Virtuoso welcome amenities at Four Seasons Lisbon

I haven’t had the time to write very much lately, other than a tweet here and there and a posting on my Facebook page.  I love blogging but I love my work even more, and add to a busy schedule a home move, it becomes obvious why I am writing this at 12.52 am PST!

I have just returned from a one month business trip that included Madeira, Lisbon, Barcelona, Istanbul, Dubai and Perth, Western Australia.  I visited and reviewed new hotels and restaurants and re-established contact with suppliers to the luxury travel industry.  The world is changing so fast that I have to stay up to date with my recommendations!

Whenever I travel, I continue to work just as I would at home, but in awe of the ability of my partner, technology, to keep my client communications seamless.

Upon my return to Vancouver, I finalized the seemingly endless documentation for my clients who are travelling at the moment, and every day starting new files for those who wish to travel later in the year.  At this time, I have clients in South Africa, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Holland and each client expects and receives the personal attention that comes with my role as a Virtuoso Travel Advisor.  You see, in this role, I get to create and execute Dreams – your Dreams.  I love my work and actually feel as though I travel the world every day – from my computer – as I stay in touch with, and work with, colleagues all over the world through Skype, telephone, Email, Twitter and Facebook.   All this takes time.

Building Dreams takes time – lots of time – as well as a healthy cocktail of patience  and perfection to pull all the pieces together.  Only then, when the final itinerary is approved will I rest a little.  Virtuoso coined the phrase:  ‘Return on Life.’  My job is to make it happen!

One last point … having built a successful specialization in Turkey as a destination, I am now doing the same for Portugal.  So far, I have spent a total of four months touring this beautiful and diverse country that offers beautiful historic sites, divine cuisine and excellent value for money.  And, while I am still learning about this lesser-known destination, during frequent visits, I can honestly say that the people I work with in that country, including those on the spectacular island of Madeira are top-notch professionals who are proud of their country and all it has to offer.  So, if you like history, excellent wine, locally produced  foods, and accommodation that ranges from farmhouse to luxury on the mainland and charming Quintas to luxury on Madeira Island, you will love this destination.  And Madeira is the perfect destination for escaping a chilly winter because the temperature rarely dips below 18 degrees or rises above 24 degrees.  All year around!  With sub-tropical flora and fauna and beautiful blue skies and warm ocean, it is a perfect option for a long-stay.   Ask me about long-term rentals if you prefer to stay in a Villa, apartment or family-sized home rather than an hotel.

I hope you have a wonderful Summer!

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

I will visit and blog about hotels, restaurants, markets, caves and more while I am there, and have a keen interest in meeting locals and the equivalent of Canada’s snowbirds – Europeans who flee the cooler northern Europe winters for the milder Madeira climate.

And, being a foodie and devoted to kitchen experimentation and cooking with local ingredients, I am thrilled to know that the local market is just 5 minutes walking away from where I will stay and that the only day the market is closed is Sunday – because the fishermen go to church!   I expect to find lots of local, fresh ingredients with which to experiment!

In addition to becoming totally familiar with Madeira and all it has to offer, and mastering basics of the Portuguese language, I intend to visit Morocco, Germany, Spain and naturally, Portugal (again.)  I love the Portuguese people, their cities and their food and really look forward to hearing, seeing and eating more of Portugal.  Our driving trip last year was wonderful and I learned lots as we drove the country from Oporto in the North to the Algarve in the south.  However, a severe bout of H1N1 during that trip meant lots of time resting in Portuguese hotel rooms and, in two cases, Pousadas: the baroque palace of Freixnet in Oporto and Obidos castle. It could have been worse!  Now, though, I have a perfect excuse to return!!

I will be posting regularly and look forward to sharing what I learn.  As well, if you are considering a tour or holiday in Madeira, Portugal, Spain or Morocco drop me a line or follow along on my trip.

I will savour this lifestyle travel journey and may even partake in a glass or two of madeira wine!  Saude.

If you haven’t yet been, Portugal still offers incredible value for money and a warm, friendly welcome.

So … I decided to take a small group with me to taste our way through Portugal and Spain in 2011.  But I’ll be doing some more groundwork before then … keep watching.

Download Itinerary

Please click here to for additional details and to read why you will want to join this trip!

Seafood is always fresh in Portugal and Spain

Whether you are friend, client or web visitor, you have probably heard my ravings about a  research trip I took to Portugal and Spain last year.  I loved the architecture and amazing photo ops, the music and dance, the food and wine and yes, even the lovely little haberdashery stores where I found truly unique buttons and copper pans!  If you haven’t yet been, Portugal still offers incredible value for money and a warm, friendly welcome.

So … I have to go back!  I am in the process of working with a luxury tour operator to organize a  small-group  escorted Food & Wine Tour of Portugal and Spain in Spring 2011.  The itinerary will be active, so you will have less opportunity to show the effects of all that wonderful cuisine.  A truly cultural travel experience where you will come home with stories that will last a lifetime.  Foodies, note:  delicious attention will be paid to experiencing the regional cuisines and wines.

As soon as I have the details finalized, I will be posting the tour itinerary and pricing on this site.