(Gravetye Manor, UK)

Are you craving some extra attention? Want to be pampered and waited on? Or perhaps you're looking for a special place to go for that special occasion - a proposal, a honeymoon, a celebration? In the next few days F&T will share some of our favourite places in the whole world.

Here they are, in no particular order.

A busby-topped bagpiper, clad in full tartan, fills Edinburgh's cavernous Waverley station with Scotland's unique soundtrack. He's piping us aboard the Royal Scotsman. It's just the first 'ooh-aah' experience of a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

The Royal Scotsman looks as if it should be heritage-listed. But, no. Around twenty years ago ten Pullman carriages were totally transformed - each cabin given its own private facilities, electric heating installed throughout, and the Observation and Dining Cars decorated in a retro-glamour style - think, wood panelling, lace antimacassars, etched mirrors, candelabra.

That night we have one of the two formal dinners on our four-night Classic tour of the highlands. The long table in the dining car has been set for a banquet and fine china and dozens of glasses sparkle in the lamplight. Men wear tuxes or kilts and the ladies know that diamonds and pearls and evening dresses are definitely not overkill in this environment.

Meals match the luxury of the train, the menu paced more to the expectations of the much-travelled than those to the manor born. They feature the best of Scottish fare prepared to award-winning standards. We learn to enjoy Arbroath smokies (smoked haddock, a local fish) and, of course, Scotland's answer to andouillettes, haggis.

This Orient Express train carries just 32 passengers and the team of highly trained staff could grace any five-star hotel in the world The bar on board stocks 32 whiskies and almost every liquor known, and dispenses espresso coffees. Service is discreet, charming, and anticipates every need.

That's what wins people, really. It's royal treatment, all the way. More details ....

(view from Gaia Retreat & Spa, northern NSW)

As far as hotel accommodation goes, there are hundreds (thousands, really) of hotels which provide wonderful service, soft beds, fluffy towels and security - but for most travellers only a few stand out as exceptional.

At Lake House in Victoria's spa region, it's the little things that set it apart. It has all the big things of course: a spa, including a private treetop room, one of the state's top restaurants and five-star service and comfort, but F&T's suspicion is that it's the little things that set it apart and has people voting for it - enough to make it one of Australia's most highly awarded properties. We like the reed-fringed lake, the ducks, the kookaburra that comes each afternoon to join in the (complimentary) afternoon tea.

It's the personal touch on the breakfast buffet - one of the best we know - where the name of the man who collects the honey is propped beside the jar. We've been lucky enough to have stayed here before and what guests especially appreciate is how Lake House makes them feel they are coming home.

Lake House, Daylesford, Victoria, +61 3 5348 3329.