Green Globe announces certification of the JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Over the past few years this luxury resort has demonstrated leadership and innovation in the fields of operational efficiency and globally responsible practices on multiple levels.

Fredrik Reinisch, General Manager at JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort is passionate about the environment and that is reflected across his team and throughout the resort grounds. He said “Being recognised as a Green Globe organisation is high up on our priorities list. As the global recognition for sustainable tourism, this is an award that accurately mirrors our goals and ambitions. Working toward the certification has been a team effort and the greatest realisation has been to see the passion from each of the departments as they identify their own ways of engaging with the program, whether it’s working with the local community or developing our own bio garden. Essentially it’s not about meeting the criteria; it’s about going over and above what’s required. Receiving this certification doesn’t mean efforts are now grounded. Sustainability is a long term plan, one which required dedication, teamwork and determination.”

The property introduced a new Aquaponics system - the revolutionary scheme for growing plants by fertilising them with the waste water from fish in a growing initiative. Aquaponic gardening is a most productive way to grow organic produce, while providing the added benefits of fresh fish as a safe, healthy source of protein. The onsite bio-garden produces a range of fresh fruits, herbs and vegetables for use within several dining outlets at the resort. To fund the garden the dirty oil from the resort’s kitchens is converted into diesel by an external company. The money generated is then used to buy tools and seeds, and pay the gardener. Following best practices while educating all associates is a key aspect at this eco-friendly destination.

The recently awarded “Middle East’s Leading Family Resort” at the World Travel Awards is involved in numerous ongoing community activities, as well as specialised projects, such as “Marine Enrichment Activities.” Fish from the resort’s beach was released into the waters of the Arabian Gulf – a response to an authority’s call in the Emirate for a more sustainable utilisation of the fisheries. The resort supports the EWS-WWF’s Marine Turtle Conservation Project and sponsors a hawksbill turtle, listed as critically endangered. With their green initiatives in place, the Jebel Ali Golf Resort&Spa recently secured the “Dubai Green Tourism Award” in the 5-star-hotel category.

On an international level, Jebel Ali Hotels works with the “All as One” charity, helping orphaned and destitute children in Sierra Leone with a loving home, education, medical care, and a chance for a better future.

Luxury travelers looking to add to their collection of coffee table city guides may want to hit bookstores in London, where shelves are now stocked with Louis Vuitton’s latest, limited-edition travel books.

Illustrated by Japanese artist Natsko Seki, the London guide renders sites like the Tate Modern and Regent’s Canal — sites chosen because they express the “spirit of London,” she said — in her signature style, which super-imposes hand-drawn sketches and colors on top of still photographs.

Explaining the modus operandi behind her images, Seki said in a video: “In my mind it was as if I was creating a 3D city with everyday scenes like somebody walking their dog and the passers-by turning around to look.”

Other editions of Louis Vuitton Travel Books include Paris, illustrated by Congolese painter Cheri Samba, New York done by French illustrator Jean-Philippe Delhomme, and Easter Island, interpreted by American artist Daniel Arsham.

Louis Vuitton Travel Books retail for €45. The London edition is now available at the brand’s New Bond Street location, while the four books been releasing via Amazon and elsewhere since early May.

The Dubai police force has added yet another incredible supercar to its fleet and this time it’s a Bugatti Veyron.

Dubai Police Chief Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, an outspoken lieutenant general, tweeted a picture of the $1.4 million car, which boasts a beastly 1,001-horsepower engine.

The Veyron is the most expensive in a fleet that already includes two Ferrari FFs, a Bentley Continental GT, a Lamborghini Aventador, a Mercedes SLS and an Aston Martin One.

The Bugatti Veyron carries a top speed of 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph) and was named “Car of the Decade” (2000–2009) by the BBC television show “Top Gear.”

Dubai’s maximum speed limit is capped at 75 miles per hour, with strict penalties for excesses. The city’s police have warned motorists not to be distracted by the vehicles on the road and not to take pictures while driving.

The supercar team is tasked with patrolling tourist spots around the area of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Police hope that the fleet will help in Dubai’s bid to secure the right to host Expo 2020.

Paris and New York have emerged as the most popular and sought-after travel destinations for 2013, according to the millions of reviews and opinions of globetrotters on travel site TripAdvisor.

In the fifth edition of TripAdvisor’s top 25 Travelers’ Choice World Destinations, the City of Light moved up three places to take the top spot this year, while New York maintained its second place standing.

Rounding out the top five most popular world destinations this year are London, Rome and Barcelona in a list occupied by the usual suspects.

The ranking is compiled based on the popularity of the destination, millions of reviews, opinions, favorites and the most highly ranked places among members within the online travel community.

The French capital emerged the leader out of 412 destinations across 38 markets across the globe.

Meanwhile, though Paris has traditionally been a popular travel destination for its promise of romance, glittering towers, wine and cheese, this year the city suffered a few blows to its reputation, starting in March when a group of 23 Chinese tourists were robbed of their passports, plane tickets and cash shortly after landing in Paris.

Most recently, what was supposed to be a public victory party for fans of the city’s soccer team, Paris Saint-Germain following their win of the French League turned into a full-scale riot near the tourist-heavy Eiffel Tower.

The biggest risers on TripAdvisor’s list include Prague and Cape Town, which both climbed seven spots, while Siem Reap, Cambodia plummeted 14 spots, and Marrakech likewise dropped a bruising 13 spots.

New entries for 2013 include Venice, Bangkok, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, and St. Petersburg, Russia.

Here’s how cities ranked around the world:

1. Paris

2. New York City

3. London

4. Rome

5. Barcelona

6. Venice

7. San Francisco

8. Florence

9. Prague

10. Sydney

11.  Berlin

12. Istanbul

13. Bangkok

14. Chicago

15. Tokyo

16. Cape Town

17. Rio de Janeiro

18. Buenos Aires

19. Marrakech

20. St. Petersburg

21. Beijing

22. Shanghai

23. Siem Reap

24. Chiang Mai

25. Queenstown, New Zealand

This iconic Cavalieri hotel in the Eternal City is celebrating its golden jubilee in a number of different ways.

One of which is the chance to discover this top address for only €50 a night…a deal which goes to the 50th person to book a room any given week.

Starting now and running into August, those who happen to be lucky enough to make a reservation at just the right time will pay just €50 for the night’s stay — even for a Deluxe Room or the Penthouse Suite with its rooftop terrace.

A photo exhibit on the history of the hotel will also be held to fête the big year. Another exhibit shows stills of movie scenes that were shot right there at the hotel on Monte Mario hill.

Also to mark the occasion, the award-winning hotel spa has come up with a special “wellness” package.

The Rome Cavalieri, which opened in 1963, is owned by the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts group. It is one of the most luxurious hotels in Rome, boasting an impressive art collection and a plentiful wine cellar with 53,000 bottles.

Rome’s only three-star restaurant is also right inside the hotel. Dinner at La Pergola costs between €125 and €183.