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How to Check TSA Line Wait Time Before Leaving For the Airport

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 22:21:00 +0000

With the government temporarily shut down, many travelers are wondering how this is affecting TSA lines at the airport. After all, CNN reports that nearly 800,000 government workers may be affected by this shut down and that includes some TSA employees. So should you worry that the airport you’re traveling out of will incur a long wait? Have no fear, Travel Exchange is here to help guide you in how to check TSA lines before you even leave home.

TSA line wait times can be unpredictable even on a good day and yes there’s an app for that:The Transportation Security Agency (TSA) provides an app on wait times at airports. Simply download the TSA app from the app store on your mobile device. Enter the airport you’re interested in checking out and you’ll be able to figure out when to leave for the airport so that you make your flight.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also has an app that you can download to check wait times for border crossings.
Some airports also have their own security wait times on their website. Simply check their official website at least 4 hours before you leave home since airlines recommend a 2 hour check in time on a good day anyway.

The apps aren’t error proof, of course, but they will give you a close enough estimate of how much time you should allow yourself to get through security before your flight or drive to your destination.

If you haven’t booked your travel yet and still considering the best possible times of day to travel, you can also use the apps. For example, the “Plan for your Trip” feature gives you the ability to click the time and date you’re planning to travel and it will show you a graph with a breakdown of average wait times throughout that day of the week. It is pretty handy to have.

Even if the TSA security lines are longer than normal, there are ways around them. For example, have you ever heard of CLEAR? It’s a third-party membership that you buy into which allows you to move to the front of the line. The program is $79 annually. There’s another way too. You can purchase PreCheck for $85 and that gives you a five-year membership. This program not only gets you to the front of the line but you can also keep more items, like liquids, inside your bag. Both can be huge time-savers.

After reading this article, you’re still wondering if the USA government shut down will affect your travel plans then please give us a call. We are here to help you have a great time on your trip from beginning to end.

32 Thread Needle Lane
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 961-1900
info@travelexchange.net

Greece FAM Trip

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 14:57:00 +0000

Greece FAM Trip Hosted by Emirates Airline and Key Tours – October 2018

I would like to thank Emirates Airline for a wonderfully comfortable nonstop flight from Newark to Athens, and Key Tours for hosting an amazing Familiarization trip to Greece in October. It was my first time flying with Emirates and they more than lived up to their reputation. The seats were comfy with plenty of legroom even in coach, the service was flawless, there was an amazing array of entertainment choices, the food was restaurant quality and served with real utensils….and I actually slept which I have never been able to do on an overnight flight. A heartfelt Thank You to all those involved in making this such an incredible and memorable experience xo

Athens

Upon arrival mid-afternoon, we were greeted and whisked off to the NJV Athens Plaza Hotel by our delightful Key Tours host Nichola, who arranged all our hotels, tours, transportation and guides, and accompanied us with his colleague Fillipa during our stay in Greece. Everything was flawless and I am delighted to highly recommend Key Tours, and notably their amazing personnel in Greece.

Athens Plaza Hotel

The NJV Athens Plaza Hotel is one of the top luxury hotels in Athens, conveniently located on the historic Syntagma Square, very close to the Acropolis, the Parliament Building, and the pedestrian shopping and restaurant area of Plaka. The hotel features 162 contemporary rooms and 18 suites, some with views of the Acropolis, which are tastefully decorated with modern touches and first-class amenities. The hotel has meeting and event facilities that can accommodate up to 350 people, with state-of-the-art equipment available for a conference, special event, board meeting or business luncheon.

During our stay in Athens we visited several other hotels listed here, and I would be happy to share more details with anyone interested.

Hotels

Hotel Electra Metropolis – central Athens

Grand Bretagne -adjacent to the Athens Plaza Hotel

St. George - adjacent to the Athens Plaza Hotel

Royal Olympic – central Athens

Herodion Hotel – central Athens, lunch and tour

St. George Lycabettus Hotel – tour and dinner overlooking the city.

Sightseeing

On our first full day in Athens, we enjoyed a drive through the most emblematic sites in Athens with our tour guide, visiting the Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch, the Greek Parliament where we saw the Changing of the Guard, the National Library, Academy and University, with a photo stop at the Panathenaic Stadium.

We climbed the winding steps up to the Parthenon dedicated to Athena the goddess of Athens, passing through the Propylea to the Erechteum Temple, and reaching The Acropolis which stand 230 feet above the city. Amazing to experience in person, and enjoy the incredible views of the city. Finally we visited the New Acropolis Museum which was fascinating and well worth spending a couple of hours exploring.

Transfer from Athens to Paros

We boarded the Blue Star Ferry early the next morning for our 3.5 hour trip to Paros, which in itself was quite an experience. The ferry was part car ferry and part cruise ship, accommodating as it did cars and trucks in its bowels, and passengers on the higher decks. Seating options included outdoor benches and tables, and indoors a range of choices including high-backed seats with area TV’s, cafeteria-style table and chairs, a children’s play area, stores, coffee shops and bars. Open seating and very reasonably priced.

Paros

The island of Paros is not quite as well known as other Greek Islands and therefore is more authentic – a true hidden gem. It is considered one of the most beautiful of the Cyclades Islands with its many beaches and charming villages. Parikia is the main town, Naoussa Port is to the North, and Lefkes, Marpissa, Piso Livadi, Drios, and Aliki are well worth a visit.

Naoussa is an old fishing village which is becoming more popular with tourists, but not so much that it take away from its charm. The village is characterized by its Venetian port and its many fish restaurants, and the local bar scene is growing as the number of visitors increases.

We arrived at the port of Parikia and transferred to the Zefi Hotel & Suites where we would spend 3 nights. This boutique hotel’s charm was outmatched only by the warmth and hospitality of the owners, manager and staff who took such great care of us, and even joined us on our sightseeing excursions sharing stories and adding local color.

Zefi Hotel & Suites, Naoussa, Paros

Zefi is a boutique 4 star hotel just a short walk from the town center of Naoussa, and close to the beach of Agioi Anargyroi. The hotel features a restaurant, swimming pool, poolside bar and a hot tub. Room categories are Superior Suites, and Superior, Standard and Basic Rooms, and all have air conditioning, a fridge and TV. Rooms are individually decorated in Cycladic style, some with built-in beds, beamed ceilings and stone-paved flooring.

Sightseeing

After checking in, we had time before dinner to explore the charming port of Naoussa, stopping at an open air restaurant for a bite and a glass of wine, and taking many photographs of the picturesque fishing village as the sun began to set.

On our first full day in Paros we toured the Moraitico Winery where I purchased some Ouzo along with a couple of bottles of their delicious wine. Next it was off to explore the village of Lefkes, and a stroll around the narrow stone alleyways, with much picture-taking and some shopping for local souvenirs.

In the early afternoon we took a local ferry across to the sister and smaller island of Antiparos, where we traversed hundreds of steps down into the belly of a huge cave, which is the location of the oldest stalagmite in Europe. There was even really old graffiti….!

Lunch was on the pier watching the fishing boats come and go, and a huge plateful of fresh caught shrimp and locally produced wine certainly made moving on difficult. But move we did, returning to Paros on the ferry, and stopping at Kolybithres Beach to see the amazing rock formations at sunset.

The following day we headed to Parikia to tour the Panagia Ekantotapiliani Church, one of the most significant Orthodox churches in Greece. The original church was constructed in the 4th century A.D. and was a three-aisled basilica. In the 6th century A.D. the Byzantine Emperor Justinian made reformations to the church and added a dome. More reformations were performed through centuries and today the church is a complex of Paleochristian, Byzantine and post-Byzantine elements. There is a museum on the site, with photographs of the earlier excavations.

After some meandering around narrow paths and passageways, we stopped for coffee and to show off our purchases before heading to the beach and amphitheater at the National Park….

Our final dinner in Paros was at Axinos Restaurant in Naoussa Port, also owned by the Zefi Hotel family, and served on a long table family style. There was much laughter, wine and great food shared and we all vowed we’d return to Paros some day!

Transfer from Paros to Santorini the following morning was by Blue Star Ferry which again took about 3.5 hours.

Santorini

Santorini was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC, which shaped its rugged landscape of sheer cliffs. The famed whitewashed houses in Fira and Oia cling to the cliffs, with spectacular views overlooking the underwater caldera.

Santorini Palace Hotel

The Santorini Palace Hotel was the first resort on Santorini Island, located in Firostefani village just 10 minutes walk from the capital of Santorini, the village of Fira. The hotel combines the Cycladic surroundings with breathtaking views of the east side of the island and a panoramic view of the Caldera. Rooms at Santorini Palace are bright and contemporary with air conditioning, flat-screen TV, fridge, private bathroom, balcony or veranda, double-glazed windows and safes. Categories are Standard and Superior Rooms, and one and two-bedroom Suites. The hotel offers a combination of beautiful Cycladic architecture, open spaces, resort facilities and proximity to attractions, and has a restaurant, 2 bars, a spa services are available at their sister property, El Greco Resort and Spa a few minutes away via complimentary shuttle.

Hotels

El Greco Resort and Spa (Caldera side, sister property 5 minutes away)

The Belvedere -boutique, cliffside

Kafieris Blue – boutique, cliffside

Cliffside Suites - cliffside

Splendour Resort – affordable

Sightseeing

On our first afternoon in Santorini, we followed a short path from the hotel over the hill to the town of Fira, where we explored the narrow alleyways, browsed the little stores, and took photographs of the village, the views and of course the sunset for which Santorini is so famous for.

For dinner, the group split up and tried several different restaurants; some with amazing views, some with wonderful authentic food, and some with both!

After touring several hotels the following day, we visited Pyrgos to explore this traditional village with its twisting pathways and many beautiful white churches, and the picturesque town of Firostefani, and then a visit to the local winery of Boutaris with a tour and wine tasting (of course!)

Next we stopped to stroll around the traditional settlement of Oia on the northern tip of the island, high on the cliff top with the most magnificent views on the island.

On our last day we headed to the Bronze Age site of Akrotiri where we met out guide. All guides must be professional, licensed archeologists with a PhD and its no wonder when you begin to understand the importance of this town and its history.

Akrotiri was originally a Minoan settlement and today is the most important archeological site in Santorini. The prehistoric town was destroyed due to a massive volcanic eruption around 1600 BC. Nowadays, the picturesque streets, the two-story buildings, the lovely frescoes and plenty of tools witness the way of life in the prehistoric times. The people that built this port city, traveled and traded with North Africa and the Middle East, as is evidenced by the artifacts that have been unearthed. No human remains have been found, and it is surmised they must have had some warning before the volcano erupted and destroyed the whole island.

A few minutes away is Red Beach which is one of the most famous and beautiful beaches in Santorini. The beach is quite small and can get overcrowded in the summer, so I recommend instead of making the trek down to the beach, you can instead admire this unique landscape of red and black volcanic rocks from the headland.

Upon our return to Fira and having worked up an appetite, we climbed three flights of stairs to find a great local restaurant with wonderful views, authentic food and wine from the winery we had visited the day before…highly recommended!

Then we took the cable car from Fira down the cliffs to Old Port, but having just had lunch we decided to give the famed Santorini donkeys a break and returned to the top by cable car.

Our last meal together in Greece before heading home via Athens, was at one of Nichola’s favorite restaurants on the clifftop in Fira – delicious food and wine, amazing views, and wonderful company……..Yamas, until we meet again my friends J

To Nichola and Fillipa, many congratulations on your engagement

………and beware of gatecrashers next September xo

Nikki Perkins, CTA

Travel Exchange - A Virtuoso Agency

2 Sconset Square, Westport, CT 06880

T# (203) 221-3500 C# (203) 912-4641

nikkip@travelexchange.net www.travelexchange.net

Trip to Italy with Mary Liz Wheelis, hosted by the Bettoja Family - November 9 to 18, 2017

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 16:47:00 +0000

We flew overnight to Rome connecting in Dublin, my first time on Aer Lingus, and I was impressed by the service and hospitality of the flight crew. Since we had exit row seats in economy there was plenty of legroom and we were very comfortable. At Rome Airport we met up with Mary Liz Wheelis of TVL Marketing Solutions, who represents independent properties including the Bettoja family owned hotels in Rome. Upon arrival at the Hotel Mediterraneo, we met our hosts and fellow travelers for tours of the three boutique hotels owned and operated by the Bettoja family since 1875. The hotels are across and adjacent to each other on via Cavour and are very conveniently located just a short walk to the Rome Termini train station, and 15-20 minutes walk to the Colosseum, the Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, and many other places of interest in Rome.

The Hotel Mediterraneo is a 4.5 star hotel built in the 1930's in Art Deco style with magnificent views of Rome from the Roof Garden restaurant where we were treated to a sumptuous reception and dinner. The hotel features mosaics, artwork, inlaid panelling and an amazing floating marble staircase, and offers 251 spacious rooms and suites. The second restaurant on the premises is the breakfast room which is panelled and adorned with intricate wooden carving and two eye-catching chandeliers. This room serves as a Banquet Hall for special events, and there is also and a conference center which can accommodate 150 people. This is a non-smoking hotel, and breakfast is included in the room rate. For Superior Rooms and Suites breakfast is served in the Roof Garden Restaurant where guests can enjoy an amazing view of Rome.

The Hotel Massimo d'Azeglio directly across the street is a 4 star property which originated in 1875 when Maurizio Betttoja decided to open a restaurant above his wine cellar. The Restaurant has been in continuous operation for more than 100 years and is a well known landmark in the city. The hotel has 185 rooms including a suite we saw with a private wraparound terrace and to-die-for views of Rome. Perfect for a honeymoon or romantic getaway. There is also a Conference Center that can accommodate up to 180 people.

The Hotel Atlantico is also 4 star and has 69 rooms on 5 floors also in an Art Deco style. Guests share the breakfast rooms and restaurants with the Hotel Mediterraneo which is connected and accessible through the Lobby. There is a smaller conference facility here. The selection of food and wines for all the hotels is supervised by members of the Bettoja family, who are very involved with the daily operations. Many of the staff at all three hotels have been there for many years, creating a homey feeling of warmth and relaxation.

The morning after we arrived we piled into a minibus for an orientation tour or Rome, which included stops at some of the major sites including the Trevi Fountain and ending at the Vatican. My husband and I then joined a tour of the Vatican Museum and St Peter's followed by dinner at a local sidewalk restaurant recommended by the Concierge. A liter of water, a liter of wine, bruschetta and a pizza...it doesn't get much better than that! The following morning we met with our group and guide and enjoyed a wonderful walking tour of the area around our hotel, including Santa Maria Maggiore, some shopping and a stop for expresso and gelato. With some free time in the afternoon, my husband and I took a taxi across the Arno to a piazza where there were stalls selling colorful arrays of pasta and olive oil, scarves and leathergoods, and we also stumbled upon a wonderful Leonardo da Vinci exhibition. In the afternoon we spent a few hours at the Borghese Gallery followed by, you guessed it...a liter of water, a liter of wine, bruschetta and a pizza!

Our last day in Rome we were free to explore, and I had booked a tour of the Colosseum including the underground chambers, the arena and upper tier, and then across to Palentine Hill and the Forum. The Colosseum could hold between 55K and 80K people and was designed so they could all leave the arena in 10 minutes. I don't think that could be achieved very easily today :)

We were treated to a wonderful dinner on our last night in Rome with the group in the wine cellar of the Hotel Massimo D'Azeglio. What a special venue and it would be the perfect venue for a private gathering or special celebration. We were very fortunate to have shared this wonderful experience in Rome with a great group of people, and many thanks for generous hospitality extended to us by the Bettoja family. A heartfelt thanks to our wonderful guide Gracelyn with Through Eternity, and the drivers, and especially to Mary Liz Wheelis for putting this great trip together.

Following our 3 nights in Rome, my husband and I took the high speed train to Florence to spend an extra couple of days. Just a 5 minute walk around the corner from the train station, we arrived at the Grand Hotel Minerva where the Sales Manager welcomed us and took us for a tour of the hotel. The hotel's 100 rooms have recently been refurbished as have the public spaces, which are filled with art and light and there are great views of Florence from the higher floors. There is a rooftop pool bar and sundeck, and comfortable common areas where you can relax, read or make new friends. There's a bar next to the main restaurant, and when weather permits, also an outdoor restaurant directly on the piazza. The location is perfect in the old town on a lovely piazza right next to a splendid church Santa Maria Novella, and within a 10-15 minute walk of everything in the old city.

With just a day and a half to explore Florence we hit the ground running and that afternoon had a guided tour of the Galleria dell Accadamia, climbed up inside the Duomo as well as the Exchange and the Bell Tower, and enjoyed exploring the narrow, cobbled streets. Returning to the hotel, after a drink at the bar we enjoyed a delicious dinner at La Buona Novella Bistrot Italiano and then my husband was presented with a surprise birthday cake to round out our special dinner. So sweet.....!

Our last day in Florence started with a guided tour of the Galleria dell Uffizi, a walk across the Ponte Vecchio, lunch at a sidewalk café, a walk around Bobbili Gardens, and a private tour of Pitti Palace and the Palatine Gallery.

(David says Hi..!)

The Concierge had recommended a 15th century Taverna for dinner, which had been the workshop of one of Bronzino's students. We were the only people in the restaurant which I think they had opened just for us, so it was a very special evening consisting of many courses, delicious local wine, and great conversation with the Maitre d'.

The following day it was time to leave Florence and I treated us to a private car and driver booked with Mario, the owner and MD of Privilegeitalia, a distinctive concierge company offering a wide array of VIP services. Mario kindly upgraded us to a Mercedes no less, and our driver Vincenzo was terrific. We stopped for a couple of hours to explore Siena and then had lunch in Orvieto at a small Trattoria Mario had recommended.

Our last night was spent at the Rome Airport Hilton Hotel so we could be on site for our flight the following morning. The Airport Hilton could not be more conveniently located, being attached to the airport and just a few covered minutes walk to the terminal. It was a great trip and a wonderful experience, and we are very grateful to Mary Liz our host, who happens to be almost a neighbor so we are planning to get together for dinner soon!

Nikki Perkins, CTA
Travel Exchange - A Virtuoso Agency
2 Sconset Square, Westport, CT 06880
T# (203) 221-3500 C# (203) 912-4641
nikkip@travelexchange.net www.travelexchange.net

FAM Trip to Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 14:04:00 +0000

September 9 to 16, 2106

Hosted by Regent Porto Montenegro, Etihad Airways, Air Serbia, Tourist Organization of Belgrade

and the Croatian National Tourism Board.

Business Class passengers on Air Serbia have access to Etihad’s spectacular new Lounge at JFK, where one can enjoy not only the great view from the bar, but also snacks, beverages and some very creative cocktails. There is also a private area with separate entrance, prayer room, shower and dining area.

Air Serbia now offers a direct flight between JFK and Belgrade 5 days a week. The aircraft is an A330 with 236 seats in the main cabin, and in Business Class there are 18 lie-flat seats in private “suites” laid out in a herringbone design. Provided are a blanket, pillow and amenity kit, and pajamas are offered if you want to get more comfortable. The main menu offers several courses and wines, and a choice of hot and cold snacks is available at any time. Each pod has its own viewing screen, and a choice of entertainment in English and Serbian during the flight, and wifi is available for Euros 5. The cabin crew will make up your bed and you even add a mattress pad for extra comfort. The service and amenities on this flight were incredible!

Upon arrival in Belgrade, our group was met and escorted rapidly and efficiently through Customs and Immigration formalities, and to our waiting transportation to the Hyatt. The Hyatt Regency is a 5 Star modern, glass and steel hotel in the city center, across from the National Theatre and a short distance from the Belgrade Fortress. It is located in the financial district of new Belgrade, and just 15 minutes from the airport. Minimalist rooms have minibars, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, plus desks. Upgraded rooms add city views, butler service and access to an executive lounge, and suites include a living room. Room service is available 24 hours.

The hotel has 3 restaurants which offer Italian and Arabic cuisine, as well as a bar and a tea room. Other amenities include an indoor pool, a spa and fitness center with saunas and whirlpools. A business center and meeting rooms for up to 600 guests are also available.

Belgrade is the largest city and capital of Serbia, and is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. Its name translates to "White city" which was given for the white stone used to construct the fortress walls. Our guide was fabulous and very knowledgeable, as she explained the tumultuous history of Serbia and pointed out notable buildings, squares, statues and parks as we explored both old and new Belgrade.

We walked the walls of the Roman fortress and took pictures of where the River Danube meets the River Sava. We saw where the river boat lines dock along the Danube, and across the way on the Sava there were vessels that looked like houseboats, but were actually restaurants, cafes and clubs along the waterfront. Belgrade is a hip and happening place, with a very active social and artistic scene as we were to discover later.

During our tour of Belgrade, we visited the Royal Palace and adjacent Church of St. Andrew. Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia and his family actually live on the upper floors, so our tour was limited to the main first floor area, where the craftsmanship, impressionist paintings, gold leaf work, and historical artefacts were very impressive. We visited the Nikola Tesla museum, which was both interesting and enlightening (literally!) After an educational video about his life and amazing inventions, we all played at being Jedi Warriors by lighting up our Sabers with the use of Tesla’s famous coil invention.

We had lunch and took a tour of Square Nine Hotel, a member of Leading Hotels of the World. Square Nine offers world-class luxury, blending international lifestyle and local hospitality with sophisticated Brazilian design and an elegant, modern atmosphere. It is ideally situated in the heart of Belgrade adjacent to a pedestrian and shopping area, and is a short stroll to the Fortress. The hotel has 30 rooms and 15 suites, a Spa and Wellness Center with spacious indoor pool, and two restaurants including Belgrade’s only rooftop terrace, offering Japanese cuisine.

In the evening we had dinner outside at long tables in the Bohemian pedestrian area of Skadarliji, which was great fun! Multiple courses and you have to try everything. The food, wine and local brandy shots just kept on coming. Just as well we got a lot of exercise while we were here:)

After a short 45 minute flight from Belgrade we landed in Tivat, Montenegro, and again were delighted to be VIP’d through Customs and Immigration. 15 minutes later we arrived at the Regent Porto Montenegro Hotel.

The Regent Hotel is part of the Porto Montenegro complex, which will be expanded over the next 5 years offering additional hotel rooms and residences. The complex was named the best marina in the Mediterranean in 2015, beating out Monte Carlo and Nice and the number of mega yachts there would attest to that. The Village along the bay adjacent to the hotel consists of shops, boutiques, restaurants and cafes. We visited the Naval Heritage Museum and went inside a submarine, learning about when this area had been an important submarine yard when Montenegro was part of the old Yugoslavia.

Cocktails at the Yacht Club followed by dinner in the Village at the remarkable Restaurant One, where I have to say I had what was probably the best sea bass I have ever eaten. It was cooked en pappiette along with a sampler platter of local delicacies, which included white and black risottos, fresh mozzarella with locally grown tomatoes, and beef tartar sliced paper-thin, served with tapenade and delicious garlic bread.

We boarded two speed boats in the morning, and spent the day touring Boca Bay. First we visited the Lady of the Rocks Island, and then spent a few hours with our guide in Kotor, which is a UNESCO heritage site.

We climbed the ancient steps of the fortified village to get a fantastic view of Kotor and the fjords before getting back in the boats and heading to Forza Mare for lunch. We were greeted by the General manager who showed us around the small, 10 room boutique hotel clinging to the hillside. Such fun arriving by boat to enjoy a delicious lunch in such a beautiful location.

For our last dinner in Montenegro, the chef at the Regent Porto Montenegro prepared a special menu for us, paired with wines from an 18th-century Vineyard at Savina monastery. Everything was locally sourced and completely delicious.

Leaving Porto Montenegro, we crossed the border into Croatia for the 2.5 hour drive to Dubrovnik.

Slowly climbing up a winding mountainous road, we rounded a bend and were blown away by the view below us of the walled city of old Dubrovnik. What an incredible vista!

We arrived at the Valamar President hotel where the general manager warmly greeted us. The Valamar President hotel is one of five Valamar hotels in Dubrovnik which are located adjacent to each other on the tip of the Babin Kuk peninsula. The President has its own private beach with stunning views of the Adriatic and is a 5 Star property with 286 elegant rooms and 6 suites, all with balconies or terraces and a sea view. There are two restaurants with indoor and outdoor seating, a Piano Bar, and a Wellness & Spa Centre. The property also has meeting facilities and outdoor spaces for banquets, receptions and conferences. The other Valamar properties are 4 Star and offer a mix of conference/business space as well as catering to leisure guests with pools, spas and restaurants.

Our guide met us by the main gate to the old town of Dubrovnik, and began our tour by showing us some of the locations that were used for the filming of King's Landing in Game of Thrones, including Bokar Fortress, the Pile Gates, the Rectors Palace, Jesuit Staircase, a jetty and several streets. Practically everyone in Dubrovnik has been an extra at one time or another! We also saw Onofrio's Fountain, a Franciscan monastery and several churches, before our delightful host from the Croatian Tourist Board took us to her favorite cave wine bar up the steep flight of steps in the center of the old town.

Back at the hotel again, we enjoyed a welcome reception on the patio overlooking the Adriatic Sea as we watched the sun set on another perfect day.

A 15 minute ferry ride from the old town brings you to Lokrum island, where we saw the Botanical Gardens, a Benedictine Monastery, and a Game of Thrones exhibition. Look out for the peacocks and tame bunnies, and take your towel for a refreshing swim.

After a delicious lunch at Lacroma Restaurant, we returned by boat to Dubrovnik. This afternoon’s tour began with steps and then more steps. We climbed up and up and at every resting point the view of the old town was more amazing, until the whole walled city was laid out below us like a model town. Definitely well worth the exercise!

Dinner this evening was at the spectacular Villa Dubrovnik, on the other side of the town. We arrived just in time to see the sun setting over Dubrovnik, an amazing sight to behold. With the old city as a backdrop we enjoyed a wonderful dinner of locally caught fish and freshly made pasta...delicious !

After a lovely lunch on the patio overlooking the water, it was time to check out and head to the airport for our Air Serbia flight back to Belgrade. Once again we are treated to VIP service, and guided briskly through Customs and Immigration to enjoy the respite of the private lounge, before departing on our 45 minute flight. Our transportation awaited and we were whisked off to the Hyatt Regency Belgrade, to be welcomed back by the general manager.

In the evening we enjoyed a welcome drink at the Novak Restaurant and a tour of Novak Djokovic's trophy room, before heading on to a Mediterranean dinner at Ambar restaurant at Beton Hala down on the waterfront. This area is full of bars, street cafes and restaurants, and it seems everyone was out having a good time! We were joined for dinner by representatives of the Tourist Organization of Belgrade and Air Serbia, so it was wonderful to have the opportunity to meet them and talk about the Balkans and tourism in the region. Super-nice people, great contacts and a valuable resource to reach out to when planning future trips for clients.

Farewell Belgrade and the end of an amazing Baltic adventure….

Nikki Perkins, CTA

Travel Exchange - A Virtuoso Agency

2 Sconset Square, Westport, CT 06880

T# (203) 221-3500 C# (203) 912-4641

nikkip@travelexchange.net www.travelexchange.net

Trip Report Ireland FEB 13-21 2016

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 17:37:00 +0000

Waterstone Marketing organized and hosted this trip to Ireland for 10 luxury travel advisors. Here are my observations.
Flew United non stop Newark-Shannon. Paid extra for Economy Plus seating both ways. Yes you do get a few extra inches of leg room but that's it. You do not get priority boarding- in fact I was in Group 5- last to board.

Killarney National Park

Spent 2 nights in Killarney at the Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa- A Virtuoso property. It's located approx 5 minutes outside of the the town of Killarney and sits high above the town with breathtakingly beautiful views of the Lake below and the snow capped mountains of Killarney National Park. The hotel is approximately 2 hours from the Shannon Airport. Lakeview rooms would be the rooms of choice. There is an excellent restaurant, bar, lounge and indoor pool with an extensive spa offering all the usual services. The property is very well located for day trips to Dingle and the Ring of Kerry. Afternoon tea & complimentary whiskey tasting sessions are offered daily.

The following 2 nights were spent at the K Club in Kildare which is approximately 2 hours north of Killarney. This is also a Virtuoso property and is very well suited for golfers.

The Arnold Palmer designed course hosted the Ryder Cup in 2006 and will be the site of this year's Irish Open.This is truly a luxury 5 star hotel. Besides golf there is a full service spa and
other offerengs including fly fishing, Falconry (which was what I did), horseback riding, clay shooting, hiking, biking, wine tasting in their extensive wine cellar. A very interesting Art & History tour is offered daily showcasing the extensive art collection in the hotel. The rooms - especially those in the new wing are large & luxurious and overlook the beautiful grounds. There are multiple food outlets on the property. The hotel is approximately 45 minutes from Dublin.

From Kildare we headed further north to Belfast - Northern Ireland. U.K. pounds here not Euros. We had 1 overnight at the Fitzwilliam Belfast - I would classify it as a 4 star boutique hotel.

Giants Causeway

Contemporary atmosphere, well located. The centerpiece of the city is the Titanic Museum located at the original site of the Harland & Wolfe Shipyard. Over 1 million visitors each year have come to the museum since its opening. Belfast is a good jumping off point to see the Wild Atlantic Way & the Giant's Causeway. For any Game of Throne fans- this is where they do lots of filming. The HBO studio is located next door to the Titanic Museum for their indooor shooting scenes.

Final 2 nights we spent at the FitzWilliam Dubin. This is a 5 star property, very well located across from St Stephen's Green. Lots of restaurants & shops all within easy reach.
Contemporary style might not be for the more traditional type client. Excellent

, friendly service. Well designed rooms, comfortable beds. 2 restaurants- one casual for breakfast, lunch & dinner the other a 1 star Michelin. We ate at both and they were excellent. The city is very cosmopolitan, lots of energy fueled by a very large international student population attending Trinity College as well as other very well regarded colleges & universities. The city is also a major food mecca- who would have thought? It's a great city to visit and worth at least a 2 night stay.

Tom Mullen
Travel Exchange - Member of Virtuoso
2 Sconset Square
Westport,CT 06880
tomm@travelexchange.net
203-221-3500

My Barcelona Visit

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 18:21:00 +0000

No doubt many of you have been to Barcelona but it was my first trip. It certainly is a very happening destination right now. It has all the ingredients ...gorgeous beach, good flights from US (I arrived non stop from ATL), excellent hotels, incredible food, amazing architecture and museums, shopping to die for and for the younger generation never ending night life. Many cruises start and finish in Barcelona. You need at least three nights and two full days to really enjoy it.

I was fortunate to stay at the Majestic. Ideally located for walking to good shops and restaurants and just down the street from La Padrera..one of Gaudi's houses. The hotel is an old and ornate building but was renovated in 2012. The rooms vary a great deal so be sure to book at least an executive level room for your Virtuoso clients. It is only 8 stories and most of the rooms face Paseo de Gracia and the rest face inside to the quiet courtyard. The pool and bar/restaurant on top of the hotel has a breathtaking view over Barcelona to the sea. On a weekend it is VERY popular and you might have a problem finding a table. We had lunch their several times. The hotel service and concierge were incredibly helpful when my friend lost her wallet in a taxi. It was returned by the taxi driver late that night...that sure says alot about BCN being tourist friendly and safe. Full excellent buffet breakfast is served in their lovely garden restaurant and is included in the rate.

www.hotelmajestic.es/en

I arranged my hotel visits with this Virtuoso company below. I had attended a webinar the week before.

visitbarcelona.com
barcelonapremium.com

The W Hotel is the on its own peninsula on the beach ...very modern shaped like a whale and you can see it from miles away. The rooms are huge and they ALL have water views so you can actually lie in bed and see the sea. There are two pools and in the summer it is packed. You are just steps to the beach and tons of little restaurants. It would be my first choice if I were going in the summer season. It is part of the SPG group. Their restaurant has a Michelin star chef.

View from the W hotel

Room at the W hotel

www.w-barcelona.com

The Arts Hotel, owned by Ritz Cartlon is also very modern and on the beach but not quite as good a location as the W. Again the rooms are huge and most offer sea views. There are private residences on the top two floors of the hotel that offer a perfect set-up for families. They also have their private club offering food and services all day. This is a good choice for business meetings or corporate clients.

www.hotelartsbarcelona.com/en

I also visited the NEW Cotton House which is part of the Marriott autograph collection. It is very elegant but cozy and small. I just had clients stay there and they loved it. It just opened in March and I think it should be considered for yuppies looking for romantic get a ways. I don't see putting families there or corporate types. It is just behind the Palace..(the old Ritz). I walked into the Palace and did not go any further than the lobby..very formal and stuffy.

Don't send anyone to the Claris..it is very run down and we waited 10 minutes to order a drink and left.

The sightseeing in Barcelona is so interesting. Be sure to arrange a private guide for your clients. It is
well worth it to get into Sagreda Familia, Guell Park, Picasso Museum ..the lines were never ending. I used Valesa Cultural.

If you have any specific questions please do email me and I would be delighted to share my experience. I also went to several Tapa places and could write another email just about that BUT I will spare you.

More Photos:

Typical tapas bar

Delicious sangria

Pam VR Long
Virtuoso Travel Consultant
Travel Exchange
PO box 559
Palm City, FL 34991
860 930 5007 cell
772 781 8099 office phone
paml@travelexchange.net

W Hotel Fort Lauderdale

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 15:43:00 +0000

I wanted to share my recent hotel experience.

W Hotel Fort Lauderdale

I had the pleasure of visiting the W Hotel Fort Lauderdale this past weekend while visiting family. I had booked the hotel for two small groups in the past and know it quite well having seen it being built when I was living there from 2001-2006. The sales team is well oiled. My contact, Seven Hoodack, formerly with the Waldorf in NYC is an amazing guy and gets it done with ease. He graciously offered me a friends and family rate and upgraded me to a small suite with a full ocean and pool view. The rooms are outstanding and large, bright, neutral tones, everything is new and unique. Large walk in closets, king beds, double terraces, living area with a huge L-shaped sofa, entertainment center with Bose Speakers, wet bar, glass enclosed bath with separate toilet and Bliss Spa amenities.

2 Bedroom W Flat

The rooms are separated by large wall panels that can stay open or closed depending on privacy needs. The ceilings are very high and one side is all floor to ceiling windows. The hotel has a variation of rooms, types and configurations including condos that are privately owned and rented (great for families). There are two towers and plenty of outdoor space for relaxation or groups. The conference rooms are all on one floor which makes it easy for breakouts and group meals. All but one has windows with water/inter coastal views and black out drapery.

One of meeting room

The meeting rooms are sleek and well-furnished in typical W style with wet bars, panels to control lighting, temperature, windows & screens. There is WIFI and plenty of outlets for laptops. They have everything from a ballroom (up to 350 banquet style) to a private boardroom. Outdoors the possibilities are unlimited with tenting available as needed. The hotel signature restaurant Prime 211 is well-known for its menu and service and breakfast al fresco was divine overlooking the ocean. The staff is very efficient, for example, when you call for anything from towel, to your car, they offer a time that the task will be done and they deliver. My towels were promised in 10 minutes or less and my car from the valet in 7 minutes and voila….all was as promised. One cool thing about the hotel is when you check in on level 4, if your room is not ready you turn left and walk up a flight of stairs built into the pool to level 5 where you can sit and have a light snack or drink looking out on to the ocean poolside while waiting or change into your suit and take a swim.

Julia Chiappetta Consulting
JCC Group, LLC
P O Box 132
Cos Cob CT 06807
203-977-3519-Mobile
203-661-8491-Business

Club Med Fam to Marrakech, La Palmeraie, Morroco Jan 25 to 30, 2014

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 17:18:00 +0000

Royal Air Maroc flew us from JFK to Casablanca, and although weather delayed our departure, the crew made up a lot of time and we arrived only a few minutes behind schedule. Check-in at JFK was quick and efficient, the food was very good, and the in-flight service attentive and friendly, but it was disappointing that there was no inflight entertainment and no TV screens.

The return flight out of Marrakech connecting with our international flight from Casablanca, was a higher quality experience. When we arrived at Marrakech Airport, we were met by Ahmed Nait from Travel Link, who whisked us through check-in and security, and took us directly to the Royal Air Maroc lounge where we were offered delicious espresso and cookies. This is called Fast Track which is offered at an extra cost by Travel Link, and is a service I would highly recommend! This time the plane was up-to-date and offered in-seat screens, Wi-Fi, and charging ports for electronics.

Travel Link

Upon arrival in Casablanca we were met by Mohammed, our wonderful guide from Travel Link who would be with us for the next few days. Mohammed and his colleagues did a terrific job in showing us what Marrakech has to offer, and his friendly but professional demeanor and excellent English, really helped broadened our understanding.

Club Med La Palmeraie is an all-inclusive resort set in Marrakech’s oldest palm grove. The grounds are spectacular with lush landscaping, fountains, pools, water features, and colorful tropical plantings. Orange, lemon and olive trees, along with palms and tropical foliage can be found throughout the property.

The 4 Trident Main Village boasts 300 rooms located in low rise buildings, which reflect the local adobe-style architecture. The Riad is a separate building, and is a 5 Trident hotel within the property. Unfortunately it was fully booked so we were not able to see the rooms, but the public areas were quiet and luxurious with a country club feel. There are private seating areas off the main corridor for reading, sitting by the fire, or quiet conversation while outside, the pool and patio area was lovely. Guests can have breakfast and lunch, and enjoy personalized services here.

In the main village area the rooms are a good size, and have a balcony or patio area. The bathroom was spacious with a large, walk-in tiled shower, single sink and a separate toilet. The décor was Moroccan-themed with tiled floors, dark wood and some nice art pieces. Although tasteful and spacious, the rooms could use a little freshening up.

The food in all the restaurants was really good, and the buffet spreads were quite impressive. There was a selection of cereals, hot items, yoghurt and sliced fruits, as well as made-to-order stations for eggs, meats and pancakes, a wide variety of local delicacies, and a wonderful selection of freshly baked breads to slice and toast as you wish. The French baguettes and the white chocolate bread in particular were to die for! The lunch and dinner buffets also catered to all tastes and included local items for the foodies, as well as “comfort food” like pizza and burgers for those less adventurous.

The bar was a favorite place to relax after a full day’s excursion, or after a satisfying dinner, and there was nightly entertainment here and in the adjacent ballroom. Amongst other entertainment events, there was a fashion show, local musicians playing, a band, a snake charmer, a Michael Jackson look-alike, and an 80’s themed evening. Every night there was dancing after the show….lots to keep everyone happy and entertained.

Club Med La Palmeraie has a lot to offer in the way of activities, which includes a mountain bike ride or quad biking in the desert, Zumba and aerobics classes, archery, tennis, basketball, horseback riding, camel riding, bocce, table tennis, and for some adventurous souls even the trapeze.

Wi-Fi was not available in the rooms and although available in the Lobby and bar areas, service was sporadic for most of our stay, which was inconvenient at best.

The Riad is a quiet oasis of luxury and privacy, while still offering the benefits of the main Village. It could be a viable option for Americans traveling to Africa, perhaps pre/post safari or in conjunction with a visit to Tunisia, Spain or Turkey, while more budget-conscious clients might enjoy the main Village. Managing expectations and stressing the value of what is included, are key elements in selling this property to the American market.

Excursions by Travel Link

Our first excursion was to Djemma-El-Fna square which is a UNESCO Heritage site, and the main focal point of Marrakech. The square is alive with restaurant stalls and vendors selling an endless variety of food. There are entertainers of all sorts from belly dancers, musicians and fortune tellers, to snake charmers, medicine men and story tellers. Mohammed had advised us to carry small change to give to the performers and for allowing us to take photographs with them, which was very helpful. As the sun went down and the lights started to come on, the square took on new life as families arrived to dine together and chat with their friends.

The following day we went on a walking tour of the Medina or walled city, where we saw vendors transporting their produce on bikes, donkeys, mules, scooters, in carts and on their heads. The old town is located within the historic adobe walls, while the new town is a separate area with its districts of Gueliz and l’Hivernage. In the old city we saw fruit, vegetables, meats, fish, and local arts and crafts being sold in stalls or just on the sidewalk. We stopped to admire the 12th century Koutoubia minaret which dominates the skyline of Marrakech and can be seen from almost every approach to the city.

Next we visited the Saadian Tombs housing the remains of royals from the 14th to 16th centuries. It is adorned with columns of Italian marble, with finely carved cedar and stucco work. The necropolis was hidden from view and forgotten for 200 years until re-discovered by accident. We then explored the medieval Medersa Ben Youssef which once was a Koranic university. The mosaic tilework, marble and ornate carved woodwork showcased the amazing craftsmanship.

Back on the bus, we drove along “hotel row” where several well-known properties are located, en route to the Menera and Aquedal Gardens. The Menera pavilion was built in the 14th century, and its image is reflected in a large artificial lake filled with fish. The lake serves as a reservoir for the surrounding olive groves, which are irrigated by a 700 year old hydraulic system that harnesses water from the mountains and brings it to the lake through pipes. It is a place for relaxation and quiet meditation, and a popular place for families to picnic at the weekends.

The Souks are a labyrinth of narrow passageways and alleyways grouped into sections. There were areas for leather goods, lanterns, ceramics, rugs, art, silverware and jewelry, fabrics, spices, dried fruits, meats, vegetables, and just about everything you could imagine. Mohammed was wonderful at helping us negotiate a good price for our purchases. The richness of the craftsmanship, diversity and lively atmosphere of the Souks is positively addictive.

We visited a pharmacy called Herboriste du Paradis where the owner let us smell some of the spices, herbal remedies and oils he produced. The jars of dyes, sacks of spices, oils, creams and infusions were a riot of color and scent.

On our last full day, we set off to explore the High Atlas Mountains. We stopped along the way to take photos of the flat, palm-tree dotted plain with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Quite an unusual sight for sure. We saw Berber villages built of sandstone and clinging to the slopes. The Berbers are the original indigenous inhabitants of Morocco and still account for 60% of the population. To preserve their language, it is now being taught in schools along with Arabic, French and English. As we wound our way up narrowing mountain roads ignoring the sheer drop as we climb, the rain started in earnest.

Because of the weather, the original plan to hike in the mountains was shelved, and instead we made a stop at Richard Branson’s hotel, Kasbah Tamadot. Maria el Balghiti was a gracious host and kindly gave us a tour of the property, followed by a sumptuous lunch. This small, boutique hotel would be a fabulous venue for a destination wedding!

We stopped at a Berber family home to enjoy some tea and local hospitality. We were shown around the home, which included a barn for storing animal feed, and a cow and calf were housed on the ground floor. Upstairs there was a small kitchen with gas burners, a bedroom, a sitting room open to the elements with a spectacular view of the mountains, and a small room where we gathered to watch the matriarch make tea for us. It is a complicated procedure involving lemon verbena, sage, mint and green tea. The tea was sweet and delicious, and we enjoyed it along with some homemade cookies.

With many thanks to Royal Air Maroc, Club Med and Travel Link, this was a fabulous opportunity to experience a fascinating and ancient culture first hand. I have tons of photos which would make this dissertation even more lengthy, so just let me know if you are interested and I would be happy to send you some.

Nikki Perkins, CTA
Travel Advisor, Edgewood Division
Travel Exchange Ltd - A Virtuoso Agency
67 Holly Hill Lane, Greenwich, CT 06830
T# (203) 661-7233   C# (203) 912-4641
nikkip@travelexchange.net
www.travelexchange.net

"All of life is a journey. Which paths we take, what we look back on, and what we look forward to is up to us."   ~Confucious~

Referrals and adventurous spirits welcome!

Travel Exchange staff members attend the 12th annual Benefit for the Elton John Aids Foundation on October 12th in New York City.

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 15:18:00 +0000

An “Enduring Vision” was the theme of the gala benefit which was held at the famed Cipriani Wall Street.

Since its founding in 1992 as a nonprofit organization in the United States the EJAF has raised more than $300 million. The goal of the organization is to combat stigma, prevent infections, provide treatment & services and to motivate government to end AIDS.

The organization presented awards to Sandra Lee, Howard Rose & Ron Perelman. A special tribute was paid to Hillary Rodham Clinton for her support and contribution to gay rights as well as HIV/AIDS issues. In recognition the EJAF awarded her the very first Founder’s Award.

American Airlines is a strong supporter of the Elton John Aids Foundation. Pictured above is Mary & Tom Mullen of the Travel Exchange along with Natalia Quesada
of American Airlines.

Tom Mullen
Director Edgewood Division
Travel Exchange - A Proud Member of Virtuoso
67 Holly Hill Lane
Greenwich,CT 06830
203-661-7233
tomm@travelexchange.net

Punta Mita Four Seasons

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 16:05:00 +0000

This was my first trip to this area and I hope to return as often as possible.   Of course, in true Four Seasons' fashion the trip was made even better with impeccable service, views and accommodations that were provided at the resort.

But before going into detail, I'd like to add a few comments , etc. with regards to getting to Punta Mita.

Before arriving into Mexico, I had researched a few alternatives for transportation.   Punta Mita is approximately 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta airport (PVR) (60 minutes from Puerto Vallarta Centro)

Four Seasons offers roundtrip transfers for 200USD and there are taxi services also available for approximately 80-100USD each way. However, I would recommend a car rental for a couple of reasons. Number one, they're pretty reasonable - 5.00-8.00USD daily, but keep in mind insurance can run you a few hundred dollars for a week, but is a necessity, especially when traveling outside of the US. Number two - to get to anything outside of the hotel; like some of the charming villages surrounding the resort complex, or even Puerto Vallarta it will cost you a minimum of 20.00USD daily and 200.00 if going into PVR. Number three - it is extremely easy to navigate the countryside with basically one road that runs the entire route from the tip of Puerto Vallarta to the tip of Punta Mita - Highway 200. An easy road with plenty of gas stations, etc. along the way. Just beware of the speed bumps in the areas surrounding Punta Mita.

Now - on to Four Seasons Punta Mita

The greeting - Welcome Home is most fitting this luxurious slice of heaven. I've stayed at Four Seasons before, but I do believe that Punta Mita has the warmest staff I've ever encountered. Accommodations offer breathtaking views of the ocean and all the amenities you come to expect at a five star resort - well appointed rooms, decor is comfortable elegance - with an emphasis on relaxation. (clearly evident in the hammocks stretched along the balconies, and beaches)

I was so fortunate to have received an upgrade to a Beachfront Casita offering even more space, beach access through your patio, plunge pools, and a separate living room and additional bathroom - absolutely your home away from home.

The resort's dining options are many. Asian influences, Mexican Flare, Continental - with lounges throughout the resort area and open air lobby that all support the 'comfort' and 'relaxation' theme throughout while providing a simple elegance for evening affairs.

For groups - they've completed a large palapa that is state of the art - offering air conditioning and can hold up to 300 people for a banquet dinner!   In addition, there are areas throughout the resort tucked into the property strategically where you can sit, lay, float - and relax. There are three pools, each offering something a little different. The adult pool is elegant, reserved and refined - tucked into the mangroves on the resort. The lazy river is built right through the lush vegetation and is most relaxing when experienced through an inner tube with a drink in your hand! Finally, the beachside infinity pool is so well positioned that you really feel as if you're floating at the edge of the world. Probably one of the optimal places to sip a cool drink and watch the sun fall into the sea. By the way - once again they've thought of everything and wouldn't want you to exert yourself by walking to the other side of the pool for a drink, so the waiter is happy to wade through the water to serve you inside the pool! - taking the poolside service to a whole new level.

The resort is not short on activities and the staff are always ready and eager to help you get up on a paddle board, kayak, fish, snorkel, scuba dive, etc.   All right from the beach. You can literally roll from your beach chair into a kayak and back! Wouldn't want anyone to exert themselves.

For the more adventurous - there's a yacht that can be rented for the day which will take you deep sea fishing, snorkeling, diving, etc. or the resort offers hikes along the property and beachside for those who prefer a bit more exercise.

Of course, there are the usual things to do like yoga classes, ceramics, kids club for the young ones you bring along, etc. - really if you feel like doing something - there truly is a plethora of things to choose from.
However, if relaxing is what you've come for - you're in the right place. The Four Seasons Punta Mita offers the most luxurious of beach beds I've ever encountered. With ample shading, an abundance of plush pillows and linens - it is so comfortable you would find it hard to ever get up! To add to the convenience - they stock it with cold waters, bring you your lunch on bed trays, cool towels to wipe away any bead of sweat that may appear and the occasional mojito or margarita of the day!

Four Seasons staff - from the moment you arrive at the bell stand, to your breakfast in the morning, your beachside relaxation, front desk, etc. you're treated like you've returned home and the staff give the impression that they're not only tops in their fields of service but that they truly enjoy their positions with Four Seasons. They are always willing to chat and offer assistance when it comes to their resort, Punta Mita and Mexico. A true testament to the training and philosophy behind Four Seasons management.
Four Seasons Punta Mita , your home away from home and an experience you must have at least once in your lifetime.

London Report May 2013

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 20:12:00 +0000

JFK AA Tower

I was one of the lucky agents to be invited on this very special London familiarization trip which took place May 30-June 2, 2013. It all began with our arrival at JFK airport and a personal behind-the-scenes tour of the American Airlines Terminal # 8. Our guide was the Head of Operations for American Airlines at Kennedy Airport. Our tour began with the flight control tower which we reached through a series of restricted access doors, video monitored hallways and a short elevator ride.Once inside we were in the command center for all AA lights in & out of JFK as well as all airport operations in the terminal below. It was a fascinating spot and the people monitoring the computers were very willing to answer our questions.

We then were escorted back out and down to the departures area where we had a chance to see the American Airlines Flagship Lounge which is for the exclusive use of First Class passengers followed by a tour of the Admirals Club Lounge which is open to Business Class passenger as well as Admiral's Club Members. After a quick drink in the Admiral's Club it was time for us to board our flight to London on American's newest aircraft the Boeing 777. Onboard the plane Business Class seating is 1-2-1 all facing forward no climbing over people to get in or out of your seat. The seats do go completely lie-flat and are very well designed and comfortable. Bose noise-canceling headphones and a very nice amenity bag were provided at each seat as well as a large pillow and blanket sealed in a plastic bag.

Service was nicely paced by a very friendly & professional crew. The dinner meal was served one course at a time followed by an elaborate desert cart. Announcements were kept to a minimum and a self-service snack & beverage station was set-up i the forward galley area for late night snackers.. In-flight entertainment was very extensive with multiple choices of movies, TV series, documentaries as well as foreign films.

With a few hours of rest it was time for a quick breakfast as we made our approach to Heathrow Airport and an early arrival at 630am. As Business Class passengers we could follow the Fast-Track lanes at Immigration & Customs and bypass the longer lines. Once we were through that process we could then experience the joys of the American Airlines Arrival Lounge located just one floor above. It was here that we could enjoy a hot shower in very clean individual compartments. For anyone that was hungry or thirsty there was large spread of breakfast items in the lounge with plenty of hot & cold beverages to choose from. Comfortable seating, television sets as well as quiet areas truly make this spot a welcome refuge after an overnight flight. Once our group assembled after getting refreshed at the Arrival's Lounge we were met by Tri-Star Worldwide Chauffeur Service for our transfer to downtown London and the beginning of our hotel inspections & tours.

First stop the Pelham Hotel

Buckingham Gate

This stylish boutique hotel in the heart of South Kensington is a good choice for those looking to be close to Buckingham Gate which is a 5 star property operated by the famed Taj Hotel Group complete with a Michelin Starred restaurant. All 86 contemporary rooms are suites from 1 to 9 bedrooms all with fully equipped kitchens and living rooms & luxurious bathrooms. It's a great choice for families as it is truly a home-away-from-home in the heart of Westminster just minutes from Buckingham Palace.Our last stop of the morning was the Four Season's London where we were met by the friendly faces of Marion Ryan and Gesine Hubner who expedited our check-in and got us all squared away into this magnificent hotel in the heart of Mayfair. We were all eager to get out and enjoy the beautiful afternoon so we set off by foot to the nearby Athenaeum Hotel offering hotel rooms, suites and townhouse apartments opposite the Royal Parks and just down the road from major museums & galleries.
Harrods, The Victoria & Albert Museum as well as Royal Albert Hall. There were lots of stylish shops and trendy restaurants in the neighborhood. We then moved on to Westminster and 51

Continuing our trek we ventured over to the West End and took a tour of the recently re-opened Cafe Royal Hotel located on Regent Street. This property would be a good choice for those interested in being close to the theatre district as well as Bond Street & Savile Row shopping.

View from 10th Floor Lounge

Our group re-assembled at 7pm in the 10th Floor Lounge back at the Four Seasons London for cocktails and appetizers. This roof-top lounge serves as an arrivals lounge during the day complete with self-serve food & beverage service as well as private showers and changing compartments for hotel guests arriving in London from overnight flights. It appears to be a welcome refuge for those guests waiting for their rooms to be ready. At night the space is turned into a cocktail lounge with an outdoor deck that has 360 degree views out over the city of London. Our hosts were able to point out all the famous landmarks of London from this commanding spot atop the Four Seasons Hotel. Dinner that evening was at the Amaranto Restaurant located off the lobby of the hotel. The overall theme of the restaurant is Mediterranean and everyone was in agreement that the food & service were fantastic. After a restful sleep in the luxurious accommodations we were ready to begin day 2 with a Thames River boat ride to Canary Wharf and the sister hotel - Four Seasons Canary Wharf. After a top to bottom tour of the hotel we all agreed this riverfront property would be an ideal location for business travelers given the walking distance proximity to so many financial institutions and international firms. The West India Quay is a charming and historic location.

Charlie Chaplin Suite
at The Savoy

Later that day we made our way over to the Savoy Hotel an iconic London institution that has played host to Royalty, Prime Ministers, Presidents, Artists & Movie Stars for over a 100 years.Located on the banks of the Thames River this landmark hotel really shines in every way. A stay at he Savoy is truly a journey into history & tradition in the best of English style.

5:30pm was our start time for champagne & tour of Claridge's Hotel. Our host for this portion of the evening was the very charming Director of Private Visits & Embassy Relations - Mr Alessandro Bakirtzdis. This property truly holds the claim of Mayfair's Art Deco jewel. It was just a short walk from Claridge's to the Connaught where our Maybourne hosts Rebecca Sajous and Head Concierge Corrado Bogni gave us a top to bottom tour of this historic 5 star hotel tucked into a quiet corner in Mayfair.

Enroute to The Dorchester

The following day which would be our last full day in London started with brunch at 45 Park Lane in the Wolfgang Puck award winning restaurant - CUT. Our hosts for the morning were the General Manager - Christophe Hilty and the Director of Sales for the Dorchester Collection - Victoria White. We had a delicious meal accompanied by the best Bloody Mary's in town. 45 Park Lane is a small 45 room boutique hotel that is very chic and affords all room Hyde Park views. Following brunch and our tour of the property we walked across the block to the flagship hotel of the collection - The Dorchester.The paparazzi was in full-force outside the hotel in the hopes of getting a shot of one of the many celebrities that were in residence that weekend.Our hosts would not divulge which celebrities were actually staying there despite our constant urging.That's reassuring to know that they are truly professional in every sense of the word. The Dorchester is located on Park Lane in between Hyde Park Corner and Marble Arch. This property is one of the top hotels in the world and has a rich history of being center stage for over 50 years and a home-away-from-home to world leaders, royalty and Hollywood celebrities.

View from the Penthouse
at the Corinthia

Our last & final hotel stay was the brand new Corinthia Hotel located close to the Thames and just
moments from Covent Garden & Westminster. This hotel represents state of the art 21st century luxury. The lobby is very contemporary and each guest room is a quiet & peaceful haven that has every high tech amenity one could wish for.

The highlight of our stay was the cocktail party hosted by Marianne Kassapian the Hotel Sales & Marketing Manager which was held on the penthouse terrace. Amazing views out over the London skyline with Big Ben and the London Eye all right there in full view. We were hard-pressed to leave this one-of-a-kind setting. We all tried our best to capture this on film. Dinner that night at Massimo Restaurant located off the lobby was very memorable. Bags had to be packed that night as we had an early wake-up call for our transportation back to Heathrow Airport and the 1030am departure for JFK.

Tom Mullen
Director Edgewood Division
Travel Exchange - A Proud Member of Virtuoso
67 Holly Hill Lane
Greenwich,CT 06830
203-661-7233
tomm@travelexchange.net

Silver Cloud Baltic Cruise and visit to Berlin - London Four Seasons Park Lane

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 21:21:00 +0000

Hi all...

I have been remiss in not sending this out sooner but the memories are still very vivid in my mind!

Cruising into London

Bill and I were Voyager Club hosts on the Silver Cloud that sailed from Copenhagen through the Baltic and ended up in London at the Tower Bridge! It was a spectacular cruise with a wonderful itinerary. We departed Copenhagen on July 5 then cruised to Tallin Estonia, St. Petersburg (two nights), Helsinki, Stockholm, Visby, Rostock (East German port three hours from Berlin), Transit Kiel Canal and ended up at the Tower Bridge in London on July 17. I still have goose bumps thinking about sailing under the Tower Bridge with hoards of Brits cheering and singing Hale Britannia. No doubt there were probably some Americans in the group as well.

Voyager Club lunch Helsinki

It was a delight to be on the Silver Cloud with only 250 passengers with exceptional crew and accommodations. We became easily familiar with the ship and acquainted with many of the passengers. Our Voyager Club group was only 16 and most enjoyable. There were two Dartmouth graduates in the group so Bill was in his element. We dined with them many nights and thoroughly enjoyed their company. The best feature was to be able to go to any of the three dining rooms and a reservation was not always necessary. We especially loved sitting at the pool deck in the evening and dining at the "Hot Rocks" venue where you cook your own food on a hot lava rock. We had fantastic weather the whole time..even in Russia where they told us it usually rains every other day and is much colder..it was sunny and 70s most of the time.

Our onboard lecturer Corey Sandler made the whole cruise experience that much better. We attended lectures each day preparing us for the next port and informing us of all the history and special places to visit. Corey is a frequent lecturer for Silversea and many passengers go just to hear him. By the way, I was amazed that most of the passengers I spoke with were on their 5th and 6th Silversea cruise..some as many as 20.

When the shore excursions were available to book, I immediately signed up for the full day (12 hours) tour to Berlin. I was encouraged to do so by Barbara and my German friend. Bill was very reticent but decided to go along. It was an excellent program and well worth the time. The bus ride went very quickly as we were given presentations on a TV about the history of Berlin. It was amazing how Berlin has been completely rebuilt after being destroyed in WWII. My best description for Berlin..
is BIG and MIND BOGGLING!

All of our shore programs were well run and the groups were not too large. As a Voyager Club hostess I was the escort for the tour in Helsinki that Virtuoso offers. We were a small group of 14 and every single person came to me at the end and thanked me and said how much they enjoyed the day. It is a definite perk for Virtuoso members.

When we disembarked in London I arranged to be picked up by our on site and taken to Four Seasons. I was happy that I had done that as it would have been difficult to get a taxi and manage..of course we had four bags plus hand luggage!

Looking down from the London Eye

I had been to Four Seasons about 15 years ago and was overwhelmed with its transformation. We were stunned when we were shown to our suite which I had arranged with Susannah Lurie. It pays to be a Preferred Partner and with the Travel Exchange! The closet was as big as most bedrooms in London. The best part was Bill could watch the British Open on the TV in the bathroom mirror! The room and bathroom had every possible amenity plus we had a lovely outside verandah big enough for a party. The problem was that it was unusually hot in London in the 90s! Bill and I spent two days with relatives in London revisiting the sights and riding the London Eye. One evening we stepped out for dinner and doorman offered the Rolls to take us to our restaurant! Why not?!? When we pulled up to the small restaurant in Covent Garden everyone was looking in to see who we were.. what a disappointment... but I gave them the Royal wave.

View from the London Eye

Thus far our trip had been unfolding like a dream! Our last day in London I had planned to meet some older relatives out in the country. Then we were driving to Heathrow to spend our last night at the airport. So I had decided we would have to rent a car and take all our bags. I went to the Hertz place not far from the hotel (the Rolls took me) and then the problems started. I could not take the car back to the hotel as it is in the restricted area of London and you need to pay a fee...etc...etc.. I had requested a GPS but they told me there was a $50 drop off for the GPS at the airport...are you kidding me!? Auto Europe forgot to tell me but I negotiated it down to $20.

Then the fun began driving out of London on the wrong side of the street. My husband was ready to kill me but after ending up back in the same place three times we made it to the M4. It was a breeze from there with the GPS about two hours total. We had lunch at a lovely place in the Costwolds..Calcot Manor in Tetbury. (It is represented by Rebecca Slater).

Our last lap was driving back to Heathrow which was not bad until I tried to find the drop off for the Hertz car..but of course I had to fill up with gas first. The London Heathrow Hilton is a perfect hotel for anyone departing on Delta. You can actually walk through a tunnel with your bags or they will take you on their cart. It made it so easy for check in the next morning at 8am and our flight back to Florida via Atlanta. Generally speaking I was pleased with Delta. We paid for Economy plus seating but it was a bad choice going over as that seat was next to an exit row and the freezing wind blasted us all night.

I would be delighted to hear from any of you with comments or questions. I would recommend you consider doing a Voyager Club cruise but pick a small ship!

More pictures:

Pam VR Long
Virtuoso Travel Consultant
Travel Exchange
PO box 559
Palm City, FL 34991
860 930 5007 cell
772 781 8099 fax/phone

VERONA - FLORENCE - MILANO - KURTZ AHLERS FAM TRIP

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:05:00 +0000

I must say that this fam has been the best organized, the most attentive to, and caring of, the agents on this trip. I have been on many fams in the over 25 years I have been in the industry, and without a doubt, this has been the best.   We were taken to wineries, guided tours, everything that would give us the flavor of where we were, most valuable, since we can share these experiences with our clients. And of course.... the properties were the most amazing - each its own personality, each one a perfect place. Kurtz Ahlers has great properties worldwide (check their website) and, as you can see from the well organized fam, they sure do care about their agents.

PALAZZO VICTORIA - VERONA

Once a Roman Palazzo (there are still tiled floors from the Palazzo - as well as remains of Roman street which can be seen through glass from the main level, or to which one can go down to. (Their meeting room is just off this area). On arrival, one walks in and finds a very discreet check-in (the inner works behind doors) with great smiling and efficient reception   The hotel itself is an amazing mix of the coolest Italian modern (out of a magazine) white leather couches and enormous white leather chairs, subtle lighting... The rooms and suites, each different, in traditional decor,    Windows that open (wonderful in weather as we had - cool evenings - all very quiet) Efficient bathrooms. My favorite suite was one of their honeymoon suites with balcony with bed juxtaposition-ed to face the balcony.... I can just imagine breakfast in bed there ..... Dining at hotel was an experience in itself.   Great location, walking distance to everything.   Any time of the year would be lovely, but during Spring-Summer season Verona has Opera performances in the Roman Colosseum - our clients should experience this. Valpolicella wineries close by - we had great wine tasting at the Allegria winery. They treated us like royalty with the best wine tasting! One can fly in/out of Milano and can also fly in/out of Venice.

IL SALVIATINO - FIESOLE

A short train ride from Verona to Florence. Il Salviatino picked us up and took us up to the Fiesole hills.
What amazing views from there over Florence. Il Salviatino is a gem. Each room and suite so different
from each other. I had a garden room with sliding doors to the lovely gardens. One of the agents had a suite with wrap-around enormous terrace - bedroom main level and the sitting room up a circular staircase. There was a suite with painted, coffered ceilings - everything from the original palace - all local stones and materials. Terrific bathrooms (some have tubs - if having a tub is important we can request) The shower stall and the w/c stall doors made of translucent glass - wonderful bath products and great towels. Dining here is also an experience. The food and service exquisite. Il Salviatino has a lovely spa with delightful masseuses. The pool is located right outside the spa, great for relaxing before or after a great massage. Check-in so discreet only an elegant desk with a laptop where the most delightful staff sits at all times and each request is met with a smile, a real smile, and you can consider it done. From Il Salviatino one can tour the Chianti wineries. Here we also had a great, special lunch served to us with the different wine pairings. Il Salviatino has shuttle into Florence - great way to do Florence.... go into the city, walk, shop, tour, and then return to the fresh air up on the hill.,

HOTEL ARMANI - MILANO

And we move on to what I would say is the epitome of the Milano experience. Not one detail overlooked.
Each detail - be it pillows (...and what pillows...) place settings, everything your hand touches or your eyes see pewter had to be approved by Mr. Armani. The colors are the most soothing - different tones of gray - from silver to pearl to pewter grays and touches of Armani black. ,Fabulous spa with relaxation room overlooking Milano. There is a relaxation pool as well.   All so quiet... Also several private steam bath rooms and saunas. The doors are mirrored and once inside it turns into glass, and you can be sitting enjoying your sauna while, again here, you are looking over the roofs of Milano. The spa is on the 8th floor. Dining (on the 7th floor) is another amazing experience! The food, the wines, the sophisticated ambiance is one and only.    And to watch the so elegant Milanese - all so slim - how do they do it???? you can sit (and drink) all night and never be bored....

Security could not be better. Reception is on the 7th floor. Elevator will not move if the Concierge does
not swipe his key, or if you are already checked in, you swipe your own key. On the ground level there are some couches and the Concierge is there to assist you and instruct you on procedures to go up to the lobby and your room. Even their smallest room is large, and larger than any such category in Milano. I had a fabulous suite with windows overlooking Milanese flats - some rooms/suites overlook the Duomo - some inside courtyard - and so on. Talk about state-of-the art at your feet...   The best is the TV monitor from which you can also adjust the temperature, open/close the curtains,   the shades.... you don't have to move - all you have to do is sit and press a button... You can drink with one hand and push buttons with the other....

The bathrooms are amazing. Big bathtub and the w/c as well as the enormous shower stall have floor to ceiling mirrored doors and when you go in - voila - it is glass and you can shower looking out at the apartments across the way (don't forget to have curtains/shades open....). The rain shower has a power
I have never experienced -   never wanted to leave that shower... The bath products fabulous and last but not least.... you know the proverbial, ugly, plastic shower cap? Not at Armani's my friend. I am sure the gods of fashion and style would have NEVER forgiven Mr. Armani if he had done such thing.... his shower caps are water-proof fabric.... Armani black of course.... Actually, I played around with mine and it would make a cute beret if one perhaps added a little (Armani silver) feather... maybe a touch of red?

I have names/contacts which I will gladly share if you need VIP'ing etc.

Luisa

Luisa McGrath
Travel Exchange - A Virtuoso Agency
2 Sconset Square
Westport, Ct. 06880
203-221-3500

ANA Tokyo Fam 6-10 June, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Continental Non-stop from Newark to Tokyo Narita

I flew over to Tokyo Narita on a Continental’s Boeing 777 in “BusinessFirst”. That class features comfortable “lay-flat” seats. I had my own little “pod” and felt very comfortable during the entire flight. The “on board” service was excellent and began with beverage service while the other passengers were still boarding. The entertainment system was also available for use during boarding. I’m about 5’6” tall and felt very comfortable in the “lay flat” seat position. I usually sleep on my side and I was able to stretch out and get into all of my usual comfortable sleeping positions with ease. I’m not certain if a much taller person would be equally as comfortable, but it seemed that I had approximately 6 extra inches at my head to spare. I was so comfortable on this flight that I didn’t even notice when we were descending for a landing at Narita. Before I knew it, we were comfortably on the ground. The flight attendant didn’t even bother to check whether or not my seat was in the “upright position” for landing.

If your client likes to be “checked-on” frequently by the flight attendants and feel pampered and well cared for, this is a great option for them. They will be very comfortable and very well fed as well.

One major drawback on this aircraft was the configuration of the seating. If you have a window seat and the person next to you is lying flat, you will have to climb over them if you have a need to leave your seat for any reason, including using the restroom. Considering the cost of the flight, this could be a very awkward experience. It would be best to book seats in the center of the aircraft so that your clients won’t have to climb over anyone during the long flight for any reason whatsoever. Also, I happened to be wearing white pants on the flight to Narita. The comforter that was provided to me by Continental shed fibers and rubbed off all over my white pants. It temporarily turned them navy blue. Although a nuisance, the navy blue fibers came out in the wash, but it was a little embarrassing deplaning.

To see more details about the features of the entertainment center and in-flight amenities, visit Continental

Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu

On the first night in Tokyo, we stayed at the Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu. This hotel can be directly accessed from Terminal 2, the domestic terminal, at Haneda airport. When I looked out of my window and saw all of the parked aircraft, it almost seemed as though I would be sleeping in the terminal building. I was very concerned about noise from the airplanes but fortunately, I didn’t hear a thing! The room was exceptionally serene and quiet. I couldn’t even hear the water running in the room next to mine, nor the sound of the jet engines, nor people’s voices in the hallway – absolutely nothing. The décor was simple and clean and consisted mostly of muted neutral tones. The restaurant was lovely and offered both Eastern and Western style cuisine. The breakfast buffet presented an extensive variety of foods and was particularly impressive.

My Room

There is a small meeting room available for guests. If you have need additional space to accommodate a larger group, the hotel has two banquet rooms which can accommodate many more people. These facilities can be booked directly with the hotel and do not require a room reservation.

View from my room

The Capitol Hotel Tokyu

My first impression of the Capitol Hotel Tokyu was that it had a very authentic overall Japanese “feel”. It was decorated in neutral tones and I would describe the decor as very simple but also very elegant.


the lobby

When first entered my room, I found myself in a tastefully decorated entry foyer which was separated from the rest of the room. This really set a lovely tone to the experience of entering the space. I had the distinct impression that once I opened the second door, I would find a beautiful room, and my impression was correct. There was a large window which ran the entire length of the room and provided a panoramic view of Tokyo and a beautiful shrine which was just below. I was especially impressed with the shower area and loved the fact that I could open the blinds and enjoy a beautiful view of Tokyo from the comfort of the bathtub.


Entering my room


Views of my room

My room was on the 26th floor. The club level rooms were on floors 27-29. There is an exceptionally elegant and special suite on the 5th floor of the hotel. There is no other suite like it in all of Tokyo. This suite cannot be found in the GDS, but can be booked by contacting the hotel directly. It’s called the “Temple Suite” because it offers a magnificent view of the temple through the “wall to wall” windows in the suite. The view also allows you to experience the feeling of being in a tranquil park setting.

The Temple Suite

One of the finest dining experiences that I have ever enjoyed was when we were treated to a magnificent 10 course traditional Japanese meal at Suiren, the formal dining restaurant at The Capitol Hotel Tokyu. It was simply one of the most sumptuous epicurean culinary experiences I have ever had the pleasure to enjoy. Every dish was succulent and beautifully plated and presented. It was a feast for the eyes as well as a treat to the palate. The flavors were delicate and subtle and very delicious and the service was impeccable.

Our breakfast was served at Origami, which had a more relaxed and casual feel. There were ala carte selections as well as a full Eastern or Western style breakfast available. Again, everything I ate was well prepared, well served, and delicious.

Our host, Michael, mentioned that the theme of the hotel was appropriately “Japan” and I think that the reflecting pools which seemed to surround the hotel at ground level tied in beautifully with that theme.

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at The Capitol Hotel Tokyu.

We had one free day of sightseeing and four of us spent the day exploring a bit of Tokyo. We were able to navigate the subway system fairly well. The people of Tokyo seemed very gracious and were more than pleased to help us and show us the way to get anywhere and everywhere in the city. They were kind and extremely courteous and that was very refreshing. After a long day of sightseeing, another agent and I spent a few hours at Tokyo Disneyland. That was also very enjoyable and lots of fun!

Tokyo seemed virtually unaffected by the recent natural disaster that occurred there. One could sense that the people were somewhat affected although they went about their business as usual. Our host at The Capitol Hotel Tokyu remarked that, during the earthquake, he thought it might be the “end of the world” for him. He also shared a bit of the feeling of fear that gripped the people of Tokyo during the event. He was in New York on September 11th and he felt that the earthquake experience in Japan was very similar and equally as traumatic for the people of Japan as the attack on the World Trade Center was for the people of our country. I felt very safe while I was in Tokyo and I hope to return someday with my husband and children.

ANA non-stop from Tokyo Narita to JFK

My return fight was in business class on an ANA 777 which also featured “lay-flat” seats. I had my own little “pod” and felt very comfortable. The flight attendants were very attentive and the service was excellent. If you have a client who doesn’t want to be bothered too much by the flight attendants and wants to be left in peace to sleep or to work, this is a great option. I was able to sleep for 6 straight hours on the flight home and still had time to watch 3 movies and eat two complete meals. The seats on this flight are wider than the Continental flight and I was able to stretch out and get into all of my usual comfortable sleeping positions with ease. I’m not sure about how comfortable it would be for a person much taller than me, but I had about 6 inches at my head to spare and probably about 5 additional inches of space at my feet. I was very comfortable on this flight and the noise canceling headphones which ANA provided, as well as their lavender scented aromatherapy card, really helped me relax and sleep comfortably. I didn’t notice the descent at all. (I am almost always sensitive to altitude changes in flight, so that’s why I feel it’s worth mentioning.).

The in-flight entertainment system was geared more for the airline’s Japanese clientele, but I was still able to find plenty of movies to watch; most of which I had never seen before. There was also an abundance of video games available and even in-flight text messaging. For example, if someone you know is traveling on the same flight and is sitting a few rows behind you, you can actually send a text message to them while you are in flight.

The Japanese passenger will feel especially at ease on board this flight. It is worth mentioning that much like every bathroom that I saw in Japan; there is a bidet as well as a commode on board the aircraft.

Unlike the Continental aircraft, if you book a window seat, the seat configuration aboard is “1-2-1” which enables you to exit the seat for any reason without disturbing any other passenger.

To see more details about the features of the entertainment center and in-flight amenities, visit ANA

-By Christiana Holms

Istanbul Turkey

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Mon, 23 May 2011 14:55:00 +0000

Fascinating Turkey bridges two continents, figuratively and literally, and is an exotic confluence of cultures that make it unique among countries. When all is said and done, Istanbul is the vibrant essence of the Turkey. This capital city of the Eastern Orthodox faith presents a lineup of museums, religious monuments and palaces that reveal many centuries worth of history. The Blue Mosque is one of the great masterpieces of Islamic architecture, and the Topkapi Palace was the royal center of the Ottoman Empire.

Day 1: Arrival Welcome to Istanbul

After you arrive at Ataturk International Airport, Istanbul an English-speaking driver will meet you just outside the customs hall will to take you to the Hyatt Regency, and have a sign with your name. You will be staying at the Hyatt Regency for 5 nights in deluxe accommodations. Hyatt Regency Istanbul Hotel reflects the spirit and culture of the magical city of Istanbul. The hotel enjoys a spectacular setting overlooking the Bosphorus. This fabled channel links the Black Sea and Sea of Marmara.

In the 2,500 year history of Istanbul, the Bosphorus, its extension the Golden Horn and the historical peninsula have always been coveted places.

After freshening up and eating lunch, our guests will have free time to explore the historic landmarks of the Old City or just take in the spectacular setting overlooking the Bosphorus Strait.

Day 2: Explore Istanbul’s Old Town

Enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast at the Hyatt and meet your English speaking guide in the lobby for an all day tour. Your tour begins by exploring the Old City of Istanbul and The Blue Mosque with a visit to the famed Topkapi Palace.

Lunch at a local restaurant where you can sample some of the wonderful Turkish cuisine.

Following lunch, visit Hagia Sofia, one of the most important Christian monuments of all time. Built by Constantine the Great in the 6th century reconstructed by Justinian in 536.

Topkapi Palace is the most beautiful example of Ottoman civil architecture. Topkapi is the biggest museum in Turkey and has the richest collection. The first courtyard is a magnificent wooded garden Visit the Harem, with some three hundred different chambers and halls and view the magnificent jewel collection.

Hagia Sofia or “Holy Wisdom” Famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture. It was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, your day concludes at the Grand Bazaar a covered marketplace with nearly 4,000 vendors selling Turkish products, spices, leather goods, brass and of course Turkish carpets.

Return to your hotel around 6PM.

Day 3: Exploring Istanbul’s Art Collections

Enjoy complimentary continental breakfast at the hotel, then meet your guide to start this exciting day exploring the ancient and modern art of Turkey. Your day starts with Istanbul Modern Museum of Art, along the shore of the Bosphorus.

Your driver guide will then drive along the scenic Bosphorus Avenue to the Family Villa of the Sabanci’s, followed by a visit to the Private Museum of Lady Sadberk.
A lunch stop along the banks of the Bosphorus.
After lunch a visit to the Museum of Turkish Arts.

Istanbul Modern has exhibitions on two floors. The museum's permanent exhibition, along with the shop and the restaurant, is located on the top floor. Temporary exhibitions are located on the lower floor, along with the cinema and the library.

Sakip Sabanaci, one of Turkey’s leading industrialists, created a place on a hilltop overlooking the Bosphorus to showcase the cultural masterpieces of Turkey and stem the tide of these masterpieces departure from Turkey.

Private Museum of Lady Sadberk is the first privately owned museum in Turkey, created by the late wife of Vehbi Koc, The museum exhibits a rich array of porcelains, enamels, fabrics, and jewelry.

Day 4: The Jewels of Byzantine Art

Start the day with a complimentary continental breakfast at hotel. This morning you have a 4 hour guided tour starting at the Byzantine City Walls that were constructed between 413 and 447 by Emperor Theodosius II, just in time to defeat Attila, the Hun.

Lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant where you can enjoy the wonderful Turkish cuisine typically starting off with a wide selection of tapas-type small plates called mezes followed by grilled fish. or kebabs Tour continues to the 6th century Underground Cistern, an unusual structure in Istanbul, exhibiting the engineering marvels that solved water supply problems.

Last site of the day is to the Hippodrome which was a colossal stadium that housed horse races.

Hippodrome of Constantinople was a horse-racing place and social center of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire. Today the area is officially called Sultanahmet Square. Hippodrome was spreading over 480x117 meters and said that it holds 100,000 spectators.

Underground Cistern is thought to have been built after the Nika revolt in 532 AD. It was known as the Basilica Cistern during the Roman period, as there was a Stoa Basilica above the pre-existing one at the time. After the conquest of the city by the Ottoman Turks, it was forgotten and nobody knew that it existed. Re-discovered in 1545, it was used to water the gardens of Topkapi Palace.

Day 5: Explore The Bosphorus

After breakfast at the hotel, guests will board the charming public ferry for a ride on the Bosphorus. Along the way you will see the old Ottoman wooden mansions, marble places and small fishing villages. The ferry cruise will end at the fishing village of Sariyer, where the Black Sea merges with Marmara Sea.

Enjoy a seafood lunch along the Bosphorus and your guide will drive along the European shore of the Bosphorus and take you to the magnificent Dolmabahçe Palace

The Dolmabahçe Palace served as the main administrative center of Ottoman Empire from 1853 to 1922, apart from a twenty-year interval (1889-1909) in which the Yildiz Palace was used.

Return to the hotel late afternoon to enjoy your last evening in Istanbul.

Day 6: Depart for home.

Your driver will meet you in the lobby of the hotel to transfer you back to the airport for your flight home. We hope you will return with fond memories of your visit to Istanbul the city that bridges the cultures of East & West.

Private estates, castles and chateaus in Italy and France

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:48:00 +0000

Villa Spalletti Trivelli - Rome, Italy - www.villaspallettitrivelli.com
Andrea Spalletti - Owner, Sales Representative
Maria Merra - General Manager

Described as a century-old opulent city retreat, this beautiful restored estate provides all the comfort of a 5-star hotel in a luxury residence. All the 12 rooms and suites, as well as the public areas, are large and airy showcasing antiques and family collections. Each room is unique with handmade pure linen sheets replicating the family's coat of arms, antique furniture, portraits and drawings with very large marble bathrooms.

The impressive Library is recognized by the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture. Their beautiful private garden as well as their Health Center provide respite from Rome's hustle and bustle.

We were privileged to enjoy a delightful dinner with Andrea Spalletti Trivelli, a most charming young man sharing with us his family history and residence ghosts. A great selection of breakfast items are set up in the family dining room daily. Lunch and dinner can be arranged by request only. This unique property is not for everyone, but will appeal to clients who return to Rome searching for privacy and elegance in an old estate.

Borgo de Castelvecchio - near Siena, Tuscany, Italy - www.borgodicastelvecchio.com
Count and Countess Alessandro and Simona Gaetani d'Aragona - Owners

This most charming medieval hamlet is part of the family's 2000 acre estate overlooking the breathtaking Val D'Orcia in Tuscany. The castle is dating back to the 11th century composed of old stone farmhouses faithfully restored maintaining the original architecture. In the heart of the fortress you will find the original school house, church/chapel and the old barn which has been converted into an amazing dining hall used for weddings and other functions. Its beautiful terrace, surrounded by wrought iron gazebo covered with thick wisteria, overlooks a limitless and unforgettable Tuscan landscape.

Our host and hostess, Alessander and Simona, welcomed us into their unique home with such warm and genuine hospitality that we felt like their close friends. A family feast was prepared consisting of fresh organic products from the farm, including antelope, their own wine, olive oil, and produce, all delicious.

Among other activates, the estate has two swimming pools, a riding school specializing in obstacle jumps, dressage and country horse riding. The grounds are ideal for hiking and exploring, they offer cooking classes as well as photography and painting lessons. The rooms are large and comfortable all offering incredible views. In addition to the main building they also have restored old farmhouses, which are ideal for families. Total rooms/farmhouses: 31

Villa Mangiacane, Chianti Classico - Florence, Italy - www.villamangiacane.com
Juan Miguel - Hotel Manager

Our next stop brought us to the winemaking region of Chianti and the 15th century Villa Mangiacane located 7 miles south of Florence.

Mangiacane is a private estate set within 600 acres of flourishing vineyards and olive groves which produces four award winning wines and a distinctive olive oil which you can taste and enjoy during your stay. The classic beauty of Mangiacane combined with its history, art and idyllic countryside setting create the perfect backdrop for a Tuscan wedding, unforgettable holiday or exclusive rental. Luxurious facilities complement the private villa, including the newly opened Nadushka Spa, three swimming pools, unique sculpture gardens and breathtaking Tuscan views of the Duomo in Florence. The villa was built for the Machiavelli family with whispers that Michelangelo himself participated in the design. In fact, because of the significance of the owners and architects, the original building plan for improvements are housed at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Perhaps the most admirable details at the villa are found in the beautifully restored Renaissance frescos, which were uncovered in the revival process.

All the accommodations are spacious, unique and filled with the owner's extensive art collections. The staff could not have been more friendly and accommodating. Total rooms 28. (Some of the beautiful duplexes might not be suitable for older guest since the bathrooms are located upstairs.)

And off we go to France.

Cap Estel - Eze Bord de Mer, French Riviera - www.capestel.com
Bernard Apthorp - General Director

This true legend and prestigious hideway was built in the 19th century by a Russian aristocrat and is located on a 5-acre peninsula overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The views are second to none, regardless of the location of your suite or room. The interior offers equal parts of "period pieces and modern boutique" with vibrant colors mixed with bright minimalist white. The rooms are very comfortable with modern beds and baths alongside antique mirrors and Louis XVI armchairs and private terraces or balconies. The suites are sprawling and decadent, some in the main building and others in the Italian-style villa directly on the ocean. Meals are served in the Pool House by the "to die for" infinity pool, or in the stylish dining room.

The villa comes with a spa and fitness center housing another beautifully tiled indoor pool, a billiard room, a piano bar and a private cinema. We were fortunate to spend two nights in this magnificent home. I felt every day as though my eyes would just give out because they couldn't take in all the beauty. A must see if you are in the area. 14 suites - 4 rooms.

Le Chateau de la Treyne - on the Dordogne River in Midi-Pyrenees Region east of Bordeaux France - www.chateaudelatreyne.com
Philippe and Stephanie Gombert - Owners

This storybook towered chateau dates back to the 14th century and is set amid three hundred acres of gardens and woodlands in France's most renowned gastronomic area. La Treyne is really a genuine home unobtrusively decorated with discreet luxury. The fourteen rooms and two apartments invite you into the real life of a chateau. You may dine in Salon Louis XIII or enjoy sunset on the lovely terrace overhanging the Dordogne River. My princely room was located in the tower and when I opened the windows the lovely views of the river and Baroque gardens took my breath away. Blue, blue skies, fresh spring air and nothing but rolling hills invite you to an unforgettable experience in the French countryside.

The chateau's finest jewel must surely be its grand Louis XIII Salon. Regularly, candle-lit dinners with guests in period costume are organized in order to re-live La Treyne's glorious past. The chef, Stephane Andrieux, has devoted his culinary know-how exclusively to Chateau de La Treyne for the past ten years. His creativity and talent earned him his first Michelin star in 2001.

The region offer endless activities for both sport enthusiasts as well as for those seeking architectural heritage. Close by you may explore picturesque markets, mountain citadels, abbeys, churches and vinyards. It is also a land of caves and caverns, cliffs for rock-climbing, hiking and canoeing, just to name a few.

I must express how grateful I am that the Dordogne was part of our trip. It offers peace and quiet for those in search of nature and authenticity. I hope to return soon.

Le Moulin de L'Abbaye - Brantome, region of Perigord, Dordogne, France - www.moulinabbaye.com
Stephan Chaline - Manager
Guilaume Puig - Assistant Manager

Le Moulin de l'Abbaye is an old mill converted into a romantic hotel and restaurant situated in the Village of Brantome - "the Venice of the Perigord".

The elegant Gourmet Restaurant is a culinary delight with an amazing view of the river of la Dronne and the Village. The old Benedictine Abbey was founded in 769 by Charlemagne and is home to the relics of Saint-Sicaire and has become a much visited place of pilgrimage. Walking around Brantome with its beautiful dwellings is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

Le Mouline offers a total of 19 accommodations in three historical buildings. The ancient Mill, The Miller House and the Abbot House, dating back to the 13th century, will accommodated couples or families in well appointed rooms, suites and apartments. The public areas are warm and inviting complemented by an extremely friendly and accommodating staff. Activities in the area include kayaking, fishing, horseback riding, vineyards and markets. Unfortunately our one night visit was too short to enjoy all this village has to offer,

In addition to these properties, I was able to include hotel inspections at:

The Hassler, Roma
Portrait Suites, Roma
Chateau Eze, Eze
Chateau de La Chevre d'Or, Eze
Hotel La Perouse, Nice
Hotel San Regis, Paris

Feel free to contact me if you have clients interested in any of these hotels.
Photos and article by Anne Grethe Parkin - anenegrethep@travelexchange.net

Acqualina, North Miami Beach - an Absolute Jewel

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Sat, 08 May 2010 15:09:00 +0000

What a wonderful long weekend Acqualina presents for us folks n the Northeast, or from anywhere for that matter - the hotel/resort is that good!

Acqualina is officially in Sunny Isles - the northern tip of Miami's barrier island. Here are some of the best beaches of the island. Yes Acqualina is a high rise, usually not my preferred sort of resort, but they do things very differently.

First there are only 4 to 6 rooms per floor which creates an amazing 775 sq. feet of privacy. Even the standard rooms are as large which face the intracoastal, with views of the Miami skyline. The oceanfront rooms offer magnificent sea views. All rooms have expansive balconies which solved my concern of high rise hotels without windows that open.

The rooms are beautifully appointed with all the amenities one would expect of a 5 star hotel, and a few little unexpected extras as well. Everything is done in a thoughtful way . We had a classic suite which has only 4 in the complex - a huge balcony overlooking the sea, a full parlor with dining area and a very comfortable bedroom & bath.

The colors at Acqualina are warm and vibrant and set the mood nicely. The ambiance is one of international flair and guests come from Europe, South America and the U.S. There is an air of casual sophistication, and the guests ages range from the young successful side to older folk like myself who enjoy the pleasures of a fine hotel. Families with children are comfortable also and they have a fine children's program.

The service at Acqualina is impeccable, From the time one checks in it is hard to miss that everyone cares about the guest experience. There are two restaurants at the beach where one can dine al fresco then move to the lawn in comfortable lounge chairs or to the beach adjacent. A sign of good service was when i moved to one of the lounge chairs after lunch and a pool boy, without my requesting it, quietly placed a pitcher of water with lemon, (he remembered), and the latest Vogue at the table alongside - just in case i wanted some reading material.

The main dining room is operated by Il Mulino of New York fame. We met several local friends here for dinner one evening, and they are local gourmands. The pasta was good, but not up to the expectations, and I suspect that the executive chef was not in residence. They have some house infused grappas which are displayed in big glass jugs on the bar.

We also went down to South Beach to a wonderful Argentine restaurant we know there, and also enjoyed a wonderful Brazilian churrasco rotisserie which was nearby Acqualina.

In a word, the hotel is sexy and vibrant. One feels quite pampered in this sybaritic oasis of tranquility.

for more information contact Barbara
barbarah@travelexchange.net

Mayan Rivera - Rosewood Mayakoba Resort

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:19:00 +0000

Rosewood always has a wonderful touch in everything they do and the Rosewood Mayakoba is no exception.

Mayakoba is a planned, private resort community on a pristine stretch of Caribbean beach just a bit over 30 minutes south of Cancun. At the center is an 18 hole Greg Norman designed golf course surrounded by three hotels: Rosewood Mayakoba, Banyan Tree and Fairmont.

Each hotel is inter-connected by fresh water limestone canals and one can take a covered lagoon boat to the golf course, to the neighboring hotels for dining & spas and they all have inter-changeable charge account privileges with each other.

Jungle .Coast. Reef. - Mayakoba is teeming with the flora and fauna of these three distinct, yet interdependent ecosystems.

Rosewood Mayakoba Resort has wonderful architecture from the Spanish architect house Casa Y Jardin, of Madrid - Architects: Gonzalo Martínez-Pita & Enrique Erpen. Casa y Jardin also did the exceptional interiors and appointments.

The architecture inspired us to consider building a 21st century, small dwelling, in the style of our wonderful over-the water suite. Everything is so well appointed. From the moment you glide onto your private lagoon deck and are met by your butler, to the lovely outdoor shower one has the feeling of being in a very special place.

From the deck one can watch the bird life in the mangroves and the private plunge pool. There is every gadget one would want from a Nespresso machine to an Ipod docking station. The furnishings are very unique, with a real flair for design. Everywhere one looks, there is a feast for the senses..It is a very large suite that flows beautifully, and the windows are placed to provide wonderful vignettes of the architecture and and offers full privacy.

The resort spans from the beach into the mangrove bayous and to get around one can walk the lovely paths or take one of the frequent golf carts making the loop. For those that prefer to be near the beach the beachfront suites or the even larger oceanview suites with rooftop pool and sea views are the best choice.

. From the warm,friendly waiters at breakfast, to the beach restaurant, where one can enjoy a wonderfully prepared tapas menu for under $25 ; dining is a true pleasure at Rosewood. Try the choya juice at breakfast.

A stay at Rosewood Mayakoba is a treat for all the senses. A perfect getaway from which you will return home feeling renewed and see life differently.

Mayan Riviera - Royal Hideaway

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:20:00 +0000

One week on the Mayan Riviera ....

Our first stay was at the wonderful, all inclusive resort of Royal Hideaway - a member of Occidental Hotel Group.

Typically, I am not one for "all-inclusive" hotels since I like to explore the region where I am, and sample the local cuisines. Royal Hideaway changed my mind greatly, but first let me start with the ambiance and accommodations at Royal Hideaway.

Hurricanes can bestow blessings, as well as devastation, and Wilma bestowed a spectacular beach on the Mexican Rivera, particularly in front of Royal Hideaway.

One of the places to dine is out on the deck overlooking this magnificent beach. In the evenings they also set up a bar on the beach and lovely wicker furniture with linens flowing in the breeze for sunset cocktails.

The accommodations are spacious. We were fortunate to get one of the duplex suites, which has a lovely sitting area, with a terrace and a hammock, overlooking the beach. Upstairs, a large bedroom with a very comfy bed, and a lovely bath with luxurious bath products. The piece de resistance was the large rooftop sundeck overlooking the ocean off the bedroom. The bedroom also boasted another terrace facing into the courtyard gardens.

Royal Hideaway is an adult only resort ,and the activities offered are refined and in keeping with the luxury the resort offers. One night they offer dancing to the Bossa Nova under the palms, another night martini tasting on the beach with a good combo.

The resort is especially good value offering free wi-fi along with all the dining and drinking experiences, hobie cats, sea kayaks and lots of other toys.

Low season rates until Dec. 17 are as low as $2,850 for two persons, seven night stay - all inclusive! This is a spectacular deal. As your Virtuoso agency we can offer a room upgrade subject to availability, a $100 spa credit, complimentary parking and priority dining reservations.

The charming town of Playa del Carmen is just there, where one can stroll the colorful pedestrian Fifth Avenue with its trattorias and shopping for Mexican handicrafts.

contact Travel Exchange 800-242-0248
Barbara Herrott barbarah@travelexchange.net

Anguilla and its wonderful beaches - Viceroy Hotel

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:21:00 +0000

     Just recently back from a week on Anguilla and a wonderful stay at the new Viceroy Hotel.

     Anguilla is now easy to reach by flying non stop to St Maarten/St Martinn, with its new wonderfully modern airport, and taking the Funtime power boat for the 30 minute hop across the water to the Customs House on Anguilla. Cost is approximately $80 each direction.

      Funtime is right at the airport. They operate a very efficient meet & greet service and makes for an enjoyable ride over to Anguilla. They even serve cold drinks and have a very friendly staff. Entering Anguilla requires a bit of paperwork but there is a nice West Indies feel to arriving at the Customs House and then a short taxi ride to your hotel.

     The Viceroy Anguilla just opened in November 2009 and is part of the growing Viceroy Hotel Group, (formerly Kor Hotel Group). The group is focused on distinctively styled properties with remarkable design elements and stylish flair. The first ones were in Santa Monica, Palm Springs and West Hollywood. The collection has now established The Tides as one of their signature brands and as a leading force of the contemporary hotel scene will be growing the collection.

The Anguilla property has very sophisticated and glamorous interiors done by Kelly Wearstler, a highly respected designer who brings a sensual style to her design.Everywhere you look there are interesting sculptures of organic materials from around the world and a feast for the senses.

Viceroy Anguilla sits on 35 acres between Barnes Bay and Meads Bay. and there are magnificent.sea views from the dramatic lobby area and most rooms. The beach club which offers lunch as well is a 5 minute shuttle ride away, Once the the final phase of the construction is complete it will be a short stroll down to Meads Bay. The hotel has managed to keep most of the construction from interfering with guests.

With any new property in the beginning there are some glitches along the way, and let's remember this is the Caribbean after all. All of these things will be worked through under the watchful eye of Jan Tibaldi, the hotel's Swiss General Manager. Jan was very visible throughout our week in all parts of the hotel, especially when some large seas required closing the main dining room for several days, and the second restaurant needed to be used for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Dining at Viceroy - , the restaurants have a good menu selection and use high quality ingredients with nice presentations. Coba, the premier dining room gives water views on all sides as it sits out on the promontory. The dining room staff are very friendly and all eager to please. I particularly like the trend for cafe presse in individual pots - nice full bodied coffee.

The rooms are very spacious and elegantly appointed in creams, and serene neutral tones with fine design furnishings and objets d'art throughout. The spacious terrace of a one bedroom has a plunge pool and both the bedroom and the living room give way onto the terrace.

The beaches of Anguilla are legendary. The Viceroy sits on a promontory flanked by Barnes Bay and Meads Bay. One has wonderful views of the azure Caribbean waters from most rooms.

The best way to do Anguilla is to have a car rental so one can experience different dining spots around the island. For a list of the best restaurants, please contact me and I will be happy to give you the scoop.

Barbara Herrott - barbarah@travelexchange.net

Restaurant Scene in Aruba - January 2010

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:30:00 +0000

Luisa McGrath has spend the last 20 years in Aruba during the month of January. Here's her report on the latest restaurant scene:

A new, terrific "open-air mall" has been built, across and very short walk from the Hyatt, where they have shops, restaurants, and even a fountain that has a light show at 8pm. Dancing waters (very mini Bellagio) but fun and does attract a lot of people. One can see it from any of the restaurants in the mall.

There are several restaurants with outdoor dining, a Mexican, a seafood, etc., also one of called Taste of Belgium, they have indoor and outdoor dining, looked really nice but did not have time to get back there for dinner. My group had dinner (10 of us) at the new Mr. Jazz (indoors) with big windows overlooking the square, and they do have a jazz band starting at 8pm (great band) and a dance floor as well. Great looking place and the food was excellent. We all had different food choices and each one of us loved our meal. Highly recommend it.Not terribly expensive.

The Hyatt itself has several restaurants, my favorite Ruinas del Mar. Try to get a table outside. Only about 6 tables and fun to watch the swans floating on the little river while you have dinner. Cannot make reservations for an outside table, so recommend going early for better chance. Food and service there excellent. On the high-priced category.

In that area there is a fun place, "Smoky Joe's" their specialty being ribs - Dick had them and they were fabulous. They have everything, from Cuban style chicken, to terrific burgers with gouda cheese, to fish and chips (they use the catch of the day - Lisa had it and it was Mahi-Mahi. ) Casual and fun. (outdoor seating) Not expensive.

Chez Matilde is back and wonderful! Pricey but fabulous. For the past couple of years it has undergone ownership/management changes and they finally put their act together again. It's downtown, but worth while the drive down. I always have the escargot and Lisa loves their onion soup. Lisa and Dick had fillet and some other kind of steak. I had a wonderful veal picatta. Lisa had a banana souffle for dessert - to die for.

Also downtown and specializing in fish is The Driftwood. We go there every year. It is a favorite of all our friends from our time-share. All of us go back and back again. Highly recommended. On the expensive side, but not terribly.

Another downtown restaurant we never miss is El Gaucho. Argentinian beef. Try the Churrasco. They don't make reservations, but when you arrive you can have a drink at the bar and they give you a little beeper that tells you when your table is ready. It used to be a long time to get your table, but the economy has take its toll and we just had to wait around 15 minutes this time. Also highly recommended. Average on the high side prices.

Downtown has a Cuban restaurant "Cuba's Cookin" real Cuban food and fun. It can be very noisy because they do have live band, so if you go, do ask for a table in the quieter room. Not sound-proof.... quieter.... If you, or a client goes there, let me know and I will suggest what to eat. Moderately priced.

Marandi has excellent food. I did not go this year but friends of mine did and they told me food as great as always. But, it used to be on the beach, which was fun, and now they have moved to the land-side. Expensive.

Madame Janette is very popular, people love it. Somehow it is not one of my favorites, but it is always crowded and very difficult to get a reservation. Also on the high-side pricing.

Chalet Suisse on the low-rise side of hotels, is excellent. They do have excellent Chilean seabass and I have had very good filet. Not romantic, but simple, elegant decor. Food is great. On the expensive side.

There is a new, casual place - Bingo - I did not go but friends of mine had a burger that they raved about. They do have full menu and it is not terribly expensive.

Marina Pirata, past the airport, a bit of a drive, has always been fun. Specializing in seafood. Worth the drive. Moderately priced.

Hostaria Da'Vittorio is a delightful Italian restaurant. On the expensive side, but excellent.

Bucaneer is an old favorite. Very fresh fish and seafood. If you go ask to be seated in one of the rooms with the walls line the fish tanks. One side especially, with the larger tanks, has lobsters and all kinds of strange fish - lots of fun to watch. Casual, on the moderately priced side.

On the low-rise side of hotels, short walk from my place, is Pizza Bob's. Casual, fun, and we had a pizza that I thought I would never like, but Lisa wanted it, so we had it - and I loved it! Barbequed chicken pizza. They have all kinds of pizzas of course and burgers and lots of other simple stuff. They also have wonderful Aruban beer on tap - great combination.

And the one I feel is the most romantic setting is Papiamento with fabulous food and wonderful service. One of the more expensive ones. Tables placed around the original (quite old) house and surrounding the pool with tables also inside, but you really want to sit outside. I do love this one.

And a new one (We went for brunch and it was to die for). Called Windows and it's located at the new Divi Golf Course. Set up high with wonderful views of the sea and the golf course. If you are drinking champagne they do keep pouring.... I lost track.... I did have a very good nap on the beach that afternoon.... Recommend very highly for brunch on Sunday. Pricey of course...

Many other restaurants - it is hard to have a bad meal in Aruba. Just highlighting the ones I know best.

I'm hungry.... I am going home.... Luisa

Luisa McGrath
Travel Exchange - A Virtuoso Agency
Westport, Ct. 06880
203-221-3500

Best Hotels of Hawaii and Aloha Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Aloha is the coordination of mind and heart... it's within the individual. It brings you down to yourself. You must think and emote good feelings to others.

A stands for AKAHAI, meaning kindness, to be expressed with tenderness.

L stands for LOKAHI, meaning unity, to be expressed with harmony.

O stands for `OLU`OLU, meaning agreeable, to be expressed with pleasantness.

H stands for HA`AHA`A, meaning humility, to be expressed with modesty.

A stands for AHONUI, meaning patience, to be expressed with perseverance.

Just back from 12 days in Hawaii and i was touched by the Aloha spirit. Some of you may have heard me say before going - i am not keen on Hawaii - it's such a long way to go for beaches that are not as good as those we have nearby.
     It has been 27 yrs since I was there - hard to believe. i used to go every year before that with one group or another and one of my early fams was to Hawaii. But then flying became such a chore. Well not on Continental - they have superb service I must say, and flying their nonstop (767) was delightful. the 767 does not have flat beds, but a very well padded and comfortable seat and the leg rest was perfectly positioned for getting a solid 6 hrs. of sleep.
     Continental's airport facility at Newark is very, very good, with lots of good shopping, restaurant outlets, and very courteous and friendly ground crews, and equally friendly flight attendants in each direction - it was a pleasure to fly Continental. I know Cliff and Luisa indicated they shared this nice experience recently on CO as well.

     So yes, it's a long way to go, but CO makes it very pleasurable and you can get a good solid sleep. From the moment you land, one is touched by the Aloha spirit. I learned this time around, that it is not just a tourism gimmick, but deeply felt as part of the culture, which is why i give you the essence of the Aloha spirit.. This spirit is embodied in everyone at Four Seasons and the Hawaiian people practices Aloha, and finds pleasant things to say and do as part of every day.
     One usually says one needs at least 10 days for Hawaii - I would add another two for twelve days if one can do it and the perfect blend was the hotels I had the wonderful opportunity to visit. The perfect in every way to do it is with the three Four Seasons properties. but first another great hotel....

Waikiki
Halekulani - we all know it, and it has won many an award as being one of the best hotels in the world, and it did not disappoint. The redo has exceptionally beautiful furnishings and style, and immediately puts one in a calm and serene frame of mind, despite being in the midst of Waikiki (although it is tucked away just enough off the main street ). Lewers Street from Kalakaua leading to the Halekulani is oh so lovely, with torches lining the streets at night, sweet little boutiques with very reasonable prices, and for those wanting Hermes, etc. it is right there - extraordinary shopping along Kalakakaua. Afterall, here is where the Japanese come to shop the LV & Hermes of the world, with great selections. One can even save on the sales tax which is a paltry 4%, and the selections are terrific.

The terrace and outdoor dining spot "House Without A Key" is an enchanting people watching spot around sunset. Really sophisticated and low key crowd, and a nice combo playing that wonderful 40's music puts you in another world. with Waikiki beach as a backdrop, surfers riding the last waves, the music wafting through the palms, one feels as if on a set of From Here to Eternity. the crowd ranges from families, to California hip, film crews and everything in between, Food is excellent at the hotel.

     We had a corner deluxe room facing Diamond Head and a large terrace. While the terrace was quite a good size, the room was a bit smaller in the Japanese sensibility, but with lovely furnishings, fine linens and appointments.
     Halekulani means " House Befitting Heaven" and, for us old timers ,who remember when it was a collection of one story (most two) cottages on prime Waikiki real estate in sore need of a redo. Well the new construction honored the old ,and it is an inspired modern design that strikes just the right scale.
so i keep the little note from my pillow on my bedside table now.... "May your journey bring you home to our "House Befitting Heaven".

     Kahala Resort- we did go out to Kahala to see how it is and it is still a quiet, wonderful little spot and the best place to eat beachside. The central lobby is still elegant and has held up very well although I miss the dolphins as you check-in. they have moved them along the lagoon thing along the back - a sign of the times I guess. Now it has sort of an admission booth - not quite, but some kind of sign up station which changed the feeling quite a bit.
    Lunch was okay but not wonderful, although the magical setting along the beach is still as I remember, and the people are that wonderful friendly style of Hawaii.
    Waikiki is most definitely worth a stopover - a place where East meets West in a gentle land, and one cannot beat the shopping, dining and city scene which goes all night.

Hawaii in Four Seasons style .... the absolutely best way to see Hawaii and capture the Aloha Spirit

First stop Four Seasons Maui - 4 nights here which was the perfect length. allowing time to wander up to Kaanapali and a dinner stop in Lahaina (Wailea is 45 minute drive from Lahaina). A visit to Maui's Upcountry is also an interesting and easy day trip, where one can go back to the agricultural roots of Maui . We were told they are trying now to move from the dominance of sugar cane to grow other things ,and they are starting some artisanal farms for goat cheeses, mushrooms, etc. The Up Country villages on the way to Haleakala offer some interesting vignettes, some hippie boutiques and, I am told, some good little bistros.
much has changed, and now Wailea is, from my view, the more desirable side of Maui, but then, Kaanapali is so close to charming Lahaina.

Lahaina Grill - a very special restaurant in Lahaina owned by the former executive chef of The Mandarin in Hong Kong and one knows when dining at this colorful, historic spot that one is in the hands of a master chef.

The Four Seasons Maui offers something for everyone and is a lovely hotel in design on a very nice cove beach good for swimming. The outdoor restaurant serves a good selection and is chaming and candlelit for dinner under the stars.

The hotel is a large edifice however the lovely gardens (and they are grand) and the open feel of the lobby, bar and dining areas add that Four Seasons touch.

A new addition - an adults only serenity pool is marvelous - the GM told us it was done at a cost of $10 million and one can believe it. a delicately done, tasteful swim up bar, cabanas where one can get a discreet outdoor massage, and ringed with jacuzzi jets around the perimeter that stretches the length on both sides of the 50 ft. long infinity pool. all of this is on the hill overlooking the Pacific, and the curve of the beach - breathtaking!

     Duo, the main reastaurant is open air, skirted by the main pools and the food is excellent and inventive. Another good dining experience is in Wolfgang Puck's signature restaurant for the wonderful fusion they serve up.
     In keeping with FS policy, they invite local artists to exhibit their work in the lower lobby and, as one goes to/from breakfast ,there are these wonderful artists, and a chance to find a special piece, which adds to the connectedness of place that FS always strives for. Did you know that Isadore Sharp (founder and wonderful leader of FS, started with his first hotel in Toronto, and introduced it by starting an art show for emerging artists, which is now 40 years old and going strong.
     It is the exposure to art and fine taste that makes all FS unique, and one feels lifted up in spirit being surrounded by such quality and fine, fine service and kindness. Not to mention I had one of the best massages of my life here, and became pain free (bad back) for the first time in over a year as a result.

Four Seasons Hualalai - Big Island Kohola Coast - now here is Hawaii just the way one would dream of spending days in Hawaii. This resort is very, very special and the golf I understand is C'est Extra!

Most rooms face the sea in 4 distinct areas each offering certain charms. we were in Sea Shell which was perfect for us. There was a salt water lagoon just in front for worry free swimming in the Pacific, and a pool and one of the restaurants was just nearby. The other areas are Beach Tree (nearest to main pool), Kings Pond, and Palm Grove . Each area is different to some extent and I would be happy to help if you are sending clients to this wonderful resort. Some of the outdoor rooms have outdoor lava showers while the upstairs rooms from the terrace give lovely views - the terraces are large with a table & chairs and two chaise longues.

Hualalai has been all redone and, while I heard a few women colleagues say they found the rooms a bit on the masculine side, I personally find them very much in keeping with the ambiance of the Big Island.

The several dining options all proved to be very good and at night the property is lit mostly by torch- lit paths that meander the extensive property. Everyone you pass smiles and says aloha.Once again it is this gentle mood that becomes pervasive and puts one in a sense of calm and peacefulness.

The rolling waves and tradewinds just lull one's spirit. The spa treatments are very good here as well and massage can be outdoors.

There are a number of dining options all offering sea views and wonderful food.

VOG -one negative is this volcanic Smog they call Vog. it comes from the Big Island, a new fizzure that opened two years ago and adds sulphur dioxide to the air when the trades stop blowing., Oahu was particularly effected when we were there, when the Kona winds blow, (prevailing winds are from the NE) but when the wind comes from the south it reaches Oahu,. At certain times the air quality on Hawaii is not good for anyone who suffers from asthma or respiratory conditions and the local people I am told put multiple air filters on their homes.
Last stop the quiet island of Lanai - Lanai had been a private island for the Dole Pineapple Company and their 3,000 workers and in its heyday no one could go to Lanai unless they were connected to Dole Food Company now owned by Castle & Cooke who became real estate developers..

Four Seasons Manele Bay is a wonderful place to unwind, where one can have a room opening directly onto the Pacific Ocean. The beach is quiet with good swimming and snorkeing, where Spinner Dolphins come to romp each morning, and wild turkeys parade past one's terrace if you are ground level.

Genny tells me the golf is superb here and I don't doubt it.

      The rooms are all very large, nicely appointed with big verandahs or terraces.

While all FS offer children's programs and do special things for kids, we were very impressed by the children's center on Lanai especially, . The program offers a good sampling of activities and Lanai is perfect for families. But it is also perfect for honeymooners or, as we had, a final stop on a Hawaii sojourn. It is so very relaxing.

     Lanai City is a 15 min drive in the complimentary shuttle or, for those that are more sportive, a bicycle ride away and offers some little art galleries, I am told some nice island boutiques and a glimpse into old Hawaii.
     There are only 3,500 inhabitants on Lanai. The airport is modern and for the outdoor types ,Lanai offers some good outdoor adventures such as riding along the ridge in jeeps along the crest of the island.

Four Seasons Lodge at Koele is very special . Maginificent grand Norfolk Pines line the road all the way up and it is truly a unique experience to visit the lodge. All visitors to Lanai should plan on using the Lodge facilities as well as Manele Bay.

When one walks into the great hall of the lodge there are fireplaces burning on either side. The air is decidedly cooler and a bit misty as the sun sets which makes it just right. The sunsets from here are spectacular, and the rooms at the lodge are everything one would expect from a Great Lodge - charming with views over the extensive gardens, horse pastures and croquet fields.

Rooms at Koele Lodge are in keeping with the Great Lodge feeling from the original plantation house and offer those cozy comforts one would expect in a great lodge

A perfect Hawaii vacation - combine all three because each one offers unique charms, and each is quite different. Island hopping is easy, remind your clients to pack light, (not like me - ugh!) and they will succumb to this land of Aloha spirit and magic

__________________

posted by: Barbara Herrott | President
Travel Exchange | 32 Thread Needle Lane | Stamford, Ct. 06902 | 203.961.1900 | 800.248.0248

Original Post: 02/03/10

Machu Picchu: A Traveler's Experience January 2010

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:37:00 +0000

The Ramada Inn was literally a couple of steps across a cross walk from the Lima airport arrivals exit. Nothing fancy at all, but absolutely perfect for a late arrival. Again, there is no point in arriving late and getting shuttled to a nice place, only to return early the next day for a flight out of Lima.

You know, when we were first planning this trip, I was thinking/concerned that we were mainly going all that way just to see one site: Machu Picchu. And that all of the rest of the stuff was really just “filler” activity. I was simply wrong about that. The other things we did and saw were interesting, fun and fascinating: the condor/llama/alpaca sanctuary, the crop laboratory, the salt mines, certainly the ruins at Ollantaytambo, the Pisac market, the weaving demo at Chinchero…all really wonderful stuff. Also the picnic they set up for us out in the middle of picturesque nowhere (see the photo). And there are really no adequate words to describe Machu Picchu itself. I would recommend this exact trip to anybody who will listen. And to do the trip in the same order we did it. Machu Picchu must be seen last, or the other sites would seem anticlimactic, for sure.

And having the private guide completely made it. I don’t know how else you could do this trip, though. And of course, the driver was excellent and his private van comfy. Our guide, M.C., was excellent. Extremely personable, excellent English skills and impressive knowledge of all that we did/saw.

Our accommodations could not have been better:
The Ramada Inn was perfect for the situation.

The Villa at Urubamba was exquisite. The concept here is that you are IN your villa. There is nowhere else to go, nothing to do in the villa resort. But it was beautiful inside and out. Inca Indian décor, etc. Completely comfortable, luxuriously appointed, etc. And there was Roxana…our private cook. She quietly came into the kitchen (via a side door), in the morning, and at the exact appointed time, a sumptuous breakfast spread was on the table. Then we’d leave for the day to do our thing. We’d get back to the villa late afternoon. Roxana would come in, light the fire in the fireplace and start preparing dinner. The fact that she cleaned up was almost as good as the food she made. And while we were having dessert, she was sneaking hot water bottles between our bedsheets. Aaaaahhh. Next morning, same routine. She didn’t speak a word of English. No problem for us.

The train to Aguas Calientes was really fun, with spectacular scenery. We were told that we could each only bring one small duffel on the train with us because of restricted baggage space. We were not at all please with this news. But we managed to consolidate our stuff and pack what we needed for Aguas Calientes/Inkaterra/Machu Picchu, while the rest was forwarded to our Hotel Monasterio in Cuzco. I felt we should have been advised of this limitation by Andean Experience before coming to Peru so we could plan the packing accordingly and the specific luggage pieces. After all of that, though, it turned out to be no problem either way. We managed our packing, and it wouldn’t have mattered even if we had boarded with all of our large luggage. I mean there were Japanese and Dutch tourists on that train with suitcases the size of Toyota Vans! No problem.

The Hotel Inkaterra was outstanding in every way. A beautiful eco-oriented property with a mid-rainforest feeling. Great spa, good restaurant. We took the Orchid tour (very cool) and treated ourselves to spa treatments. Aaaahh.

We were pleasantly surprised that our private guide for Machu Picchu turned out to be the same wonderful young lady, M.C., from the first part of the trip. She was already like an old friend! And, again, impressively knowledgeable about MP.

After all of the ‘warnings’ we had read online, in books and in AE’s info, it turned out that we never had a problem with the altitude (yeah, our chests pounded a bit extra while climbing Inca stairways), nor with mosquitos. We sprayed with Deet before the visit to MP, but honestly we never saw any bugs. Here’s an interesting one: we knew we were going in “rainy season” and that we risked lots of rain, but we decided to throw the dice and go anyway. And we NEVER had a problem with rain! Yes we had a little here and there, and thanks to M.C. (or so she claimed), it only rained while we were riding in the bus or at night, and never while we were seeing our sites. (It actually POURED at MP AFTER we were done and were enjoying our buffet lunch up there in the Sanctuary Lodge restaurant. (In spite of my fears of it being very touristy, it was superb.) The tremendous upside of going during the ‘rainy’ season was that everything was amazingly, beautifully UNCROWDED…especially Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo and in Cuzco. Of course, having said that, only two weeks later, they did have the tragic mudslides and incredible chaos of the people being trapped in Aguas Calientes. What a nightmare that would have been, for sure. So we were very, very lucky the way the weather played out for us.

Note: We checked out the Sanctuary Lodge right there at the entrance to MP. No way would I want to stay there rather than Inkaterra. It looked OK, but you couldn’t actually see MP from the Lodge, and there is nothing to do there. After we did our very extensive tour of the ruins, we had no need to re-enter to see more at dusk or anything like that. Plus, the Inkaterra was a very short walk to the restaurants and market in Aguas Calientes.

There is no real need to have lunches reserved at the Inkaterra Hotel if you don’t want to be obligated there, especially if you are going to eat dinners there. There were all kinds of interesting places to eat in Aguas Calientes. In fact, we’d had our lunch included for our departing day, yet the train departure was too early to allow us to have that lunch. However, Inkaterra packed us a great box lunch which we enjoyed on the train back to Ollantaytambo (instead of their ‘airplane’-style snack provided.)

We were met at the train in Ollantaytambo by David, our driver, Luis’, brother (both of whom were delightful people and very good drivers) and taken to the Hotel Monasterio in Cuzco. What a fantastic hotel. Clearly it is THE place to stay in Cuzco. Definitely one of the nicer hotels we have stayed in over the years. And perfectly located. We very much enjoyed our ‘unguided’ exploration of Cuzco. While we loved and appreciated being so well taken care of for the previous several days by the AE contractors (as Emma so eloquently put it, “ It’s nice to be coddled like a little egg”), being on our own was really nice. In Cuzco we went to one great museum (Inca Museum) and then spent most of our time shopping. We enjoyed the dinners on our own, too. Before we said goodbye to MC in Machu Picchu, she asked us if we wanted to meet up for lunch in her home town of Cuzco, and we said, “Of course!”. She led us to a very local place back in the old town and we feasted on goat, pork and corn beer. Lunch was our treat!

The next day we flew from Cuzco to Lima where we were faced with that eight-hour layover (this would be good to avoid next time, if possible.). But we were met by an AE rep and a driver/van, and driven out to a beautiful restaurant on the beach. It was a nice way to kill a couple of hours before returning to the airport to catch our flight out.

Just FYI, Continental Airlines continues to be one of our least favorite airlines (in terms of service, convenience, etc.), but it had the schedule we needed, so…

That’s it! All in all, an amazing trip. I hope you enjoy the photo album. Let me know if you want any other information or have any questions or comments, or if you can’t open the album.

Thanks for everything, and we are hard at work trying to decide where to go next and when. As soon as we do, I’ll call you!

Pam VR Long
Travel Exchange
Virtuoso Associate
PO Box 559
Palm City, FL 34991
Phone 772 781 8099

Ireland Fam Report

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:35:00 +0000

You need to read all of this. There will be a quiz at the end...

Last week I returned from a 6 night FAM trip to Ireland hosted by Celebrated Experiences. The itinerary (attached) was a very busy one and I travelled with 7 other agents from
all parts of the USA. I haven't been to Ireland in 8 years and the changes have been enormous. The past 20 years have been a time of unprecedented growth bringing in wealth
from all parts of the world. "The Celtic Tiger" is what these years have been titled as it was a time that sleepy Ireland suddenly became one of the most happening places on the planet. International companies came to Ireland opening offices and manufacturing plants attracting mostly younger workers. Ireland also became a part of the European Union
which has helped it modernize its roads and infrastructure.

Dublin's International Airport is just completing a multi million Euro expansion and the roads into the city are new and modern. As with the rest of the world the economic climate
has changed in the past year Ireland was hurt as much or more than any country. Dublin has changed in many ways since I last visited but the casual friendly atmosphere is
still very much in existence. The streets are alive with well dressed locals and tourists visiting the many shops, restaurants and other attractions.

Our first night was spent at The Fitzwilliam which is located right on St. Stephen's Green. The Fitzwilliam is a very comfortable combination of urban modern and traditional hotel design. The rooms are extremely comfortable with large bathrooms and many with balconies, some overlooking the park. There are 2 restaurants. Thorntons, the larger of the
two is considered by some to be the best restaurant in the country. From the front door of the hotel you can walk to many of the local attractions like Grafton St. and Trinity College.

http://www.fitzwilliamhotel.com/

Saturday night we stayed at the Merrion which is just around the corner but a world away in terms of experience. The Merrion is a traditional deluxe hotel with a warm comfortable
decor, furniture and a wonderful art collection displayed throughout the hotel. The hotel has gardens in the rear of the hotel that many of the rooms look out on. Other rooms
overlook Merrion Street. The lounges are warm with real fireplaces in almost every public room. The smell of the peat fire adds to the warm feeling. There is a pool and a small health club and several restaurants which I will not drone on about-they are excellent. By the way we had a site inspection on Sunday of Hotel Dylan which was named by the Times of London best modern urban hotel in Europe. This hotel is an ultracool, low attitude property that is becoming the place to hang out in Dublin. Check out their website:

http://www.dylan.ie/

http://www.merrionhotel.com/

Sunday we headed out to the countryside touring Glendalough with its historic monastic sites and the town of Kilkenny with its castle and design center. That night we stayed at
the Mt. Juliet which is a huge estate that includes a golf course (Jack Nicklaus), a horse stud farm and a well equipped spa. The approach to the resort is like you are in a movie with this giant home surrounded by some of the most beautiful grounds you will ever see. The rooms are large and very deluxe. This is one of the few places you can go on a fox hunt in Ireland.

http://www.mountjuliet.ie/

On Monday we drove down to the coast of Ireland where we had a site inspection of the Cliff House in Ardmore. The Cliff House is one of the few hotels in Ireland that face directly
on the sea. It is a modern 39 room hotel built into the side of a cliff with all rooms looking on the water, Ardmore is a short drive from Waterford and the Cliff House is worth a visit
for its spa, its restaurant and the views That afternoon we had a tour of the Jameson Distillery and a tasting before heading down to Cobh to get a short tour of the immigrant experience. There are some very interesting exhibits in Cobh which was the final port for the Titanic before she sailed for New York. Next we headed to Cork which is
a vibrant city with a large university and many food and cultural festivals. Monday night we stayed at Hayfield Manor which was the one property that was a bit of a disappointment.
The building is relatively new but was designed to look hundreds of years old. First of all it is of a style that is not needed in a city like Cork. The rooms are large with some wear
showing. It feels strange to walk out of a Manor House and one half a block away you are on a college campus. Don't get me wrong the place is great but look where I had previously stayed...

http://www.thecliffhousehotel.com

http://www.hayfieldmanor.ie/

Tuesday morning we drove to Kenmare stopping at a cheese and produce shop and a Chocolate shop called Lorge's operated by a relocated Frenchman. The afternoon was spent in Kenmare with a stop at Park Hotel Kenmare for afternoon tea. I think Kenmare was my favorite town of the trip and the Park Hotel was a really charming property
overlooking Kenmare Bay. This is a very traditional hotel that has a good deal of warmth and exceptional spa and indoor pool. It is walking distance from the town and
the rooms are all different and feel like you are staying at your very rich grandmother's house. About 3 miles away is Sheen Falls Lodge which is a grander version of the Park Hotel. The hotel is surrounded by the falls and most guests can fall asleep to the sound of the water. This is a very dramatic location with new 2-5 BR villas close by for families
who want a bit more privacy. Guests can fish in the river and have their catch smoked at the resorts smokehouse. Golf is nearby and the 2 restaurants are excellent.

http://www.sheenfallslodge.ie/

http://www.parkkenmare.com/

It is Wednesday and I am tired, over-fed and slightly hungover. I wasn't aware that what I needed was a boat ride on a lake in Killarney with some Irish Coffee. Who knew?
A couple of sips of the coffee and an Irish band begins to play and I am back in business. Seriously, the scenic drive to Killarney via Molls Gap was an awesome experience.
The views are like a postcard and by noon I was at Adare Manor with a live Falcon eating chicken from my left arm. Adare Manor is a true castle experience. The grounds are
a piece of art as is the restored building itself. The guest rooms are huge with all the modern amenities you would expect. There is a golf course just outside the door was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and is the focus of many of its guests. Fishing, cooking demonstrations and clay pigeon shooting are some of the many other amenities.
After leaving with drove out to the Cliffs of Moher which are a dramatic sight. Finally we arrived at The Lodge at Doonbeg which is a 7 year old golf/resort that has a links course overlooking the Atlantic. This property is owned and operated by the same group that owns Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina. This is a deluxe Manor style hotel with
a country club feeling. The golf course was designed by Greg Norman has ocean views from 16 or its 18 holes. The rooms are big and have either golf or ocean views.
There are many dining options from pub style to fine dining in The Long Room. The mattress here was the best of the trip and by now I have become a mattress professional.
Thursday begins and Shannon airport and home is just a hour away. Whew!

http://www.adaremanor.com/golf-resort-ireland

http://www.doonbeggolfclub.com/index.html

----------------------a word about Celebrated Experiences----------------------------

After a Fam trip agents feel that the host of the trip and the company they represent are the greatest
company you can use in the future. I really think that Celebrated can be viewed as a one stop shop for England, Ireland,
Scotland and Wales. This trip was a no nonsense fam. A true working fam attended by some excellent agents who know their
stuff and could be invited free to any of these hotels yet paid a fee to attend this trip. We were up at 8am daily and covered
over 900 miles on the trip.

Jonathan Epstein from Celebrated is a young guy was described by several of the Irish Hoteliers as more knowledgeable about their
country than they were. Every agent I spoke with who has used Celebrated said the feed back from clients is excellent.
They handle any kind of travel in the countries they deal with. They send documents with information and things to do for
even a single hotel night. They know all of their hotels personally and usually will suggest a particular room given
a description of the guest. They will do transfers, private touring, event tickets etc. They are located in Atlanta so you can speak
to them real time. I only suggest that you try them. They are a small but hard working team.

http://www.celebratedexperiences.com/

Cliff Morgan
Travel Exchange

Trendy Paris shopping

noreply@blogger.com (texagents) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:30:00 +0000

Trendy Paris shopping guides
In Paris: Made by Hand, Bijkerk divulges the contents of her little black book, focusing in over 50 shops that exemplify the Paris fait main aesthetic by offering truly one of a kind items produced or restored entirely by hand.