Virtuoso Life — the adventure issue

 

There are many different kinds of luxury, and adventure travel is one of them. We in the 21st century have the capacity to discover the wilds of nature, all in perfect comfort. While you will experience some trade-offs — even the most well equipped tent will never duplicate the elegance perfected by world-class hotels like the George V or Ritz Paris — you can enjoy privileged encounters of a different kind. While there are too many possibilities to list here, but you might start by thinking about...

• an all-inclusive excursion cruise to Antartica or to Iceland & Greenland
• a tented camp in Tofino (BC), Chiang Rai (Thailand), or Rajasthan (India)
• a luxurious safari resort in Africa, a base for discovering the Big Five

It costs nothing to indulge the dream. Click here to browse the May/June issue of Virtuoso Life. Dubbed "the adventure issue," you'll read about possibilities like those mentioned in the bullet points above. Finally, contact your Virtuoso travel advisor to orchestrate your travel dreams and bring them to life.

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.

what's new in Las Vegas?

T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas (c) 2017 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Something is always new in Las Vegas, and our limo driver from the airport to Bellagio clued us in on the new T-Mobile Arena, home of the NHL Vegas Golden Knights. The arena is the cornerstone of a major new development just west of the Strip, between Monte Carlo and New York New York. You'll discover new retail space along The Park as well as the new Park Theater (connected to Monte Carlo). The impressive stainless statue (pictured above) stands at the center of this new development.

A redevelopment of Monte Carlo appears to be underway. The hotel's swimming pool and beach volleyball area is gone, and there are construction cranes in the now vacant lot just south of the Bellagio-Crystals-Aria-Monte Carlo tram. Enjoying a good location just south of City Center, Monte Carlo is a lackluster casino hotel that could truly benefit from going upscale.

Keep checking back for news from Virtuoso Travel Week, the world's premiere luxury travel show. Team Ourisman will be meeting with hotels and other travel partners from all over the world, shopping for exciting new experiences that we can share with you.

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.

luxury travel in the age of EasyJet | 4 tips

I am in Venice and am struck by how different the city seems this time. No, all of the same attractions are still there — the Piazza San Marco, the Doge's Palace, the Campanile, the Rialto Bridge. What's different is how crowded the city is. Thousands upon thousands of tourists crowding every passageway. Getting from Point A to Point B requires walking around (or through) groups tourists blocking the way

I've experienced the same thing in other parts of the world. Long lines waiting for tickets to Versailles, the Musee d'Orsay, the Louvre, or the Vatican Museum. Dense crowds inside museums, making it impossible to spend quality time in front of, say, the Mona Lisa. Things were so bad in Capri, when I was there, that I escaped back up the hill to Anacapri to avoid the throngs.

Travel has become very popular, as it should be. Discount airlines such as EasyJet make it easy for Europeans in particular to travel all over Europe. As many as three cruise ships dock at Venice in a day, releasing an extra 10,000 tourists to gum up the works.

Is true luxury travel even possible any more? Here are four tips:

1. Travel during "shoulder season." Especially avoid school holidays, if you possibly can. (This tip doesn't work for families who want to expose their children to the world of travel.) By choosing less popular times of the year, you may not get the best weather, but you'll experience lower prices, fewer crowds, and a less hectic time discovering your destination.

2. Seek out exclusive experiences that the crowds (a) are not likely to know about and (b) can't afford. A before-hours guided tour of the Vatican Museum may cost several hundred euros, but you'll experience the Sistine Chapel in peace and quiet, not packed in shoulder-to-shoulder. Your luxury travel consultant has local connections in most destinations who can suggest and arrange these unique experiences.

3. Wander away from the crowds, through parts of the city with relatively few tourists. Or to put it another way, get lost (not difficult to do in Venice), then find your way back. It's the best way to explore a new destination and discover its secrets.

4. Explore off the beaten track destinations. Before going to Venice, I spent the day in Hampshire County, England. Instead of spending time in crowded London, I stayed out in the country, visited Winchester and its cathedral, drove through charming English villages, and ate a great meal at an authentic English pub.

Luxury travel is a matter of time and space, having enough time so that you don't feel rushed, and having enough space so that you don't feel crowded.


luxury travel consultant (search here on Google) copyright (c) 2012 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Virtuoso TravelMart

I'm spending the week at TravelMart in Las Vegas. Virtuoso TravelMart is the annual trade show for Virtuoso travel consultants and suppliers. Held for the past ten years at the Bellagio, the major "business" of the trade show is connecting with Sales reps from hundreds of Virtuoso hotels, resorts, tour companies, onsites, and other suppliers.

I have 424 four-minute appointments spread out over four days, quite an exhausting way to spend Monday through Thursday. Travel consultants are seated at small tables in three large (and over air-conditioned) ballrooms, while the sales reps make the rounds. The YouTube video above is an excerpt from one such interview - we are learning about a new Private Grizzly Bear Viewing activity in British Columbia, Canada that has been developed by Entrée Destinations, a Virtuoso onsite for Canada.

TravelMart is an incredible source of information about the finest luxury travel experiences in the world but - more than that - of making the contacts who can help Virtuoso travel consultants get our clients upgraded and have their special requests accommodated.


Virtuoso TravelMart (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2010 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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four lessons for booking travel on the internet

Christopher Elliott's excellent blog, Consumer Traveler, posts this question from a traveler who encountered difficulties when booking his honeymoon on the internet:

About a month ago, I took advantage of a Travelocity e-mail fare alert for a flight from Minneapolis to Costa Rica. The deal seemed too good to be true: $230 roundtrip on US Airways. I booked the flight for my September honeymoon and then went to a Web site and bid on our accommodations, which I also booked.

A few days ago, US Airways notified me that it had dropped a connecting flight to Costa Rica, and that our only option was a full refund. I checked the ticket prices to Costa Rica and found that they had tripled. I felt like I was a victim of a bait-and-switch. I called US Airways, which offered to fly us to Costa Rica a day after we were supposed to leave. But it would involve an overnight stay in Charlotte, which the airline was unwilling to pay for.

I understand that airlines have flight schedule changes, but I also feel that it is their choice and that if they choose to do so, they should be responsible for the consequences. Is there anything you can do?

What can we learn from this traveler's experience? Here are four lessons for booking travel on the internet.

1. Buy a complete package from one vendor.

Had these honeymooners bought a complete package from Travelocity (AIR + RESORT), Travelocity would have owned the entire problem when US Airways cancelled its flight.

2. Purchase travel insurance.

In addition to protecting you from financial loss if you have to cancel in the event of an illness or other covered emergency, travel insurance can protect you from added expenses incurred in the event your trip is interrupted or delayed (i.e., an extra night in Charlotte).

3. The lowest price is not always the best value.

Many internet shoppers become compulsive about finding the very lowest price. But when you're shopping for travel - and especially for your honeymoon - you're buying more than a plane seat and a hotel room. You're planning an experience that will enrich and enhance your life. Sometimes a few extra dollars (purchasing travel insurance or upgrading to a more upscale resort) can relieve you of stress - and provide a level of comfort and luxury that will add so much to a once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

4. Use a live human travel consultant instead of an online travel agency.

Many people think, "I don't need a travel agent. I'll book it on the internet." Well, Travelocity is a travel agency. Priceline is a travel agency. Hotels.com is a travel agency. You pay pretty much the same thing, whether you book directly with a hotel or an airline, or with an online agency, or through a live human travel consultant. Why not avail yourself of the expertise that an experienced travel consultant can offer you? After all, it's our mission to find you the best values and provide you with the most memorable experiences of your life.


Note: I specialize in luxury travel and am only accepting new clients on a limited basis. However, these lessons hold true whether you are spending $1,000; $10,000; or $50,000 on your next trip.


four lessons for booking travel (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2010 by David Ourisman LLC. 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 in Paris for $500 a night?

I regularly read a number of travel forums just to see the kinds of questions that travelers are asking. A poster recently asked for recommendations for a February stay in Paris. This is her Paris hotel wish list.

• well-located with access to the metro
  
• a genuine King bed
  
• a walk-in shower
  (not a hand-held shower thingy in the bathtub)
  
• $500 per night

Here are my top two suggestions for luxury in Paris for $500 a night:

Le Meurice has the perfect location in the heart of Paris. Step out the front door, cross the rue de Rivoli, and you're in the Jardin des Tuileries. Walk straight across the park, and you're at the Musee d'Orsay. Or turn left for a short walk to the Louvre. Or turn right for a short walk to the Place de la Concorde. You can easily reach the major attractions in the center of Paris by foot (or there's a Metro entrance right across the street to go anywhere in the city).

The smallest of the palace hotels of Paris, Le Meurice has a very Parisian feeling as well as its own, elegant three-star Michelin restaurant. For some great values, a Virtuoso travel consultant can get you 10% off the best available flexible rate, a full American Breakfast daily via room service or in the hotel's restaurant, and an upgrade if available. For a February booking, I can likely get you a confirmed upgrade at booking. Putting in a set of dates in February, 440€ can get you a Classic Queen room (about $550 per night) - and you're in a five-star hotel that deserves every one of those stars.

Need to spend less? Consider the InterContinental Paris Le Grand. This hotel was built because Napoleon wanted Paris to have a Grand hotel like the other European capitals, and Napoleonic red is found throughout the property (notably in the hallway carpeting). Virtuoso guests get the benefit of a 10% discount off the best available flexible rate and free Lounge access - where you'll get a complimentary daily breakfast, snacks, drinks, and cocktails throughout the day. For the same set of dates in February, 315€ ($398) gets you into a Superior room, 366€ ($463) into an Executive Room, and 391€ ($494) into a Deluxe Room with a view of the Paris Opera.


Note: these are the rates available July 9 for a three night stay, 2FEB-3NT. Rates are subject to change until booked.

luxury in Paris (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2010 by David Ourisman LLC. 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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Kauri Cliffs | New Zealand golf and beach luxury

Despite arriving at Kauri Cliffs at nearly the same time as a tropical cyclone boasting wind gusts over 65 mph, my enthusiasm for this property is not dampened.

For many guests, the challenging seaside links golf course is the reason to stay at Kauri Cliffs. Located near Kerikeri, New Zealand, north of Auckland on the Bay of Islands, the property features one of Golf Digest's top 50 courses in the world. Fifteen holes offer views of the Pacific Ocean, and six holes are played alongside cliffs that plunge into the sea. (The hole pictured at the left was obviously photographed during happier weather conditions.) Despite the crazy winds, I actually saw golfers arriving to play 18 holes.

Although it was not beach weather, I did walk down to one of the resort's three beaches, Pink Beach, which gets its name from the color of the small shells (pictured above). This beach has picnic tables and is a great spot to have lunch with your family. The best swimming beach is Waiaua Beach — long, wide, and covered with fine white sand; you can swim out to some of the tiny offshore islands.

Did I mention the food? As a Relais & Chateaux property, Kauri Cliffs takes special pride in its cuisine — and rates include full breakfast, pre-dinner drinks with hors d'oeuvres, and dinner. Also included: a free mini-bar and dangerously tempting, freshly baked cookies in your room. And as a Virtuoso property, you receive additional amenities as a complimentary perk when you book through your Virtuoso luxury travel consultant.

Beyond the large variety of outdoor activities and a spa for those who choose to be pampered, Kauri Cliffs is a stunning luxury lodge. Guest suites are spacious (a minimum of 840 square feet) and offer breathtaking views of the Pacific. The bathroom has a large soaking tub, walk-in shower, and dual vanities. There is also an immense walk-in closet designed for two travelers with a LOT of clothes. With a gas fireplace in each suite and a porch overlooking the Pacific, about the only improvement would be flat screen televisions — but I can't imagine who would spend their time watching television at Kauri Cliffs.

Kauri Cliffs (search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2009 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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Prague | a magical city

"It's like Disney, but it's real."

I was text messaging with my daughter last night from Prague. Through the wonders of internet technology, I was able to download pictures from my camera, edit them in iPhoto, post them in my gallery on MobileMe, and talk with her about them real-time on iChat. After seeing some of the night shots of Prague, she said "it's like Disney, but it's real." That is precisely my own insight about this magical city.

The picture above is taken from within the elaborate library of the Strahov Monastery in Prague. Containing 280,000 titles, these are some of the most fabulous rooms you'll ever see. Off-limits to the general public (the vast majority of tourists can only peer through a small doorway at the far end of the two rooms), our group was able to walk through the library at leisure, look at the ancient books up close, and generally experience these impressive spaces.

One of the most interesting features of the library is a polished antique wooden table; our guide showed us how the table converts into a step ladder that can be used to access books on the higher up shelves. We were also able to see up close the globes and stained glass windows throughout the room and hear explanations of the artwork on the painted ceiling.

How did we get into a place not normally open to the general public? The Virtuoso network includes local experts who can set up exclusive access to special VIP experiences in virtually any destination on earth, giving a whole new definition to luxury travel. Contact a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant to learn what might be possible in Prague — or in any destination you might want to visit.


Strahov Monastery, Prague (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2009 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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Montage Beverly Hills | new Virtuoso hotel

A brand new eight-story hotel in Beverly Hills, the Montage Beverly Hills opened its doors in November, 2008. With just 201 guestrooms, of which 55 are suites, the Montage is a boutique hotel in the heart of one of the finest retail shopping meccas in the world. Just 30 minutes from LAX, this is an urban sanctuary with beautiful European gardens and a collection of fine art. The hotel offers 24-hour flexible check-in/check-out, and Corner Suite and higher categories also receive the use of a complimentary Mercedes during their stay. The entire hotel offers complimentary internet service.

Montage Beverly Hills just became a member of Virtuoso, meaning upscale travelers will enjoy extraordinary values just by booking through a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant. You'll receive a complimentary one room category upgrade at time of booking and complimentary continental breakfast for two daily. Ask me about how to receive complimentary airport transfers (or spa credits) at Montage Beverly Hills.


Montage Beverly Hills (search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2009 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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the Virtuoso hotels of New York

Virtuoso is a luxury travel consortium offering the best values in luxury travel for upscale travelers. Before booking any of the Virtuoso hotels of New York, consult a Virtuoso travel consultant to ensure that you are receiving the best possible value for your stay.

The Google map below shows the location of the twenty-one Virtuoso hotels in Manhattan. Click on one of the blue "dots" to bring up the exclusive amenities available to Virtuoso guests in 2011.


View Larger Map

Why book through Virtuoso instead of just using the Internet?
3 reasons:

1. Room upgrades. Some of these hotels offer Virtuoso guests an exclusive upgrade at the time of booking. That means, you're guaranteed a room that is larger and/or has a better view. At all of the others, you will be upgraded at the time of check-in if a room in the next category is available.

2. Free breakfasts. Ordering breakfast in a luxury hotel is an expensive proposition, even if all you want is a cup of coffee. Expensive breakfasts are a thing of the past at Virtuoso hotels. You gou get a complimentary breakfast just by booking through a Virtuoso travel consultant.

3. Extra amenities. These differ by property, but you might receive an complimentary High Tea, discounts off spa services, cocktails and appetizers, or food and beverage credits... just a little something extra to let you know you're a special guest.

Competitive rates. You will typically pay the same rate — or better — than other guests staying in the same room. With Virtuoso, you simply get the best value. Click here to request a no-obligation quote.

Virtuoso hotels of New York (search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2008 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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explore the world by private jet

I recently had the opportunity to experience Abercrombie & Kent's private jet on a flight from Boston to Reykjavik, Iceland. A&K invited a group of travel consultants and travel writers to experience their premium luxury product, and I can safely report that this flight surpassed any experience I have previously enjoyed in the air (including British Airways First and an actual private jet owned by an individual).

From the moment we were invited onboard this specially configured Boeing 757-200 jet, I was impressed with the spaciousness afforded the passengers. In my view, space is the ultimate luxury—whether in the air or on the ground, and our cabin was configured for just 52 passengers (not the 200 typically accommodated aboard this type of aircraft). The seats reclined into a very comfortable cradle position — but not into a completely horizontal bed because A&K typically plans its itineraries with 4 hour legs flown in daylight. (This makes perfect sense because their guests get to sleep in comfortable beds in the world's most outstanding five star luxury hotels.)

And then there was the food. Sixteen of us enjoyed a five course meal seated at tables in the jet's lounge area. The pièce de résistance was the Caviar Service (pictured above) featuring red and black Icelandic caviar accompanied with sour cream, red onion, egg white, egg yolk and served with both Laurent-Perrier champagne and Vodka. For the main course, we had the choice of a roasted fillet of lamb, grilled striped bass, or risotto with chanterelle mushrooms. I chose the bass, and it was wonderful — moist and perfectly prepared. I inquired afterwards and learned that the fish had been brought aboard uncooked and was prepared during flight. Also impressive was the choice of alcoholic beverages provided onboard which included three different single malt scotches and a selection of premium brands for each beverage type.

However, the ultimate luxury of A&K's private jet journeys is not the flight itself; it is the opportunity to see the world with a degree of privilege and comfort not readily available to the typical luxury traveler. Private jet travel permits a select group of upscale clients to enjoy itineraries that would be difficult, tiring, and sometimes impossible to experience using regular commercial flights. A&K can pull off these trips with ease, and all you need do is sit back and enjoy the world's natural and cultural attractions as you are whisked from destination to destination with unsurpassed comfort, convenience, and luxury. Future A&K itineraries include a round-the-world trip, an exploration of the continent of Africa, and many other opportunities that will excite your passion for world travel. Contact your luxury travel consultant for complete information about upcoming A&K Private jet Journeys.

private jet (search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2008 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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a great time for luxury travel to Europe

Want some counter-intuitive advice? This is an ideal time to think about luxury travel to Europe. Here are four reasons why:

1. Great exchange rates. The US dollar has gotten much stronger over the past three months. You'll be paying considerably less for your hotel room, meals, and sightseeing while in Europe and the United Kingdom. Here are the numbers, comparing July 15 to today (October 23).

• The price of one EURO has dropped from $1.60 to $1.28, a discount of nearly 20%
• The price of one POUND has dropped from $1.96 to $1.62, a savings of more than 17%.

This is the best exchange rate in five years!

2. Discounted room rates. The economic downturn has made many upscale travelers nervous about taking expensive trips. I can tell you, as a luxury travel consultant, that bookings have dropped significantly over the past few weeks ... and cancellations are up. This means lots of empty hotel rooms, and empty rooms motivate hoteliers to lower their prices and create special promotional packages to fill those rooms.

3. Valuable free amenities. You can get complimentary breakfasts, room upgrades, and other free amenities that can include lunch, dinner, spa treatments, or limousine transfers. How? Simply by booking through a Virtuoso travel consultant. Best of all, many hotels offer these amenities at the Best Available Rate. You pay less and get more.

4. Less crowds. When less people are traveling, you don't need to deal with crowds and long lines at the attractions you want to see.

I have always been a contrarian. When everyone else is buying ... it's an ideal time to sell. When everyone else is selling ... it's an ideal time to buy. This is one of those opportune times. With some very real values out there in the luxury travel market, this is a great time to plan a luxury trip to Europe.


luxury travel consultant (search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2008 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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international first class can be a pleasure

Air travel has become expensive and uncomfortable for most of us. With airlines cutting back on flights, planes are more crowded with less likelihood of an empty middle seat. Passengers are being charged to check luggage on some carriers, and meals are no longer complimentary on many airlines with one airline now charging for water and soft drinks. One carrier even tried to charge a "convenience fee" for booking on the web.

Upscale travelers can still experience luxury in the air on some of the world's finest international airlines. One of my clients recently experienced First Class on Singapore Airlines ... and Lufthansa's First Class Terminal in Frankfurt. He sends this trip report which I am publishing with his permission.

We did have a 3 hour delay departing JFK on Singapore but still had 7 hours at the First Class Terminal. Wow! SQ F was fantastic. I wish the flight lasted longer. And the First Class Lounge is clearly the best lounge I've ever experienced. The service was excellent. Great shower rooms complete with the Lufthansa First Class Terminal rubber duck. Awesome bar with many, many scotches and whiskies to choose from, and the staff was happy to play along.

Then the pièce de résistance — the transfer to the plane. At approx. 10 p.m. our Personal Assistant came and took us downstairs where we were processed by immigration and then escorted over to the line of cars. There had to be at least twelve Porsche Cayenne's, Mercedes Sedans, and a few mini-vans. We were given a Cayenne. Our driver loaded our carry-ons and drove us onto the tarmac and around the innards of FRA before again driving the tarmac and parking right next to the jetbridge. We were whisked up in the elevator to the jetbridge and escorted to the door of the aircraft. The driver handed the flight attendant a paper with our names and seats on it and bid us farewell. The flight attendant held up the other pax trying to board and walked us thru the Business cabin and up the stairs to our seats in First. Loved it! Felt like a celebrity.

Service was very good on LH. I had the full dinner and then popped an Ambien and got 8 hours of sleep before waking 30 minutes prior to landing. Our carry-ons are quite full with our 2 sets of pajamas and amenity kits. We might have to ship some of that stuff home.

luxury in the air (search here on Google)

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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when is a trip to Paris NOT a trip to Paris?

I received a phone call the other day from Pablo who, with his wife, wanted to plan a last-minute trip to Paris. He had posted an online request, asking travel consultants to make proposals that he and his wife could consider. One travel agency, he told me, had quoted him $7,400 for a package that included four nights at a 5 star hotel and round-trip flights from Tucson. I asked Pablo to tell me more about the package that had been offered him. They would be staying, he said, at the Trianon Palace in Versailles.

Pablo had never been to Paris and did not know much about the destination. I told him that the hotel that was recommended to him, the Trianon Palace, was not even in Paris. I told him that the same package was actually available for under $6,400. I spoke with him about some 5 star luxury hotels in Paris, in the middle of everything he would want to see, in the same price range.

But the final word I left with Pablo — and that I would leave with you — was this: If going to Paris is a dream you've had for a long time, don't plan it last minute. Don't book your tickets the week before you leave when airfares will be exorbitantly expensive; you'll be paying full fare and sitting in coach. If you can, visit in the spring or fall, when the city isn't crowded with tourists and the lines are much shorter. And don't fly off to Paris without first having thought out your trip: creating a day-by-day itinerary that makes sense, learning about your options in getting around (weekly Metro passes), getting Museum passes that will let you skip the lines, and — yes — planning a day trip to see the beautiful palace at Versailles (pictured above at the right).

If you're dreaming about going to Paris, take the time to plan it right!


5 star luxury hotels in Paris (search here on Google)

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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