Why You Need a Travel Agent: Part One

Why does one of the world’s most renowned travel journalists use a travel advisor? Because he knows enough to know it’s the only way to go! Veteran travel journalist, Larry Olmsted, has been exploring the world for more than 20 years as a contributing editor and columnist for The Washington Post, Forbes, and USA Today. In this 2-part series, he shares one of the most compelling arguments for using a travel advisor, versus booking on your own. Dig in!

http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2012/01/20/why-you-need-a-travel-agent-part-1/2/

Navigator of the Seas, a Royal Carribean Cruise

June Griffith is a leisure travel consultant from Brownell Travel's Mobile office. She recently took a cruise aboard the Navigator of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship . You can see photos of her fabulous adventure below. 

Angel with Cross
This is one of the 10 angels on the Ponte Sant'Angelo in Rome



Malta

Our guide Zachary from Sea Soung Tours at the ruins in Ephesus

Pool deck Navigator of the Seas

Taormina, Sicily

The Library at Ephesus

Carlisle Bay & Curtain Bluff, Antigua

Martha Rhodes, leisure travel advisor for Brownell Travel, recently visited Carlisle Bay and Curtain Bluff in Antigua. You can read her account of both fabulous hotels below.

Carlisle Bay, Antigua | November 4-5, 2011

Carlisle Bay is a small, casually elegant resort on the south shore of Antigua that sits on its own beautiful bay. You step out of the main open-air restaurant pavilion right onto the sand, and the ocean is just a couple steps beyond. The style is modern, minimalist European with platform beds and simple clean lines softened by the lush, tropical landscaping and bougainvillea winding up through the balconies.

Carlisle Bay Antigua

One side of the property is devoted to families. Two bedroom suites feature either ground-floor terrace or 2nd floor balcony options. Each suite has a master bedroom and a second bedroom with two twin beds for children. All suites are right on the sand—a fabulous and convenient choice for families with young children.

On the other side of the main pavilion are the ocean suites, just across a bit of grass lawn from the sand. Ocean suites feature one main room with a sea-facing king bed, a lowered seating area in front and a terrace or balcony with a table and double day bed. In addition to these rooms, there are four spacious 3-BR suites with small kitchens, a great set-up for extended families.

Carlisle Bay Ocean Suite

There are two restaurants on the property. Indigo is in a large open air pavilion with amazing ocean views and table seating as well as inviting gathering spots accented with orchids. A large bar serves as the lobby and lounge. Adjacent to the bar is an indoor Asian restaurant with many delicious and healthy options.

Outside this lobby pavilion is a lagoon-like pool area with beautiful gray-blue water. There are lounge chairs as well as table seating by the pool. In the early evening a kid’s buffet meal is served here, great for parents to feed their kids early and take advantage of the complimentary nanny service for their own dinner. A romantic dinner can be served at the end of the dock if booked in advance.

Carlisle Bay Pool Area

Curtain Bluff, Antigua | Nov. 5 -6, 2011

Curtain Bluff, founded by the Hulford family and recently celebrating its 50th Anniversary, is a resort unlike any other with a very loyal guest base who return year after year. It is an all-inclusive resort with a country club atmosphere; all activities are yours to use without limits.

Curtain Bluff Antigua

I became acquainted with the Hulford family on my flight to Antigua and they took great care of me and invited me to their table for the 50th Anniversary dinner. Lady Chelle Hulford and her daughters and son-in-law could not have been more gracious and welcoming. I think every guest must feel like they are visiting dear friends each time they visit—they become quite fond of the staff members and fellow guests who tend to return at the same time each year.

All suites face the Atlantic Beach, set along the bluff. Some are ground floor with beach walkout; others are 2nd floor with balconies. Bedrooms are open-air, but also are able to be closed and air-conditioned.

Curtain Bluff Suite

A highlight of the property is the world-class spa facility—a very appealing zen-like, far-eastern design, with the most beautiful relaxation terrace high on the bluff looking out over the ocean and an infinity edge hot tub for pre- or post-treatment.

The swimming beach is nice and has many water sports, including motorized ones. There is a nice sailboat available for charters, and water taxis to activities on the island. At the beach is a large open pavilion where lunch is served each day, alongside a bar for cocktails. The pool sits back behind the beach, surrounded by tropical foliage with a lovely view of the ocean through the trees.

Curtain Bluff Swimming Beach

This resort is definitely about the people, with a mutual caring between the oft-returning guests and the long-time staff members.

Sicily with IC Bellagio

Bowden Sarrett, leisure travel advisor and VP of Brownell Travel, recently visited Sicily with IC Bellagio. See her photos below for exciting highlights of her trip. ...

A side alley off the main street of Taormina in Sicily

Amazing Antipasti

Amphitheater adjacent to Grand Hotel Timeo

Another of the amphitheater adjacent to Grand Hotel Timeo

Bikini women decorated floors for area of privilege for concubines within interior and private part of palace



Drivers in Sicily definitely looked the part

Junior Suite at Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina
My room was gorgeous and had a huge balcony overlooking the Ionian Sea

Grand Hotel Timeo - An Orient Express Virtuoso partner property in Taormina, Italy

View from my room in Taormina

Hotel San Domenico in Taormina
Used to be a monastery, beautiful gardens, Virtuoso Property

Madonna Della Rocca
I ran up to the top of the mountain one morning to this little church built into the rock above Taormina

My room at Verdura Resort-SouthWest coast of Sicily

The Seaside restaurant and beach at Verdura

Light lunch in Sicily at Grand Hotel Timeo

Two amazing pastas

Third course

Villa Romana Casale
This World Heritage Site Dates from late 3rd century AD
Incredible floors of well preserved mosaics

 

A PATH LESS TRAVELED . . .

Brownell Leisure Travel Advisors Alyssa Schulke and Cathy Dorton have arranged a fascinating 10 day trip aboard the Orion II into the wonders of Borneo. You can read all about this special trip and see fabulous photos below.

10 NIGHT CAMP LEAKEY TOUR - FACES IN THE FOREST
Bali to Singapore: 24 August 2012

Experience unforgettable natural wonders as we visit the renowned home of Dr. Birute Galdikas and the famed Camp Leakey onboard the luxury expedition ship Orion II. A myriad of exciting destinations await you as we voyage along the southern and western coastlines of Borneo.

From isolated tropical islands to diverse National Parks, our itinerary will showcase some of Borneo’s undiscovered jewels. We will be joined by Dr. Galdikas onboard Orion II and at the landmark Camp Leakey in Tanjung Puting National Park, allowing us the opportunity to view the rehabilitation of the ex-captive orangutans.

Camp Leakey was established in 1971 by Dr. Biruté Galdikas and former spouse Rod Brindamour. It was named after the legendary paleo-anthropologist, Louis Leakey, who was both mentor and an inspiration to Dr. Galdikas as well as Drs. Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey. Originally consisting of just two huts, Camp Leakey is now an assemblage of permanent wooden structures designed to provide a base for scientists, staff, students, and Park Rangers.

Tanjung Puting is one of the great wonders of Borneo and is a wildlife mecca. We also visit Gunung Palung and Bako National Parks to examine, first hand, the complexity of ecosystems that once covered the entire Island. They now provide a refuge for Borneo’s 15,000 species of plants, 222 species of mammals, 420 resident birds, and numerous other reptile, amphibian and fish species.

For more information on this fabulous trip visit http://www.brownelltravel.com/ or email us at info@brownelltravel.com.

Easy Breezy Bermuda

Katherine Gould is an luxury travel consultant for Sterling Brownell. Below you will read about her recent trip to Bermuda. You can read more about Katherine and her adventures on her blog kgouldtravel.


Pink sandy beaches? Check. Golf and tennis? Check. World class hotels? Check. Excellent shopping and dining? Check. Rich history and culture to discover? Check. Ideal weather most of the year? Check. I’m referring to Bermuda, an island paradise located approximately 650 miles east of North Carolina in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Exploring one of the many stunning beaches on Bermuda with my husband

My first impression of the island was “Wow, it’s so quick and easy to get here!” By mid-afternoon, I was on the beach with a cocktail in hand. My second impression of the island was its beauty. I’ve never seen a destination so clean and beautiful, and the friendliness of the Bermudians is the icing on the cake.

Beauty can be found around every corner!

My first stop was Rosewood’s newest addition to their Caribbean portfolio, Tucker’s Point. This hotel embodies elegance and opulence, but it’s not fussy in any way. Families would be very comfortable bringing their children here and couples seeking a romantic experience can rest assured that the property will provide them with plenty of privacy.

Elegance at Tucker's Point: Spa relaxation area

Guest room at Tucker's Point

The main hotel is located on a bluff overlooking Castle Harbour, and all of the rooms offer dramatic views of the water. The interior design was old-world, warm, and very elegant. Activities are spread out across a large piece of land, so even when the hotel is full , it never feels crowded.

Exterior view of Tucker's Point

One of several, inviting common areas at Tucker's Point

Guests can spend their time at one of two different pools close to the main hotel, a separate beach club and pool area, the tennis courts, the golf course, or sight-seeing around the island. Tucker’s Point Golf Club, which is situated on over 200 gorgeous acres, is a big draw for the hotel, as are the four clay tennis courts and team of professionals to help you better either game.

The grounds of Tucker's Point

Beachfront at Tucker's Point

For guests seeking relaxation and pampering, the spa at Tucker’s Point is the perfect spot to unwind. It boasts eight treatment rooms and some of the prettiest common areas I’ve seen in a spa anywhere in the world. A full range of services is offered, and the therapists are well-trained professionals who will ensure your experience is a memorable one.

Relaxation pool at Tucker's Point spa

Dining at Rosewood Tucker’s Point did not disappoint, and the quality of the food and ambiance at the different restaurants was fantastic!

Dining room at The Point

With Levon, one of the head doormen at Tucker's Point

A few days later, I moved to The Reefs, a well-known, family-owned hotel on the other side of the island. I loved it the minute I arrived. This hotel embodies a Bermudian charm that’s difficult to describe without seeing it with your own eyes. The setting is dramatic, which adds to the atmosphere and didn’t allow me to put down my camera for very long. There were too many possible photo opportunities everywhere I looked!

Beach perfection at The Reefs

The Reefs has been in business since the 1940s, and the Dodwell family works hard to keep the hotel up to date with modern amenities, but also stay true to their original goal of providing guests with a traditional Bermudian experience. The view from the balcony of my Jr. Suite couldn’t be beat!

Jr. Suite balcony view

Guest room at The Reefs

There are a number of dining options on property, and each restaurant served up delicious food in a memorable setting. I was partial to Coconuts, a romantic restaurant situated right above the beach. It was where my husband and I chose to celebrate our wedding anniversary, and I couldn’t have imagined a lovelier setting for a special occasion.

Oceanfront dining at Coconuts

The Reefs “dine around ” program is a big draw for the repeat guests who return year after year. Guests have the option to dine at Pompano Beach Club or Cambridge Beaches. It’s a great way to see other parts of the island and enjoy a diverse dining experience during your vacation. Also worth mentioning is the hotel’s brand new spa - a lovely space with eight treatment rooms and sweeping ocean views from the relaxation area.

One of many beautiful evenings guests can enjoy at The Reefs

When we weren’t enjoying these two amazing hotels, my husband and I spent our time exploring Bermuda’s varied activities and sites. There are beautiful beaches to discover, historic towns to walk through, some serious shopping to be done in Hamilton, and much, much more. I’ve already made a list of what I want to see and do when I return - this “Jewel of the Atlantic” is calling me back.