http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/Travel Horizons is a blog about the wide world of travel. It is sponsored by David Ourisman, CTA, an independent travel associate of Brownell Travel, a Virtuoso agency.ennoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:27:23 PDTBlogger http://www.blogger.com248125noreply@blogger.comnoTravel Horizons is a blog about the wide world of travel. It is sponsored by David Ourisman, CTA, an independent travel associate of Brownell Travel, a Virtuoso agency.TravelHorizonshttp://feedburner.google.comhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/qDj2A445a6w/does-architecture-shape-culture.htmlSagrada FamiliaCapilla MayorSpanish InqisitionGaudiculturecathedral in Toledoarchitecturenoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:27:23 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-7465692032983135288The cathedral in Toledo is an amazing example of Gothic architecture. One of the major features of the cathedral is the huge altarpiece at the back of the chancel (the Capilla Mayor). Created of gilded and painted wood, the stunning detail of the carvings depict scenes from the gospels. But standing in front of this sight several weeks ago, I was struck by something else.Notice the iron gate in 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/10/does-architecture-shape-culture.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/kxj5UK7O5_w/10-days-in-spain-itinerary.htmlCordobaToledoBarcelonaMadridFigueresEscorialSegoviaGeronaGranada10 day itinerary for SpainSpainSevillenoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:38:53 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-1130624057964297425So you're going to Spain? Here's a 10 day itinerary for Spain. Designed by an outstanding destination management company based in Madrid, you are welcome to use this itinerary as the basis of your own vacation. Or, for a totally customized tour put together for you with transfers, hotels, trains, guided sightseeing — even restaurant recommendations — drop me an email...Day one — Madrid. Take a 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/10/10-days-in-spain-itinerary.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/9KdUUU1HYYc/dali-museum-figueres-spain.htmlBarcelonaartsurrealistFigueresDaliDali museumMae Westnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:32:36 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-4569047793510826555An hour north of Barcelona is the village of Figueres, Spain. We spent an afternoon there during our trip to Spain (after spending the morning in Gerona). Pictured above is the home of surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, right next door to the Dalí Theatre-Museum.Built in the former Figueres Theatre, the town asked Dalí to design a museum commemorating his own work. The museum itself has been 1http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/10/dali-museum-figueres-spain.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/zcF4Bje4SA4/two-local-restaurants-in-barcelona.htmlCan RavellBarcelonarestaurantMas BacusHotel Artsnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:53:46 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-5489340153310714393When visiting a new destination, I look for smaller, lesser-known restaurants that cater to the local population. "Tourist restaurants" are likely to be higher priced with ordinary food. I always ask for recommendations for dinner spots that only the locals know about, restaurants that stay in business because they serve good, authentic food at reasonable prices.Sometimes a hotel concierge can 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/10/two-local-restaurants-in-barcelona.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/D3Jy_RjK6Ko/europa-deco-great-tasting-menu.htmlMadridEuropa Decotasting menuHotel Urbannoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:42:28 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-8504879933843743457Europa Deco is a contemporary, upscale restaurant located in Hotel Urban in Madrid. During our stay in the city, we were invited to sample the chef's special 8-course tasting menu. In a word, the meal was a real WOW.Several bits of advice.(1) Come hungry!(2) Resist the bread. It's soooooo good, but need I explain?(3) You don't have to eat all of every course — which is hard to do because 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/10/europa-deco-great-tasting-menu.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/71V-N6RUnRE/se-habla-espanol.htmlse habla españolSpanishSpainEnglishnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:50:05 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-1345242883021780276Something to be aware of when visiting Spain ... unlike most of the countries I have visited, a large percentage of the population here does not speak any English. I have encountered this repeatedly with waiters at restaurants and with housekeeping staff in hotels. Example... we ate at a restaurant whose "menu of the day" included a choice of meat or fish. "What kind of meat? What kind of fish?"0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/10/se-habla-espanol.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/aaKO9HYvz14/rain-in-spain.htmlMadridPlaza Mayorrain in SpainBotinnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:55:30 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-6655949481856665764Though the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain, it does occasionally rain in Madrid. Such was the case this evening when a front moved through the city, sprinkling us with light showers. Nothing heavy — we walked all the way back from dinner without an umbrella, stopping to snap this picture in Plaza Mayor. You can see the hint of showers against the black field of the sky, but I found the 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/10/rain-in-spain.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/XYHtX-oRA94/gulbenkian-museum-lisbon-must-see.htmlLisbonLouvreBritish MuseumGulbenkian MuseumPortugalCalouste Gulbenkiannoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Sun, 04 Oct 2009 10:32:26 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-7595518943550847229On the advice of one of my clients, we visited the Gulbenkian Museum today during our tour of Lisbon. Clearly one of the most outstanding museums I have ever visited, I cannot recommend this highly enough.Calouste Gulbenkian made his fortune in the petroleum industry, playing a critical role in forming some of the world's most prominent oil companies. Retaining a 5% interest in the companies he 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/10/gulbenkian-museum-lisbon-must-see.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/3beqacoUxhk/good-neighborhood-restaurant-in-lisbon.htmlLisbonRitz Four Seasonsneighborhood restaurant Lisbonnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:01:30 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-2936377319051431324When I first arrive in a city after traveling for 20 hours — through 8 time zones — the last thing I want is haute cuisine. Tired, jet-lagged, and hungry, all I want is to walk into the neighborhood around my hotel and find a neighborhood restaurant with good, typical food that the locals eat.If you're staying in Lisbon, I highly recommend O Relicário. Literally around the corner from the Ritz 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/10/good-neighborhood-restaurant-in-lisbon.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/iMpCzB1gzNU/hot-showers-in-heathrow-terminal-3.htmlhot showersTerrace LoungeHeathrowBritish AirwaysTerminal 3noreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:56:50 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-8912589019409602260It is a wonderful luxury to get off a long flight and take a hot shower. That's one of the perks of flying in Club World on British Airways — beyond the completely horizontal sleeper seats that enabled me to get five good hours of sleep last night. And I was looking forward to the treat of enjoying a hot shower after 10 hours on a plane from SFO to London.As our connecting flight to Lisbon 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/10/hot-showers-in-heathrow-terminal-3.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/RxzwGw8_5dY/portugal-and-spain-october-trip.htmlVirtuosoon-siteluxuryPortugalSpainnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:17:07 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-3425437046002953710I have never been to Spain or Portugal, and I am very much looking forward to my upcoming trip this October. An official francophile, I've been countless times to France, even to the Basque region in the southwest of the country, just a skip over the Pyrenees to Spain, but this is my chance to visit the Iberian Peninsula.I'll be posting trip reports, complete with photographs, on Travel Horizons,0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/09/portugal-and-spain-october-trip.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/-mDmqJs33pw/exceptional-offers-from-silversea.htmlSilversea cruisesnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:03:57 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-8049376161470411738Up to 50% off on Silversea cruisesplus a $1,000 Onboard Spending CreditIf you are still considering a last-minute escape in 2009, Silversea has limited availability on a selection of exotic itineraries. Silversea is a renowned luxury cruise line, and its all-inclusive fares make Silversea an exceptional luxury value.Every cabin is an ocean-view suite — most with private verandas — and you won't 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/09/exceptional-offers-from-silversea.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/5Ke1veSrGNw/how-to-get-better-hotel-service-one.htmlETAFour Seasons George Vhotel serviceluxury hotelstravel consultantgreat servicefive star servicenoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:06:53 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-6164154003808660693The most frequently asked question from Sales Managers of luxury hotels is simply this: do you know what time your client will arrive?Look at it from the hotel's point-of-view. They want to provide you with great service. When you check in at the front desk, they want to be able to tell you that your room is ready. However, guests check in and check out at all hours of the day. Upon check-out, a 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-get-better-hotel-service-one.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/O04T4VBOoxk/latelier-de-joel-robuchon-las-vegas.htmlJoel RobuchonL'Atelier de Joel RobuchonLas VegasMGM Grandnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:25:28 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-645215378921629333MGM Grand in Las Vegas offers some incredible restaurants. I had the opportunity to dine at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon during a recent stay in Las Vegas. We were seated in the center of the counter, the seating location of choice in this restaurant as it provides a clear view of the kitchen. It was quite interesting to watch the chefs at work and the final preparation of plates before they were 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/09/latelier-de-joel-robuchon-las-vegas.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/AJNS4YNc-3k/646-roundtrip-to-tahiti-book-by-924.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:43:05 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-6715202257328677461Air Tahiti Nui has announced a 2010 "Early Bird" special promotional fare from Las Angeles to Papeete. Round-trip economy fare is just $648 plus tax for travel Jan. 11 - June 11, 2010. The window for booking this special fare is short, through September 24, 2009, and the fare is available through Virtuoso Air.This would be an ideal time to book that trip to Bora Bora. One of the most romantic 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/09/646-roundtrip-to-tahiti-book-by-924.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/qyjQOUbMCv8/how-much-to-tip.htmltippingFrancehow much to tiptipsNew Zealandnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:25:31 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-6037797301109781952It's a perennial question when we travel - how much to tip? Americans are pretty accustomed to leaving a tip, but practices in other countries are often different. Restaurants in France, for instance, will state service compris (service included) on the menu or on l'addition (the bill). What does this mean? Is the waiter's tip always included? Answer: by law, a 15% gratuity is always included in 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-much-to-tip.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/qotR9R7WNh4/park-hyatt-shanghai.htmlPark Hyatt Shanghailuxury travel consultantluxurytravel consultantcomplimentary breakfastVirtuoso luxury travel consultantaffordablenoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:27:06 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-101422095763817589Located high atop the Shanghai World Financial Center (the building with the opening at the top, pictured above), the Park Hyatt Shanghai is the highest hotel in the world. With just 174 guestrooms, the Park Hyatt is a boutique hotel that prides itself on the highly personalized service it offers through its team of personal butlers and chefs. Rooms are large (starting at 592 square feet) and 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/08/park-hyatt-shanghai.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/ev6Vbx0wFQc/romance-in-south-pacific.htmlromance in the south pacificSouth PacificFijiromanceluxury travel consultantBora BoraAsiatravel consultantAustralianoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:38:41 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-5553405967809170893Discover your dream vacation in the South Pacific for a surprisingly affordable price. Vacation packages are available at all price points, beginning at under $1,000 per person. Of course, luxury packages are also available at some the most beautiful 5-star resorts you'll ever experience.Click here for the entire resource page for Romance in the South Pacific. Islands in the Sun specializes in 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/08/romance-in-south-pacific.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/dtjHsyYOujA/hotel-de-crillon-paris-outstanding.htmlbest pricesvaluable extrasluxury travel consultanttravel consultantfree amenitiesvaluessaveVirtuoso travel advisorVirtuoso luxury travel consultanthotel de crillonnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:32:12 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-3013768143350951606The best values at Hotel de Crillon, Paris, are not on the internet. Well, the best prices may be ... but what if I told you that for the same Best Available Rate (BAR) that you can find on the hotel's own website, a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant can get you free amenities.daily American Breakfasta gift of Baccarat crystalupgrade at time of check-in upon availabilityfree WIFI internet 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/08/hotel-de-crillon-paris-outstanding.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/NZ-HAmaZT7Q/planning-your-trip-of-lifetime.htmlVirtuoso travel consultanttrip of a lifetimeluxury travel consultanttravel consultantBrownellConde Nast recommendedtravel advisornoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Sat, 22 Aug 2009 10:41:57 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-6317551419250610475Travel is about experiencing the world in all its wonderful diversity, immersing yourself in different cultures, encountering wildlife in its natural habitat, and realizing lifelong dreams. And while you can certainly use the extraordinary resources of the internet to plan and book your own trip of a lifetime, employing the services of an experienced travel advisor can often be the best possible 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/08/planning-your-trip-of-lifetime.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/MFoy9iYOqeM/virtuoso-travel-mart-2009.htmlTravel MartVirtuoso travel consultantluxury valuesluxury travel consultantluxury hotelsroom upgradefree daily breakfastnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:10:10 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-747739721868300697Why would thousands of luxury travel consultants travel to Las Vegas in the middle of August? Why take part in a week of meetings, formal and informal, with reps from hundreds of luxury hotels and cruise lines? Why deal with the exhaustion and overload from four consecutive days spent filled with six hours daily of four-minute appointments (a.k.a. speed dates) with supplier representatives?It's 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/08/virtuoso-travel-mart-2009.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/e5lAYHVHGig/florence-italy-duomo.htmlFlorencefrescoFirenzeMediciBrunelleschi's DomearchitectureRenaissancenoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:31:52 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-3902177002014393257Florence is one of the most fascinating cities in the world, especially for those who appreciate the art of the Renaissance. The Medici family were wealthy merchants and bankers who achieved political and ecclesiastical power. As patrons of the arts, their contributions to the history of Western art are incalculable. Perhaps the most dramatic evidence of their legacy is the Duomo, Florence's 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/08/florence-italy-duomo.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/F2K9LZ8WkgA/why-use-travel-consultant.htmlVirtuoso amenitiesMandarin OrientalVirtuosoupscale travelinternet bookingtravel consultantfive star hotelnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:40:00 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-4479944231701756827"Why use a travel consultant," many people wonder. In this age of internet booking, aren't all the best deals online? If you are an upscale traveler, used to staying in five star hotels, you might be surprised at the value a travel consultant can provide.A client emailed me last evening from National Airport in Washington, DC. He had been stuck at DCA for five hours, three of which were spent on 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/07/why-use-travel-consultant.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/EwOYHJ9ZrxE/bangkok-duty-free-scam-followup.htmlzig zag scamduty freeBangkoknoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:29:29 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-6768432902371962140King Power Duty Free responded to my recent blog about the duty free zig zag scam reported by the BBC at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport. A representative of KPD, the operator of the duty free stores at BKK, provided a copy of the press release issued in response to the BBC article. The company, according to the press release, "has examined the facts related to the incident and states clearly that0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/07/bangkok-duty-free-scam-followup.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TravelHorizons/~3/uZUgSj7U4R0/duty-free-scam-at-bangkok-airport.htmlzig zag scamduty freeBangkoknoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:57:58 PDTtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-9198926980409226014I was alerted to this story by one of the blogs I follow regularly, Upgrade Travel Better. BBC News has reported a scam victimizing unsuspecting travelers departing from Bangkok's international airport.The scam involves unwitting travelers who browse the duty free shop. A number of travelers are allegedly being detained each month, charged with shoplifting, and held until they agree to pay a 0http://travelhorizons.blogspot.com/2009/07/duty-free-scam-at-bangkok-airport.htmlnonadult