Travel

By Caroline Tell

EXHIBIT

Museum Makeover

AFTER A $46 MILLION face-lift of its historic building and permanent collection, Paris' beloved Musee des Arts Decoratifs will reopen its doors Sept. 15. The museum, which encompasses the northwest wing of the Louvre and has been a Parisian institution since 1905, has been closed for 10 years. The restored and redesigned galleries reflect a new approach to presentation. The permanent collection, with pieces ranging from furniture by Baroque master Andre-Charles Boulle to contemporary designs by Philippe Starck and Marc Newson, will be displayed chronologically and by artist or workshop, allowing visitors to understand the historical and cultural contexts from which the works are derived. The sweeping collection includes 150,000 pieces of furniture, porcelain, glass, textiles, toys and jewels dating from the Middle Ages to the present. In celebration of its grand reopening, the museum will display highlights from the permanent collection during its debut month. Temporary exhibits will begin Oct. 25. Also on view will be the museum's 10 period rooms, with interiors that date from 1480 to 1925, and two study galleries, in which exhibits are reinstalled annually.

NOTEWORTHY

A Bijou of a Hotel

FOR THOSE WHO LIKE their hotels jewel-like--small and special--Bali's sparkling new Bulgari Resort will be a must-see when it opens in October. Set on a 500-ft.-high plateau overlooking the Indian Ocean, each of the 59 villas will include an open-air pavilion and a plunge pool. If pampering is on the itinerary, then the real gem comes in the shape of the oceanfront spa, where guests pass through the entrance, an antique joglo house from the island of Java, into a bastion of tranquillity with swimming pool, yoga pavilion and hot and cold plunge pools. Rates at the Bulgari will start at $1,100 a night.

GEAR

Trusty luggage maker Tumi has created a limited-edition field bag, right, to benefit the international charity Doctors Without Borders. Inspired by the needs of humanitarians who work in difficult environments around the world, the backpack features a solar panel for charging phones and PDAs, as well as an electric adapter, a laptop sleeve and temperature-controlled compartments.

UeBER-PREMIUM

Mile-High Versace Style

THE FRIENDLY SKIES are now also fabulous thanks to Versace's partnership with the TAG Group to design and manufacture the interiors of private jets. Top clients will work with Versace designers to personalize their aircraft, using pieces from the brand's home line that have been adapted to follow standard aviation-interior guidelines. The Italian design house will be responsible for all content and decor, while the TAG group, which has 30 years of experience in preparation and management of large private jets, will guarantee the logistical and technological aspects of the partnership.