We’re still finalizing the last few details, but if you love real French food, you won’t want to miss this very special “bistronomy” tour of Paris to be led by renowned French chef, Alain Raye of award-winning La Regalade Bistro in West Vancouver, and Cafe Regalade, in Vancouver British Columbia.

I will post more details shortly, but in the meantime, here is what we know:

• Tour begins and ends in Paris
• September 10 – 15 2012, 5 days, 6 nights
• Tour host:  Chef Alain Raye
• Accommodation and breakfast in upscale, chic boutique hotel on the Left Bank, close to upscale shopping dining, museums and sightseeing
• Lunches and leisurely dinners, with wine, per the itinerary
• Tastings galore
• Traditional and street markets
• Hands-on cooking class with a Parisian master-chef

Participation is limited to just 12 people, so don’t delay!  If you would like to be notified when arrangements are complete, please contact me so that I can ensure you are kept informed.

If you are not sure what to buy your loved one for Christmas or Valentine’s Day, isn’t this something you would like to look forward to together?

Did you know that the world’s finest travel agencies and advisors are Virtuoso?

With my worldwide network of Virtuoso connections, I can provide you with:

• Customized travel experiences
• First hand knowledge and expertise
• Exclusive amenities and VIP access
• Trust and confidence.

Memory of a Lifetime

The Story

During my initial consultation with clients in California, and while reviewing details later that day, I noted that one of their daughters would be turning 16 during their private tour of Greece and Turkey.

Remembering the thrill of clients for whom I had organized a surprise birthday party at the top of a mountain in Turkey (complete with almond cake, candles and fairy lights in the garden of their lovely hotel) I organized a surprise for Katherine – not only upon landing from her hot air balloon ride but also when she arrived back at her hotel for breakfast.  That was a day of cakes and surprises and, judging by this note I received by mail, her sixteenth birthday will always hold special memories for her and her family.

This is why I love my work!  There is nothing more rewarding that orchestrating dreams and with my global network of Virtuoso partners, the options are endless.

Please, let me orchestrate your dreams.

Stormy - but warm - in Funchal

Today was a blustery day in Funchal with crashing waves that soaked those who dared to walk anywhere even remotely near to the ocean.  Sounds cold, doesn’t it?   Surprisingly, though the temperature still registered a warm 22 degrees celsius and even at night is 17 degrees, despite the continuing winds!

After exploring Santa Caterina Park I decided to walk further to Reid’s Palace Hotel, a Virtuoso property, to partake in the world-famous Afternoon Tea at Reid’s.  The reason why so many people recommended this experience, a little costly though it may be at 28.50 Euros per person, became obvious.

Tables were not yet set in the elegant lounge area so I settled into a comfy sofa with a paper copy of  The Daily Telegraph my favourite British newspaper and lost myself in world events.

A softly-spoken waiter came by: “your table is ready Ms Farrell”  and escorted me to a wing-backed chair affording a front-seat view of the waves crashing against the walls.  I perused the menu.  Finger sandwiches, scones, pastries and tea.  Not just any tea, but the type I love to make at home:  from leaves not bags. The tea menu was enticing and while I love rooibos and various other non-caffeinated options, and try as I might to enjoy green tea – always without success – I chose the classic and unique-tasting black tea, Darjeeling.

The perfectly-groomed, smiling and accommodating waiter brought the teapot, milk, hot water (for top-up) followed by a beautiful 3-tiered serving dish decked with delicate finger sandwiches – crusts removed – with shrimp, cucumber and tuna, avocado and cheese fillings, as well as a plate of colourful pastries.  The top tier comprised a plate with clotted cream, butter and a small jar of French blackberry preserve (no sugar added.)  Intuitively, and possibly because of my 50% British heritage (!) I knew that these were the accompaniments to the scones, which would be delivered after the sandwiches.

Afternoon Tea at Reid's Palace

Ninety minutes later, sated, I was tempted to catch a bus or taxi home.  However, having enjoyed so many delicious treats, my sensible self dictated the need for a long walk.  So, two (uphill) miles later, I arrived back at the Quinta – a little tired but ready to settle down and enjoy the memories.

Aside from reconnecting, by chance, with my long-time Canadian friend Jennifer, who now has a store selling beautiful hand-woven, organic textiles, I had another chance meeting yesterday … this time with a travel planner from Israel with whom I have been communicating for a couple of years and had never met!  We just happened to sit beside each other en route to the convention centre!

I’m here to learn.  ASTA, the organization behind this international destination exposition, is, in their words,  an association of travel professionals and the companies whose products they sell, providing education, training, representation, and advocacy.

I am not a member of ASTA but I have to say I am quite disappointed by the lack of polish I see all around me.  Important details keep changing (like the time the bus leaves the hotel or event) and even between individuals one can receive four different answers to the same question and  depth of information (what I was looking for) is desperately lacking.   Imagine, the “free sightseeing” part of the program that included a belly-dancing course (yet it is commonly held that belly dancing originated in India, Greece and Egypt) and an escorted shopping trip to a large carpet store!  So NOT what my clients want to experience in Turkey and I abhor the practice of charging little for a tour (or nothing in this case) and then taking in up to 40% commission on sales of inflated-price carpets etc.  Oh, and by the way, many of the “Turkish carpets” you are shown may be made in China. So buyer beware.

The Trade Show at the exposition is excellent, however, and I had an opportunity to learn more about the services and people of three hand-picked suppliers I was curious about.  Hotels and tour operators opened their arms to delegates, often tempting them to hand over their business cards in return for a gift (or two, if you’re identified as a real prospect!)  In Turkey, obtaining the best service is, for me, all about face-t0-face communication.  Email can be really deceiving since while they may speak excellent English, the written form is more difficult for them, and often lacks the cues and subtleties that suggest context and therefore the written ESL words can come off as abrupt, brusque without that intent.

However, it’s Virtuoso for professionalism. Virtuoso members are selected luxury travel supplier companies from around the globe and the organization has a paid staff that delivers exceptional service in every way.  This results in a level of professionalism that speaks directly to the luxury branding of that organization.  The annual conference for Virtuoso members is impeccably organized, from beginning to end, and while the annual conference is exhausting (speed-dating up to 400 suppliers at 3 minutes each, over four days!) there is no doubt that this is the organization that delivers at all levels.

I know that it is not easy to organize a conference in another country and that the folks at ASTA have done their best.  However, for me, this trip provided an opportunity to reconnect rather than to learn.  I learned nothing new about Turkey.  And I always want to learn something, i.e. take something home other than beautiful linens and a new supplier contact!

Gule gule.