Sea is a swimmer and sunbather’s paradise. It not only features a private indoor pool equipped with a gym and workout area, but an outdoor pool as well (accessible by an open living and dining area). And did we mention the private marina and private beach? Guests at the Royal Villa can relax in one of two master bedrooms, a bar area or a private massage room. There’s even a full business center (not that you’ll want to do any work).

As the airline industry gasps for air in the midst of rising oil prices and a slowing economy, it can often seem that air travel is moving backwards. Massive budget cuts and downsizing have led to fewer planes, personnel and promotions at airlines across the board. Recent desperate efforts to make ends meet have had many airlines updating their baggage policies—some charging for even the first checked bag and boosting the fees for oversized or overweight luggage—and in one case, even charging for soft drinks.

Nonetheless, some of the air travel industry’s economic stimulus schemes may actually help you—as long as you’re willing to pay for them. Specifically, I’m talking about  “delay insurance” and other types of travel protection offered by insurance companies, credit card companies, travel booking companies and (of course) the airlines themselves. If you have to overnight it due to a flight delay, delay insurance will pay for meals, accommodations and other expenses for a relatively low premium.  Of course there are spending caps, both daily ($100 - $200) and “per trip” ($400-$1000), but the policies usually only cost $10 or $20 a ticket.

This insurance-selling frenzy could mean many things to the frequent traveler, most notably the elimination of some of the most massive headaches and life interruptions caused by travel delays. And even though the Vicodin will cost you more than the Advil, it’s probably worth it—some more expensive policies let you call a “concierge” who will look for alternative flights for you and hook you up with hotel rooms, dinner reservations or a rental car if needed.

Years ago, this type of thing wasn’t as necessary, since airlines were much more apt to give out hotel and meal vouchers to stranded customers, even when the airlines weren’t completely at fault. I was on a New Year’s Eve flight ten years ago that was canceled due to snowstorms, and my brother and I stayed at the Cincinnati Marriot, ate three huge meals and got a taxi to and from the hotel—all on Delta’s tab. Nowadays, the big boys are bigger tightwads, and you probably won’t get any help unless the delay was clearly the fault of the airline.

Travel insurance admittedly isn’t perfect—acts of God or terrorism aren’t covered, for one—but it seems like a worthwhile investment to protect your sanity, at least on peak flights during holidays or stormy seasons. Those reluctant to throw any more money to the airlines can purchase from a service like AIG Travel Guard , CSA Travel Protection or a comparison site like InsureMyTrip.com. American Express cardmembers can put AmEx delay insurance on their credit card, or you can buy less-comprehensive insurance from Expedia or Orbitz if you book through their websites. If you do decide to purchase peace of mind, just remember to shop around and be sure you know what you’re getting for your dough—all policies are not created equal.

Flying used to be so simple – buy a ticket, check your bags and hop on board. Now it seems like every time you turn your head there’s someone else in khaki pants and a corporate polo shirt shaking you down for another $50. As airlines attempt to keep base-ticket prices stable in the face of ever-rising fuel costs, hidden fees and surcharges are hitting travelers where it hurts–the pocketbook. It’s not easy keeping track of who is charging what for which previously-complimentary service, so we’ve compiled a guide to those sneaky little fees that have travelers wondering whether or not summer vacation would be best spent in their own backyards.

Excess Baggage
Probably the most buzzed-about fee this season is the second bag charge. Most American carriers have recently implemented a $25 charge for travelers checking a second bag. Some even charge for the first. American Airlines customers can expect to pay $15 each way for the first checked bag and $25 each way for a second. Delta, United, Continental, Northwest, Virgin America and U.S. Airways all carry a $25 second bag fee on domestic flights and Jet Blue now charges $20. If you’re planning on bringing aboard any strangely shaped items, you’d better check with your carrier first. It might just be cheaper to ship that buck’s head home via UPS or FedEx.  Some antler fees—yes they do get that specific—can run as much as $300 round trip.

Peanuts and Pretzels
High school economics teachers rejoice. Americans are finally beginning to understand that there really is no such thing as a free lunch. Some airlines have taken to charging, not only for meals, but also for in-flight snacks. U.S. Airways announced just last week that it would begin charging for snacks on domestic flights, effective June 1. Other airlines with a no-free-peanuts policy include Virgin America and Northwest. And you can expect to pay for any of the three major meals on just about any domestic flight within the U.S.

Legroom of One’s Own
A couple of years ago, all you had to do for a little extra legroom was be old enough to sit in an emergency exit row. Today, airlines realize that these, and other barely-bigger spaces, are prime real estate, and they’re cashing in on every last inch. Airlines like Jet Blue, which starts Coach upgrades at $10, are taking advantage of America’s penchant for personal space. U.S. Airways’ Choice Seats program offers some window seats for as much as $30. Passengers on United, Air Tran and Northwest can also upgrade at a cost. Even budget carriers like Southwest are charging extra for the right to board the plane first. Looks like picking the right seat just got a whole lot trickier, or at the very least, pricier.

Fuel Surcharge
This one’s the big kicker, and unlike the rest of these add-ons, it’s not optional. Most major carriers charge a flat $65 each way. With crude oil prices approaching $130 a barrel, there’s a strong possibility that number will increase. There’s really no getting around this one. As long as the price of oil continues to soar, so will ticket prices.

Keeping Up Appearances
The rest of these charges may be unexpected, but airport improvement fees are truly hidden. Sanctioned by the Federal Aviation Authority, the Passenger Facility Charge program allows collection of as much as $4.50 for “every enplaned passenger.” This fee, which enables “projects that enhance safety, security, or capacity; reduce noise; or increase air carrier competition,” is included in the ticket price. It might seem relatively insignificant, but when added to a myriad of other unexpected charges, it certainly makes an impact.

There are a handful of other hidden fees and surcharges to keep your eye on this summer, like those for changing a reservation or traveling with a baby, and with oil at it’s current price anything is game. For those planning a trip this summer, or anytime in the near future, the key is to scale back on the amenities. If you want to avoid a big price tag for your plane ticket, it’s time for an exercise in moderation. Besides, excess is best enjoyed once you’ve reached your destination.