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Behind the Scenes With Suzette: My First Virtual Travel Conference

Virtuoso Travel Week wrapped up recently, a huge event normally held in Las Vegas, which went virtual for the first time. While I missed seeing my colleagues and travel partners in person, the outcome was the same:  strong connections with the people who have the most influence over my clients’ travel experience, who will hand select their hotel room and VIP them, and who I will call on for support with a special request or a problem.

Suzette Mack with team from Africa

A supplier’s network of contacts and personal relationships with hotels in the destination are my most important consideration when selecting who to partner with for my clients’ trips.

Of course it’s a sales event as well, and I love getting the inside scoop on what’s new and what’s going on behind the scenes that you won’t find on the internet.

Some highlights this year:

  • An adventure tour operator has structured their pricing so 6-7 travelers can take over many of their tour dates as a private trip with no increase in cost. How great for family groups or couples traveling together!
  • A sneak peak at two new resorts: one opening soon in Sonoma wine country, and something completely unique on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.
New hotels in Sonoma Wine Country and the Pacific Coast of Mexico

Exciting new hotels opening in late 2020 – reservations being accepted now!

  • Suppliers are working on vetting more private luxury beach houses, villas, and apartments so we can book them with confidence for our clients.
  • Some resorts have interconnecting 2-4 bedroom options, but they are not advertised on their website because they have to manually block them. We must contact our sales reps to book these.
  • A luxury cycling company has the motto is BIKE – EAT – DRINK – SLEEP.  You can choose your priorities!
Cycling tour in Zion National Park

A Southwest national parks trip includes a visit to lesser known Snow Canyon State Park.

  • Hotels are coming up with creative ways to make the vacation experience special while still social distancing:  private movie nights offered on bungalow patios, mobile bar carts instead of public bars.
  • A Sedona resort is debuting a new adventure center for hikers and mountain bikers. Talk with an expert to pick the right trail, and rent top of the line gear.
  • Several guest ranches are open through winter with fun programs for families.
Guest ranch lodge with christmas tree

Ranches offer a “home away from home” winter experience, with accommodations from lodge rooms to cozy private cabins to multi-bedroom fully-equipped homes.

  • One of the most exciting and innovative developments: A few resorts have announced homeschool packages, where they will provide remote learning space and staff so kids can keep up with coursework while the parents work.

Holiday space is starting to book up, and I can confirm that as I have had two clients this week find out the resort they wanted is not available. But many properties which normally sell out by now do have space.  Cancellation policies are more flexible than usual (some even up 24-48 hours prior to arrival), so planning now is risk-free for at least several months.

St Regis Bora Bora overwater bungalow

Virtuoso exclusives in Bora Bora include 4th night free, daily breakfast (some  with dinner, too), $100 hotel credit, and roundtrip airport shuttle.

Also check out Virtuoso’s recap of the 9 Best Things Learned at Virtuoso Travel Week.

I didn’t attend any cocktail parties, but I did get martini tips from a bartender in London. And I bonded over a love of boxers with the owner of a beautiful Tuscany resort who’s also a Michelin chef. (I don’t speak Italian, but I think  our dogs may be betrothed now??)

Screenshots of meeting with Tuscany resort owner and luxury hotel in London

Il Falconiere, a Relais & Chateaux property in Cortona, and Egerton House, one of only 15 Forbes 5 star hotels in London.

Whether or not to plan travel now is a personal choice, but if you hope to get away in 2021 (or even 2022 for big trips like Africa), we should talk.  Drop me a note or give me a call at 408-223-6155, I’m always happy to talk travel!

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Spring Break Inspiration Part 1 – Europe

As a family travel specialist, I solve the problems that frustrate parents when they try to plan a trip overseas. Some of the services I provide include:

– Finding guaranteed connecting rooms or family rooms that sleep 3 or more guests
– Arranging age appropriate activities that are fun for everyone
– Hiring expert guides who can engage even young children
– Arranging family photo shoots to capture the memories forever

Happy kids = happy parents (and vice versa!)

My clients also receive exclusive amenities at preferred partner hotels, which may include free nights, daily breakfast, and hotel credits.

Here are offers from some of my clients’ favorite hotels in Europe:

LONDON

The Corinthia Hotel is loved by many clients for its excellent location close to many attractions, luxurious rooms, and huge spa. Virtuoso clients receive a 4th night free through April 22, 2018, and these amenities:

A luxurious retreat after a busy day in London!

  • Daily breakfast for two
  • £85 Hotel Credit
  • Complimentary high speed Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
  • Access to the extensive Thermal Floor at award-winning ESPA Life at Corinthia
  • Complimentary 24-hour gym access
  • Complimentary Upgrade (if available at check-in)
  • Butler Service for River Suites and Penthouses
  • Complimentary use of the hotel car within Central London (Zone 1)

The award-winning spa-aaaaah.

For travelers who book by April 9, there are bonus amenities! Get all of the above and a choice of one of the following:

  • Guaranteed early check-in
  • Guaranteed late checkout
  • Guaranteed upgrade to the next room category

* Offer applies to Deluxe King Rooms up to The Whitehall Penthouse

Check out The Crafty Concierge which offers lots of great ideas for families in London.

It’s just a 10 min walk to the Golden Jubilee Bridge

PARIS

Esprit St Germain is located near Luxembourg Gardens on the Left Bank, within walking distance of the Louvre and Notre Dame.  Families love it for the warm hospitality towards children of all ages, making it feel like a home away from home.

Book the Prestige room on the top floor to get a private terrace with this gorgeous view.

They are offering a 4th night free through April 30, which includes the following complimentary amenities:

  • Daily American breakfast
  • Lobby bar with champagne, wines, spirits AND minibar in room (yes, complimentary!)
  • WI-FI
  • Access to the fitness centre, steam room, and sauna
  • Access to the business centre
  • Daily newspaper of your choice
  • Flowers and fresh fruits daily

Blackout dates: March 3 to 7, 2017 (inclusive). Valid only for Superior & Deluxe Rooms

Feel like a guest in someone’s home while enjoying complimentary drinks in this “bar.”

ROME

The Hotel Eden near the Spanish Steps just completed an extensive renovation, so it’s more stylish than ever. They are offering a 4th night free through March 31, and my clients are eligible for Dorchester Club amenities:

  • One category upgrade guaranteed at time of booking
  • 100 EU hotel credit
  • Daily full breakfast buffet for 2 people
  • Unlimited wifi for unlimited devices

Who says historic hotels have to have dark rooms?

They still have their lovely rooftop dining room overlooking the Borghese, featuring some of the best views in Rome, where guests can take breakfast, or enjoy music and cocktails in the evening.

 

They don’t even charge for the view!

You can read about traveling to Rome with kids in a previous blog post.

Roman sites are impressive, but hiring a guide gives deeper understanding, and helps make navigating the crowds less stressful.

LISBON

The Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is offering a 4th night free. My clients always receive the Four Seasons preferred Partner amenities, which include daily breakfast and a spa credit. And if you book a suite, they’ll also pick you up in a limousine on arrival!

Plenty of room for the whole family.

A run with a view

Lisbon is a beautiful city steeped in history, but there are many kid-friendly attractions including an aquarium and safari park, or you can hire a driver for a day trip to beaches or castles.

Sometimes getting out of the city is the best way to enjoy it.

For a special treat, you can go for a spin through winding cobblestone streets with a professional photographer in a vintage Moto-sidecar. Check it out here.

For help finding your family’s perfect European vacation, contact suzette@suzettemacktravel.com.

 

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Why JK Place Firenze is the Most Romantic Hotel in Florence

I had the pleasure of visiting JK Place Firenze on my trip to Italy last summer, and I was blown away by how unique and awesome it was.

As we approach Valentine’s Day, I found myself thinking about the hotel, how it would be an excellent for a honeymoon or romantic getaway.  Here’s why:

* Private and sophisticated –  LIke a home away from home with lots of private spaces.  There’s no lobby, you “check in” in the library.

Cozy!
* Great location –  On pretty Santa Maria Novella Piazza with a view of the church, convenient to the train station and shopping, and away from the heaviest tourist traffic

Do you like this…
.. or this?

* Romantic accommodations –  Only 20 rooms, all unique.   The Penthouse has a private balcony with a clear view of the Domo. 

Some have canopy beds
Chic but comfortable

* Spa access – Two minutes away is Olimpo SPA Steam Bath

Couples massage anyone?
* Pretty rooftop terrace – With daybeds to snuggle on after a long day of sightseeing.

Peace and quiet and fresh air
* The tiramisu – Some say the best in the city. 

They say the shortest distance to the heart is through the stomach.
Presentation is everything!
* The general manager – One of the most important features of any hotels is who’s at the helm. Claudio Meli is passionate about providing the best possible experience for his guests, and that attitude trickles down to every member of staff.  After talking to him for a short while, you’ll learn he’s a devoted husband and father, a true romantic at heart!
  


JK Place is also a great value when you book through a Virtuoso travel advisor and receive exclusive Virtuoso amenities:

– Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
– Continental breakfast daily for two
– $100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit
– Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

Breakfast at “home”

Are you ready to take your Valentine to Florence?? Then contact me!


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Private Guides – Your Best Travel Investment

On our trip to Italy this summer, I tried out several companies we use for private tours.  My expectations were exceeded, and our experience was so much better than if we had done it alone.

Vatican Museums – The crowds were so overwhelming, I could not imagine visiting without a private guide.  She was able to pull us aside as dozens of large tour groups filed by with headsets on, and then show us something interesting (even for the kids) that everyone else was missing.  

Couldn’t even see the pictures when the hall was filled with tour groups

While many people just popped their heads in the papal apartments, we were learning how different Raphael and Michelangelo were both in artistic style and personality. Before entering the Sistine Chapel, we relaxed in the beautiful courtyard as our guided explained what to look for when we got inside.

Prepping for the Sistine Chapel

Pompeii– We took a day trip to Naples from Rome, and I previously wrote about our experience hiring a private driver.  Before we headed off for our drive along the Amalfi coast, he dropped us off for a 2 hour tour of Pompeii with a guide. I had heard it was huge but had no idea until I saw it for myself.  It literally is a city, with block after block of streets that all look alike, and minimal signage. 


The streets go on and on and on…

Most guests take a self-guided tour with headsets, which can run out on the busiest days.  Our guide, who also led school field trips, expertly led us around the site so we could understand what life was like for residents. Often other visitors nearby leaned in to listen, as the stories she told were not found on any signs.

Learning about the “McDonalds” of Pompeii

Tuscany– We explored with our own car most of the time, but one day we had the luxury of a private driver.  Finally my husband and I both got to relax and enjoy the scenery rather than focus on a map and scan for road signs.  

Wouldn’t you rather enjoy this view while someone else drives?

We visited a honey farm, a cheese farm, and a winery where we had a wonderful lunch prepared by the owner.  He also took us to the hilltop village of Montalcino so we could see the fort.  He dropped us off outside the castle so we could enjoy the scenery rather than waste time in the car looking for parking.

This Brunello wine came home with us.
Say cheese!

One day we drove ourselves to Volterra, where we met another guide who grew up there.  She showed us around the ancient Etruscan village, and took us to the shop of an alabaster artisan I had met in San Francisco, when his replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa was put on display.

If this looks familiar you may have seen it in a Twilight movie,
this is the home of the Volturi
A master in alabaster

Florence– We day tripped by train from our resort, so our time was limited.  The guide we hired for a city orientation tour met us at the train station, and she took a few minutes to get a feel for how we’d like to spend our time. Since we had seen enough churches and museums, she took us to the food market, which we would have never discovered on our own. 

Before the lunch rush.

Then she led us on a tour of the city, guiding us through side streets so we avoided the worst of the crowds.  She pointed out where Leonardo di Vinci and Michelangelo once stayed, and told the back story on funny signs we saw everywhere. 

Hunting for these signs amused the kids.

We planned to visit the Accademia on our own, so she had done us the favor of reserving our tickets in advance.   She ended our tour at the will call window (which was practically impossible to find unless pointed out), made sure we got in the right line (there were 3 very long ones), and recommended a nearby cafe for lunch.

The original David

When you hire a private guide, you will save time, you will learn more, your kids will have fewer melt downs, and overall you will have a better experience.  Whenever we’ve visited a town or museum on our own, we found ourselves wandering a bit aimlessly. (And in the summer heat, efficiency is key, you want to make every step count!) 


Wish we had a guide at the Colosseum, very few signs here

If you have a special interest in art, history, food, etc., then you’ll really appreciate having a guide who is an expert in that field, rather than taking a generic city tour where the guide is reciting a memorized spiel.


Beautiful Florence, one day is not enough!

You don’t have to hire a guide everywhere you go.  But consider investing some of your travel dollars in locations where a private guide will make the difference between a good vacation, and a great vacation.

Water taxi to the Venice airport, another worthwhile splurge
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Ten Tips for Driving in Tuscany

After a week of driving all over Tuscany this summer, I compiled this list of tips.  (Kudos to my husband who enjoys the challenge of navigating in a foreign country, can drive a stick shift, and is good at parking in very tight spaces.)

  1. Get an international driver’s license – If stopped without it, you can be fined, or even threatened with confiscation of the car. Note that it must be used with a valid driver’s license from your home country, so don’t leave your US license at home.
    Ready to go!

  2. Consider manual transmission – It can be much less expensive than renting an automatic.  But you need to be very comfortable driving a stick shift, because there are lots of hills.  Add car rental coverage to your travel insurance policy, it’s cheaper than buying the rental company’s insurance.  (You are getting a travel insurance policy, aren’t you??)
    The views are worth the climb!

  3. Look for alternate car pick up locations – If you are not picking up a car on the day you fly in, you don’t have to make a trip back to the airport. Consider taking a train to a town near your final hotel or villa and picking up a car there.  But be sure to book early and check the rental location hours.
    Great place to start the trip.

  4. Take a GPS – Unless you have unlimited data, it’ll get very expensive to rely on your phone.   Some car rental companies, like Auto Europe, offer GPS with their rentals.  We also rented a personal wifi hotspot with unlimited data, so we were able to use both while navigating.  The GPS gave us step by step directions, and the maps app gave us an overview of the area when the GPS directions didn’t seem to make sense and we needed to improvise.
    The scenery goes on and on…

  5. Get a good map – It’s likely you’ll get lost at some point, or run into a dead end, even with a GPS.  A map can help you get back on course, and also it’s easier to ask for help from a non-English speaking local with a map to point to.
    Uh, are we sure we’re supposed to turn here?

  6. Preload GPS coordinates – These are especially handy for rural destinations.  To find them, right click on the red pin icon in Google Maps, and select “What’s here.”  A screen will pop up with the GPS coordinates.
    Hidden gem!

  7. Plan your strategy– Review the route in advance, and check the GPS (or your map app) against a physical map so you can get your bearings. By in advance, I mean the night before, not 15 min before you leave. 
    Typical Tuscan “highway”

  8. Search for parking garages or other landmarks – This is often more helpful than just entering the name of a city, which will lead you to the center of town.  For example, there are several ways to approach Siena, and it’s confusing to know which highway exit to take.  We looked up the name of a garage that had plenty of parking and an escalator, and the GPS took us right to it. (However in Pisa, we had a hard time finding the public parking lot and basically stumbled across it by accident.  The best laid plans…)
    We could see dirt in-between the stones
    from the Palio Horse Race a week earlier.

  9. Be prepared for roundabouts – They are not difficult, just different if not used to them. They are well marked, you just have to pay attention to which exit you need. The good news is, if you miss it you can just go around again.
    No pics of roundabouts so will have to
    make do with this view.

  10. Plan for the unexpected – Getting lost is inevitable, but that’s half the fun. Allow plenty of time for your outings so an unplanned detour is a fun adventure rather than source of stress!

Is any trip to Tuscany complete
 without a visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
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What Not to Do When Visiting the Amalfi Coast

On our trip to Italy this summer, we did not have enough time in our schedule to spend a few nights on the Amalfi Coast, but we did have time for a day trip from Rome.  It’s really easy logistically, a little more than one hour train ride.  But the easy logistics end once you get to the Naples train station.


If you do not hire a car and driver/guide to take care of you from the moment you arrive to the moment you depart, you will likely end up regretting it.  This is one place where you simply cannot “wing it.”

A few days before our arrival, construction shut down several roads around the train station, causing gridlock in all directions.  As a result, our driver/guide, Gianluca, had to allow an extra hour of driving time on each end of our visit.  (There went two hours out of our day.  First lesson learned, plan for delays.)  But thanks to his insider knowledge of the streets around the train station, he expertly got us out of the city, though at times I did need to shut my eyes.  

The scenery only gets better from here.
Once out of town, we got to relax and enjoy the views of Vesuvius and the coastline as we headed to Pompeii, where he dropped us off to meet our guide.  I have always heard that  the size of the ruins surprises tourists, and yet I was still surprised.  And very happy to have a guide who expertly led us to specific areas to explain daily life in the ancient city in a way that kept my teens engaged. 

Pompeii is so big, it doesn’t appear crowded even
during peak season.  Except if following the
people wearing audio headsets.

Block after block of city streets, and few signs
explaining what you see.
Our guide’s visual aids helped bring the ruins to life.
After our tour, Gianluca was waiting to whisk us off to Sorrento, his home town.  Since we were behind schedule due to the chaos in Naples and we would soon have hangry kids, he called ahead to a restaurant so that we would be seated and served immediately.  Within 45 min we had ordered, eaten, received our complimentary limoncello shots (another good reason not to drive), and were back out the door.   For anyone who has eaten in a restaurant in Italy, you know what an amazing feat that is!

How could we not order pizza??
Yes four glasses, drinking age limits are loose.
Kids weren’t interested so mom & dad got two each!
The next few hours were spent shopping and sightseeing in Sorrento and Positano. There was absolutely no parking, but Gianluca has connections.  He called ahead to have them hold us a spot right in the center of town then we hopped out, had time to stroll, shop, and get limone granitas.
Beautiful ceramics in Sorrento

One of the few flat areas in Positano
After many stairs, we reached the Positano beach


Afterwards we hopped back in the car and enjoyed the stunning scenery while Gianluca dealt with the jam-packed streets, tour buses backing up to negotiate hairpin turns, and motorbikes and pedestrians who seemed to appear out of nowhere.  (I glanced back to see my son grinning ear to ear with his phone held up to the window recording it all.)

Gianluca didn’t slow down!
Until we got here

We arrived at the train station with time to spare, bid a fond farewell to Gianluca, and were back in Rome just in time for dinner.

So no matter how experienced a traveler you are, here is my advice if you are considering exploring the Amalfi Coast on your own:  Don’t do it!  Whether you arrive by train, plane, or cruise ship, it pays to hire a local expert so you can have a fun and stress-free experience.   And whether you have 4 hours or 4 days, I can work with my local experts to plan a great itinerary maximizing your time in this beautiful area.


Aaaah-malfi, I can’t wait to see you again.
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When in Rome (With Kids)

We started our Italy adventure in Rome. a five night stay at the Westin Excelsior.  This is a Virtuoso hotel located on the Via Veneto, next to the US Embassy.  So my clients receive complimentary daily breakfast for two, upgrade on arrival if available, and a $100 food and beverage credit.  And if you are a Starwood SPG member, you get a discount on lunch and dinner as well.

Deluxe twin room…
…with plenty of space and great A/C

 Here are my top tips when visiting Rome with kids.


* Hire a driver to pick you up at the airport. You’ve had a long flight, you’re tired and hungry, and it’s crowded. It’s a relief to see someone waiting for you outside customs, who will whisk you to an air conditioned car for the 30+ min drive into the city.

* Take an umbrella stroller which is easy to collapse and carry. Better yet, use a backpack. Many streets are bumpy and difficult to navigate.

It’s not fun to schlep a stroller up the Spanish Steps

* It’s hot and humid in summer, so always carry a water bottle.  You can fill them at fountains and water spigots around the city. (Yes, it’s safe to drink).  Plan to rest in the afternoon at the hotel when temps are highest, then visit piazzas in the evening when it’s cooler and kids will be less cranky.


Kids are happy to have water when it’s fun to get

* Use the bathroom before going to train station. They are not centrally located and you have to deposit coins to enter.


* A hop on/off bus tour is a great way to get oriented to the city early in your trip.  But don’t purchase tickets in advance. All companies stop at the same places and run the same route.  But if there are service problems on a particular line, you might have long waits between buses, or find that some don’t even have seats available.  There are “sales reps” at each stop, so try to find out from them if there are any service issues.  We also got off and walked between two stops, just to have an opportunity to explore some small streets far from our hotel, which turned out to have nice shops and cafes.


* Buy Colosseum tickets for the kids, in advance. Though children get free admission to the Colosseum, you have to show their ID, even with pre-purchased tickets.  If you can skip this step, you will truly have”skip the line” access.  Visiting the Roman Forum first? Make sure you know which exit is closest to the Colosseum and allow plenty of time to meet your guide.
  


* Always have some cash on hand. Small cafes and street vendors often don’t take credit cards.  And coins are handy for public toilets.

* Book a family-friendly guide for the Vatican Museum. It’ll make the experience better for the entire family because the crowds can be overwhelming.  Our guide found a pleasant place for us to sit in the courtyard where she could give us some background information and also explain what we’d see in the Sistine Chapel later, since she wouldn’t be allowed to talk in there.  

One of the rare places without crowds in the Vatican

* Note that pasta is “first course.” If that’s all your kids (or you) order, note that it may come out before the other dishes, and the server may not bring any other food until the pastas is finished!  So if you want a pasta dish to arrive at the same time as everyone else’s main entree, ask the server to bring it with the second course (or “with the meat”). When someone only orders one course, servers will often ask when to bring it, but if they look puzzled, just explain what you want.


And antipasta is before the first course.
(Thank goodness for all that walking to burn this off!)

* Let kids burn off steam at Pincio Gardens at the top of the Spanish Steps. You can rent pedal cars, Segways, and surrey bikes, there are vendors selling gelato, drinks and snacks, but most importantly, there’s lots of shade! It has sweeping views of the city, and it’s a great place to watch the sunset.

Great place to hang out on a summer day.

* Add an extra day in Rome to day trip to the Amalfi Coast.  It’s just a one hour train ride, and you can hire a driver guide to pick you up for a full day of sightseeing. (Talk to them about your itinerary before booking the train tickets.) A guide is a must at Pompeii, especially with kids, due to the size.  There aren’t many signs so the only alternative is audio headsets, and they can run out in peak periods.  And don’t you think your kids have headphones on enough already?

Enjoying the view while someone else
hassles with the driving.
Our guide explains why this is
 the “McDonalds” of Pompeii

I would love to design the perfect Italy itinerary for your family.  Just send an email to suzette@family-treks.com.

Roman Forum


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What I’ll Miss Most About Italy

I am on Italy withdrawal after our two week family adventure to Rome, Tuscany, and Venice (including a day trip to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast).  Here is what I am missing already, in no particular order:

* Steamed milk instead of cold cream served with coffee in the morning and fresh squeezed orange juice as the norm


* Watching artisans work in their studios


* Water fountains everywhere (a real treat coming from drought-stricken California)


* Pasta as first course at lunch AND dinner


* Cheese and Tuscan ham as an acceptable appetizer before the pasta (I have never liked cheese but I learned to love pecorino, especially with the right honey)

* The pleasant surprise of stumbling across a beautiful statue or church while strolling narrow cobblestone streets



* Yummy unique pizzas


* Stunning art and architecture



* Lounging around a pool with beautiful views of Tuscan hills, and chatting with families from other parts of Europe. (It’s interesting to learn how much is the same no matter what part of the world you are from.)


* Amazing limoncello from the biggest lemons I’ve ever seen



* And the wine!


Ok, most of these are about food but is that really so surprising? 

Stay tuned for more posts about our amazing Italy adventure.

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Exclusive Hotel Amenities from the Dorchester Collection

We all want the most for our money when traveling, especially when paying premium prices for a five star hotel.  Now my clients have yet another way to get more value when booking a hotel.

The Dorchester Collection recently announced a new preferred agency program, called The Diamond Club, and Brownell Travel is one of the charter members.

This is one of the best amenity programs I’ve seen, and there are no blackout dates! It’s good at all nine hotels in their portfolio:
 
(And more hotels to come)


Here’s what guests receive when they book a Dorchester Collection hotel through me:

  • A one category upgrade guaranteed at time of booking (if available, up to a junior suite)
  • Daily breakfast for 2 people per room
  • A hotel credit equivalent to 100 units of local currency, applied to the final bill
  • Unlimited internet access for an unlimited number of devices
 
Hotel Principe di Savoia Classic Room
 
For guests who book a suite, or any room at 45 Park Lane, they receive the same amenities, with a few enhancements:
  • Daily breakfast for 2 people per bedroom
  • A daily hotel credit of 100 units of local currency
 
45 Park Lane Deluxe King Room

Suite at Le Meurice

Also, each hotel will have a Diamond Club ambassador on-site around the clock, to ensure my clients are getting their amenities and to assist with any special requests.  This is especially helpful when I need to reach a hotel in case of emergency at any time of day, especially when clients are traveling abroad.

Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris

This is just one of several preferred agency programs with which Brownell is affiliated, including Ritz Carlton STARS, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Rosewood Elite, and Starwood Luxury Privileges.

The next time you plan to book a hotel, whether it’s for one night or two weeks, contact me first at suzette@family-treks.com to check if you are eligible for any exclusive amenities or upgrades.   

The Beverly Hills Hotel
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The Newest Way to Travel in Italy

Last April, a new high speed rail service called Italo started operating in Italy, run by Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori (NTV). The Ferrari-red trains offers service from Venice to Rome (stops in Padua, Bologna & Florence) and from Milan to Salerno (stops in Bologna, Florence, Rome & Naples). 

 

At at a recent presentation by Rail Europe, here’s what I learned about Italo:


– All employees speak English.

– It’s completely ticketless. 

– They have 3 classes of service (they call it “ambience”): Smart (2nd), Prima (1st) , and Club (Premium 1st)


Club ambiance
Prima service

– Free WiFi is available in all cars.

– It stops at different stations than Trenitalia trains.  In Rome, the station is further from the city center, but it connects to the airport and the Spanish Steps by subway. 

– The power units are distributed under the cars, not located on the end cars like – traditional high speed trains.  This gives a smoother and faster ride.  For example, Italo takes 2 hrs to get to Milan from Rome, where Eurostar takes 3 hr.

– All stations have ‘Casa Italo’, a comfortable lounge with easy to use self-service ticket machines, a welcome desk, and free WiFi.



Casa Italo

– They have vending machines on all trains.

– Baggage lockers are available where you pay 1 EU to secure a cable around your luggage (and it’s returned after you retrieve your bags).  The luggage storage area is also monitored by security cameras.

It’s fun and easy to travel by train in Europe, but it can be a little confusing.

For help planning a great vacation to Europe, by train, plane, or cruise ship, contact me at suzette@family-treks.com
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