Wine Vacations

A weekend in Paris, to me, is a weekend in Heaven.  Even though I am now up to 95 countries, Paris has never been de-throned as my favorite city. I doubt it ever will be.

Recently, I was back in the City of Lights for a brief visit and a stay at Le Bristol, a true 5 Star and service oriented hotel right on rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore.  Staying here is like staying at home.  Traditional, without being stuffy, and comfortable, without being plain, Le Bristol delivers. I mentioned to the concierge I was off to the d'Orsay Museum for lunch and before I knew it, I had an advance ticket to bypass the lines, a map so I would not get lost and a umbrella so I would not get wet.  No attitude here.

Le Bristol was where some of "Midnight in Paris" was filmed.   

After a tasty lunch in the formal museum restaurant and some face time with the art, I was off walking the streets of Paris and enjoying the sights and sounds of this amazing city.  A bagette, some French chocolate and dinner with wine in the Marais made for an exciting day and evening.  How can Paris not be one of your best European vacations? 

On the Sunday I left I had a special treat. I had ordered a private departure transfer to Charles De Gaulle Airport and the driver arrived right on time at 7:45 a.m. for an 11:00 a.m. flight. He explained we had time to see some of Paris before heading to the airport. Early Sunday there was not much traffic and we sailed through the Parisian streets easily and ended up at the top of Monmartre as the morning light was topping the hill.  It was truly magic and even better as it was unexpected.

Paris is filled with excitement and experiences from museums to history to shopping. Planning a custom vacation package with us in advance as part of touring Europe can enhance your pleasure and save you time and money. 

Give me a call.  I would love to create your best vacation package possible for Paris and beyond.    

I was back in Munich a few weeks ago to reconnect with a vibrant and exciting city different than any other city in Germany.  It is Bavaria and unmistakably so. 

Here the compactness is a tool to make your stay more enjoyable and to get more out of your time there.  The Deutsches Museum is one of the largest science and technology museums in the world and don't forget the BMW Welt factory,museum and exhibition complex minutes from central Munich and other prominent museums in the city.

Of course Marianplatz with the Old Town Hall and its surrounding beer halls as well as the nearby famous outdoor market is all there when the serious part of the day is over.  Beer tasting in Munich is as common as wine tasting about anywhere else.  Try wheat beer or a dark one for a more unusual taste.  The locals are more than happy to give advise and show off their best brews.

The center city is vibrant and even on a Saturday in winter the walking streets are packed with shoppers.  Munich added as part of your travel vacation package will spice up your experience.  Salzburg, Austria is only 90 minutes away by train and even Berlin is only about 6 hours away.  Touring Europe and including Munich will make a huge difference in your results.

Call TravelStore and find a professional travel agent that will assist in getting the most for your time and money with knowledge and expertise in designing your best European vacation yet.

As a travel planner specializing in Italy vacations (among other destinations), I am frequently asked for something “off the beaten track.” That can have many different interpretations. For most, it is something simple: an area of a city where few tourists go. Or perhaps it is a small town on their way from one major city to the next. But for those who really have seen and done it all in Italy, Apulia is a perfect choice.

Where, you ask? Apulia, or Puglia in Italian, is essentially the “heel of the boot,” that southeast peninsula that juts off mainland Europe into the Mediterranean. Historically, it is practically a country unto itself. In fact, it actually was until the end of the 19^th century, when Italy was finally unified. It has been occupied by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, Normans, Spaniards and French, and any combination thereof at any given time! They have all added their flavor to the cultural mix of this region, making it magically unique.

Is it touristy? Yes, and it is a big draw in the summer from other European countries, but it has yet to be fully discovered internationally. Many groups come through, see a couple of the major sites, and then move on to other locations. Few focus entirely on Apulia or spend time here in depth. Yet, it has much to offer and is very diverse.

Apulia has several major highlights. One is the Castel del Monte, the castle built by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in the early 13^th century. This imposing octagonal stone building has almost become the “trademark” of the region. You can’t miss it. It is on every guide book and website for Apulia.   Named a World Heritage Site in 1996, it is located near Andria in the central part of the peninsula. Historians are still debating its intended use. With no moat or other defensive features, it makes an unlikely fortress. Some say it was built as a hunting lodge, but there are no clear indications this was so either.

Moving farther south, you’ll find Alberobello, another must-see in the area. If you can only make one stop in Apulia, this is it. This is the home of the “trulli” houses, cone-shaped limestone buildings constructed without mortar. This type of construction is considered to be prehistoric in design, but the present settlement dates from the 14^th century. Some may claim this is a virtual tourist trap, but I beg to differ. The town, consisting almost entirely of trulli, is far too authentic and charming for that.   The shops are fun, the streets bright and cheerful with the light bouncing off the white walls, and the food is very “pugliese.”   Alberobello isn’t just “off the beaten track” in Italy; it is “off the beaten track” for just about anything!

Continuing on our southern path, we come to Ostuni. This is “La Citta Bianca,” the White City to the locals. It is located on top of a hill and, you guessed it, it is very, very white! All the buildings are white-washed limestone and just glisten in the sun. Bring your sunglasses and be prepared to walk uphill as some of the streets are quite steep. Experts believe the site has been occupied since the Paleolithic era. From more recent periods, medieval gates and parts of the old walls are still intact. You will find narrow staircases, stone alleyways, arches and gorgeous sea views throughout the town. Just off the center of town is a little restaurant district tucked away for lunch or a leisurely drink.

Finally we come to Lecce. Now for something completely different…again! This city is called the “Florence of the South” or the “Baroque City.” Indeed, it is home to many lovely Baroque buildings. Even though this has never been my “style,” one can certainly appreciate their elaborate facades and ornate interiors. More to my liking was the Greek amphitheater sitting right smack in the middle of the major piazza! Ha, the locals wanted to build a new insurance building there but, lo and behold, uncovered these fabulous ruins. So they excavated it and left it right there for everyone to see. In its heyday, it held 25,000 spectators. Pretty awesome. For shopping, this is a major urban area and you can find just about anything. 
 

To name a few other worthy sites to visit, I would add Martina Franca, Locorotondo (both hill towns), and in the northern part of Puglia, Mont Sant’Angelo, a pilgrimage site where the Archangel Michael appeared in a cave. The cave is now part of the church built above it. Again, be prepared to walk up and down hills. And if you are expecting to find the spiritual solitude of the cave, well guess again. It is usually packed with worshipers. Shimmy in sideways.

I must also add a very important note to traveling in Apulia: the FOOD!!! This proves quite exceptional and a complete surprise. Many years ago I had my first introduction to southern Italian cuisine. Or so I thought. Spicy, garlicky, with a liberal dash of pepperoncini, I associated this cooking style with the entire south. However, I learned in Apulia that is the trademark only of Calabrese cuisine, that is, in Calabria, the “toe of the boot.” Ha, in Apulia, it is quite the opposite. The emphasis is on fresh vegetables and many of them, grilled, roasted or even raw. Orecchini, or little ears, is the traditional pasta of choice. You will find it everywhere and even drying on racks in the streets! And the cheeses, wow! If you think you know mozzarella – yeah, that boring ol’ pizza cheese you find in every supermarket in the USA?—well, think again! Wait until you eat still warm right out of the hot water it has been soaking in. Watch out for the wines. Some of them have an oh-so-slightly higher alcohol content than what we are accustomed to here in the USA, like about 14%. So plan your lunches accordingly. 

I would love to help you plan vacation packages to this fabulous region of Italy. There is something for everyone and you will go home feeling that you really did get “off the beaten path” and have had a thoroughly unique experience.

As a travel planner specializing in Italy vacation packages (among other destinations), I am frequently asked for something “off the beaten track.” That can have many different interpretations. For most, it is something simple: an area of a city where few tourists go. Or perhaps it is a small town on their way from one major city to the next. But for those who really have seen and done it all in Italy, Apulia is a perfect choice.

Where is that, you ask? Apulia, or Puglia in Italian, is essentially the “heel of the boot,” that southeast peninsula the juts off mainland Europe into the Mediterranean. Historically, it is practically a country unto itself. In fact, it actually was such until the end of the 19^th century, when Italy was finally unified. It has been occupied by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, Normans, Spaniards and French and any combination thereof at any given time!   They have all added their flavor to the cultural mix of this region, making it magically unique.

Is it touristy? Yes, and it is a big draw in the summer from other European countries, but it has yet to be fully discovered internationally. Many groups come through, see a couple of major sites, and then move on to other locations. Few focus entirely on Apulia or spend time here in depth. Yet, it has much to offer and is very diverse.

It has several major highlights. One is the Castel del Monte, the castle built by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in the early 13^th century. This imposing octagonal stone building has almost become the “trademark” of the region. You can’t miss it. It is on every guide book and website for Apulia.   Named a World Heritage Site in 1996, it is located near Andria in the central part of the peninsula. Historians are still debating its intended use. With no moat or other defensive features, it makes an unlikely fortress. Some say he built it as a hunting lodge but there are no clear indications that this was so either.

Moving farther south, you’ll find Alberobello, another must-see in the area. If you can only make one stop in Apulia, this is it. This is the home of the “trulli” houses, cone-shaped limestone buildings constructed without mortar. This type of construction is considered to be prehistoric in design, but the present settlement dates from the 14^th century. Some may claim this is a virtual tourist trap, but I beg to differ. The town, consisting almost entirely of trulli, is far too authentic and charming for that. The shops are fun, the streets bright and cheerful with the light bouncing off the white walls, and the food is very “pugliese.” Alberobello isn’t just “off the beaten track” in Italy; it is “off the beaten track” for just about anything!

Continuing on our southern path, we come to Ostuni. This is “La Citta Bianca,” the White City to the locals. It is located on top of a hill and, you guessed it, it is very, very white! All the buildings are white-washed limestone and just glisten in the sun. Bring your sunglasses and be prepared to walk uphill as some of the streets are quite steep. Experts believe the site has been occupied since the Paleolithic era. From more recent periods, medieval gates and parts of the old walls are still intact. You will find narrow staircases, stone alleyways, arches and gorgeous sea views throughout the town. Just off the center of town is a little restaurant district tucked away for lunch or a leisurely drink.

Finally we come to Lecce. Now for something completely different…again! This city is called the “Florence of the South” or the “Baroque City.” Indeed, it is home to many lovely Baroque buildings. Even though this has never been my “style,” one can certainly appreciate their elaborate facades and ornate interiors.    More to my liking was the Greek amphitheater sitting right smack in the middle of the major piazza!   Ha, the locals wanted to build a new insurance building there but, lo and behold, uncovered these fabulous ruins. So they excavated it and left it right there for everyone to see. In its heyday, it held 25,000 spectators. Pretty awesome. For shopping, this is a major urban area and you can find just about anything. I even found a dynamo bookstore that doubled as a wine bar. I should have thought of that!

To name a few other worthy sites to visit, I would add Martina Franca, Locorotondo (both hill towns), and in the northern part of Puglia, Mont Sant’Angelo, a pilgrimage site where the Archangel Michael appeared in a cave. The cave is now part of the church built above it. Again, be prepared to walk up and down hills. And if you are expecting to find the spiritual solitude of the cave, well guess again. It is usually packed with worshipers. Shimmy in sideways.

I must also add a very important note to traveling in Apulia: the FOOD!!! This proves quite exceptional and a complete surprise. Many years ago – about 37 to be more exact but who’s counting? – I had my first introduction to southern Italian cuisine. Or so I thought. Spicy, garlicky, with a liberal dash of pepperoncini, I associated this cooking style with the entire south. However, I learned in Apulia that that is the trademark only of Calabrese cuisine, that is, in Calabria, the “toe of the boot.” Ha, in Apulia, it is quite the opposite. The emphasis is on fresh vegetables and many of them, grilled, roasted or even raw. Orecchini, or little ears, is the traditional pasta of choice. You will find it everywhere and even drying on racks in the streets! And the cheeses, wow!   If you think you know mozzarella – yeah, that boring ol’ pizza cheese you find in every supermarket in the USA?—well, think again!   Wait until you eat it, still warm, right out of the hot water it has been soaking in. Watch out for the wines. Some of them have an oh-so-slightly higher alcohol content than what we are accustomed to here in the USA, like about 14%. So plan your lunches accordingly. 

I would love to help you plan a trip to this fabulous region of Italy. There is something for everyone and you will go home feeling you reaaly did get "off the beaten path" and have had a thoroughly unique experience.

Read more about Italy vacations.

Although 7-day vacation packages are not really enough time to see all that a destination like New Zealand has to offer, I think I got the most out of it with lots of adventure.  Our group of 14 visited Kelly’s Underwater World in Auckland, and took the hop-on-hop off bus for a city tour, stopping for lunch at a quaint village called Parnell Village, with its varied shops and eateries.  I went to the top of the Skytower’s observation deck and photographed Mindy, one of the members of our group, take the SkyJump, leaping 192 meters from the Tower (teathered), down to the ground with a light landing.  The view from the top was spectacular.  The tower is actually 328 meters high.  That first night, 3 of us enjoyed a light dinner and drinks at Danny Doolan’s Irish Pub and listened to all my favorite music by a very talented duo. 

The next day we enjoyed a Kumeu Wine tour to 4 award-winning wineries, tasted wines, and made a very breezy stop at Murawai Beach for some great photo shots of the black-sand beach before taking the picturesque drive back to Auckland.  Sauvignon Blanc is the wine best known for this region, though I purchased a Pinot Gris I liked very much.

The next day we took the 2-hr drive to Rotorua and went to Waitomo Glowworm Caves.  What a strange phenomenon, with tiny glowworms shining like stars in the cave!  We checked into our Holiday Inn with rooms overlooking the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. The view was spectacular with steam rising from the hot sulphur-smelling springs.  In the afternoon, we rode Rotorua’s Skyline Gondola to the top of the mountain and zipped down on both the beginner and advanced Luge runs to the bottom of the mountain, riding the chairlift back to the top.  Our evening entertainment was Agrodome's  Mitai Maori Village for a succulent hangi meal, torchlight bush walk, and saw the elusive Kiwi in their little zoo.

The next day we experienced the Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, which resembles Yellowstone with its bubbling mud pools and roaring geysers.  We stopped to visit the Rotorua Museum where we learned the building was originally built as a world class spa in the early 1900’s by a doctor that, I think, was completely mad.  He was using electrocution therapy for joints, etc.  The sulphur springs all around Rotorua were used for the therapies as well.  The building is massive with lots of treatment rooms--no longer used--and a cinema describing the devastation from the volcano in 1886.  During that time, the pink and white terraces, thermal pools like at Pumakkale in Turkey, were completely destroyed by the volcano.  I really liked the life-like cinema experience.

After lunch we went to experience The Zorb (photo).  This is a ride in a huge ball either harnessed dry inside as you roll down the hill in a straight line, or do as did, in a bathing suit, riding inside with some warm water in the bottom, sloshing around zig-zagging down a different course to the bottom.  I did this solo and again with 2 other ladies, sloshing down the hill.  It was loads of fun.  Then we cruised on Lake Tarawera with Clearwater Cruises for a relaxing and picturesque trip to the other side of the lake.  We got out and walked to a pool just a few steps from the lake and enjoyed  sitting in the sand in the shallow pool to soak up the warmth from the springs. After a quick change at our hotel, we were greeted by two stretch limos, complete with champagne, and drove into Rotorua to the Blue Baths-Dinner Show where we were serenaded on the steps, and led into this old Bath-house museum to experience a dinner show privately arranged just for us.  It was really a treat, and one I will never forget.  This was our last of 2 nights at Rotorua.

We drove back to Auckland for our flight to Queenstown for 3 nights, and were taken directly to the Shotover Jet experience, where we donned waterproof coats, helmets, and climbed into a sleek red jetboat for numerous 360-degree spins and exhilarating dives to the rocks on either side of the narrow rocky canyon.  What a rush!  This evening a group of us walked into Queenstown and enjoyed Winnie’s for Pizza.  The roof of this bar hydraulically opens at the peak to cool the building, or view the stars.  Queenstown is probably one of my most favorite cities.  The town is loaded with neat shops and night fun.

The next day we took in the Appellation Central Boutique Wine Tour, driving past the Kawarau Bridge and AJ Hackett Bungy jump, and not letting Mindy stop to take another jump.  We visited the Gibbston and Central Otago wine region.  Pinot Noir is the wine of this region; however, I found a nice Dry Riesling to take home.  This afternoon, we rode Queenstown’s Skyline Gondola and had an opportunity to do 2 Luge rides to the bottom and then the Ziptrek Kea 6-Line Tour.  With 6 of us on a team, we zipped from one tree platform to the next till we ended on the 5^th line tour, then walked a 15-minute steep walk down the mountain to Line 6.  What a memorable zip that was down a steep decline, having to be braked, and a net to catch us in case the brake didn’t hold.  I had done zipline in Whistler in Canada several years ago, but I enjoyed the Queenstown experience even more.  The night was capped by a beautiful and delicious buffet dinner in the Skyline Restaurant overlooking the lights of Queenstown. 

Our New Zealand adventure continued with a scenic 3-1/2 hour drive, stopping in Te Anau for a short walk in the rainforest to see the foliage and waterfalls before arriving at spectacular Milford Sound.  Although the boat doubles as an overnight boat for evening stays on the sound, we enjoyed a 2hr ride with waterfalls, pink dolphins, penguins, and seals.  Some of us wished we could have taken a flight back, but planes were not flying due to the rain earlier in the day, so we returned on the 3-1/2 hour drive back to Queenstown. About ½ our group were dropped off downtown and we decided on having a famous Fergburger.  These 8-inch burgers were super delicious.

This whirl-wind trip will be forever imbedded in my memory.  I hope others will like some of the same experiences I had on their trip to New Zealand! You can read more about New Zealand vacations on our website, and of course, if you're interested in a visit, we're happy to arrange yours.

It's always a pleasure to hear from clients, and a joy to know they've had great experiences:
 
We are home from our beautiful trip you helped us plan. Thank you so much for all the arrangements you made for our family friendly vacation to The Big Island of Hawaii. Everything turned out perfect! The wine and food that was in our room when we arrived in Hawaii were delicious.

The Fairmont Orchid is a lovely place and we were pampered all the way. My granddaughter loved the pool and cried when we had to leave. We love the Fairmont and I am so glad we stayed on the Gold Floor -- thank you for arranging for us to have a suite. We had never had one before so we were spoiled.

We enjoyed the beach and swimming pool with the whole family.
We all enjoyed seeing the different animals on the Island. Several times we saw goats on the side of the road (between the airport and Fairmont), sheep, and beautiful assortment of birds along with the fish, cats, turtles, and mongoose on the grounds. We drove into Kona and Hilo and saw a couple waterfalls through the mist. The Luau "Gathering of the Kings" was nice and we did try some interesting foods.

We will definitely remember you for our next trip. I also will recommend you to anyone I know traveling. Thanks again and we will never forget this wonderful trip.

God bless, Denise S. & Family from Tampa, FL 

Because visiting Torres del Paine Park on a South America vacation is all the rage, and getting good accommodations can be a challenge, we're getting jazzed about the opening of a new hotel brand in Chilean Patagonia. Whether you choose to visit Chile, Argentina or both, there's so much to do in these countries, from city slumming, fabulous wine vacations and nature explorations.  Patagonia is accessible, of course, from either country, and provides stunning landscapes and a lot of activities. But the resort accommodations have been limited, and during the peak season (our winter, their summer), it can be a problem, even with our connections, securing accommodations for our clients.

What's coming to Chile is a new hotel brand called The Singular. Their first hotel opens in November, at the start of their peak season, and we're already booking it. Their first Patagonia property will be in Puerto Bories, at the end of a sound called Ultima Esperanza, in what was once a meat packing plant (completely transformed, of course). The Singular will feature spacious rooms, the largest spa in Patagonia, a heated swimming pool, cooking classes and a wide variety of outdoor activities including hiknig, kayaking, horseback riding, trekking, boating and more. Puerto Natales is a few miles close by, where there's access to dining and shopping. Rates are inclusive of meals and activites here, and it should be added to our exclusive hotel program soon, assuring you bonus amenities during your visit. Read more about vacations to Chile and Argentina vacations.

Buenos Aires has two airports, and flying in from Mendoza, we arrived at the bustling Jorge Newbery Domestic Airport located on the shores of the Rio Plata. The scenic drive enroute to the Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt took about 20 minutes, and was our first look at this attractive city of some 12 million residents. Impressions included wide green spaces, lots of memorials, and lots of dogs, both being walked on leashes, or roaming about on their own.  

Buenos Aires is an amazing city, with a number of distinct neighborhoods, each with its unique charm and characteristics. The top luxury hotels are mostly in the Recoletta district, which is full of Parisian-style buildings from the belle-epoque period, and populated by numerous luxury shops. The city's top visitor's attraction, the cemetary where Eva Peron's is now buried, is also here (though her tomb is hardly the main reason to visit). 

The Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt is an amazing destination onto itself. This oasis within a magnificent city truly offers the best in service, ambience, and comforts. The hotel is in two buildings that face each other, both overlooking an outdoor patio and green space between them. The older building was the original private residence of the Duhau family, where rooms are more classic, and the public areas ornate and regal. In the newer wing, rooms are contemporary in style, and the sparse lobby more utilitarian. Both buildings are connected underground via an art gallery. The Ahin spa offers a variety of treatments and modern fitness center, and the indoor lap pool, lined with marble, just begs one to take advantage and swim some laps. In the palacio wing there's the smoking bar, a lovely wood-paneled old-style lounge, dining venues, and a wine and cheese bar. We had lunch at Duhau Restaurante, and without a doubt had the most luxcious beef the entire trip that you could cut with a work and nearly melted in your mouth.

A few of BA's top hotels are in the area, so it's definitely the fashinable place to stay. There's a shopping mall just up the block and the Recoleta Cemetary, BA's top attraction, and Saturday craft fair are few short blocks away.

Nearby is the Palermo district, with beautiful residential community and some top museums, and further afield the fast growing and modern Puerto Madero district, anchored by the attractive Bridge of Woman.  In the historic Plaza de Mayo area is the Presidential Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral, and the area seems popular for local [peaceful] demontrations, which often take place in the middle of the streets and block traffic. (On our visit there were two such demonstrations on two adjacent streets off the plaza.) Another old historic district is San Telmo, full of antique shops and outdoor cafes around Plaza Dorrego.  One can't comment about Buenos Aires without mentioning La Boca district, the city's Little Italy.  

Real travel discovery means experiencing the Southern Hemisphere, and there is no better place to do that than spending a week on an Argentina vacation during their summer season.  A country rich in history, culture, landscapes and a stunning and educated population, Buenos Aires and the countryside offer real travel opportunities and adventure for almost everyone.

We flew LAN via Lima to the heart and soul of Argentina, Buenos Aires, with excellent on board comfort and service including economy class complimentary meals and beverages.  The city looks at various times like Paris, Brussels and Geneva but its soul is very much Latin and hot.  Our base was the elegant and outstanding Five Star Alvear Palace Hotel in the heart of the trendy Recoleta section. Traditional and extremely comfortable, it was hard to get out of the most comfortable beds I have ever experienced. An army of staff including butlers assigned to every room make sure you want for nothing and that every question and request is swiftly addressed.

In Buenos Aires, January summer days are long, many do the siesta, and dining and the night scene starts late into the evening. Dinner is around 10:30 p.m. and night life later still.  It isn’t complicated and with the hundreds of official “Radio Taxis” running all night long at very reasonable rates getting around day or night is easy. When you think of Argentina, their famous beef is sure to come to mind.  It is truly special and tasty as is so much of their cuisine.  I love their famous empanadas in all flavors, but meat is indeed king. If you are vegetarian, it will be a challenge.  They do their best to accommodate, but figure on rice or potatoes with sauce and vegetables about every time.

One night we were off to a famous tango dinner and show, this one the Esquina Carlos Gardel in an elegant Belle Epoque theater first opened in 1893 and now completely refurbished.  Our upgraded deluxe dinner and show seating was perfect viewing from excellent balcony seating.  A full array of classic and modern tango beats with a full-range cast made the evening go fast.

We also visited Recoleta cemetery with the tomb of Eva Peron via a local guide.  Better to do this with a local guide than wander around for hours looking for it on your own.

Food and shopping including the famous San Telmo Flea Market held only on Sundays makes for a true adventure and with an exchange rate of about 4 Pesos to the USD, shopping can be fun.  Your shopping money goes far in Argentina with many leather and handicraft goods unique and stylish as well as high fashions goods you see world-wide.

About an hour outside Buenos Aires is an exclusive equestrian and Golf estate called Estancia Villa Maria where we spent the day enjoying the grounds, horseback riding, a traditional local barbeque, laying around the outdoor pool and enjoying the summer sun.  The estate has 11 luxurious rooms and it is accessible generally only for overnight guests so it is very private.  The manor house was built by prestigious architect Alejandro Bustillo with over 32,250 square feet and an extensive wine cellar. The red wine of Argentina is some of the best in the world.

The rest of our week was with different landscapes about 2 ½ hours from Buenos Aires outside the Northern Patagonian city of Bariloche right on Lake Murano.  Here this winter ski resort/summer haven is one of those remarkable venues where visitors from dozens of cultures come together in this world-town.  With temperatures in the 60’s in summer it is still surrounded by snow capped mountains.  Chocolate shops, adventure gear, fine cuisine but even the fun local places like La Barra with the smooth La Cruz beer and more empanadas make Bariloche an outdoor paradise with a relaxed and hang-out atmosphere.

The place to stay here is famous Llao Llao Resort right on Murano Lake about 40 minutes from town with every indoor and outdoor sport including golf, archery, boating, hiking, a full service spa and an indoor/outdoor pool.  The historic building dates from the 1920’s and it is very well preserved with most of the public areas here. Rooms are comfortable but smaller and traditional.  The new Murano wing has a 21st Century feel with large suites, two person Jacuzzi, fireplaces and spacious bathrooms with separate tub and shower.  It is about a 7-minute walk from the main building through covered areas.  Throughout the complex, food is amazing and traditional with more beef but also a full variety options including even a salad bar.

Throughout our trip almost everyone we encountered was friendly and helpful. The entire experience was fulfilling and enjoyable and it was only coming back to LAX in LAN Business Class with those big sleeper seats and enhanced service that helped ease the transition home.  If South America is still undiscovered in your personal travel history, cosmopolitan, vibrant and unique Argentina is a fantastic place to start, and I’m more than happy to assist! Learn more about Argentina vacations.

Hilton Smith
hilton.s@travelstoreusa.com

We’ve written before about the wonders of New Zealand and vacations there. After all, the kiwis are among the friendliest folks, the landscapes are stunning, the wine quite fine and the Maori culture exotic. But for those looking for an adrenaline rush, there are few destinations that offer more variety of active pursuits than New Zealand.  You might want to check out a recent New York Times article about it.

New Zealand, sometimes neglected by the larger shadow cast by Australia, has been a popular destination for our customers. Don’t let the smallness of the country fool you. This is a destination well worth exploring, and we can arrange everything from guided vacations to stays at the unique luxurious lodges. Learn more about New Zealand vacations.

We drove out of Fez  through beautiful countryside. Into Morocco’s mountains past apple orchards, fields with sheep, then higher into mountains where the towns looked like Swiss villages. There are even a couple of ski runs we drove past (not open yet but they are popular when it snows).

We drove past villages with earthen adobe houses, small farms, people in traditional Berber garb. We passed through villages buzzing with activity, carts filled with produce, slaughtered goats, locals buying and selling all kinds of things. Children were running around, men eating together gathered around tables, women separately conducted their business away from the men.

We saw women washing clothes in the river and spreading them out to dry on bushes and rocks. Some of the women were completely covered in their burkas, some showed their faces. Morocco is a fairly open society but in the villages it seems there is a higher percentage of more conservative dress and behavior.

We drove along a river with a lush oasis rich with vegetation, lined with a few towns and villages. We arrived in Erfoud in the evening, a prosperous town with wide streets, very clean and decorated with flags as the king was staying at his home in the area that night. (The king has homes all over the country.)

We stopped to switch to 4×4 jeeps and headed into the desert. It took about an hour driving across sand and hard dirt covered with small rock unti we arrived at the edge of the dunes. The Sahara Desert – finally! A string of camels was waiting. We climbed aboard and rode the camels up one dune and down the other, to our desert encampment. The night was cold and clear, we could see a million stars! We were welcomed into our encampment by a group of local musicians who played drums, lutes, clackers, singing and dancing as we saluted them with glasses of wine.

The ground was covered with carpets.  In fact our tents were made from carpets arranged over frames. Inside our tents were beds with mosquito nets, a little wash basin, and a flush toilet. There was no light other than lantern light and when the candle burned out it was pitch dark. (Remember to bring a flashlight if you stay in a desert encampment!)

We had the usual dinner, couscous etc, the tagines with meat and vegetables. Throught the night we heard the musicians welcoming other guests to other encampments in the vicinity. These encampments are usually set up separately for each traveler or group so you do not stay with strangers.

We got up before dawn to ride the camels up on top of the dune to watch the sunrise. It was freezing – I brought a warm jacket and several layers just for this experience! (I never needed my jacket at any other time during this trip.) It was a spectacular experience – we left the camels at the bottom of the highest dune and climbed up to the top. Just amazing to be on top of a dune in the Sahara Desert and see the sun come up.

We continued our journey stopping to visit a Berber family living in a very primitive adobe hut in the desert. One room for living and sleeping, cooking area was a brick oven with twigs burning for heat.

We drove back to Erfound.
Read more about our Africa vacation packages.

Katie Cadar
katie.c@travelstoreusa.com

Just thought I would send you my notes on my Southern Africa vacation where I was for 3 1/2 weeks in August. Winter in Southern Africa is like California in that it is cold at night, rainy sometimes, and sunny a lot.  What-a-country: 10,000 miles away but worth the trip. The country was beautiful after the World Cup and we enjoyed learning more about the history, from colonial times to the freedom fight. The 21st century has been better to South Africa than the 20th century and it has a thriving, strong infrastructure with much to see and do…here is some of it… 

In Cape Town the Cape Cadogan is a boutique hotel in residential neighborhood not far from town or the Mt. Nelson Hotel…made from old victorians with new breakfast room and fab breakfast. Pool available. AOK. We drove Campbell Peak (lovely), went to Kirstenbosch Gardens (don’t miss it as the garden culture is huge here), and did a walking tour of old downtown (neat).

I also toured the Vineyard (a Relais & Chateaux property) which is in the suburbs, 20-30 minute drive from the heart of Cape Town…gorgeous grounds, traditional Danish colonial architecture, quite lovely. Went to V & A Waterfront which features a better than average seafront shopping area. Here are the Cape Grace, Table Bay (Leading Hotel), and One and Only…..all are big and fairly commercial hotels.

in Swellendam  visited the Klippe Rivier Country House. There’s nothing in Swellendam but this house, which is a gem: 7 rooms (very large, fireplaces, well appointed jr suite-like, excellent bath and dressing area), colonial architecture and tradition: cocktails with other guests, dinner in intimate dining room, grounds overloooking pond.

In Plettenberg Bay Hog Hollow Country Lodge is trendy, set in greenscape on hillside, with large rooms with fireplace, lovely balcony, and particulary enjoyed eating at a long table with all other hotel guests….There’s an elephant sanctuary nearby where I got up close and personal with elephants.

In Mooi River Hartford House is attached to a stud farm on gorgeous acreage, which we took a walking tour of. Manor house in the true sense of the word with over the top dinner, featuring exhaustive detail on the meal as you sit down to eat…good for foodies.

In KwaZulu, Natal, Phinda Forest Lodge I lived in a glass cabin in a dry wood forest where animals have free run (except elephants are kept out).. escorts are provided in the evening to make sure you get back to your cabin safely. Game drives featured actual tracking rather than just driving about: our driver and tracker took the rifle to go find the lions they were tracking. We found them and followed them thru the trees (we drove over small trees in our safari vehicle). It is rough country, not wide open, but they show great respect for animals. Never found the leopard at night but found the cheetahs, among other animals.

In Pretoria the Sheraton is very nice and user friendly (the only 5-star in Pretoria), but I should have stayed in Johannesburg. Saw Pretoria, J’burg and all the Mandela memorabilia, Tutu’s house, Soweto (that is an eyeful, 4 million people in township, where the upper, middle and lower classes all live together.) You can pass on the Cradle of Civilization (the ruins have already been removed from the caves).

We experienced Rovos Rail–what a trip…very $$, very deluxe, loved the old and beautifully restored rail cars, good food and fun to mix and mingle with the people….stopped at Kimberly to see diamond mines, very interesting.

Spent a week with friends and saw: the winelands of Stellenbosch: the best, charming town with good restaurants, shopping, would have loved to stay a night; village museum tour of centuries-old homes excellent; and Franshoek: did wine tasting and had lunch at La Petite Ferme (boutique winery up on hill out of town, excellent lunch), very French and fun.

…..truly loved the country and plenty to see and do….

Roxanne Morse
roxanne.m@travlestoreusa.com

I took a quick working  Italy vacation (4 nights/5 days) to the Province of Salerno which includes the Amalfi Coast with the Italian Tourist Board and Alitalia Airlines. This is part of the country makes for very popular stopovers on Italy vacations.

I was fortunate to be upgraded to Magnifica Class on the nonstop flight from LAX to Rome. At this time Alitalia has two classes of service – economy and Magnifica Class - and plans are in place to reconfigure and update the seating, adding a premium economy section. The Magnifica seats are comfortable leather seats with good recline but are not flatbeds. (The new seats will be flatbeds once the planes are updated. LAX is last in the plan to change the seats so it will be awhile.) Nice down comforters and pillows are provided, lots of entertainment options, good food and wines, and good service during the flight.

We were late arriving in Rome, so we rushed through the airport to make our connecting flight to Naples. We made it, but my luggage did not. (I had taken my usual carry on with wheels, but when I checked in the agent would not allow me to take it onboard as it was just over 10 lbs. I have never had any problems checking this bag before, but now I know to weigh my carry on bag!)

We were met and driven to the town of Paestum which is down the coast past all the lovely towns I came to see. This area has flat beaches that go on and on, with hotel after hotel that specialize in the local wedding market. There was a wedding at my hotel every night!

We explored the Temples and Archaeological museums in Paestum. These were amazing and for anyone with a love of Italian history, it’s worth a visit even though it takes awhile to get there from Amalfi. (probably 2 hours driving.)

We started the tour in Salerno, which is an hour drive north of Paestum. Salerno is a typical Mediterranean city, wide streets with trees, cafes, and lots of traffic. Above the town in the mountains we visited Castello Arechi – well preserved ruins of a medieval fort, and we saw the Museum of Badia Benedettina, a cathedral with gorgeous art tucked away in a mountain pass.

We went to a wonderful ceramics museum in Raito, and visited Villa Guariglia which is a showcase of southern Italian ceramics.

We took a boat from Salerno to Positano, one of the most beautiful cities on the Amalfi Coast. The town spills down the mountain to the beach, with little streets which twist and turn. Walking streets are filled with bouganvilla making a canopy of shade. The shops and restaurants are attractive and inviting. The beach is pebbly with dark sand, beach chairs are lined up for rent.

The most deluxe hotel in town is Le Sireneuse. The hotel sits on one of the higher streets, the views look out over the town to the sea. The room I saw had a huge jacuzzi tub set into the window of the bathroom, so you could bathe with a million dollar view. Guests can take the elevator to the lower level of the hotel to depart onto a street closer to the beach. Walk out the back door and right into the shopping streets. The upper level has a pool with a view and restaurant. This hotel is the “see and be seen” spot to go, when you want to have activities available close by and be in the town.

Close to the dock is the Hotel Covo dei Saraceni which is a good option and not the price point of Le Sireneuse (nor the same cachet).

A 10 minute boat ride from Positano’s dock took us to the Il San Pietro, the beautiful Relais Chateau property. This hotel faces the sea and the town of Positano. Guests must take a boat or taxi to town, so it’s great for people who want privacy and quiet. The grounds are filled with lemon trees and flowers, the large flagstone patio has benches built into the low wall made of decorative Italian tiles, the lobby and restaurant overlook the patio and have views of the sea. There is a fitness center, spa, pool. Guests take an elevator down to the sea, where there is a platform set with lounge chairs for sunbathing, a private beach, bar and more gardens. This is a lovely and romantic property.

Read more about Italy vacations.

Katie Cadar
katie.c@travelstoreusa.com

We arrived in Vancouver on an August afternoon prior to embarking on a cruise. The city was positively sparkling – perfect weather, sunny and warm. The cafes had doors and windows wide open with patrons enjoying the sunshine and sitting outdoors.
 
We stayed at The Wedgewood, a Relais Chateau hotel in the center of the city, an easy walk to excellent shops and restaurants. The hotel has an old world European charm with warmth and personality. It is family run, with the owner taking care to create the decor and atmosphere herself. The lobby has an inviting sitting area with fireplace and the entry to the restaurant is right there. Bacchus Bar & Restaurant, and Piano Lounge is filled with paintings, Venetian chandeliers, comfortable sofas and chairs, and serves excellent food and wine. The place is hard to leave!

The rooms are good sized, elegantly furnished in traditional style. The deluxe executive guestrooms have a 2-person soaker tub in the bedroom (this is a popular category).  The Penthouse Suites (there are only two) were my favorites – living rooms with fireplace, large spa tubs in the bathroom, antiques and art, a patio with sitting area. The Wedgewood is an intimate boutique hotel where you feel “everyone knows your name.” Concierge, desk clerks, restaurant servers, all were warm and charming. 
 
We walked to the Shangri La Hotel several blocks away. This sleek contemporary luxury property is the first one of the Shangri La group built in North America. (The plans for others are on hold due to the economy.) The lobby has hugely high ceilings, marble and glass. There is a small dining area on the ground floor. Guests arriving by car enter by driving down to the discreet underground entrance.  This works well for high profile clients as they can be checked in once in their room. The hotel occupies the first 15 floors of a 61 floor office and residence building. Guestrooms are contemporary-Asian, some with balconies. Floor to ceiling windows, luxurious fabrics, warm  tones of gold, brown, beige, fabulous bathrooms with granite vanities and recessed sinks, state of the art entertainment centers. The fitness center was impressive – it is shared with the residents who live in apartments on floors above the hotel. The spa is amazing with private treatment suites.
We dined at Market, the Jean George restaurant on the 3rd floor.  The restaurant has four different dining experiences, each with it’s own atmosphere. (casual cafe, modern dining room, outdoor covered terrace, and the bar. We sat out on the terrace as the days were long and the weather so warm. Dining was everything you would expect from a Jean George restaurant – superb. (Don’t miss the ginger Margarita!)
 
We had a look at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, newest of the Fairmont group in Vancouver. It sits right across from the convention center at the port, and is the perfect location for an overnight prior to a cruise departure. Great views of the harbor if the rooms are on higher floors, streamlined, contemporary. The lobby feels cavernous, very high ceilings. (The owner of the hotel also owns the Shangri La, so much of the contemporary Asian touches are similar.) It has a busier atmosphere, escalators go up from the lobby to one of the dining venues and more elevators. One of the dining areas felt a bit like a cafeteria, and there was techno music in the lobby lending a club feel to the place.  The hotel features their Willow Stream Spa and outdoor pool with harbor views.
 
Last time I was in Vancouver I stayed at Four Seasons which is in the center of the city. Elegant and contemporary, all the Four Seasons service you expect.
 
Vancouver is worth a few days before a cruise – the city is vibrant and fun – great shopping ,dining, with lots of activities. Choose your hotel according to taste – there is something for everyone.

You can review some of our preferred hotels & resorts in Vancouver or read more about Canada vacations.

Katie Cadar
katie.c@travelstoreusa.com