wishing you could go all the way (in J)

The new reasonably priced all premium class airlines now flying between the U.S. and London's small alternative airports are a great innovation. MaxJet flies 757s outfitted with 102 business class seats from JFK, IAD, LAX, and LAS to London Stansted. Eos flies 757s with 48 lie-flat first class seats between JFK and Stansted. And Silverjet equips widebody 767s with only 100 flat bed seats on its route between EWR and Luton.

If you've checked their fares, these new airlines offer the best value-to-price ratio in the sky for travelers who wish to travel in comfort. There's something missing, however, from the product mix. If I've flown across the pond in comfort, I want a seamless transfer (with my baggage checked through to my final destination) onto another flight with comfortable business class seats and advance seat assignments. Sorry, EasyJet doesn't do it for me.

A viable alternative to Heathrow would be a blessing. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic do offer perhaps the best service in the sky, but the quality of your experience is jarred the moment you step off the plane and into one of Heathrow's terminals. Crowds and security lines contribute to a most stressful environment. I avoid having my clients transfer at Heathrow for just this reason. (See Travolution blog's recent submission on the topic.)

So here's my wish list:

• well-timed connecting flights from Stansted and Luton, on full service carriers, to the major European destinations
  
• baggage agreements between MaxJet, Eos, and Silverjet and those carriers

Is this too much to ask?


copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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luxury villas | Casa Triton

Imagine spending a week in an exclusive luxury villa overlooking the Pacific Ocean, waking each morning to pristine ocean views, savoring gourmet meals prepared for you by your own house staff. Although admittedly beyond the reach of most, there are travelers for whom this would be a memorable travel experience.

For the ultimate upscale vacation getaway, consider Casa Triton, an architectural masterpiece featured in Architectural Digest. Located in Costa Careyes, Mexico, 2 1/2 hours south of Puerto Vallarta and 1 1/4 hours north of Manzanillo, this unique property offers 270 degree views of the ocean and coastline with a stunning 200 foot infinity pool.

The luxury villa features three air conditioned oceanview bedrooms, each in a separate bungalow. With an adjoining three bedroom guest house also available, Casa Triton offers beyond-luxurious accommodations for an intimate destination wedding, a honeymoon, a family reunion, or six couples traveling together. The villa comes with a full staff including butler, chef, maids, laundress, poolman, gardeners, and concierge. Rates are $5,000 per night as a 3 bedroom or $7,000 per night as a 6 bedroom.



copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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Ritz Paris | VIP airport privileges at CDG

Hotel Ritz Paris is about to make your trip to Paris infinitely more enjoyable from the moment you land at CDG. There's not a shred of luxury in the typical airport experience. Terminals are crowded. Lines are long. Security screening is inefficient. And service? First class service ends the moment you step off the plane and enter the terminal.

Of all the international airports in the world, perhaps none is quite so inefficient as Charles de Gaulle in Paris. As soon as you step onto the jetway, you join throngs of passengers from all the other international flights to be herded through immigration and customs.

Let me entertain your imagination for a moment. What might a VIP welcome at Charles de Gaulle look like? Let's indulge our fantasies...

• What if, the moment you stepped off the aircraft, you were greeted by a hostess waiting just for you?
  
• What if this hostess ensured that you had privileged transit through security and passport control?
  
• What if she collected your luggage for you?
  
• What if she escorted you to your waiting limousine in front of the arrivals terminal?
  
• What if you were whisked off to your Paris hotel in a Mercedes Class E limousine?
  
• And what if this service cost you nothing?

This is not a fantasy. This is a complimentary amenity reserved exclusively for Virtuoso guests at the Ritz Paris from May 15 - Dec. 27, 2007.

Permit me to further indulge your fantasies. What if you could receive similar VIP airport privileges upon your departure from Paris? You will of course be driven to CDG in a Mercedes limousine.

• Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be led to a private lounge where you can relax.
  
• Your hostess will take care of check-in and luggage registration for you.
  
• She will also take care of any tax-free procedures.
  
• You will have the privilege of seat selection and will be guaranteed a seat even if the flight is overbooked.

(Alas, you will have to pay for your return-trip VIP airport fantasy).

Hotel Ritz Paris, one of the most elegant 5 star luxury hotels in world, is a member of Virtuoso. Your Virtuoso travel consultant can provide you with excellent negotiated rates, an upgrade at the time of booking, continental breakfast for two daily in the restaurant or by room service, as well as VIP treatment throughout your stay at this ultimate Parisian luxury hotel. And, lest you forget, VIP airport privileges at Charles de Gaulle, coming and going.

Why would anyone book the Ritz Paris any other way?

INTERNET SPECIAL: mention Travel Horizons, and I will book the Ritz Paris for you, or any Virtuoso hotel anywhere in the world, with absolutely no service or booking fees.



copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you would like to book the Ritz Paris, or any other Virtuoso hotel in the world, email me or visit my website.

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