If you work long hours and don’t find cooking particularly relaxing, you may well be tempted to buy your meals ready-made rather than spend your precious time in the kitchen.  This is a lifestyle consideration. What about getting around?  If you live in the city and use your vehicle for short trips and errands, you may well choose a small car that is easy to park and easy on gas.  Or a bicycle.  On the other hand, if you really enjoy driving and have a penchant for the purr and roar of a larger vehicle, you will probably lean towards one of the luxury brands.  These are lifestyle influenced choices.

Similarly, consideration of your lifestyle is important when you are planning your vacation.

For example, if you enjoy gardening, wildlife, cycling, horseriding, photography, archaeology or any other special interest, you may wish to join a specialized tour that is hosted by a celebrity or lecturer who is familiar with the specific topic.  If the spa experience appeals to you, you will surely want to incorporate at least one spa or relaxation experience in your itinerary.  Parents with young children will want to incorporate lifestyle considerations such as mode of transportation, child-friendly hotels with babysitting services and between-meal snacks, swimming pools etc.

Lifestyle considerations are also important when I am planning a luxury travel experience for my clients.  In some cases, I will visit their homes to meet with them; in other cases I will be invited into homes through Skype (and I get to see the kids and the dog too!) and then there are those who prefer to meet in person at the office.   I am grateful for my many years of market research experience as I gently probe to understand their needs, expectations and most of all, lifestyles.  Once I have this information, I can start the research process of integrating lifestyle with luxury.

Case Study

David and Susan* wanted to go to Turkey for a two week holiday.  They live in a high-income area of a major US city, have no children at home, and are accustomed to having a luxury lifestyle at home.  They booked their international air tickets as they had enough points to travel business class all the way.  Susan and George wanted to stay in luxury hotels such as The Four Seasons and Kempinski and to visit the major historic sites, such as Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, The Underwater Archaeological Museum, Ephesus and Cappadocia.  They were also adamant about having the best Guide in Turkey!

Four Seasons at Sultanahmet, Istanbul

Through a combination of face-to-face conversation with them both via Skype, Skype messaging, telephone, text messaging and the odd email, I learned that they had a professional interest in antique textiles. So, I arranged for them to meet with a famous textile expert who lectures at university and who is well known in Istanbul society.  As well, I arranged for them to see and visit places that were particular to their interests.  And they LOVED their Best Guide in Turkey! Naturally, I work with him often now.

In closing, I find myself repeating what I understand to be typical of a Virtuoso Travel Planner:  that only by truly getting to know you, my client, can I truly deliver your dream vacation.  In other words, I have to first understand how lifestyle fits with your perception of luxury.

*names have been changed

Aubergine Salad

When I decided to post this recipe, I paused to consider a title. After all, the main ingredient is known as Aubergine in most of Europe and Eggplant in North America.  As well, many different cultures have their own versions of Aubergine salad.  I’m European, in Europe at the moment, so I’ll stick to Aubergine for now!  This is what I made yesterday …

In Turkey, I love the dish commonly known as patlican salatas.  The aubergines are grilled and then olive oil, lemon juice and garlic, tomato (skinned, seeded and chopped) and green pepper may be added.   The grilled aubergine is often is mixed with natural yogurt, olive oil and garlic.  Patlican begendi is pureed aubergine and has cheese, milk and flour added.  It is delicious and often served with a lamb stew.

In Greece and Cyprus, melitzanosalata is made simply with lemon juice, olive oil and salt and pepper and is delicious.

Sicilians are fond of their Caponata, a dish made with fried vegetables (mostly eggplants and peppers), seasoned with chopped celery, olives and capers.

The French  love their Aubergine caviar.  Baked, peeled eggplant is mixed with garlic, tomato, parsley, lemon juice, and olive oil. It is served as an appetizer with French bread, possibly along with olive tapenade (another of my favourites.)

I’m not sure of the nationality of my version as I incorporate various influences in my cooking.  However, I can say, unabashedly, that this dish is delicious with crusty, fresh bread or served as a pasta sauce.  You could even serve it with steamed rice and salad.  However you serve it, I hope you enjoy!

Brenda’s Aubergine Salad Recipe

• 2 large or 4 smaller aubergines
• Olive oil
• Chopped onion
• Garlic
• Fresh tomatoes or a small can of top quality plum tomatoes
• Smoked paprika
• Salt
• Optional:  Fresh Basil

Wash the aubergines.  Cut off the stems and cut into strips lengthwise.  If the aubergines are very “foamy” inside, keep some of that to make a dip, e.g. baba ghanoush.  Cut the aubergine into small squares, each with a piece of skin.  Saute chopped onion until it is just starting to turn golden and then add the aubergine.  Cook for a while until the cubes have softened and then remove from the pan.   Meanwhile, saute garlic in some olive oil and add the tomatoes.  Once the sauce is ready, add the cooked aubergine and simmer for about 10 minutes.  Add paprika and basil.  Serve hot or cold.

Tip:  It’s delicious next day on crusty European-style bread!

Here is a website that I find particularly helpful.  It provides up-to-date answers to all of the questions you may have about air travel into and out of Canada, including what to pack, what to expect at the airport with regard to screening, as well as general travel tips.

Be smart.  Check out the rules before you go and avoid frustrations at the airport.