Hotel Hopping
Posted by Cristine Lammers in Virtuoso Life on May 11, 2012
by E
laine Srnka
Editorial Director, Virtuoso
Don’t you love a good hotel? The floral bouquets in the lobby, the warm welcome from the doormen, the anticipation of stepping into your room for the first time, the indulgence of room service.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Virtuoso’s preferred hotels and resorts program, a collection of the best properties around the world. Virtuoso travel advisors vet them all, so you can be confident they won’t disappoint. Whether your taste runs to intimate boutique hotels or sprawling resorts, modern design or classic, the portfolio of 900-plus five-star hotels offer something for every style. The best part: Virtuoso advisors can secure you valuable – and fun – VIP perks, such as complimentary breakfasts, spa treatments, and more.
I’ve visited several of our North American hotels recently; here are few highlights:
• Bellagio: Rang in the New Year at Hyde, the new fountain side bar in Las Vegas. Find more related news on page 44.
• Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino: Went for a winter getaway with the kids and can’t wait to return in the summer. The lakeside cottages will wow you.
• The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort: Talk about glamour and glitz. Find an interview with the concierge on page 32.
• Las Ventana Al Paraiso: Understated luxe exemplified. (No, I didn’t swipe the Do Not Disturb sign on page 74.)
• One & Only Palmilla: Another Cabo favorite, whose grounds explode with color.
• Hotel Bel-Air: A classic, reborn. Read about my spa experience on page 148.
• The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows: A visit to the Polo Lounge is a must. Celebrate the grande dame’s 100th birthday with the souvenir on page 160.
• The Boulders: I ventured out for early morning hikes before meetings at the quiet retreat in the Sonoran desert foothills.
• Arizona Biltmore: The perfect place for families; ask your advisor to book you in the new Ocatilla Wing. I still can’t get over how the gardens perfumed the air, everywhere.
• The Setai: The location of this issue’s cover shoot in Miami. The weather was windy but the skies were blue and the venue was spectacular. After the shoot, we celebrated at the hotel’s restaurant, where the truffled dumplings were so good we ordered a second helping.
Find suggestions on the best hotel stays and more in the most recent edition of Virtuoso Life.
Just Back From… AmaWaterways’ Tulip Time Cruise
Posted by Cristine Lammers in Postcards, Virtuoso Life on May 7, 2012
By Marika Cain
Senior Editor, Virtuoso Life
A few weeks ago, AmaWaterways sparkling new river cruiser, the 164-passenger AmaCerto departed Amsterdam for its maiden voyage and I tagged along for the ride. The seven-day sailing through the Netherlands and Belgium – my first river cruise – opened my eyes to the perks and realities of river cruising. Here’s a wildly incomplete list.
Perks
The ground covered: We visited ten ports in seven days, spending as long as a full day or as little as a couple of hours in each, and had the freedom to explore at leisure, join large group tours, opt for smaller tours on foot or by bike, or just lounge on board. It’s doubtful that I could have seen so much, so effortlessly, and in so little time traveling by land.
The all-inclusive pricing: The price of the cruise included all meals, almost all excursions, and unlimited wine at dinner. My cabin, like 49 others, also included butler service (perfect for the first espresso of the day).
The ease: The trip was such a breeze that it almost felt like cheating. Just show up at the ship at the appointed day and time, unpack, and let the capable staff handle the logistics.
Realities
Company of strangers: On such a small ship, one dinner seating is necessary, and dining in the company of strangers is the norm. The smallest table in the dining room seats four, so each night I met a new set of dinner companions.
Group tours (or not): Most offered were either large walking or bus tours, of the audio-headset, follow-the-tour-guide’s-sign variety. However, if that wasn’t to your taste, you could easily do your own thing. AmaWaterways has introduced a series of more “boutique” touring options, which ranged from a genever (Dutch gin) tasting in Amsterdam to a viewing of the Rubens House in Antwerp.
And one travel tip:
My flight into Amsterdam arrived at 8:30 a.m. Rather than trying to kill the hours until 3 p.m. boarding while battling jet lag, I booked a day room Hotel de l’Europe in the center of the old city. One nap, one shower, and one jaunt around the city later, it was time to go aboard.
Look for more on this trip in the July/August issue of Virtuoso Life!
Virtuoso Family Gets a Sneak Peek Aboard Disney’s Newest Ship
Posted by Cristine Lammers in Postcards on April 30, 2012
by Mary Kaye Zanatta, CTA
Senior Account Manager, Tours & On-Sites
What’s the perfect age for a Disney cruise you may ask? My son and daughter would say six and eight years old, but my husband and I would counter that 48 and 49 are pretty good ages too!
We sailed on the new Disney Fantasy for its three-night Preview sailing, March 26 – 29, for Travel Industry professionals and media. We enjoyed a day at Disney’s Private Island, Castaway Cay, a day at sea and back to Pt. Canaveral.
The ship has 14 decks; capacity for 4,000 guests, over 1450 cast/crew Members, and awesome kids program and facility and is absolutely beautiful from top to bottom.
The Fantasy, sister ship to the Dream was built with families in mind and it shows at every turn. When we arrived on board, they announced our family’s arrival to everyone in the atrium lobby “Please Welcome the Zanatta Family” – there were many of the Disney Characters in the atrium area for photos and autographs. 
This is a true highlight to have such great access to the characters and was my daughter’s favorite part of the cruise. The “big five” as the very personable cruise staff called them, are Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto and we saw them all!
There are three main dining rooms all with very different themes and menus and guests rotate to have the opportunity to experience each one; the Animator’s Palate, the Enchanted Garden and Royal Court. Our favorite was the Animators Palate. When you arrive to your table there is a placemat and a colored marker with instructions on how you need to draw within the lines to create your character (kind of a stick figure type layout). My son made sure his had the word “Seattle” across his character’s chest so he could easily spot it later in the evening. Our server collected our drawings early in the meal and at the end of the evening, our simple drawings were given life on the giant screens around the dining room dancing with your favorite Disney Characters to well known music and scenes from your favorite Disney movies.
The entertainment on board was true Disney filled with the songs and characters we all love. A particular favorite was the Pirate party evening on the upper deck with Captain Jack Sparrow and fellow pirates. Captain Jack was perched at the top of the highest deck and was “shot” down and landed inches before the deck stating in his Captain Jack drawl “did everyone see that that because I won’t be doing it again.”
The highlight for my son was the AquaDuck a 765-foot water slide ride through a clear acrylic tube that goes out over the ocean, around the ship and spans down 4 decks.
We enjoyed every minute of our sailing and are looking forward to sailing again.
This and other family travel excursions are best planned with the help of a Virtuoso member travel advisor. Click here to learn more about working with an advisor of your own.
2012 Luxe Report Shows Travelers Crave Uncharted Territory
Posted by Cristine Lammers in In the News, Return On Life™ on April 27, 2012
Virtuoso® recently unveiled the much anticipated 2012 Virtuoso Luxe Report to the media. Virtuoso’s elite travel agency membership provided input for the annual survey, which is recognized throughout the industry as a respected trend-predictor for luxury travel based on insight garnered from some of the most upscale travelers in the world.
Findings indicate that Virtuoso’s client base is a well-seasoned force, not easily dissuaded by rising fuel prices and hotel costs, as is evident by its continued support of Europe. Italy and France ranked as two of the most popular international destinations, with England joining the top five on this prestigious list for the first time. Similarly, Virtuoso’s clientele showed a strong desire to explore new, undiscovered destinations with Cuba, 
for the first time ever, topping the polls as the most popular emerging destination. Similarly, Cambodia and Belize made their debut as new additions to this category, marking a distinct trend towards more intrepid travel locations than in previous years.
This year’s report demonstrates that international travel continues to be the most popular type of trip in 2012, with high-end river cruises being named as the second of five biggest emerging travel trends, just behind family and multigenerational travel, which continues to sell strong among the upscale traveler and takes the number one spot in this category.
Unsurprisingly, following the boom in luxe hotels in Miami over the past 18 months, Miami and predominantly South Beach, joined the list of top five U.S. destinations, coming in at number five on the list after Maui, New York City, Napa Valley & Sonoma and Las Vegas.
For families traveling in 2012, joining Italy and England, which ranked highly in 2011, were Turks & Caicos and South Africa, both were first time arrivals to the family travel list replacing Alaska. Also included in this category were Hawaii and Costa Rica.
The most popular destinations for romantic travel continue to be Italy, French Polynesia and France; however, the 2012 report saw both Bali and the Seychelles join the top five, again demonstrating that long haul travel is not a problem for hopeless romantics seeking their piece of paradise.
Of those booking travel, top motives influencing travel choices were similar to those in the 2011 Luxe Report including: seeking authentic experiences in new destinations; rest and relaxation; and personal enrichment– further supporting the increase of family travel, which remained the biggest travel trend in the 2012 report.
The Luxe Report also affirms the value that high-end travelers place on working with a professional travel advisor. When booking vacations, Virtuoso found that the largest influences on consumers’ travel decisions are recommendations from friends and family combined with their travel consultant’s advice on the right destination, the offer of once-in-a-lifetime experiences and also value for money paid.
“The Virtuoso traveler continues to look for new resorts and destinations to visit, personal enrichment and tailored experiences from their travels,” says Virtuoso Chairman and CEO, Matthew D. Upchurch, CTC. “Whether it’s a desire to explore new lands, reconnect with loved ones or seek new adventures, Virtuoso advisors collaborate with their clients to plan the ultimate travel experience. The Luxe Report is an extension of that relationship and those ongoing advisor-client conversations.”
Advisors from Virtuoso member travel agencies were invited to take the survey in December 2011 and January 2012. Results were tabulated from more than 420 responses from the United States and Canada. A digital version of the full survey results can be found here: http://www.virtuoso.com/thecompany/luxereport2012/
Virtuoso Symposium Sails Away
Posted by Cristine Lammers in Meetings & Events on April 23, 2012
by Elaine Srnka
Editorial Director, Virtuoso
As the ship sailed out of port, the prosecco flowed and the celebratory blare of horns heralded the start of Virtuoso’s 2012 Symposium, the annual international meeting for Virtuoso member agency owners and managers and our preferred travel supplier partners.
Just under 500 attendees boarded Regent’s Seven Seas Mariner for a four-night Mediterranean cruise from Rome to Monte Carlo. The voyage marks only the second time Symposium has been held on a ship (the first was with Crystal Cruises in 2005).
While onboard, attendees heard from industry leaders on how to reach luxury consumers with today’s ever-changing distribution channels, from social media ROI to investing in more robust websites. Featured speaker Stephen Kraus, from Ipsos Mendelsohn’s research firm, shared his findings on affluent consumers’ travel interests; 23Touchpoints’s Scott Ahlsmith introduced the well-received “Compare and Share” function on Composer; and Matthew Upchurch announced the end of Travel Mart (the name, not the event. It will now be known as Virtuoso Travel Week; look for more about this monumental change – and what it means for the travel consumer – in the weeks and months ahead).
Training and networking sessions rounded out the business agenda, but it wasn’t all work. The all-suite ship – every cabin has a balcony, walk-in closet, and spacious bathroom – impressed, as did Regent’s all-inclusive structure. The ship called on Naples (weather conditions forced a last-minute change from Sorrento), where excursions included Pompeii, Positano, Sorrento, and more. And while the pool didn’t get a lot of use, the restaurants, spa, casino, and disco certainly did.
VIRTUOSO LIFE conducted a photo shoot onboard for its upcoming July/August Travel Dreams issue, affording a behind-the-scenes peek at the making of a cover. Italy and Mediterranean cruising both top clients’ list of dream trips, so the resulting photos – one of which will appear on the next cover of VIRTUOSO LIFE – will definitely appeal to clients.
On the last night, Nancy Strong of Strong Travel was awarded this year’s Ruby of Siam (the photo collage of her grandchildren congratulating her brought the house down) and a fireworks display off the coast of Monaco made a sparkling finish to another successful event.
For more information on Virtuoso, visit the website at www.virtuoso.com.
What’s on Your Travel Bucket List?
Posted by Cristine Lammers in In the News, Meetings & Events on March 30, 2012
Ever since Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman traveled to the ends of the earth in the movie The Bucket List, the term bucket list has become synonymous with must-do life experiences. At a recent Virtuoso Regional Meeting, we posed the question to a few travel agency owners and suppliers – “What’s on your 2012 bucket list?
Click on the video below to see what these Virtuosos have to say about their bucket list destinations:
What’s on your travel bucket list? Tell us in the Comments section below.
To find out more about Virtuoso, click here.
New Virtuoso Travel Catalog Features Family Fun
Posted by Cristine Lammers in Return On Life™, Virtuoso Life on March 29, 2012
We’ve tallied up the playful giggles and totaled up the gleeful grins and we have a winner! Virtuoso’s most recent travel catalog contains an unbeatable collection of family fun vacations.
Frolic your way to exotic ports aboard a fabulous ship that’s a playground at sea. Cavort with wildlife on a far-flung, family-focused expedition. Romp and relax together in the warm waves of a beachside resort. And for all-out adventure, you’ll find nine exclusive adventure tour packages.
Each page is loaded with reasons to smile, including Advisor Tips, VIP perks and value-loaded trips. So let the fun begin…
The March, Family Fun Travel Catalog, features an amazing and unsurpassed collection of cruise itineraries, vacation packages and exclusive values. To enjoy the digital version in its entirety, click here.
All of these and other family friendly activities come with added peace of mind when you book through your Virtuoso Travel Advisor. If you aren’t currently using a Travel Advisor, click here to find out more about what Virtuoso member travel advisors can do for you.
Media Reports on the Value of a Travel Advisor
Posted by Cristine Lammers in In the News on March 15, 2012
Hot on the heels of a recent TODAY Show appearance by Virtuoso CEO Matthew Upchurch, in which he espoused the importance of working with a travel advisor, two more media outlets have published articles on the value of using a travel advisor.
Last month, CNN.com asked the question: When a traveler can compare prices on half a dozen websites simultaneously, enter a credit card number and hit submit, why would he use a travel agent?
What follows is a description of many travelers’ worst nightmare – the Costa Concordia disaster that happened earlier this year. However, as CNN reports, one family that was on the ship was safe at home within 48 hours thanks to their Virtuoso travel advisor.
The article details how the advisor helped the family from the time they reached land to the moment when they boarded a plane for home. It also discusses the common misconception that working with an advisor will cost travelers a lot more than booking their own travel.
“One of the biggest values of a good travel advisor,” Upchurch told CNN.com, “is understanding what’s important to you and being able to provide options you hadn’t thought of.”
Click here to read the CNN.com article.
Also in February, Forbes.com ran an extensive, 3-part series praising travel advisors. Written by travel journalist Larry Olmsted, who used his Virtuoso travel advisor for a trip to Africa, this story explains why travel advisors are far from obsolete in this age of online travel resources and booking engines.
As the articles note, travel agents have the insider access, expertise and connections to find the best travel options for any needs and budget; arrange unique experiences; and obtain discounts, upgrades and special amenities unavailable to individual travelers. The articles also praised Virtuoso as the best place to find professional travel advisors.
Click on the links below to read the Forbes series:
To find out more about what a Virtuoso Travel Advisor can do for you, click here.
Blue Skies Ahead
Posted by Cristine Lammers in Virtuoso Life on February 29, 2012
by Elaine Srnka
Virtuoso Editorial Director
I have to admit it: One of the (many) fun perks of traveling to warmer climes is monitoring the weather back home. Call it a kind of schadenfreude, but I get a little thrill knowing I’ve left behind dreary conditions for clear blue skies. The more extreme the mercury back there, the more I enjoy the sun where I am.
Such was the case recently when I flew to Miami for the opening of the St. Regis Bal Harbour (read about the hotel’s highlights on page 38). While I was having lunch by the pool, strolling the beach, and soaking up the sunshine (all in the name of work, of course), friends and colleagues in the Northeast were snowed in, as airports shut down and the entire region came to a standstill.
The March issue of Virtuoso Life is dedicated to the thrills of warm escapes, and as we’re just emerging from winter, the timing is intentional. You’ll find a roundup of all things beach, from the best cocktail to the best spot to watch the sun set, as well as a stylish Rio jaunt, a French Polynesian cruise, and much more.
These articles are intended to inspire your next beach getaway, but our Travel Dreams Survey has a broader goal: to help you think about all the possibilities for family vacations, cruise itineraries, gourmet destinations, and trips of a lifetime, to name a few. Log on to www.virtuoso.com before March 31 – it’s fast, fun, and serves as a wonderful tool to map out your trave
l goals (and it’s great info to share with your travel advisor). Plus, you could be a big winner: Five lucky entrants will each take home $1,000 cash, and the grand prize is a 12-day, all-inclusive Mediterranean cruise for two on Crystal Cruises’ Serenity from Venice to Athens, in a penthouse suite. The cruise also includes the perks of Voyager Club, an exclusive program available only through Virtuoso.
Wherever your travels take you, try not to gloat too much in your postcards (and Facebook posts) to those back home. But do let me know where you’ve been – I’m always thrilled to hear from you, regardless of the weather.
On my wish list:
Dream Destinations: Indonesia, Uruguay, Croatia
Island Escapes: Maldives, Mauritius, Fiji
Family Vacation Destinations: The Galápagos, Costa Rica, Alaska
Couples Getaways: Santorini, Prague
Wine Regions: Champagne, France (no surprise to those who know my penchant for bubbly)
Trips of a Lifetime: Calling on all seven continents – or perhaps a suborbital space trip with Virgin Galactic (did you know Virtuoso advisors are the exclusive sales agents in North America?)
So many places, so little time. Unfortunately, I’m not eligible to win, but you are – so take our survey at www.virtuoso.com. Hurry, the deadline’s March 31. I’ll be rooting for you.
Tell Us Your Travel Dreams, Win a Dream Vacation
Posted by Cristine Lammers in Return On Life™, Virtuoso Life on February 17, 2012
Which island escape is most alluring? What is my trip of a lifetime? The type of vacation I enjoy the most is?
These are just a few of the questions that await you in the sixth annual VIRTUOSO LIFE® Travel Dreams Survey. The survey, now available at www.virtuoso.com, will inspire you to explore the destinations and experiences on your wish list. Whether it is setting sail for a world cruise, rocketing into suborbital space, enjoying a private island with family and friends, or calling on all seven continents, the Travel Dreams Survey is fuel for globe-trotting ideas.
The VIRTUOSO LIFE Travel Dreams Survey helps you determine where to go next, why and with whom, and even delves into what makes specific destinations and experiences so appealing. And, if you’re wanting to take it a step further, you will find Virtuoso’s travel advisors available to collaborate with you on creating customized itineraries, complete with all of Virtuoso’s enhancements, upgrades and extra amenities.
“From island escapes and romantic getaways to outdoor adventures and trips of a lifetime, this survey is packed with inspiration and reasons to contact a Virtuoso travel advisor,” says Elaine Srnka, editor of VIRTUOSO LIFE magazine. “The Travel Dreams Survey also provides us with valuable consumer insight and helps shape the editorial content for our magazine.”
If you need additional motivation then look no further than the sweepstakes’ Grand Prize giveaway: an incredible, all-inclusive 12-day cruise for two from Venice to Athens aboard Crystal Cruises’® Serenity in a penthouse suite. This grand prize includes all the perks of Virtuoso Voyager Club®, the network’s renowned cruise-enhancement program. An additional five lucky winners will each take home $1,000 cash. Only U.S. residents are eligible to win prizes, however, consumers living outside the U.S. are invited to take the survey at www.virtuoso.com/traveldreams.”
Surveys must be completed by March 31, 2012. Results and winners will be featured in the July/August 2012 issue of VIRTUOSO LIFE magazine. The VIRTUOSO LIFE Travel Dreams Survey and Sweepstakes entry form and complete rules, terms and conditions, are available at www.virtuoso.com
So, take the survey. You just might win!
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