Posted by David Porter on December 23, 2015 · Leave a Comment
©2014, David A. Porter
I snagged this photograph shooting through the window of a Christmas ornament shop in Salzburg, Austria while sailing the Danube with Viking River Cruises last year.
If Christmas is a magical time of the year for you, then a visit to Salzburg on a Christmas-time European river cruise should be on your bucket list. If you travel in early December, the weather is generally nice (low 50s), and the excitement in the Christmas Markets is nearly palpable. Plus, the smell of chestnuts roasting on an open fire doesn’t hurt either. 🙂
To book your own magical Christmas Markets river cruise, call our travel agency during normal business hours at (480) 550-1235, or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
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Posted by David Porter on December 22, 2015 · Leave a Comment
| Please enjoy the digital edition of this Travel Catalog with our compliments. |
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| Now’s the time to get inspired and go places you’ve only dreamed about. The pages of this catalog are filled with life-changing adventures from railing across the Scottish Highlands to rolling down the Danube on a boutique river ship with butler service. Wherever you choose to venture, your Virtuoso travel advisor is ready to help you customize your trip with exclusive amenities and rates. |
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| In this issue |
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BUCKET LIST: AFRICA
Our top picks include spotting all of the “big five” on a safari in Kenya and tasting fine Shiraz at the Cape Winelands. |
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REASONS TO SET SAIL
Today’s voyages offer something for everyone, including niche sailings and immersive shore excursions. |
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HIGH STYLE
Airlines shift their focus from lower fares to lush amenities ranging from comfy pajamas to butler-serviced cabins. |
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| All offers may not be available in all markets. All prices shown are per person, based on double occupancy, in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated. Prices converted from the supplier’s local currency are based on the current exchange rate at the time of deployment. Fares do not include taxes or other fees unless otherwise stated. While every care is taken to ensure accuracy, fares, schedules, Virtuoso exclusives, Virtuoso Voyager Club events and amenities are subject to availability, blackout dates, international currency fluctuations, and may change without notice. Virtuoso Voyager Club events require a minimum/maximum number of participants and may not be combinable with other offers. Space is limited and other restrictions may apply. See your Virtuoso travel advisor for more details and applicable restrictions. Virtuoso assumes no responsibility for the presentation confirmed within, including errors in pricing. The trademarks VIRTUOSO, the Globe Swirl Logo, SPECIALISTS IN THE ART OF TRAVEL, ORCHESTRATE DREAMS, VOYAGER CLUB, and RETURN ON LIFE are registered trademarks of Virtuoso, Ltd. Virtuoso, Ltd. has a U.S. copyright registration for the Globe Swirl Logo, ©2000. All rights reserved. Virtuoso California CST# 2069091; TA# 808 – Registered Iowa Travel Agency; Washington UBI # 601 554 183. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. 301512 US/CAN 11/15
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© 2015 Virtuoso, Ltd. | 505 Main Street, Suite 500 | Fort Worth, TX 76102 |
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Posted by David Porter on December 22, 2015 · Leave a Comment
In an article released this morning, Travel Market Report is sharing the story of a gal that is bringing a lawsuit against Airbnb alleging that she found a hidden camera in a California apartment rental.
This raises an important question: are you safer staying in a hotel than renting a private property when you travel?
While this issue is not one that is black and white to answer, I suppose one could conclude that this type of nonsense is not going to be an issue when you check into a reputable hotel brand.
From the Travel Market Report Article:
In the complaint, Schumacher said the camera recorded personal and intimate conversations, leaving her “deeply humiliated and angry.” She believes the camera was operated by remote control — and worries that nude pictures of her taken in the apartment might leak.
A simple Google search for “hidden camera” will reveal the seemingly endless ways that manufacturers are creating hidden cameras. The intent for these devices are primarily for home security. But, as you might imagine, a deviant might find these devices desirable for depraved activity.
I’m quite certain that the vast majority of Airbnb private rentals are not put forth by dirty old men looking for a degenerate jolly, but this type of news does bring the privacy issue front and center.
What say you? Do you feel safe renting a private property? Do you give these potential abuses any consideration when contemplating a private travel rental?
Link: Travel Market Report Article
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Posted by David Porter on December 21, 2015 · 1 Comment
We just got an awful text from one of our clients: “my iPhone was pickpocketed”.
For travelers, there is no better way to have your dream vacation ruined than having your wallet, purse, passport, credit cards, or smartphone stolen.
We know this from personal experience, as Carol had her purse stolen a few years ago when we were visiting Rome. Inside the purse was her passport, wallet filled with cash and credit cards, and other valuables and goodies that women like to keep in their purses.
We spent nearly three hours in an Italian police station reporting the theft. Then, we had to call all of our credit card companies, and to top it all off, we spent nearly a whole day getting Carol a new passport at the American consulate’s office.
What a mess!
As you might imagine, we’re now a LOT more careful to protect our valuables when we’re traveling. Here’s a few things we’ve learned:
How to Protect Yourself From Pickpockets
- This first suggestion might be hard to do, but try not to look like a tourist. I know, I know, there’s 20 of you touring the Roman Colosseum. You’ve all got your cameras to the ready, and you’re totally being a tourist. Just know that when you’re in tourist mode, you’re a target for pickpockets. However, when you’re not out touring in a group, do your best to blend in with the locals. If you stand on a street corner in your white sneakers and colorful Bermuda shorts while studying a tourist map, you’re telegraphing to thieves, “come steal my stuff”.
- Photocopy important documents. Make a copy of your passport, driver’s license and both the front and back of your credit and debit cards to keep in your hotel room’s safe. If you do suffer a loss, you will be very happy to have copies of these documents. Better yet, when you’re out touring, leave your passport back in the hotel safe and move about with the copy. Better to have the copy stolen than the original. Of course, this won’t work if you’re traveling between countries during the day.
- Men, keep your wallet in your front pocket. Better yet, don’t keep it in your pocket at all. Consider buying travel pants that have the front pockets zippered and buttoned. Or, maybe consider one of those zippered travel belts. Whatever the case, if you leave your valuables in an unprotected back pants pocket, you might as well just hand your wallet to the nearest stranger. Seriously. Don’t put stuff in your back pocket.
- Women, don’t carry a purse on your shoulders. Better yet, don’t carry a purse at all. But, if you must, consider buying a women’s travel purse. These small purses are generally a cross-body style that sits safely in front of you, rather than hanging on your shoulder. Further, keep your purse on you at all times. Never, ever hang it on the back of a chair. If you do, consider it gone!
- Protect your cell phone. You’re new iPhone is one of the most sought after objects for pickpockets. Not only is the phone valuable on the black market, but if they’re hacked, there is generally a treasure trove of personal information stored on them. Protect your phone as much as you would your cash.
- Be alert. Pickpockets lurk in very crowded spaces. They are highly skilled to find a weakness and will strike when your attention is diverted. And, as you’re in a very crowded space, you’re not likely to even know that the thief has make his strike until later. Further, be wary of wandering alone on dark streets. Bolder thieves will simply accost you if they find you alone.
Please know that we’re certainly not here to make you paranoid when you’re traveling. Having said that, and having been a victim ourselves in the past, our desire is to simply increase your awareness so that your vacation isn’t marred by some creep stealing your stuff. :O
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Posted by David Porter on December 19, 2015 · Leave a Comment
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The Roaming Boomers
