noreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Sun, 6 Oct 2024 21:51:41 -0700Blogger http://www.blogger.com1272125http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/en-usnonoreply@blogger.comhttp://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2023/06/loch-lomond-in-fog-and-rain.htmlBackroadsfogLoch LomondphotographyrainScotlandnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Fri, 30 Jun 2023 06:51:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-4641323043875984179Loch Lomond in fog and rain (c) 2023 by David Ourisman, all rights reservedIt was the morning of the last full day of our Backroads walking tour of Scotland. Instead of waking up to blue skies and puffy white clouds, the morning was grey and dreary. Fog shrouded the views, and a light rain was falling. But that's not necessarily a bad thing for a photographer. We dread clear blue skies, while fog0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2023/05/live-from-montreal-its-leonard-cohen.htmlCrescent StreetFour SeasonsLeonard CohenMontrealmuralnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Fri, 19 May 2023 17:17:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-7908802908807943704Leonard Cohen mural on Crescent Street (c) 2023 by David Ourisman, all rights reservedThe coolest thing about my room at the Four Seasons Montreal is the view from the window. It looks straight out across Crescent Street onto the Leonard Cohen mural. Cohen was the composer of "Hallelujah," a song made all the more genuine because it finds a way to praise to God in the light of life's 0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2023/05/downtown-new-york-sights.htmlbrooklyn bridgeDowntownFour SeasonsGreenwichNew YorkOculusRitz CarltonSouth Street Seaportnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Sun, 14 May 2023 11:04:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-2285789292399248935 the Oculus and Liberty Tower (c) 2023 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved Downtown Manhattan is distinctly different from uptown or midtown. During my previous stays in NYC, I've (mostly) stayed at hotels in midtown — the vicinity of 59th Street (Central Park South) — and the Upper East Side. These parts of 0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2023/05/fine-hotels-resorts-worth-695-year.htmlAmerican ExpressFHRFine Hotels & Resortsfull breakfastlate checkoutluxury hotelParisPreferred Partnerupgrade at bookingVIPVirtuosonoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Wed, 10 May 2023 09:02:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-8193204855142498177if you want more than a FHR continental breakfast...There may be good reasons to spend $695 a year for an American Express Platinum Card. In fact, I have one myself. It gets me into Centurion and Delta airport lounges, provides a monthly Uber credit (that I use for Uber Eats), and pays my Sirius XM and CLEAR membership fees.But what about booking hotels through FHR? You definitely have 0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2021/12/beverly-wilshire-dramatically-improved.htmlAmerican ExpressBeverly WilshireFour SeasonsPreferred Partner amenitiesrenovatedRodeo Driveupscale shoppingvalue added amenitiesVirtuosoWilshire Boulevardnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Sat, 25 Dec 2021 08:54:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-9153793677743838080"old" room product at the Beverly Wilshireabout-to-be unveiled renovated room productI have just spent two nights enjoying the hospitality of The Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel. The hotel has always occupied one of the most prestigious locations possible, at the intersection of Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard in the heart of Beverly Hills's most upscale shopping areas. We walked 0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2021/11/traveling-to-us-easy-covid-testing.htmlabbotCovid teste.mednovicePark Hyatttravel to USZurichnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Sun, 14 Nov 2021 07:36:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-1089027663837692195 I recently flew back to the US from Zurich. Before leaving for our trip, we ordered a two-test kit from e.med.com. I packed the two kits in my suitcase and downloaded the NAVICA app to our iPhones. When we were within 72 hours of our return home, we were tested from the convenience of our hotel room at Park Hyatt Zurich.Easy and convenient, there was no need to locate an approved pharmacy 0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2021/11/is-river-cruising-for-you.htmlall-inclusiveland tourMoselleRhineriver cruiseTaucktravel dreamsVikingnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Tue, 2 Nov 2021 13:51:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-7000055883312957228cruising in Cachem (c) 2021 by David Ourisman, all rights reservedWe've just returned from a river cruise on the Rhine and Moselle rivers. This being the first European river cruise we've ever taken, Claire and I have been reflecting on the experience. Here are my takeaways.1. Why we chose Tauck, not Viking... Everyone knows about Viking river cruises as they advertise 0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2021/10/biking-along-rhine.htmlBacharachbikingBoppardcastlescruiseRhineTaucknoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Fri, 22 Oct 2021 22:48:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-7944525226500345759on a bike during our bike rideI spent several hours yesterday afternoon with four fellow passengers from Tauck's ms Grace as we biked 27 km along the Rhine River from Boppard to Bacharach. That's about 17 miles. The late-October afternoon was quite chilly, and it got downright cold once the sun descended behind the western wall of the Rhine valley ... but it was good to get outside, 0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2021/08/fs-jackson-hole-grand-teton-national.htmlFour Seasonsfs Jackson HoleGrand TetonJenny Lakelongest vertical dropski-inski-outskierYellowstonenoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Mon, 2 Aug 2021 10:54:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-4166293563624190392early morning on Jenny Lake (c) 2021 by David Ourisman, all rights reservedIt was an intriguing opportunity — we were invited to enjoy a one-week stay at any Four Seasons at which I'd not previously stayed. Out of 125 total Four Seasons hotels and resorts around the world, we selected Jackson Hole for our one-week vacation last month. Our many compelling choices not yet visited included Four 0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2021/06/which-do-you-recommend-most.htmlAnguillaCaribbeanCheval BlancEden RocInstagramOurisman TravelSt Barthstravel advisorsnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Wed, 30 Jun 2021 14:22:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-4009802774258641970 Ourisman Travel had this exchange with a traveler named Dustin. Angela, a valued member of Team Ourisman, had posted photos on Instagram during her recent trip to St. Barths. Dustin had come across her gorgeous pictures of Cheval Blanc, Eden Roc, and other resorts on this very five star island, and that inspired him to ask a question: "Of all the St. Barths hotels you visited, which do0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2021/06/travel-advisors-save-you-time-and-money.htmlCapriDelta VacationsFlorenceMulti Cityopen jawRomeRound Tripsaving you time and moneytravel advisorVenicenoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Mon, 7 Jun 2021 13:48:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-2181462389711807765The trip was un fait accompli. The client had already booked her family's tickets, round-trip flights to Rome. She emailed a description of the itinerary she wanted to plan, the hotels where they wanted to stay, and the tours they wanted to take. But the email began with a logistical detail she wanted help with.We arrive FCO 7/7 at 10:35am. We would like to go straight to Venice (train-shortest 0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2021/06/virtuoso-life-adventure-issue.htmlAntartica cruiseBig FiveGeorge Vluxury travelpaths less takenRajasthanRitz Parissafaritented campThailandTofinoVirtuoso LifeVirtuoso travel advisornoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Tue, 1 Jun 2021 08:07:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-2188140196573486997 There are many different kinds of luxury, and adventure travel is one of them. We in the 21st century have the capacity to discover the wilds of nature, all in perfect comfort. While you will experience some trade-offs — even the most well equipped tent will never duplicate the elegance perfected by world-class hotels like the George V or Ritz Paris — you can enjoy privileged encounters of 0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2021/05/jetblue-mint-across-pond.html$100 hotel creditcomplimentary breakfast for twoEnglandfive starJetBluelie-flatLondonluxury hotelsMint classVirtuoso amenitiesworld's best hotelsnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Wed, 19 May 2021 06:39:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-1394548788298584985 Exciting news, thanks to my friend Ben at One Mile at a Time... JetBlue has announced its Mint service from JFK to London. One daily flight starts 12AUG to Heathrow, and a second daily flight starts 30AUG to Gatwick. Here's the outbound schedule to London:dep JFK at 9:48 p.m., arr. LHR at 10:10 a.m.dep JFK at 7:48 p.m., arr. LGW at 7:55 a.m.Here's the return flight back to New York:dep0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2021/04/vaccination-your-ticket-to-ride.htmlAmsterdamaward ticketsEuropeHawaiiHualalaiMauna LaniModernaPfizerTauck River CruiseThe Code Breakervaccinated touristsvaccinewanderlustwindstarnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Mon, 26 Apr 2021 07:16:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-4914980001857411732 Eiffel Tower at Dawn (c) 2021 by David Ourisman, all rights reservedE.U. Set to Let Vaccinated U.S. Tourists Visit This Summer          .It's been way too long. I was last in Europe in the autumn of 2019 when we took a Baltic cruise on Windstar, a luxury small ship cruise line that can get into smaller ports that cannot accommodate the large ships. We loved the0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2021/04/furniture-shopping-in-charlotte-north.htmlAmish Oak and CherryBallantyneCharlottefurnitureHickory Furniture MartLuxury Collectionnorth CarolinaSTARStravel advisornoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Fri, 23 Apr 2021 15:02:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-9063240814943398770 Hickory Furniture MartWe are spending the weekend at The Ballantyne Hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina. A member of the Luxury Collection, guests can receive STARS amenities by booking through a travel advisor affiliated with a STARS agency. This gets you daily breakfast for two and a $100 resort credit, all for the same "regular" rate you can book online. We have been upgraded into a 0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2021/03/pro-tip-dont-laminate-your-vaccination.htmlbooster shotCOVID-19reopening the worldticket to goticket to travelvaccination card laminatenoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Tue, 30 Mar 2021 10:47:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-9021704806986785449  use a name badge holder to keep your vaccination card safeI just heard this pro tip today and wanted to pass it along. I had been planning to get my Vaccination Card laminated ... but I just got the news that some airlines and cruise companies won't accept vaccine cards that have been laminated.Another reason not to laminate ... if and when we get booster shots, there's no way 0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2021/03/aman-new-york-suite-reveal.html5th Avenueaman new yorkAmanjunkie.Central ParkFifth AvenueManhattannoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Thu, 18 Mar 2021 10:42:00 -0700tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-4416378557223070217 Aman New York suites revealedAman New York, located at the corner of 5th Avenue and W. 57th Street in the Crown Building (originally built in 1921, one hundred years ago). With an enviable location in midtown Manhattan, the hotel is just two blocks from Central Park and Fifth Avenue shopping. While the exact opening date is yet unknown, I've just gotten a first glimpse of the hotel's 0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2021/02/travel-advisors-saving-time-money-and.htmlChez JanouEuropeEurostarLondonopen-jawParisRelais ChristineViking River Cruisesnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Tue, 23 Feb 2021 13:53:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-7413004254563461495Place de la Concorde, Paris (c) 2021 by David Ourisman, all rights reservedIt wasn't the primary purpose of our meeting. I was in my banker's office taking care of business with our checking account. As soon as our business was concluded, my banker wanted to talk about travel. He spoke of the Viking river cruises he had enjoyed with his wife and how much he loved traveling to Europe. He shared 0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2021/02/avoid-this-388-mistake.html$100 resort creditCancuncomplimentary buffet breakfastfreezingocean viewpamperedRitz Carltonsandy beachesSTARSTexaswarmnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Fri, 19 Feb 2021 11:20:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-9042115259549238983Ritz-Carlton Cancun has been in the news in the last couple of days due to the stay of a prominent family from Texas. The family has frequently enjoyed this resort and chose this week to escape the freezing temperatures back home and enjoy the warm, sandy beaches of Cancun. I honestly have to sympathize with the Dad who had to cut short his time in the sun due to work obligations back home .0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2021/02/why-you-should-plan-that-trip-to-europe.html$100 hotel creditsAmsterdamBaselCovidcruisesEuropefree breakfastshotelRhine and MoselleSaver AwardsTauck River CruisetoursvaccineVirtuoso amenitiesnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Wed, 3 Feb 2021 10:02:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-8637382477765176904 itinerary of Tauck's river cruise The Rhine and MoselleNow is the time to plan your next trip to Europe. Though most of Europe is currently closed to travelers from the USA, just as the US is currently closed to travelers from the EU, that's going to change. Here's why you should make your plans now.COVID vaccines. I received my first Pfizer shot earlier this week, with an appointment set http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2021/01/an-amazing-video-of-safari-encounter.htmlelephantsafarinoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Thu, 28 Jan 2021 16:21:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-2000460768418763121 No words are necessary, this video tells the story so beautifully in just three minutes. Alice Mantaine, a guide at Angama, came upon a herd of elephants during an afternoon game drive with guests. Watch to see what happens next.Click here to sign up for the Ourisman Travel Newsletter.copyright (c) 2021 by Ourisman Travel LLC.  All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other 0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2021/01/covid-19-tests-for-travel-easy-and.htmlCovid testCVSHawaiiTurks and Caicosnoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Thu, 7 Jan 2021 07:18:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-6994296902821892738Many vacation destinations require visitors to submit a negative Covid-19 test before traveling to their destination. Hawaii requires a negative test taken within three days of arrival. Turks & Caicos (where Claire and I will be traveling this Sunday) requires a negative test taken within five days of arrival.How can you get this done and what's the process like? Here's our own 0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2020/12/a-beautiful-resort-outside-santa-fe.htmlAuberge de Sedonabeverly hills hotelDale Ball trailFour Seasonsrancho encantadoSanta Fenoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Mon, 21 Dec 2020 06:40:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-5887318588725357182sunset at Four Seasons Santa Fe (c) 2020 by David Ourisman, all rights reservedWe had planned to spend two evenings at Four Seasons Rancho Encantado in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I'm resuming Travel Horizons after a hiatus of about three weeks. As most of my readers will know, we have just moved cross country from Berkeley, CA to Asheville, NC. As it would take a couple of weeks for our furniture to 0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2020/11/hiking-in-sedona.htmlautumn leavesBrins Mesa trailCibola PasshikingL'Auberge de Sedonared rockSedonanoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Sun, 29 Nov 2020 13:57:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-9075149455470490433animal face in the rock (c) 2020 by David Ourisman, all rights reservedSedona is all about taking hikes in the national forest and viewing spectacular rock formations. Our hike this morning began at the Brins Mesa Trailhead parking lot, less than a 2 miles from downtown Sedona. Our route took us up the Brins Mesa Trail where we turned onto Soldiers Pass trail. This eventually linked with the0http://travelhorizons.ourismantravel.com/2020/11/complimentary-breakfasts-at-luxury.htmlbeverly hills hotelbreakfast for freecomplimentary breakfastDiamond ClubVirtuoso amenitiesVirtuoso rateVirtuoso travel advisornoreply@blogger.com (David Ourisman)Fri, 27 Nov 2020 09:37:00 -0800tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35509924.post-7326009199080391182Breakfast prices can sometimes seem frightening when staying at luxury hotels. Pictured above is a page from the room service menu at one of my very favorite hotels, the Beverly Hills Hotel. Many guests would want to order the American breakfast — for instance, two eggs with sausage, toast and a pastry, a fruit plate, a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, and a Cappuccino. The price is $