Happy Holidays from your Virtuoso Advisor: 2012 Virtuoso Holiday Card

When In Rome...

When in Rome...you must stay at a hotel that has BEST location!!! 

I personally have two hotels tied in this category...Portrait Suites and Hotel Hassler. 

Both unique and special in their own ways and in prime locations.

 Portrait Suites is in the heart of Via Condotti, owned by the Ferragamo family and located above the Ferragamo boutique. This luxurious boutique hotel has only 14 suites and a studio, therefore, getting a reservation feels like winning the lottery! 

Special touches that made me feel attention to details are important to the staff members was the one-on-one consultation where a portfolio was presented to me with weather reports, activity suggestions, and restaurant recommendations.  I also enjoyed the welcome treat and note in my room, the fruit platter delivered in the afternoon, the Ferragamo lip balm left on the night table during turndown service and a gift bag with a Ferragamo candle and bottle of perfume given to me the day of  departure. Lots of treats and surprises scattered throughout my stay made me feel extra special!

Located on the top floor of Portrait Suites is a large terrace offering the most stunning views of the city. I began the day by enjoying a delicious breakfast on the terrace and ended the day sitting on the terrace by the fire place enjoying a glass of Prosecco. 

One of my favorite touches, that left me with an impression of exclusivity at Portrait Suites, is the locked entry. Everyone must ring the bell and have the door opened by a staff member. This makes it not possible for just anyone to be walking around the hotel. It is for staff members and guests only...totally private!

Hotel Hassler is an absolute landmark in Rome holding the most prestigious location at the top of the  Spanish Steps.  Hotel Hassler's reputation is built on their highest quality of service and attention to detail.  I was fortunate to spend some time with the Resident Manager touring the accommodations, spa and Imago ~ 6th floor panoramic Michelin starred restaurant in Rome.

Being a Virtuoso advisor gave me the privilege to tour the NEW Hassler Penthouse Suite located on the 8th floor. No photos were taken inside of this suite because it will make it's deput in an architectural magazine soon! But close your eyes and imagine a suite with a living room/dining room decorated with Hermes furnishings, a full kitchen ready equipped to have a private chef take care of your culinary needs, multiple bedrooms, walk in closets wrapped in leather as smoothe as butter,  a bath tub over looking the Spanish Steps and a large terrace with breathtaking views of Rome. It is a suite with the upmost luxury and sophistication! 

If you are looking for luxury in a quiet boutique setting or something on a grand scale, Portrait Suites and Hotel Hassler can meet your needs and go beyond your expectations! 

What Happened in Vegas DID NOT Stay in Vegas!!!

 The Vegas motto... "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas" DID NOT happen for this gal!!!

I just returned from the ultimate shopping trip...Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas...the BEST luxury travel show of the year. I spent a week meeting with executives from the finest travel providers in the world and shopped for amazing experiences for my clients. I could not wait to come home and tell my clients EVERYTHING!!! There was no way this insider access information I gained was going to stay in Vegas!!!  

The benefits of spending time networking and building relationships with the Owners, General Mangers, Sales Representatives, Cruise Lines and Tour Operators gave me the ability to have insider information at my fingertips.  These relationships give me the ability to provide my clients with exclusive amenities and rare experiences that they could not get on their own.

Lots of people have financial advisors to manage money but do you have someone in your life to help you manage your most valuable thing...time off with your family? If not you are going to want to choose someone whom takes the time to develop worldwide connections and relationships...ME!!!

 

Take a look at CBS News Editor Peter Greenberg reporting on Virtuoso Travel Week.

The Warmth of St. Lucia Goes Beyond the Weather

If you are looking to spend time on an island where treating you like a VIP is at the top of their list...St. Lucia is the destination for you!!!  I’ve traveled to many luxury islands and St. Lucia gets my vote as #1 island in the Caribbean for friendliness and the desire to make your stay as enjoyable as possible!

I began my vacation in St. Lucia by being greeted at the airport by one of the most knowledgeable drivers on the island named Owen. Owen knew everything about the island and was so friendly. Owen runs his own tour company Off The Beaten Path Tours which can be contacted at http://www.otbpservices.com.

When I arrived at Cap Maison, located on top of a private ocean-front bluff, I was welcomed with a glass of champagne. Cap Maison is perfect for couples and families looking for luxury and privacy. The resort consists of rooms, suites and villas with either a Jacuzzi or private pool. I stayed in a 2 story Oceanview Villa with a jacuzzi on the Master bedroom veranda. The room was extremely spacious consisting of a full bathroom, a deluxe kitchen, laundry area, living room, dining room and veranda on the first floor and on the second floor there was a fabulous master bathroom, walk in closet and master bedroom with a veranda. Not only was I impressed with the amount of space I had but also the room was in a perfect location, situated right above the beach with the most amazing views.

The beach area at Cap Maison is an ultra private beach below the resort with a fun island bar and non-motorized sport equipment for guests to enjoy. My favorite evening was spent on the beach at the Beach BBQ party! I had fun mingling with other guests, the resort food/beverage manager, and Felix…the singing chef! Guests, including adults and children, were made to feel like they were at a friend’s home for a BBQ. I was singing, eating, and dancing the night away with people I now consider my friends. It was so much fun!

I ended my evenings at Cap Maison by relaxing in the private jacuzzi reflecting about my wonderful day at this gorgeous resort and then I went to bed keeping the shutters open and peacefully falling asleep to the sounds of the waves. What gets better than that???

Next door to Cap Maison is The Body Holiday, a luxury adult’s all-inclusive resort. The newly renovated Body Holiday has a motto they live up to: “Give us your body for a week and we’ll give you back your mind.” The resort package includes a range of activities, including complimentary daily spa treatments, which could keep you busy from dusk until dawn. The experience at Body Holiday allows you to be as busy or as quiet as you want. Not only was I given a personalized tour of the resort; but I also had dinner at their finest restaurant, Tao. I sat at a table overlooking the beautiful beach and enjoyed a romantic dinner. The level of St. Lucian service proved to be the highest quality!

My final 2 nights were spent at Ladera where every suite is a “View with a Room”. Walking into the suite was a jaw-dropping experience.  The suite was designed without a fourth wall with nothing blocking the gorgeous view of the Piton Mountains and Caribbean Sea. The resort exudes romance and is the perfect place for couples to experience. Not only was the suite 2 levels and spacious; but it included a private plunge pool! I felt as if I was in a dream and did not want to wake up! The grounds at Ladera were also very lush and special. I could tell the gardener took pride in showcasing the “hidden gems” of the island.

Not only did I enjoy the “hidden gems” in the gardens but I found many “gems” at Ti Kai Boutique. Shopping at Ti Kai turned into my favorite shopping experience I’ve ever had on an island! My favorites at Ti Kai were the wonderful selection of handmade wooden handbags, woodcarvings, print art, rums and exquisite swimwear and clothing.

As for excursions on the island, I highly recommend experiencing the sulfur springs volcano and mud bath located in the only drive-in active volcano in the world. The diamond botanical garden is home to many native plant species and where you can take a warm mineral bath said to take years off of your appearance! St. Lucia is also one of the worlds top scuba diving destinations. Known for "Superman's Flight", featured in the movie Superman II, a dive along the wall of Petite Piton is one of scuba divers favorite dives for exploration.

I would go back to the gorgeous resorts in St. Lucia in a heartbeat! They were unique and special in their own ways but the one feature they had in common was the hospitality and kindness of the St. Lucian people. The St. Lucian's made my vacation extra special and truly have a place in my heart!

Why Choose a Virtuoso Travel Advisor?

Concierge Travel & Cruise Consultants, Inc. has achieved membership in the "by invitation only" Virtuoso luxury travel network, comprised of top leisure travel agencies in North and South America, the Caribbean and Australia.

Less than one percent of travel agencies in America are admitted for membership in Virtuoso. This renowned network of luxury travel specialists leverages its combined annual sales of more than $3 billion to negotiated special upgrades, amenities, values and truly rare travel experiences exclusively for the clients of its member agencies.

For the clients of Concierge Travel, this translates to complimentary room upgrades, airport transfers, special dining experiences, exclusive shore excursions and custom itineraries, offered by the worlds best providers of upscale travel.

We are very proud to have been invited to join Virtuoso and now to be able to offer these additional perks to our clients.

Beyond the monetary values, Concierge Travel membership in Virtuoso gives its agents reinforced direct relationships with the finest hotels, resorts, spas, cruise lines and tour operators in the world, as well as and expanded resource of insider destination knowledge. Virtuoso also provides the services of Virtuoso On-Site ground operators in more than 60 countries, all dedicated to insuring the happiness and comfort of Virtuoso agencies clients.

Turks & Caicos: Luxury and Family Fun

Turks & Caicos: Luxury and Family Fun

While I am currently planning spring vacations for clients, I can't help but think of my family vacation last spring to Turks & Caicos. Turks & Caicos is filled with world class resorts, spas, restaurants and the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Just a quick non-stop flight from Newark Liberty Airport and/or John F. Kennedy International Airport makes it possible to travel to this special island if you want extended weekend escape or  a week or two away to relax. 

 Last April my family stayed in a gorgeous 3 bedroom ocean front suite at Regent Palms. This resort was filled with the most friendly staff members I've ever encountered whom wanted to make our stay as pleasurable as possible. My daughters favorite was the staff member offering delicious frozen fruit squares to us while we lounged by the pool and played on the beach.   Usually on family vacations we spend all of our time on the beach especially in T&C which has the most beautiful beaches. However, we really did spend a lot of time at the gorgeous state-of-the-art infinity pool. The pool was a fun place to meet families from all around the U.S. and the world. The swim up bar was a favorite among everyone in the family including my "mini me" ordering her pina colada shakes with extra cherries on top! Since we were traveling with 6 adults, I was able to sneak away for an afternoon at spa. The spa offered holistic pampering that completely relaxed my mind and my body. Of course on my way back to my family, I strolled into the beautiful on-site shopping Palm Palace boutiques.  They boutiques offered a lovely selection of resort wear, jewelery and special pieces to put in your home to remind you of your vacation.  This truly  was a wonderful way to end my afternoon dedicated to "me"!

Also, one of my favorite resorts is the luxurious Grace Bay Club. A few years ago, I spent a family vacation in a 3 bedroom villa at this resort. Accommodation options are combined with the adults only Turks & Caicos Hotel, Villas and  The Estate residences making it the perfect place for both couples or families. Our villa was spacious, comfortably decorated and offered ocean front views from all rooms. Many activities offered are snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, ocean kayaking and a wonderful kids program. Another plus...this resort is a part of the Virtuoso collection making special "perks" available to clients.

If your family is looking for an activity filled fun all-inclusive resort, Beaches is the place for you!!! This resort includes a 45,000 square foot water park, kids club, staffed nursery, supervised activities, ocean kayaks, snorkeling, windsurfing, paddle boarding, Hobie Cats and hydro-bikes. Scuba diving is also included in the package price! As for Accommodations, this resort has 3 magnificent villages: Italian, French and Caribbean. Rooms begin with a luxury room selection to suites with multiple bedrooms. Added perks are having a private butler at your service during your stay. Does it get any better than that?!?!

On my "list" for extra special romantic get-a-ways are Parrot Cay and Amanyara. Both resorts are members of the exclusive Virtuoso collection. I haven't experienced them first hand but I've had clients very happy with their stays at these resorts. Parrot Cay is a private island located in T&C offering an award winning holistic spa, healthy dining and dedicated to your well-being. Accommodations vary from views of the beautiful garden to a room directly on the beach. Just thinking about walking out of a room onto sand is what I consider to be ultimate paradise! Amanyara is a private and exclusive hideaway where many celebrities chose to stay. Accommodations are offered in  2 categories: pavilions and villas. Each pavilion and villa has a private pool and each have a special location on the resort property to give clients the ultimate privacy during their stay.

Two extra special experiences during your stay in Turks & Caicos, that I highly recommend prearranging, are dining at Coco Bistro and experiencing a private yacht cruise with Kenard Cruises. Coco Bistro is a "foodies" paradise and is usually booked 2 months in advance. It is located in the heart of Grace Bay and is known as a "must" by guests and residents of the island. I also listed the Kenard Cruises as an extra special experience during your time in T&C because I experienced it first hand during my last visit to the island and it ended up being my favorite day during my vacation. Whether you decide to go for a half day, full day or sunset cruise, the experience is truly unforgettable. We chose the half day private cruise and relaxed in the sun on the boat with music, drinks and food. We also went diving for conch, collected sand dollars, snorkeled and took a tour of Iguana Island. Definitely one of my most special vacation memories.