Best Of The Best - 2014 Virtuoso Style!

 Check out the 2014 Virtuoso Best of the Best! This year's directory brings a wealth of information on the more than 980 Virtuoso-preferred hotels and resorts worldwide. You'll find tips from Virtuoso travel advisors to help you make the most of your stay, along with details on complimentary amenities like room upgrades, breakfast daily, resort credits and more. Plus, be sure to check out our new Exceptional Experiences throughout the directory, which your Virtuoso travel advisor can custom design just for you. 

See how Virtuoso can open doors for you - around the world! Explore your world, your way, with exclusive amenities at all of the hotels and resorts in this directory:

Navigate to any section of the world and read about Virtuoso's preferred hotels and resorts from Cape Town to Paris. Virtuoso can take you anywhere - in style.

Voted outstanding in select categories by Virtuoso travel advisors, take a look at these hotels are standouts this year and start planning your next luxury getaway.

The Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts Preview program welcomes seven extraordinary properties. Review the newest 'Best of the Best' in this issue.

These are just a few of the best parts of 2014's 'Best Of The Best'. Flip through for information, pictures and to get to know some of Virtuoso's finest properties, then contact Travelworld of Coronado to help plan your next vacation.

Biggest Celebration of Life is to Travel

Biggest Celebration of Life is to Travel

Every new year comes with new reasons to celebrate - birthdays, graduations, anniversaries...in other words, time spent with the ones you love. This select collection of trips is perfect for heralding any special occasion and we just had to share it with you.

Each features exclusive Virtuoso amenities and extras, compliments of traveling with us. So how will you mark the occasion? Whatever you choose, we will collaborate with you to customize every detail of your festive journey!!

Trips of a Lifetime

 

With a new year around the corner, naturally it's a time to look back at what you've accomplished, what you would have done differently and of course create a list of new years resolutions. This year lets add 'go on my dream vacation' that list! Not sure what your dream vacation is made of yet? We can help you! Here are some trips of a lifetime that could become your reality come 2014...

Adventure in Abu Dhabi
Watch a camel race, ride the world's fastest roller coaster, barter in a souk, and gaze up at the world's "furthest leaning man-made tower" all in a single day. Those are just a few of the adventures that await visitors to Abu Dhabi.

Discover the Galapagos
Meet blue-footed boobies, sea lions, marine iguanas and penguins. Visit the Charles Darwin Research station and the historic barrel, that has served as an archipelago post office for two centuries! 

Uncover History in Israel
Visit Jerusalem, the home to holy sites of the three major monotheistic religions- Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Then trek the new Gospel Trail in Northern Israel and make your way south to float in the Dead Sea. End your trip in Israel's cultural capital, Tel Aviv!

Explore Kenya
You could spend a year in Kenya and never experience all that there is to see and do. This rich country offers a wealth of exhilarating adventures from big five safaris to insightful encounters with Maasi elders and village craftswomen.

We want to create your trip of a lifetime in 2014! Contact us for more information.

The crazy New Zealander at Estadio Azteca

Where in the world... 

Mexico VS New Zealand

By: Tania Swasbrook
 
When my husband, a New Zealander born and raised, proposed going to Mexico City to see the soccer game between Mexico and New Zealand for a spot in the World Cup 2014, I thought it was a great idea! For a whole minute that is...

Then I thought...Are you NUTS? Do you know what they would do to you if NZ won? In a stadium that fits 104,000 fans, you will be one of at most 10 fans from New Zealand in "Estadio Azteca". 

So of course we went.

Our friends at Las Alcobas, a trendy hotel in Polanco, invited us to stay for the 2 days we would be there and we dragged along another Kiwi friend, my mother and brother for support. It was a sight to be seen!

THE GAME PREVIEW

I always love Mexico City but you need to be careful with the smog, altitude and the fact that it now has 24 million people. This wasn't a site-seeing trip but as a side-note, there is SO much to do in Mexico City. You just need to a) have local contacts and b) have it well planned out in advance.

We got there pretty late...close to midnight...so obviously we went straight for tacos near our hotel.  Midnight is still pretty early in Mexico so we were able to get a seat.

 

TACOS EL PASTOR

Las Alcobas hotel is very quaint. It's perfectly placed in Polanco which is the ritzy area of Mexico City...somewhat mixed with trendy. You have the more upscale hotels and shops and it is a tad more secure. The hotel had great service (well, that's not hard as Mexico has some of the best service in the world) and everything was VERY high-tech. Almost a bit too high-tech to be honest. It took forever just to find how to turn on the light or where the safe was. They did have very cool amenities though which were these cool soup collection bar.

Las Alcobas
Trendy/Boutique luxury
Location: Polanco, near upscale neighborhood/residential zone so quiet
Tech: WiFi included. Room very high tech (almost too much!)
Service: Excellent
Kids: Welcomed but as with any trendy boutique hotel, not that much to do. Although with this type of hotel, you come to visit the city, not stay inside.
Restaurant: Delicious and very "cool"

BEST TEQUILA

WE HAVE THE TICKETS!

The next day was game day. My mother had to meet with some clients before going (they gave us a wonderful gift at breakfast) (and they had some of the most incredible offices I have ever seen). Then we were off.

Traffic was obviously going to be horrible but Mexico City has this very complex highway system. One  you pay and has no traffic, the other you don't and you have traffic. So we paid. We got there on time. As predicted, we were amongst the only New Zealanders there.

     

I won't lie. We started off great but then it started to get a bit scary. Yes, Mexico was up by 4 points but it doesn't matter. We were the enemy (of course I was cheering for Mexico but I at that moment was with the enemy). So we ended up leaving about 20 minutes before the end as it started to get a bit rough and we started to see the riot police coming in. 

RIOT POLICE COMING

We had an extraordinary time and once in a lifetime experience!






My daughter, supporting the best team, asking: "Are you guys nuts"?
#DoYouTravelworld

NBC chosen to televise first flight to space

We just wanted to share this press release with you. Step by step we are getting closer to making history. I am nervous and excited all at once! 

Keep up to date on our space page: www.travelworldspaceagents.com

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO TELEVISE FIRST COMMERCIAL FLIGHT TO SPACE  HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO NBC

"TODAY" to Broadcast Virgin Galactic's Historic First Commercial Spaceflight LIVE Featuring Sir Richard Branson and His Children. Coronado Woman is future astronaut. 

NEW YORK, NY - November 8, 2013 - Announced this morning on NBC's TODAY, NBCUniversal inked an exclusive multi-platform partnership with Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic, the world's first commercial spaceline, to televise the inaugural commercial space flight of SpaceShipTwo. Next year, Sir Richard and his adult children, Holly and Sam, will be the first private passengers to travel into space on SpaceShipTwo from Virgin Galactic's terminal at Spaceport America in New Mexico.  NBC News' award-winning Peacock Productions will chronicle the journey across a myriad of NBCUniversal brands and platforms including CNBC,MSNBC, NBCNews.com, Syfy, The Weather Channel and more, culminating in a primetime special airing on NBC the night before launch, and a three-hour live event on "TODAY," hosted by Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthr  Final Phase testing ie.

"Without a doubt, Sir Richard and his children taking the first commercial flight into space, will go down in history as one of the most memorable events on television," said Sharon Scott, President and General Manager, Peacock Productions.  "Through NBCUniversal's multiple platforms and overseas network partners, viewers from around the world will get to experience this where were you moment; we're extremely honored to chronicle Sir Richard's journey and live launch into space."

"Virgin Galactic is thrilled that NBCUniversal will join us on our exciting first journey to space," said Sir Richard. "In this first chapter of commercial space travel, we will help make space accessible and inspire countless more people to join us in the pursuit of space exploration and science innovation."

"Every time something like this happens it gives me chills. It means we are getting one step closer to making history!," says Francis Contreras, owner of Travelworld of Coronado and one of the first Accredited Space Agents and future astronaut herself.

From a stylish retreat in Bhutan to a chic city stay Bangkok, we have Travel + Leisure's hit list of the coolest hotels and what pushes them to the top. We'll summarize 2013's most extraordinary hotels for any style of travel!

City 

Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund

Located on the northern part of the iconic Bund waterfront, provides the ultimate escape to this megalopolis of 23 million. From the unobstructed views of the Huangpu River to the both thoughtful and discreet service, everything about this hotel is to die for. Oh and did we forget to mention the three-floor, marble-clad spa, spread over 14,000 square feet, with the most comprehensive treatment menu around. Click here to check out Fabian's travels through China!

Shangri-La, Mumbai

Bringing even more glamour to the Mumbai, the Shangri-La is the perfect escape within the bustling city. Whether it be soaking in a hot-stone massage at the Chi spa, designer shopping at the ground-floor Palladium Mall, or lounging by the breezy outdoor pool, the hotel is almost a city in itself. Upstairs, the spectacular 390 guest rooms offer sweeping views of the city and Arabian Sea beyond. Click here and we will help you make this relaxing dream come true.

Rustic

Capaldi Atlas Mountains, Morocco

A visit to Morocco is now incomplete without a visit to the windswept dunes of the Moroccan desert, just outside of Marrakesh. At night, feast on tender côte de boeuf at the French-inspired restaurant before a swim under the stars in the pool and a midnight movie at the hotel’s private cinema. Click here for more information.

Cicada Lodge, Nitmiluk National Park, Australia
There are 500 remaining Jawoyn Aborigines in the Northern Territory that make up one of the world’s oldest surviving cultures, and now, with the opening of Cicada Lodge they are also Australia's most anticipated hoteliers. This boutique hotel that consists of 18 relaxing rooms aims to put Nitmiluk Gorge on the traveler's map. From high intensity four-wheel-drive touring to swimming under waterfalls, this national park has something for everyone and we can help you plan it.

Beach

Mukul Beach, Golf & Spa
The country’s first five-star hideaway, located on an undeveloped stretch of land on the Pacific coast that now reeks of luxury. From plunge pools, butlers, a spa with themed treatment rooms, and a golf course designed by David McLay Kid, this is the ultimate beach get-away.We love the culture elements incorporated from the mostly local staff to the local grass-fed Nicaraguan beef and Flor de Caña rum. Click here to see how Nicaragua may be the perfect place for your next beach destination.

Oyster Inn, Waiheke Island, New Zealand
Just 35 minutes from Auckland by ferry, Kiwis have known about it forever, but the world is just catching on to Waiheke Island, thanks to the Oyster Inn. Waking up in the small but sweet all whitewashed guestrooms with  exposed rafters and colorful kilims and walking over to the patio café overlooking Oneroa Bay, ordering platters of bivalves plucked straight from the sea, could not make for a better beach getaway. Click here to talk to us about planning your island vacation.

Fabian & Francis cruising the Black Sea

Where in the world... 

Our trip to the Black Sea

Oceania Cruises: Riviera

The brand new Riviera, which debuted in May 2012, is stunning. Designer touches are everywhere, from the magnificent Lalique Grand Staircase and stunning Owner's Suites furnished in Ralph Lauren Home.


Comfortably mid-sized, with a country club casual ambiance and level of personalized service, combined with new amenities, made it an incredible experience…one which were not expecting. As the first ship designed for lovers of fine dining and travel experiences, the 1250 passenger Riviera offers guests multiple dining venues, of which six are open-seating gourmet restaurants with no surcharge.

Accommodations in every category are incredibly spacious, especially with regard to the lavish bathrooms.

 Our 13 day Itinerary

Day	Date	Location
1	Thu, 25 Jul	Istanbul, Turkey
2	Fri, 26 Jul	Nessebar, Bulgaria
3	Sat, 27 Jul	Constanta, Romania
4	Sun, 28 Jul	Odessa, Ukraine
5	Mon, 29 Jul	Sevastopol, Ukraine
6	Tue, 30 Jul	Yalta, Ukraine
7	Wed, 31 Jul	Sochi, Russia
8	Thu, 01 Aug	Trabzon, Turkey
9	Fri, 02 Aug	Sinop, Turkey
10	Sat, 03 Aug	Çengelköy, Turkey
11	Sun, 04 Aug	Kusadasi, Turkey
12	Mon, 05 Aug	Mykonos, Greece
13	Tue, 06 Aug	Piraeus, Greece

Arrival into Istambul, Turkey:

Turkish Airlines

Excellent Business Class as well as Comfort Class (Premium Economy).

With the most amazing tour operator in the world, Nurdan from Nurdan's United Travel Services, Turkey.

Istanbul, Turkey

MUST SEE:

Dolmabache Palacio

Mezquita azul

Iglesia Sofia

Grand Bazaar

MUST EAT & DRINK

Sur Balak (5mins from Four Season)
Kebabs’  
Doner Kebaps (like Mexican Tacos)

Black tea and Apple tea

Turkish Coffee

Nessebar, Bulgaria

Nessebar, Bulgaria...an ancient town and one of the major seaside resorts on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast!

MUST EAT AND DRINK: 
Pork (not a lot of options)
Local Wines

Constanta, Romania

Constanta - the oldest extant city in Romania. It was founded around 600 BC 

MUST EAT AND DRINK:

Local Wines
** 1 dollar = 3.3 Lei

Odessa, Ucrania 

The port of Odessa, where they arrived, is one of the most important seaports in Ukraine which is located on the northwestern shore of the Black Sea.

MUST SEE:

        Potemkin Steps y Odessa City Hall 

       Opera House

       Fine Arts Museum 

       Primoski Boulevard

MUST EAT & DRINK :

Pork and vegetable dumplings 

Pork   Borsch (onion and egg soup)
Vodka : Horilka 
Cold fruit tea
 

Sevastopol, Ukraine
Sevastopol is one of two cities with special status in Ukraine (the other being the capital, Kiev). A strategically important naval point, it is also a popular seaside resort and tourist destination.

MUST SEE:

Khan Palace in Bakhchisaray (1hra del puerto)

Yalta, Ukraine

YALTA, a resort city in Crimea, southern Ukraine, on the north coast of the Black Sea. The city is located on the site of an ancient Greek colony, said to have been founded by Greek sailors who were looking for a safe shore on which to land.

MUST SEE:

Museum: Chekhov
Alexander Nevsky Cathedra;

MUST EAT AND DRINK:

Beer: Lvivske
BBQ Pork

Sochi, Russia

Situated on the Black Sea coast near the border of Georgia, Sochi is one of Russia's largest resort cities. A lot is going on here in the next few years. Sochi will host the XXII Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games next year as well as the Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix. It is also one of the host cities for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Basic info:

* "Spasibo" = Thank you
* 1 Dolar = 30 Rubles

Trabzon, Turkey

Trabzon played a key role in both the Silk Road and the Ottoman period because of the importance of its port.

MUST SEE:

Monasterio Sumela (1 hr from port)  CANT MISS

MUST EAT AND DRINK:
Kebabs

Kusadasi, Turkey

A resort town on Turkey's Aegean, its primary industry is tourism given it is so close to Ephesus.

MUST SEE:

Ephesus: Old Roman Town-  CANT MISS

MUST EAT AND DRINK:

Kebabs