the crescents at Four Seasons Hualalai

Four Seasons Hualalai is the ideal Hawaiian resort - luxurious but relaxed. Unlike a lot of Hawaiian resorts, this is not a high-rise hotel by the sea. Guest rooms are in two story buildings spread through a large property right next to the beach. Four Seasons Hualalai also offers a championship 18 hole seaside golf course, home of an annual PGA event.

The oceanside bungalows are arranged in four "crescents" — Palm Grove, Beach Tree, Sea Shell, and King's Pond. I shot the following videos, one of each crescent, during my stay on the Big Island last January, and I'm posting them to help travelers choose their crescent at Four Seasons Hualalai.

Remember the extra value you receive simply by booking this resort through a Four Seasons Preferred Partner: complimentary Full American Breakfast daily (including room service and buffets), an $85 lunch credit once during your stay, and an upgraded room if available upon arrival. Please email me for a quote or with any questions.














Four Seasons Hualalai (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2010 by David Ourisman LLC. 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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use a travel agent or "wing it"?

A recent question on the Europe Forum on fodors.com was written by a traveler going to Italy for the first time. Her question: should I use a travel agent or "wing it" on my own? ... What are the pros and cons?

Virtually every response offered the advice to plan the trip herself. In fact, Fodors exists as a resource for do-it-yourself trip planners and it serves as an excellent source of information. For a lot of travelers, researching and planning an itinerary can be an incredibly enjoyable experience, but this is not the answer for everyone. Here's the answer I posted (slightly edited):


No one has addressed the other side of the question... It can be invaluable to work with a travel consultant with expertise on Italy, to have an experienced professional ask about the kind of experience you'd like to have, clarify the kind of accommodations you like (and dislike), and brainstorm the attractions you'd like to visit. Working with a travel consultant will save you many hours of research - as well as the hassle of communicating with multiple hotels. You'll get a well-planned itinerary that makes sense for you and that works, given the timing and constraints of your trip. You can also arrange some unique experiences not available to the general public.

A good travel advisor will charge you a trip planning fee — perhaps $150 for a one-week trip or $300 for a two-week trip — to compensate for the significant amount of time this professional will spend working on your trip. A planning fee paid to the right travel advisor will be the best investment you may make. In return, you will receive an attractive, well-designed, totally customized itinerary with all the essential details of your trip documented.

While you can certainly book your own hotels, a travel consultant can book the same hotels, and you won't pay a penny more. The travel agent will be commissioned by the hotel (not paid by you), and you will be free of looking after all the details yourself. And, in the case of many luxury hotels that are members of Virtuoso, a Virtuoso travel advisor will provide you with complimentary amenities such as free breakfasts, upgrades, and even lunches or dinners. You get the benefit of the buying power of the world's largest luxury network.


The bias on Fodors is to "do it yourself," and that's fine. My point is a simple one: the right travel consultant can save you time and money and add so much to your trip to Italy. There are some real Italy experts out there who are worth their weight in gold. One recommendation? Ellen Craig, my friend and colleague with Brownell Travel.


Virtuoso travel advisor (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2010 by David Ourisman LLC. 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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Shangri-La Vancouver | boutique luxury

I am writing this from my Corner Executive Balcony Room at the 119-room Shangri-La Vancouver. As beautiful as the picture is, it doesn't begin to capture the spaciousness and features of this room. My first impression upon entering was of the dramatic floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall picture window on the wall opposite the bed (much, much larger than the window beside the bed pictured above). The view of downtown Vancouver was incredible.

Opposite the "bedroom" half of the room is an equally large sitting area with sofa and easy chair. The room features a desk with ports for complimentary broadband internet access, a USB charging dock, a printer port, and power sources. It is equipped with a Sony LCD flat screen television, DVD player, and electronic controls for the lights, sheers, and curtains. There is a large walk-in closet and a great bathroom - and even a small television in the bathroom mirror.

The Shangri-La Vancouver occupies the first 15 floors of this contemporary Vancouver skyscraper. On the third floor is MARKET by Jean-George, an outstanding restaurant with signature dishes from his other restaurants as well as unique offerings that utilize the fresh ingredients available in British Columbia; it was full on Tuesday evening when I dined there, so do make reservations. Floor Five features Chi, a beautiful spa (again, reserve your time in advance), as well as a health club and outdoor rooftop pool and jacuzzi.

Upscale travelers who want luxurious accommodations in a downtown location will enjoy their stay at the Shangri-La Vancouver. As a member of Virtuoso, the Shangri-La offers exclusive amenities to guests who book through a Virtuoso travel consultant — a daily Deluxe Breakfast for two at MARKET by Jean-George; Afternoon Tea for two, once during your stay; and a room upgrade if available at check-in.

Shangri-La Vancouver (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2010 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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ziplining at Whistler

During my stay in Whistler, I had a chance to do something for the sheer fun of it — ziplining! I'm part of a group of Brownell agents who are spending three days at Four Seasons Whistler this week. Several of us went ziplining this morning with Ziptrek Ecotours. This was the longest of the five runs we took, about as long horizontally as the Eiffel Tower is high. While it's slightly unnerving to step off into space, the experience was really quite fun. Kids should love this activity, as well as adults who enjoy an adrenaline rush.

Four Seasons Whistler (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2010 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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scenic viewpoint | Geirangerfjord

When you're traveling, do you try to make time and get to your next destination as quickly as possible? Or do you S-L-O-W down, pulling off the road at every scenic viewpoint to take in the view and shoot some pictures? In my experience, some of the highlights of my trips happen during impromptu interruptions in the middle of long drives.

This picture was taken from a scenic viewpoint (called Eagle's Bend) overlooking Norway's Geirangerfjord. Driving down a mountain road with many hairpin turns, our guide Christine pulled off at this viewpoint. The sky was quite cloudy with just splashes of sunlight, but that made for a dramatic dark-and-light photograph of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Sometimes when colors are washed out and drab, the best solution photographically is to shoot in black-and-white.

This is my favorite photograph from Norway. I live for moments like these that I can capture in a photograph. If you share my passion in travel photography, Norway is an incredible destination. Bring extra SD cards!


Geirangerfjord (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2010 by David Ourisman LLC. 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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