Posted by David Porter on November 13, 2018 · 1 Comment
Carol gets fit for a Komono in Tokyo, Japan.
2019 Virtuoso Luxe Report: Top 5 Emerging Destinations
The latest Virtuoso Luxe Report shows travel in 2019 will be highly personalized and inspired by a desire to experience new destinations in unusual ways.
Every year global luxury travel network Virtuoso surveys its industry-leading force of travel agencies and advisors in 50 countries to forecast what the coming year will bring. The Luxe Report, which has established Virtuoso as a trusted trend predictor, unveils consumer preferences in high-end and experiential travel.
Virtuoso’s affiliated travel advisors revealed client requests that illustrate the desire for a deeper level of personalization and one-of-a-kind experiences. From specific seat numbers on planes and hotel room numbers to particular rental car types, travelers are more vocal about their precise preferences. Nothing is left to chance, as increasingly clients ask for prearranged meals and appointments. They are seeking not just restaurant reservations, but exact tables at in-demand hot spots as well as pre-ordering wine to accompany the meal.
Exploring new destinations is the prevailing travel motivator for 2019, and Japan tops the list of emerging destinations for the first time, having previously finished third and fifth in 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Let’s take a peek at the top 5 luxury emerging destinations:
Top 5 Luxury Emerging Destinations
#1 – Japan
Walk hand-in-hand beneath cherry blossom trees in the spring, or slalom down the Japan Alps in the winter. Dance ‘til dawn in Tokyo’s rollicking clubs, or bask in a hot-spring spa. Immerse yourself in history at Kyoto’s 17th century Katsura Imperial Villa and gardens, and tour the Jishu Shrine, dedicated to the god of love. For an unforgettable experience, scale Mount Fuji by night (July-August), and see the sunrise from Japan’s tallest peak.
To see hundreds of curated experiences we have for you in Japan: CLICK HERE.
#2 – Croatia
Since joining the EU and appearing in scenes from “Game of Thrones”, Croatia has been basking in the spotlight. Walk along Dubrovnik’s city walls, overlooking the sapphire blue Adriatic. In seaside Split, wander the ancient Roman streets of Diocletian’s Palace, dating to 300 AD. Head to the Istrian Peninsula for more beaches, fishing villages, vineyards, and olive groves, or inland to Zagreb, a cultural capital with more than two dozen museums.
To see hundreds of curated experiences we have for you in Croatia: CLICK HERE.
#3 – Iceland
As the name implies, Iceland has plenty of ice. With 4,500 miles of glacier, there’s ample opportunity for guided hikes and ice climbs. It’s also home to the Þríhnúkagígur crater, offering the chance to enter a magma chamber big enough to fit the Statue of Liberty. For an overview of Iceland’s diversity, visit Vatnajökull National Park, the largest in Europe, where you’ll find more glaciers, the Öræfajökull volcano, and Iceland’s tallest peak.
To see hundreds of curated experiences we have for you in Iceland: CLICK HERE.
#4 – Portugal
Portugal’s Douro Valley vineyards have served as the center of the port-wine industry for 400 years. But look beyond the bottom of your glass to discover the cliffs and beaches of the Algarve, the waterfalls and lakes of Peneda-Geres National Park, the gorges and peaks of Madeira, and the maze-like Moorish alleys of Lisbon. Feast on traditionally salted codfish, or ply waters teaming with sea bass, grouper, and salmon for your own fresh catch.
To see hundreds of curated experiences we have for you in Portugal: CLICK HERE.
#5 – Egypt
The conventional tourism spots can be very busy. Therefore, a travel advisor will be able to help you get to the front of the line. A personalized approach is more effective, as well as more off-the-beaten-path destinations such as Khan Ali-Kalili (Cairo’s biggest open market), Mosque of Sayyidna al-Hussein (a sacred Islamic site), and Islamic-Cairo.
To see hundreds of curated experiences we have for you in Egypt: CLICK HERE.
If you asked me which of these emerging destinations was at the top of my bucket list, I would list Japan as well.
As you can see from the photograph at the very top, Carol has been to Japan on a whirlwind incentive trip that we won back a couple of years ago. But, I’ve never been and she would like to go back at a slower pace.
Don’t be surprised if we put together a trip to Japan in the near future and invite you to come along with us. Sound fun? 🙂
For more information on these or any other destination, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
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Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
Posted by David Porter on November 13, 2018 · Leave a Comment
An Epic Sisters Trip River Cruise
Carol and her sister Beth are just home from an epic sisters trip river cruise sailing with our friends at AmaWaterways. They started their trip on the Danube in Budapest, visited cities like Vienna, Dürnstein, Melk, Salzburg, Linz, Regensburg, Vilshofen, and ended their trip with a 2-night post-cruise experience in Prague.
The girls had a blast as they enjoyed some major sister-bonding, a little shopping, visited historic sites, learned some of the histories of the region and Beth said that her very first visit to Europe was EPIC.
To view daily photographs from their sisters trip river cruise, come visit our Instagram and Facebook pages.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more.
Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
Posted by David Porter on November 13, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Come on over and read our latest travel newsletter.
This week we share the conclusion of Carol’s Sisters Trip, share land tours in Jordan and Israel, an African Safari in Tanzania, small group travel options in the U.S. and Canada, FREE Air on three of Viking Ocean’s Epic Month-Long sailings and much, much, more: CLICK HERE.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more.
Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
Posted by David Porter on November 6, 2018 · Leave a Comment
What We’re Booking: Mexico City, Private Tour Package
While Carol and I are well known for helping our clients plan ocean and river cruises, with the help of our local in-country travel partners all over the world, we are also highly competent to help you craft a journey in nearly any part of the world.
Keeping abreast of travel trends, hotels, restaurants, and the best guides all over the world is simply impossible.
Therefore, when we’re planning private journeys for our clients, we pull our in-country travel partners into the planning process so that we might have up-to-date and local expertise in the planning process.
This is simply invaluable, and a huge benefit to us and our clients.
Very recently, we had clients approach us to help them plan a fun trip to Mexico City, Teotihuacan, and the colonial city of Puebla.
I haven’t been to Mexico City since the 70s, so how could I possibly offer our clients competent help? Simple, I used our in-country on-site partners to come alongside and help us plan this journey together with our clients.
Take a peek at this luxury 7-day journey we prepared for our clients:
7-Day Luxury Private Tour: Mexico City, Teotihuacan, and the Colonial City of Puebla
Day #1
Mexico City
Deluxe Mexico City Airport Private Transfer to Mexico City Hotel
Driver + Transportation
Our airport supervisor will greet you in the arrival hall of Mexico City International Airport. He will accompany you to your awaiting car and introduce you to the driver. The select hotels that we work with are between 5 and 15km from the airport and traffic depending can usually be reached within 30-45 minutes.
6 Night(s) at Four Seasons Mexico DF, Deluxe Room
Buffet Breakfast included for adults
For lovers of traditional luxury the Four Seasons, Mexico City is for you. The rooms are set around an inner tree-filled courtyard with a large fountain centerpiece giving the hotel the feel of a large hacienda. The quiet tranquility it exudes means you could easily be forgiven for forgetting that you are in the bustling heart of one of the world’s biggest cities. The recently remodeled rooms boast clean lines, dark wood furniture and plush beds that invite you to dive under the covers. With hues in a variation of greys, beiges, and shots of red, and plush carpets and leather features, the rooms exude quality. All rooms contain design features that hint at Mexico’s rich history, ensuring that however international the hotel is you still remember you are in Mexico. The bathrooms are ample with deep baths to sink into after a long day sightseeing. On site, there are two restaurants, a rooftop pool, a jacuzzi, a spa, and a gym. All of this, plus impeccable service make it the perfect option for traditional luxury seekers.
Day #2
Deluxe Mexico Private Morning Tour to Historical Center
Driver + Bilingual Guide ENG / SPA + Transportation
2 Adults x 1 Bellas Artes Museum
Pick-up time and location: 9 am at your hotel lobby
Duration: 6hrs
Inclusions: Private transportation, driver, bilingual guide, bottled water
Discover Mexico’s Mesoamerican, Colonial and Revolutionary history while exploring the historic center of the capital. What is now the heart of this modern city was also once the center of the Aztec world, Tenochtitlan. You will visit the Cathedral built upon the main Aztec temple by the Spanish conquistadors, as well as the painted representation of Mexico’s past by muralist Diego Rivera. Taking a walk along some of the center’s iconic streets you will arrive at the Palace of Fine Arts where you can explore its varied architecture.
Private Access to Anthropology National Museum
Pick-up time and location: 6:30 pm at your hotel lobby – Museum is closed to the public on Mondays
Duration: 4 hours
Inclusions: Private Entrance National Museum of Anthropology
This once in a lifetime experience will take you to explore The National Anthropology Museum on a private and off-hours tour. This museum showcases fascinating artifacts from various cultures that once thrived in Mesoamerica and is the most visited museum in Mexico.
Designed and built by architect Pedro Ramirez Vasquez in 1964, it is considered to be very important for its architectural design as well as the vast array of artifacts that it houses. Your expert guide will lead you on an exploration of the museum, taking you on a journey through the many histories and cultures of Mesoamerica. One of the most important pieces housed at the museum is the 24-ton Aztec Sunstone that was found buried beneath the city’s main square in 1790. While you observe its intricate craftsmanship, your guide will explain the legend of the five suns that is depicted in the stone. You will also explore replica temples and the tomb of King Pakal found at Palenque in Chiapas as well as learning about the ancient ball game that was played across Mesoamerica.
At the conclusion of your private visit to the museum, you will be driven back to your hotel.
Day #3
Deluxe Mexico Private Full Day Tour to Teotihuacan Pyramids
Driver + Bilingual Guide ENG / SPA + Transportation
2 Adults x 1 Teotihuacan
Pick-up time and location: 9 am at your hotel lobby
Duration: 7-8 hours
Inclusions: Private deluxe transportation, driver, bilingual guide, bottled water
This full-day experience takes you to one of the most important Mesoamerican sites in the Americas, Teotihuacan. With your expert, bilingual guide you will explore the archeological zone while learning about the rituals, cosmology, beliefs and everyday lives of the Aztecs and the inhabitants of Teotihuacan before them.
Day #4
Deluxe Mexico City Private Tour to Puebla and Cholula
Driver + Bilingual Guide ENG / SPA + Transportation
2 Adults x 1 Amparo or Barroco
2 Adults x 1 Cholula Entrance
Pick-up time and location: 8 am at your hotel lobby
Duration: 7-8 hours
Inclusions: Private, deluxe transportation, bilingual guide, bottled water
Explore the colonial city of Puebla and the ‘magic town’ of Cholula. Puebla is known for its architecture, Talavera pottery, and rich gastronomic history. Visit the sights, including the Amparo Museum (closed on Tuesdays) or Baroque Museum (closed on Mondays), and learn about Puebla’s importance in New Spain as well as its contemporary reputation as a center for industry and education. Then continue on to Cholula, home to the largest pyramid base in Mesoamerica, upon which a 16th Century church was built. Your guide will lead you in exploring the town and on a clear day, you may get a view of the Popocatepetl Volcano.
Day #5
Deluxe Mexico City South Private Morning Tour
Driver + Bilingual Guide ENG / SPA + Transportation
2 Adults x 1 Frida Kahlo Museum
Pick-up time and location: 9 am at your hotel lobby
Duration: 6 hours
Inclusions: Private deluxe transport, bilingual guide, bottled water
Explore Mexico City’s southern neighborhoods that feel like small villages despite being part of the big city. Your guide will lead you on an exploration of the tree-lined streets of San Angel and Coyoacan where you will walk in the footsteps of some of Mexico’s most revered artists and writers, like Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Octavio Paz.
Day #6
A day at Leisure. Perhaps the spa and pool? 🙂
Day #7
Deluxe Mexico City Hotel Pvt Transfer to Mexico City Airport Driver + Transportation
How to book this or a similar tour for yourself
I don’t know about you, but I’d love to take this tour as Mexico City is one of the spots on my bucket list.
This luxury private guided tour priced out at $4,350/person and while the price is subject to change, I think that this a fabulous offer for a luxury private-guided tour!
How about you? Can we help you custom-craft a luxury private-guided tour to Mexico City like this one?
Note: we also have small group tours available if you prefer.
To learn more about this, or our travel planning services anywhere in the world, call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we will reach out to you.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more.
Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
Posted by David Porter on November 3, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Review: Our Stay at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel
Since opening in 1928, the iconic Beverly Wilshire has been a favorite of celebrities, royalty and international elite – and it’s easy to see why.
At the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive, at stay at the Beverly Wilshire will put you in the enviable heart of Beverly Hills, with designer shopping, fine dining and postcard-worthy views at your doorstep.
Indulge in pampering treatments at their award-winning Spa, savor Michelin-starred cuisine at CUT by Wolfgang Puck, then stroll hand in hand back to your room to watch the stars twinkle above the Hollywood Hills.
Plus, for those of you who remember the 1990 romantic comedy Pretty Woman, the Beverly Wilshire was the primary setting for this film.
Roaming Boomers Travel Services, through our industry affiliations, is a Preferred Partner with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
As such, Carol and I (that’s Carol in my photograph above) thought it might be fun to pop over to Beverly Hills to introduce our clients and readers to this iconic hotel.
When our driver pulled into the reception area, we found ourselves smack dab in the middle of what one might expect from Beverly Hills: a Rolls Royce here, a Bentley there and trendy fashionistas in great abundance.
However, the Beverly Hillbilly’s were nowhere to be seen. 🙂
We arrived around lunchtime, and after getting our luggage stowed away, we were whisked out to an outside patio sidewalk table at THE Blvd, which offered us the perfect spot to people watch and enjoy a fabulous and healthy lunch.
I enjoyed a fabulous Red Quinoa Bowl, while Carol noshed on a very tasty Baby Spinach & California Date Salad all while enjoying the company of our gracious host, Travel Industry Sales Manager Heather Repinski.
And to top off our wonderful lunch, here comes our waiter with the most incredible desserts created by Executive Pastry Chef, Jeff Ford. Listen folks, both of these desserts were absolutely mouthgasmic. I simply couldn’t stop saying, “Oh My Goodness”, with each and every bite. Here, take a peek:
After a relaxing lunch, we checked into our room, a spacious One Bedroom Beverly Suite w/ Balcony (pictured below) and then Heather gave us a site-tour of the hotel where we explored the various available staterooms and suites, the glorious Forbes Five-star spa, the pool, and much more.
Photo courtesy of the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel
That evening, Carol and I enjoyed our second visit to Wolfgang Puck’s CUT restaurant.
We had the opportunity to dine at CUT in NYC and here we had the great opportunity to dine in Wolgang’s original restaurant.
As you can see in my photograph, our waiter brought us a few of the cuts of meat available to us in the restaurant. I decided to try the Japanese Pure Breed Wagyu Beef which was slowly grilled over American white oak and glowing embers of mesquite charcoal.
At $25/ounce and a minimum order of 6 ounces, I decided to take my taste buds on a journey they have never experienced before.
You can read more about Wagyu beef here. What you’ll learn is that with Wagyu, it’s all about the fat; something the Japanese call shimofuri.
Experiencing my first bite of world-class Wagyu was something my taste buds were not expecting. A good rib eye is a cut that folks enjoy because of the marbling that accompanies the meat. With the Wagyu, it really all about the marbling and the marbling is very front and center.
Will I ever try Wagyu again? Yes. But I don’t see it replacing my beloved USDA Prime Beef Filet Mignon. I see Wagyu as a journey that I will take my taste buds on from time to time. But for me, there’s no place like home and a fabulous filet.
If I have one regret about our stay at the Beverly Wilshire, it was that we stayed only one night. While we greatly enjoy the hotel, we really didn’t have time to walk out the front door and explore the environs. I guess that just means that we will have to come back again. 🙂
However, this I can say with confidence: if you’re in search of a place for a special long-weekend getaway, the Beverly Wilshire is a fabulous choice.
Plus, we’ve got VIP perks for your stay.
How to Book the Beverly Wilshire with our Preferred Partner Perks
If you want to get an idea of the going rate to stay at the Beverly Wilshire, then hop over to their website here. There, you will find their best available rates.
However, if you’d like to book the Beverly Wilshire and get our complimentary VIP perks, then you must give us a call for a booking. Here are the complimentary perks we have as of this writing for your stay:
- Guaranteed best available rates
- Exclusive Guaranteed Upgrade: Enjoy a guaranteed upgrade at the time of booking for new reservations for travel from June 21 to December 30, 2018. Offered:
- Complimentary early check-in and/or late check-out based on availability.
- Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
- Preferred Partner USD $100 credit to enjoy at the spa, the THE Blvd restaurant, or CUT by Wolfgang Puck.
- Complimentary basic Internet in all guest rooms; complimentary premium Internet in all suites
To book your stay at the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we will reach out to you.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more.
Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
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