Portugal and Spain | an October trip

I have never been to Spain or Portugal, and I am very much looking forward to my upcoming trip this October. An official francophile, I've been countless times to France, even to the Basque region in the southwest of the country, just a skip over the Pyrenees to Spain, but this is my chance to visit the Iberian Peninsula.

I'll be posting trip reports, complete with photographs, on Travel Horizons, so if you haven't subscribed, just click here for an RSS feed or click here to be notified by email when a new posting has been made. I'll keep you posted on my discoveries in Portugal and Spain.

I used a Virtuoso on-site in Spain, Valesa Cultural Services, to put together my trip. If you've never experienced the pleasure of a completely planned trip, you're missing one of the true pleasures of life. It is sheer luxury to just relax and enjoy your vacation - knowing that local experts will take care of all the details. Small example: when you're catching a flight the next morning, your guide will simply tell you what time you'll be picked up in the lobby of the hotel; you don't need to figure it out for yourself... It's a small thing, but it's just a taste of the difference an on-site can make.


Portugal and Spain (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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exceptional offers from Silversea

Up to 50% off on Silversea cruises

plus a $1,000 Onboard Spending Credit

If you are still considering a last-minute escape in 2009, Silversea has limited availability on a selection of exotic itineraries. Silversea is a renowned luxury cruise line, and its all-inclusive fares make Silversea an exceptional luxury value.

Every cabin is an ocean-view suite — most with private verandas — and you won't be paying extra for everything. An extensive selection of fine wines, champagne, spirits, bottled water and soft drinks are yours to enjoy ... as well as the complimentary mini-bar in your suite. There is open-seating dining for all guests, and all onboard gratuities are included — none are ever expected.

The following list of specials includes the best available fare. Email me for more information.

Oct 24 Athens to Dubai, 15 days - $5,297
Oct 29 Bridgetown to Manaus, 14 days - $5,397
Oct 30 Rome to Athens, 10 days - $4,897
Nov 18 Dubai to Singapore, 15 days - $5,297
Nov 19 Port Said to Dubai, 15 days - $5,297
Nov 26 Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires, 8 days - $3,447
Dec 3 Singapore to Sydney, 16 days - $6,347
Dec 4 Buenos Aires to Santiago, 16 days - $6,697
Dec 4 Dubai to Mahe, 16 days - $5,597
Dec 8 Mumbai to Mahe, 12 days - $4,197
Dec 20 Santiago to Buenos Aires, 16 days - $7,047


Silversea cruises (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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how to get better hotel service | one easy tip

The most frequently asked question from Sales Managers of luxury hotels is simply this: do you know what time your client will arrive?

Look at it from the hotel's point-of-view. They want to provide you with great service. When you check in at the front desk, they want to be able to tell you that your room is ready. However, guests check in and check out at all hours of the day. Upon check-out, a room has to be cleaned and made ready for the next guest. Because there are a finite number of rooms in each category, blocking guests into rooms is really like assembling a complex jigsaw puzzle. It makes the hotel's job much easier if they know when to expect you.

So when your travel consultant asks you if you know your ETA at a hotel, please provide that information! It's not a casual question. We all want great service; that's why we stay at luxury hotels. Providing this one little bit of information can really help a great hotel provide you with five star service from the moment you enter the front doors.


P.S. The front desk pictured above is in the lobby of the Four Seasons George V in Paris, a hotel that really gets service right!


luxury hotels (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon | Las Vegas

MGM Grand in Las Vegas offers some incredible restaurants. I had the opportunity to dine at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon during a recent stay in Las Vegas. We were seated in the center of the counter, the seating location of choice in this restaurant as it provides a clear view of the kitchen. It was quite interesting to watch the chefs at work and the final preparation of plates before they were sent out into the dining room.

A one-star Michelin restaurant, L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon (literally, the workshop of Joel Robuchon) is one of a number of restaurants throughout the world owned by this celebrity chef. The food was incredible, starting with perfect French baguettes. Home made in the restaurant, they brought back memories of Paris. We ate too many of them! We also took advantage of the "early bird special," a three-course tasting menu for just $39 per person available daily until 6:45 p.m.

The pièce de resistance — the chocolate dessert called, simply, Le Chocolat. Being confirmed chocoholics, we couldn't resist this additional chocolate treat. See the incredible presentation pictured above. In this case, the extra calories were well worth it!


L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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$646 roundtrip to Tahiti | book by 9/24

Air Tahiti Nui has announced a 2010 "Early Bird" special promotional fare from Las Angeles to Papeete. Round-trip economy fare is just $648 plus tax for travel Jan. 11 - June 11, 2010. The window for booking this special fare is short, through September 24, 2009, and the fare is available through Virtuoso Air.

This would be an ideal time to book that trip to Bora Bora. One of the most romantic destinations in the world, Bora Bora features clear, warm water and fabulous snorkeling. For feedback on Bora Bora resorts, feel free to get in touch.

Bora Bora resorts (search here on Google)


copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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how much to tip?

It's a perennial question when we travel - how much to tip? Americans are pretty accustomed to leaving a tip, but practices in other countries are often different. Restaurants in France, for instance, will state service compris (service included) on the menu or on l'addition (the bill). What does this mean? Is the waiter's tip always included? Answer: by law, a 15% gratuity is always included in the price in France whenever you eat or drink.

During a recent trip to New Zealand, I was providing tips to drivers, waiters, and hotel personnel at my first destination, out of habit. When I offered a tip to my driver in my second destination, he informed me that "nobody tips" in New Zealand; service is included in the price. It was useful and timely information.

You may find the chart above to be a useful resource. You can double-click on it to print it out ... and keep it in your suitcase so it's always handy when you find yourself overseas.


how much to tip (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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