by Mark Rubinstein
I recently took an amazing vacation to South Africa, Zambia, and Botswana to celebrate my 50th birthday.
We began our journey in Cape Town, staying at the One & Only and Cape Grace, both Virtuoso properties located at the V & A Waterfront. We spent our days in Cape Town visiting Table Mountain, Winelands, and Cape Point.
It was then on to the highlight of the trip— The Safaris.
Starting in South Africa, we stayed at four beautiful Virtuoso lodges– Camp Jabulani, Singita Lebombo, Singita Ebony, and Londolozi. We did two game drives a day, saw all of the big 5, and were lucky enough to see a kill. The food and lodging were all outstanding.
We spent one night in Zambia at Toka Leya, a tented camp on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, highlights being the Hippos, and of course, Victoria Falls.
On to Botswana and a stay at Little Vumbura, a tented camp on an island in the Okavango Delta. You arrive at the camp by boat. There are just six luxury tents, run by a husband and wife that can’t do enough for you. We tracked a leopard for over an hour that was scaling trees 30 feet in the air, unsuccessfully hunting for a meal.
It was an incredible, awe-inspiring journey.
ALASKA
by Joanne Meyer
This year a trip with friends, relatives, and clients took us to Alaska. We cruised from Vancouver to Seward on the Celebrity Millennium, allowing us to see the highlights of the coast and cities of Ketchikan, Juneau, Icy Strait, and Skagway.
Excursions are a must for Alaska, so we planned several in advance. By doing this, we were able to see the wildlife of the area including bears, whales, and eagles and the unspoiled beauty of Alaska, including the glaciers.
The extension by land, after our cruise, took us to Denali National Park and the quaint town of Talkeetna, which is nestled at the base of North America’s highest peak, Mt. McKinley. This was a highlight of the trip. We lucked out with weather and became part of The 30% Club; meaning we were able to see Mt. McKinley in full view and all its magnificence.
While in Denali, we viewed brown bears, caribou, a bull Moose, fox, and dall sheep. A visit to Husky Homestead, home of four-time Iditarod champ Jeff King, gave us insight into the training of the Alaskan Huskies and what it takes to run the “World’s Toughest Race”.
Together, with the Smiths and the Russells, we even tried our hand at mushing!
ITALY
by Regina Goldstein
This past September, I traveled to Italy with my sons and their families. Since I was born in Italy, I am always eager to share my love of the country with them. This time, instead of visiting the big cities, we opted for a week long tour of the gorgeous Italian Lakes Region. Trafalgar’s itinerary was wonderful. From Lake Maggiore to Lake Lugano to Lake Como, we were awe-struck by spectacular views of Alpine peaks. We also visited the romantic Verona, beautiful Lake Garda, the town of Brescia, and ended our scenic journey in Milan.
PERU
by Lori Gray
Peru is a popular destination for travelers of all ages. Hosted by Belmond, I was thrilled to experience this wonderful country. While visiting Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the Sacred Valley, I stayed at beautiful Belmond properties and had fantastic private tours by their interesting and knowledgeable guides. Hiking Machu Picchu at sunrise was incredible, as was taking the elegant Hiram Bingham train to Cusco. I enjoyed the stunning landscape, learning about the rich history of the Incas, and meeting the friendly locals.
EUROPE
by Bede Epstein
My husband, Burton, and I had a fabulous time being Virtuoso Voyager Club hosts to 113 wonderful guests aboard the Crystal Serenity on a cruise that began in Rome and ended in London. In twelve nights, we visited Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, and Gibraltar. Our Virtuoso tour was a private visit to the exclusive Quinta de Santana Wine Estate just outside of Lisbon, Portugal, and of course, was a highlight for us all. Another highlight was learning about the remarkable history of the Rock of Gibraltar.
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