Authentic Travel: Sedona, Arizona, USA

Sedona's red rock formations draw visitors from all over the world.

Sedona’s red rock formations make it one of the most popular destinations in the American West. Travelers come from all over the world to watch the sunset turn mountains from red, to orange, to gold.

Some of these travelers are tourists, who arrive on group tours, poke around shops selling goods made overseas, take a few pictures of the scenery – and then move on to Flagstaff.

Other visitors are affluent enough to stay at Enchantment Resort, built on land that is sacred to Native Americans in a canyon outside of Sedona. They hang out in the resort’s spa, eat in the resort’s restaurants, and share the facilities with the large number of guests who are attending conferences and meetings.

And then there are the Authentic Luxury Travelers: you stay at L’Auberge de Sedona, an 87- room inn built on 11 acres on the banks of Oak Creek, where views of the renowned red rock formations are juxtaposed with the tranquility of the flowing river, and rustic exteriors give way to imported bed linens and modern amenities. I wasn’t surprised to learn that Amangiri refers guests to L’Auberge de Sedona.

ALT travelers also know that pink jeep tours are passé, and instead spend their time trying out the hundreds of hiking trails in the area. There’s a good reason why Sedona is known as “America’s day-hike capital”

Savvy hikers use the Sedona Trail Finder at The HikeHouse to find a route that is suitable to their ability and interest. The Hike House also provides private guided hikes (highly recommended), sells a complete line of footwear and accessories, and offers a pre-hike breakfast station and a make-your-own trail mix bar at their Hike House Energy Café.

Authentic Luxury Travelers also avoid Sedona's strip malls and browse through the shops and galleries at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village.

And one final insider tip: we picked up picnic ingredients at Euro Deli (EU) and enjoyed America’s Old West with a delicious Old World lunch.

Perfect combo!

The SedonaTrail Finder at The Hike House
 is an invaluable tool for finding the right path.

Authentic Travel: Myanmar (Burma)

Buddhist temple, Myanmar (Burma)

Many travelers, including me, are fascinated by Burma – or Myanmar, as it’s now called – but for more than ten years we struggled with the morality of traveling there due to the country’s human rights record. However, now the freed Aung San Suu Kyi has said that responsible visitors can help to change Burma for the better, and the country has become a popular destination for adventurous travelers.

Click here to read the informative travel /tourism section of "Network Myanmar."

What to do in Myanmar and where to stay -

The most popular attractions are ancient Buddhist temples and sprawling markets. The local people, often described as gentle, humorous, and engaging, welcome visitors. The Governor’s Residence in Yangon and Inle Lake View Resort & Spa are two of the country’s best hotels.

How to get to Myanmar -

Bangkok, Thailand, is the gateway to Yangon in Myanmar – and you’ll need to obtain a visa ahead of time.

Authentic Luxury Travelers can arrange customized trips through Artisans of Leisure (800-214-8144) in the U. S. and Audley Travel (01993 838 000) in the UK, among others.

Insider Tips:

Marybeth Bond, award-winning travel author and founder of GutsyTraveler.com, traveled in Myanmar in 2011 and offered this guest post to "Authentic Luxury Travel" -

Marybeth Bond and daughter Annalyse with bride
and groom at wedding they were invited to attend. "Traveling
as a family opens so many doors and friendships." MBB

“In May my daughters and I traded all our award miles for passage to Myanmar, formerly Burma. I did not go as a journalist, nor have I written about the experience. It was a private trip and we were extremely careful to leave the bulk of our tourist dollars in the hands of local guides and family-owned hotels. Why? Because tour companies and large hotels are owned by or share profits with the military generals, thus supporting the dictatorship. We didn't pay for services or tours in advance. We paid for everything in cash. Since there are no ATM's in Myanmar and the only places that accept credit cards are government-owned, we were forced to carry all our money for the entire trip in my money-belt. Crisp $100 bills. Every inconvenience and discomfort was rewarded by our experiences with the locals.

From Yangon to Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake, we talked to people who would talk and learned about human rights abuses and the conditions of their restricted lives. We gave our English books away, as locals cherished outside contact. Despite all odds, they remained hopeful.

In recent weeks we've been heartened as hundreds of opposition activists were freed and there has been normalization of United States/Myanmar relations. We watched our Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meet with Nobel Peace laureate and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. We hope that our visit during the end of the dictatorship marks the beginning of the freedom many have dreamed of for so long. "

Photo courtesy: Marybeth Bond, http://www.gutsytraveler.com/

Is Cruising Safe?

The Costa Concordia sinking off the coast of Italy.

The sinking of the cruise liner Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy this week has made many travelers wonder if cruises are a safe vacation option.

Of course, industry officials are saying “yes,” while the media is re-capping stories of passengers who disappeared in stormy seas, vessels attacked by Somali pirates, and contagious illnesses that swept through ships like a prairie fire.

Is cruising an authentic travel experience?

While I sympathize with those who have lost loved ones on cruise ships, the debate about ship safety won’t influence my travel plans. Like many of you, my trips are about authentic experiences. I travel to discover a destination, to meet local people, and to learn something about their culture – and cruise ships don’t provide this experience.

Organized shore excursions usually focus on the local “tourist attractions,” and even passengers who hire a private guide are limited by the fact that there isn’t enough time in port to explore very far a field. Often the shops in the vicinity of the dock are stocked with goods made in other countries and priced for buyers who don’t have the option of comparison shopping.

I know of only one ship that allows passengers to visit exotic destinations in an authentic way. The World is a floating community of 165 luxury apartments that moves continuously around the globe on an itinerary that includes stays of up to five days in some ports and expeditions to places as remote as Greenland and Antarctica. With 12 decks and an overall length of 644 feet, The World could easily be mistaken for a cruise ship – which it definitely is not.

While cruise ships do not meet the definition of Authentic Luxury Travel, they are great for family reunions, socializing with other passengers, and being pampered (to various degrees) with myriad food and entertainment options.

A couple of years ago, four generations of our family enjoyed a week along the Inside Passage of Alaska. We had fun, but I thought of it as a floating family reunion, not a travel experience.

Cruise ships can also be learning vacations if knowledgeable speakers are invited on board. On the other hand, don’t we all live near a community college that offers similar types of classes?

My guess is that people who cruise because they love shipboard activities and the social life will not let the tragedy of the Costa Concordia change their plans.

The sinking of the Titanic didn’t curtail Atlantic crossings, and I think by spring, the sun-drenched Mediterranean will have dissolved today’s iceberg of safety concerns.

Insider Tips: VRBO in Florence, Italy

Panorama of Florence, Italy, taken from the Piazza de Michelangelo.

This travel tip comes from my friend Shelley in San Diego, California, who stayed in a three-bedroom apartment - a "dream in the heart of Florence" - in December. When she told me how perfect it was for her family, I couldn't resist sharing her comments with you. I love that it's in an upscale area and close to good neighborhood restaurants. It sounds like a great deal and someplace you might want to consider for the next time you travel to Italy.

Vacation rentals are great for authentic travelers who want to connect with the community and the local culture. In my opinion they are better than hotel accommodations for 3G (three-generation) family vacations.

Shelley:
"We had the pleasure of staying in Claudia's beautiful apartment while visiting our daughter who is studying in Florence. We arrived on Christmas day, which we expected to be less than convenient, but Claudia was gracious enough to let our daughter store some food in the kitchen and provide her with a key in advance so that we did not need to disturb anybody's holiday with our arrival. Additionally, the kitchen was stocked with water, juice, coffee, a fresh fruit basket, and wonderful olive oil that Claudia bottles herself. The apartment was spacious enough for the 4 of us to not feel crowded. It was well furnished, with comfortable beds and linens. WiFi, heat, and hot water were all in excellent working order. We were even able to comfortably prepare meals in the kitchen. The location was fabulous...convenient walking distance to everything in Florence, and a true upscale residential neighborhood. Neighborhood restaurants and shops were all very nice. We look forward to staying at Borgo Pinti again on our next visit to Florence."

Duomo Vacation Rental - VRBO 165586, 3 bedroom apartment in Florence, Italy

Authentic Maldives ?

The Maldives are low-lying islands in the Indian Ocean.

It's been widely reported in the media this week that the government of the Maldives - beautiful low-lying islands in the Indian Ocean - has ordered all the resorts on the islands to close their spas because they are fronts for brothels.

First, I have to say that this is nonsense, but it also underscores the reason why I have not written about the Maldives on Authentic Luxury Travel. This blog is all about meeting local people and experiencing their cultures, and that is very difficult to do on the Maldives where each island is home to a single resort and nothing more.

Because they are Sunni Muslims, the local people aren't allowed to serve alcohol or pork, and they disapprove of beach attire, so the staff at most resorts are European, Thai or Filipino.

However, the government has historically tolerated cocktails, pork, and swimsuits because the hundreds of luxury resorts draw about 850,000 overseas travelers a years and contribute about 30% of the nation's GDP.

We stayed at two different resorts and they were both lovely. The food was Asian (we took a great Thai cooking class); and the other guests were European and Asian. There was just nothing Maldivian about it.

Having said that, the aquamarine water was positively dreamy; the snorkeling was very good, and the now-disputed massage therapies were wonderful. It just felt weird being in a country and having no contact with the local people and their culture.

As much as I believe that travelers who seek real experiences and make an effort to learn something about the local culture are helping to create a better world, I just couldn't figure out how to do it on the Maldives.

I couldn't help compare it to Turtle Island Resort in Fiji - an equally beautiful spot - where guests are treated like long-lost friends.

Click here to see more images of the Maldives.

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

Personalized Tours: In Eastern Europe On the Trail of Franz Kafka

Tyn Church on Prague’s .

Old Town Square

Authentic travelers are adventurous. Unlike tourists, we’re open to the unexpected and crave out-of-the ordinary experiences. It’s not that we never go on tours; it’s that we don’t go on “normal” tours that race from one “top attraction” to another.

I’ve already shared with you one Personalized Tour: Snorkeling in Palau and Yap, and now I want you to know about a delightful friend of mine who is taking a small group to Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic this summer to follow in the footsteps of Franz Kafka.

Yes, that Franz Kafka – the mysterious genius – and Dora Diamant the remarkable woman who kept his literary flame alive and was wrongly accused of burning his last works.

Tour leader Kathi Diamant (no known relation to Dora) is the author of the award-winning Kafka’s Last Love: The Mystery of Dora Diamant. She is also the Director of the Kafka Project at San Diego State University, where she has led the official search for Kafka’s lost literary treasure since 1997.

The Magical Mystery Literary History Tour will take place June 29-July 8, 2012. On the trail of the literary genius, the group will experience a romantic journey through Eastern European capitals, retracing the lives and love story of two extraordinary historical figures. Along the way, Kathi will share her quarter-century-long search for the truth about Dora Diamant.

The ten-day trip begins in Prague, at The Bishop’s House Hotel in the center of Prague's historic Lesser Town district. The building, a former bishop’s residence, dates back to the 16th century. The recently updated hotel features deluxe amenities, a fine restaurant, and small tavern with outdoor tables.

While in Prague, travelers will discover a Franz Kafka far different from a grim inaccessible genius. After three days exploring one of the most hauntingly beautiful world capitals, the group will continue on to Poland - to spend time in the Krakow of magical legends that Dora knew as a young woman.

Travelers will celebrate both Kafka’s birthday and Dora’s mission of organizing Yiddish plays, readings, and concerts to renew Jewish culture after WWII. During three days in Krakow, the group will attend the 22nd Jewish Culture Festival, while staying at the boutique RT Regents Hotel in the heart of the old Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz.

The tour wraps up in Berlin, where Dora and Kafka lived in the tumultuous early 1920s. Lodging here will be in the luxurious Honigmond (Honeymoon) Hotel in Berlin’s Mitte, the former East Berlin, now the city’s art and fashion center. Here, travelers will retrace Dora and Kafka’s love story and are invited to an exclusive Kafka Cocktail party with the world’s leading German Kafka scholars and writers and Dora’s own family members from Berlin and Israel.

The cost of the tour is $3,690 per person, based on double occupancy. The single supplement is $985.This includes hotels for nine nights, daily breakfast, five dinners, five lunches, sightseeing tours, local guides in each city, ground transportation, airport transfers and more. Airfare is not included. Optional day tours are available to Auschwitz and the Salt Mines in Poland and Potsdam in Germany. It’s also possible to add on 1-3 day individualized pre-tours in Prague.

Proceeds from the trip support the nonprofit Kafka Project, which seeks to recover lost letters, journals, and notebooks by one of the world’s most influential and profoundly misunderstood writers in the world.

If walking in the footsteps of Franz Kafka is your idea of summer fun, contact Kathi Diamant at 619-528-1108 or email: kdiamant@mail.sdsu.edu

Photo credit: Lori Diamant

Tips for Planning 3G Trips

Family bonding along the shores of Joffre Lake outside of Whistler.

Authentic luxury travelers know that planning any customized trip takes considerable time, and when multiple generations are involved it makes the process even more challenging. Having said that, the popularity of “3G” (three generation) family vacations is soaring because so many busy people want an opportunity to re-connect with kids, parents, spouses, and siblings in a relaxed environment.

Because of time constraints, the planner designated by the family might compromise and book a cruise or an all-inclusive resort for the 3G vacation – in spite of the fact that the trip won’t be an authentic travel experience.

Another alternative is to use a proven tour operator who has experience in planning exclusive itineraries for family groups. That way, family members spend their time having fun together – not laboring over the plans – and still enjoy an authentic travel experience and personalized service.

The following tips are courtesy of award-winning tour operator Austin-Lehman Adventures. ALA provides adventure vacations on five continents, including North, Central, and South America, Europe, the Pacific Rim and Africa. The company specializes in adult and family multi-sport, hiking, biking vacations that emphasize history, culture and the natural environment.

Whether you make your own arrangements or ask a tour operator to customize an experience for your family, here are some points to consider:

- Will the accommodations meet the needs of both adults and kids? Have you considered a vacation rental or another type of lodging with a kitchen so kids can grab a snack when they’re hungry and enjoy familiar food?

- Do the plans include age-appropriate activities for everyone? Parents and grandparents may want to enjoy a spa and play golf, but kids like pools, beaches, and playgrounds. On a Montana trip, ALA guides spontaneously set up an easy half-day horseback ride for grandparents who otherwise would have sat on the porch as younger family members did an intensive hike.

- What kinds of equipment are used for activities and how is the equipment adapted for 3G use? Are kid-size mountain bikes and/or tag-along kiddy carriers available?

- Are there children’s menus in the places you’ll be dining?

- Are there safe places where children can play when parents and grandparents are enjoying adult time? It’s also a good idea for kids to bring along a few favorite toys and books. A Trunki is the perfect size for pre-schoolers and older children can use a backpack.

- Have you made arrangements for children to be cared for, fed, and entertained while the adults enjoy their own quiet meal (if desired). Seventy-five percent of Austin-Lehman’s custom trips are for 3G families – and many of those are in national parks. At Chico Hot Springs Resort in Yellowstone, they arrange for adults to dine by candlelight while the kids have pizza by the pool.

ALA recommends a maximum of 18 on a customized family trip, in order to allow personalized attention and service from the staff and guides. They also suggest a guest-to-guide ratio of no more than six guests per guide.

Click here to read "A Place for Family Bonding," as well as other articles I've written about family travel.

If these options sound too tame and everyone in your family group is at least 12 years of age, consider a walking safari in Zambia. Our trip there was one of our most memorable - and I'm counting the years until our youngest will be allowed to participate.

Photo credit Austin-Lehman Adventures.

Costa Rica: Best Hotels

Arenas del Mar offers a private beach and
immediate access to Manuel Antonio National Park.

What to do in Costa Rica? This eco-friendly country offers many adventure options. (Click here to read Costa Rica's 5 Must-Have Experiences.) It also offers some beautiful, authentic hotels. Here are a few of my favorites:

Finca means “farm” and Finca Rosa Blanca  is a charming 13-room country inn overlooking an organic coffee plantation just outside of San Jose. The artistic décor includes hand-crafted tiles, colorful murals, and imaginative stained-glass windows. The very lush grounds are covered with tropical plants and include a pool and a spa. We loved the birdsong at breakfast on an outdoor wooden deck. At 4,000 feet, the air is very fresh, and fireplaces take the chill off cool nights. This hideaway is the perfect spot for travelers seeking real experiences.

Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort offers 114 rooms surrounded by stunning tropical gardens. Our “Deluxe” quarters included a huge bathroom and a balcony overlooking the rainforest. The water throughout the hotel is heated by the Arenal Volcano, and guests soak day and night in the adjacent hot springs. The natural waterfalls and river pools here are rich in beneficial minerals and surrounded by a magical tropical rainforest.

Monteverde Lodge isn’t as posh as some places we stayed, but the meals were wonderful – as were the gardens – and it’s very close to the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest. Getting from Tabacon to Monteverde is somewhat complicated, but click here to learn how Costa Rica Expeditions made it possible.

Arenas del Mar is located on the edge of Manuel Antonio National Park and offers 38 spacious rooms, including 20 Ocean Breeze suites. The tops floors of buildings six and seven offer the best views.

Because we stayed at Arenas del Mar, we were able to explore the area with the resort’s terrific naturalist guide (think insects the size of birds, various types of monkeys, orange crabs, three-toed sloths, raccoons, and black iguanas).

Back at Arenas del Mar, we relaxed on the private beach and enjoyed our Ocean Breeze suite, complete with a Jacuzzi on a large balcony, king bedroom, separate sitting area, and two bathrooms. Monkeys and iguanas often appear in the thriving green environment of the resort. (Don't forget to practice safe sun on the beach.)

Xandari Resort, designed by a California architect and his artist wife, almost feels more like a big gallery than a hotel. However, even more remarkable than the wall hangings and frescos, are the botanic gardens.

Here, you will find beds bursting with red torch ginger, bromeliads, haleconia, clivia, brunfelsia, flowering ginger, banana palms and much more. An orchid house, orchards, and a 4-kilometer walking trail leading to five waterfalls are other reasons why Costa Rica’s gardens are a must-have experience.

Proximity to the San Jose Airport makes Xandari a great place to end a trip to Costa Rica.

The only problem is that you won’t want to leave.

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

Click here to see more photos of Costa Rica.

Voluntourism and the Joy of Travel

The Africa Foundation supports schools in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa.


Customized itineraries are an important aspect of Authentic Luxury Travel. We like to focus on our individual interests and leave room in the trip plan for spontaneous detours.
This flexibility may enable staying longer than expected at a colorful marketplace or hiking farther than originally planned. It may also mean, as I learned a few years ago, being able to seize the moment and lend a hand in a developing country.

We stayed at the best hotels in Costa Rica and zoomed over the rainforest on a zipline, but my favorite memories of this country come from the village school we visited one afternoon. I hadn’t pre-planned the stop, but when I expressed interest – our driver made it possible.

To this day, the shy smiles of the children we met are locked in my heart, as is the gratitude expressed by the headmaster when I contributed enough cash to repair their only computer.

As the travel editor at a luxury lifestyle magazine, I’ve been sleeping on high-thread-count linens and enjoying 24/7 room service for a long time. However, I didn’t discover the true joy in travel until I started reaching out and finding small ways to make a difference in the developing world.

I call what I do “Voluntourism Lite.” Not everyone can build a house with Habitat for Humanity, but every traveler has a hug, a smile, and can pack a few gifts to share.

My first experience was in northern Vietnam, when – at the suggestion of our guide - I bought notebooks, pens, and pencils before heading out to visit ethnic hill tribe communities.

The beautiful families we visited welcomed us into their humble homes and were delighted with everything we brought them. When I admired their colorful tribal clothing, they insisted I try it on – which caused giggles all around. At the end of the day, I felt a “high” that far exceeded the pleasures of a luxury spa or yet another gourmet meal.

I have subsequently known the joy of heart-to-heart contacts in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa and South Luanga, Zambia where bags of school supplies carried from California were warmly received.

These gestures aren’t grand, but the rewards of voluntourism are great. Each time I reach out, I experience the joy that comes from being an authentic traveler, having real experiences, and seizing an opportunity to connect with the local culture.

It is far better to give....

Personalized Tours: Snorkeling in Palau and Yap

Jellyfish Lake, Palau

Sometimes the most authentic way to experience a destination is with a small group led by an expert guide. Such was the case when my neighbor Daira Paulson went snorkeling in Micronesia last year.

“We took a Sea for Yourself snorkel trip to Yap and Palau, where we snorkeled in clear warm water with a wide variety of colorful fish and coral. It was a spectacular experience. The group size is limited (we had nine).

“The company owner, a marine biologist, and another marine biologist who has lived in Palau for 11 years, were our guides. In addition to full snorkel days, we had evening presentations on a

variety of marine biology topics.



Common Lionfish, Palau

 “We were in Yap for three days, one of which included an afternoon visit to a local village. This visit was arranged through the personal connection of our guide. It was not a commercial venue. The women are still topless and, along with the village elders and children, demonstrated aspects of their culture and their somewhat subsistence lifestyle.

"While in Yap we stayed in an average hotel, as it is the only hotel in Yap with a dock. It was nothing fancy, but fully adequate. Its location gave us quick access to the boat that was exclusively for our group.

"Our base in Palau was in a lovely five-star resort (Palau Pacific Resort) situated on a pristine bay filled with a variety of corals, clams, and fish. It had a dock and, again, we had our own dedicated boat.

"A typical day was to depart at 9 each morning. On some days, the resort packed a picnic lunch, which we enjoyed on pure white sandy beaches. On other days, we returned to the resort for lunch and then departed again for an afternoon snorkel. Almost all the snorkels are done over reefs 5-10 feet below the surface. We went to a “drop off reef” one day and on another, swam in Jellyfish Lake (an amazing experience).

"I like taking underwater photos. I was thrilled to come home with photos of 25 different Butterflyfish species – and that’s just the beginning. Coral. Triggerfish. Surgeonfish. Damsels. Jacks. Sharks. Eels. Parrotfish and so much more. We even saw Japanese planes shot down during the war.

"Snorkel trips aren’t for everyone, but I love them."

Photo credit: Daira Paulson

Last-Minute Deals on British Airways Business Class

British Airways Club World includes

 fully-flat beds and fine dining.

Bargains on Business Class seats are few and far between, so I want to make sure you know that BA is offering discounted Club World fares from 20 U. S. gateways to London and select worldwide destinations

These fares normally require a 14 day advance purchase but during this limited period, the fares are available with seven days’ notice.

British Airways Club World business class includes fully flat beds and gourmet dining options.

Sample roundtrip fares between New York (JFK or Newark), Washington, D.C., Baltimore and London are $2110. Between Los Angeles or Denver and London - $2746. Between San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Phoenix, or Las Vegas and London - $2986

Fares are available for sale from now through midnight, Sunday, July 24, and are valid for departure July 26 through September 4, 2011.

Additionally, fares are also available to select worldwide destinations, including Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Budapest, Warsaw, Dubai, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Mumbai.

The fine print: Club World business class roundtrip fares must be booked and purchased seven days in advance and are non-refundable. Fares may be higher for other travel dates and from other US departure gateways. Fares are subject to government approval and do not include government fees and taxes from approximately $308 and a $2.50 September 11th Security Fee. Minimum stay of Saturday night is required and maximum stay is 11 months. Other significant restrictions apply.

Further booking information and British Airways flight schedules may be obtained by visiting the airline’s website.

Additional roundtrip fares from US gateways to London:

Boston, Philadelphia $2310

Houston $2286

Miami $2610

Chicago $2270

Raleigh-Durham $2710

Orlando, Tampa, Atlanta $2510

Dallas/Ft. Worth $2686

My advice: start packing. Deals like this don't come aong every day.

Travel Trends & Hot Topics

Game gudes at Chiawa Camp in Zambia
create personalized experiences for guests.

Reprinted with permission from the SATW TRAVELER, the newsletter of the Society of American Travel Writers.

Gazing into the future: destinations, travel trends and other hot topics to ponder...

Remember when no one talked about bespoke travel? Now it’s everywhere and the USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association) says the biggest trend it sees is increased desire for individualized and customized vacation experiences.

That dovetails with what SATW member Elizabeth Hansen found in summarizing a lengthy LinkedIn discussion about “authentic luxury travel.”

"Luxury doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone and it’s not always related to cost. It is, however, often related to a customized experience."

Among the comments in the LinkedIn discussion:

“Luxury is much more than spas and resorts. It’s that special experience and individualized service.”

“It’s all about attentiveness and personalized service.”

Hansen herself says authentic luxury travel means “having real experiences—not being a tourist, but savoring local culture without sacrificing comfort and convenience...Five-star lodging is often a part of this, but attentive service and custom itineraries that allow for spontaneous detours are just as important.”

Hot destinations

Depending on whom you ask, the hottest destinations are all over the place, with the exception of Asia, which seems to be on almost everyone’s radar.

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS

To see more images of Zambia, click here.

Your Travel Expert in the American Southwest, USA

Taos Pueblo is the oldest continuously inhabited community in the U. S.

Seven Directions Cultural and Sustainable Tours offers customized journeys throughout the American Southwest. Company owner Patrizia Antonicelli is based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and prides herself on offering authentic experiences designed for individual travelers' interests and needs.

”We are a sustainable tourism enterprise committed to making a low impact on the environment and the Native cultures we represent. We engender a positive learning experience with our guests that mandate each comes away from our excursions with an enlightened view about the land and the people,” Patrizia explains.

”Each tour is different: short or long, for a few people or a group, the trip is designed to introduce travelers to a land and to cultures that are very rich and inspiring.”

Seven Directions can arrange personalized journeys around Santa Fe or further a field in New Mexico and surrounding states. Tours can be designed for special interests, such as Indian and Hispanic cultures, archeology, astronomy, or cuisines. Knowledgeable educators speak English, French, and Italian.

In the Southwest, visitors experience a rich and diverse history that began thousands of years ago with the Old People who inhabited these lands to the first European explorers and settlers who arrived at the beginning of the 16th Century. Their cultures and heritage to this day are present in everyday life. The nature, topography, and environments that make up this region are some of the most unrestricted, mysterious, and inspiring that can be found throughout the globe – complete with dramatic canyons, looming mountain ranges, and clear star-filled night skies.

Comfort and hospitality are offered by magnificent resorts, secluded lodges, exclusive ranches, charming inns and one-of-a kind private homes and villas. Traditional and innovative cuisines are created by renowned chefs. Seven Directions’ guests have as much time as they wish to take advantage of the wealth of unusual shopping, arts, and entertainment opportunities offered by these Southwest environs.

In 2005, my husband and I spent some time in Santa Fe researching an article for Ranch & Coast, San Diego’s luxury lifestyle magazine, where I am the travel editor. I shared our experiences in “What’s New in New Mexico?”

I look forward to returning to the land of Georgia O'Keeffe, pueblos, Native American crafts, opera under the stars – and so much more. And this time, I’ll wisely let Patrizia be my guide.

Click to see more images of Santa Fe and Taos.

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

Your Travel Expert in England



Guests of Norfolk Tours enjoy wandering around England's little villages.

Customized travel, also known as “bespoke travel,” is my preferred way to travel and I love England, so you can imagine how excited I was to meet Glynn Burrows.

Here’s the pick-up line that won my heart:

“I love to travel, and when I travel, I don't want to be like an animal on a cattle-float. I want to go where I want to go to and see what I want to see. I want to experience local life and go down country lanes. I want to wander around little villages and look in tiny churches. I also want to go to the big places and the major tourist attractions, but that is not the "real" country and the "real" life of that place. I don't want fish & chips when I'm in Spain or sausage, egg & beans when I'm in Greece. I want to try the food that the local people eat.”

Wow. My thoughts exactly.

”Norfolk Tours,” he went on to explain, “was set up because I want people to experience England, not from a tour-bus and staying in a travel-inn type of hotel, but from the comfort of a car or seven-seater and staying in selected B&Bs, hotels, or self-catering cottages. My tours are for very small groups of up to six people and totally personal to that group. I take people where they want to go and they can stay in each place for as long as they like. That is what my guests want - bespoke vacations. Who wants to be herded around from here to there? Who wants to be told that you have to back at the bus at this time?

My tours start and end at the airport. Everything in between is up to my guests. I just organise what they want. Nothing is set in stone - if we see something interesting, we go and look. If we want to spend extra time looking at this or that, we do. Nothing is too much trouble, and anything is possible (within reason).

One lady wanted to visit a castle that her ancestors had built after the Battle of Hastings. I took her there, but it is now just a few grass bumps, being grazed by sheep, in a meadow down a dirt track. It was one of the highlights of her vacation, standing on the biggest bump, after I pointed out the layout of a Motte & Bailey Castle, knowing that is where her ancestors were living in the 1100s.”

Glynn also takes visitors over the Channel if they want, to visit Brittany, Normandy or the Loire. He speaks French and finds that to be the key to enjoying authentic France.

”The best parts of France are off the beaten tracks where few speak English.”

You can reach Glynn at glynn@norfolk-tours.co.uk

Please check back in a few days, when I will introduce Your Travel Expert in the American Southwest.

Special Air Fare to New Zealand

Bottle feeding lambs on the Banks Peninsula on the South Island.

If you're thinking of heading Down Under, you'll be interested in the special  Business Premier fares being offered by Air New Zealand.

Business Premier fares are year-round (not seasonal), and normally the lowest fare is US$9,508 roundtrip.

However, they do sometimes have special offers, and right now they have a 21-day advance purchase fare and a 50-day advance purchase fare that represent a savings of more than 25%.

You'll get the best price on the Air New Zealand website, but if you have questions, call them at 800-262-1234.

Since I'm a Kiwiphile, it's really hard for me to imagine not being sure you want to go to New Zealand, but if you need convincing, read my latest article in Ranch & Coast "Down Under Through New Eyes," my earlier post on New Zealand's Thermal Spas, and my piece on The Real Down Under Wonders. I also recently wrote about New Zealand's Natural Remedies on my "Staying Healthy On the Road" blog.

New Zealand is easily the most beautiful country in the world and home to the kindest, most hospitable people. How could you possibly not be sure you want to visit?

Here's another link to an article I wrote in National Geographic Traveler about places to stay in New Zealand.

Your Travel Expert in Peru

Nina Fogelman shares "her" Peru with Authentic Luxury Travelers.

Authentic Luxury Travel is all about customized itineraries and personal attention and, as I mentioned in a previous post, when it comes to Peru, your best resource is Ancient Summit.

This company's founder - Nina Fogelman - knows Peru like the back of her hand.

Witness the message Nina sent recently from Peru:

"I just spent the day doing what I say I do on my website and in our profiles all over the web. I believe it is the only way for me and I am going to continue on this path."

"As an example, today I drove down to the Sacred Valley of the Incas with my guests in our car and their personal guide and driver. We went to the home of my dear friend who is an excellent chef and who's husband is a well known artist here. We had lunch with them. My guests got to walk through her organic gardens and see the foods they just enjoyed for lunch. They also got to visit his studio and have a private exhibition of his work. Their comment to me was that this was truly a highlight and they felt as if they made new friends and knew that they were not at all on the "tourist" circuit. They told me how I lived up to my word and were so happy they chose my company. This is what authentic and personalized travel should be like and I love providing it and will continue to do so."

Doesn't that just make you want to go to Peru right now?

Vietnam - Luxury Hotels and Resorts

Beach Villa with private pool, Six Senses Ninh Van Bay

Vietnam offers a variety of luxury hotels, resorts, and villas. In my last post, I profiled some of my favorite accommodations. Here are three more wonderful places to stay, including a tropical beach resort, an exotic island retreat with a great spa, and an historic hotel that feels more French than Vietnamese:

Evason Ana Mandara, Nha Trang

Ana Mandara means “beautiful home for the guest,” which makes it the perfect name for this deluxe beach resort. At one end of the property a large infinity pool appears to spill into the sea. Nearby, spa treatments are offered in outdoor pavilions and, throughout the area, tropical plants line winding paths. Guests on the beach need only raise a flag and staff members attend to their needs. Suite pampering includes an extensive pillow menu, fragrant sachets of herbs for the bath, and little clay pots of ginger tea. When I stayed here with my husband, we enjoyed the romantic Beach Restaurant, where we wriggled our toes in the sand and watched waves roll ashore during dinner.

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, 20 minutes by boat from Nha Trang, Vietnam

This spectacular retreat – the offshore sister of Evason Ana Mandara – is nestled onto the rocky shore of an island off the coast of Nha Trang. Here, 58 spacious villas come with private vanishing-edge pools, rustic chic decors, and attentive personal butlers. Our villa was just steps from the beach, while others are nestled into the hillside or constructed over rock formations. Each beach villa is two stories with an open-air lounge above the ground floor bedroom and indoor-outdoor bathroom. We enjoyed the beach, snorkeling, lounging in our villa, and wandering to and from the spa, where superb therapists worked wonders. Trails through native bush connect bungalows to the restaurant, main pool, tennis court, spa, and library.

Dalat Palace Heritage Luxury Hotel, Dalat

Dalat’s climate is considerably cooler than Ho Chi Minh City, so it isn’t hard to understand why French colonists chose it for their capital. They built an artificial lake and then opened the first rooms of the Dalat Palace Hotel in 1922. Today, the truly palatial hotel – with very high ceilings, antiques, and ornate draperies - feels more French than Vietnamese. This resort city is still a popular retreat from sultry Saigon – especially for honeymooners. At Le Café de la Poste we enjoyed the set menu that included salade verte, beef bourguignon, and crème caramel. Area attractions include an enormous public market, waterfalls, and shopping for bargains on local crafts in Lang Ga, the “Chicken Village.” The later is a little hard to find, but if you have a good driver from a good travel company, it won't be a problem.

Writing about these beautiful lodgings, makes me want to jump on a plane to Vietnam right now.

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

Vietnam's Best Hotels

Victoria Sapa Resort is located in an alpine community near the Chinese border.

Vietnam is packed with exciting activities. You might like hiking with hill tribes, shopping in colorful public markets, or learning to make pho in a cooking course. Fortunately, the country’s luxury hotels also offer variety.

Each special place mentioned here reflects its surroundings and provides easy access to memorable experiences.

• Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel, Hanoi

When it opened in 1901, the Grand Hôtel Métropole Palace became an oasis of luxury for travelers in Southeast Asia – and it still is. Other Hanoi hotels offer similar amenities, but only The Metropole has the patina of a colonial landmark and the caché of a world-class hotel. Past residents include Graham Greene, who conceived The Quiet American during a long stay, and war-protestor Jane Fonda, who took cover in the bomb shelter under the swimming pool. The Opera Wing, added in 1996, offers the most spacious rooms, but guests who want the full flavor of Indochine opt for the Metropole Wing.

Click here to search for hotels in Hanoi.

• Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa, Sapa

This alpine community near the Chinese border is surrounded by lush valleys and sprawling rice terraces, and it’s home to many of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities – Black Hmong, Flower Hmong, Red Zao and others. The mountains, cool temperatures, and Shangri-la-like beauty attract trekkers - some scale Mt. Fansipan and others hike to hill tribe villages and markets. The chalet-style Victoria Sapa provides the most comfortable rooms in the area – each includes vibrant fabrics woven by local tribes, window boxes stuffed with red geraniums, and views of the Tokinese Alps. Ethnic artists are invited to perform traditional music and display handicrafts around the big stone fireplace in the lobby. The resort’s Ta Van Restaurant serves delicious Vietnamese and European dishes – cheese fondue is a specialty.

Click here to search hotels in Sapa.

• Life Heritage Resort Hoi An, Hoi An

This quaint town has earned a UNESCO World Heritage designation and a spot on almost every visitors’ “must-see” list. However, “must-shop” is often the reaction when new arrivals see dozens of boutiques selling silk clothing at bargain prices - custom tailoring is a specialty. The Life Heritage – fully renovated in 2008 and the only in-town resort – is handy for going back and forth to fittings and offers 94 split-level rooms, a beautiful pool, and complete spa. The expansive breakfast buffet includes omelets-to-order, an array of tropical fruit, and wonderful French pastries. Rooms to book: those with views of the Thu Bon River. Condé Nast included this resort hotel on its 2011 Gold List.

Click here to search for hotels in Hoi An.

• Park Hyatt Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City

Open since 2005, the Park Hyatt feels like a gracious French Colonial home in the center of this bustling city. A baby grand piano is the focal point in the Park Lounge where HCMC’s business elite meet for drinks. Large vivid lacquer paintings of elegant Vietnamese seem like family portraits in this elegant mansion. When it’s time for dinner, guests can sit at the counter of Square One’s open kitchen to watch chefs in crisp white uniforms perform culinary magic. The 259 state-of-the-art bedrooms include flat-screen satellite television, broadband Internet access, and marble bathrooms with separate bath and rain shower areas. The kind and attentive staff look after guests as if they were long-lost relatives.

Click here to search hotels in Ho Chi Minh City.

The hotels mentioned here are just some of my favorites. In my next post, I’ll tell you about three more.

In the meantime, take a look at some articles I wrote about Vietnam.

Vietnam Travel Companies

Everywhere we went in Vietnam, we were greeted with smiles.

Of all the trips I’ve taken, the one to Vietnam stands out as being the biggest surprise. I expected to meet people who didn’t like Americans – and was greeted by smiling faces. I knew very little about the history, other than the period of the “American War,” but found it all fascinating - and I loved the food. During three weeks in the country, I became nearly obsessed by the local crafts and, even though I’m typically not a shopper, I managed to fit a lot into my suitcase and ship the rest home in a big crate.

The credit for much of the success of our trip goes to the tour company we used: Ann Tours. My husband and I researched and booked our own hotels, but they provided drivers and guides who escorted us through cities and rural areas and even drove us between cities when that was practical. Once home, I wrote about “Finding Peace in Vietnam” for Ranch & Coast, San Diego’s luxury lifestyle magazine.

Today, tourism is flourishing in Vietnam and several good tour companies provide authentic travel experiences for visitors. I hope you will carefully consider the one you choose because it will make all the difference in your trip.

Vietnam Alive Travel was founded by Van Nguyen, a graduate of Ho Chi Minh City University of English and Tourism. His staff is expert at planning customized itineraries for individuals, families, and groups, and they also offer tour packages throughout Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

Tony Tien Huynh is the owner of One World Tourism. His company offers private trips and boutique tours for groups of 6 – 14 people. One World’s specialties include Vespa tours and motorbike tours, as well as eco-adventures and community tours. Because of their community interest, One World would be a good choice for travelers interested in voluntourism.

Tan Ngo is the Assistant General Manager of Viet Horizon Travel, a company formed by five young, Engllish-speaking Vietnamese who are experienced tour guides. They cater to budget, mid-price, and luxury travelers and specialize in excursions to Vietnam's resort islands, such as Phu Quoc, Con Dao, Cham, and Cat Ba. Their small personalized tours also include Laos and Cambodia.

Even though we had a good experience with Ann Tours on our first trip, it’s very tempting to put our plans in the hands of Van Nguyen at Vietnam Alive Travel when we return. They claim to be “the premier private tour operator in Vietnam today,” and I have reason to believe that this is true.

In the meantime, watch this blog. My next post will be on my favorite Vietnam hotels.

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

THE Royal Wedding

Londoners get really enthusiastic about Royal Weddings.

Will you be there when Kate Middleton walks down the aisle? Will you see the predictably broad grin on Prince William’s face as he watches her make her way toward the altar?

No? Well my invitation hasn’t arrived either, but that isn’t going to keep me from enjoying the occasion.

When Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer married, I was there. Not “there” as in inside St. Paul’s Cathedral, but “there” as in “in London enjoying the celebration.”

Back in 1981, I stretched my Royal Wedding budget by staying in a friend’s flat and renting a window in an office building along the procession route. To reduce the cost of my vantage point, I passed on the option of the opulent buffet and arrived toting snacks purchased at Harrod’s Food Hall.

The viewpoint was popular with photographers from the local newspapers, and they acted as my commentators. These savvy guys recognized the occupants of every carriage and even the “number plates” of the closed cars. They also told me this was not the fairytale wedding I believed in – but I was sure they were wrong. Sadly, history proved them right.

So what are your Royal Wedding options? Is there an authentic luxury way to “attend” Kate and Will’s wedding?

The Henley Company, based in San Diego, has put together “A Celebration of the Royal Wedding” which will take place from April 24 to May 4, 2011. West Coast participants will fly non-stop from Los Angeles, but flights from other gateways can be arranged. Unfortunately, British Airways' San Diego - London nonstops don't start until June.

Promising to eschew the “typical tourist attractions,” spokesperson Nicole Matthews says the itinerary includes private tours and behind-the-scenes entry to palaces, gardens, and landmarks.

Upon arrival in London, guests will be met by a chauffeur and taken to the 5-star InterContinental London Park Lane where they will be accommodated on the Club floor. Highlights of the itinerary include an exclusive peek at the crown jewels, a private visit to Eton College (which HRH attended), and a leisure stroll around Windsor Castle.

On April 29, guests will watch the ceremony on big screens in London’s parks and the following day enjoy a private tour of the wedding venue - Westminster Abbey,.

This trip will be limited to 25 people and can be customized to suit various budgets. The 4-star itinerary is posted on this website. Contact Nicole for information on the package that includes the 5-star InterContinental Hotel.

The Henley Company’s goal is to help clients enjoy a little more RECESS in their lives through unique experiences, travel, and events.

In this case, it sounds like they’re turning London into a playground.

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

Best Airport Hotel - Fairmont Vancouver

Fairmont: Best Airport Hotel - North America

Luxury travel is about relaxing and having fun - not rushing to catch a flight at the crack of dawn. That's why - as I explained in an earlier post - I make good use of airport hotels.

The Fairmont Hotel at the Vancouver Airport has always been a favorite of mine, so I was pleased to learn that it just won “Best Airport Hotel – North America” at the World Airport Awards 2011 in Copenhagen.

This is the first year airport hotels have been recognized as part of the awards and The Fairmont Vancouver Airport was ranked first over the Grand Hyatt Dallas/Forth Worth and the Westin Detroit Metropolitan. In addition, the hotel placed fifth in the world on the World’s Top 10 Airport Hotels list.

The annual World Airport Survey, performed by Skytrax, collected responses from more than 11 million questionnaires distributed to passengers around the world, representing over 100 nationalities and covering more than 240 airports worldwide.
 
I didn't vote, but I agree - at least in one category - with the more than 11 million passengers who did.
 
Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

Hawaii Tsunami Damage, USA

The Kona Coast of The Big Island of Hawaii took a big hit from the Tsunami that travel across the Pacific from Japan earlier this month. Most hotels are doing repairs and cleaning up, but sadly Kona Village Resort has closed "for an extended period of time."

This property was the epitome of Authentic Luxury Travel, and it was no surprise that it won a the "Best Family-Friendly Resort " category in the 2011 Hideaway Report.

"Big Island of Hawaii – March 18, 2011 – Kona Village Resort, one of the iconic vacation destinations and resorts of Hawaii, today announced that it will close for an extended period of time due to the significant structural and property damage it sustained during last week’s earthquake-generated tsunami.

'We are very sad to close Kona Village Resort for an extended period of time, but the damage to the property from this natural disaster is severe enough to render it inoperable,' said Patrick Fitzgerald, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hualalai Resort/Kona Village Resort. 'We are fortunate that our guests and employees were evacuated safely. Our hearts are heavy with this decision’s impact on employees and loyal guests who have visited us over the years. Our thoughts also are with the people of Japan during this difficult time.'” More...

I visited this property very briefly several years ago and was really looking forward to staying there with my family in April, but obviously that visit has to be postponed.

After getting over the initial shock of the email with "Canceled Reservation" in the subject line, I was consoled to learn that the northern part of the Kohala Coast sustained almost no damage - so that's where we'll be staying. While there's no place like KVR, I think I've found a family-friendly alternative that we'll all enjoy.

Stay tuned and I'll post a report on our experience in late April.

Photo credit: ADAMS /HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

Italy’s Charming Hotels




A moat surrounds Sirmione, a resort town on Lake Garda in Northern Italy.

Sirmione. Lucca. Rome. We enjoyed these Italian destinations on our last trip and found great hotels with local character in each place.

Hotel Flaminia in Sirmione occupies an enviable position right on the edge of Lake Garda in Northern Italy. In fact, a wooden deck extends over the lake and a ladder provides access for guests who wish to swim with the resident ducks. This location is a true luxury, because during the summer, the popular resort town attracts lots of visitors, and it was wonderful to be able to sit someplace quiet and just enjoy the beautiful view across the water.

Tourists have to park outside the moat that encircles the town and walk across a bridge to access Sirmione’s cute shops, dining spots, thermal baths, and Roman ruins. However, guests at Hotel Flaminia can drive over the bridge and right to the hotel, which offers complimentary valet parking. With only 43 rooms, the contemporary hotel feels very homey.

In contrast, Sirmione’s Villa Cortine Palace Hotel rates more stars and costs three times as much as Hotel Flaminia, but I wouldn’t have enjoyed its isolated location, and the formal atmosphere seemed out-of-place in the cheerful little community.

In Lucca, Palazzo Alexander proved to be a perfect resting spot. The hotel is located in the historic heart of the lovely city and is rich in noble Lucchese décor. The building dates from the 12th century and housed a girls’ boarding school in the 1800s. Blue sky, puffy white clouds, and cherubic angels floated over our bed. Puccini was born in Lucca, and rooms at Palazzo Alexander are named in his honor: La Bohéme, Madame Butterfly, and so forth.

We could have stayed at Locanda l’Elisa, a Relais & Chateaux member located two miles outside the city walls for twice the cost, but it was obvious to me that the charm of the old city was priceless.

In Rome, The Hotel Majestic Roma is just that: “majestic.” I love the location on the Via Veneto within walking distance of nearly everything. Spacious rooms come with crisp white decors and high thread count linens. The real pièce de résistance here, however, is the beautiful third floor terrace where a buffet breakfast is served in the shade of huge trees growing at street level. Locals taking advantage of the Majestic’s family packages were evident at breakfast. A stunning formal dining room with crystal chandeliers is adjacent.

Rome has many more expensive hotels, but would the waiters have played peek-a-boo with my granddaughter at breakfast?

Villa rentals are another way to experience the character of Italian towns.

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.