voyages to antiquity - Parallels Plesk Panel

Inspiring and Educating Sellers of Affluent Travel OCTOBER 2011 

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Inspiring and Educating Sellers of Affluent Travel 

www.luxurytraveladvisor.com 

DESTINATIONS 

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Insider’s Hawaii 

Australia’s Wine Valley 

Hotels 

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DESTINATIONS 

10 HUNTER VALLEY, AUSTRALIA: Day 

tripping in Australia’s oldest wine region 

by Jena Tesse Fox 

14 CARIBBEAN: We’ve scouted out some 

top gems in the tropics 

by Joe Pike 

20 INSIDER’S HAWAII: Specialists weigh 

in on their top island picks 

by Jena Tesse Fox 

HOTELS 

26 THE FAIRMONT PEACE HOTEL: 

1920s elegance meets 21st century technology 

in Shanghai 

by Meagan Drillinger 

CRUISES 

30 ITALY: PRE- AND POST-CRUISE 

SOJOURNS: Interesting things in 

tradtional ports 

by Sharri Whiting de Masi 

TRAVELING GOURMET 

36 ‘MASTERS’ IN THE KITCHEN: Haute 

cuisine with a ‘hands-on’ approach 

by Meagan Drillinger 

COVER STORY 

40 ALL-TRAVEL.COM: Eric Maryanov 

uses online expertise and tradtional 

advising to create luxury trips 

by Ruthanne Terrero 

AWARDS 

46 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE: Here’s 

your chance to vote for the year’s best 

in luxury. 

DEPARTMENTS 

4 Publisher’s Letter 

6 Editor’s Letter 

54 The Pulse 

All Aboard: Sailing the French Riviera 

Posh Prague: New rooms and suites 

Spa Chic: Le Royal Monceau, Raffles 

Fresh Look: The Guerlain Spa 

61 Jetset Report 

62 Luxury Travel Expo 

64 Sightings 

65 Source List 

On the cover, Eric Maryanov of All- 

Travel.com at the Parker, Palm Springs 

COVER PHOTO BY JIM COX 

2 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | OCTOBER 2011 

LUXURYOCTOBER 

2011 

www.luxurytraveladvisor.com 

TRAVEL ADVISOR 

AUDREY WILKINSON VINEYARD, Hunter Valley, Australia 

PARK HYATT 

PARIS-VENDÔME 

THE FAIRMONT PEACE HOTEL Sassoon Suite 

THE FOUR SEASONS MAUI

SEABOURN 

THE FIRST CHOICE IN LUXURY CRUISING. 

ALSO, THE SECOND, THIRD, AND FIFTH. 

Small Ships 

Small ships carry fewer than 500 passengers 

1 Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn 96.1 95.5 95.2 97.7 97.7 97.7 93.0 95.5 450 

2 Seabourn Spirit, Seabourn 94.0 96.4 92.7 97.8 96.4 96.4 86.1 92.0 208 

3 Seabourn Legend, Seabourn 93.4 97.4 85.8 100 93.0 99.1 85.2 93.0 208 

4 Paul Gauguin, Paul Gauguin Cruises 90.7 95.7 88.9 95.7 87.7 92.0 86.3 89.0 332 

5 Seabourn Pride, Seabourn 90.0 93.1 82.0 96.1 94.1 95.1 80.2 89.1 208 

6 Seven Seas Navigator, Regent Seven Seas Cruises 88.7 90.0 78.4 92.3 94.6 90.6 83.7 91.2 490 

7 Silver Whisper, Silversea 87.9 93.0 80.0 91.8 91.2 86.6 81.3 91.2 382 

8 SeaDream II, SeaDream Yacht Club 87.8 92.4 79.2 97.5 82.3 92.4 83.5 87.2 112 

9 Silver Cloud, Silversea 87.0 93.6 77.6 94.9 92.9 90.4 73.9 85.5 296 

9 Silver Shadow, Silversea 87.0 90.9 77.1 91.6 95.2 88.6 76.5 89.1 382 

11 SeaDream I, SeaDream Yacht Club 85.4 91.2 73.2 91.2 75.4 91.2 85.7 89.5 112 

11 Wind Spirit, Windstar 85.4 92.6 81.5 95.4 77.8 89.7 75.7 84.8 148 

Boldfaced scores are the highest for their criteria 

Overall 

Score 

Itineraries/ 

Schedule 

Shore 

Excursions 

Crew/ 

Service 

N 

AcƟ viƟ es/ W 

Cabins Food/ 

Design/ 

S 

Dining FaciliƟ es Layout 

Passengers 

Source: Condé Nast Traveler, Readers’ Poll, Top 80 Cruise Ships, February 2011. 

The numbers speak for themselves. And Condé Nast Traveler readers speak from experience. 

At the time of the survey, they ranked all four of Seabourn’s ships in the top fi ve scores. 

Since then, we’ve launched Seabourn Quest and Seabourn Sojourn, sister ships to the number- 

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Ships’ registry: Bahamas ©2011 Seabourn 

E 

N 

W 

S 

E

PUBLISHER’S LETTER 

A Seasoned Traveler 

When I think of taking a vacation, I always think about it based on 

seasons. I am not one of these people who needs to go skiing in 

the summer, although I will admit to thinking about running off 

to the beach in the winter. But that’s just me. 

I asked several different people about where they go (or want 

to go) during different seasons, and—not surprisingly—they all came back with different 

answers. 

This is significant, because one of the keys to closing your sales is to understand the 

buying habits of the traveler. You need to know when they want to go, and you need 

to remember that not everyone thinks 

the same way. I travel to Vail twice a year, 

once in the winter and then again in the 

summer. And if you ask me which I liked 

better, I would pick the winter ski season 

as my preferred time of year. But then, as 

I continue to discover Vail as a summer 

destination, I am starting to think I prefer 

Vail in the summer. 

Here is a photo on my 4x4 journey to 

the top of Vail Mountain. In March, I was 

on the same peak, but my mode of transportation 

was a ski lift. So, as your clients 

discover and expand their inspirations for 

travel, you, as their trusted travel advisor, 

must stay in touch as well. Keep asking 

questions, and encourage your clients to 

discover a new way of seeing a favorite 

haunt. Ski destinations can be beautiful in 

summer, and beaches—quiet and peaceful 

without all the tourists—can be surprisingly 

serene in winter. 

At Luxury Travel Advisor, we continue 

to discover destinations and inspire you, 

so that you can inspire your clients as well. 

For a $100 subscription to Luxury Travel Advisor, call 216-706-3750 between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm EST; 

fax: 216-706-3714; e-mail: asanchez-perkins@questex.com or send a written request to Antoinette Sanchez-Perkins, 

Luxury Travel Advisor, 600 Superior Ave Suite 1100, Cleveland, OH 44114. 


JOHN MCMAHON 

Vice President/Group Publisher 

jmcmahon@questex.com 

American Express is a Proud Sponsor of Luxury Travel Advisor magazine 

LUXURY 

TRAVEL ADVISOR 

Inspiring and Educating Sellers of Affluent Travel 

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(212) 895-8243 

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(212) 895-8423 

Managing Editor: David Eisen deisen@questex.com 

(212) 895-8436 

Editor, LuxuryTravelAdvisor.com: Meagan Drillinger mdrillinger@questex.com 

(212) 895-8289 

Contributing Editors: Joe Pike, Susan J. Young, Lindsay Lambert, Jena Tesse Fox, 

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EDITOR’S LETTER 

Using Scent to Close the Sale 

At Montage Laguna Beach: I’m shown 

here with Jeff Johnson, VP of 

Montage Hotels & Resorts, and 

Todd Orlich, GM of the Montage 

Laguna Beach. I visited the 

famous seaside resort during a 

recent West Coast trip. Watch for 

my report in a future issue. 

ON LUXURYTRAVEL 

ADVISOR.COM 

It’s easy to vote for the Luxury Travel 

Advisor Awards of Excellence; just go 

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heard as to who is tops in the world 

of luxury. 


I 

walked past a store that sells comic books 

today. I knew it before I even saw it because I 

could smell the paper and the ink and the dry 

mustiness of the newspaper shop that has a 

single counter up front holding packets of gum 

and cough drops. On the floor was one pile after 

another of magazines, reaching all the way to a back 

table where a single visitor scraped away at instant 

Lotto tickets with the edge of a dime. 

It was the first chilly September morning in 

Manhattan and I was shocked at how instantly 

the scent of the shop and the nip in the air transported 

me back to my youth in Yonkers, NY, when 

going to purchase a comic book every Sunday after 

church was the greatest luxury I could imagine at 

the time. My brother and I were each allowed to 

select any one that we wanted. For me, it was easy 

(an Archie comic), but he had to choose between 

Archie and boy-related publications like Superman 

and Spiderman. 

I have other favorite city scents that take me 

back to lovely times. 

The other evening, before it had even cooled 

off, I caught a waft of pretzels roasting on a cart 

on Fifth Avenue. Even though the air was hot and 

humid, it was most certainly a precursor to fall, 

which I surprisingly and suddenly longed for as I 

passed the pretzel man. 

I happen to love how New Orleans smells. 

Not the odor that Bourbon Street serves up in the 

morning before the sidewalks have been hosed 

down, but that slight mustiness caused by a climate 

that delivers constantly high humidity. The 

moment I touch foot in Louis Armstrong Airport 

and inhale deeply, I know I’m back in one of my 

favorite cities. It makes me feel secure. 

Malaka Hilton of Admiral Travel International 

says that her favorite travel scent is the blue agave 

soap from Lady Primrose. “Takes me back to One 

& Only Palmilla!” she says. Mary Jean Tully of The 

Cruise Professionals tells us that being in Africa in 

the bush delivers her favorite travel scent. “Nothing 

beats the fresh air smell of being in the bush—it 

alters your senses!” she says. 

A fan on our Luxury Travel Advisor Facebook 

page says that the scent of plumeria brings back terrific 

memories. “Takes me back to that wonderful 

lei I received when I first landed in Hawaii. Much 

needed after being on a packed flight for hours.” 

Do you use the sense of smell to paint an 

image of the experiences your clients will enjoy in 

a destination you’ve been to? As you’re describing 

to them how they’ll feel when they travel to view 

Machu Picchu, do you tell them how the air will 

smell when the sites of the ruins are unveiled below 

them through the mist? If you have visited a hotel 

and, like Malaka Hilton, been able to bring back a 

sample of a lovely soap or lotion that’s used there, 

why not share it with your client as they’re sitting 

at your desk looking at photos of potential places 

to go? 

Using every bit of inspiration doesn’t hurt. After 

all, you’re dream makers and fantasy fulfillers. Why 

not give it a shot? 

As for me, I’m headed back to the comic store to 

get my fill of some very happy childhood memories. 

RUTHANNE TERRERO, CTC 

Vice President/Editorial Director 

rterrero@questex.com 

www.twitter.com/ruthanneterrero

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Photos by Jena Tesse Fox 

DESTINATIONS 

HUNTER VALLEY, 

AUSTRALIA 

BY JENA TESSE FOX 

Australia’s Hunter Valley, about 

two hours’ drive north of Sydney, 

is the country’s most popular wine 

region with about 140 vineyards. 

Most wineries are family-owned 

and their bottles are only available 

at the cellar door or through 

wine clubs.The Valley, which is 

the oldest continually producing 

wine region in Australia, makes 

for a terrific day trip or weekend 

getaway. 

Luxury Travel Advisor 

toured Hunter Valley with Steve 

Thomas of Boutique Tours Australia 

(www.boutiquetours 

australia.com.au). Our first stop 

was Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard 

(www.audreywilkinson.com. 


au), which dates to 1866 and has 

excellent views of the countryside. 

Peter Woods, operations 

manager of the winery, let us 

sample several bottles while we 

enjoyed an alfresco lunch from 

the nearby Smelly Cheese Shop 

(www.smellycheese.net.au). (If 

you can get some real honeycomb, 

try it on a cracker with a 

tangy blue cheese. Bliss.) 

Good to know: The Hunter 

Valley is famous for its Semillon 

wines, so be sure to try 

some vertical tastings of different 

vintages, or to compare (for 

example) a Semillon, a Chardonnay 

and a Pinot Gris. Also, be 

aware that most wines in Australia 

are now bottled with a screw cap 

top rather than a cork. It looks 

decidedly less elegant, but the 

winemakers insist that it preserves 

the wine much better than the 

natural option—and, really, taste 

is what matters. 

From Audrey Wilkinson, we 

drove down the road to Tyrrell’s 

Wines (www.tyrrells.com.au), 

another historical vineyard in the 

Valley, where we tasted a 1999 

Semillon that they have recently 

age-released. Some nice details at 

the winery include the original 

buildings from the 1860s that 

make a powerful, if silent, statement 

about how rough early life 

in the Valley was and how strong 

those early developers had to be. 

For pre-dinner drinks, we 

stopped by Tempus Two, a 

post-modern strip-mall-esque 

collection of high-end dining and 

drinking options. (Yes, we just 

used the words “high-end” and 

“strip-mall” in the same sentence.) 

The Goldfish Bar (www. 

thegoldfish.com.au) has a lot of 

funky cocktails and a great wine 

selection, as well as outdoor seating 

for alfresco dining. For dinner, 

we went to Bistro Molines 

(www.bistromolines.com.au), a 

hilltop restaurant with killer views 

of the Valley—and an amazing 

wine selection. (The labels on the 

bottles are made of pewter or copper, 

and are objets d’art in their 

own right.) 

The next morning, we started 

out at Hunter Resort (www. 

huntervalley.com.au), a winery 

that doubles as a brewery and

holds classes as well as wine and 

beer tastings. (The Bluetongue 

ginger beer is really delicious.) 

The classes are impressively 

in-depth and a great way for 

burgeoning oenophiles to learn 

about getting the most from 

their glass of wine. (First Lesson: 

Smell everything, so that your 

nose is trained to detect distinct 

or even faint aromas in the 

wines.) Outside, guests can sit at 

picnic tables and snack or drink 

in the fresh air. Note: If you’re 

getting “wined out” at this point, 

the resort is where you should 

head for a casual and relaxing 

break. Sit in the sunshine, enjoy 

a cold locally brewed beer and 

just unwind. 

The Wyndham Estate (www. 

AUDREY WILKINSON VINEYARD 

(here) has a lovely verandah with 

views over the valley. 

HUNTER RESORT WINE TASTING 

ROOM (below) is a dedicated 

classroom for learning about wine. 

ADVISOR INSIGHT: 

Kerrie Strumolo, a Premier 

Aussie Specialist with KS 

Travel & Tours in New Jersey, 

recommends the Wyndham 

Estate as a must-visit while in 

the Hunter Valley. “It’s set on 

the banks of the Hunter River 

and it’s lush and green year 

round,” she says. “Even though 

it’s a large organization, it has a 

small, intimate feel. Wyndham 

Estate is also known as the 

birthplace of Shiraz in Australia. 

It holds an annual Opera in 

the Vineyard concert as well 

as other performances like 

jazz concerts...Its Olive Tree 

Restaurant (only opened late 

last year) serves fresh local 

food but is a little ‘quirky’ in that 

none of the cutlery or crockery 

is matching. It’s all antique, and 

different sets were picked up 

from antiques stores, garage 

sales and the like.” 

As for where to stay, she 

recommends the Chateau 

Elan at The Vintage (www. 

chateauelan.com.au). “It is 

a five-star property and the 

newest in the Hunter Valley— 

mid-size, approximately 100 

rooms. It overlooks The Vintage 

Greg Norman golf course. All 

the rooms have views over the 

fairways. There are three styles 

of rooms: Spa King, Spa Suite 

and One-Bedroom Spa Suite. 

I love this property because of 

the location and the fact that all 

the rooms in the main building 

were named after different cities 

in the world—and tastefully 

themed, accordingly. They have 

the same decor, but the France 

room will have some French 

books or DVDs, etc. The on-site 

spa has 17 treatment rooms, 

and premium local produce, 

beef and seafood meals are 

served at The Legends Grill. 

It’s perfect for a honeymoon or 

anniversary.” 

www.luxurytraveladvisor.com OCTOBER 2011 | LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR 11

THE WYNDHAM ESTATE is the oldest working winery in Hunter Valley, and its historical 

structures will be restored in coming years. 

wyndhamestate.com) is the 

Valley’s oldest working winery, 

dating to 1831. It offers several 

notable vintages as well as some 

nice historical aspects. (The 

ruins of George Wyndham’s old 

house are at once beautiful and 

heartbreaking, but Operations 

Manager Stephen Guilbaud- 

Oulton said that funds are 

being raised for a restoration.) 

The Estate is also working to 

repair the Hunter River, which 

has been severely damaged by 

deforestation and other environ- 

WHERE TO STAY 

During our visit to the wineries in the area, we 

also toured Tower Lodge (www.tower lodge. 

com.au), a 12-room Relais & Chateaux property 

that must be seen to be believed. 

General Manager Andreas Breitfuss 

took us down to the hotel’s subterranean 

restaurant, Nine, which is only 

open on weekends, for a dedicated 

degustation menu. Nice Touch: While 

the restaurant is open to locals, several 

seats are set aside for last-minute guest 

dining. Breitfuss said that the hotel will 

be doubling in size in the next few years 

but will stop at 24 rooms (guaranteeing 

that there are never more than 50 

guests who need his attention). 


mental problems. The hillside 

leading down to the mostly dry 

river is dotted with new saplings 

that, with luck, will bring the 

water back to its former state— 

in about 100 years or so. The 

Estate is a popular choice for 

outdoor weddings—we saw 

chairs all set up overlooking the 

Valley, and it’s hard to imagine 

a prettier spot for tying the 

knot. Be sure to sample the Bin 

555 Shiraz—one of the vineyard’s 

most popular options, 

and rightly so, we say. (Note: 

Bin 555 is also one of the few 

Hunter Valley wines we tried 

that is available for purchase in 

U.S. stores.) 

We stayed at the Estate for 

lunch and sampled Chef Andy 

Wright’s cuisine at Olive Tree 

Restaurant (www.theolive 

treerestaurant.com.au). The 

menu is deceptively simple, with 

no more than three ingredients 

per dish, but the food is fresh, 

locally sourced where possible 

and absolutely delicious. (The 

steak, served rare with herbed 

Luxury travel advisors can reach out to 

Breitfuss at andreas@towerestate.com; 

011-612-4998-7022. 

TOWER LODGE 

suites are at 

once elegant 

and homey. 

butter, was especially rich, but 

the chicken and chorizo is also a 

wonderful option.) 

Taking a break from wine, 

we spent a nice hour wandering 

around the Hunter Valley 

Gardens (www.hvg.com.au), 

a collection of themed gardens 

that are ideal for weddings or 

for family outings. While the 

elaborate Victorian rose garden 

was gorgeous and the Formal 

Garden was very impressive, 

we were utterly charmed by the 

Storybook Garden, which has 

sculptures of fairy tale characters 

for children to examine. This is 

a great option for families and a 

good way to take a break from 

wine for a few hours. 

For dinner, we went for 

tapas at Verandah Restaurant 

(www.verandahrestaurant.com. 

au), where groups can pick 

out several options and sample 

each. (There were many seafood 

options, and the pork belly was 

decadent). Be sure to save room 

for dessert: The chocolate-andchili 

soufflé was divine—the 

perfect mix of sweet and spicy. 

A stop at Brokenwood 

Wines (www.brokenwood.com. 

au) gave us the chance to tour 

its bottling operations and to 

enjoy a private wine tasting with 

Operations Manager Grant Radford. 

If you are truly dedicated 

oenophile, we encourage you to 

shell out for the 2007 Graveyard 

Vineyard Shiraz—it’s not light 

on the wallet, but it was one 

of the best wines we tried all 

weekend. 

Our final stop brought us 

to the Tuscany Wine Estate 

Resort, a newer property with 

great views over the neighboring 

vineyards and a casual pet 

policy. We lunched at the hotel’s 

Mill Restaurant, with some 

wonderful seafood creations and 

a delicious Sangiovese. 

It was a marathon of wining 

and dining, but for oenophiles 

and gourmands, the Hunter Valley 

is a must-visit. �

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DESTINATIONS 

CARIBBEAN 

RETREATS 

Your clients will rave about the insider secrets we bring you on these luxury enclaves. 

BY JOE PIKE 

14 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | OCTOBER 2011

LIGHTHOUSE BAY RESORT, 

BARBUDA (here) offers real 

privacy, situated between 

the Caribbean Sea and a 

shallow lagoon. 

THE RITZ-CARLTON, 

SAN JUAN (right) is 

undergoing a massive 

renovation to accentuate 

its tropical ambiance. 

Lighthouse Bay Resort, 

Barbuda (www.lighthousebay 

resort.com) sits on its own private 

island, with 17 miles of pink 

sand beach and the Caribbean 

Sea on one side and a shallow 

lagoon on the other. It is accessible 

only by boat or helicopter, 

both of which bring guests 

directly onto the property. 

The resort is made up of nine 

suites (four Junior Suites, four 

Master Suites and one Grand 

Suite). The Master and Grand 

Suites have large terraces perfect 

for a view of the sunrise over the 

calm lagoon. For families, book 

the four Master Suites and four 

Junior Suites which connect to 

adjoining rooms. The Master 

Suite has a bedroom with a 

queen bed, living room, dining 

room and terrace. 

Top Pick: The best room in 

the house is the Grand Suite, 

which comes with a king bed, 

living room, private terrace with 

direct beach access, an outdoor 

shower and a bedside Jacuzzi. 

Lighthouse Bay can also be 

taken over for corporate retreats, 

family reunions or special occasions. 

For VIPs booking the entire 

island, the packages can be tailored 

to their specific needs based 

on travel dates, number of people, 

etc.; advisors should contact 

General Manager Terrence Linton 

(tlinton@lighthousebarbuda.com; 

OCTOBER 2011 | LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR 15

THE RITZ-CARLTON, SAN JUAN is sporting a new look. 

Shown here is a model guest room. 


Ignacio Maza, executive vice president of Signature Travel Network, 

shared his insights on a notable new Caribbean development with us: 

“I just got back from Parrot Cay & COMO Shambhala Retreat (www. 

parrotcay.como.bz) in Turks and Caicos. This is a unique property and 

a haven of peace and seclusion. Parrot Cay is on a 1,000-acre private 

island, just 30 minutes’ boat ride from Providenciales (PLS). Highlights: 

First, the beach, over a mile of white sand and shallow sea that 

seems to go on forever. Secondly, the accommodations, which are 

spacious and done up in a simple whitewashed style that is peaceful 

and refreshing. Choose from Garden Rooms all the way to one- or 

two-bedroom villas on the ocean, or the beachfront residences, which 

have 2 to 10 bedrooms. Other selling points are the superb spa; the 

staff, both Asian and local; the dining menus, Italian, Asian, or spa 

cuisine; and the wide range of activities on- or off-property.” 

646-688-2903) with queries. 

Café Lagoon is the dining 

venue at Lighthouse Bay. Serving 

breakfast, lunch and dinner, the 

open-air beachside restaurant 

shows off the property’s water 

views. Some signature dishes 


here are the blackened fillet of 

snapper with steamed rice and 

garden-grown organic vegetables 

and the Barbuda lobster. 

Throughout the day, guests can 

sample the Lighthouse Bay Bar’s 

selection of top-shelf spirits, 

French inspired wine-list, fruity 

Caribbean cocktails and freshly 

squeezed juices. 

Good for couples: Lighthouse 

Bay offers a full-service wedding 

and event planner who can 

handle all of a guest’s needs— 

from the perfect destination 

wedding to private parties and 

corporate events. While there 

is no spa on property, in-room 

treatments can be arranged. For 

weddings, therapists can provide 

in-room treatments to the entire 

bridal party. 

Getting There: Guests can 

either access the property directly 

via a private helicopter from 

Antigua Airport (ANU) or take 

a S.A.G. flight to Barbuda followed 

by a boat-ride across the 

lagoon. A private plane can also 

be arranged from Antigua to 

Barbuda. 

The back story: Opened in 

2007 by Barbuda native Mike 

Branker, along with Don Dillon 

and Patrick Kerrigan, on the 

site of Branker’s grandparents’ 

one-time beach house, Lighthouse 

Bay continues to evolve 

and improve. New developments 

include an organic garden 

to grow ingredients for Café 

Lagoon’s menu and a tennis and 

basketball court. Private villas 

are currently in development. 

Note: The resort is closed from 

September to October. 

Luxury travel advisors should 

contact Wendy Friese (priva 

teentrancec@aol.com; 212-616- 

5032), sales representative, for 

details. 

The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan 

This August, The Ritz-Carlton, 

San Juan (www.ritzcarlton.

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ÕÝÕÀ��ÕÃÊ VV��`>Ì��ÃÊ��V�Õ`��}Ê-Ü��Õ«Ê-Õ�ÌiÃÊUÊ >}��ÃÌÞ�iÊÃÜ��}Ê 

«��ÊUÊ-Õ�«ÌÕ�ÕÃÊVÕ�Ã��iÊ>ÌÊ££ÊÀiÃÌ>ÕÀ>�ÌÃÊUÊ �vi�i�À�V��}Ê>VÌ�Û�Ì�iÃÊUÊ >��ÞÊ ��V�iÀ}iÊ 

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Bobbie Teitelbaum Abood, 

a senior travel consultant 

for All-Travel.com, says that 

every year, a client asks what 

they should do for a family 

vacation. “I suggested Tir Na 

Nog, a four-bedroom Private 

Estate Resident at Jumby Bay 

in Antigua,” says Abood. “It 

was the perfect solution to 

a ‘what do we do for 10 days 

between Christmas and New 

Year’s with a 19 year old and 

a 17 year old?’” Through her 

Jumby Bay sales contact, Mary 

Anne de Matteo, Abood was 

able to arrange for a private 

chef on the nights the clients 

felt like dining in. “Tir Na Nog 

comes with a four-seat and a 

six-seat golf cart, so guests 

can navigate the island on 

their own. With full access 

to all of the resort services, 

including housekeeping along 

with full access to the resort’s 

restaurants, bars, pools, fitness 

facilities and spa, every family 

member was happy. Their private 

air charter whisked them 

to and from their hometown. 

Their meet and assist at the 

international airport on Antigua 

escorted them to the launch 

that took them to the island and 

returned them to the airport for 

their flight home.” Total cost of 

the trip? $233,069. 

com/sanjuan) embarked on a 

multimillion-dollar renovation 

and enhancement project to its 

416 guest rooms and suites. The 

oceanfront property will embrace 

the tropical ambiance and rich 

heritage of Puerto Rico through 

a display of lively colors, sophisticated 

furnishings and contemporary 

paintings. 

Existing furniture pieces and 

soft goods will be refurbished 

in every guest room with a rich 

chocolate-brown finish and satin 

nickel decorative hardware. A 

chaise lounge will be placed 


LIGHTHOUSE BAY RESORT, BARBUDA has only nine 

suites, several of which have spacious terraces. 

adjacent to each bed (good for 

entertaining and relaxing, as 

needed). For more information 

on the renovations, advisors 

should contact Director Of Sales 

and Marketing Mirem Ubarri 

(787-253-1700). 

All Club Level rooms come 

with access to the Club Level 

lounge. With a personal concierge 

for VIPs, this lounge has an intimate 

“hotel within a hotel” ambiance 

and serves light breakfast, 

snacks, hors d’oeuvres, beverages 

and sweets throughout the day. 

Hint: One of the most desired 

rooms is the Club Ocean View, 

which looks out over the water. 

Suites are the best option for 

families. Connecting rooms or 

suites are available, which allows 

families to stay together and still 

have privacy. The pool or beach is 

easily accessible from these rooms. 

Insider Tip: We were told 

No.854, an Ocean Front Room 

with a balcony, is often considered 

the best at the property. We love 

the private balcony—your VIPs 

will be able to view the entire 

stretch of coastline. It also has 

convenient access to the beach, 

pool and the resort’s amenities. 

Advisors should contact Sales 

Manager Johanna Gonzalez 

(787-253-8040) for details. 

The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan 

provides completely personalized 

wedding services. Each couple 

gets its own on-site wedding coordinator 

to assist with requests. 


contact Carlos Santana (787- 

253-8031), senior meeting and 

special events manager, for more 

information. 

The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan is 

less than a five-minute drive away 

from Luis Muñoz Marín International 

Airport. For VIPs, the hotel 

can arrange transportation to and 

from the airport in luxury town 

cars. VIPs can also arrive at the 

airport by private helicopters. 

The Spa has 11 treatment 

rooms, steam rooms, relaxation 

areas and a co-ed sauna and whirlpool. 

Reservations are requested 

at least 24 hours in advance. 

Want a killer massage? We 

hear the Rainforest stone massage 

is the most requested treatment. 

The healing properties of 

El Yunque Rainforest are blended 

with essential oils of tropical 

passion fruit during the ultimate 

“scent-ual” aromatherapy 

massage. A family-friendly spa: 

Manicures, pedicures and facials 

are available for young guests but 

those under 18 must be accompanied 

by an adult. 


contact Spa Director Kimberly 

Rossi (787-253-4138). �

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DESTINATIONS 

INSIDER’S HAWAII 

We asked several Hawaii specialists 

about their personal picks 

for luxury Hawaii vacations for 

all kinds of guests, from honeymooners 

to families. In addition 

to some surprises, we got some 

great stories about how hotels 

can go above and beyond for 

your clients. 

Top Properties 

Tammy Phillips of Central Travel 

picked the Grand Wailea Resort 

(www.grandwailea.com), which 

was recently featured in the 

Adam Sandler/Jennifer Aniston 

movie Just Go With It. The 

resort, Phillips says, has the “most 

impressive pools and grounds I 

have ever seen.” She also recommends 

the Hyatt Regency Maui 

(www.maui.hyatt.com) for its 


shopping options and the romantic 

ambiance of the restaurant, 

and the St. Regis Princeville 

(www.stregisprinceville.com) on 

Kauai. “We had a very memorable 

breakfast complete with real 

china, the best silver, linens and 

champagne...It was amazing!” she 

recalls. Marya Minter, a leisure 

travel consultant at Frosch, says 

she has been getting “exceptional 

feedback” from clients who have 

stayed at the St. Regis Princeville. 

“It’s the most luxurious hotel on 

that island,” she says. 

Sheila McCleery of Travizon 

Leisure Travel likes the 

Four Seasons Resort Maui at 

Wailea (www.fourseasons.com), 

and recommends the Fairmont 

Kea Lani (www.fairmont. 

com/kealani) for honeymoon 

clients and the Grand Wailea 

for families. (“Can’t beat the 

pool action for kids,” she says.) 

On Hawaii Island, “the Four 

Seasons Hualalai is the place 

to go to—great spa and staff 

for both couples and families,” 

she says. “Although, I love the 

beach at the Mauna Lani (www. 

maunalani.com), and since the 

rooms and bathrooms have been 

done over, they are lovely. So, for 

beach and golf lovers, I would do 

the Mauna Lani. For active families, 

I would do the Fairmont 

Orchid (www.fairmont.com/ 

orchid). Merriman’s is a must for 

dinner, and reservations are necessary, 

but the high-end restaurant 

is worth every penny spent.” 

Sunnie Rossi of FCm Travel 

Solutions also recommends the 

Mauna Lani Bay Hotel, praising 

its “intimate feeling” in spite of 

its 343 rooms. “There are no 

resort fees and yet they offer 

a myriad of activities—from 

weaving with coconut palms 

and ukulele and lei-making 

classes to a historical guided 

walk through the grounds to see 

petroglyphs,” she says. “In addition, 

they offer two famous golf 

courses and a full-service spa. 

There are so many things to do, 

you really don’t need to leave 

the resort. Their award-winning 

Canoe House restaurant was 

able to surprise my mother with 

a fabulous dinner and cake all 

served on our oceanfront lanai 

THE FOUR SEASONS MAUI is Skip 

Fortier’s favorite hotel in the U.S.

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to celebrate her birthday several 

years ago.” 

Skip Fortier of Avoya Travel 

American Express is a big Four 

Seasons fan, particularly when it 

comes to the Wailea property on 

Maui. “The amenities are amazing,” 

he says. “The clients really 

feel like they get pampered, especially 

repeat clients.” He also has 

high praise for the spa, noting 

that it goes above and beyond 

the expected treatments: “You 

can customize treatments there, 

adding yoga or Pilates classes. 

They cater to the client. You can 

even have a private fitness trainer 

come to a suite. It’s really great 

service.” Fortier’s “favorite hotel 

in the U.S.” also boasts facilities 

for families, including golf and 

tennis programs. 

The two Four Seasons properties 

on Lanai—Koele and Manele 

Bay—are good for golf-focused 

clients, he adds, and also “more 

laid-back and exclusive.” 

Skip Neal of Honeymoon 

Guru says that he books the 

Moana Surfrider (www.moana- 


surfrider.com) for his clients 

who want to be in the heart of 

Waikiki. “The central location 

is a big hit and the views of 

Diamond Head are a plus,” he 

says. “The Banyan Wing rooms 

here are the most popular for 

my couples.” 

On Kauai, Neal says he tends 

to book the St. Regis Princeville 

and Kauai Marriott (www.marriott.com) 

for his clients—the former 

for those who want privacy 

and the latter for those who want 

THE FAIRMONT ORCHID (here) has spacious rooms and 

suites that are ideal for families. 

THE ST. REGIS PRINCEVILLE (below) has been called the 

most luxurious hotel on Kauai. 

to explore the attractions on the 

southern side of the island. “I get 

great feedback on the grounds 

there and the small enclosed 

beach area with Duke’s almost on 

site.” On Lanai, couples opt for 

Four Seasons at Manele Bay, 

for its near-complete isolation, 

privacy and great spa facilities 

and golf. “The honeymooners 

on Lanai always do the hike 

to Koloiki Ridge and love the 

views of Maui and Molokai 

from the Ridge.” 

Top Concierges 

It goes without saying that a 

great concierge team can make 

or break your clients’ vacation, so 

knowing where the best concierges 

are is a must. 

Phillips has a few words of 

praise for the concierge team at 

the Fairmont Kea Lani. “Not 

only do they set up tee times, 

help rent my customers the exact 

sand wedge they want—they also 

did a very personal touch for me 

once. While staying at the Fairmont 

alone over Mother’s Day, 

I returned from a day of touring 

[to find] two pink roses that said 

‘Happy Mother’s Day from the 

Fairmont.’ How did they know I 

was a mom? How did they know 

I had two children?” 

McCleery says that she hasn’t 

used a concierge in a while, but 

the concierge desk at the Four 

Seasons Hualalai “is always 

good.” Fortier appreciates concierge 

teams that can handle any 

request from a client immediately, 

making it “maintenancefree” 

for the booking agent.

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Top Suites 

Neal likes The Ritz-Carlton 

Kapalua on Maui for his 

honeymoon clients, and recommends 

the Ocean View Club 

Level Room. “My honeymooners 

not only love the room and 

the view, but they really enjoy 

having access to the club level 

lounge where they get different 


presentations of food and drink 

throughout the day,” he says. “I 

get great feedback also on the 

service at the resort, and the spa 

there is very appealing to my 

honeymooners as well.” 

For families on big island, 

Minter suggests the Kilohana 

Signature Suite at the Fairmont 

Kea Lani on Maui. “It’s a corner 

suite with a wraparound lanai 

and beautiful views of the ocean, 

Molokini and other offshore 

islands,” she says. “The property 

also has oceanfront villas with 

butler service and extra perks like 

a car rental.” 

Phillips’ pick for the top Presidential 

Suite is the one at Four 

Seasons Maui, which she saw 

just hours after Britney Spears 

checked out. “The marble floors 

just gleamed!” she recalls. “The 

sitting area doors opened up over 

the ocean—it was unbelievable!” 

Top Spas 

Among the spas, Phillips likes 

the one at the Hyatt Maui for its 

combination of modern amenities 

and traditional ambiance: 

“It’s very Hawaiian, with teakwood 

floors. You know you are 

in Hawaii.” (She recommends 

the hot stone massage.) She also 

visited The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua 

last year and was impressed with 

the service and the number of 

treatment rooms. 

Minter likes the spa at the 

Travaasa Hana (www.travaasa. 

com/hana), formerly the Hotel 

Hana-Maui. “It’s a boutique 

property that focuses on body, 

mind and spirit,” she says. “It’s 

very special, though not as 

elaborate or large as, say, the spa 

without walls at the Fairmont 

Orchid on Big Island.” 

—Jena Tesse Fox 

THE FAIRMONT ORCHID (above) takes advantage of natural 

resources, even offering a “spa without walls.” 

AT THE ST. REGIS PRINCEVILLE (here), the Makai Terrace 

overlooks Hanalei Bay.

5th 

NIGHT FREE AND 

COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST 

STAY FOUR CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS AND 

RECEIVE THE FIFTH NIGHT FREE. PACKAGE 

INCLUDES LUXURIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS 

FOR TWO AND DAILY BREAKFAST FOR 

TWO PER ROOM, PER DAY. 

* Four consecutive nights must be booked in order to receive the fifth night free. Offer is subject to availability. 

Two Hawaiian island destinations. One unforgettable offer. 

For more information, contact your travel professional, or call the property directly: 

Call The Fairmont Kea Lani at 866 840 8116. fairmont.com/kealani 

Call The Fairmont Orchid at 866 840 8502. fairmont.com/orchid 

The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui 

The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i 

Experience the two amazing worlds of Fairmont, Hawai'i. And extend your vacation a little longer. 

The newly remodeled Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, is Hawaii’s only luxury oceanfront suit and villa 

resort, located right on white sand Polo Beach in Wailea. 

The Fairmont Orchid, inspired by culture, well-being and genuine aloha, offers 32 dramatic 

tropical acres ideally suited to enjoy the wonders of The Big Island of Hawai'i.

HOTELS 

The 

Fairmont Peace 

Hotel 1920s Art Deco meets the 21st century at this 

iconic Shanghai enclave. 

In Shanghai, Imperial China 

shakes hands with the latest 

technology and Western amenities. 

On a recent visit, Luxury 

Travel Advisor stayed at the 

über-luxe Fairmont Peace Hotel 

(www.fairmont.com/peacehotel), 

the perfect embodiment of the 

Shanghai spirit. 

A Shanghai icon for over 80 

years, the Peace Hotel sits on 

the city’s world-famous Bund, a 

prestigious promenade overlooking 

the Huangpu River, 


flanked with the world’s top 

retailers (think Cartier, Ermenegildo 

Zegna and Armani). It 

was built in 1926 as a private 

residence for Sir Victor Sassoon, 

a British businessman 

and tycoon living in Shanghai. 

The top floors of the building 

were used as a hotel, called the 

Cathay Hotel, which opened in 

1929. Throughout the decades, 

the property became a social 

center for Shanghai’s high 

society, in addition to holding 

other roles in the shaping of the 

city’s history. In 2007, the hotel 

closed its doors for an extensive 

$64 million restoration, and 

having regained its former glory, 

recently reopened waving the 

Fairmont flag. 

The hotel oozes 1920s Art 

Deco flair, and your most elite 

clients will feel instantly transported 

back to the days of jazz, 

flappers and sexy cocktails in 

smoky bars. 

One of the biggest draws of 

the hotel is its riverside location, 

overlooking Shanghai’s futuristic 

Pudong area. Your VIP clients 

will not want to miss this view, 

so we suggest booking them in 

a Signature Riverview Suite or 

one of the Nine Nations Suites 

(American, English, Chinese, 

Italian, Japanese, French, Spanish, 

Indian and German). 

Of course, for your truly 

imperial clients, we recommend 

the Sassoon Presidential Suite, 

which was once the private quar- 

THE SASSOON SUITE 

is the Fairmont 

Peace Hotel’s 

most lavish guest 

accommodation.

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THE GREEN ROOF (here) of the hotel is an iconic piece of the 

Shanghai skyline. 

THE WILLOW STREAM COUPLES ROOM (right); the spa opened 

this year as part of an extensive renovation 

SIGNATURE RIVERVIEW SUITES (below) overlook the Bund. 

ters for Victor Sassoon himself. 

Sitting atop the hotel on the 

10th floor, the Presidential Suite 

comes with a spacious bedroom 

and living room, both of which 

have sweeping views of the river 

and Pudong skyline. There is also 

a study, bathroom with Jacuzzi, 

52-inch flat-screen TV, Bose 

Audio iPod docking station, and 

an in-suite dining area that can 

accommodate up to 10 guests. 

Nice Touch: The Sassoon Suite 

sits directly underneath the 

hotel’s green copper pyramid 

tower, which is an iconic figure 

in the Shanghai skyline. Luxury 

travel advisors can reach out to 

Sales Manager Andy Liu (andy. 


liu@fairmont.com; 011-86-21- 

6138-6903) with questions. 

As part of the restoration, the 

Fairmont Peace Hotel debuted a 

brand-new Willow Stream Spa, 

and Luxury Travel Advisor was 

on hand to test out the new digs. 

After sipping a steaming cup of 

ginger tea, we were guided to 

one of the 11 treatment rooms 

for a signature 90-minute Mystic 

Peace massage. (Tip: Request 

massage therapist Linda.) The 

treatment involves a massage that 

traces a continuous knot on the 

body, using essential oils tailored 

to relieve what is ailing you 

most. We enjoyed our treatment 

so much that we went back the 

following day for more! The spa 

facilities also include a fitness 

center, pool, sauna and steam 

room. For spa queries or reservations, 

luxury travel advisors can 

contact Spa Director Lyndell 

Nelis (lyndell.nelis@fairmont. 

com; 011-86-21-6138-6818). 

Note: It is best to book treatments 

a day in advance. 

Shanghai is a gourmand’s 

paradise, and the Fairmont Peace 

Hotel does not disappoint, too. 

There are seven dining options to 

choose from—light sandwiches 

at Victor’s and afternoon tea in 

the lounge to gourmet European 

and Chinese fare at two signature 

restaurants. Our favorite was 

Dragon Phoenix, the property’s 

Chinese restaurant. Tip: Try the 

crystal sautéed river shrimp or 

steamed duck wrapped in a lotus 

leaf. For European cuisine, visit 

The Cathay Room. We suggest 

sampling the beef carpaccio or 

Tasmanian salmon steak. 

Après dining, a trip to the Jazz 

Bar is a must, especially for those 

who want a taste of 1920s high 

society. Here, guests can swill 

chilled Manhattans and listen to 

the plunk of a bass and snap of 

a snare. 

The hotel’s reputation has 

made it a popular venue for 

weddings, and your betrothed 

clients are in for the true VIP 

treatment. We hear Catering 

Sales Executive Flora Jiang (flora. 

jiang@fairmont.com; 011-86- 

21-6138-6971) can arrange 

everything from custom-made 

wedding menus and wedding 

butler service to a string quartet 

performance. Cool Touch: 

The Fairmont Peace Hotel also 

offers a rooftop photo shoot for 

couples. 

For special requests, reach 

out to Assistant Chief Concierge 

Steven Zhang (steven.zhang2@ 

fairmont.com; 011-86-21-6321- 

6888), who can arrange anything 

from private city tours to lastminute 

air tickets. 

—Meagan Drillinger

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CRUISES 

ITALY: 

Pre- and Post-Cruise Sojourns 

BY SHARRI WHITING DE MASI 

Thousands of visitors come to Italy every year 

to take cruises out of Civitavecchia (Rome) 

and Venice. Often, seasoned travelers want a 

new experience before or after their cruises. 


So, from the endless list of possibilities, we’ve 

picked a few notable ones. 

The 49-room Grand Hotel Terme di 

Stigliano (www.termedistigliano.it) sits in a 

wooded park between the Mediterranean coast 

and Lake Bracciano, a quick 25-mile drive 

inland from Civitavecchia. We love the gorgeous 

yellow villa, built in the 18th century, 

on the ruins of Roman temples. The property 

includes natural hot springs, the Terme 

Stigliano, where battle-hardened Roman 

soldiers came to relax eons ago. Today, those

same springs ease away the stress of modern 

life and jetlag. In addition to the Superior and 

Standard rooms, guests can unwind in a Junior 

Suite or in one of the two Suites with balconies 

overlooking the pool, each decorated in 

yellows, creams and rich tones. 

The wellness center and spa within the 

hotel includes two natural hyperthermal pools, 

a large (very large) swimming pool and several 

treatment rooms. Down a pathway inside the 

hotel’s park is the spa center Bagnarello, one 

of those wonderful Italian health spas that 

make the most of the numerous hot springs 

throughout Italy. Here, the hot sulfur-iodine 

water is used for soaking, skin and sinus treatments 

and mud therapies. The Stigliano has a 

variety of wellness packages, some with dining 

at Il Ninfeo, the hotel restaurant. 

Sitting on the grand terrace of the hotel at 

sunset, a Campari and soda or glass of local 

vino in hand, is a pleasure not to be missed. 

CIVITAVECCHIA Harbor is a haven for 

luxury yachts. 

Il Ninfeo Ristorante serves very good typical 

regional dishes, as well as a casual lunch 

buffet, perfect for those coming in from the 

pool or spa. The hotel is a magical spot for a 

destination wedding, with a charming tiny 

chapel and grand public spaces both indoors 

and out. 

For more information, get in touch with 

Signora Cetta at 011-39-6-9980-5977; e-mail 

booking@termedistigliano.it or info@terme 

distigliano.it; or fax 011-39-6-996-3428. 

Note: Some hotels asked that we not share 

contact names, but all can offer help at the 

numbers provided. 

Seventy miles south of Rome’s Leonardo 

da Vinci airport, in Sabaudia, is a cluster of 

lakes—the Pontine Lagoons—that parallels 

the Mediterranean coast. Il San Francesco 

Hotel (www.ilsanfrancescohotel.it) is on the 

shores of one of these placid lagoons, less 

than five minutes from 20 miles of pristine 

Mediterranean beaches. The area has long 

been a favorite of upscale Romans. 

The 27-room villa hotel is completely 

white, except for the green lawns that extend 

to the water. White linen curtains blowing 

in the breeze lead guests onto the terrace for 

breakfast or lunch. The dining room serves 

dinner, in which Chef Philomena often 

includes the freshest of fish and shellfish from 

the local lakes or sea. 

The rooms are decorated mostly in white, 

colonial-style, with large bathrooms. Room 

No. 201, a Classic room, has a lake view and 

a large bedroom, while No. 210, a Suite, has 

wraparound lake vistas and a large corner 

balcony. 

The hotel has two small docks on the lake 

GRAND HOTEL TERME DI STIGLIANO’S Terrazza Ristorante 

is a great venue to relax alfresco. 


Tom Baker, president of CruiseCenter in 

Houston, knows all the ins and outs of 

Venice. “Venice remains one of the best 

ports to visit for luxury cruise travelers,” 

he says. “My favorite hotel is the Hotel 

Cipriani (www.hotelcipriani.com), which 

remains the crown jewel of the city for the 

elite traveler. It sits on its own island on the 

Grand Canal and features luxury accommodations 

in grand style with a massive private 

swimming pool and exquisite gardens that 

Casanova is believed to have once frequented. 

A table at “Cips” is coveted for a 

meal with its spectacular views at sunset on 

the Grand Canal. 

“For those looking at in-city locations, the 

Bauers and Bauers Il Palazzo remain favorites 

for pre- and post-cruise passengers. 

The best meals are found on the north end 

of the city, away from the tourist fray [St. 

Marks Square and the Grand Canal]. And a 

local restaurant serving risotto with black 

squid sauce [a local favorite] and a sweet 

delicacy, tiramisu, founded in this great city 

is not to be missed. My favorite dining venue 

is Osteria Ae Sconte. 

“The best thing to do in Venice is to 

hire a guide to tell you the secrets of its 

amazing mercantile past. I use IC Bellagio 

for its expertise. For shopping, I prefer 

the artistic master papier-mâché oneof-a-kind 

Carnevale masks made by the 

famous Boldrin brothers of La Bottega dei 

Mascareri. Venice continues to enchant 

and offer a supreme experience for today’s 

luxury traveler.” 


A COLOURFUL BLEND. 

AUSTRIA. UNIQUE LIKE YOU 

For the extraordinary traveler, an extraordinary journey awaits 

Austria has long captured the spirit of a bygone era. Ornate palaces, imperial grandeur and echoes of Mozart’s 

music abound. But visitors here have lately discovered another exciting development: Austria has become a 

real haven for gourmets. Alongside the exploding wine scene, a sophisticated culinary movement has taken 

off. Farmers, chefs, hotels and innkeepers have reconnected with the country’s traditional reverence for fresh, 

seasonal and local produce—coupled with the innovation and creativity that fi rst put Austria on the map. More 

than ever, it’s become a top destination for travelers seeking energy, culture, and charm. 

SWITZERLAND 

GERMANY 

1 

Salzburg 

Innsbruck 

ITALY 

5 

Lake Fuschl 

CZECH REPUBLIC 

Graz 

SLOVENIA 

Vienna 

Eisenstadt 

SLOVAKIA 

4 

Purbach 

HUNGARY 

For more unique travel ideas, visit www.unique.austria.info. For inspiring travel 

programs to Austria and special Bonus Night Offers,please contact Travel 

Bound at (800) 808-9541 or fit.nyc@gta-travel.com. 

3 

2 

Step onboard to 

begin your Austrian 

vacation. The food 

is prepared by world-class Austrian chefs. The coffee 

is Viennese. The smile is distinctively Austrian, with a 

standard of service that takes old world charm to 

new heights. www.austrian.com. 

Travel with Austria’s brand new railjet. Everyone 

loves a good train ride, but the thrill and luxury of 

high-speed rail is another experience entirely, one 

the new railjet delivers with singular perfection. 

www.oebb.at/en.

[1] ROOFTOP TERRACE HOTELSTEIN SALZBURG 

It’s no secret that Salzburg, a World Cultural Heritage city, boasts one of the world’s most spectacular architectural 

ensembles. Lesser known is how to catch the perfect glimpse of it all. Enter the elegant Hotel Stein—and then make 

your way up. Your view at the rooftop stein terrace café.bar.lounge. offers the most stunning panorama in town, 

365 days a year from noon to midnight. Indeed, the place has become a hot spot, where Hollywood A-listers rub 

elbows (Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz were spotted recently) and foodies dig into the much-loved small plates. And of 

course anyone who spends time there instantly becomes an architecture afi cionado, with Salzburg’s Baroque history 

backdropping the modern, sophisticated design of the hotel itself. The Hotel Stein’s 56 stylish rooms merge centuries of 

tradition with the most innovative in contemporary building. Plan your visit at www.hotelstein.at. 

[3] THE PALAIS COBURG’S STUNNING WINE ARCHIVE 

One of Vienna’s best-kept wine secrets is the Palais Coburg. 

In the heart of Vienna, this grand palace has been restored 

to its original splendor and now houses a most luxurious 

all-suite hotel, a gourmet restaurant and a collection of rare 

wines that seeks international comparison. On your tour of 

the six stunningly designed wine cellars, discover more than 

60,000 bottles of valuable wine spanning four centuries! 

Numerous rare wines from which only a few bottles exist, 

or perhaps only found in Palais Coburg, rest here. Among 

the treasures is a bottle of what is probably the world’s 

oldest and still drinkable bottle of wine and a collection of 

100 vintages of Château d’Yquem. The New World cellar 

resembles the bulk of a wooden ship while the Champagne 

cellar is housed in the deepest coldest part of the Palace 

where the ice blocks were once stored. Conclude your tour 

with an exclusive tasting of seven exquisite Austrian wines 

with the sommelier of the house. Santé! To plan your visit go 

to www.palais-coburg.at. 

[4] FINE ART AND DINING AT GUT PURBACH 

Viennese gourmets love to escape to the village of Purbach 

in Burgenland, nestled at the foot of the Leitha Mountains 

just 40 miles south of Vienna. Chef Max Stiegl enjoys a cult 

following at Gut Purbach for his authentic cuisine based 

on the game from the mountain forests, the vegetables, 

fruits and herbs of the surrounding fi elds, and fi sh from 

Lake Neusiedl. The restaurant is located at the center of the 

historic old town in a quadrangular courtyard of buildings 

which once comprised the region’s fi rst tavern, an offi ce 

and the district jail. The buildings have been tastefully 

restored by the art-collecting attorney and vintner, 

Dr. Hans Bichler. Purbach village lies at the heart of the 

wine appellation which is famed for its “Leithaberg rot”, 

a highly mineral red wine made from the spicy Blaufränkisch 

grape. The wild forest berry aroma, juicy acid and silky 

tannins of this wine make it perfect to pair with Max’s 

famous roasted roebuck with Pannonian peppers and 

polenta. Plan your visit at www.unique.austria.info 

LEFT PAGE CREDITS: © Österreich Werbung/ Wolfgang Zajc; © Austrian Airlines; © ÖBB Personenverkehr AG. RIGHT PAGE CREDITS: [1] © Hotel Stein; 

[2] © Burgenland Tourismus; [3] © Palais Coburg, Herbert Lehmann; [4] © Gut Purbach; [5] © 2011 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. 

[2] DINE AMID THE ESTERHÁZY PALACE 

ADVERTISEMENT 

The Esterházy Palace in the capital of the Burgenland 

region, Eisenstadt, just an hour south of Vienna, dates 

back to the 13th century—but it was 1622 when the 

Esterházy family took possession and began their abiding 

support of the arts there. Today, the Baroque palace, 

among the most beautiful in Austria, is open to visitors. 

Behold a rare window onto the resplendent life once 

lived at the court of the Princes Esterházy. The most 

famous room, the Haydn Hall, was named for the family 

court composer. The palace regularly hosts outstanding 

exhibitions and classical music performances. No less 

inspired are the culinary masterpieces, long a tradition 

here; admire the building’s façade from your table at 

the Henrici Restaurant while dining on their legendary 

Esterházy Roast Beef and Esterházy Cream Cake. From 

the grand patio, with a wine from the cellars and a view 

of the main palace building, life becomes downright 

princely. Plan your visit at kultur.esterhazy.at/en. 

[5] A FISHERMAN’S TALE AT SCHLOSS FUSCHL 

It’s dawn on Lake Fuschl and the mist is slowly lifting. 

Gerhard, the chief fi sherman at the storybook resort 

Schloss Fuschl, is already out on the water, bringing in 

the whitefi sh, char, trout, carp, tench and rudd that will go 

straight to the resort’s kitchen, for the chef to smoke over 

dry beechwood. So begins the day at this fairy tale-like 

castle hotel situated within The Sound of Music area. 

Dating back to 1450 and just a short drive from Salzburg, 

the place is world-renowned for its spellbinding natural 

beauty as well as its fi shery. Schloss Fuschl, nestled in 

the charming Salzburg Lake District, is nothing less than 

a sanctuary. Green hills roll down to the crystal-clear lake, 

and guests can forget their troubles on a serene terrace. 

On a gorgeous sunny day, a lakeside fi sherman’s snack 

rounds out this delicate combination of nature, luxury and 

culinary magic. Plan your visit at www.luxurycollection. 

com/schlossfuschl.

for those keen on a boat tour or a swim; there 

is also a private beach on the Mediterranean, 

with a hotel shuttle service back and forth. 

Great day trips include taking the ferry to 

charming Ponza Island, deep sea fishing, or 

going up the Circeo Mountain to the charming 

village of San Felice Circeo. 

To book, ask for Ludavica de Cesare 

or Signora Martina at 011-39-773-515- 

951, e-mail info@ilsanfrancesco.it, or fax 

011-39-773-512-380. 

Prefer town to countryside? When sailing 

out of Venice, we love to stop off in Ravenna, 

declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site 


ALBERGO CAPPELLO is housed 

in a Venetian-style renaissance 

building, with molto atmosphere. 

because of its amazing Christian and Byzantine 

mosaics. Ravenna, on the Adriatic coast, 

is a two-hour drive south of Venice; the route 

passes through some Italian favorites, including 

Bologna, Ferrara and Padova. 

A charming little place to stay in Ravenna 

is the 15th-century Albergo Cappello (www. 

albergocappello.it), housed in a Venetianstyle 

Renaissance building. There are only 

seven rooms, including three Suites and two 

Junior Suites. Ask for the frescoed Amaranth 

Dream to soak in the full effect of the architecture 

or for the Tower View Junior Suite to 

see over the city. 

BAUER PALLADIO’S 37 rooms and suites are a 

sanctuary from the energy of Venice. 

IL SAN FRANCESCO HOTEL sits on the 

shores of a lagoon. 

Murano glass chandeliers lend an air of 

Venetian elegance to both rooms and public 

spaces, while the restaurant is lush in dramatic 

reds. The palace, at Via IV Novembre 

41, is a fine example of the classic architecture 

of the Veneto. Parking is free for a stay of 

three nights or longer and the hotel arranges 

guided tours of Ravenna. 

For details, call 011-39-544-219-813, 

e-mail info@albergocappello.it, or fax 

011-39-544-219-814. 

In Venice itself, we love Giudecca island, 

the old-time hideaway of Venice’s nobility, 

where some shy celebrities still live. There 

is nothing better in la Serenissima than the 

postcard views from the Bauer Palladio 

(www.bauerhotels.com). 

The Palladio’s public areas are spare and 

elegant, reflecting the style of its designer, 

revered architect Andrea Palladio. The 37 

rooms are retreats from the clamor of the city, 

but as close to the action as the next hotel 

boat. Junior Suite No. 128, overlooking the 

garden, is the secluded choice. Suite No. 116 

is two floors of dusty rose and taupe, with a 

big marble bath, separate living room, and 

windows facing the lagoon. Room No. 127 is 

perfect for business, spreading out over two 

stories, with a walk-in closet and desk. Our 

favorite pastime: lounging in the Bauer’s spa 

after a treatment, gazing out across the Grand 

Canal to the Piazza San Marco. 

Call 011-39-41-240-6808/6819 or e-mail 

booking@bauervenezia.com for bookings. 

Mary Guerzoni (mguerzoni@bauervenezia. 

com; 011-39-41-240-6995), Bauer’s deputy 

sales manager, loves Venice and is eager to 

assist with plans and programs. Guerzoni tells 

us that the garden behind the hotel, where 

diners enjoy Chef Alessandro Zaccheo’s signature 

Venetian dishes when weather permits, 

is the largest green space in Venice. And we 

thought the town was all water! �

American Express would like to introduce a new program that offers 

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Three Random Drawings $1,000 

among all entries in the month 

THESE ARE ONLY ABBREVIATED RULES. The American Express “Win With American Express” Contest and Sweepstakes, which begins 11/16/10 and ends 

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TRAVELING GOURMET 

Masters in 

the Kitchen 

BY MEAGAN DRILLINGER 

Park Hyatt is launching a new 

“masters” program in January 

that will including culinary 

workshops that allow guests to 

roll up their sleeves and get an 

insider’s perspective on how hotel 

chefs deliver their cuisine, from 

market to table. 

Park Hyatt Maldives 

Hadahaa 

Paying tribute to the vibrant colors 

and flavors of the Maldives, 

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa 

(www.maldives.hadahaa.park. 

hyatt.com) will provide mastersto-be 

the opportunity to embark 

on a traditional Maldivian fishing 

boat (called a dhoni) for a 

twilight fishing excursion. Local 

Touch: Guests visit a nearby 

island, as well, to meet local 

residents, who will take them on 

a tour of a farm. Light Maldivian 


refreshments will be served in the 

home of a local. 

The following day, chefs-intraining 

are escorted to restaurant 

Battuta where they will be 

given a synopsis on the kinds of 

dishes that will be prepared with 

the previous day’s bounty. After 

picking herbs in the hydroponics 

garden, the Battuta kitchen staff 

will lead a demonstration in fish 

preparation. 

Our favorite, “In the 

Moment,” brings hard work to a 

close when guests sit for lunch at 

Battuta to sample the dishes that 

have been prepared. 

Tip: We hear that the Park 

Pool Villas at the resort are the 

most spacious option, measuring 

at more than 1,200 square feet. 

Each Park and Park Pool 

villa has an outdoor garden 

area with terrazzo bathtub and 

rain shower along with private 

beach access. Park Water Villas 

have 180-degree ocean views 

from a private sundeck. 

Luxury travel advisors can 

contact Director of Sales Kirsty 

Danks-Brown (kirsty.danksbrown@hyatt.com; 

011-960- 

682-1234) with queries. 

Park Hyatt Tokyo 

Attention to detail is paramount 

in Japanese culture and cuisine. 

At the Park Hyatt Tokyo (www. 

tokyo.park.hyatt.com), guests 

will meet Japanese Chef Kenichiro 

Ooe at sunrise (it is, after 

all, the Land of the Rising Sun) 

for a Sake drink. Chef Ooe will 

take guests “In the Field” to the 

Tsukiji Fish Market where they 

will meet select market suppliers 

and handpick fresh and seasonal 

ingredients to use “In the 

Kitchen” later that day. 

Personal Touch: Chef Ooe 

will take guests to a Japanese 

kitchen and knife shop where 

each guest will receive a customengraved 

knife. Best of all: The 

experience is capped with a Japanese 

breakfast (sushi, anyone?). 

Note: Not a morning person? 

Plan to schedule a massage 

treatment after returning from 

the outing. 

Later that afternoon, guests 

will rejoin Chef Ooe in the Private 

Dining restaurant to begin 

the prep for dinner. Ooe will 

PARK HYATT MALDIVES 

(below left) is surrounded 

by more than 150 pristine 

islands. 

PARK HYATT PARIS-VENDÔME 

(here) sits near the Louvre 

Museum and the Opéra. 

brief them on Japanese cooking 

techniques as well as provide 

step-by-step instructions on how 

to prepare traditional Japanese 

dishes. Aspiring master chefs 

can then cap off the experience 

with a private dinner paired 

with Japanese wines and sake. 

We recommend booking one 

of the hotel’s 23 suites. Tip: For 

your most VIP guests, book the 

enormous Presidential Suite, 

which has a living and dining 

room, kitchen, library, grand 

piano, guest bath, and marble

ath with rain shower, sauna and 

spa tub. We love that the room 

also comes with a private butler. 

Luxury travel advisors 

can reach out to Director 

of Sales & Marketing Yuko 

Ijichi (yuko.ijichi@hyatt.com; 

011-81-3-5323-3456). 

Park Hyatt Mendoza 

Oenophiles know Argentina’s 

Mendoza well, but the vineyardrich 

region is also home to 

world-class olive oil. The masters 

program at Park Hyatt Mendoza 

Hotel, Casino & Spa (www. 

mendoza.park.hyatt.com) will 

have a tasting of locally produced 

olive oil during an olive oilthemed 

cooking class. 

Guests will sample olive oil 

varietals in an exclusive taste test 

with specialist Miguel Zuccardi. 

A cooking class will follow with 

special recipes based on olive oil. 

At the final dinner, attendees will 

sample their culinary creations 

paired with some of the country’s 

most coveted wine selections. 

Make sure your elite clients 

stay in style at the resort. We 

suggest the Presidential Suite, the 

Governors Suite and the Park 

Suite. The Presidential Suite, the 

most lavish accommodation, has a 

whirlpool spa bath and views over 

the pool and Andes Mountains. 

If the Presidential Suite is 

booked, your clients will still 

swoon for the Governors Suite, 

which has views of the Andes, 

marble bath and two bedrooms. 

The Park Suite is slightly smaller 

than the Governors Suite but still 

offers spectacular mountain views. 

Reach out to Director of Sales 

Lucas Paracha (lucas.paracha@ 

hyatt.com; 011-54-261-441- 

1203) for more information. 

Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme 

The Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme 

(www.paris.vendome.hyatt.com) 

uses the City of Light as its rich 

epicurean backdrop for the masters 

series. The program begins at Les 

Enfants Rouges Market in the 

über-posh Marai area. Here, guests 

tour the market with Chef Jean- 

Francois Rouquette. 


Mixologists (and those who 

just love a good libation) can take 

an exclusive cocktail class at Le 

Bar with Yann Daniel, turning 

“In the Kitchen” to “In the Bar.” 

They can then finish off the experience 

with a wine tasting session 


with Rut from le Pur’ restaurant. 

Live Louis XIV-style in 

an Imperial Suite, the most 

spacious suite available at the 

palace of poshness. We say the 

2,690-square-foot room is fit for 

the Sun King himself, with high 

ceilings, living room, dining area 

and more. Top Touch: The suite 

is equipped with the In Suite Spa 

concept (think a spa bathroom 

with whirlpool bath, steam room 

shower and a table for massages). 

Get in touch with Alessandra 

PARK HYATT MENDOZA (above) 

is home to the European-style 

Regency Casino Mendoza. 

PARK HYATT TOKYO’S NEW YORK 

GRILL (here) serves specialties 

from the open kitchen. 

Ruggeri (alessandra.ruggeri@ 

hyatt.com; 011-33-1-5871- 

1228), director of sales and 

marketing, with all your luxury 

questions. 

Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. 

Among the seasonal offerings at 

Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. 

(parkwashington.hyatt.com) we 

think their salute to Autumn is 

most appealing. Guests in the 

masters program will indulge in 

“An American Harvest,” sampling 

some of the “good stuff,” 

(think local hard apple cider and 

seasonal dessert tastings). 

In the evenings masters-tobe 

will tuck into an intimate 

five-course dinner at Blue Duck 

Tavern. Executive Chef Brian 

McBride and local chocolatier 

Zoe Tsoukatos blend flavors to 

create a truly decadent experience. 

We love that the meal is 

complemented with a selection 

of Pinot Noirs. 

Night owls let the party continue 

after dinner on Blue Duck 

Tavern’s outdoor terrace. Whiskey 

neophytes and aficionados alike 

will love the sampling of rye 

whiskey from Catoctin Creek, the 

first legal distillery in Loudoun 

County since before Prohibition. 

The evening is topped off with 

freshly rolled Dominican cigars 

and artisan chocolate. 

Park Hyatt Washington, 

D.C.’s Presidential Suite. The 

1,632-square-foot corner suite 

can come with one or two bedrooms, 

if desired. 

The bathroom (spa-inspired, 

of course) has a custom rain and 

hand shower, flat-panel television 

and hand-carved tub. The room 

has a separate living area, a baby 

grand piano, private butler’s pantry, 

dining table and more. Nice 

touch: A complimentary chauffeur 

driven sedan is available, as well. 


reach out to Area Director of 

Sales and Marketing Ernie Arias 

(ernie.arias@hyatt.com; 202- 

419-6688). �

Vacation.com knows the luxury market. 

Not only do they have sophisticated marketing 

programs specifically designed for premium 

travel sellers, but they also execute each 

program with incredible success. Bottom line: 

I am spending a lot less to be a member while 

getting a lot more from my membership. 

—Gary Davis, Platinum Vacations 

“Vacation.com knows the luxury market.” 

t Join an organization with over $500 million in luxury cruise and tour sales 

t Earn top-tier commissions from a wide variety of luxury suppliers 

t Utilize targeted marketing tools with full ClientBase integration 

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t Send agency-branded magazines targeting affluent travelers 

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I am Vacation.com 

If you sell luxury, you should be too. 

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or visit www.JoinVacation.com

COVER STORY 

Eric Maryanov 

All-Travel.com’s CEO champions his clients’ luxury travel 

needs with a keen focus on select suppliers. 

A 

few years ago, Eric Maryanov’s 

mother proudly told 

him she had purchased 

something online—a 

bathroom faucet. “Good for 

you,” said Maryanov. “Did 

you actually point and click and buy it?” 

No,” she said. “I had questions.” 

The reality was, Maryanov’s mother had 

found the faucet online, called a toll-free 

number for more information, decided she 

wanted the item and then given her credit 

card number over the phone. “But in her 

mind, she had purchased it online,” says 

Maryanov, who is president and CEO of Los 

Angeles-based All-Travel.com. 

The incident had explained a lot to 

Maryanov about consumer behavior and the 

online world. 

“In the travel industry, when we talk 

about all these people buying online, we 

almost always assume that it’s Expedia and 

Travelocity they’re buying from,” he tells 

Luxury Travel Advisor. “But there are a lot of 

people shopping online who are actually buying 

from people like us, who are traditional 

retailers. Online is just how they found us.” 

Many of All-Travel.com’s customers find 

them via the web and then book their luxury 

experience through a one-on-one relationship 

with its travel advisors. The agency focuses 

largely on the luxury cruise lines, with an 

emphasis on Crystal Cruises, Silversea, Regent 

and, increasingly, Oceania. Its efforts are paying 

off: All-Travel.com is consistently a top 

producer for the lines, all through a staff of 29, 

which includes 19 luxury travel advisors and a 

group of marketing colleagues. 


Maryanov says that the personalization 

aspect of being a travel advisor is vital to All- 

Travel.com’s philosophy, especially because 

time is such an important asset these days. “If 

you have a parent or grandparent planning 

the big family trip, it’s not about the cost; 

it’s about bringing all the pieces together. 

It’s being sure we've thought about what the 

grandchildren will like and whether Grandma 

and Grandpa will be comfortable while the 

little ones and everybody else in between have 

a fabulous time. It’s all in those details.” 

Luxury Advocates 

Being the client’s champion throughout the 

experience is also absolutely necessary, Maryanov 

notes. “After the cruise has been purchased, 

it’s important to educate travelers on 

how the experience can be extended, first by 

protecting the investment by purchasing travel 

insurance, then by arranging shore excursions 

that will be memorable.” Important as well 

is the pre- and post-cruise itinerary to create 

an overall luxury experience. “It’s really about 

being their travel advocate from the moment 

they leave home until they return and every 

step along the way,” he says. 

ALL-TRAVEL.COM 

President and CEO: Eric Maryanov 

Vice President: David Van Ness 

Staff: 29, including 19 travel advisors 

Annual Volume: $20 million-plus 

Affiliations: Signature Travel Network, 

TRAMS 

Website: www.all-travel.com 

BY RUTHANNE TERRERO 

This keen focus on select luxury suppliers 

and then emphasizing a customized experience 

to complement the cruise has paid off 

well. All-Travel.com earns more than $20 

million in revenue a year. 

To learn just how the agency got to this 

point, it’s important to take a look back. 

Maryanov has been in the business for 31 

years. In fact, his first travel agency gig was 

at a mom-and-pop business during his senior 

year at UCLA. His mother had suggested he 

get a job at an agency just the year before; 

the Maryanovs were well-traveled, having 

taken an annual overseas vacation since he 

was nine. He worked on the books at the 

agency, and meant to leave when he graduated 

college. But he didn’t. It was 1980, the 

early days of automation, when people were 

still working on Apple II computers. The 

agency owner had developed a back-office 

system and Maryanov helped him sell it to 

other agencies. Eventually, they built a base 

of 120 clients in the U.S. and Canada and 

Maryanov became the support desk. He also 

helped with administrative work and went 

out to train agencies in back-office accounting. 

The experience enabled him to truly 

know and understand the retail agency from 

the back office. 

Even better, he was able to dispel the 

myth that you can’t make money in travel. 

“I knew the numbers; I knew how it was 

supposed to work,” he says. He opened his 

own agency in Los Angeles at the age of 

24—albeit with no clients and no frontoffice 

experience. 

The year was 1984, and he became 

extremely successful in selling corporate and

entertainment travel (think Stevie Nicks, 

Cher and the band Chicago). “It was a great 

ride, it was a lot of fun,” he tells Luxury 

Travel Advisor. 

The advent of airline commission cuts 

changed everything, but ever the astute 

businessman, Maryanov did the math and 

realized he had to start charging service fees. 

A more positive sign of the times was the 

emergence of the Internet as a marketing 

tool. All-Travel.com, in fact, was an extremely 

early adapter and launched its first website 

in 1996. The technology was still developing, 

but Maryanov knew he had a new way 

of communicating with customers. There 

was another challenge soon enough—the 

huge drop in overall travel after September 

11, 2001. To remain profitable, All-Travel. 

com focused on selling sun-and-sand vacations 

like Hawaii and Mexico to the niche 

of middle-Americans who had two weeks 

of vacation a year, which had to be used or 

would be lost. During those post 9/11 days, 

however, it also acquired an upscale agency in 

Los Angeles, and many of those advisors are 

still with him today. 

“Part of it was kind of forging ahead with 

a determination and a vision even when the 

world throws some interesting obstacles at 

you,” Maryanov recalls. 

The move to luxury was forged when the 

agency was approached by Crystal Cruises to 

step up its commitment to selling the line; 

All-Travel.com launched a website dedicated 

entirely to selling Crystal and has been one of 

its top producers ever since. The agency then 

added a focus to selling Regent and Silversea 

and, most recently, Oceania. 

“We have always used the Internet to 

create the connection but our strategy has 

always been about one-on-one dialogue 

and consulting with a traditional agent who 

has years of experience and a strong background,” 

he says. 

Initiating that one-on-one connection in 

the right manner to determine the customer’s 

real reasons for traveling is key because 

there is such a distinct personality difference 

among the luxury cruise brands, says 

Maryanov. 

The web strategy has spurred All-Travel. 

com to officially start the day at 7:30 a.m., 

ERIC MARYANOV was an earlier adaptor of the 

Internet and has married classic luxury travel 

consulting to his online expertise. 

www.luxurytraveladvisor.com OCTOBER 2011 | LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR 41 

Photo by Jim Cox

COVER STORY 

although many of its advisors are already 

online at 6 a.m., responding to queries that 

have come in during the night. Maryanov 

himself is typically in at 6:15 a.m., a practice 

that’s been in play for 20-plus years. The 

agency also keeps weekend hours to respond 

to online queries. 

Over the years, Maryanov has seen a 

pattern develop in terms of how bookings 

play out on the weekly calendar. “Sunday 

inquiries are in the early stages of planning 

and tend to be a bit more upscale and for 

the higher-end cruises. Saturdays tend to be 

a little more of the premium sun-and-sand 

market,” he says. 

One important factor is that some of the 

cruise lines now have booking engines that 

are useable on Sunday; “not all of them do 

and they aren’t open for reservations,” he 

rues. “So, here we are wanting to work with 

them and yet the vendor is not accessible.” 

Another frustration is that some suppliers 

end business hours at 5:30 p.m. EST, when 

it’s still mid-afternoon in Los Angeles. 

While Maryanov still remains very much 

an expert at selling the luxury travel product, 

he has transitioned over the years to focus 

DAVID VAN NESS, VICE PRESIDENT OF ALL-TRAVEL.COM 

David Van Ness, vice president of All- 

Travel.com, has been with the agency for 

21 years; he was introduced to President 

and CEO Eric Maryanov by a mutual 

United Airlines sales rep. 

“Eric and I met and it was sort of 

an instant connection that we had. I 

DAVID VAN NESS 


much more on marketing, along with All- 

Travel.com’s vice president, David Van Ness. 

Together, the two structure the agency’s position 

in the marketplace and, in turn, drive 

traffic to All-Travel.com’s advisors. 

The agency uses ClientBase Plus heavily 

to track new inquiries from prospective 

customers. The advisor builds a profile 

based on every conversation they have 

with these customers, not all of whom may 

actually take a booking. The accumulated 

personal information is used to determine 

which marketing collateral will be sent to 

the prospect. 

This targeted and focused approach often 

pays off. Clients who have remained dormant 

in the database for several years, but who 

continue to receive e-mail promotions, have 

called out of the blue to book a cruise. For 

instance, recently, one such consumer called 

up after receiving a promotion and booked 

four cabins on Regent for a $100,000 sale. 

While Maryanov and Van Ness are expert 

marketers, they turn to their consortium, 

Signature Travel Network, to leverage its 

preferred supplier relationships as well as its 

technology. (Both Van Ness and Maryanov 

joked with him at the time that I didn’t 

think I was going to be here longer 

than six months,” Van Ness tells Luxury 

Travel Advisor. He recalls that, early on, 

Maryanov called him one day, excited 

about the Internet, which was in its 

fledgling stage. Van Ness ended up putting 

up the agency’s first website using 

Microsoft’s FrontPage. Over time, Van 

Ness developed the site and was responsible 

for its content. He was self-taught, 

spending 12 hours a day on it, but it was 

his passion. 

The Internet is All-Travel.com’s core 

marketing tool and responsible for driving 

customers to the agency’s virtual front 

door. After that, live travel consultants 

create dream trips for clients, but the 

web is a major force for the business, 

which today has more than 13 websites—many 

of them vendor-centric— 

that it uses for online marketing. 

The agency brought in a web designer, 

have long sat on Signature’s technology committee.) 

Signature, in fact, powers All-Travel. 

com’s website. Maryanov and his team then 

take Signature’s vendor offerings, slice and 

dice them through the agency’s database and 

feed them into its websites. 

“So, in essence, we have our own unique 

twist on taking advantage of their massive 

amounts of technology and their promotions—add 

the connectivity and personalize 

it all,” says Maryanov. 

All-Travel.com also taps into Signature’s 

hotel program to create pre- and post-tour 

itineraries for guests. The agency, courtesy 

of Signature, has relationships with 600 preselected 

hotels worldwide and touches about 

75,000 to 85,000 people a week via e-mail 

marketing. 

The agency also makes use of city-by-city 

information that Signature embeds in its 

cruise offers so that its advisors are able to 

speak to their clients as destination specialists 

for each port. This enables them to arrange 

private shore excursions. 

“So, it’s using all those Signature tools in 

conjunction with getting the agent to appear 

as the superstar,” says Maryanov. 

and another person to assist with e-mail 

promotions. Additional marketing personnel 

were also added. 

These days, social media is also a 

focus, says Van Ness. The agency has a 

Facebook page with close to 9,000 fans, 

where it posts four to five items a day: 

travel tips, deals, recommended destinations 

or inspiring quotes. It also has a 

Twitter account where it posts similar 

items daily. 

Over the past 21 years, Van Ness and 

Maryanov have worked together seamlessly 

to build the business. 

“Eric and I are very similar in terms 

of micromanaging and perfectionism 

and wanting things exactly the same 

way; that’s one of the reasons I think it’s 

worked so well for us all these years. It’s 

sort of two heads but a single thought. 

He can say one word and I know what he 

is going to say next and vice versa,” Van 

Ness tells Luxury Travel Advisor.

COVER STORY 


All-Travel.com is no stranger to arranging 

over-the-top land experiences for its clients. 

Senior Travel Consultant Bobbie Teitelbaum 

Abood shared with us what these entailed— 

from arranging catamaran charters to booking 

an entire resort. 

Abood says she finds that Mauna Kea 

Beach Hotel on the Big Island in Hawaii 

has a large repeat clientele. “Generations 

of families return year after year, and I have 

two families who add to this business. One 

of my clients brings his entire family: his 

four children, grandchildren and nannies. 

He books 10 to 12 rooms for each stay and 

holds two connecting rooms for himself. One 

is a sleeping room and the other a family 

gathering room that houses the spectacularly 

decorated Christmas tree I order from 

the local florist. 

“I usually confirm a private catamaran 

charter, hunting trips on the island, restaurant 

reservations, and several Hertz SUV 

rentals. Most years, they will fly a private 

plane. He has his own aircraft and pilot. 

Keith Groves, my main contact at Mauna 

Kea, is always available to assist me and my 

clients and to assure that all goes well with 

their reservations.” 

Another of Abood’s clients took his family 

to the Big Island for 14 days during the 

Christmas/New Year’s holiday. The Hapuna 

Suite at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, 

at approximately $7,000 per night, is one of 

Hawaii’s best-kept secrets, she says. “It is 

an ultra-exclusive 8,000-square-foot villa 

discreetly set on the manicured grounds of 

Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel at Mauna Kea 

Resort, overlooking one of the world’s best 

beaches,” Abood adds. “As guests of the 

Hapuna Suite, you are welcomed by private 

limousine and transported past emerald 

fairways, stately royal palms and the 

spectacular Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, 

through a private gate to your circular drive 

and porte cochere.” 

In another instance, a client booked all 

of the rooms at San Ysidro Ranch for two 

nights for his daughter’s wedding. All of his 

out-of-town guests were housed at San 

Ysidro Ranch at his expense. Total cost for 

buying out the 102 rooms? $180,000. 


Much is accomplished via electronic 

marketing, but Maryanov and team also 

take out the time to speak to their advisors 

to find out exactly which promotions are 

working. “We spend the time to find out 

where we are not closing the sales and where 

we are almost immediately closing the sale 

so we understand what works. We also then 

give feedback to the vendor.” 

Maryanov also credits TRAMS: “It really 

forces us to stop and look and listen to 

ourselves, to analyze our own businesses. It 

also gives us the opportunity to share best 

practices with owners and bring it all back 

to the agency.” 

These days, client retention is a huge 

issue for all travel advisors and Maryanov 

and his team work to maintain customer 

loyalty by following up immediately after a 

trip is completed. This helps advisors find 

out new information about a destination or 

cruise line and determine where the client is 

thinking of going next. 

The All-Travel.com team also reaches 

out while the customer is still on the trip; 

through ClientBase Plus, advisors receive 

ticklers to check with their customers proactively 

to see if there is anything they can do 

to make a trip go better. Such communication 

enables the agency to fix little things that 

the client may not mention. 

Such matters could include a promised 

ship credit that for some reason wasn’t 

posted to a client’s account. That’s a problem 

that can easily be corrected with an 

e-mail to the person concerned at the cruise 

line, says Maryanov. “This solves specific 

issues but it also makes the client realize 

they are special to you.” 

The advisor can also check in to see how 

a client has enjoyed a private shore excursion 

and if they’d like another at a different port. 

All-Travel.com also has an internal oneto-one 

marketing program where the staff 

spends time each week reaching out to past 

clients who have not booked over a period of 

time or haven’t been heard from. That information 

goes into the database, and when new 

things come along that might interest them, 

the agent gets back in touch. 

All of this is accomplished with 19 luxury 

travel advisors, five are homebased. 

“I think our other strength is longevity 

MARYANOV IS SHOWN in 

these photos at the Parker 

hotel in Palm Springs, the 

city in which he grew up. 

of our staff. Most of them have been with 

us for more than five years, many more than 

10, and a handful at 15 plus,” says 

Maryanov, noting that Van Ness has been 

with him for 21 years. At the same time, 

All-Travel.com is about bringing new blood 

into the industry and has two advisors who 

have been with them for less than a year. 

The two young men came through an ad 

for salespeople that was posted in Craigslist. 

“We hyped up the travel element of 

it, and it was interesting that the people 

that responded were male and under 35. 

We found two very good candidates; both 

had traveled in the past but had no industry 

experience,” says Maryanov. 

While Maryanov has always been all about 

managing the change that the travel advisor 

community has undergone, he still sees 

one element that is still the same. “This is 

still a people’s business 30 years later; I don’t 

see that changing. The Internet plays a key 

role, but so does personalization. The level of 

affluence doesn't matter—nobody wants to 

waste their free time when they are building 

special family memories.” 

There isn’t much that’s going to shake 

Maryanov’s confidence these days. “Remember, 

years ago, the industry said when the 

airlines got 800 numbers, ‘Oh, that’s the 

death of us, everyone will call the airlines 

direct.’ Then when the airlines started taking 

credit cards for booking, it was, ‘Oh, that’s 

the death of us, the client will go direct.’” 

For him, the mantra of success is simple 

enough: “One has got to find one’s niche 

and make sure it is delivering value,” he tells 

Luxury Travel Advisor. �

Fascinating 

Moments 

^ƚƌŽůů ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ƚŚĞ ŵƵůƟ�ĐƵůƚƵƌĂů ŚĞƌŝƚĂŐĞ� 

ĞǆƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ƚŚĞ ŚĂƌŵŽŶǇ ďĞƚǁĞĞŶ ƚŚĞ ĂƐƚ ĂŶĚ tĞƐƚ� 

ĚŝƐĐŽǀĞƌ ĂŶĚ ĞŶũŽǇ ƚŚĞ ƵŶŝƋƵĞŶĞƐƐ ŽĨ DĂĐĂƵ�Ɛ ŚŝƐƚŽƌǇ� 

To learn more about Macau, China, please visit our 

Specialist Program at: www.learnaboutmacau.com/

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE 

LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR’S 

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE 

NEW YORK — Luxury Travel Advisor has officially announced the final nominees for the prestigious 

Luxury Travel Advisor Awards of Excellence 2011. The candidates for the awards were nominated by the 

elite group of luxury travel advisors who have graced our covers since the publication launched in 2005. 

Winners will be determined by the entire travel advisor readership of Luxury Travel Advisor magazine. 

This year we have three write-in “Reader’s Choice” awards: Best Restaurant in a Luxury Hotel Worldwide; 

Best Luxury Family Resort Worldwide and Top General Manager of a Luxury Hotel Worldwide. 

To vote in the Luxury Travel Advisor Awards of Excellence, go to LuxuryTravelAdvisor.com or use the 

ballot that appears on page 52 of this issue. The deadline to vote is October 31. 

The winners will be announced at the fourth annual Luxury Travel Advisor Awards of Excellence gala 

taking place on December 6 in conjunction with Luxury Travel Expo in Las Vegas. The gala will bring 

together leading luxury travel advisors and suppliers to celebrate the year’s winners and nominees. 

Reserve your spot by emailing Rita Romero at rromero@questex.com by November 1st. Luxury Travel 

Expo attending advisors can also confirm their Awards of Excellence attendance via the Luxury Travel 

Expo registration form at luxurytravelexpo.com. 

THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE: 

Priscilla Alexander, Protravel International; Jack Bloch, JB’s World Travel Consultants; Joshua Bush, 

Park Avenue Travel; Maureen Jones, All Horizons Travel; Barbara Gallay, Frosch Travel; Bob Romano, 

Fugazi Travel; Mary Ann Ramsey, Betty Maclean Travel; Valerie Wilson, Kimberly Wilson Wetty, Jennifer 

Wilson-Buttigieg, Valerie Wilson Travel; Anne Morgan Scully, McCabe World Travel; Malaka Hilton, 

Admiral Travel; Martin Rapp, Altour; Mary Jean Tully, The Cruise Professionals; Jody Bear, Bear & 

Bear Travel; Greg DeClemente, Courtyard Travel; Nancy Strong, Jim Strong, Strong Travel Services; 

Jay Johnson, Coastline Travel Advisors; Lee Ginsburg, Caren Ginsburg, Michael’s Travel Centre; Julia 

Douglas, Jet Set World Travel; Howard Scharf, Travel 100 Group; Rudi Steele, Rudi Steele Travel, Inc; 

Gary Stevens, Leaders in Travel; Richard, Bryan and Lara Leibman, Frosch Travel; Roland and Paul 

Largay, Largay Travel; Amanda Klimak and Mina DeSora, Largay Travel; Shelby Donley, Camelback 

Odyssey Travel; David Odaka, All Star Travel; Barbara King, Great Getaways; Roger Miller, Minnetonka 

Travel & Cruises; Troy Haas and Meg North, Brownell Travel. 

46 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | OCTOBER 2011

Best Cruise Line for 

Luxury Ocean Cruises 

CRYSTAL CRUISES 

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES 

SILVERSEA CRUISES 

Best Luxury River 

Cruise Company 

AMA WATERWAYS 

GLOBUS/AVALON WATERWAYS 

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISE COLLECTION 

VIKING RIVER CRUISES 


BEST SPA IN A LUXURY 

HOTEL/RESORT 

� Castello del Nero Boutique 

Hotel & Spa, Tuscany 

www.castellodelnero.com 

� Coworth Park, Ascot, Berkshire 

www.coworthpark.com 

� Four Seasons Resort 

Palm Beach 

www.fourseasons.com/ 

PalmBeach 

� Four Seasons Resort 

Langkawi, Malaysia 

www.fourseasons.com/ 

Langkawi 

� Mandarin Oriental, 

New York City 

www.mandarinoriental.com/ 

NewYork 

� Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita, 

Riviera Maya 

www.zoetryresorts.com/paraiso 

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL 

FIRENZE, FLORENCE 


Best Cruise Line for Luxury 

Small Ships 

SEABOURN CRUISE LINE 

SEADREAM YACHT CLUB 

SILVERSEA CRUISES 

Best Luxury Hotel / Resort Worldwide 

GRACE BAY 

CLUB, TURKS 

& CAICOS 

ROSEWOOD 

LITTLE DIX BAY, 

VIRGIN GORDA 

MYSTIQUE RESORT, SANTORINI 

LE MEURICE, PARIS 

PALAZZO SASSO, 

AMALFI COAST

CRUISE 

TRAVEL PLANNER

NEW ZEALAND… 

THE NEXT CRUISE 

DESTINATION. 

Give your clients a 

vacation of a lifetime. 

And we’ll help you do it… 

Join Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand for a 

webinar detailing all there is to know about New Zealand. 

For more information log onto www.airnztravelagent.com/cruise

ADVERTORIAL CRUISE Travel Planner 1 

Why Cruise to 

NEW ZEALAND? 

FROM TOWERING MOUNTAINS and 

golden beaches to chic cafés and world-class shopping, 

the island paradise at the bottom of the world really does 

have it all. New Zealand is a premium cruise destination 

that caters to travelers of all tastes, from the adventurous 

to those seeking cultural experiences, luxury and 

relaxation. This makes it an ideal destination to visit, and 

it makes selling travel to New Zealand that much easier. 

Selling Points: 

� Cruise passengers can see a surprisingly diverse 

range of landscapes, scenery and wildlife 

� New Zealand’s ports are close together, so cruise passengers 

can experience a new destination every day. 

Many cruises take in the entire length of New Zealand 

visiting 5-9 ports on a New Zealand/Australia cruise 

� New Zealand is a safe destination and the locals are 

friendly 

� New Zealand offers a unique history as well as an 

opportunity to experience Maori culture 

Cruise Choices 

The majority of cruise lines visit New Zealand during 

the October to April summer cruise season. Most of the 

world’s major cruise companies offer cruise services to 

New Zealand with more than 25 different ships visiting 

New Zealand’s coast in a typical year. 

Pre and Post Options 

There is so much more to see for those who have time 

before or after their cruise. Don’t forget to add on a 

pre or post option for clients beginning or ending their 

cruise in Auckland. Auckland, Queenstown or the Bay 

of Islands make great three- or four-day additions to 

any New Zealand experience. 

Traveling to New Zealand 

Known in Maori as Aotearoa, meaning the land of the 

long white cloud, New Zealand rises out of the southwest 

Pacific Ocean, part way between Australia and 

South America. 

From Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and 

Honolulu, Air New Zealand makes getting to New 

Zealand easy with more direct flights to the South 

Pacific than any other airline. Air New Zealand lavishly 

flies travelers around the globe, presenting gourmet fine 

dining, personal concierge service and the utmost inseat 

comforts and high-tech conveniences. 

On board, your clients will enjoy innovative menus 

designed by world-class chefs, and meals are paired 

with carefully selected New Zealand wines. Passengers 

have an in-flight concierge at their service to provide 

recommendations for their destination and watch ondemand 

entertainment from the moment they take their 

seat. Make sure you book your clients’ seats now so 

they can enjoy the vacation of a lifetime. 

Interested in Learning More? 

Join Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand for a live 

webinar to learn to sell the youngest country on earth. 

� Webinars are being held October 6 and November 10, 

2011, at 10 a.m. PST 

� One-hour session covering all you need to know 

about how to get there, cruising, pre and post options, 

port activities and how to sell a full land tour. 

� You know your clients will ask, so be prepared to 

answer—sign up today! 

� Visit www.airnztravelagent.com/cruise to register. 

Visit www.traveltrade.newzealand.com for more information 

on New Zealand.

2 CRUISE Travel Planner ADVERTORIAL 

The 

WORLD’S BEST CRUISE LINE 

Is Now All Inclusive 

CONTINUING ITS QUEST to enhance its 

award-winning luxury experience, Crystal Cruises has 

announced new All-Inclusive fares beginning in spring 

2012. These new All-Inclusive 2-for-1 fares provide the 

ultimate in luxury and value. Travelers continue to enjoy 

the award-winning service, unparalleled choices and 

exclusive experiences that distinguish Crystal Cruises’ 

award-winning ships, now with the elegant simplicity of 

an All-Inclusive fare. 

What does “All-Inclusive” mean aboard the World’s 

Best? Here are just some of the services and amenities 

that are complimentary on a Crystal cruise: 

� Prepaid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining 

staff, as well as butler service in our Penthouses 

� Fine wines, premium spirits and beers throughout 

the ship 

� Free Air or cruise-only credits 

� Open bar service in all lounges 

� All non-alcoholic beverages, including bottled water, 

soft drinks and fresh juices 

� “Welcome Aboard” champagne 

� Early embarkation luncheon 

� Concierge services for personal arrangements ashore 

� Transportation from pier to town center 

� Twice-daily housekeeping with nightly turndown service 

� A menu of pillow options for a perfect night’s sleep 

� In-stateroom satellite television and movies on a flatpanel 

TV screen 

� 24-hour room service 

� Up to five dining venues for breakfast and lunch 

� Specialty coffees, pastries and charcuterie at the 

European-designed Bistro Café 

� Up to seven evening dining options with open 

seating, including specialty restaurants Prego by 

Piero Selvaggio, and Silk Road and The Sushi Bar 

by Nobu Matsuhisa 

� Choice of Classic Main or Late seatings, or our new 

Open Dining by Reservation TM 

� Afternoon Tea served daily in Palm Court 

� Hands-on cooking classes with celebrity guest chefs 

on all Crystal Wine & Food Festival ® sailings 

� Award-winning Broadway-style entertainment, 

cabarets, piano bars and dance clubs with karaoke 

� Recent-release films in the surround-sound 

Hollywood Theatre 

� Dance lessons and Ambassador Hosts 

� Art classes with Odyssey Art at Sea 

� More than 3,000 book and DVD titles to check out 

from the ship’s library 

� Daily enrichment with Yamaha Passport to Music ® 

keyboard lessons and Berlitz foreign language studies 

� Dozens of classes and instruction in the latest software 

with our dedicated Computer University@Sea ® 

� Technology Concierge “how to” tips on the latest 

high-tech gadgets and apps 

� Golf lessons with PGA pros 

� A state-of-the-art gym and classes including Pilates 

Reformer, “Tour de Spin” cycling, cutting-edge 

Kinesis TM systems and Tai Chi courses 

� The only Feng Shui-inspired spa at sea with separate 

men’s and women’s relaxation areas, dry saunas, 

steam rooms and whirlpools 

The inaugural All-Inclusive voyage aboard Crystal 

Symphony sails from Miami to Lisbon, departing March 

19, 2012. The first All-Inclusive voyage aboard Crystal 

Serenity sails from New York to London, departing May 

8, 2012. Cruises to the Mediterranean, Western Europe, 

the Baltic, New England and Canada, Panama Canal, 

the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand all feature 

All-Inclusive fares. 

There has never been a better time to experience the 

unparalleled service, luxury, quality and choices that 

have made Crystal Cruises the only cruise line voted 

“World’s Best” a record-breaking 17 years by the 

readers of Condé Nast Traveler. For more information, 

visit www.crystalcruises.com or call 888-557-5712.


AVALON’S 

The newest…the roomiest…the “viewiest” 

VIEWS OF EUROPE are to Avalon Waterways’ 

team what acoustics were to renowned architect Frank 

Gehry when he designed Walt Disney Concert Hall, 

home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. That’s why 

the line will soon have three Suite Ships—the Avalon 

Panorama, Avalon Visionary and Avalon Vista—full of 

360-degree views and featuring an indoor/outdoor living 

experience, sailing Europe’s waters. 

With their inspired design, the new vessels deliver an 

experience like no other. While Avalon has consistently 

provided river cruisers the most spacious staterooms 

in Europe (the minimum room size for the entire fleet is 

172 square feet), the cruise line will now have even more 

room for cruisers to relax and take in 360-degree views 

of Europe with these three new ships. Each boasts two 

full decks of suites—200-square-foot Panorama Suites 

(178 in all) and 300-square-foot Royal Suites (six in all). 

Even better, each suite comes with a large seating 

area adjacent to a wall-to-wall panoramic window. 

When opened, this 10 x 7 floor-to-ceiling window transforms 

the entire suite into the category’s only Open-Air 

Balcony SM . From the Open-Air Balconies, Europe’s 

sights can be enjoyed at any hour of the day, year round, 

adding considerably to the overall guest experience. 

Every element on board was crafted to entice the 

five senses. Some subtle enhancements include flowers 

in each stateroom and premium L’Occitane products. 

Suite Ships 

Other touches, such as marble bathrooms, Avalonbranded 

deluxe bedding (Comfort Collection by 

Avalon SM ) and the perfect balance of warm interiors and 

natural lighting are distinct and unexpected. 

“Nothing showcases the best of river cruising like 

the Panorama, Visionary and Vista,” says Patrick Clark, 

managing director of Avalon Waterways. “Each suite has 

been thoughtfully designed to enhance the European 

cruise experience. From bed and bathroom positioning 

to storage and sound-proof insulation, we provide 

cruisers a renewed feeling of freedom, space and comfort 

not found with other cruise lines.” 

Mirroring the onboard cruise experience found on all 

of Avalon’s ships, the Suite Ships also feature a club, 

main lounge and dining room with sweeping views, hair 

salon, Sky Deck fun pool, and Open-Air Bistro for outdoor, 

grilled lunches. Also, the fitness rooms aboard the 

Panorama, Visionary and Vista are more expansive, with 

additional equipment. 

“Year after year, thanks to the continuous feedback 

and encouragement of our travelers, Avalon Waterways 

has unveiled new ships, amenities and experiences that 

set the standard in river cruising,” says Clark. 

And it’s this drive to exceed guest expectations, by 

pushing the boundaries of the river cruise experience, 

that Clark says makes Avalon the most contemporary 

and consistent cruise line on Europe’s waters. 

Each suite on Avalon Panorama 

has seating adjacent to a wall-towall 

panoramic window.

At Avalon, new is not a reaction. 

It’s not a short-lived fad. Or the 

launch of a few new ships. It’s an 

ongoing commitment to offer the 

newest, and best, ships on the rivers 

of the world. That’s why, since 

our beginning, we’ve been able to claim the youngest 

fleet in river cruising. And we continue that focus 

with the launch of our three new Suite Ships, 

the Avalon Vista, SM 

the Avalon Visionary SM 

and the Avalon 

Panorama, SM 

each offering Open-Air Balconies, SM 

spacious 

200-square-foot rooms and breathtaking views from 

nearly 11-foot, wall-to-wall, panoramic 

windows. New is where we’ve always 

been, and where we always will be. 

But new is just one part of the story. 

A trip upon any Avalon ship in 

our entire fleet offers the promise 

of an unparalleled experience that is as much a treat 

for the heart, as it is for the mind. It’s about the smallest 

details, pampering guests every step of the way, 

and thinking of everything. And it’s about delivering 

the trip of a lifetime to some of the most captivating 

places in the world. 

READY. SET. GO. VISIT OUR NEWEST SHIPS AT WWW.AVALONWATERWAYS.COM/INSPIRED 

RESERVATIONS 800.221.0090 

F R O M B O W T O S T E R N , T H E S U I T E S T S H I P S I N R I V E R C R U I S I N G .

PHOTO BY PRINCESS CRUISES 

6 CRUISE Travel Planner 

CRUISE TRENDS 

Industry Experts Look at What the Future Holds 

BASED ON THE 

NEWLY released Cruise 

Lines International Association’s 

(www.cruising.org) 2011 

Cruise Market Profile Study, 36 

million Americans who are 25 years 

of age or older with $40,000 or more 

in annual income intend to cruise 

within the next three years, up from 

33 million in 2008 and 31 million in 

2006. Seventy-seven percent of past 

cruisers and 50 percent of non-cruisers 

are interested in taking a cruise 

during the next three years. So, what 

marketplace trends do agents and 

travel industry officials expect for the 

last half of the year and 2012? 

Strong Promotions, Deals 

Many agents report strong sales this 

year, yet uncertainty over the U.S. 

economy may be starting to have an 

effect. “Sales for the remainder of 

2011 were strong up until last week 

Cover photo by Susan J. Young 

Vice President/Group Publisher: John McMahon 

Vice President/Editorial Director: 

Ruthanne Terrero, CTC 

Director of Custom Solutions: Neil Strickland 

Director of Creative Solutions: James Y. Huntley 

Managing Editor: David K. Moseder 

Senior Contributing Editor: Susan J. Young 

Associate Art Director: Debbie Sheehan 

Digital Communications Specialist: 

Karen Zuegner 

Project Manager: Katrin Ferreri 

Business Relations Coordinator: 

Danielle DeWeese 

Production Director: Marilyn Hiris 

The Travel + Hospitality Group is a division 

of Questex Media Group LLC, 757 Third 

Avenue, New York, New York 10017. 

© 2011. All rights reserved. Although every effort has been made to 

guarantee the accuracy of information appearing within this supplement, 

we cannot be responsible for typographical errors, omissions or changes 

Family travel is a hot trend that should 

continue into 2012. Pictured: Supervised 

kids’ club activities on Princess Cruises. 

[early August],” says John Lovell, 

president of Vacation.com (www. 

vacation.com). “However, with all 

of the developments we experienced—the 

news of the U.S. credit 

rating downgrade and the successive 

stock market dips—things are 

bound to change. Consumer confidence 

has taken a blow and we do 

anticipate some softness during this 

period of uncertainty.” 

Yet, Lovell also says cruise lines 

are rolling out strong promotions 

and incentives, and he remains optimistic 

about the cruise segment for 

2012. Similarly, Dwain Wall, senior 

vice president and general manager, 

CruiseOne (www.cruiseone 

franchise.com) and Cruises Inc. 

(www.sellcruises.com), says his 

groups expect pressure from the 

economy, resulting in last-minute 

demand and very aggressive pricing, 

especially in Europe. “Airfares have 

dropped significantly…making lastminute 

fall and holiday Europe travel 

more affordable,” Wall stresses. 

From at least one agent’s perspective, 

the booking window is 

shrinking. “I just booked a cruise 

a week and a half out,” says Ira 

Kaplan, owner, Cruise Holidays 

of Marlboro (www.cruiseholidays. 

com), Englishtown, NJ. “People are 

saying, ‘I’ve got vacation time, what 

can you do for me?’” 

Demand for River Cruising 

“River cruising is hot this year,” says 

Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder, 

Cruise Planners (www.cruiseplan 

ners.com). “Cruisers who have ‘been 

there, done that’ are looking for alternatives.” 

The Asian market continues 

to expand, while North Americans 

still enjoy cruises along U.S./Canadian 

waterways to view fall foliage 

and explore such historical cities as 

Montreal and Quebec City. 

In Europe, Tauck (www.tauck. 

com) launched its new riverboat, 

Treasures, on Rhine/Danube sailings. 

Viking River Cruises 

(www.viking rivercruises.com) has 

christened its new 188-passenger 

Viking Prestige; the latter features 

two decks that have French balcony 

staterooms. New balcony configurations 

are the rage in Europe. 

AmaWaterways’ (www.amawaterways.com) 

newest European ship, 

AmaVerde, has accommodations 

with twin balconies. On Uniworld’s 

(www.uniworld.com) new Antoinette, 

an electronic button lowers the top 

half of the glass window to create an 

open-air balcony in many staterooms. 

On board Avalon Waterways’ 

(www.avalonwaterways.com) 

new Panorama, guests slide open 

several stateroom balcony panels 

to create a spacious, floor-to-ceiling 

open air balcony. 

Cruising Meets Cuisine 

“Foodies, cooking, culinary, wine 

tastings and alternative dining are 

since this publication went to press. Continued on page 14

ADVERTORIAL 

CELEBRATING A MILESTONE 10th 

anniversary in 2012, award-winning river cruise line 

AMAWATERWAYS continues to build upon its impressive 

industry lead. With its largest fleet ever—12 vessels in 

Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia—and new initiatives 

to enhance the guest experience, the line is poised 

for its most successful year on record. 

Debuting in the spring of 2012, the new, customdesigned 

MS AmaCerto is AMAWATERWAYS’ largest and 

most imaginative ship. Inspired by classic luxury yachts, 

it features, among others, the line’s exclusive spacious 

Twin Balcony stateroom design; multiple indoor and outdoor 

dining venues, including an al fresco dining terrace; 

and a heated swimming pool. 

All AMAWATERWAYS ships in Europe also have complimentary 

high-speed Internet and Wi-Fi; first-run hit Hollywood 

movies; a fitness room; hair, massage and beauty 

salon; walking track and whirlpool on the Sun Deck; 

CRUISE Travel Planner 

AMAWATERWAYS 

complimentary shore excursions tailored to passengers’ 

walking pace; and guided bicycle tours. 

Additionally, each ship belongs to the prestigious 

Chaîne des Rôtisseurs gastronomic society and 

serves gourmet cuisine prepared under the direction of 

a gold medal-winning chef. Passengers are treated to 

complimentary regional wines, beer and soft drinks with 

dinner and champagne breakfast daily. 

For those keen on more exotic locations, there are 

cruises in Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. In Russia, 

guests can cruise the Volga-Baltic Waterway from Moscow 

to St. Petersburg aboard the redesigned, 212-passenger 

MS AmaKatarina. In the fall of 2011, the brandnew 

MS AmaLotus joins MS La Marguerite in offering 

seven-night Mekong River cruises, visiting rural villages, 

floating markets, ancient temples and bustling capitals. 

For more information, visit www.amawaterways.com 

or call 800-626-0126. 

7


Cruise QUEBEC! 

WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING FOR 

a magnificent 7-day adventure or a sublime 15-day 

journey along the St. Lawrence River, the perfect cruise 

is waiting for you and your clients! 

Discovered in 1535 by French explorer Jacques Cartier, 

the St. Lawrence has long been the main commercial 

artery for North America. With a rich and legendary history, 

Québec continues to provide today’s cruise ship 

passengers a veritable feast of nature and culture. 

Over the past few years, several major international 

cruise lines have made the St. Lawrence a preferred 

destination. Sailing the St. Lawrence means reliving 

the odyssey of the explorers of Nouvelle-France, 

while falling for the alluring charms of Montréal and 

Québec City. 

A Unique Waterway 

The St. Lawrence has it all—gulf, estuary, fjord, majestic 

islands and distinctive shores. An unsurpassed visual 

experience. 

A RIVER OF DISCOVERY 

Recognized by UNESCO 

Experience Heritage Sites such as Old Québec City, 

Montréal (as a City of Design), Lac Saint-Pierre in Mauricie, 

Mont Saint-Hilaire in Montérégie, the Charlevoix 

region, Manicouagan-Uapishka and Parc national de 

Miguasha in Gaspésie. 

Remarkable Cities 

Visit these centers of architecture, history, industry and 

culture: 400-year-old Québec City, the only fortified city 

north of Mexico; Montréal, city of culture and gastronomical 

excellence, renowned for its many festivals and 

singular way of life; Trois-Rivières, Cultural Capital of 

Canada in 2009—and marking its 375th anniversary; 

and Gaspé, which in 2009 commemorated 475 years 

of French history and presence in North America. 

Good to the Last Bite 

Enjoy the bounty bestowed by the St. Lawrence and its 

shores: from the lamb and calves grazing on the river- 

Looking for the ultimate cruise 

experience? Sail to Québec! 

Departures from NYC and Boston

PHOTO BY MARC LOISELLE 

banks to the sought-after salted herbs from the Bas- 

Saint-Laurent region used to elevate many a dish. An 

abundance of fish and seafood such as shrimp, lobster, 

snowcrab and salmon is available—served poached, 

sauteed, grilled, marinated, smoked and even raw in 

Québec’s top restaurants. Regional specialties abound, 

from fine cheeses to maple delicacies, from local wines 

and cloudberry liquor to other spirits, not the least of 

which is Québec’s inimitable ice cider. Sample exotic 

dishes and reinvented classics, created by awardwinning 

chefs. 

The Francophone Culture 

Québec offers a unique experience in North America: 

festive traditions, a warm welcome, the French language 


ADVERTORIAL 

on a daily basis. A cultural 

mosaic where First Nations 

and descendants of the first 

French, Irish, Basque and 

English immigrants cohabit with 

new arrivals from around the 

world. 

Captivating Excursions 

Anticosti Island, salmon fishing, 

flying over the Saguenay Fjord in a seaplane. A number 

of marked and mapped scenic routes in the southern 

part of Québec. “Blue routes” make up a maritime trail, 

comprised of a network of launches, secure shelters, 

rest spots, lodging and food services. 

Ecotourism: A Celebration of Nature 

Numerous nature outings available to all: excursions at 

sea, wildlife observation, interpretation activities, kayaking, 

fishing, walking and cycling. 

Take a trip to the heart of the St. Lawrence, where the 

vastness of its waters give it a wild and striking beauty 

that features grandiose tides, breathtaking sunsets and 

unforgettable memories 

Visit www.bonjourquebec.com/cruises. 

Looking for the ultimate cruise 

experience? Sail to Québec! 

Departures from NYC and Boston 

9

PHOTO BY PIERRE-PHILIPPE BRUNEY 


Cruise to 

THERE IS NO BETTER destination to 

start or end a cruise along the majestic St. Lawrence 

River than Montréal. Between a majestic mountain 

and a sparkling river lies the island of Montréal, whose 

first settlers came ashore more than 350 years ago and 

founded what has become one of the world’s most exciting 

metropolises today, with 3.4 million residents. 

While the shoreline and skyline have changed over 

the years, sailing along the St. Lawrence River into the 

Port of Montréal never fails to fascinate passengers 

aboard cruise ships and pleasure boaters. Recognized 

for the superior quality of service it offers cruisers, Montréal’s 

Iberville Passenger Terminal and Port d’escale 

Marina are only five minutes from downtown and welcome 

thousands of visitors each year. 

A Dynamic Destination 

A cosmopolitan city with European flair, Montréal is an 

undeniably appealing destination for both the leisure 

and business traveler. Night owl, festivity seeker, food 

connoisseur, erudite, open-to-the-world—no matter how 

your clients describe themselves or what their expectations 

are, this warm and welcoming city is sure to 

seduce them. Montréal is truly welcoming and offers the 

ultimate in entertainment. 

Culture and Festivals Galore 

While it is known for the duality of old-world charm 

infused with North American energy that lies at its very 

heart, it is, however, the plurality of cultures that really 

makes this metropolis tick. Brimming with culture, 

Montréal, a city known for its joie-de-vivre, hosts over 40 

festivals, ranging from traditional shows to more avantgarde 

spectacles. Jazz, humor, gastronomy and varied 

performances are all great reasons for Montréalers to 

take to the streets and frequent the many theatres, 

Montréal neighborhoods 

show off their 

French influence. 

ADVERTORIAL 

MONTRÉAL 

Montréal is a 

cosmopolitan city 

with European flair. 

concert halls and cabarets—and visitors are always 

welcome to join the celebration! 

Cuisine 

From five-star restaurants to cozy eateries and hardand-fast 

local favorites, Montréal provides one-of-a-kind 

experiences to tantalize any and all palates. Although 

we’ve got the “global village” down when it comes to 

gastronomic diversity, it is hard to miss the unbridled 

French-Canadian influences that pervade the kitchens. 

The dishes are liberally seasoned with the same creativity 

that is so incredibly Montréal: innovation, style and 

originality surge through the menus as freely as fine wine 

flows from a sommelier’s hand. 

UNESCO City of Design 

With memories of New France swirling among the ultramodern 

construction, it’s no wonder that Montréal was 

the first North American city to be declared a UNESCO 

City of Design (2006). Once the ships drop anchor, passengers 

can explore the thrilling city life that lies behind 

the impressive skyline of the grand 19th-century graystone 

buildings. 

Visitors can stroll through the winding cobblestone 

streets of the historical city, past horse-drawn carriages, 

art galleries and museums, chic boutiques, and vintage 

coffee shops, and across to the dynamic business 

district of the Quartier International to the effervescence 

of the compact and creative city center. 

An Unparalleled Experience 

After spending some time here, without the city’s complex 

mix of flavors—ethnicity, culture, language, ideas, 

and cuisine complemented by warm camaraderie and 

sheer joie-de-vivre, anywhere else just seems bland. 

For details, visit www.bonjourquebec.com/cruises. 

PHOTO BY STÈPHAN POULIN


Cruise the majestic St. Lawrence River 

and you’ll find a world of culture, history and 

beauty. From the bustling streets of Montréal 

to the breathtaking landscape of 

the Saguenay Fjord, it’s a journey that 

should be experienced by all. 

bonjourquebec.com/cruises 

ONTARIO 

QUÉBEC 

Trois-Rivières 

Montréal 

New York 

Saguenay 

Québec City 

UNITED STATES 

Boston 

Baie-Comeau 

Sept-Îles 

Gaspésie 

NEW 

BRUNSWICK 

Havre-Saint-Pierre 

NOVA SCOTIA 

Îles-de-la-Madeleine 

PRINCE EDWARD 

ISLAND 

ATLANTIC OCEAN 

NEWFOUNDLAND 

AND LABRADOR


Viking River Cruises 

ON JUNE 30, 2011, Viking River Cruises, 

the world’s leading river cruise line, held a christening 

ceremony for the 188-passenger Viking Prestige in Amsterdam. 

Janice Farrar-Titus, wife of the late renowned 

cruise industry innovator Warren Titus and the ship’s 

godmother, officially named the 443-foot vessel with 

a traditional breaking of a bottle of champagne. The 

launch of Viking Prestige represents the first phase of 

Viking’s $250 million fleet development program. 

Reminiscent of the design philosophy of the storied 

Royal Viking Line, the concepts have been realized by 

well-known Norwegian maritime architects Yran & Storbraaten, 

designers of The Yachts of Seabourn, Oceania 

and Disney vessels, among others. Viking Prestige is the 

first ship in the fleet to feature the new open-air Aquavit 

Lounge at the bow, where passengers can enjoy a drink 

or meal alfresco. With all-outside staterooms and French 

balconies on both the Upper and Middle decks, the ship 

comes with Viking’s signature décor—or sophisticated, 

understated elegance. 

A Better Way to Explore 

Viking River Cruises Veranda Suites 

offer a full-size veranda and French 

balcony with floor-to-ceiling views. 

Viking also recently unveiled details of six state-ofthe-art 

vessels set to launch for its 2012 sailing season. 

Building on the company’s reputation as the industry 

innovator, Viking Ageir, Viking Embla, Viking Freya, 

Viking Idun, Viking Njord and Viking Odin are the first of 

Viking’s Longships—a new class of vessels marked by 

sophisticated and inviting design coupled with high-tech 

and patent-pending features. 

The new ships are characterized by the long and 

graceful design of ancient Scandinavian vessels and 

were named after key members of the Norse pantheon. 

Scheduled to sail on some of Viking’s most popular 

European itineraries, each of the new Viking Longships 

will be 443 feet (135 meters) long and will have 95 staterooms. 

Representing a $120 million investment, each 

Longship will boast key innovations such as: 

� Two Explorer Suites, which will be the largest river 

cruise suites in Europe at 445 square feet, each with a 

separate living room, bedroom, bathroom, and private 

wraparound veranda offering 270-degree views. 

� Seven 270-square-foot Veranda Suites with fullsize 

verandas in the living room and French balconies in 

the bedroom. 

� 39 Veranda Staterooms with 205-square-foot 

verandas. 

� Sustainability upgrades such as energy-efficient 

hybrid engines, solar panels and an organic herb garden. 

� A new all-weather indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace 

with retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors. 

� Alfresco dining areas on the Upper deck, adjacent 

to the lounge. 

Viking River Cruises pays agents commission on everything 

they sell and the payment is made 29 days prior 

to departure; commissions average more than $1,200 

per booking. Viking also offers many commissionable 

upgrades, including a Travel Protection Plan, land extensions 

and various air programs. 

All itinerary details, dates, pricing and agent benefits 

are available on the company’s travel agent portal, www. 

vikingrivercruises.com/agents. Viking’s all-inclusive pricing 

covers accommodations, all onboard meals, daily 

guided shore excursions, port charges and more. Agents 

who have registered at Viking’s travel agent portal can 

also create their own co-branded Viking website with 

their agency name, contact information, logo and current 

Viking information. For additional details, contact Viking 

River Cruises toll-free at 877-66VIKING (877-668-4546).

NEWEST SHIPS & LARGEST STATEROOMS IN RIVER CRUISING. 

CST: #2052644-40 

Introducing the 2012 Viking Longships: 

Viking Freya Viking Idun Viking Njord Viking Odin 

• Real suites — two full-size rooms with a 

full-size veranda and a French balcony 

• First full-size verandas with full-size 

rooms in Europe 

WE’RE CHANGING 

THE WORLD OF 

RIVER 

CRUISING 

AGAIN. 

• All-weather indoor/outdoor Aquavit 

Terrace for al fresco dining 

• Hybrid engines and solar panels for 

the greenest ship on the river 

And as always, earn commission on every aspect of your clients’ bookings. 

Start earning now, call 1-800-338-1930 or visit vikingrivercruises.com/agents. 

THE WORLD’S LEADING RIVER CRUISE LINE...BY FAR ®

PHOTO BY SUSAN J. YOUNG 


Continued from page 6 

all the latest trends on board 

cruise ships,” says Fee. In 

CLIA’s survey, 51 percent of 

both cruisers and non-cruisers 

polled said they felt a cruise 

came with a much better or 

somewhat better opportunity for 

fine dining than a land vacation. 

AmaVerde has an intimate chef’s 

table restaurant that seats just 24 

and has its own private chef. On the 

ocean side, Celebrity Cruises’ 

(www.cruisingpower.com) Silhouette 

has unveiled the Lawn Club Grill 

alternative restaurant. This summer, 

tantalizing new dishes from 

Holland America Line’s (www. 

hollandamerica.com) Culinary Coun- 

cil are being introduced into main 

dining rooms throughout its fleet. 

Oceania Cruises’ (www.oceaniacruises.com) 

new Marina fields 

a Bon Appetit Culinary Arts Center, 

with many fully equipped guest work 

stations. Such lines as Azamara 

Club Cruises (www.azamaraclubcruises.com) 

and many luxury lines 

offer vineyard shore excursions. 

Lure of the New Ships 

“There are many new ships at sea 

and no matter the category, these 

ships continue to draw a big fol- 

lowing thanks to their innovative 

features,” says Jeffrey Anderson, 

vice president, marketing, Avoya 

Travel/American Express 

(www.avoyatravel.com). Twelve 

percent of consumers polled in the 

recent CLIA study cited “the ship” 

as a key influencer for selecting a 

specific cruise vacation. “When it 

comes to 2012, we’re booking a lot 

of [cruises],” says Kaplan. “A lot of 

people want to do the newer ships 

such as Oasis of the Seas or Allure 

of the Seas.” He adds that consumers 

need to book early as the hottest 

ships sell out fast. 

Seatrade’s order book lists seven 

cruise ships launching in 2012: 

Carnival Breeze, Costa Fascinosa, 

Holland America’s Veendam visits 

Alaska, the second most desired 

destination for consumers’ next cruise. 

Disney Fantasy, Oceania Riviera, 

MSC Divina, Celebrity Reflection and 

one German-market ship. 

Shifting Destination Desires 

This summer, cruise lines have experienced 

booking “softness” in parts 

of the Mediterranean, due to more 

cruise capacity, civil unrest and high 

airfares. Continuing violence along 

the Mexican border also lessened 

demand for Mexican Riviera cruises. 

In a recent earnings report, Royal 

Caribbean cited strong demand for 

the Caribbean, Alaska and northern 

Europe. Consumers polled in the 

CLIA study said the Caribbean was 

their top “next cruise” region, followed 

by Alaska and the Bahamas. 

Fourth was Hawaii, followed by 

Bermuda, the Mediterranean/Greek 

Isles, Europe in general, the Panama 

Canal, Canada/New England and 

Mexico. 

CruiseOne and Cruise Inc.’s Wall 

anticipates “the hottest trends in 

2012 to be Italy, Spain and South 

America.” Several lines have announced 

more cruising from Australia 

and New Zealand. 

Continued Growth in 

Family Cruising 

CLIA’s survey found that at least 

one-third of adults travel with 

children. “Royal Caribbean and 

Norwegian Cruise Line’s new mega 

ships provide endless activities and 

entertainment, even partnering with 

top names in entertainment like 

DreamWorks and Nickelodeon,” 

notes Anderson. 

“In the coming year, we will 

continue to see a rise in family and 

multigenerational family travel,” Anderson 

believes. Crystal Cruises 

(www.crystalcruises.com) recently 

introduced a more robust Crystal 

Family Memories program for Hanukkah, 

Christmas and New Year’s 

holiday travel. 

Home Port Cruising Evolves 

Despite pull-outs or service reductions 

at some West Coast cities and 

at Mobile, AL, home port cruising 

generally is prospering. “Travelers 

love to cruise and like it even more 

when they can drive to the ship,” 

says Anderson. 

“Some people do not want to 

fly, but they still have options,” 

says Cruise Holidays of Marlboro’s 

Kaplan, citing Celebrity Silhouette’s 

winter Caribbean voyages from 

Cape Liberty in Bayonne, NJ. Also, 

Disney Cruise Line (www. 

disneytravelagents.com) will 

homeport its new Disney Fantasy, 

Continued on page 16

ADVERTORIAL 

Cruises to 

CLASSICAL 

Civilizations 

VOYAGES TO ANTIQUITY has announced 

a host of highlights for the 2012 itineraries 

to remnants of classical civilizations, including 

pre-and/or post-cruise hotel packages, new destinations 

and FREE airfare from over 60 North American 

gateways, if booked by December 31. 

Inspired Journeys and Expert Lecturers 

Whether it is classical Greece, the legacy of Sicily, or the 

ancient Byzantine splendor of Istanbul, the voyages reveal 

the amazing cultural influences across the region. Guest 

lecturers bring to life the Mediterranean’s history and its 

art and architecture as it was thousands of years ago. 

New Destinations 

Six new itineraries expand the offerings in the Western 

Mediterranean, including calls at Barcelona and the 

beautiful French Riviera, featuring Cannes, Marseilles, 

Avignon, Arles, and Carcassonne. New for winter 2012- 

13: Discover the antiquities of the Far East. 

Boutique-Style Cruising 

Aegean Odyssey is a four-star premium-class ship specifically 

selected for coastal cruising to the small inlets 

of the Mediterranean. The ship’s 350 guests benefit from 

small-ship cruising with more ports per itinerary, extra 

time in port, an up close and personal destination experience 

and open-seating dining. 

Extraordinary Value 

Cruise fares start at $3,750 per person, including pre- 

and/or post-hotel stays; shore excursions; gratuities to 

shipboard staff; and wine, beer, and soft drinks at dinner. 

After December 31, air is FREE from a selection of East 

Coast gateways and $99 and $199 from the Midwest 

and West, including transfers and porterage. 

15 

Aegean Odyssey sails past 

Mount Vesuvius in Italy. 

VOYAGES TO 

ANTIQUITY 

Cruises to Classical Civilizations 2012 

FARES INCLUDE: 

• SHORE EXCURSIONS 

• GRATUITIES 

• PRE- AND/OR POST- 

CRUISE HOTEL STAYS 

• WINE WITH DINNER 

• TRANSFERS 

• EXPERT 

LECTURE 

PROGRAM 

MEDITERRANEAN 

& THE ADRIATIC 

From monumental Sicily to the 

Venetian Empire. Extraordinary 

cruise-tour itineraries 

from $3,795pp 

AEGEAN, TURKEY 

& THE BLACK SEA 

Ancient Greece to the treasures 

of Turkey and the sites of the Crimean 

War. Historic cruise-tour itineraries 

from $3,750pp 

ITALY, SOUTHERN 

FRANCE & SPAIN 

Exciting voyages combining the best 

of Italy with the French Rivera and 

Catalonia. New cruise-tour itineraries 

from $4,295pp 

BOOK BY DECEMBER 31, 2011 & SAVE 

FREE AIR 

from over 60 North American gateways 

SPECIAL SINGLE PRICING 

on select departures 

ORDER OUR 

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TODAY 

VOYAGES TOANTIQUITY 

Call 1-877-398-1460 

Visit www.voyagestoantiquity.com 

Prices are per person, double occupancy cat N. Free to $199 air (and transfers) applicable with cruise-tour purchase only 

and do not include government taxes, fees and airline fuel surcharges ($500-$700), which may change at any time. 

All offers are subject to availability, capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. Ship’s Registry: Malta.

PHOTO BY TAUCK 


Continued from page 14 

launching next spring, at Port 

Canaveral, FL, and will homeport 

Disney Magic at Galveston 

and New York in 2012, while 

Carnival Cruise Lines 

(www.goccl.com) will launch its 

first year-round Caribbean and 

Bahamas program from New York 

in April 2012. 

Desire for Small-Ship 

Ocean Adventures 

“Clients are looking for a different 

cruise experience than the big 

ships and crowded dining rooms,” 

says Margie Jordan, travel agent 

and CEO, Jordan Executive Travel 

Service, Jacksonville, FL. 

Voyages to Antiquity’s 

(http://us.voyagestoantiquity.com) 

Aegean Odyssey, for example, offers 

a 10-hour shore excursion from 

Kusadasi, Turkey (included in the 

cruise fare), that takes guests by 

motorcoach to the ancient Roman 

city of Aphrodisias, 180 miles inland. 

Guests tour stunning ruins rivaling 

those at Ephesus, minus the 

crowds. Departing December 26, 

a 12-day Celebrations in the Arctic 

vacation on Hurtigruten’s (www. 

hurtigruten.us) Trollfjord rings in the 

New Year with a roundtrip itinerary 

from Bergen, including dinner ashore 

in Honningsvag and New Year’s Eve 

festivities in the North Cape. 

Development of Non- 

North American Sourcing 

While North American markets are 

still immature—meaning there is still 

tremendous growth potential—international 

sourcing markets are still 

in their infancy. But the potential is 

great. In August, Carnival Corp. 

(www.carnivalcorp.com) ordered 

three new ships, two for its AIDA 

brand—catering to the Germanspeaking 

market—and one 132,500ton 

vessel for Costa Cruises 

(www.costacruises.com). 

And it’s not just new ship growth. 

Deployments, too, reflect a more 

global approach. Royal Caribbe- 

Demand for river cruises is 

growing. Tauck’s Treasures is one 

of the new ships plying Europe’s 

waterways. 

an International (www.cruisingpower.com) 

will replace Brilliance of 

the Seas in Dubai with Serenade of 

the Seas for winter 2012-13, to build 

that market with a different ship. 

Push for More 

Onboard Revenue 

All lines have created more activity 

options both on board and ashore. 

Many carry a fee. Some passengers 

love it; others call it “a way for us 

to spend more money on board.” 

While onboard revenue is crucial to 

contemporary and premium cruise 

lines, clients seeking a special-occasion 

meal often happily pay $30 per 

person for a high-quality alternative 

dining experience they couldn’t get 

on land for the same price. Specialty 

coffee bars and retail stores also 

succeed on board because consumers 

can’t get enough of such brands 

as Starbucks, iPad or Coach. 

Aggressive Actions to 

Find New Guests 

Lines are aggressively seeking out 

agents to locate new cruise guests 

to fill the increased industry capacity. 

Vacation.com is now an outlet and a 

supplier for selling MSC Cruises 

(www.msccruisesusa.com). 

Many agents say more needs to 

be done to educate potential clients. 

In CLIA’s survey, 48 percent of cruisers 

said websites and online retailers 

provided the best pricing versus 17 

percent who said traditional travel 

agents did. The numbers are even 

worse—62 percent and 13 percent, 

respectively—when among noncruisers. 

And while some so-called 

online retailers are agency groups 

and, yes, certain agencies do charge 

fees for complex services, it’s not 

a good sign that the public assumes 

any trip to a brick-and-mortar 

agency will cost more. 

Rabid Use of New 

Communication Channels 

CLIA says agents must keep stressing 

their value. Industry experts also 

recommend agents communicate 

through channels that younger 

clients use, such as social networking 

sites. Norwegian Cruise 

Line (www.ncl.com) will host its first 

tweet-up at sea on November 18, 

and CLIA discussed the recent study 

results with agents on Facebook last 

month. 

In CLIA’s survey, 32 percent 

of consumers cited an increased 

awareness of cruise vacations in the 

past year or two; that’s four times 

the number that cited decreased 

awareness. As awareness builds, so 

do opportunities. Based on feedback 

from travel agents and many 

cruise lines, CLIA’s World’s Largest 

Cruise Night is now a longer promotion, 

called National Cruise Vacation 

Week, slated for October 17-23. 

Travel agents may register their 

participation at www.cruising.org/ 

travelagents.

ADVERTORIAL 

CRUISE Travel Planner 

GULF CRUISE 

GETAWAYS 

Royal Caribbean brings new ships to Gulf of Mexico ports. 

GULF COAST cruisers will 

have a broad selection of innovative 

ships and exciting itineraries 

to choose from this fall as Royal 

Caribbean International brings 

new options out of Galveston, TX; 

Tampa; and for the first time in four 

years, New Orleans. 

Starting in November, guests 

can set sail on the largest ship to 

ever cruise from the Big Easy. The 

137,000-ton, 14-deck Voyager of the 

Seas is an unprecedented adventure, 

weighing 65,000 tons more 

than the last vessel Royal Caribbean 

home-ported in New Orleans. It is 

also the only ship from New Orleans 

that features a rock-climbing 

wall, ice-skating rink, and the Royal 

Promenade—a signature multi-deck, 

Main Street-style mall filled with 

shops, bars and cafés. 

The addition of New Orleans to 

Royal Caribbean’s lineup of destinations 

gives visitors the chance to extend 

their stay and embrace the traditions 

exclusive to this soulful city. 

Before or after setting sail, guests 

can room at historical boutique hotels, 

catch a live jazz set, and savor 

local French Creole cuisine in the 

world-famous French Quarter. It’s the 

perfect cultural prelude or follow-up 

to Voyager’s 7-night Western Caribbean 

itinerary visiting George Town, 

Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; 

and Falmouth, Jamaica—a historical 

jewel restored in part by Royal 

Caribbean, and conveniently situated 

between Ocho Rios and Montego 

Bay, giving visitors a choice of more 

than 65 excursions. 

New Orleans Mayor Mitch 

Landrieu says the return of the 

cruise line to the city’s port was 

“another milestone” in the city’s 

Mariner of the Seas will sail to 

Belize, Honduras and Mexico 

from Galveston, TX. 

recovery. “The Voyager of the Seas 

gives visitors another opportunity 

to experience Louisiana’s vibrant 

culture before or after setting off on 

their cruise,” he says. 

Also cruising the Gulf coast is 

another Voyager-class wonder—the 

Mariner of the Seas from Texas’ 

Galveston. As Royal Caribbean’s 

westernmost ship in the continental 

U.S., it brings a next-level cruise 

experience to the Lone Star State 

with floor-to-ceiling windows, an 

adults-only Solarium pool, ice 

skating, rock climbing, the Royal 

Promenade, Vintages wine bar and 

Johnny Rockets, the 1950s-style 

diner restaurant. In addition to the 

same seven-night cruise itinerary 

featured in New Orleans, it also sails 

a second exotic voyage to explore 

the beautiful Central American port 

of Belize City, Belize; island paradise 

Roatán, Honduras; and guest-favorite 

Cozumel, Mexico. 

Finally, Gulf Coast cruise enthu- 

siasts can also opt for a voyage on 

Jewel of the Seas, a Radiance-class 

ship from Tampa. Jewel will offer 

convenient four- and five-night getaways 

to Western Caribbean destinations 

Costa Maya and Cozumel, 

Mexico. This class of ship is best 

known for its incredible nine-story 

glass atrium, glass elevators overlooking 

the sea, and diverse dining 

options, among other signature offerings. 

Tampa’s location gives visitors 

the opportunity to extend their 

vacation at nearby theme parks, or 

at Tampa Bay’s top-rated beaches, 

before or after they cruise. 

Royal Caribbean’s expanding 

presence in the Gulf region should 

attract and satisfy both existing 

and new cruisers given the company’s 

recent accolades such as 

“Best Cruise Line Overall” (Travel 

Weekly), “Best Cruise Ships” (Frommer’s 

2011) and “Best for Families” 

(CruiseCritic.com). To learn more, 

visit www.cruisingpower.com. 

17

ICE-SKATING RINK 

FEATURES 

THE BEST CRUISE LINE OVERALL COMES TO 

THE GULF COAST 

VITALITY℠ SPA 

VOYAGER OF THE SEAS® 

from NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana 

đŏ !ġ/' 0%*#ŏ.%*' 

đŏ + 'ġ (%) %*#ŏ3 (( 

đŏ *ġ(%*!ŏ/' 0%*# 

đŏ +5 (ŏ .+)!* !ŏĨ+,!*ŏĂąŏ$+1./ĩ 

đŏ +$**5ŏ + '!0/ĲŏęĆĀ/ġ/05(!ŏ.!/0 1. *0 

đŏ +.0+üŏ*+ŏ 0 (% *ŏ !/0 1. *0 

SPECIALTY DINING 

MARINER OF THE SEAS® 

from GALVESTON, Texas 

đŏ $+,/ŏ .%((! 

đŏ %*0 #!/ŏ3%*!ŏ . 

đŏ +(!.+/ŏ 0%*ġ0$!)!ŏ(+1*#! 

đŏĊġ$+(!ŏ)%*% 01.!ŏ#+("ŏ +1./! 

đŏ %0 (%05℠ŏ , ŏ * ŏ %0*!//ŏ !*0!. 

đŏ 1((ġ/%6!ŏ /'!0 ((ŏ +1.0 

JEWEL OF THE SEAS® 

from TAMPA, Florida 

đŏ + 'ġ (%) %*#ŏ3 (( 

đŏ +.0+üŏ*+ŏ 0 (% *ŏ !/0 1. *0 

đŏ $+,/ŏ .%((! 

đŏŏ $!ŏ +(+*5ŏ (1 Čŏ ŏ1*%-1!ŏ .%0%/$ŏ +(+*% (ġ 

/05(!ŏ(+1*#!ŏ3%0$ŏ/!("ġ(!2!(%*#ŏ,++(ŏ0 (!/ 

đŏ ! 10%"1(ŏ%* ++.ŏ +( .%1) 

This fall, Royal Caribbean brings the most innovative ships ever to the Gulf Coast. That’s the Royal Advantage℠ , 

our commitment to provide the best ships, features, destinations and personalized service to our guests. 

%/%0ŏwww.creative.rccl.com/GulfCoast 0+ŏ(! .*ŏ)+.!ċ 

USA 

GALVESTON 

GULF OF 

MEXICO 

NEW ORLEANS 

COZUMEL 

COSTA MAYA 

BELIZE CITY 

MEXICO 

ROATAN 

PORTS-OF-CALL 

PORT OF DEPARTURE 

PRISTINE BEACHES 

*Map depicts select 7-Night Western Caribbean itineraries. Go to CruisingPower.com for a complete list of itineraries. Itineraries subject to change without notice. ©2011 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships’ registry: The Bahamas. 11024173 

FEATURES 

TAMPA 

GRAND 

CAYMAN 

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INTRODUCING THE COMPLETELY REFURBISHED VIKING FLEET IN RUSSIA. 

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offer the newest, most comfortable ships with the largest, most elegant staterooms on Russia’s rivers. Viking Rurik will launch in 

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transformation of all four vessels in Viking’s Russian fleet. To commemorate our Viking heritage and Russian history, the four ships 

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Viking Ingvar – previously Viking Pakhomov 

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PULSE 

THE 

If you’re looking for a new and unique way to 

see the French Riviera, we say the waterways 

could be your option. Lov Hotel Collection, 

which brought us the Chalet Ormello, Chalet 

de Pierres and Les Airelles in Courchevel, 

has branched out into mega-yachts, and the M.Y. 

Yogi (www.yogiyacht.net) is now sailing between 

Monaco and Cannes. Bragging Rights: The Yogi is 

the first yacht over 500 tons to be launched under 

the French flag. 

Available for weeklong rentals, the 200-foot 

vessel was unveiled earlier this year. We say it could 

work well for families and small groups of up to 12, 

thanks to its 8,600-square-feet of living space, nearly 

5,400-square-feet of outdoor space and eight roomy 

cabins. The master takes up the entire width of the 

bow on the main deck and can be accessed by a 

private entrance. It has two bathrooms (one of which 

THE MAIN AFT DECK is the perfect spot to take in the views—or even a swim. 

THE GUEST MASTER BEDROOM (below) onboard the M.Y. Yogi is spacious and thoroughly modern. 

M.Y. Yogi Yacht 


has a TV integrated in a mirror and a dressing room 

lit by a skylight). 

The yacht’s design touches sound divine, with 

furnishings covered in linen, cotton or silk, or topstitched 

white leather. Cool Touch: The ceilings are 

overlaid with leather. 

Francophiles, rejoice: All the hospitality products 

are by Hermès, the air freshener is by Blaise Mautin 

and the crockery, china and glassware are supplied by 

Bernardaud, Coquet and Baccarat. 

Outdoors, guests can relax in the Jacuzzi or in 

the freshwater heated pool, which has an infinity 

edge, a glass bottom, a sun deck and two central 

island-style lounges. And if a dip in the sea is in 

order, you can use the two Cayago Seabobs, borrow 

the yacht’s snorkeling gear or hop on one of the two 

Jet Skis. 

Onboard, the main lounge’s home theater area 

has a giant screen surrounded by immense windows—travelers 

can decide for themselves if they’d 

rather watch the waves or the movie. (Games and 

consoles are also available—ideal for a rainy day!) 

Good for business travelers: The yacht is equipped 

with satellite TV and Wi-Fi. The ultra-mellow 

Beach Club offers direct access to the sea. 


HOT LEADS 

Ritz-Carlton Hotels of the 

Caribbean & Mexico named 

Bernd Kuhlen (Bernd. 

Kuhlen@ritzcarlton.com) 

as the new GM at The 

Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, 

a resort he’s managed 

before. Meanwhile, Carlos 

Abaunza (Carlos.Abaunza@ 

ritzcalton.com) is the new 

GM at The Ritz-Carlton, 

Cancun; he served most 

recently at the Hilton 

Cancun Golf & Spa Resort. 

www.ritzcarlton.com 

Gramercy Park Hotel in New 

York City, formerly owned 

in part by Ian Schrager, is 

now a member of Design 

Hotels. Bordering on the 

city’s only private park, 

the hotel is famous for its 

rooftop Gramercy Terrace 

and Rose and Jade bars. 

The former 1920s building 

has many distinctive and 

eclectic spaces furnished 

by artist Julian Schnabel. 

www.designhotels.com/ 

gramercy 

Four Seasons Hotels and 

Resorts will open a resort 

at Walt Disney World in 

Florida. Construction starts 

this December, with a 

target opening date in 

2014. At 444 rooms, it will 

be Four Seasons’ largest 

resort. 

www.fourseasons.com 

At the Raffles Paris-Le 

Royal Monceau, Ömer 

Acar (Omer.Acar@Raffles. 

com) is the new general 

manager. He was general 

manager at The Ritz, Paris. 

www.raffles.com

Your private pass to insider 

tips and information 

U U SO CO 

LUXURYTRAVELADVISOR.COM 

LuxuryTravelAdvisor.com provides 

a luxurious look at the top news 

and information you need to stay 

informed and satisfy your affl uent 

clientele. From those need-to-know 

tips and inspiring and educational 

content from Luxury Travel Advisor, 

LuxuryTravelAdvisor.com delivers high- 

quality information on a daily basis. 

The Registry is now downloadable- 

the little black book of luxury 

suppliers is available as your 

essential reference tool. Receive your 

copy at LuxuryTravelAdvisor.com.

VOYAGES T O 

ANTIQUITY 

Cruises to Classical Civilizations 2012 

FARES INCLUDE: 

• SHORE EXCURSIONS 

• GRATUITIES 

• PRE- AND/OR POST- 

CRUISE HOTEL STAYS 

• WINE WITH DINNER 

• TRANSFERS 

• EXPERT LECTURE 

PROGRAM 

ANCIENT GREECE, 

CRETE & SICILY 

Departs: March 18 

11-night cruise ATHENS to ROME 

and 2-night hotel stay in Athens 

from $3,795pp 

TURKEY, GREECE 

& THE GREEK ISLANDS 

Departs: April 22 

9-night cruise ISTANBUL to ATHENS 

and 2-night hotel stays in Istanbul and Athens 

from $4,450pp 

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Departs: May 13 

10-night cruise ATHENS to VENICE 

and 2-night hotel stay in Athens 

from $4,250pp 

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Call 1-877-398-1460 

Visit www.voyagestoantiquity.com 

Prices are per person, double occupancy, cat N. FREE round-trip air (and transfers) applicable with cruise-tour purchase only and does not include 

government taxes, fees and airline fuel surcharges ($500-$700) which may change at any time. Stateroom Savings based on double occupancy 

(singles receive 50%), vary by category and not available on all sailings. Special single pricing applicable to select categories and not available on 

all sailings. All offers are subject to availability, capacity controlled and may be withdrawn at any time. Ship’s Registry: Malta. 


THE PULSE 

New Suites 

and Rooms 

in Prague 

The Four Seasons Hotel 

Prague (www.foursea 

sons.com/prague), a collection 

of three historical buildings 

and one new building on 

the banks of the Vltava River in 

the old city, has unveiled newly 

decorated Presidential Suite in 

the Baroque building and rooms 

in the Modern building. 

Presidential Suite 

The new decór of the Presidential 

Suite is indigenous to the 

THE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE (here 

and above) offers a sumptous level 

of classical elegence. 

architectural style: Think curved 

and sculpted walls, some with 

sgraffito paintings (a centuriesold 

paint and wet plaster 

technique that literally means 

“graffiti”) and Venetian plasters. 

Other nice touches include a 

seating area with a fireplace, a 

piano by the window with river 

views, and a reading corner with 

leather armchairs.. Must See: 

The Czech crystal chandelier and 

hand-painted wall in sgraffito 

style in the suite’s dining room.

The one-, two- or fourbedroom 

Presidential Suite is 

on the second level and offers 

top views of the Vltava River, 

Charles Bridge, Malá Strana and 

Prague Castle from the living 

and dining rooms and the master 

bedroom. Best of all: The entire 

Baroque building can be reserved 

for complete privacy. (Great for 

families and groups, we say.) 

The Modern Building 

Dating from the hotel’s opening 

in 2001, the Modern building 

represents contemporary life 

in the capital. French designer 

Pierre-Yves Rochon, who worked 

on the building, took his inspiration 

from the Austro-Hungarian 

Modernista style of the 1920s 

and 1930s. Two color options 

for the new rooms are featured: 

a hint of turquoise accentuates a 

palette of black, grey, white and 

chrome, and warm rust accentuates 

a palette of taupe, brown 

and chrome. Both options have 

Bohemian crystal elements and 

Modernista features to honor the 

Czech aesthetic, while black-andwhite 

photos of old Prague evoke 

a residential ambiance. The 

Modern building has nine room 

categories for guests who prefer a 

more contemporary environment 

for their stay. 

Five-Year Project 

These developments, along with 

the already completed renovation 

of the Lobby and Renaissance 

building, are part of a five-year 

project that will also involve 

remodeling of Classical building. 

Redesign of the hotel’s restaurant 

is scheduled for completion in 

the winter of 2012. 


reach out to General Manager 

Rene Beauchamp (rene.beauchamp@fourseasons.com). 


cloud nine. now booking. 

EXCLUSIVE ROOMS. 

EXCLUSIVE SERVICE. EXCLUSIVE VIEW. 

APPROACHABLE RATES. 

A MEMBER OF 

212 371 4000 helmsleyparklane.com 

Amadeus: NYCHPL | Worldspan: NYCHP | Sabre: 10742 

Apollo/Galileo: 08493 | Chain Code: XL 


THE PULSE 

Le Royal Monceau, Raffles 

[[ 

ALL-INCLUSIVE PREMIUM EXPERIENCE 


State-of-the-Art Ships | Luxurious Staterooms 

Gourmet Dining | Enriching Shore Excursions 

Nightly Onboard Entertainment 

Complimentary Internet & Movies 

Call AMAWATERWAYS at 800.626.0126 

or visit WWW.AMAWATERWAYS.COM 

Big news out of Paris: Le Royal 

Monceau, Raffles Paris (www. 

raffles.com/paris) has opened its 

highly anticipated spa, designed by living 

style legend Philippe Starck. The whiteon-white 

retreat was conceived entirely by 

the designer—from the custom furnishings 

and wall of framed mirrors to the glittering 

swimming pool measuring 92 feet in length, 

the largest of any hotel in Paris. The first 

spa from My Blends by Clarins has seven 

treatment rooms, a fitness center with all 

the latest equipment, and separate relaxation 

rooms for men and women each featuring a 

hammam, ice fountain, laconium, sauna, and 

shower experience. Personal trainers and pool 

coaches are available. 

Olivier Courtin developed My Blend for 

Clarins, a range of fully customizable skincare 

products designed for the individual needs of 

every skin type at every age. Best of all: The 

bespoke facial treatments are exclusive to Le 

Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris. Starting with an 

in-depth skin analysis to determine the biological 

age of the skin, the treatment includes an 

expert application of personalized products by 

My Beauty Coach, and finishes off with a Clarins 

makeup session. Each guest also receives a 

two-week supply of their personalized skincare 

products My Blend Day and Night Essentials 

with Emergency Boosters. 

For more details on this luxury hotel, see 

our feature in our November 2010 issue. 

—Mary Winston Nicklin 

THE POOL (above) features designer Phippe 

Starck’s iconic white-on-whie color scheme. 

SAUNAS (here) for men and women are 

matched with hammams and an ice fountain.

Le Cirque 

Opens at 

The Leela Palace 

Already central to the 

haute cuisine scene in 

New York and Las Vegas, 

Le Cirque is taking its talents 

east to India. We hear that The 

Leela Palace New Delhi (www. 

theleela.com) has debuted the 

first Asian outpost of the iconic 

American restaurant group. 

The 144-seat restaurant sits 

on the 10th floor of the hotel 

and boasts an open kitchen with 

a Chef’s Table, a bar and lounge, 

alfresco seating and three dining 

rooms. Nice Touch: Like the 

American originals, India’s Le 

Cirque is decked out with photos 

of founder Sirio Maccioni rubbing 

elbows with the international 

elite (think Paris Hilton, 

Woody Allen, Bill Clinton and 

Pope John Paul II). 

Enthusiasts will be delighted 

to see the menu complete with 

signature favorites such as Sirio’s 

Pasta Primavera, Mama Egi’s 

Ravioli, Tuna in Pistachio Crust, 

Paupiette of Black Cod, Crème 

Brûlée and Floating Island “Le 

Cirque.” Touch of India: A selec- 

tion of vegetarian options has 

been added to the menu, as well. 

Best of all for dedicated oenophiles: 

The extensive wine list 

includes over 80 Italian and 100 

French wines. 


reach out to Director of Sales 

and Marketing Amit Chopra 

(amit.chopra@theleela.com) for 

further information. 

—Meagan Drillinger 

Introducing a NEW Endeavour for Alaska 2012 

Inclusive 8 Day/ 7 Night Roundtrip Juneau 

Yacht-Style Adventures Aboard the 

Fully Renovated 86-Guest 

Safari Endeavour 

Included premium spirits, wine bar, massage, sauna, hot tubs, two-room 

balcony suites, kayaking, paddle boarding, skiff exploration, hiking, and more! 

Featuring 

2-days in 

Glacier Bay 

1-888-862-8881 

AmericanSafariCruises.com 

LUXURY IN THE PURSUIT OF ADVENTURE 

Alaska’s Inside Passage • Hawaiian Islands • Mexico’s Sea of Cortés • Columbia & Snake Rivers • Pacific Northwest

THE PULSE 

The Guerlain Spa at 

The Waldorf=Astoria New York 

Spa devotees will love the 

recently unveiled features 

at The Guerlain Spa at 

The Waldorf=Astoria New York 

(www.guerlainspa.com). The 

revamped spa reopened in August 

and Luxury Travel Advisor was on 

hand to check it out. 

New at the spa are a locally 

sourced Seasonal Spa Food & 

Beverage Menu; access to one 

of New York’s top-tier boutique 

gyms; and—our favorite—the 

new Abeille Royale Expert 

Treatment facial. We snuggled 

down into a cozy spa bed for this 

80-minute ritual, which includes 

a microdermabrasion and massage 

with warm plant infusions. 

The treatment, recommended 

BECOME A 

TAJ HOTELS RESORTS AND PALACES SPECIALIST 

You have probably heard about legendary Indian hospitality, but we invite you to 

discover firsthand why Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces sets the world standard for 

excellent service and rich heritage. As a Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces Specialist 

you’ll become fully versed on the iconic properties in unique destinations that 

have redefined the art of hospitality. Once you graduate, cash in on Taj Rewards, 

giving you the opportunity to experience the same luxurious Taj experience as 

your clients! 

EXCLUSIVE GRADUATE BENEFITS INCLUDE: 

• Comprehensive guide to the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces exotic portfolio 

• Exclusive sales and marketing tools 

• Loyalty rewards programs including monthly prizes 

• Downloadable diploma confirming your status as a Taj Hotels Resorts and 

Places Specialist 

• 2 Continuing Education Units (CEU) from the The Travel Institute for 

qualified agents 

We look forward to welcoming you as a Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces Specialist 

and to welcoming your guests at the Taj! 

GO TO LUXURYTRAVELU.COM TODAY! 

for a younger clientele, promotes 

key mechanisms of the healing 

process within the skin to 

help repair wrinkles and tissue 

firmness. Tip: We suggest booking 

therapist Maria D. for this 

treatment. Afterwards, we felt 

awakened and refreshed, and our 

skin absolutely glowed. 

Sitting on the 19th floor of 

the iconic New York hotel, The 

Guerlain Spa is ice-castle-chic at 

its best (think whites, grays and 

creams highlighted with hanging 

crystals and Diamonte tile). The 

14,000-square-foot space has 

16 treatment rooms, consisting 

of 13 dry rooms and three wet 

therapy suites (for hydrotherapy 

and Vichy showers). The relaxation 

lounges offer views of Park 

Avenue and Manhattan. 

For details, luxury travel advisors 

can call Spa Director Denise 

Vitiello (212-872-7200). 

Make your VIP’s spa experience 

even more luxurious with a 

stay in Waldorf Towers’ Presidential 

Suite. Every sitting American 

President since Herbert Hoover 

calls this suite home when in 

town. —Meagan Drillinger 

Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad

FOOT FODDER 

Stiletto junkies know the havoc 

that these sexy heels can wreak 

on dainty feet. We suggest 

slipping into CitySlips (www. 

cityslips.com), a durable and 

stylish foldable flat that can take 

you from party to party without 

sacrificing style. The new 

CitySlips Luxe line will debut 

this holiday season exclusively 

at Neiman Marcus. We love 

the look (think black, charcoal 

and brown with accompanying 

pouch). Want something sexier? 

We suggest the Genuine Leather 

CitySlips Luxe collection, which 

comes in black, gold, silver and 

leopard, as well as in a Snakeskin 

print in black, brown and grey. 

Deluxe Distillery 

JETSET REPORT 

One of Scotland’s most popular whisky (not 

“whiskey”—that’s Irish) distilleries has unveiled 

a $1.6 million makeover. The Dalmore Visitor 

Experience (www.thedalmore.com) features 

several contemporary touches while paying homage 

to its 170-year history of producing awardwinning 

single-malt whisky. Tucked away at Cromarty Firth (20 miles north of Inverness), the 

distillery now has LED lighting that, we hear, is designed to evoke fire and warmth, and hidden 

doors with a secret entrance leading to The Alchemy Room for tasting. 

HAUTE HOSTS 

Boutique Burgers 

The hamburger is climbing the 

ranks of haute cuisine. What 

once started as a meal of the 

masses has evolved into an art of 

both preparation and indulgence. 

At least, that’s how Chef Robert 

Gerstenecker of Park 75 at the 

Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta 

(www.fourseasons.com/atlanta) 

feels. Gerstenecker has whipped 

up Chef G’s Burger Bar, inviting 

up to 16 random lunch-timers 

into the kitchen on Wednesdays 

for an exclusive burger bonanza, where diners can 

make their selection from the Burger Menu of the 

Day. The menu options will change weekly and will 

remain a secret until diners are seated. 

Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood 

Resort (www.lasventanas.com) has raised 

the bar on white-glove service by adding 

a new dimension to its Airport Hosts 

program. Now, the Airport Hosts have 

been certified by the San Jose del Cabo 

International Airport, allowing them to 

escort guests through the actual security 

process, and then into a new private VIP 

Airport Lounge. The new VIP lounge, in 

Terminal 1, offers plush sitting areas, Wi-Fi 

and unlimited light dining and beverages 

(yes, that includes libations for the over-21 

set). A similar lounge will open in Terminal 

2 in November.

LUXURY TRAVEL EXPO 

Knowledge is Key 

to Earning More 

The other day, I was talking with a colleague about an 

annual conference we attend together. I find these 

conferences to be useful in catching up with colleagues 

and vendors while learning about the latest tools and 

techniques. They are a great refresher on the latest marketing 

tactics as well as products I can use in next year’s marketing 

campaigns. In fact, the 2010 conference was where I found ideas on 

how to utilize social media for lead generation. 

I attend events because they teach me to do my job better 

and help me be a better marketer. It also enables me to grow my 

network of contacts through networking. (And it doesn’t hurt that 

they have evening functions that are laid-back and conducive to 

simply letting loose.) 

How do you get your education? What do you do to keep on top 

of the latest ship you can offer your clients? How do you research 

new revenue streams? What can you provide that is outside the norm 

to your clients? How do you keep it all straight? 

This year, we are happy to inject some new initiatives into Luxury 

Travel Expo. First, we moved the start time to 9 a.m., allowing 

us to provide you with more education time. Make sure your travel 

arrangements give you plenty of time to arrive in Las Vegas. Next, 

we moved our General Sessions to the afternoon for those of you 

finding it hard to wake up early after a long night out on the town. 

In addition, we moved them to Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons 

so we can provide you with more learning opportunities on Thursday. 

The Wednesday Learning Luncheon, a hybrid of our popular 

Thursday General Session, is a chance to relax and rejuvenate before 

an afternoon on the trade show floor. 

Thursday brings us to our “Fast Track” afternoon, which was 

born to give you the maximum return on your time at Luxury 

Travel Expo. These rapid-fire programs include four hard-hitting 

educational programs on Travel Insurance, Luxury Marketing on a 

Shoestring Budget, Consultative Selling and Customer Service, and 

Online Reputation Management and Branding. Plus, we bring you 

marketing unlike any you have ever seen—in roundtable format, 

learning from the best gurus in the industry. 

You spoke, and we listened. We added more educational opportunities 

than Luxury Travel Expo has ever provided. Take all that 

learning back to your office so you can earn more from this profitable 

niche. Don’t miss a step. Registered advisors can create their 

own personal conference schedule by adding seminars in their LTE 

Connect account. View the website and start planning today. 

Bernadette Mari (bmari@questex.com) is the senior marketing 

manager for Luxury Travel Expo. 


Apply for a hosted position during 

Luxury Travel Exchange 

The application process for the second annual Luxury Travel 

Exchange, to be held on December 6, lets you pre-schedule 

one-to-one with suppliers based on your interest. The event is 

perfect for advisors looking to maximize their time and forge 

relationships with suppliers, learn about new products and offerings 

or receive updates from suppliers in an intimate setting. Go 

to LuxuryTravelExpo.com/Exchange for details and to apply. 

Save 35 percent on your stay 

Rooms are selling out in the Luxury Travel Expo room block, 

available exclusively through Par Avion. Don’t miss out on the 

low $129-per-night room rate and the exclusive offers only 

Luxury Travel Expo can provide. 

ENJOY DISCOUNTED TICKETS to Disney’s The 

Lion King, an exclusive rate to Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL 

World Tour by Cirque du Soleil, special offers for Charlie Palmer’s 

Aureole and Hubert Keller’s Fleur and restaurants and retailers in 

the Shoppes at Mandalay Place. 

Experience Extraordinary October 

Launched in May, the Experience Extraordinary program has 

over $200,000 worth of prizes for agents monthly, including 

luxe trips around the world, MGM Resorts International vacation 

packages, gift cards from Shop Las Vegas and more. 

REGISTER AND RESERVE YOUR STAY in our 

housing block to be eligible to win more than $4,000 in gift cards 

from Shop Las Vegas. This is a great way to enjoy your time 

at Luxury Travel Expo with a shopping spree at Fashion Show, 

Miracle Mile, The Shoppes at The Palazzo, Fashion Outlets of 

Las Vegas, Grand Canal Shoppes and more. 

The Signature Event for the Luxury Travel Industry 

Host Hotel: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino 

December 6-8, 2011 

Registration and housing open at 

www.LuxuryTravelExpo.com

It’s time to celebrate the travel experiences 

that wooed, wowed and won your clients over. 

BEST IN CLASS 

Cruise Line for Luxury 

Ocean Cruises 

Cruise Line for Luxury 

Small Ships 

Luxury River 

Cruise Company 

Local Destination 

Management Company 

Chauffeured Services 

Worldwide 

Travel App 

Spa in a Luxury 

Hotel/Resort 

LUXE ACCOMODATIONS 

Luxury Hotel 

Resort Worldwide 

Reinvented Classic 

Luxury Hotel Resort 

Worldwide 

New Luxury Resort 

Hotel in Europe 

New Luxury Hotel 

Resort in Asia 

New Luxury Hotel 

Resort in North 

America 

AWARDS GALA TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6TH LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 

RSVP at LuxuryTravelAdvisor.com/AwardsofExcellence2011 today! 

READER’S CHOICE 

new to 2011 

Restaurant in a Luxury 

Hotel/Resort Worldwide 

Luxury Family 

Resort Worldwide 

VOTE for your personal favorite at 

LuxuryTravelAdvisor.com/AwardsOfExcellence2011 

Top General Manager

SIGHTINGS 

From Southern California to Ireland and 

on to Athens, Greece, we spot out our colleagues 

around the globe enjoying some decidedly 

ultra-luxury moments. 

1. LUXURY TRAVEL EXPO and Luxury Travel Advisor recently hosted a luncheon for travel executives in southern California. 

Shown here are Mark Phillips of The Resort at Pelican Hill and Danielle Cirami Gillis of Questex Media Group 2. SEATED: RENEE 

TAO, Island Hotel at Newport Beach and Charles Harris, Luxe Hotels and Danielle Cirami Gillis of Questex Media Group. Standing Patti 

Perez, The Resort at Pelican Hill and Danielle Cirami Gillis of Questex Media Group. 3. BACK ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: ILSA 

BUTLER, Evans Hotels; Pattie Lincoln, Questex; Steve Buckler, Broughton Hospitality; Charles Harris; Luxe Hotels, Nigel Bramich, 

WOW Collection; Mark Phillips, The Resort at Pelican Hill, Chris Coon, Questex Media. Center row: Roselyn Cosentino, Luxe Hotels; 

Andra Minnehan, Private Tradewinds; Linda Roark, Preferred Hotel Group, Stephanie Tvelia, Preferred Hotel Group; Danielle Cirami Gillis, 

Questex Media; Nicole Vaziri, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts Worldwide; Lisa Ray, The Grand Del Mar; Patti Perez, The Resort at Pelican Hill, Sean 

Emmerton, Del Mar Escapes. Seated, front row: Renee Tao Island Hotel at Newport Beach; Cherryl Brazier, Carlson Hotels; Karen Sinclair, 

Carmel Valley Ranch Resort 4. SIGNATURE TRAVEL NETWORK held its 2011 Horizon Club event in Athens: Shown at 

the Grande Bretagne Hotel are Tim Ananiadis, general manager of hotel; Karryn Christopher, Signature’s VP of Marketing; Michelle 

Morgan, Signature’s president; Sonia Athan, director of sales at the Grande Bretagne hotel and Alex Sharpe, executive VP, Signature 

5. AT ASHFORD CASTLE in Cong County, Mayo, Ireland, the stars were out recently. Seated: Marissa Ford; Maureen O’Hara 

and Laura Ford. Standing: Daniel O’Donnell, Dana Scanlon and Paula Carroll, Ashford Castle’s director of marketing and sales 

6. LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR’S VP/Editorial Director Ruthanne Terrero (center) recently visited Montage Laguna Beach. 

Here, she is flanked by Kacey Spies-Bruno and Lauren Crowley of the resort. 


3 

4 

6 

1 

2 

5

EDITORIAL INDEX 

COMPANY/ WEB ADDRESS PAGE # 

Albergo Cappello 31 

www.albergocappello.it 

All-Travel.com 40 

www.all-travel.com 

Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard 10 

www.audreywilkinson.com.au 

Bauer Palladio 31 

www.bauerhotels.com 

Bistro Molines 10 

www.bistromolines.com.au 

Boutique Tours Australia 10 

www.boutiquetoursaustralia.com.au 

Brokenwood Wines 12 

www.brokenwood.com.au 

Chateau Elan at The Vintage 11 

www.chateauelan.com.au 

CitySlips 61 

www.cityslips.com 

The Dalmore Visitor Experience 61 

www.thedalmore.com 

Fairmont Kea Lani 20 

www.fairmont.com/kealani 

Fairmont Orchid 20 

www.fairmont.com/orchid 

Fairmont Peace Hotel 26 

www.fairmont.com/peacehotel 

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts 54 


Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta 61 

www.fourseasons.com/atlanta 

Four Seasons Hotel Prague 56 

www.fourseasons.com/prague 

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea 20 


ADVERTISER INDEX 

COMPANY/ WEB ADDRESS PAGE # 

AM Resorts C2-1 

www.amragents.com 

AMA Waterways 58 

www.amawaterways.com 

American Express 35 

www.winwiththecard.com 

Aria Resort & Casino 8-9 

www.arialasvegas.com 

Austrian Tourist Office 32-33 

www.austria.info 

Awards of Excellence 63 

www.luxurytraveladvisor.com/awardsofexcellence2011 

Bodhi Tree CW3 

www.thebodhitreefoundation.org 

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts 25 

www.fairmont.com/kealani 

www.fairmont.com/orchid 

Helmsley Park Lane Hotel 57 

www.helmsleyparklane.com 

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts CW1-CW2 

www.iberostar.com 

The Goldfish Bar 10 

www.thegoldfish.com.au 

Gramercy Park Hotel 54 

www.designhotels.com/gramercy 

Grand Hotel Terme di Stigliano 30 

www.termedistigliano.it 

Grand Wailea Resort 20 

www.grandwailea.com 

The Guerlain Spa at The Waldorf=Astoria New York 60 

www.guerlainspa.com 

Hotel Cipriani 31 

www.hotelcipriani.com 

Hunter Resort 10 

www.huntervalley.com.au 

Hunter Valley Gardens 12 

www.hvg.com.au 

Hyatt Regency Maui 20 

www.maui.hyatt.com 

Il San Francesco Hotel 31 

www.ilsanfrancescohotel.it 

Kauai Marriott 22 

www.marriott.com 

Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort 61 

www.lasventanas.com 

Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris 58 

www.raffles.com/paris 

The Leela Palace New Delhi 59 

www.theleela.com 

Lighthouse Bay Resort, Barbuda 15 

www.lighthousebayresort.com 

Mauna Lani 20 

www.maunalani.com 

Moana Surfrider 22 

www.moana-surfrider.com 

M.Y. Yogi 54 

www.yogiyacht.net 

India Tourism 43 

www.incredibleindia.org 

InnerSea Discoveries/American Safari Cruises 59 

www.americansafaricruises.com 

The Lodge at Woodloch 5 

www.thelodgeatwoodloch.com 

Luxury Travel Expo Registration 49 

www.luxurytravelexpo.com 

Macau Government Tourist Office 45 

www.macautourism.gov.mo 

The Modern Honolulu 21 

www.themodernhonolulu.com 

Outrigger Condominium Collection 23 

www.outriggeragent.com 

Paradisus Playa del Carmen/La Esmeralda 17 

www.paradisus.com 

Preferred Hotel Group 13 

www.PreferredResortEscapes.com/LT2 

Seabourn Cruise Line 3 

www.seabourn.com 

SOURCE LIST 

Olive Tree Restaurant 12 

www.theolivetreerestaurant.com.au 

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa 36 

www.maldives.hadahaa.park.hyatt.com 

Park Hyatt Mendoza 37 

www.mendoza.park.hyatt.com 

Park Hyatt Paris Vendome 37 

www.paris.vendome.hyatt.com 

Park Hyatt Tokyo 36 

www.tokyo.park.hyatt.com 

Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. 38 

www.parkwashington.hyatt.com 

Parrot Cay & COMO Shambhala Retreat 16 

www.parrotcay.como.bz 

Raffles Paris-Le Royal Monceau 54 

www.raffles.com 

Ritz-Carlton Hotels 54 

www.ritzcarlton.com 

Ritz-Carlton, San Juan 16 

www.ritzcarlton.com/sanjuan 

Smelly Cheese Shop 10 

www.smellycheese.net.au 

St. Regis Princeville 20 

www.stregisprinceville.com 

Tower Lodge 12 

www.towerlodge.com.au 

Travaasa Hana 22 

www.travaasa.com/hana 

Tyrrell’s Wines 10 

www.tyrrells.com.au 

Verandah Restaurant 12 

www.verandahrestauran.com.au 

The Wyndham Estate 11 

www.wyndhamestate.com 

Signature Travel Network C4, CW4 

www.signaturetravelnetwork.com 

The Spa at the Surrey 7 

www.thesurreyspa.com 

Sparkling Voyages 61 

www.sparklingvoyages.com 

Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces 60 

www.luxurytravelu.com 

Tauck World Discovery 19 

www.tauck.com 

Uniworld 27 

www.uniworld.com 

Vacation.com 39 

www.joinvacation.com 

Viking River Cruises 53 

www.vikingrivercruises.com 

Voyages to Antiquity 56 

www.voyagestoantiquity.com 

Young Leaders Conference 29 

www.youngtravelleaders.com 


The members of Signature Travel Network 

are proud to support our colleagues in the 

travel industry, and women worldwide, 

overcoming the challenges of breast cancer. 

To learn more about Signature’s dedication to this cause, 

please contact Shary Dyer at shary@signaturetravelnetwork.com

75$9(/ 32:(56 &+$1*( 

In partnership with 

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