Canadian Impressions DailyCandy Cocktail Reception

Last night, Lance Stamps, VP of marketing for ClassicTravel.com, Dayva Segal, Director of Social Networking and New Media Marketing, and Michael Byrne, a content writer for ClassicTravel.com attended an exclusive cocktail hour at the Canadian Impressions DailyCandy art exhibit. This cocktail hour was only for associates of Virtuoso and their affiliates. We enjoyed delicious hors d'oeuvres, great wine and even had our pictures drawn! The event featured art by Sujean Rim, the artist for DailyCandy, a popular website and e-mail newsletter. Each art piece depicted something about Canada! One piece showed tourists on a Polar Bear watching excursion, while another one featured skiiers, and another, wine tastings. 

The event was part of a Virtuoso promotion of some amazing Canada Travel Packages, available at exclusive Virtuoso rates and with all the usual Virtuoso VIP treatment and amenities. Here are our top picks out of the 12 packages:

1) Montreal and Quebec City Package from Monograms

Experience these two unique cities with guided sightseeing tours. Included is 6 nights accomodation, all land transportation including trains, tours and an onsite concierge on call. Montreal has been referred to as a mini-New York, as well as a little slice of Europe and Quebec City still holds colonial old world charm everywhere you go.

2) Culturious Manitoba from Tauck Culturious

This is a one of a kind Polar Bear Arctic Adventure! See Arctic nature up close and personal, including its' most famous resident, the polar bear. This package includes 6 nights accommodation, all meals, snacks and non-alchoholic beverages and a private cocktail reception and the Manitoba Museum. Also included is a guided naturalist hike on Hecla Island, a part of the Hecla Provincial Park. The park is home to many wildlife species and unique plant life, and is a paradise for nature lovers. In addition, professional guides will be on staff for the entire stay.

3) Clayoquot Wilderness Resort Adventure from Entree Destinations

This extravagant package puts you both in the center of nature and in the lap of luxury. It all starts with your private town-car transfer from the airport, to a two night stay at the Shangri La Hotel in Vancouver City, British Columbia, where you will enjoy an Executive King Suite with a balcony. You will be chaufferred in an SUV for an Ultimate Vancouver City and Nature Tour. Enjoy a gourmet picnic in the Coastal Virgin Rainforest and Scenic seaplane flights between Vancouver and Tofino, your next destination for 4 nights. You will stay at the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort in a deluxe sleeping tent, and all gourmet meals, snacks and beverages will be included. Also included are all guided and unguided activities including hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, marine activities and wildlife viewing. Relax with two one hour massage treatments after your two half days of ocean fishing. Finish off your luxurious voyage with one night at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel in a Fairmont Room. In addition Clayoquot Wilderness Resort guests will receive a complimentary additional 1 hour massage or a 1 hour cooking class with the hotel's chef. If you wish to travel early or late in the season (which is mid May to late August) you will receive your fourth night at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort free!

For more information on these and other special Canadian Tourism packages from Virtuoso, contact your Virtuoso Travel Agent at info@classictravel.com or 212-843-2900.

King George Palace General Manager Says "free upgrade no matter what!"

Haris N. Neofytidis, General Manager of The King George Palace in Athens, Greece told us that anyone booking with ClassicTravel.com at The King George Palace in the month of May will receive a free room upgrade no matter what! He came to visit us at our office to give us the inside scoop on the Hotel and Athens!
The Virtuoso Property features the latest in amenities such as Bulgari toiletries. All rooms either face the scenic courtyard or offer astounding views of the historical surroundings, such as the acropolis and Syntagma Square. However, the suite everyone is vying for is The Royal Penthouse Suite. It has a private rooftop pool, a limousine available for use, and a whirpool and steam bath. This suite also comes with butler service. 

In addition, The King George Palace hosts one of the most hip lounges in Athens, Space Bar. This is where all the young and sophisticated Athenians meet for cocktails.
Haris also gave us some insider dining information! One of his favorite seafood restaurants in Athens is Plous Podilatou. This restaurant has a frequently changing menu with dishes inspired by tradition mediterranean flavors. Another favorite in the seafood category is 7 Seas, located right in downtown Athens. His last recommendation for travelers is the Greek Restaurant, Kentrikon, which serves completely home made Greek food, just like Ya Ya makes!

(The King George Palace at night)

Guests booking at The King George Palace with ClassicTravel.com will receive a free room upgrade through the month of May. Guests booking at The King George Palace at the Virtuoso Rate with Classic Travel.com will also recieve a buffet breakfast daily, lunch for 2 at the Tudor Hall Restaurant once during your stay, early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability). For more information about The King George Palace or any of ClassicTravel.com's other Virtuoso properties, please contact Virtuoso Travel Agent Jerry Hirshon at 212-404-6777 or Jerry@ClassicTravel.com.

Lou Young of CBS2 (NY) interviews ClassicTravel.com Virtuso Agent Charlie Scmitt

Travel agents get a unique view of the world through travelers' trends. The hottest locations, hotels and activities change from year to year, and give industry insiders a look at cultural and social tendancies. Luxury travel agents also have a unique responsibility to their clients, which is to provide the upmost service, best information possible and also be a sort of safety guide. This is why Lou Young of CBS2 News interviewed ClassicTravel.com Virtuoso Agent Charlie Schmitt about the dangers of, and alternatives to travelling to Mexico during the current swine flu pandemic.

"This is an open season" says Charlie, indicating that May is a low time for typically winter time getaways such as the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, so there will most likely be last minute openings at many hotels and on flights for travellers wishing to change their plans. He also advises travellers that most travel insurance does not cover epidemics or pandemics, but there is "cancel for any reason" insurance, which is what travellers should purchase if they're concerned about having to change their plans. Some airlines are refunding passengers flights to Mexico in the form of vouchers, and some airlines such as Air Canada have stopped all their flights to Mexico. Charlie reiterates that this is one reason why it's important to use a travel agent. The agent knows the ins and outs and will ensure that you are able to transfer your ticket or get a refund, as opposed to booking with a service where you don't exactly know who is on ther other end. But if you are stuck in that situation, Charlie says, just don't go. It's better to be safe and healthy.

For more information on being safe and healthy while traveling during the swine flu pandemic, please contact Charlie Schmitt at 212-404-6727 or by e-mail at charlie@classictravel.com.