which do you recommend the most?

 

Ourisman Travel had this exchange with a traveler named Dustin. Angela, a valued member of Team Ourisman, had posted photos on Instagram during her recent trip to St. Barths. Dustin had come across her gorgeous pictures of Cheval Blanc, Eden Roc, and other resorts on this very five star island, and that inspired him to ask a question: "Of all the St. Barths hotels you visited, which do you recommend most?"

Instagram does not provide the best medium in which to work our magic as Travel Advisors. Before we can recommend a resort, we need to know more about you. Tell us about the vacation you enjoyed most: Where did you stay? Why did you love that resort? Tell us about your aesthetic tastes: Do you enjoy contemporary interiors or do you prefer traditional Caribbean settings? Do you want to be right on the beach? Is a resort pool a must? Some guests want resorts where the pool water is heated, so is that a factor? Are you traveling with kids? Would a kids program that gives you free time while your children are off making friends be a plus? And last, but perhaps the first question to ask: what is your budget?

There's a great vacation for every traveler. Our job is to ask about your preferences and learn your budget. Armed with that information, we can make the best recommendation for you. If, as Dustin wrote, "the rates were absurd" in Anguilla and St. Barths, we are able recommend a better island for you! For the 750€ per night Dustin was spending at Villa Marie, there are likely some much more compelling values right on the beach ... and not a 10 minute drive away which I'm sure he must have grown to resent.

But Instagram is not a place where we can consult with you about your travel plans. Reach out to us at Team@OurismanTravel.com to plan a vacation at the beach or in the mountains.

copyright (c) 2021 by Ourisman Travel LLC.  All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member.

girl on the train

girl on the train (c) 2017 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Photographic opportunities are everywhere, this time on a BART train from North Berkeley to Powell Street station in San Francisco. I liked the way the light caught the profile of this young woman also riding BART into the city, and the camera in my iPhone 6SE did the rest.

Four Seasons hosted a group of travel advisors this afternoon at a lunch-and-meet with sales managers from a number of FS properties around the world. Among the highlights of what I learned:

Private jet from Los Angeles to Bora Bora. It's surely expensive, but if you want the ultimate luxe, this is your ticket. Board your Gufstream G550 private charter at Van Nuys airport and fly directly to Bora Bora. Skip the international airport at Papeete. Skip the long queues at immigration. You'll clear customs in no time at the BOB airport and immediately be whisked away by yacht to the resort. Charter flights for a party of 12 guests start at $160,000, plus accommodations. I believe this fare is round-trip and averages $13,333 per person, so worth considering for the ultimate in convenience and comfort. (There are also a few scheduled charters you can book into).

Book Once, Stay Twice. Participating properties are the Four Seasons resorts in Anguilla, Costa Rica, Nevis, and Punta Mita. Book a Festive Season stay at any of these for stays between 15DEC and 7JAN. (You'll benefit from the Preferred Partner amenities for this stay). As an added bonus, you'll receive three complimentary nights between May 1 and December 15, 2018 at any of the three participating resorts.

Here are the terms and conditions:

This offer is available for new holiday season bookings made between now and June 30, 2017

The holiday season stay must take place between December 15, 2017, and January 7, 2018, inclusive, at a choice of Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla, Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, Four Seasons Resort Nevis or Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. Length of holiday season stay requirements vary by property.

Upon completion of the holiday season stay, guests will receive a certificate with details on how to book their complimentary 2018 stay.

The complimentary 2018 stay will be a three-night stay at choice of Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla, Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, Four Seasons Resort Nevis or Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita.

Complimentary 2018 stays must take place between May 1 and December 15, 2018, and are subject to availability.

To reserve a holiday stay and take advantage of the Book Once, Stay Twice offer, guests or their travel professionals must book by calling the Tropical Collection Resort of choice directly before June 30, 2017.

Book Once, Stay Twice offer cannot be combined with other offers or promotions.

copyright (c) 2017 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.