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 For the fourth consecutive year, Steele Luxury Travel has once again been selected as the exclusive North American tour operator in providing access to the Life Ball, Europe's, and quite possibly, the world's most extravagant HIV and AIDS benefit held annually in Vienna, Austria.
In our fourth year of operating the exclusive Life Ball Travel Experience, this event is aimed at celebrating the beauty of life and the diversity of world cultures, Life Ball reinvents the great Viennese Ball tradition with glamorous, outlandish performances and inspirational speeches. It attracts huge interest in the media and is broadcast live on Austrian National TV prime time, with delayed airing in Germany. To date the Life Ball has raised over €15 million. It is the only AIDS charity event to take place in a government building. In 2010, the event raised € 1.5 million in one single night.
In 2009, former US President Bill Clinton, actress Whoopi Goldberg, and model/actress Elizabeth Hurley were guests of honor at the Life Ball. Fashion icons Kenneth Cole, Diane von Furstenberg and Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein and lead the 2010 Life Ball Fashion show in Vienna! Diane Von Furstenberg brought The Radio City Rockettes To Vienna's Life Ball!
 
Steele Travelers will be treated to a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience when joining the Life Ball Experience. Steele Travel recommends  Austrian Airlines for flights to Vienna.
Austrian hospitality awaits you: let your gourmet journey begin onboard Austrian Airlines Business Class. A flying chef on board will put the finishing touches to our culinary specialities from the house of DO & CO. Enjoy the highlights from our board kitchen. Our on board sommelier will carefully select the wine to your dishes. Then you select of 11 typical Austrian coffee specialities, prepared with coffee blends from our partner Meinl coffee. White bedlinen, a soft fluffy pillow and a warm blanket – almost like sleeping in your bed. Your sleeper seat is 2 metres long, with up to 150 cm of legroom between seats. Make yourself at home. And for extra comfort on night flights we also provide a "bed turn-down" service – on request, our flight attendants will cover your blanket and pillow with crisp white bedlinen. Sleep tight! 12 music and up to 12 movie channels are awaiting you (on B777 flights), viewed on your own personal screen with Dolby Surround sound.
Once in Vienna, Steele Travelers are welcomed and whisked off to the Ring Hotel, Vienna's "Casual Luxury Boutique Hotel". Participants also have the option to extend their stay in Europe. Vienna's city hall is transformed into a setting of AIR, Life Ball's theme for 2011. The audience can expect a vast number of opulent surprises - a grand part of the opening ceremony production of the coming Life Ball will happen on, by and in water. This way the show in front of Vienna's City Hall strongly emphasizes the elemental force of water and its central value for life itself. The opening's grand finale is a glittering fashion show - so far Donatella Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood, Roberto Cavalli, Gianfranco Ferre, Missoni, Moschino, Agent Provocateur, D SQUARED, Kenneth Cole, Diane von Furstenberg, Calvin Klein, the Blonds for Patricia Field among others have presented their creations at the Life Ball.
Two very unique dining experiences are part of the Life Ball experience as well. An exclusive tour of the Demel confectionary house and a grand post-Life Ball Sunday brunch await you. Roundtrip airport transfers are also provided for Steele Travelers on the Austrian Airlines group flight.
The rare and hard-to-obtain Life Ball tickets are included with each package purchase.
The Life Ball is organized by AIDS LIFE, an independent non-profit organization, created with the objective to raise money to support people in areas of the world most affected by HIV and AIDS. In 2010, a result of 1.8 million US-Dollars was raised. In 2007 an additional 1 million US-Dollars was generated at the Dinner Gala with Bill Clinton the night beforeLife Ball 2007. Half of the raised funds go to national relief projects and half go to international organizations in support of HIV/AIDS treatment, research and prevention.
Click here to review the Life Ball General Terms.
Click here to review the Life Ball House Rules.
Immediately following our Life Ball 2012 Experience, Steele Travelers will be whisked off to Prague, the gorgeous capital of the Czech Republic. Once in Prague, Steele Travelers will be treated to 3 wonderful days in the fairy tale city. We will take you on a relaxing city tour along with some fine Czech dining experiences. We will spend two nights at the luxurious 5-star Roccoforte Augustine Prague. Conveniently located in the picturesque heart of Prague, Augustine Hotel Prague, the quintessence of Prague's history, character and beauty is close to the majestic Prague Castle, the Wallenstein Garden, the famous Charles Bridge and within easy reach ofthe city's many colorful tourist attractions, making it an ideal choice for business and leisure travelers. The 101-bedroom property including 16 suites has been created from seven buildings, many of which have historical significance, including the 13th century Augustinian St. Thomas Monastery, after which the hotel is named. Following Prague, Steele Travel can assist in arranging further travel extensions, or guests can return home.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
• Steele Travel Flight to Vienna, if your departure place is out of Europe. Steele Travel for Life Ball Flights recommends Austrian Airlines
Thursday, May 17, 2012
• Morning: Arrival into Vienna, Austria
• Transfer provided to the The Ring Hotel
• 3:00 pm: Viennese coffee and pastry tasting at Demel, one of Vienna's most classic confectionary houses
• 7:30 pm: Welcome dinner at Do & Co's Albertina Restaurant at the Albertina Museum
Friday, May 18, 2012
• 11:00 am: Vienna bike city tour
• 8:00 pm: Departure from hotel to Motto for dinner
• 11:00 pm: Motto Bar and Vienna Nightlife Tour
Saturday, May 19, 2012
• Free Day
• 4:00 pm: Life Ball preparations begin
• 8:00 pm: Life Ball 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
• 4:00 pm: Post Life Ball brunch party at Halle.
Monday, May 21, 2012 - Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Jaunt to Prague
• 3 days in Prague and 2 splendid nights at the 5 star luxury hotel and spa, Roccoforte Augustine Hotel Prague.
The Ring, Vienna's Casual Luxury Hotel, the most fashionable design hotel in Vienna! This new casual luxury hotel offers its guests exceptional comfort and casual luxury in every detail. That means we welcome diverse and distinguished, international guests through our doors. From the busy, mobile business travellers to the trendy-hunting creatives, 'weekend-breakers' as well as those that are looking for something special – The Ring, Vienna's Casual Luxury Hotel takes care of them all.
Step up to our state-of-the-art reception desk and let our 2 elevators whisk you to your o-so-stylish-rooms and suites. Business travellers will find WIFI-connections available in all areas of this hip Viennese hotel. City globetrotters will feel celebrated with our full host of not-so-standard facilities and services.
The 68 luxury guest rooms and elegant suites are more than outstanding. The bar with the unusual name "Drings" is chic yet inviting. The restaurant called "at eight", sensational. The service not stuffy but personal. Exactly, Casual Luxury!
With the world class culture, art, shopping and financial districts on its doorsteps, this address is one of the most prestigious in Vienna. Our guests will enjoy wonderful views on the famous 'Ringstrasse' as well as the Vienna State Opera.
The guestrooms and suites at The Ring, Vienna's Casual Luxury Hotel are atmospheric spaces. They feature an inspiring mix of contemporary and classical furniture complemented by an innovative light concept.
With a warm brown, a cosy cream, a refreshing pistachio and a fervid red the colour concept 'cafe au lait' turns the overall interior into a sensual, cosy, feeling-well place. The bathrooms are sumptuous, yet modern styled, with amenities from Molton Brown. Many of the room categories do offer a unique view on the famous Viennese Ringstrasse.
Conveniently located in the picturesque heart of Prague, the Augustine Hotel Prague, the quintessence of Prague's history, character and beauty is close to the majestic Prague Castle, the Wallenstein Garden, the famous Charles Bridge and within easy reach of the city's many colourful tourist attractions, making it an ideal choice for business and leisure travellers. The design of the interiors was accomplished by the London-based design company RDD, together with Olga Polizzi, Rocco Forte Hotels' Director of Design. The hotel is also in close proximity to Prague's commercial district and Prague's Ruzyne International Airport is a 30-minute drive away.
The 101-bedroom property including 16 suites has been created from seven buildings, many of which have historical significance, including the 13th century Augustinian St. Thomas Monastery, after which the hotel is named. Several practicing friars still live in a separate part of the monastery, adjacent to the hotel grounds. The guests may benefit from the direct access to the neighboring St. Thomas Church and exclusive rental of adjacent gardens for the ultimate summer events and wedding receptions. 
The hotel's elegantly designed bedrooms all boast stunning views over the courtyards, the monastery chapel or Prague Castle. The suites include an impressive 150sqm The Charles Suite and The Tower Suite, located in the monastery's astronomical tower. All rooms feature a range of decorative accessories inspired by early 20th century Czech cubism, many of which are reproductions from Czech design specialist Modernista, including timber chairs by Pavel Janak and chaise-lounges by Adolf Loos in some of the larger rooms.
The Monastery Restaurant has 90 covers and overlooks a large courtyard with outside seating during the summer months. Guests have the choice of two bars; Tom's Bar, located in the monastery's former barrel-vaulted double-height refectory and the Brewery Bar, housed in the cellar, in the former Monastery brewery building, complete with seventeenth century stalactites and stalagmites. The Brewery Bar has cubist inspired Vlastislav Hofman-designed chairs which are complemented by the angular bar.
For relaxation, the hotel's spa features four treatment rooms, a hammam offering special heat treatments, sauna, steam room, relaxation area and an 80sqm fully-equipped gym.
Guests are also able to enjoy exclusive tours of the Church's magnificent private library which are only available to guests who are staying at the Augustine Hotel Prague.
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