Luxury Travel

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

The need to acquire knowledge, perfect a new skill, or further a particular interest directly influences the choices we make and contributes to a happy and healthy lifestyle. But why let learning stop while on vacation? Travelers seeking inner fulfillment and a little self-improvement can check in with Apprentice-Trips by Fairmont an innovative collection of experiential packages that help guests acquire a talent, brush up on a favorite hobby or just learn something new.

Here are the participating Canada hotels at this time:

The iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is the perfect home base to discover the unique character of Quebec City. With the hotel’s "Parlez-vous français?" French Immersion Package, travelers have an opportunity to learn or refine their French language skills while exploring one of North America’s most dynamic and vibrant locales. Package includes seven nights accommodation in a Fairmont room, five private French courses with a local linguist (3 hours/day), daily buffet breakfast, a guided city tour in French, a tour of the historic Chateau in French, and a welcome delivery including a souvenir French book and fruit basket. Rates start from $435 CDN per night.

Montreal is not just a great city; it’s an island city and a surfer’s paradise! Adventurous guests looking for their next big challenge should forgo widely known haunts and catch a break riding Big Joe, the world’s tallest standing wave, just minutes from downtown. WithSurf’s Up Montreal, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth lets travelers in on one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Hidden behind Habitat 67, three permanent waves in the St. Lawrence River give awesome thrills to all surfers, beginners and pros alike. Package includes two nights accommodation, one day of surfing lessons with a pro from Kayak Sans Frontières (KSF), where guests learn the basics of river surf at two locations in Montreal, surf equipment rental, daily buffet breakfast and a take-out snack to keep energy levels up. Available from May 31 - September 1, 2010, this two-night experience starts at $379 CDN per night. Valid only on Fridays and Saturdays.

Hike endless trails, learn the rich history of the area and spot Rocky Mountain wildlife with The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise's Mountain Adventure package.  This unique experience teaches the basics of hiking while discovering how to capture adventure in a National Geographic worthy photograph.  Situated on the shores of pristine Lake Louise, and in the heart of nature, guests will head out with one of the Chateau's very own Mountain Heritage Guides for a truly unique outdoor adventure and photography experience.  Rates start from $299 CDN per night and include a daily $100 resort credit to be used towards a guided Mountain Heritage activity.

At Fairmont's newest hotel in Vancouver, guests with a sweet tooth can bake their cake and eat it too! At Fairmont Pacific Rim, baker wannabes can enroll in a private dessert class geared exclusively to their culinary level with the hotel's Sweet Designs Package.  Offer includes a consultation call with the hotel's pastry chef, a tour of the scratch kitchen, four hours of private instruction in the pastry shop or climate-controlled chocolate shop, and a personalized chef's jacket.  The icing on the cake? Guests take along their creations to enjoy at home.  Priced at $299 CDN per person, reservations are required and can be made by calling the hotel's Catering Department. Roome rates start at $299 CDN per night.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Victoria is the capitol city of British Colombia, and is a popular port of call on Alaska cruises. It is a short bus ride from the cruise terminal into the city center. Buses go back and forth every 15 to 20 minutes, and cost approximately $15 pp round trip.

The Fairmont Empress Hotel is off of the Victoria Harbour, and is beautiful!
This luxury chateau style resort offers boutique shopping, golf and spa facilities.

There is also lots of shopping available walking distance from the Harbour, including the latest trends, as well as imported items from Britian. Restaurants and cafes serve delicious cuisine.

The Royal BC Museum is rated one of the best in North America.

World-famous Butchart Gardens lures visitors from around the world. Butchart Gardens is 55 acres of floral display, offering spectacular views.

The video below is over 7 minutes in length, but if you have the time, gives a wonderful tour of the gardens.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Crystal has 3 wonderful itineraries for this fall.

Autumn Adventure aboard the Crystal Symphony sailing Oct 8 - 19, 2009 - 11 days

Ports:  Montreal (overnight,) Quebec City, Halifax, Saint John, Bar Harbor, Boston (overnight,) Newport, New York

Fares: from $4,050 with up to 39% savings

Exclusive Experience:  Complimentary Shore Excursion in Saint John: Delights of City & Country

The maritime province of New Brunswick is blessed with a glorious seacoast plus dramatic river basins - and its lovely port of Saint John is Canada's oldest incorporated city. Marvel at the city's amazing Reversing Falls Rapids: the high tides here are so powerful that they reserve the mighty Saint John River's direction. Travel outside the city via ferry to Kingston Peninsula, where an exclusive countryside lunch buffet awaits on the banks of Kennebecasis River. 

Fall Jubilee aboard the Crystal Symphony sailing Oct 19-30, 2009 - 11 days runs the reverse itinerary of the Autumn Adventure cruise listed above.  Prices from $4,050 pp and include the small group shore excursion in Saint John

New England Celebration  aboard the Crystal Symphony sailing Oct 30 - Nov 10, 2009 - 11 days. Prices from $3,835 with up to 50% savings

Ports:  Montreal (overnight,) Quebec City, Charlottetown, Halifax, Boston (overnight,) Newport & New York

Exclusive Experience:  Complimentary Shore Excursion in Halifax: Afternoon Tea at Halifax Club

Canada's oldest private club - Halifax, was established in 1862, and opens its doors for an exclusive afternoon of Victorian pleasures. You will be regaled with local maritime history over tea, and enjoy the opportunity to admire the club's dazzling art collection. First, the delights of this nearly three-centuries old port await on a panoramic tour that includes Halifax Citadel and Public Gardens, plus Fairview Cemetery - the final resting place of RMS Titanic's victims.

Saturday, September 06, 2008

A client called today to find out when her documents would arrive. They had just arrived from the supplier, approximately 3 weeks prior to tour start date, which is the normal delivery time. They were mailed out the same day.

I told her they would be delivered by UPS to her home address on Monday.

This is 8 days prior to her departure.

She was satisfied with this and we ended the call.

She called back about 10 minutes later and asked where the documents were being mailed to. I told her they were on their way to her address in Chicago. She said, “But I’m in Rhode Island”.

I asked why she did not advise me of this and she said, “We always spend our summers in Rhode Island”

Okay, so now I need a crystal ball with all of the other hats I wear! I was supposed to know this??

I told her I would see what I could do and called the supplier to ask if another set of documents could be generated and mailed out.

This reservation was made with a Luxury Tour supplier and they agreed to send the documents directly to her Rhode Island address.

If this were a supplier other than a Luxury Tour operator, a duplicate set of documents would have a fee to generate and the overnight mail would have to be paid for by the client.

Please think of your travel agent as one of your circle of family and friends. Keep us in mind to notify us of any changes in your life. Give us your airline schedule if you make your own airline reservations; give us all contact numbers and dates when you’ll be at another location. Don’t think you’re bothering us with trivia. Our job is to give you the best customer service we can, but to do this we need your help.