The Venice Experiment

The Venice Experiment: A Year of Trial and Error Living Abroad is the story of a really adventurous guy (Barry Frangipane) and the very interesting account of how he met his wife and subsequently decided to drop everything and move to Venice for a year. "Trial and error" is probably a very good way of describing their experience, but sometimes this is how we best learn. Barry and Debbie made their share of mistakes, but they came to know Venice in a way that few Americans will ever experience.

There is life in the neighborhoods, literally just around the corner from the crowded streets where tourists are milling about. The Venice Experiment offers a hint of what's there, waiting to be discovered. Worth the price of the book is a very short list of useful addresses (just nine entries). It includes Barry's favorite Gelateria in Venice, along with several pastry shops and trattorias and a recommended bar and cafe. A short list is exactly what you need for your few days in Venice, the net result of a full year's worth of trials and errors.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Barry on the phone - he's one of the most outgoing and enthusiastic people I've ever met. I was especially interested in Barry and Debbie's fledgling new enterprise, Savory Adventures, offering luxury culinary and touring experiences in Italy — not only Venice but in Piedmont and on the Amalfi Coast. Debbie is a CIA-trained chef (and you'll read about her culinary adventures in their tiny kitchen). Couldn't resist including this YouTube video of her outrageous Tiramisu French Toast recipe.




The Venice Experiment (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2011 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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A&K's Egypt: A Moment in History

Abercrombie & Kent is one of the world's preeminent luxury tour companies, and rarely can they offer values like what is currently available in Egypt. In the aftermath of its birth of freedom, tourism is still markedly down. There has never been a better time to visit Egypt and see the normally crowded historic sites. In addition, your dollars will never go further.

Egypt: A Moment in History is a brand-new, limited time A&K itinerary that features all of the iconic sites of Egypt, as well as four nights on board the Sun Boat IV. There are just two departures, October 27 and December 8, and prices start at $1,995 per person for this 11-day, 10-night tour. A&K is offering significant discounts on its other tours as well. Contact your Virtuoso luxury travel consultant for to take advantage of these offers.


visit Egypt (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2011 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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Mauna Kea | free breakfast and golf

Mauna Kea is a luxury beach resort on the Big Island of Hawaii. Its recent renovation took down interior walls, resulting in guest rooms 50% wider than before. Guests have been highly complimentary about the new rooms. Mauna Kea has just announced a Travel Mart Bonus Offer. Make a new reservation by September 5 (minimum 5 nights) for stays through December 18 (but excluding Thanksgiving), and receive a free round of golf for two or Luau for two as a bonus gift from your Virtuoso travel consultant.

This offer applies to any rate or package and comes with the full Virtuoso amenities:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily buffet breakfast for up to two in-room guests
• A $25 Pro Shop credit, once per stay
• Complimentary parking for duration of stay

Mauna Kea has one of the most beautiful, secluded beaches in Hawaii ... and is also offering an all-inclusive plan with breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily (including Sunday brunch and a traditional Hawaiian luau).


Mauna Kea (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2011 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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Cap Juluca | 5 free nights

the beach at Cap Juluca

Cap Juluca is a Virtuoso resort on Anguilla in the British Virgin Islands. Beyond the impossibly blue sky and water and the impossibly white sand beach (pictured above), Cap Juluca is offering an impossibly good value — with five paid nights, you receive the next five nights free ... and to continue the streak of impossibilities, Virtuoso amenities are included:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Continental breakfast daily, served in the restaurant or by room service
• Lunch for two at Blue or through room service (excluding alcohol and service charge)

This value is available for stays from August 25 through October 15. Contact any Virtuoso luxury travel consultant for full details.


Cap Juluca (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2011 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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Bellgaio Las Vegas | room renovations

The first bit of news from Travel Mart is the fact that the Bellagio is in the process of renovating each of its thousands of rooms. There are three new color schemes, a blue theme (pictured above), a green theme (which is a bit more whimsical), and a gold theme (which is found exclusively in the rooms with two Queen beds). The marble in the existing bathrooms will remain, and the new themes are designed to coordinate with the existing colors. Built-ins have replaced the old armoires, and flat screen televisions now take the place of the old CRT televisions.

Just as exciting are the new mattresses. Each renovated room will receive one of Bellagio's new custom designed pillow-top mattresses with three inches of extra padding on top. In all, each room is receiving a $30,000 refurbishment, and the Bellagio room renovations are in process. The main tower is currently receiving the make-overs (a floor at a time), and the Spa Tower is scheduled for next year. Renovated Resort Deluxe rooms can be currently booked for an additional $30 per night.

Bellagio is a member of Virtuoso, and Virtuoso guests receive a 10% discount, complimentary daily breakfast, and an $85 lunch credit at Olives. Just book through your Virtuoso luxury travel consultant.


Bellagio room renovations (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2011 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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New Zealand luxury lodges | free night offer

pastoral scene at Wharekauhau

New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and I have always remembered my ten day visit several years ago. The South Island features ice-capped mountains and breath-taking fjords, while the North Island offers everything from wine tasting to glowworm caves.

And you never have to rough it — New Zealand luxury lodges provide intimate and comfortable accommodations to come home to after a day exploring nature. Rates typically include breakfast and a gourmet dinner for two complete with cocktails and wine. When booked through a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant, you will also receive extras such as room upgrades, and lunch, spa or activity credits.

A new Virtuoso Exclusive has just been announced. Spend a total of 3 nights each at Treetops and Wharekauhau for a combined 6 nights, and pay for only 5 nights. (You will pay for 2.5 nights at each luxury lodge). Virtuoso amenities are included. This Exclusive Offer is valid for new bookings made through March 31 by your Virtuoso travel advisor.

The Virtuoso collection of New Zealand luxury lodges includes Blanket Bay, Eagles Nest, Huka Lodge, Kauri Cliffs, Matakauri Lodge, Otahuna Lodge, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Treetops Lodge, and Wharekauhau Country Estate.


New Zealand luxury lodge (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2011 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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Travel Mart 2011 | Aug 15-19

Thousands of Virtuoso travel consultants and suppliers will soon descend on Las Vegas and its sweltering August heat for the 2011 edition of Travel Mart. Meeting at the Bellagio Hotel, days are filled with educational opportunities, hundreds of appointments with vendors, as well as countless cocktail parties and dinners.

The picture above really captures the scale of Travel Mart. Cavernous (and refrigerated) ballrooms are filled with round tables like those pictured. Agents are assigned to one particular table throughout the four days of meetings, usually paired up with another agent from the same agency. A different representative from a hotel, tour company, or other Virtuoso supplier comes by every four minutes for what we affectionately refer to as a "four minute speed date." A lot of information is passed, but - more significantly - relationships are developed. When you want an upgrade at a certain hotel, or have special requests, your Virtuoso travel consultant draws on these relationships to try to get your request granted!

See this YouTube video for a flavor of Travel Mart!




Virtuoso travel consultant (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2011 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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