Pan Am

I watched Pan Am last night, ABC's new Sunday night TV show this fall, and I rather enjoyed the pilot episode. The show offers a lot of nostalgic value for older viewers who remember a time when Pam Am was America's greatest international airline (TWA, another name from the past, being its major U.S. competitor).

A work in progress — this is how I would describe Pan Am. Like all new shows, it will take time to become acquainted with the show's main characters, four Pan Am stewardesses, and the show's ultimate success will depend on how well those characters are developed. Nevertheless, Pan Am has genuine potential. A cross between Mad Men (and its Emmy Award-winning re-creation of the 60's) and Sex in the City (also focused on a foursome of attractive women), various narrative threads were woven into a very simple plot structure — a New York to London flight. It will be interesting to see if the show's writers will continue to create plots around single cross-the-pond flights or whether more complex narrative structures will evolve.

What was most interesting to me, however, was the nostalgia that Pan Am evoked for a golden age of air travel. I remember a time when flying was an exciting and glamorous experience. No security lines, no being forced to take off your shoes, no being subjected to backscatter x-ray machines, nor having to pay to check your bags. Air travel was a much less stressful and more comfortable experience. Even the coach seats in the back of the show's Pan Am Boeing 707 looked comfortable, with adequate shoulder and leg room. Passengers got dressed up to fly, even in coach, and Pan Am stewardesses were expected to be not only efficient but glamorous. How different from today when Southwest Airlines flight attendants routinely dress in shorts and running shoes!

But as nostalgic as the 1960's might have been, modern travelers do have one advantage. Today's world-class international airlines offer lie-flat sleeper seats in business class, and First Class suites provide a level of space, comfort, privacy, and luxury that  the passengers on Pan Am's Clipper Majestic could never have imagined!


Pan Am (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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how to speed through immigration in Paris

If you're a FAN of Mandarin Oriental, here is a tempting offer. You will receive a VIP escort through immigration in Paris as well as a complimentary one-way limousine transfer to the Mandarin Oriental Paris. With just a three-night stay (two nights in a Suite), you will be met on the jetway by a hostess who will fast track you through immigration, assist you at baggage claim, and introduce you to your chauffeur who will drive you straightaway to the front door of the hotel. All at no extra charge.

Virtuoso guests will also receive the following complimentary perks:

• upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• complimentary American breakfast for up to two in-room guests
• one 85 EUR spa credit

As this promotion is exclusive to Virtuoso, simply ask your Virtuoso travel consultant to make your reservation. Dates of the promotion are 9OCT, 2011 - 26FEB, 2012 (with blackout dates over New Years).

A similar promotion is available with a minimum three night booking in a Superior Suite or higher at Le Meurice.


Mandarin Oriental Paris (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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Ritz Carlton | Let Us Stay With You

Ritz-Carlton advertisement to be released today

Here is the second ad that has been shared with me, a leisure-focused "Wow story" featuring the Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey. The added text in this advertisement also speaks of unique experiences that create lasting memories.

• Let us invent a drink in your honor.
• Let us transform your room into a tropical paradise.
• Let us turn a weekend getaway into a honeymoon you never thought you'd have.
• Let us create a memory so indelible, you'll savor it long after you've left.

The Ritz-Carlton website will be changing today, and that's an exclusive Travel Horizons scoop! The new Ritz Carlton | Let Us Stay With You campaign is focused on unique and special guest experiences. To read more, visit ritzcarlton.com/stories.


Ritz Carlton Let Us Stay With You (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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Ritz-Carlton | Let Us Stay With You

new Ritz-Carlton advertisement to be released tomorrow

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, as reported by an article in yesterday's New York Times, will begin a major rebranding tomorrow morning. I am free to release additional information at midnight EDT, but here is the gist of the new Ritz-Carlton Let Us Stay With You marketing campaign.

Let Us Stay With You is the new tagline shown in the ad copy above. The rest of the text, which you may not be able to read, states:

• Let us take your eyelids back in time.
• Let us re-create the recipe from your favorite meal in Paris.
• Let us help you unwind without leaving the city.
• Let us turn a weekend of pampering into a memory you'll be reminded of at every turn.

The idea is to focus on guest experiences, the memories and special touches that guests will remember always, rather than the material aspects of luxury travel.

Other purveyors of luxury travel are taking their marketing in a similar direction. For instance, Virtuoso has been using the tagline "What's Your Return on Life" for several years. And Orient-Express will begin a marketing theme using the tagline "Embark on a journey like no other" featuring the travels of a fictional family, the Astorbilts.

Watch this space. Additional information will be released at midnight EST tonight.


Ritz Carlton | Let Us Stay With You (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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5 reasons to stay at Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe

the fifth floor Club Lounge 

Just back from a three-night site inspection trip to the new Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe, I was truly wowed by this two-year old resort. Upscale travelers wanting to experience a luxurious winter ski vacation (or active summer mountain vacation) should strongly consider staying at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe. Here are five top reasons why:

1. Easy to reach. Lake Tahoe is just a three hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area. Don't live in the Bay Area? Reno International Airport, a mere 45-minute drive away, is a non-stop flight away from 17 US cities including Chicago, Minneapolis, Dallas, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.

2. Northstar is a family-friendly ski destination. My own kids learned to ski and snowboard here. With 18 lifts and 89 ski trails, you will not encounter the long lines common to Vail and similar resorts. With its location in the Sierra Mountains of Northern California, you'll enjoy mild winters and shirt-sleeve spring skiing. Special bonus: from the top of the mountain, skiers enjoy stunning views of Lake Tahoe.

3. True ski-in, ski-out. As a guest at Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe, simply call down to the Ski Concierge, inform them what time you want to hit the slopes, and your boots will be waiting for you, warm and dry. Just step out the back door, put on your skis, and ski down to the mid-mountain lifts. Because the Ritz is located mid-mountain, you'll never queue up for lift tickets or gondola rides at the bottom of the mountain. And at the end of the day, ski right up to the Ritz's back door. While the Ski Concierge collects your skis, poles, and boots, you're free to head to the resort's heated pool, jacuzzi, or spa.

4. Active summer fun. Escape the intolerable summer heat and humidity and head into the mountains to enjoy active family fun — mountain biking, hiking, fishing, golf, or boating. Lake Tahoe is a wonderful summer destination with recreation, good food, and shopping.

5. Rustic yet polished elegance. The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe achieves polished elegance while maintaining a sense of place. No rough-hewn wood paneling or dark ceramic tile bathrooms at this resort. The floor-to-ceiling windows of my spacious Corner Deluxe room let in full views of the mountains and ski runs. Rooms are decorated with very attractive original art (as is the entire hotel). My marble bathroom had dual vanities, a deep soaking tub, step-in shower, and separate WC; a three-inch wide strip of flagstone wainscoting provided a western mountain accent without sacrificing luxury. Every room has a gas fireplace set, a large flatscreen tv, and all King-bedded rooms have stand-out balconies.

Want even more space? We were shown a 1 BR Suite (which can connect to a Queen-Queen room to form a 2 BR Suite), again beautifully designed with 1 3/4 baths. The room layout provides visual separation between the master bedroom and the living area, and the living room's pull-out sofa can accommodate two (while a rollaway bed can sleep a third child).

And if you want even more, we were shown a stunning 3 BR Residence - a literal home-away-from-home with a full gourmet kitchen, three bedrooms and three full baths.

Intimate yet spacious, the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe has just 170 guest rooms and suites. The Club Lounge on the fifth floor (pictured above) looks out over the Sierras. The resort's signature restaurant Manzanita features the cuisine of Traci Des Jardins. The spa is large and beautiful with 16 treatment rooms, and fitness classes and free internet are included in the daily resort fee. As an added value-added bonus, STARS guests receive free daily breakfast for two.

Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe (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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FS Punta Mita | best all-inclusive in Mexico

Four Seasons Punta Mita is a luxurious Four Seasons resort on Mexico's Pacific coast, near Puerto Vallarta. The resort has announced a limited time offer for bookings through October 17. Guests at FS Punta Mita will can enjoy three meals daily, all included with the price of your room, when booked under the all inclusive rate. Dine at any of seven restaurants and bars, or in the privacy of your casita. Parking and internet are also included, as is access to all non-motorized water sports.

Traveling with your kids? Book a second room at 50% off. Kids under 5 eat free, and kids from 5 to 12 receive a 50% discount from the Kids Menu ... as well as the complimentary Kids for All Seasons program.

Confirmed upgrade. Virtuoso guests also receive a confirmed upgrade at the time of booking. With room rates beginning at just $495 in September and $590 in October plus tax and service, you'll be upgraded to at least an Oceanview Casita. There are a few restrictions on meals: Fresh lobster and dishes with lobster, caviars, romantic dinners, Golf Club restaurant and Golf beverage cart, alcoholic beverages, minibar, and specialty waters and not included in the all-inclusive rate.

FS Punta Mita (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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don't be a last-minute travel planner

It's probably too late if you want to make any BIG plans for Labor Day weekend (although I did make one last-minute booking last night for a client who will be spending the weekend at the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas). However, if you'd like to be vacationing somewhere during the Christmas and New Year season — and you don't already have reservations — now is the time to do some serious dreaming...

Are you drawn to the beach, to the mountains, to a romantic countryside inn, or to a vibrant city? Do you want to stay close to home - or fly to a far-off destination? Many resorts have minimum stay requirements over Festive Season, and many of the best properties are wait-list only at this point ... but the longer you wait, the more limited your options will be! The holidays are not friendly to last minute travel planning.

Summer is already over! What's on your bucket list for this fall and winter?


last minute travel (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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