The Insider's Club: January

The most complete GUIDE to the INSIDE

The Insider’s Club January 2016

Hot Spot of the Month

Key West, FL

+ Things to Know About Where to Go + Suggested Itinerary Featured Experience

Crystal Cruises

+ Featured Expeditions + Exclusive World Travel Experiences

Tech News

Travel Toys

Shared Discoveries

Choose Your News Explore: Key West, FL 4-5 What To Do While You Are There 6-7 Where To Stay 8-9 Featured Experience: Crystal Cruises 10-11 Exclusive World Travel Experiences 12-23 Tech News: Travel Toys 24-25 Shared Discovery 26-27

A WORD FROM YOUR TRAVEL ADVISOR

Dear Fellow Travelers & Adventurers, In this month’s newsletter our featured destination is Key West Florida, as well as our monthly tech news, travel tips, things and places to see in our hot spot, and exclusive travel deals around the world. As always we welcome any suggestions you may have for this newsletter. Please let us know if there is a specific location, hotel, restaurant, excursion, etc. you would like us to feature.

Thank you for your business and the opportunity to collaborate on your travel dreams.

I look forward to arranging your next great adventure.

-Marisa

Backpacking Magazine - page 3

Explore Key West

Explore Key West + Things to know about where to go Key West, the southernmost tip of the United States and only 120 miles south of Miami, travels along at its own pace. Many literary greats like Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams have called Key West home.

The chosen vacation spot of past United States President’s earned Key West the unofficial title of “Winter White House”.

Why the appeal? Perhaps it’s the phenomenal scuba diving, the fabulous dining and entertainment of Duval Street, the eclectic lodging choices, or the kid-friendly Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center. There is truly something for every type of traveler and whether your looking for adventure or relaxation your sure to have a great expereience vacationing in Key West.

Key West

What to do while your there Historical Treasure Trove

History buffs will marvel at the broad date range of historically significant architecture and events ranging from Civil War forts, famous author’s homes, the Spanish American War, and sunken Spanish treasure ships. We recommend a (90) minute city tour aboard the Conch Tour train to get a great overview of the city in a short amount of time.

Water Activities

There are many activities to take advantage of while visiting Key West including great scuba diving and snorkeling, kayaking, catamaran tours, deep sea fishing, jet ski excursions and much more.

Beaches are manmade and are not necessarily a highlight or reason to go to Key West.

Don’t forget to check out the latest Virtuoso Life!

Duval Street

Duval Street is truly the pulse of Key West and home to the best of the best dining, drinking, and entertainment establishments throughout the city. At the northern end of the street lays Mallory Square where every day at sunset the community gathers to celebrate with music, street performers and animal acts as the sun is setting.

The Dry Tortugas National Park

Almost 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West lays the remote Dry Tortugas National Park. The 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands and accessible only by boat (2 1/2 hrs each way!) or 45 minute seaplane flight. We highly recommend the 8 am flight, allowing you to arrive ahead of the ferry and the big crowds. The park is known all over the world as the home of Fort Jefferson (a former Civil war prison and the largest brick structure in North America‌16 MILLION bricks!). It is beloved for it’s picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs and marine life, and the vast assortment of bird life that frequent the area.The fort takes about an hour to explore and the rest of the time can be spent relaxing on the beach or snorkeling the magnificent reefs.

Key West

Where you should stay

Sunset Key Guest Cottages Staying on Sunset Key is like being on a secluded tropical island with all the comforts of a five star resort. Magically set on (27) lush private acres, Sunset Key has 2-3-4 bedroom cottages with full kitchens. In less than a (10) minute water ferry you can be in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of downtown Key West and the nightly sunset celebrations. Not up for a night out? Stay on the ‘ Island’ and enjoy the seclusion of a beach without crowds and the fine dining offered in the signature Latitudes Restaurant. The cottages are spacious and comfortable. A continental breakfast is delivered to each cottage every morning to get your day started on a high note.

ASK ME ABOUT MY EXCLUSIVE VIRTUOSO AMENITIES

Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort Immerse yourself in a quiet getaway on the only private beach in Key West.

Established in the 1920s, and a hotel icon ever since, Casa Marina, combines modern luxury and historic beauty. Stay here and you’ll enjoy a boutique resort feel with spectacular amenities, including oceanfront accommodations, two tropical pools, exquisite dining, a world class spa and fitness center, and thrilling water sports.

A broad spectrum of accommodations for families, couples and solo vacationers make the resort a true treasure. Think traditional hospitality blended with contemporary style and you are but a casual stroll away from all the ‘ action’ of Duval Street.

The Gardens Hotel The New York Times named the Gardens Hotel, rich in history and architectural design, “The Prettiest Hotel in Key West”. Once the largest private estate in Key West, the property houses 23 luxurious guest suites amidst one of Florida’s oldest and most respected tropical gardens. The expansive grounds of the hotel spread over an acre of lush tropical landscaping just steps away from the infamous Duval Street. The Gardens Hotel is also featured in the book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.

Featured Experience

Crystal Cruises Tropical Treasure Why not see more of the tropics and end your trip with a post cruise stay in Key West? Aboard the Crystal Serenity, travel luxuriously on a round trip cruise from Miami to the beautiful Turks & Caicos, Grand Cayman Islands and Key West Florida, our featured destination.

Featured Experience: Crystal Cruises Tropical Treasure

DAY BY BAY ITINERARY Day 1 Miami, Florida, USA Day 2 Day at Sea Day 3 Turks & Caicos/Grand Turk, UK Day 4 Day at Sea Day 5 Grand Cayman/George Town, British West Indies Day 6 Day at Sea Day 7 Key West, Florida, USA Day 8 Miami, Florida, USA

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CRYSTAL CRUISES

Exclusive

World Travel Experiences

Half Moon, A RockResort Montego Bay, Jamaica

Great Winter Thaw Valid for Travel now Through 11 Mar 2016

Experience Includes: 7th night free and $200 in resort credit Round trip airport transfers in Montego Bay Upgrade at time of booking, subject to availability Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests $100 USD equivalent Spa Services credit, to be utilized during stay Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

Exclusive

World Travel Experiences

Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Dorado, Puerto Rico

Valid for Travel through December 15, 2016 Book by February 29, 2016

Experience Includes: Stay four nights and receive the fourth night complimentary Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability Daily American Breakfast for two at Mi Casa by José Andrés Restaurant $100 spa credit at Spa Botánico Early check-in/late check-out

Exclusive

World Travel Experiences

Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort Soufriere, Saint Lucia

Valid for Travel through 15 Apr 2016

Experience Includes: Stay 7 nights in a beautiful Luxury Villa and receive the 7th night free.

Available on the Luxury Villa category and above Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests $100 USD Equivalent Resort or Hotel credit Early check-in/late check-out

Exclusive

World Travel Experiences

Fairmont Grand Del Mar San Diego, CA

Valid for Travel now Through 29 Feb 2016

Experience Includes: Book 2 consecutive nights in a room or suite category and recieve the 3rd night complimentary Upgrade at time of booking for guest room categories up to Fairway, subject to availability Daily full breakfast for up to two in-room guests $100 USD Activity credit per stay Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

Exclusive

World Travel Experiences

Park Hyatt New York New York, NY

Valid for Travel now Through 03 Apr 2016

Experience Includes: Receive a Guaranteed Upgrade at Time of booking & Reserve three consecutive nights in a Park Deluxe Room and up to receive the 3rd night complimentary Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests available in The Back Room at One57 or in-room dining $100 USD Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

Exclusive

World Travel Experiences

Four Seasons Resort Lana’i Lanai City, HI

Valid for Travel 01 Mar 2016 - 19 Dec 2016

Experience Includes: Book 3 nights and get the 4th night free Upgrade on arrival, if available Daily continental breakfast for two $100 spa credit Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

Tech News: Travel Toys

C h a y v t

RFID Travel Vest

This 26 pocket vest keeps you safe, organized and connected. An RFIDblocking pocket protects your passport and credit cards from high-tech skimmers that can steal your identity. Pocket icons help organize travel documents, ID, camera, Bluetooth headset, cell phone, iPad, Kindle, books, maps, magazines, sunglasses and more.

TO LEARN MORE OR TO ORDER CLICK ON PRODUCT IMAGE

Canary

Canary is the only all-in-one home security system that lets you see what’s happening at home and take action. From HD video to motion-activated alerts to a 90+ decibel siren, Canary gives you everything you need to keep your home safe. It’s built to learn and sends intelligent alerts with HD video and audio directly to your phone giving you peace of mind the next time you leave fido at home.

Moment Lenses The best camera is the one you have with you. If your go-to camera always happens to be your iPhone, take your pictures up a notch with Moment’s lenses. The telephoto, macro, and wide-angle lenses screw onto the back of your phone like a DSLR lens, and give you the ability to take stunning photos with your smartphone that wouldn’t have been possible before.

Shared Discovery

Disneyland: Experienced by Lena Brown The ONLY thing MORE magical than Disneyland..is Disneyland at the ‘ holidays!’

Celebrating the Diamond Anniversary at The Disneyland Resort I was SO fortunate to experience the holiday lights and decorations throughout the park, as well as the new Paint the Night Electrical Parade.

Your ‘menu’ of hotel choices to consider at the Disneyland Resorts are, The Disney Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, The Disneyland Hotel, and The Disney Paradise Pier Hotel.

The Disney Grand Californian had a woodsy, nature and log cabin feel, with some rooms offering log bunk beds for the kids.For the holidays, the hotel’s massive lobby presented a huge Christmas tree, carols being played on a grand piano, and a crackling fireplace with little children sitting by sipping hot chocolate. The aroma from the large homemade gingerbread house and sugar cookies completed the holiday charm The property is located near Disney’s California Adventure Park and (very cool!), it offers its own park entrance.

I stayed at the original Disneyland Hotel. which offers (3) towers of rooms, a tropical restaurant and bar near the pool and a waterslide that resembles the monorail. The unique feature of this hotel is the special wood carved backdrops behind the beds of Cinderella’s castle..complete with fireworks in the sky all covered in white lights. The light switch next to the bed controls the flickering little lights and it plays sweet lullabies.Just amazing !

The third choice is The Disney Paradise Pier Hotel, a old fashioned but modern hotel. They offer character dining for the kids and a surfside themed, vibrant colored rooms with fantastic waterslides at the pool. It is a little further walk to the park but still offers the early park entrance benefits for staying in a Disney Resort. It also provides guests a great view of the firework show at Disneyland.

Staying at the any of the Disney hotels provides the convenience of being close to Downtown Disney with it’s many shops and restaurants. During the holiday season outdoor ice skating live music,and movie theaters are all ADDED amenities!

One of my FAVORITE benefits however was always being treated as the ‘special guest’ and being allowed to enter the parks an hour early each day.

No matter where you stay at The Disney Resorts, rest assured, your family will create “Magical Memories”.

www.sensationaltravel.com