how to beat Expedia at its own game

I welcome the challenge. Sometimes clients email me with price quotes from Expedia. I know from experience I can usually do much better for them at luxury properties.

A client wanted to book a two night stay at a major luxury hotel in Shanghai, China. He found an unbelievably low rate on Expedia. I looked into Expedia's deal and found that it came with some significant drawbacks:

• The entire stay would be charged to his credit card at the time of the reservation (including taxes and fees, which were not mentioned in the low price quoted).
• Any revisions or cancellations would cost $25.
• Cancellations within 24 hours of arrival result in a forfeiture of the entire amount prepaid.

I was able to beat Expedia's deal in at least eight ways:

1. Price. I could match Expedia's price.

2. No pre-payment. No need to pre-pay the entire reservation... only a credit card guarantee was required. The client kept his money in his own bank account, earning interest, instead of giving Expedia the use of his funds.

3. Flexibility. The reservation I made can be changed or canceled without any cancellation fees.

4. Better cancellation policy. The deadline is 6 p.m. on the day of arrival, not 24 hours prior, and the penalty would be one night's charge, not the entire stay.

As this was a Virtuoso property, I was able to provide the following amenities at no extra charge:

5. An upgrade at the time of booking to the next room category.

6. Complimentary buffet breakfast for two every morning.

7. Complimentary Club Lounge access (providing all day food and beverage presentations, afternoon tea, cocktails, and more).

8. Customer service. Why were this hotel's rates were so low? That question concerned my client and me. Was the hotel undergoing renovations? I telephoned the Sales Manager, asked the question, and she set our minds at ease. The property was only three years old. The low room rate was simply the case of a hotel in low season (low demand) in a city with many hotels (high supply).

Even in this age of shopping the internet, a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant offers real value. I prove that every day.

Virtuoso luxury travel consultant (Search here on google)



copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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eating Thai food in Thailand

I went out to east last night at Cha-Am, one of the better Thai restaurants in Berkeley, CA. Perhaps it was an unfair test, but I was disappointed. I got back a week ago from my trip to Southeast Asia, and there's nothing like eating Thai food in Thailand, Chinese food in Hong Kong, or Cambodian food in Cambodia. No matter how good the restaurant, it never tastes the same back home.

I had a singular culinary experience my final night in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I was staying at the Four Seasons Resort and had booked the "Chef's Table." Guests have the opportunity to be part of a group of eight having dinner at the resort's Cooking School, watching the chef prepare a variety of dishes, asking questions about the preparation, and being served a multi-course tasting meal. We were fortunate because my friend and I were the only two guests to have booked the Chef's Table that evening, and we had a totally private, incredibly informative time with the Chef.

One of the essential ingredients used in Thai cuisine is Kaffir, minced leaves of the Kaffir lime tree. While this tree grows everywhere in Thailand, fresh Kaffir leaves are not readily available in the US.

The chef used a basic sauce in nearly everything he cooked, a 50-50 mixture of homemade fish stock and lime juice. This sauce, as well as the ready availability of fresh (not dried) local spices is what gives Thai food its distinctive flavor. Even the best Thai restaurant in the U.S. is going to be hard pressed to reproduce the flavors and aromas of Thailand.

Exploring the cuisines of the world is one of the very best reasons to travel. Everywhere you might choose to go, you can participate in cooking classes and even share authentic meals in the homes of local residents. Contact your travel consultant to put together the culinary adventure of your dreams!


copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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how to ENJOY your vacation

When I travel, I obsess over details. This is not how I choose to be - it simply is who I am - and I admit: it can take the fun out of travel. Each day can become a series of challenges:

• planning a logical sequence of activities
  
• deciding when to leave the hotel
  
• determining the logistics of getting from place to place
  
• finding ticket booths, securing tickets
  
• getting the most out of each visit to an attraction
  
• researching a good place to have lunch
  
• etc., etc., etc.

Every time you go to an airport, train station, or car rental office, there are more details to obsess over. Handling logistics, especially in an unfamiliar place, is stressful.

I want to tell you about a different way to travel: using on-sites (private tour guides) when you visit new and unfamiliar destinations. Pictured at the left is Angela, a Virtuoso on-site in Bangkok, Thailand, who ensured that my visit to her city surpassed my expectations.

Virtuoso has a world-wide network of the best local on-sites in virtually every country on earth. Licensed tour guides, these local residents are experts in the art of helping you explore their country and understand their culture. Angela planned two days of sightseeing for us, customized for our interests. Everything went totally smoothly because she is a true expert at what she does. I never had to plan, obsess about, or sweat the details. My job was simply to sit back and enjoy the experience!

And on our last day in Bangkok, Angela met us in the hotel lobby, went with us to the airport, got us to the right counter, took care of our seat assignments, and stayed with us up until we went through security. It was the least stressful, most fun vacation I have ever had.

Travel beyond your expectations - that's my agency's tag line - and I've just told you the secret: using local on-sites. Contact a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant to take your next trip to the next level.

Virtuoso luxury travel consultant (Search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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travel research: a pain in the neck?

If you're reading this blog, you know what I'm talking about. Researching travel possibilities on the internet is a pain in the neck. Literally.

Some of us become unaware of the passing of time on the internet. Surfing to the travel sites we've bookmarked, entering trip data into multiple booking engines, taking notes, comparing prices, searching google for better deals, reading hotel reviews, posting questions on forums... it's a time consuming process. Before you know it, hours have passed. Everyone else in the house has long since gone to bed. And you'll have to watch your favorite shows later on TiVo, alone.

If this describes you ... and you've been suffering from headaches, backaches, shoulder aches, and wrist pain ... your physical pain probably is the result of RSI (repetitive stress injury) due to the hours you spend in front of your computer. Travel research on the internet can be a pain in the neck. Literally.


There's a simple solution (besides getting a life), a small software program called Imaginaire. Install the program, and it pops up every 45 minutes and prompts you to do specific stretching exercises for about a minute. It's rather ingenious. An animated cartoon figure actually demonstrates the recommended exercises (and text describes the exercises in written form). Each 45 minutes, you're prompted to do a different set of "desktop stretches."

Imaginaire works! I recently installed a 30-day free trial, and my headaches, shoulder aches, back aches, and wrist pain seem to be a thing of the past.

You can download a free trial version at this site. Try it for 30 days. If it helps you, the program costs just $25, a genuine bargain! Imaginaire works on PC's (or on Intel Macs running Parallels, BootCamp, etc., which is how I use it).


copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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a new Virtuoso hotel in Paris

There are now two Virtuoso hotels on the Left Bank in Paris. Virtuoso has recently welcomed Esprit Saint Germain to its collection of hotels and resorts. This intimate boutique hotel has recently undergone a three year, $8 million renovation. With just 31 rooms, each with King beds and flat screens, this is a wonderful choice for leisure travelers to Paris.

The property has a wonderful location just a block from the picturesque Jardin du Luxembourg and is a short walk from the Louvre, Notre Dame, and other popular attractions for visitors to Paris. Click here for a google map.

The Virtuoso connection means added value for you when you stay at Esprit Saint Germain. By booking through a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant, you will receive a complimentary full American breakfast daily, either via room service or in the breakfast lounge, along with available upgrades and more. Comparable amenities are available at any of Virtuoso's over 740 luxurious hotels, resorts, and spas around the world.

Special US Dollar packages are available until the end of 2007 with rates guaranteed in U.S. dollars and inclusive of round-trip private airport transfers in addition to the Virtuoso amenities.

(Hotel Lutetia is the other Virtuoso property on the Left Bank).

Virtuoso luxury travel consultant (Search here on Google)



copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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the hill tribes of northern Thailand

When I travel, I like to spend some time away from big cities. While big cities like Hong Kong and Bangkok offer great museums, extensive shopping, and beautiful temples, I enjoy visiting rural areas and exploring small villages.

While on my recent trip to Thailand, Cambodia, and Hong Kong, I had the opportunity to visit five small villages near Chiang Mai, Thailand. The children pictured in this blog are some of the most outgoing (and photogenic) I have ever encountered. I'm happy to share these photographs with you in the hope that it will encourage you to venture beyond the ordinary in your travels.












For those interested in such details, these photographs were taken with a Ricoh GR-D digital camera.


copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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the luxury hotels of Chiang Mai

Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai
I spent three idyllic days at this beautiful resort. Out in the beautiful Thai countryside surrounding Chiang Mai, Four Seasons has created the perfect retreat, beautiful, quiet, and tranquil. The sounds of crickets and frogs at night will possibly be the loudest sounds you will hear. All of the pavilions have the same floor plan. Garden view rooms look out onto the lush landscaping of the resort. Mountain view rooms feature vistas of the nearby mountains on the border with Myanmar (Burma). Rice Terrace view pavilions look out on the green rice paddies in the middle of the resort. Considered the most desirable accommodations, you should book Rice Terraces directly as upgrades are not applied to this category. Not to be missed is the Chef’s Table at dinner. Being the only two guests to sign up for this multi-course tasting meal, we sat right by the stove and watched, talked, and ate as the Chef cooked for us.

Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi
With buildings built in the traditional architectural styles of Thailand's Buddhist temples, Mandarin Oriental has created one of the most magical settings I have ever seen. The Dhevi Spa’s ornately carved wooden building (pictured) is almost beyond belief. This resort is highly recommended for couples or families who appreciate this imaginatively recreated slice of centuries past. The accommodations are large and reasonably priced. Colonial Suites are located in gracious, high ceilinged buildings reminiscent of the British colonial era. For the ultimate in privacy, book a Deluxe Villa; the two highest categories have large round jacuzzis with multiple jets, perfect for couples enjoying a romantic getaway.

Chedi Hotel
Not a Virtuoso property, I was nonetheless highly impressed by the Chedi Hotel. My first impression on entering its beautiful lobby and savoring the simple elegance of its design was how much it reminded me of Sukhothai in Bangkok. In fact, as I learned, the same architect designed both properties. Located on the banks of the Ping River, the Chedi is an easy walk to the Night Markets. There are just two accommodation types, Deluxe rooms and Club Suites. Roughly double the size of the Deluxe room, Club Suites offer complimentary continental breakfast, round-trip airport transfers, mini bar, laundry service, and butler service.

the luxury hotels of Siem Reap

Why visit Siem Reap, Cambodia? The answer: Angkor Wat, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. This complex occupies one square mile, containing spectacular stone buildings covered with intricate carvings. A visit to Angkor Wat should be high on the list of every world traveler who appreciates exploring ancient cultures.


Raffles Grand Resort d’Angkor
As its name would suggest, this is a grand resort on beautifully landscaped grounds built around an impressive 35 meter long, infinity edged swimming pool that doubles as a reflecting pool. This is the original hotel in Siem Reap, built in 1932 and recently refurbished. The property is lushly landscaped and retains the elegance of a bygone era. I recommend booking a room in the original building. The Landmark rooms provide spacious accommodations with high ceilings. (State Rooms and Cabana Rooms in the newer wing are narrower rooms). Personality Suites, named after figures associated with Ankor, are one-third larger with separate bath and showers.


La Résidence d’Angkor - An Orient-Express Hotel
Visitors to Siem Reap should strongly consider La Résidence d’Angkor. Well located in town, this relatively new property was recently acquired by Orient-Express Hotels. The extensive use of natural woods create the feeling of a very traditional, tropical resort, but guests enjoy the latest modern amenities. Guest rooms are beautiful and offer round stone bathtubs that are almost large enough to swim in. River View rooms are less desirable as they face the street and the rather muddy river running beside it. Book a Garden View or Pool View room.

Hotel de la Paix
A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World but not a Virtuoso property, this new hotel is on a busy, noisy, dusty, and not-so-attractive intersection in the center of Siem Reap (with a gas station opposite the main entrance). However, once you step into the hotel, you walk into a different world, serene and quiet with a sophisticated elegance. Designed by architect Bill Bensley, this 107 room boutique hotel offers stylish contemporary furnishings. Guests who want to be in the center of town, don’t mind the noise and dust of the hotel’s surroundings, and prefer avant guard design will appreciate Hotel de la Paix.

Amansara
Amansara is in a class by itself. Originally built in 1962 to be the guest villa of King Norodom Sihanouk, the property was obtained by Aman Resorts and opened for guests in 2002. A dozen pool suites, each with a private swimming pool, were introduced in 2005. The rooms contrast ivory colored walls and dark timber and have a unique symmetrical design that contribute to a sense of balance that guests will experience here. A final note: the spa treatment rooms have been designed with the same attention to style and detail. Book Amansara for the ultimate luxury experience in Siem Reap.

a carving at Angkor Wat


copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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the luxury hotels of Bangkok

Bangkok is a city of contrasts. It is a highly populated city of almost 9 million with crowded streets, street markets, and perpetual traffic jams (except on Sunday). Bangkok also has some of the most beautiful and serene luxury hotels in the world. I visited five properties during my recent site visit to Thailand.

Hotels by the river...

The Peninsula Bangkok. I spent three evenings in a Grand Deluxe room at the Peninsula, a large and comfortable room nearly 500 square feet in area. Rooms feature marble bathrooms with separate shower and tub and two vanities. Every room at the Peninsula has a direct view of the river (see the actual night view from my window). Deluxe and Grand Deluxe rooms are identical, but Grand Deluxe rooms are on the higher floors and have stunning views. For even more impressive accommodations, book a Grand Deluxe Suite ... and if cost is no object, a Duplex Suite.

The Oriental. The oldest hotel in the city, The Oriental opened its doors 130 years ago, but only a small portion of the original building remains. The hotel has two wings--the River Wing and the Garden Wing; I preferred the River Wing rooms. For a very special treat, book a 1BR Deluxe Suite. We were shown the Wilbur Smith Suite (suites are named after literary figures). It is a stunning room with hardwood floors, area rugs, and a great corner view of the river.

Shangri-La Hotel. The only property I visited that is not a member of Virtuoso, the Shangri-La is a quite large property that handles a lot of conventions. Upscale travelers might consider a room in the more intimate Krungthep Wing where deluxe rooms (473 square feet) offer a full river view. Krungthep Wing privileges include 24-hour butler service complimentary breakfast, included juice and soft drinks throughout the day (or from your room's minibar), afternoon High Tea, evening cocktails and canapes, and free in-room internet access.

Downtown Bangkok hotels...

Sukhothai. I really liked Sukhothai. From the moment I entered the lobby, I was captivated by the beauty of the hotel’s clean, elegant design (“Thai chic”) and attention to detail. You feel that you are staying at a secluded resort in the middle of a busy city. The basic Superior room is quite attractive, but book a Deluxe Studio at a slight increment in price in order to be upgraded at booking to an Executive Suite (pictured). The slight rate differential gives you spacious accommodations (over 800 square feet) with 1.5 baths and extensive teak wood flooring. For a real “wow,” book a Deluxe Suite for an upgrade to a Garden Suite. These ground floor suites have 12 foot ceilings and face the central garden. We had lunch at Celadon, a truly wonderful Thai restaurant that has attracted many well deserved acolades. A number of celebrities stay at this resort including an American singer whose name begins with “B.” The sales manager could not divulge her name...

Four Seasons Bangkok. The door is opened for you by doormen wearing pith helmets, and if the lobby reminds you of the Peninsula Hong Kong, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. This property was originally a Peninsula, and the lobby is quite similar. The Deluxe rooms are in need of some refurbishment -- nice decor, but some old furnishings. I recommend booking a Premier Room for a truly impressive guestroom. The FS Executive Suite is a nice accommodation. Cabana rooms are in a different section of the hotel and offer direct access to the large swimming pool; they offer a different architectural style, more minimalistic, with teakwood floors - very private and great for honeymooners. We enjoyed dinner one evening at Spice Market; great soft shell crab!


copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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what to do in Bangkok

Exploring Bangkok is a fascinating experience any way you do it, but the ultimate luxury is to see Bangkok with a private guide and driver. We benefited from a carefully orchestrated itinerary that flowed naturally from one sight to the next. Our guide arranged all the details, took care of admissions, offered informed commentary on what we were seeing, suggested activities, and even provided bottles of cold water for us. We were incredibly well taken care of.

After meeting us in our hotel lobby, we visited a local street market that most tourists will never find. Walking through stands selling flowers, fruit, fish, candles, and incense (among many other things), we saw floral garlands being made, savored the wonderful aromas of the food stands, and experienced a slice of the everyday life of many residents of Bangkok.


The Grand Palace is a must-see for every world traveler. The grounds of the palace occupy 54 acres, and its temple, Wat Phra Kael, contains the famous Emerald Buddha. The Grand Palace is an incredibly ornate complex of buildings decorated with gold gilt, ceramic tiles, and jewels. It rivals the opulence of Versailles.

Although most of our transfers were provided by an air conditioned minivan, a welcome respite from the heat and humidity, we were given the opportunity to experience a ride in a tuk-tuk for the short trip to Wat Pho. Tuk-tuks are small three-wheeled motorcycles that provide taxi service throughout Bangkok.

Wat Pho is the home of the Reclining Buddha, an immense gold-plated statue 150 feet long with inlaid mother-of-pearl in the soles of its feet.

We then enjoyed a private ride on a colorful long-boat through some of the canals of Bangkok, seeing homes and temples built at the water's edge. Our tour ended with a wonderful lunch at Supatra River House.

How to arrange a great private tour? The Virtuoso network has on-sites in virtually every country in the world, knowledgeable local experts who know their destination thoroughly. Virtuoso on-sites have access to the best guides, the most reliable drivers, and can provide access to exclusive experiences. Every private tour can be custom-designed to satisfy the interests of the most discerning travelers. Just contact your Virtuoso luxury travel consultant.

Virtuoso luxury travel consultant (Search here on Google)



copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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the luxury hotels of Hong Kong

Upscale travelers visiting Hong Kong have the choice of many luxury hotels. This is a brief review of six 5 star hotels, each of which is a member of the Virtuoso network. Virtuoso guests benefit from special negotiated rates and receive significant amenities that include complimentary daily breakfasts, upgrades on arrival if available, and more.

Hong Kong or Kowloon? Your most basic decision is that of location. Business travelers tend to stay in Hong Kong as it is the location of financial institutions and the convention center. Kowloon is the choice of many leisure travelers. Just a short and inexpensive ride away by the Star Ferry or subway, Kowloon offers a stunning view of the Hong Kong skyline. After dark, especially, the view of the lights of Hong Kong over the harbour is simply stunning, and the shopping malls stay open much later. In fact, you can shop well into the early hours of the morning at the Night Market and the Ladies Market.

For visitors who choose to stay in Hong Kong...

The Mandarin Oriental offers the grandeur of a classic hotel that recently completed an extensive renovation. From the moment you enter the lobby, you will be struck by the elegance of the black marble floors and ornate gilded Oriental carvings. With 502 guest rooms, the Mandarin Oriental offers great dining; its restaurants located on the top floor provide stunning views of the harbour and city. My favorite room categories are the Premier and Harbour rooms. Some will prefer the more contemporary styling of the Verandah rooms; be sure to mention this preference to your travel consultant.

The Landmark Mandarin Oriental offers a modern, contemporary feeling. The sister property of the Mandarin Oriental, the hotel is directly connected to the Landmark shopping mall. As with the MO, you can walk to the rest of the Central district via enclosed, air conditioned walkways. I loved the clean elegance of this property. Guestrooms feature floors of hardwood and black marble. The L600 Deluxe and L600 Spa Corner rooms are absolutely wonderful Jr. Suites. Beautiful bathrooms feature circular jacuzzi tubs, separate showers, and dual sinks. There is a spacious sleeping area and discrete living room as well. New in 2008 are some great amenities including a VIP greeting at the aircraft gate upon arrival at the Hong Kong airport, and this is just the beginning. Contact me for a complete description of the Virtuoso amenities.

The Four Seasons Hotel is a third wonderful choice in Hong Kong. With a location convenient to the financial center, this is the property of choice for many business travelers. The building features stunning contemporary architecture, an atrium 30 meters high, a Club Lounge with the most amazing view of the harbour, and rooftop swimming pools with a full view of the harbour and Kowloon.

For visitors who choose to stay in Kowloon...

The Langham Hotel is the value leader of the luxury properties of Kowloon. The property is just about to open its newly refurbished Grand Rooms. From the moment you enter through their burled wood doors, you will be struck by the clean, elegant styling of the brand new decor. These rooms offer complimentary broadband internet and all the Virtuoso amenities at a very attractive price. Others may prefer Club Floor rooms which include Club access and complimentary one-way airport transfers. (Warning: the Club has a freezer full of Haagen-Dazs personal-sized ice cream cartons!)

The Inter Continental is located right on the harbour and offers absolutely perfect views of Hong Kong's skyline and Avenue of Stars from the windows of Harbourview rooms. A great outdoor pool area provides guests with a resort feeling, and the property offers great restaurants. Virtuoso guests at the InterContinental receive complimentary access to the biggest buffet breakfast I have ever seen. For an additional charge, guests receive Club access which provides all-day grazing rights (including Dom Perignon champagne).

The Peninsula is the classic old grand hotel on Kowloon. This property has the traditional feeling of a British colonial hotel, presents a beautiful Afternoon Tea, and provides Rolls Royce limousines for its guests. I was impressed by the Grand Deluxe Kowloon View guest rooms with very interesting views of the city. Then I was blown away by the Deluxe Harborview corner suites. Ask for one of these suites on the western side of the property, and enjoy a view of the harbour from your living room, bedroom, and soaking tub.


copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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what to do in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is an incredible city. We arrived here at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. Having had a good night's sleep on the plane thanks to Singapore Air's superb business class service, we immediately began our explorations.

Our first day was devoted to exploring the area of Kowloon Island near our hotel (The Langham). Kowloon is a great place for leisure travelers to stay because of the great view it offers of Hong Kong's skyline. Be sure to make at least one night visit to the harbour. At 8 p.m. there is an incredible sound and light show, using the lights of the skyscrapers and green lasers mounted on rooftops. I consider this a must-do attraction for every world traveler to experience. It's a beautiful sight.

Kowloon is full of shopping malls. Although there are a lot of stores with brand names familiar to American shoppers, Hong Kong possesses a unique sense of design. The malls were clean, colorful, and visually interesting. Make a point of visiting a supermarket just to see the different assortment of products available, as well as to see the different ways in which familiar products are displayed.

I engaged a private guide for our second day. We took the Star Ferry over to Hong Kong island -- a cheap, quick, and fun little cruise across the harbour. Using a combination of public transportation and taxi cabs (also cheap and convenient), we explored one of Hong Kong's dried provisions markets, visited Man Mo Temple, and shopped in some of the antique stalls in that neighborhood. We took a tram to the Peak for a great view of Hong Kong, then took a taxi to Aberdeen where we enjoyed a great Dim Sum luncheon at the colorful Jumbo Floating Restaurant. I had never before tasted crispy fried noodles (not readily available in the US), but I highly recommend the dish! A final stop at Stanley Market (billed as "retail therapy") is probably a good bet for shopoholics (but, personally, I would have used the time differently).

One other highly recommended activity in Hong Kong is to take the escalator up the hill. (It begins going "up" the hill at 10 a.m.) Get off on some of the side streets to explore an older, more traditional section of the city. We had a great lunch on the way up at Lotus, a terrific Thai restaurant (on Pottinger Street just below Hollywood Road).

Topping off the day was Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula Hotel. A traditional British hotel with white-gloved doormen, this is a great opportunity to get off your feet and see the colorful parade of visitors passing through the ornate lobby.


copyright (c) 2007 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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