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Greetings!
Welcome to the Spa Issue of your Confidante. But don't get too
relaxed. This issue also draws your attention to the vital importance of
proper insurance and protection during your travels. Recent experiences
helping bring a friend (who booked on-line) home from the Ukraine after an
emergency appendectomy reinforces the absolute necessity of travel
insurance, medical evacuation protection, and of booking with a
professional travel agent. We all set out on holidays expecting nothing but
blue skies; we often forget that things don't always work the same way
there as they do at home. When trouble strikes, the situation is compounded
by unfamiliar procedures, incomprehensible language, and emotional stress
making even simple decisions difficult.
My clients (and my friends) know I'll always be there for
them. But please, do yourself and your family a favour. Let's discuss your
travel protection coverage soon.
Then relax! The spa is calling!
Roger Kershaw
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Incredible New Spas
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It seems every good hotel
today is encouraging its guests to try their spa services. But here are
six spas that are destinations in their own right, with luxury
accommodations almost an afterthought. Located in far-flung Japan, New
Zealand, Thailand, Ireland and the UAE, they may not be the only
reason for visiting these countries, but they are certainly worth
considering for a two or three-day respite from a busy holiday schedule!
Plus - the revolutionary Dior Institute now open in my favourite hotel in Paris.
Step into rejuvenation.
More ...
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Shop! Shop! Drop! |
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Every holiday should have
an element of shopping, but sometimes a shopping holiday is a destination
in itself. Here are the top-rated shopping destinations in the world, on
every continent save Antarctica (not even a Wal-Mart there yet!) and each
carrying the art of shopping to an act of sophistication.
These are my Top Ten
Favourite Shopping Destinations. Did I include yours?
Shopping
Destinations. More ...
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Hot 'n Happening Hotels |
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Rocco Forte The Charles
Hotel, Munich.
The latest five-star hotel from The Rocco Forte Collection is one of the
finest in this historic and cosmopolitan Bavarian city. The hotel's location
in the heart of Munich, close to the historic Königsplatz, the old town
and the superb shopping area, suits both business and leisure guests, yet
its situation in the Botanischer Garten assures peace and tranquility
away from the city bustle. My Virtuoso clients receive: Upgrade on
arrival, subject to availability; daily full breakfast; "A Taste of
Bavaria" - locally brewed beer and pretzels in the room; early
check-in and late check-out, subject to availability. I've already had
spectacular reviews from my clients here; I'm sure you'll agree, when you
visit Munich next. Website.
The Aman New Delhi. An oasis of breezy rooms
and state-of-the-art leisure facilities, The Aman New Delhi is a
contemporary oasis of sophisticated calm in the centre of India's vibrant
capital. Just minutes from numerous iconic sites such as Humayun's Tomb,
Purana Qila and India Gate, The Aman New Delhi is surrounded by the broad
leafy boulevards of Lutyen's Delhi and provides the ideal base from which
to explore the city's many diverse charms.
The Regent Grand Hotel in Bordeaux. Located
just opposite the Opéra National de Bordeaux, this is the most majestic
hotel in the city. A comprehensive and faithful restoration respecting
its colourful history offers a level of luxury and elegance never before
experienced, with guest rooms designed by famed French designer Jacques
Garcia, the, gourmet restaurant Le Pressoir d'Argent and the luxury
shopping arcade. Experience the splendours of the newly revived Palace
Bordelais. My Virtuoso clients receive:Upgrade on arrival, subject
to availability; daily buffet breakfast; and a 50 euro food and beverage
credit. Website.
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You are covered ... aren't you? |
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 With
the recent failures of Zoom and XL airlines and others reeling from
soaring operating costs, it's timely to look at your protection in these
situations. The Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund administered by
TICO automatically provides protection to travellers faced with failures
of Ontario-registered travel agencies, travel wholesalers (such as Air
Canada Vacations), and all airlines and cruise lines, both in recompense
and repatriation.
To obtain this
protection, it is essential that the travel be booked through an
Ontario-registered agency (such as myself); if a passenger books the
same flight or cruise on-line, even on the carrier's own website, they
are NOT covered. It's also interesting to note that this
Ontario-based protection covers all passengers regardless of where they
live in the world, providing they used an Ontario-registered agency to
book their travel.
There are conditions and
limits, of course, and your best protection is always the advice of a
professional travel counselor.
TICO, Ontario's
Travel Industry Watchdog ...
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MedjetAssist: Safe Travel Defined |
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A new member to the
collection of Virtuoso preferred suppliers is MedjetAssist. While TICO
can get your money back if the carrier fails, and your RBC medical and
trip cancellation policy will compensate you for expenses in event of
your or a family member's illness (among other reasons), MedjetAssist is
the ultimate assurance. MedjetAssist requires only that you be
hospitalized, for any illness or injury, and one call will have them at
your bedside, translating where necessary, and arranging your immediate
emergency medical evacuation directly to the hospital of your choice, by
medical jets equipped with life-support systems and professionals, for
you and up to two companions, from anywhere in the world (even domestically).
One call. No extra
stress. Extremely economical rates available per trip, or annual family
coverage, which is what we have.
And you should, too.
MedjetAssist.
More...
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Plan now for 2010 |
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We all know the 2010
Winter Olympics will be held in British Columbia. Now is the time to
let me start planning your visit to get the events and accommodation of
your choice. Phase One of the ticket sales begins October 3.
It's also the year for
the once-in-a-decade Oberammergau Passion Play in Bavaria. The
citizens of the town have performed this penance every ten years (missing
only a couple, when the Church actually banned it in the 18th century) in
gratitude for God's sparing them the effects of the bubonic plague in
1634. The 7-hour play, performed repeatedly over the course of May to
October, involves over 2,000 performers, musicians, and stage
technicians, all of whom are residents of the village. The play comprises
spoken dramatic text, musical and choral accompaniment and tableaux
vivants and attracts over half a million spectators. Let me combine
your two-day visit here with a river cruise along the Danube, Rhine or
Elbe including gourmet meals, entertainment and sightseeing for a trip of
a lifetime. |
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Feature Destination |
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Canyon Ranch and Tucson
We've just experienced a too-short escape to one of the most
awarded spa resorts, in the serene Sonora desert at Canyon Ranch,
located in Tucson, Arizona, an all-inclusive, award-winning, elite spa
experience. A Virtuoso Spa resting at the foot of the Santa Catalina
Mountains, it is the perfect environment for energy renewal and gaining a
new perspective on life. Accommodations are gracious, single-story,
adobe-style casitas. Fill your days with hiking and biking about the
70-acre grounds, tennis, water aerobics, yoga and even the hot new
Spinning phenomenon. Rejuvenate body and soul with spa services ranging
from the traditional to the exotic. A medley of spiritual awareness classes
and informative lectures and workshops challenge your mind. Simply put,
Canyon Ranch is where you come to your senses. Or, just relax. Which is
what we did!
Virtuoso bookings are graced with the following
complimentary amenities: Upgrade at time of booking, and a copy of Ultralongevity
by Canyon Ranch Corporate Medical Director Mark Liponis, M.D.
Virtuoso guests booking a 7-night or longer stay will receive the
"Sole to Soul" gift package which includes a Sports Pedicure, a
50-minute foot therapy featuring salts and lotions developed by Yamuna
and Soul Coaching.
A visit to Canyon Ranch is also a wonderful opportunity to
discover Tucson itself, a modern Western city entirely unlike its
endlessly sprawling neighbour, Phoenix. Surrounded by mountains (including
the southernmost ski area in the United States, perched near the
9,157-foot summit of Mt. Lemmon), the city feels protected, sheltered.
Attractions include the world-renowned Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum:
a zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one place. The
movie sets of classic John Wayne-era movies at Old Tucson have
been turned into a major tourist trap, but a bit farther afield in Tombstone,
the experience is still as authentic as it was 50 years ago. And if
you're hankering to see what a Mexican border town looks like, there is
none more typical than Nogales, just 60 miles away, where one
street vendor tempted me into his shop with, "If I don't have what
you want, I'll steal it for you!"
Visit
Canyon Ranch on the Web
Only Five Staterooms Left!
Our Baltic Cruise group sailing still has five
staterooms available! And, as an extra reason to come aboard, in
addition to prepaid standard gratuities, complimentary Lemon Drop
cocktail parties, a complimentary shore excursion in Stockholm, we have
just negotiated another Special Bonus:
$US 150 on-board credit per Veranda
Stateroom, or $US 300 on-board credit per Suite. Spend this
anywhere you wish on board, in the spa, at the bar, in the shops or even
at the casino - it's our gift to you simply for joining our group!
Azamara strictly limits the size of any group, and only
allows one small group per sailing, to protect the unique atmosphere of
the ship. Ours is the only group on this 12-night Baltic adventure,
leaving Copenhagen on July 24, 2009, and there are only five
staterooms left. Ports of call include Lubeck and Warnemunde, Germany;
Tallinn, Estonia; two overnights in St Petersburg, Russia;
Helsinki, Finland; and one overnight in Stockholm, Sweden.
We've planned Virtuoso on-site organized shore excursions in Copenhagen
and two in Stockholm (both a day tour and a nighttime pub crawl)
exclusively for our group.
Deluxe Ocean View Staterooms at $CAD 3280 pp, double
occupancy, all taxes and surcharges included; Sky Suites at $CAD 5130 pp,
d/o., all taxes, surcharges included. And now with $500 to $800 in
bonuses. A small price for such luxury. Please
join me!
Full
cruise details here ....
Referrals welcome!
The highest
compliment my clients can give is the referral of their friends, family
and business associates. Thank you for your support.
Passport Required!
 Starting June 1, 2009, a U.S. law will require Canadians to
present a valid passport to enter the U.S. by water or land. Apply for
your passport today to ensure you have it when you need it.
Remember: children, even infants, require their own passport
to travel internationally. For travel to many countries in the world
today, your passport should be valid for six months from the date of your
expected return.
Check yours now; it may be time to renew.
Canadian
Passport info and applications here ...
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and
narrow-mindedness.
-- Mark Twain |
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