A Tango Story
Posted by Cristine Lammers in Postcards, Uncategorized on February 5, 2010
by Virtuoso Preferred On-Site in Argentina – Mai 10
The event: Virtuoso Voyager Club 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner.
The time: dusk on a perfect summer evening.
The place: Buenos Aires’ first tango club, El Viejo Almacén. The story begins…
As Virtuoso Voyager Club guests of the Crystal Cruises World Cruise 2010 stepped off their motorcoach, they stepped into Buenos Aires of the 1920’s, the era when tango had reached its zenith. The sights and sounds of life on the old street quickly drew the guests into the magical setting.
The flower girl, the paperboy, the patrolman and the old man were there. So, too, were the beautiful young women who vied for the attention of young men sporting finely tailored suits. A solitary couple danced in the street as a young musician played a melancholy tango. Nearby Voyager Club guests looked on as they enjoyed cocktails and appetizers.
Guests were soon invited inside the historic tango club for a private meal of the finest Argentinean cuisine and wine. The club was quaint and dark, the perfect backdrop for a stunning tango show. One after another, couples came to the stage, held each other close, and performed the exquisite steps of the tango. The passion of their music and the intensity of their dance captured the hearts of the audience. Time stood still. The enchantment was complete.
Abuzz with excited conversation about the evening’s events, Virtuoso Voyager Club guests returned to the Crystal Serenity. It was the end of their tango story. It was also the beginning of a new adventure at sea as the Serenity departed at midnight with a new heading – Cape Town.
These and other experiences are being captured in a blog by Jesse Upchurch, Chairmain of Virtuoso, Ltd. and honorary host of this historic world cruise. Read Jesse’s blog here.
Just Back From … Anguilla
Posted by Cristine Lammers in Uncategorized on February 1, 2010
By Elaine Srnka, Editorial Director, VIRTUOSO LIFE
One recent winter morning my husband and I left behind below-freezing temperatures for the Caribbean clime of Anguilla in the British Leeward Islands. My mission: To check out the new villas at CuisinArt Resort & Spa.
A low, scrubby island, Anguilla is ringed with gorgeous fine-sand beaches and stunning views of Saint Maarten – and the megayachts of the rich and famous – off the southern coast where CuisinArt is situated. Sprawling across 20 acres with two miles of beachfront, the 93-room resort (yes, of the kitchen appliance fame) boasts a unique hydroponic farm, three tennis courts (lessons with head pro Rodney Ross were a fun treat), bocce court, and an expansive new spa with a fitness center and yoga pavilion. With two restaurants, cigar bar, and wine room, executive chef Daniel Le Guenan offers creative dining options, including his chef’s table. We feasted at a decadent poolside lobster barbecue one night, enjoyed fine dining at Santorini another, and even took a cooking class at lunch, learning to prepare local specialties.
And about those villas: Wow. These six expansive new beach houses boast from one to five bedrooms and range from 1,800 to 5,100 square feet. Surrounded by lush foliage, they have a full kitchen and most have an outdoor courtyard, grill, shower, and private pool (with beachside cabanas for the oceanfront ones), offering families or couples privacy and space. We liked that the iPod docking station was wired for surround sound, and noted wistfully that the indoor-outdoor flow of the villas begged to host a cocktail party – if only we’d had friends on the island to invite.
Anguilla is home to a surprising number of quality restaurants. We ventured off property one night to Blanchard’s, an island classic deserving of its status. Everything we ordered was fantastic, and their signature rum punches were the best we’ve ever tasted. We also admired Cap Juluca’s waterside Pimms, literally perched over the water. And just a few sandy steps down the beach from CuisinArt is Banky Banks, an iconic hole-in-the-wall famed for music (funky or not, the cover charge was $15 a person the night we went).
Tennis lessons, beach walks, lobster barbecues, cooking classes, spa treatments, and plenty of rum punch – we packed a lot into our three-night stay and were sad to leave. The staff was charming and personable, starting at the top with GM Stephane Zaharia. On the last day of my quick visit, several staffers hugged us goodbye – how often does that happen? It won’t be goodbye forever, though – I definitely hope to return.
History and Adventure Awaits in Scotland
Posted by Cristine Lammers in Return On Life™ on January 27, 2010
If you think Scotland is all bagpipes and pubs, think again. Scotland is a vibrant country with a rich history, active adventures and unique experiences galore. Consider these intriguing experiences for a Scottish vacation:
1. Kayak around the Isle of Skye. Paddle your way through the wildlife, history, geology, and mind-blowing scenery of the waters surrounding the Isle of Skye.
2. Sample the Malt Whisky Trail. Follow the Malt Whisky Trail through its own traditions, lore, and recipes for everything from malting the barley to the height and size of its stills.
3. Explore Cairngorms National Park. Take a dogsled ride through the forest tracks or embark on one of the many hiking tours to discover the wintry beauty and diverse landscapes that make up this amazing park.
4. Test your skills at the famous Old Course at St Andrews. Play the oldest golf course in the world that still challenges the abilities of some of today’s champion golfers.
5. All aboard the Waverly steamer. Enjoy a unique chance to relax aboard the Waverly – the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world. Set sail from many of the departure points around the Firth of Clyde and soak up the stunning scenery of some of the most picturesque parts of the Scottish coastline.
6. Go shopping in Edinburgh. Splash the cash while shopping in Edinburgh. Princes Street is full of popular shops or, head to Rose Street where you’ll find even more shops!
7. Take a ferry to the Isle of Arran. Board the ferry from the Ayrshire town of Ardrossan to the Isle of Arran’s main town, Brodick and treat yourself to views of picturesque villages, castles and ancient monuments along the way.
8. Explore the Outer Hebrides. Head to one of the most remote locations to take in some of the most stunning views in Scotland, including 130 miles of white sandy beaches.
For more Scottish possibilities, click here for the VIRTUOSO LIFE special supplement on Scotland.
To ensure that you garner the best experiences on your travels, use a Virtuoso travel advisor.
Yachting Out of Your Reach? Think Again
Posted by Cristine Lammers in Uncategorized on January 22, 2010
It’s winter and, for most of us, the cold and gray of the season leads to dreams of far off destinations.
Admit it, are you bundled up in your home dreaming about sailing on a Yacht in some far off locale? If the answer is yes, then you’ll be happy to hear that now is the best time to plan a cruise.
Many cruise lines offer deals this time of year – but a Virtuoso Advisor can make the best prices of the season happen with free air, 50% off & $200 ship board credit per suite! Click here to find out more about Virtuoso’s special Seabourn offer, then contact your Virtuoso Advisor.
This offer is exclusive to clients who use travel consultants in the Virtuoso network. Don’t have a Virtuoso Advisor? Click here to find one.
Travel Veteran Sets Sail to Rediscover the World
Posted by Cristine Lammers in Uncategorized on January 20, 2010
If you think an experienced traveler would be passé about a world cruise (“been there, done that”), Virtuoso Chairman Jesse Upchurch would prove you wrong. A 50+ year veteran of the travel industry and founder of several travel companies, Upchurch has traveled the world many times over; at times calling places like Botswana and Mexico City home.
Now he’s helping Crystal and Virtuoso’s Voyager Club program celebrate their 20th anniversaries by serving as the honorary host of the Virtuoso Chairman’s Cruise aboard the Crystal Serenity – and he’s blogging about his experiences.
“I have been looking forward to this day for quite some time, and I was not disappointed,” Jesse writes about the day the Crystal Serenity left Miami for its 108-day journey around the world.
The ship will cruise the Caribbean, South America, South Africa, India, the Middle East, the Baltic region, and the Mediterranean before arriving in Southampton, England. For Jesse, it’s a chance to revisit some destinations he hasn’t seen for decades. Catch his daily experiences on his blog, and you’ll see the world from the unique perspective of a travel industry legend. Click here to follow Jesse’s voyage.
Getting Ready For The 2010 Winter Olympics
Posted by Michelle Duffy in Postcards on January 19, 2010
I spent last weekend with my family at Whistler Blackcomb – our first foray onto the slopes in this ski season. This is an exciting season in Whistler and Vancouver, with the 2010 Winter Olympics just around the corner. Here’s a quick preview into how things are shaping up for a great Winter Olympics.
Vancouver To Whistler Transportation Improvements
The sea-to-sky highway improvements are largely completed and are just fantastic. There’s now a two-lane highway almost all the way from Vancouver to Squamish. Between Squamish and Whistler there are passing lanes at regular intervals. Drive times to the resort from Vancouver and Vancouver Airport are significantly reduced.
The Snow Conditions At Whistler
January can be a hit or miss month in terms of fresh snow on Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. (You can check historical statistics here). You can take it from me: the current snow conditions at Whistler Blackcomb are really great. There’s plenty of fresh powder all over the mountains.
Preparations For Olympic Events At Whistler
The Downhill and Super-G events will be raced on the Dave Murray Downhill and Franz’s runs (men’s and women’s respectively) on Whistler Mountain. These runs are in great shape with lots of snow cover all the way to Creekside. You do have to take a slight detour between upper and lower DM Downhill because of construction for what looked like a viewing stand. The helicopters flying overhead carrying loads of lumber were a new sight on the mountain.
Olympic Shopping Opportunities
There’s Olympic logo gear, toys and totchkes in most shops in the village especially those run by the resort. My boys just loved the soft toy versions of the Vancouver 2010 mascots, Miga, Quatchi and Sumi.
Hope and Help for Haiti
Posted by Cristine Lammers in Return On Life™ on January 15, 2010
The thoughts and hopes of all of us at Virtuoso are with the people of Haiti, their families and the organizations working hard to provide relief in the aftermath of Tuesday’s earthquake. The devastation from the earthquake is heartbreaking – especially the reports of injuries and fatalities. Assistance efforts have been crippled by the loss of infrastructure accompanying the earthquake.
As we are in the travel industry, we consider ourselves members of a global community. One of the members of this global community is now in dire need of assistance. If you would like to support relief efforts, click on the picture to the left to donate to the American Red Cross International Response Fund.
Or visit these websites for more information on contributing to relief organizations:
Stay informed on U.S. government relief efforts: http://www.whitehouse.gov/haitiearthquake
New Year’s in New York
Posted by Cristine Lammers in Return On Life™ on January 11, 2010
by Matthew D. Upchurch, CEO of Virtuoso, Ltd.
Happy 2010; a bit belatedly. I want to share an incredible experience I had with my family this New Year’s Eve in New York City. With a little help from some savvy friends, we had an evening that I don’t think my family will ever forget.
If you’ve watched the ball drop in Times Square on TV, I’m sure you can imagine how exhilarating it is to be there and feel that energy. You’re personally experiencing and sharing an annual event that’s world famous and viewed by billions.
A Family Experience
But having children with you can make it a lot more challenging. Your younger kids are not thrilled about the cold or the (to them) towering crowds. Well, this year I found out that if you know a few inside secrets, New Year’s Eve in NYC can be outstanding for everyone in the family.
Jessica and I had Evan (14), Matt (12) and Clay (4) with us. I had a chat with Kitt of Discover New York with Kitt Garrett (a Virtuoso On-Site of course!) and she put me in touch with a great restaurant called Tony’s di Napoli on 43rd Street. Family-style Italian, table sharing and a terrific show featuring Broadway performers.
The Countdown Begins
We had a terrific evening, and about 30 minutes before the ball drop, we headed outside. We were guided inside the barricades and led to a prime spot right in front of the police substation in Times Square. Literally a million people were standing behind us and New York’s finest (NYPD) were personally watching over us. Incredible! An officer asked Jessica and Clay if they’d like to warm up in the sub-station, so while the older kids and I stayed in the cold with the revelers, they were offered a cookie and a chair. Clay even got to meet the Chief of Police! Jessica and Clay stay stayed happily indoors until about five minutes before the ball drop.
Finally, the countdown began and the glittering ball seemed to drop directly toward us. I got some terrific shots. Everyone was excited and oohing and aahing. It was perfect. A New Year’s to remember and a fantastic start to 2010. All thanks to some inside advice from a native New Yorker and Virtuoso On-Site!
Click here to learn more about the one-of-a-kind travel experiences that a Virtuoso travel advisor can create for you.
Thank You Virtuoso For Supporting Passports With Purpose
Posted by Michelle Duffy in Postcards on December 27, 2009
Look at the smile on that face. This is the image I’ll be keeping in mind as I process the fact that Passports with Purpose 2009 has been a tremendous success and that because of this effort, some child may one day smile just like this. At a desk, in a school, learning to read and write.
Virtuoso gave us a fantastic start by committing to be our Platinum Sponsor. Virtuoso partners, the Four Seasons Seattle and the Fairmont Olympic supported by donating some excellent prizes. We’re excited to have spear-headed this effort which brought together so many different people from the online and offline travel community and truly humbled by the impact of what this community has done.
What’s On a Travel Advisor’s Dream Travel List?
Posted by Cristine Lammers in Return On Life™ on December 22, 2009
When you have a passion for travel, the popular destinations quickly become “old favorites”. For the experienced traveler, the next great trip is more along the lines of a once-in-a-lifetime journey to a destination that’s off the beaten path.
Knowing that Virtuoso travel advisors are some of the most well-travelled people in the world, and that they specialize in creating unique experiences for their clientele, we asked them which “once-in-a-lifetime” destinations they would recommend to clients. Here are a few suggestions that should be on any traveler’s to-do list:
Great Migration on the Serengeti: Africa
See one and a half million wildebeests, 200,000 zebra, 500,000 Thompson’s gazelles, plus more during their extraordinary annual migration in Eastern Africa.
Singing Sand Dunes: Oman
Considered the most melodious sands in the world, this natural sound phenomenon and beautiful location provide an unrivaled experience for the adventurous traveler.
Dubai Fountain: Dubai
The world’s tallest performing fountain with water leaping 500 feet high in time to lights and music. It’s speculated to be the brightest spot on earth from space.
Ayers Rock, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park: Australia
One of Australia’s most iconic natural landmarks, it stands resplendent in the great Central Australian desert. At night the stars are awe-inspiring.
Choquequirao: Peru
This elite Incan ceremonial center is called the sacred sister city to Machu Picchu. It requires an arduous, 20 mile trek to access. Hence, no crowds.
Boyeros Parade: Costa Rica
Boyeros are intricately painted ox carts, originally used to carry coffee in the late 19th century. Over 200 of the carts parade through San José in an unforgettable spectacle.
Virtuoso is the leading travel network made up of more than 6,000 travel advisors associated with over 300 agencies in 22 countries within North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand. Click here to learn more and to get connected with a Virtuoso member travel advisor.