Ensemble Lifestyles - Spring/Summer 2013

Spring/Summer 2013

Lifestyles

TM

Experience the Sights, Sounds and Tastes of

Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia

morocco

Revealed

Europe: Unique Cities,

Exclusive Experiences

You Could win a 3-Night Hotel Stay

Dear Traveler, We are pleased to present Ensemble Lifestyles™, the magazine for inspired travelers and preferred clients like you. This issue is filled with captivating stories of real travelers that are sure to spark your wanderlust.

Get an insider’s look into the exotic destination on everyone’s travel wish list: Southeast Asia. Join Diana and her family as they discover a new Vietnam. Take a spiritual journey to Cambodia and Laos, and tantalize your taste buds with the renowned cuisine of the region.

In Morocco, a couple explores the energetic markets of Marrakech and the serene Sahara. A music mogul reveals her favorite travel spots around the world. Attend a swinging sixties party – with a performance by former Beatle Pete Best and his band – in Liverpool, and learn about other exclusive experiences that only we can arrange for you in UNESCO World Heritage Cities throughout Europe.

Looking for the perfect family vacation? Turn to page 65 for our special Ensemble Family Lifestyles pullout book, where you’ll find travel ideas to please every member of your family: kids, grandparents, and everyone in between.

We hope these stories inspire you to dream big. As your travel specialists, be assured that we are ready with the knowledge, insider connections, and exclusive offers to make those dreams come true.

P.S. Take our reader survey and enter for a chance to win a 3-night hotel stay. See page 5 for details.

Ensemble Travel Group membership enables us to bring you added amenities, custom touches, unexpected experiences, and a genuinely warm welcome wherever your travels take you. When your next opportunity for travel arises, be sure to inquire about the Ensemble® Exclusives that can make your trip an absolute dream come true.

Privacy. The ultimate luxury.

For more information, please contact your Ensemble Travel速 Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

Just 8 hours from L.A.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 XX

C ont e n ts

Spring / Summer 2013

Features 12 The Sweet Sounds of Southern Morocco

y Nancy Hellmrich b Nancy and Marcus explore the

bustling markets and soothing Sahara in Morocco

25 Southeast Asia: Land of Ancient Intrigue and Modern Enchantments 26 Discovering a New Vietnam

26 12

by Judy kirkwood

Diana and her family make

peace with the past and create new memories in Vietnam

31 Food as Your Compass in Southeast Asia

42

by naomi duguid

48

An insider’s guide to the

renowned cuisine of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, and Thailand

34 Seeking Spirituality in Laos and Cambodia

Departments 4 Letter from the Editor

by Margie Goldsmith

6 Contributors

A traveler finds her inner

9 RSVP

calm in the mystical lands of Cambodia & Laos

42 World Heritage: Up Close and Personal

by Suzanne Gannon

Discover one-of-a-kind experiences

16 24 hours in ...

Fort Lauderdale

®

vacations the whole family will love

The best things to see & do during

your pre- or post-cruise stay in Fort Lauderdale

in UNESCO World Heritage cities throughout Europe

65 Ensemble Family Lifestyles

A special pullout brochure of

Readers share their travel stories

48 Frequent Traveler – A Hit Maker Goes Global Music and entertainment entrepreneur Anjula Acharia Bath shares her favorite travel experiences

65 Traveler’s Notebook

2 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

Recommended Journeys & Escapes

D e st i nat i o n I n d e x

Alaska 54, 59 Alberta 8 Barbados 64 Burma 32 Cabo San Lucas 58 Cambodia 34 Cancun 20, 41 Cappadocia 44 Chicago 24 Cooperstown 24 Dubrovnik 43 Fiji 21 Ft. Lauderdale 16 Galapagos 18 Ireland 45 Laos 34

Liverpool 42 London 24 Monaco 57 Morocco 12 Peru 9 Prague 44 Punta Cana 20, 41 Riviera Nayarit 41 Santiago de Compostela 42 Siena 43 Tahiti 21 Thailand 32 Vietnam 26 Wales 50

See page 5 for a chance to win a 3-night hotel stay!

WE BELIEVE THE ROAD LESS

T R AV E L E D I S N ’ T A RO A D A T A L L.

Colorful Bergen was so idyllic.

We loved strolling the quaint streets.

Visiting Monte Carlo

We invite you to discover some of the most fabled destinations on Earth with some of the best fares in history. Experience the luxury and beauty of a Mediterranean or Northern Europe voyage. Book by April 30, 2013 to enjoy limited-time Book Now Fares in every category and receive exclusive Ensemble amenities available on every sailing. Begin a new story aboard the World’s Best.

2013 Voyage

Date

Days

Destination

Itinerary

Ship

3315 3316 3216 3218 3219 3319

Jun 25 Jul 5 Jul 6 Jul 25 Aug 3 Aug 9

10 15 7 9 7 10

Baltic Sea & Russia North Cape Mediterranean Mediterranean Mediterranean Baltic Sea & Russia

Stockholm to Copenhagen Copenhagen to Stockholm Istanbul to Rome Istanbul to Rome Rome to Barcelona Stockholm to London

Crystal Serenity Crystal Serenity Crystal Symphony Crystal Symphony Crystal Symphony Crystal Serenity

Brochure Per Person Fares From

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$12,700 $20,450 $7,390 $9,700 $7,590 $12,700

$4,850 $9,225 $2,495 $3,850 $3,095 $4,850

Please call the Ensemble Travel Group consultant at the phone number on the back of this magazine. ®

B E G I N A N E W S T O RY ™

Book Now Cruise-Only Fares are per person in U.S. dollars, double occupancy, for category E on Crystal Symphony and category C on Crystal Serenity, include all promotional savings, apply to new bookings only made between 1/1/2013 and 4/30/2013 and do not include port, security and handling charges of $255-$645. All offers may not be combinable with other promotions, apply to first two full-fare guests in stateroom or suite, are capacity-controlled, subject to availability and may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. Optional air add-ons are available from designated Crystal Cruises' gateway cities in the U.S. and Canada and include all government taxes and fees.

Contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant for more details. Guests must be booked in Ensemble Group 303 or 304 to be eligible for special amenities. All fares, itineraries, programs, policies and shore excursions are subject to change. Restrictions apply. See crystalcruises.com for complete terms and conditions of all offers. ©2013 Crystal Cruises, Inc., Ships’ registry: The Bahamas

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 3

A Celebration

Ed itor’s l et t er

of the

World’s finest

I am thrilled to be joining Ensemble Travel® Group as the new Editor-in-Chief of Ensemble LifestylesTM . My team and I are pleased to present the magazine’s fresh, new look in this Spring/ Summer 2013 issue. We hope you like it as much as we do.

Hotel Ritz Madrid

As an avid traveler myself, it gives me great pleasure to share Ensemble Lifestyles’ stories of real traveler experiences with you. I’m particularly excited about our feature article in this issue, which explores Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos – three destinations I have always dreamed of visiting. After reading our travelers’ tales, I’m definitely feeling inspired to finally make those dreams a reality…

St. Regis, Bali

You are always a VIP at the hundreds of handpicked properties in our Ensemble® Hotel & Resort Collection. Be first on the list for complimentary upgrades, early check-in and late check-out. Added perks such as daily breakfasts and soothing spa treatments further enhance your stay.

You don’t just stay here … you belong here.

For more information, please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

4 XXEnsemble Ensemble Lifestyles Lifestyles Spring/Summer Spring/Summer 2013 2013

If this issue of Ensemble Lifestyles leaves you longing to get out there and travel as well, know that your travel consultant can make your visions of the perfect vacation come true. Your travel consultant’s membership in Ensemble Travel® Group enables them to bring you added amenities, exclusive offers, unexpected experiences, and custom touches wherever your travels take you – so you can rest assured that your vacation will be seamless, and even better than you imagined.

Wishing you all the joys of travel,

P.S. In order to get to know you better and keep creating a magazine that indulges your passion for travel, I invite you to take part in our brief reader survey. You’ll be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a 3-night stay at any Ensemble preferred Fairmont Hotel or Resort in the US and Canada! Please see page 5 for details – I’d love to get your feedback.

If you’d like to share your travel stories or your thoughts on the magazine with me, please send an email to editor@ensembletravel.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

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, Cities nique nces pE: U e Euro xperi E e iv s Exclu

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Win

Ensemble Lifestyles

TM

2013 R eader Survey We’d like to get to know you better! Ensemble LifestylesTM is conducting a reader survey to find out your opinion of the magazine. The feedback you provide will help us continue to

You could

★

The

offer the kind of articles and information that are interesting

★

and useful to you. The survey should only take about 10 minutes to complete and when you're done, your name will be entered

3 nights

into a drawing for a chance to win a fabulous three-night

accommodation at any Ensemble preferred Fairmont Hotel or Resort in the US and Canada*.

stay at any Ensemble preferred Fairmont Hotel or Resort in the US and Canada*! Please take a few minutes and fill it out today.

*Excluding The Plaza – a Fairmont Managed Hotel, New York City

Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac

For your chance to win, go to:

www.ensemblelifestylessurvey.com Terms and Conditions Prize is land only, non-transferable and has no cash value. Prize must be booked and travel completed, by December 31, 2013. Blackout dates may apply. To view all properties eligible for the prize, please visit www.ensemblelifestylessurvey.com. Not applicable at The Plaza – a Fairmont Managed Hotel, New York City. Contest closes June 30, 2013. Draw date for the prize will be July 15, 2013. Winner will be notified by July 18, 2013.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 5

Co n t rib utors

Lifestyles

TM

E ditorial

Editor In Chief

Creative Director

Georganne Shirk Laura Torrisi

Art Director at Large

Yin Wong

Advertorial

Coordinator

Allyn Bacher

Feature Art Director

Ann Suh

Kimberly Buerkle

Associate Editors

Alice Whitney

Copy Editors

Kimberly Buerkle Alice Whitney

Daniel Stein

Judith Vitale

Staff Writers

DE S IG N

Torrisi Design Associates, Inc. P ROD U C T ION Production Manager

Wendy Russo

Assistant Coordinator

Daniel Stein

An Ensemble Travel® Group Publication Ensemble® Lifestyles is a publication of Ensemble Travel® ­Group. © March 2013 Ensemble Travel, Inc. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise duplicated without written permission of the publisher.

Ensemble Travel Group, 29 West 36th Street, New York, NY 10018.

TM

Ensemble® Ensemble Travel® Ensemble® Hosted Cruises Ensemble® Hotel & Resort Collection Ensemble® On Location Ensemble® Villas & Vacation Homes Ensemble® Exclusives Ensemble® Experience Ensemble® Luxe Life Ensemble® Portals and the floret design are registered and unregistered trademarks of Ensemble Travel, Inc.

6 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

NAOMI DUGUID is an author and photographer who travels widely to research her awardwinning cookbooks. Her latest BURMA: Rivers of Flavor, was published in October 2012 to huge acclaim. She is a consulting editor and frequent contributor to Saveur magazine and has a bimonthly column in Cooking Light and writes a weekly blog. See naomiduguid.com. Naomi has been profiled in the New Yorker and The New York Times, and her work has appeared in all the leading food magazines in North America.

Food as Your Compass in Southeast Asia, page 31.

Based in New York, Suzanne Gannon

covers travel and leisure, food and wine, and culture and design. Her work has appeared in Town & Country, The New York Times, Art & Antiques, The Wall Street Journal, and Executive Traveler. She has been a guest on NPR’s “Talk of the Nation”.

World Heritage: Up Close and Personal, page 42.

NYC-based Margie Goldsmith is a contributing writer for Elite Traveler, Visa Black Card Mag, Robb Report, National Geographic Traveler, Islands, Hemispheres, and many others. Her stories have taken her to 115 countries on six continents.

Her stories have taken her to 121 countries on 7 continents, and she has won 26 national writing awards including the 2012 Gold Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award. Seeking Spirituality in Laos and Cambodia, page 34.

American photographer David Hagerman splits

his time between Asia and Turkey. His work has appeared in The New York Times, International Herald Tribune, Saveur, and SBS Feast. He is a contributing photographer at Travel+Leisure Southeast and is currently photographing a book on the foods of eastern Turkey. Food as Your Compass in Southeast Asia, page 31.

A native of New Zealand, Marcus Hellmrich

currently works and lives in Breckenridge, Colorado. His love of photography began in the sweeping vistas where he grew up. Today, he enjoys capturing landscapes, environmental portraits, and the “local flavor” of cultures around the world.

The Sweet Sounds of Southern Morocco, page 12.

Nancy Hellmrich is a Colorado-based freelance writer and book editor who specializes in luxury travel, healthcare, and business services. A former advertising creative director, Nancy has worked, lectured, and traveled throughout North America, sailed the Mediterranean, and explored many regions of Europe, the South Pacific and Australia. The Sweet Sounds of Southern Morocco, page 12.

Judy Kirkwood

specializes in essays and profiles. Her travel and lifestyle pieces have appeared in More, National Geographic Traveler and National Geographic Books, and inflight magazines, as well as in dozens of national, custom, and regional magazines, newspapers, and websites. She lives in South Florida between the ocean and I-95 for quick getaways. Discovering a New Vietnam, page 26.

Special Advertising Section

Since 1962, Abercrombie

Connections by Abercrombie & Kent The small-group journey, redefined.

How does Connections deliver such extraordinary value?

Fifty Local Offices. One Impeccable Standard.

There is no substitute for having local experts on the ground. That is why A&K operates 50 independent offices around the globe, employing hundreds of full-time local experts.

& Kent has set the standard for luxury adventure the world over. Connections by Abercrombie & Kent is a new tier of A&K travel that lets you discover the world in the company of A&K experts, at an unbeatable value – starting as low as $3,395 per person.

The Finest Local Experts An A&K Tour Director brings each itinerary to life with one-of-a-kind local insight, overseeing the journey from beginning to end.

Small Groups of Just 24-28 Guests Other travel companies tout “average group sizes” of as many as 44 passengers. In order to truly connect you to your destination, Connections journeys are limited to no more than 24-28 guests.

Authentic Local Connections Experience daily life in Morocco with dinner at a family home in Marrakech. Explore the mist-shrouded citadel of Machu Picchu as the sun is rising — and before other visitors arrive. From the Tetons to Thailand, A&K takes you where other travel companies cannot.

Connections launched in 2013 with 17 small-group itineraries throughout the world, including Eastern Europe, Kenya, Tanzania and the Canadian Rockies. For more information or to book your Connections journey, contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 7

REMINDER: THE CANADIAN ROCKIES ARE WHY YOU HAVE A PASSPORT

Alberta is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking places on earth, as vast as it is varied in landscape and experiences. You know the feeling of being somewhere and wishing you could stay forever? The Canadian Rockies is one of those places – dazzling peaks, ancient glaciers, emerald lakes and wildlife galore. This is a vacation destination you won’t soon forget, filled with urban charms, cultural gems and authentic adventures.

For more information, please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

RSVp

South America

Inspired by Ensemble LifestylesTM, our readers have been traveling the globe and sharing their experiences with us …

while in South America ...

Karen and Phil M. added on to their 10-day South American trip with a cruise down the Peruvian Amazon.

Each day we would venture out on a small boat (skiff) with eight other travelers and a naturalist. We saw rare pink dolphins, I caught a piranha and in the early evening we would look for the eyes of the alligators

Editor

shining among the lilies. We met this man

Ensemble Lifestyles

along the river who made a pet out of a

worth the

Journey

3-toed sloth. Come on now, wouldn’t you

Cruise on the Amazon river

want a sloth for a pet? So huggable ...

3-, 4- or 7-day luxury Amazon cruise

Definitely worth pulling our skiff over to the side of the river to meet them both.

G o A perfect add-on to a trip to Machu Picchu while visiting Peru. A short 11/2 hour flight from Lima.

~ Karen & Phil

Stay Your agent will help select from luxury river cruising options, with ships that accommodate a maximum of 24 guests plus crew — the perfect size vessel to sail along the Amazon River. They provide an extremely comfortable lounge area, and air conditioned cabins.

Danielle described her trip to Peru as a magical experience.

The 5-day hike to Machu Picchu is one of the most memorable trips I’ve ever been on.

On the morning of the last day, we woke up at 4:00 am and began our final ascent to the “sun gate” entrance of Machu Picchu. As we were struggling up the final steps, the sun rose over the mountains, through the gate, and shined on the ancient civilization hidden in the mountains and covered in trees, grazing llamas, and crumbling rocks. After huffing and puffing and sweating it out for the last 4 days, the feeling of looking out onto Machu Picchu that morning is one I’ll never forget.

Editor Ensemble Lifestyles

~ Danielle

To book a similar trip, please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

s e e Pacaya–Samiria National Reserve is one of the largest protected areas in Peru. Twice the size of Yellowstone Park, it is the most extensive area of floodable forest (várzea) in the Amazon Rainforest — rich with wildlife and aquatic life. In the Amazon jungle you will see colorful birds, playful monkeys, and millions of butterflies. On the river, you will see pink dolphins, 3-toed sloths, alligators, aquatic turtles (an endangered species), and from a safe distance the famous boa constrictor.

W h e n Any time of year but especially during the rainy season, which runs from mid-November to the end of April. Going during this time of year allows you to venture deeper into the by-waters.

It's best to avoid the height of the rainy season, which is in January and February.

We want to hear from you!

We invite you to share your travel stories with us – RSVP to: editor@ensembletravel.com Whether it be a destination featured in Ensemble Lifestyles or another fabulous locale, we’d love to hear where your travels have taken you.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 9

Special Advertising Section

Disc

ver Europe with

It’s time to begin a new story. One that surrounds you with the finest luxury the world has to offer, while presenting you with a world of new experiences. Showcasing an engaging collection of five European itineraries this summer, the All Inclusive Crystal Cruises invites you collect the kind of experiences that add to the narrative of your life. Journey to Crimea to discover an ancient sea that is more iridescent blue than black. Explore pastoral lands of rolling green hills, fortresses and chateaux, renowned for their wines and truffles and foie gras. Walk in the footsteps of the Romanovs to see St. Petersburg’s imperial treasures and stunning architecture. Or join Crystal President Greg Michael and his special guest, former CIA Director General Michael Hayden, on a splendid tour of la dolce vita.

Aboard two of the world’s most celebrated ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, the joys of travel are elevated with a new relaxed, yet casually elegant dress code, and a generous roster of all-inclusive luxuries on board: complimentary fine wines, champagnes, and premium spirits 10 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

All-Inclusive Crystal Cruises

served throughout both ships; pre-paid gratuities for all dining, bar, stateroom and Penthouse staff; specialty dining on the legendary cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa and Crystal’s own acclaimed culinary team; 24-hour room service; the Parisian-inspired Bistro serving cheeses, charcuterie and coffees day-into-night; and so much more.

Enrichment onboard is equally as impressive, and always complimentary. Regarded as an innovator in luxury travel, Crystal has pulled the ultimate rabbit out of a hat with a new, industry-first program called “Magic Castle at Sea.” This exclusive arrangement with Hollywood’s private magicians’ club offers classes for adults on every voyage and shows for kids during the summer. In another industry first, Crystal teamed up with the esteemed USC School of Cinematic Arts – alma mater of Ron Howard, Robert Zemeckis and George Lucas – to present “Digital Filmmaking: The iPad iMovie Video Course” through the line’s exclusive Creative Learning Institute®, which also offers courses in language, music, wellness and wine.

These new programs join an already impressive selection of complimentary activities including fitness classes in yoga, Pilates and Spinning®, golf lessons with PGA pros, art lessons with Odyssey Art at Sea, and Computer University@Sea classes featuring a Technology Concierge to teach you how to use all those high-tech gadgets. There are dance lessons, guest speakers and destination experts, recent-release films in a surround-sound theater, and dedicated facilities for junior cruisers, too.

Cross the threshold into any Crystal stateroom, most with private verandah, and discover a sanctuary of spacious design ... beds piled high with plush duvets and the finest linens; a generous menu of pillow options; wireless Internet access; remote flat-panel TV with Blu-ray/DVD player; well-stocked bar; and a refined style blending Old Hollywood glamour with Fifth Avenue elegance. Splurge on a Penthouse and enjoy the dedicated services of your own Butler, as well as free Crystal email, Internet service, in-suite ship-to-shore telephone; Captain’s invitation to private Bridge Tour (when possible); and more.

Embark on something special with the cruise line voted World’s Best more than any other in history ... and begin a new story all your own. For more information, please contact the Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

From the shores of the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean, Crystal spotlights the best of Europe with these revealing Crystal Adventures ashore:

An exclusive performance by the Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Maestro Mobart Earle, and horseback riding in the Crimean Forest on a July Bounties of the Black Sea voyage.

Learn about the eco- and gastronomically-friendly Slow Food Movement with a visit to the Forgotten Vegetables Farm in Bordeaux on a European Embrace voyage in September.

Savor a Chef’s Table at Michelin St-James in Bouliac just outside of Bordeaux, or take to the sky in a hot-air balloon over St-Emilion on an Aquitane Tapestry itinerary in August.

Choose from one of two June/July Baltic voyages, Russian Reverie or Northern Enchantment, and explore the Hermitage, Catherine Palace and other imperial landmarks, or visit the Erata Museum of Contemporary Russian Art for an exclusive master class in painting.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 11

real people real journeys

Nancy shares tea with Mohamed at Labyrinthe du Sud in Ouarzazate

12 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

“Swees?! Swees?! Churman? Ingleesh?” queried the effervescent young man who ran along side us as we walked into the chaos of Marrakech’s night market.

Fresh faced and eager to please, he was trying to guess which of the many nationalities present that night belonged to us.

Sweet Sounds of Southern Morocco The

by Nancy Hellmrich photography by Marcus Hellmrich

My husband Marcus and I, still a bit groggy from our flight, had been determined not to miss a minute of the action in Southern Morocco. So, after the requisite cups of tea served beside the pool in the lush central courtyard of our riad, we had ventured out into the warm autumn evening armed with directions to the city square and a thirst for adventure.

“We made our way into the teeming square and became blissfully lost...”

The medina, the oldest portion of Marrakech, is set apart from the newer sections of the city by a high wall. Inside the wall, narrow streets are paved with cobblestones that have been worn smooth with the passage of time. Unsure if we were headed in the right direction but too sleep deprived to care, we joined a current of people, motorbikes, donkey carts, taxis, cars, and bicycles heading north. Before long, we rounded a corner and came upon Jemaa el Fna, home to Marrakech’s storied night market.

In the center of the square, thick clouds of steam rose into the dark sky, backlit by bright lights hanging from iron-framed carts. Each cart was piled high with richly colored spices, mounds of fresh oranges, steaming escargot, or meaty kebabs. On the perimeter, teenagers launched twirling sparklers high overhead.

A group of acrobats broke into spontaneous performances. A wrinkled old man sat crosslegged on the ground, charming a cadre of cobras. And a sweet but persistent henna lady worked the crowd, asking to paint “just a little” on your hand. We made our way into the teeming square and became blissfully lost in the swirl of warm, spicy aromas, earthy colors, and the cacophony of sounds.

Despite the size of the crowd, people from all over the world seemed to mix and blend without judgment or incident. Europeans were clad in jeans and leather jackets. Britons sported khakis and collared shirts. Some locals were dressed like Europeans, while others wore head scarves or full-length

djellabas (the loosely fitting garment worn by traditional Moroccans). The curious young man who ran beside us wore a wide smile that begged us to give in to his queries. “He is from New Zealand, “ I said, gesturing to Marcus, “... and I am from the United States,” referring to myself. For a moment, we thought the man might never have heard of the tiny country of New Zealand. But he grinned, pointed to Marcus, and said, “New Zealand?

Cheers, bro!” in a perfect Kiwi accent. Then he pointed to me and said, “United States? ...

That’s what I’m talkin’ about!” And all three of us burst into laughter.

“The souks are a labyrinth of narrow, bamboo-covered alleyways with little shops...”

The next day, we returned to the medina and ventured into the souks. The souks are a labyrinth of narrow, bamboo-covered alleyways with little shops that sell everything from locally grown dates to belly dancing attire. We marveled at hand-embroidered Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 13

Real p eo p l e real journeys

Food vendor at the night market in Marrakech

A Kasbah in the Atlas Mountains

Nancy on a camel ride in the Moroccan Sahara Nancy & Marcus inside ornate Kasbah Telouet

You haven’t lived until you ’v e had a hammam I’ve lazed in hot cedar saunas, lounged in eucalyptus steam rooms, indulged in sugar scrubs, hot stone treatments, and cranial massages. I’ve been manicured, pedicured, peeled, and kneaded to my heart’s content. But never in my life have I experienced a spa treatment as ethereal and energizing as the hammam.

The Moroccan hammam ritual is performed by a trained expert in a steamy room with a domed roof that makes the space feel like a private planetarium. The treatment involves buckets of hot water, savon noir or black soap (made from olive, grapefruit, and eucalyptus oils), an exfoliating mitt, a detoxifying mineral mud called rhassoul, and locally produced argan nut oil.

The technician who performed my hammam said I should have one every four days. And, well, far be it from me to argue with an expert.

14 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

djellabas and soft leather slippers they call babouches. Reveled in a sea of colorful scarves blowing in the soft breeze. And honed our bargaining skills on the handmade silver earrings and colorful beaded necklaces for which Morocco is known.

When our shopping was finished, we accepted the help of a young boy named Abdul who led the way through the maze of shops and back to the city square. Sitting in an outdoor terrace café as the sun began to set, we were privy to not one, but two, slightly out-of-sync calls to prayer from the square’s competing mosques. That night, after we had dined with chic locals and foreign nationals in the upscale Hivernage neighborhood, a taxi driver named Hassan took us for an impromptu tour of action-packed nightclubs

such as Le Comptoir and Theatro. We were tempted to jump out and join in the fun but our agent had scheduled an early start for us the next morning. So we bid Hassan adieu and tucked in for the night with visions of belly dancers swirling in our heads.

“On the fourth day the pavement came to an end, but Hicham confidently drove on ...”

For the next three days we drove a leisurely route over the Atlas Mountains toward the Sahara Desert. Along the way we stayed in three Kasbahs (palaces) and maisons d’hote (hotels or guest houses). One of the highlights of the drive was the city of Ouarzazate, home to the film studio where Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator were produced. Here, we toured a magnificent artisanal cooperative and purchased two Berber rugs made in the Telouet region of the High Atlas mountains.

On the fourth day the pavement came to an end, but Hicham confidently drove on into the cracked earth of the Sahara Desert. We were met by a formidable pick-up with a large container of fresh water in the back. The driver, dressed in a blue djellaba and turban typical of the desert’s nomadic tribes, was our host, Mohamed Boulfriri ... also known as Bobo. Still with no road in sight, Bobo led the way from there. Gradually, the cracked earth gave way to soft, undulating, taupe-colored dunes ... and the large, white tents that made up our luxury camp.

Nancy and Bobo watch the sunrise in the desert camp

Upon arrival, Bobo and his staff greeted us warmly and gave us a tour. The large tents were arranged in a circle around an open fire, and connected by a pathway of thick rugs that were illuminated at night by the glow from traditional Moroccan lanterns. Each guest tent was carpeted with soft Berber rugs and furnished like a suite at a grand hotel. There were king-sized beds with fine cotton linens and fluffy duvets. Ceilings draped in rich red and cream colored silk. Overstuffed chairs with lamps and solar-powered outlets. Each guest tent had a smaller, connecting tent that served as a washroom, with silver amenities and plush towels.

While the chef prepared dinner, Bobo made cocktails and shared insights into the nomadic culture. Then we adjourned to the dining tent, which had been set with fine china and crisp, white tablecloths. Here, we were served a multicourse meal, featuring spicy-sweet Moroccan tagines paired with French wine.

The next day, we awoke early to catch the sunrise, then got in some sand-skiing before we mounted a couple of good-natured camels for a hypnotic ride into the dunes.

After dark, Bobo and his staff sang desert songs and played African drums beside the fire. Then we all ogled the stars until it was time to drift off to bed. Our guidebooks had warned us that the quiet of the desert can be disconcerting for those who are used to the

A peek inside the desert camp’s luxury accommodations

Tea w ith a tu r ban The tea ceremony is alive and well in Morocco. Mint tea is served in the summer, absinthe tea in the winter. When the tea is poured, the silver pot is held high above the glasses. Done properly, this creates a crema of sorts on top. “A good glass of tea must always have a turban,” we were told by one of our hosts.

hustle and bustle of modern city life. But, to us, the silence of the Sahara was a dream come true. b

Marcus and Bobo share welcome tea in the center of camp

To book your own trip to Morocco, please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 15

24 hours in ...

Fort Lauderdale

Yolo

The best prickly pear margarita can be found at Canyon.

Between the glitz and glamour of Miami and the Old Money appeal of Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale borrows from both to offer the best of Florida’s Gold Coast to pre- and post-cruise travelers. Called the “Venice of America,” the city has 300 miles of Intracoastal Waterways to explore, including by gondola.

Check out some of the country’s biggest mansions and yachts on Fort Lauderdale’s canals. Shop fabulous boutiques on Las Olas or luxury brand outlets at Sawgrass Mills. Enjoy trendy restaurants with fresh fish and locally sourced produce. But don’t neglect the beaches, which stretch as far as the eye can see.

dine

Yolo: You Only Live Once 333 E. Las Olas Blvd.

954.523.1000

Canyon 1818 E. Sunrise Blvd.

954.475.1950

Yolo is the "it" place on Las Olas.

The open kitchen produces specialties like molasses-brined, bourbon mustard glazed doublecut pork chops with ginger apple chutney.

Small but chic, Canyon delivers locally sourced artisanal fare with Asian and Latin influences. Try the pan seared local snapper in green chile Maine lobster broth or ancho crusted salmon filet.

tour

Experience the Everglades Airboat Adventure simulation, hurricane force winds, an IMAX movie, and a trip to the moon at the Museum of Discovery and Science.

Canyon

Water Taxis Skip urban traffic jams and beat the heat with Fort Lauderdale’s breezy hop-on-andoff water taxis. For $20, you can explore the waterways by simply going along for the ride past the homes and yachts of the rich and famous (3 hour route, with verbal tour by driver); or you can be dropped off downtown or in the Las Olas area, loaded with restaurants, the Galleria Mall, or Hollywood Beach.

shop

Las Olas Boulevard Tree-lined and shady, historic Las Olas Boulevard, which links downtown to the beach, is the place to stroll, shop, dine, look at art, and people watch. Shops range from one-of-akind boutiques like Archives, which sells vintage sneakers in a hip hop environment with a DJ booth, to Tommy Bahamas resort wear, LF for the latest trendy clothing for girls, fabulous gowns at Zola Keller, cigars, diamonds, and chocolate.

s tay W Fort Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale, Florida Engage in a world of Intracoastal cool at W Fort Lauderdale, where sand, sun, and W sophistication is the most stylish address on the ocean. What’s better than a day on this world-famous beach? Coming “home” to savor the sensational STEAK 954 by Stephen Starr, socialize at the Whiskey Blue, lounge in the Living Room, pamper at Bliss® Spa, find your individual beauty at Ted Gibson Salon, pump it up at SWEAT® or get WET® in cool pools. Entertainment, world-class dining, and trendy shopping are all close by. The W is just two miles from Port Everglades Cruise Port – perfect for pre- and post-cruise stays!

Ensemble Exclusive: Continental breakfast for two daily.

For more information on pre- or post-cruise stays in Fort Lauderdale, please call the Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

16 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

Special Advertising Section

Perfection in a cruise will take you beyond the ordinary and into something unlike any other experience.

AquaClass

®

Transport out of the Ordinary Aboard Celebrity ReflectionSM’s AquaClass, it’s not hard to feel extraordinary.

Like a celebrity. A staple of Celebrity’s Solstice® Class vessels, a room in Celebrity’s AquaClass is special because it’s designed with the ultimate spa enthusiast in mind, located on the top-most deck, nestled adjacent to the famous AquaSpa® by Elemis®.

Each AquaClass stateroom and suite is infused with spa elements and all the standard AquaClass amenities, including priority seating in the exclusive Blu restaurant, Hansgrohe® shower panels, aroma scent selections, pillow menu, daily deliveries of bottled water and teas, a personal Spa Concierge, and plush AquaClass Frette® bathrobes and slippers.

The AquaSpa by Elemis boasts state-of-the-art treatment programs designed specifically to keep you relaxed, rejuvenated, and refreshed at all times. New to AquaSpa are the infrared saunas, an aromatic steam room, sensory showers, and a modern take on Hammam

(Moroccan steam room), as well as all the signature facial and massage treatments.

All AquaClass guests have exclusive, guaranteed dining at the AquaClass restaurant, Blu, known for its inviting, modern design and flavorful, healthy cuisine that is far from “spa food.” Popular dishes are prepared without fussiness or pretense, giving you tantalizing “clean cuisine.”

AquaClass guests also receive unlimited access to the Relaxation Room and Persian Garden. Take in the soothing surroundings that overlook the ocean through the Relaxation Room’s floor-to-ceiling glass panels while you sip a glass of tea. The Persian Garden offers various grottos that release dry heat, steam, and mists into the air with aromatherapy-filled vapors, allowing you to drift away into a state of bliss.

Please see page 71 for special offers on Celebrity Cruises, or contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 17

Special Advertising Section

A new

species

o f ad v e n t u r e :

cruising with silversea

Silversea introduces environmentally-responsible luxury expeditions to the Galapagos

S

ilversea Cruises are renowned for their spacious suites, sumptuous gourmet cuisine, and unwavering attention to detail.

A white-gloved staff anticipates your every wish, and you can enjoy a staff-to-guest ratio of nearly one to one. And now, Silversea is bringing its unrivaled luxury to the natural wonders of the Galapagos. With the debut of the Silver Galapagos, a 100-guest ultra-luxury ship, Silversea adds another trip-of-a-lifetime destination to its line of impressive Silversea Expeditions.

These unique explorations are designed for intrepid travelers who wish to explore remote and fascinating reaches of the world in luxurious Silversea fashion. They include excursions to the Russian Arctic, the remote northern islands of Europe, little-known 18 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

in-room bar stocked with your personal favorites. Excursions and onboard gratuities are included as well. When you sail with Silversea, no detail is too small, and guests will even enjoy artisanal Ecuadorian chocolates at turn-down.

gems along the west coast of Africa, and now the Galapagos Archipelago.

All accommodations on board Silver Galapagos are ocean-view suites with personal butlers; most have private balconies. In keeping with Silversea’s all-inclusive tradition, expect complimentary beverages including fine wines, champagnes, and spirits, and an

The Galapagos Archipelago is a cluster of 13 volcanic islands located just under the equator, about 600 miles west of Ecuador. Thanks to its remote location, the otherworldly islands are home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife including indigenous animals found nowhere else on earth. You’ll walk in the footsteps of English naturalist Charles Darwin who formulated his theory of evolution after a breakthrough on the islands.

Thanks to its remote location, the otherworldly islands are home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife including indigenous animals found nowhere else on earth.

When you travel around the Galapagos, you’ll walk among century-old giant tortoises, cavort with playful sea lions, and observe the dance of the blue-footed booby. As you walk across stunning beaches, prehistoric-looking iguanas sun themselves and Galapagos penguins – the only ones found north of the equator in the wild – will enchant you with their antics. As people are a relatively new phenomenon on the islands, the animals are completely unfazed by your presence.

Silversea will offer two different itineraries, both leaving from Baltra Island. One itinerary includes visits to the volcanic cone atop Bartolome; the caves and lagoons on Isabela, the marine iguana haven and lava flows on Floreana, and the active volcanic island of Fernadina, home to the flightless Cormorant and a large colony of marine iguanas.

The second itinerary includes Seymour Norte and Genovesa, both home to blue- and red-

footed boobies, fur seals, and the magnificent frigatebird. You’ll also visit Plaza Sur, famous for its extraordinary breadth of fauna, and the birder’s paradise of Española.

Both itineraries will include visits to the Charles Darwin Research Station, where you’ll learn about the conservation efforts and giant turtle breeding program, and San Cristobal, famed for the extraordinary panoramic views.

All activities and excursions are complimentary on Silversea. You’ll get up-close with wildlife on board private Zodiac boats which allow you to explore places that are inaccessible on larger crafts. Snorkel in tranquil waters teeming with schools of angel fish and frisky penguins and hike through the islands’ lush mangrove forests. Travel with an experienced expedition team, certified by the Galapagos National Park Service, and they will share ways you can protect this fragile

environment. Since the weather is always seasonable, the Galapagos are a year-round destination.

After a day of exploration, enjoy relaxing in one of the elegant lounges onboard Silver Galapagos, sharing your experiences with fellow guests. After a gourmet dinner inspired by Relais & Châteaux, you can enjoy live music or retire to your suite to ensure that you’re well-rested for the next day’s adventures. A journey to the Galapagos is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and when you return home, you’ll understand, as few people can, why novelist Herman Melville called The Galapagos “Las Islas Encantadas” or “The Enchanted Islands.”

Please see page 78 for special offers on Silversea cruises, or contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 19

Special Advertising Section

Unforgettable!

Make Your Vacation

With over 60 years of travel experience, GOGO Vacations is one of the leaders of amenity-packed vacations. Coupled with your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant, every whim is taken care of, no indulgence is too difficult, and every luxury is available – from your flight to your hotel reservations and even trip protection.

So get ready to make memories of a lifetime.

Riu Palace Peninsula Cancun, Mexico

Majestic Colonial Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Breathe in the refreshing air of the brand new adults-only Riu Palace Peninsula located on a strip of white sand beaches amidst lush gardens and tropical vegetation. Bask in the comfort, luxury, and sophisticated elegance noticeable in every nook and cranny of this magnificent 562-guestroom palace with natural spaces and heavenly beaches. Indulge in the Jacuzzi Suites (complete with hydromassage bathtub, shower cabin, integrated lounge area, and a Jacuzzi on the balcony or terrace) and the five dining options on site (each with big flavors, colors, and Japanese, Italian, Mexican, and fusion influences). Partake in various activities – from windsurfing to snorkeling –or be amazed by “Chichén Itzá,” the fantastic Mayan ruins!

A perfect place for couples, families, and friends to relax and rejuvenate and have fun – the Majestic Colonial Punta Cana is located in the Arena Gordo, where the Caribbean air invites you to unwind. The rooms at the Majestic Colonial are adorned with all the amenities you would expect from a fourstar hotel: a king size bed (or two full size beds) with plush bedding, a Jacuzzi with independent shower, and European marble.

There are eight dining options to choose from, serving a variety of international haute cuisines including both a Japanese and American-style steak house. Hit the links on the Nick Price-designed golf course, try your luck at the world class casino, or simply hit the spa and embrace the bliss.

Please see page 67 for special offers at these properties, or contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

20 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

Special Advertising Section

Luxury & Romance in …

Fiji &

Tahiti

Tahiti – The center of the universe for romance.

Fiji – Vacation haven to the stars Given the chance to pore over any of the guest books that most of Fiji’s high end hotels and resorts keep, readers would probably be amazed at the veritable ‘who’s who’ of international celebrities who have made the Fiji Islands their destination of choice for rest, relaxation, privacy, and the ultimate in luxury.

Oprah Winfrey, Mel Gibson, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Russel Crowe, Demi Moore, Jodie Foster, Meg Ryan, and Sandra Bullock to name a few have been spotted enjoying a respite from the world’s attention.

The beauty of Fiji’s upscale resort scene remains extremely tangible. Even though these exclusive resorts attract and cater to the world’s glitterazzi, Fiji’s finest are well within reach of just about anyone looking to sample a first-class vacation experience.

With the finest resorts and a tropical ambiance beyond compare, it’s no wonder countless celebrities head to the idyllic resorts of Fiji for the ultimate getaway.

There is no better place to celebrate your new life together or to celebrate a milestone of your relationship than Tahiti. Officially known as French Polynesia, Tahiti is comprised of 118 romantic islands and atolls, and each one is a tiny paradise.

Intimate resorts, small peaceful villages, and miles of tranquil, pristine beaches explain why Tahiti is ranked #1 in the world for “alone time.” Sleep above the turquoise lagoon waters in your thatched-roof hideaway with all the amenities and services of a first-class hotel room. Experience true relaxation and rejuvenation at one of the many luxurious Polynesian spas. Jump in the lagoons by diving, snorkeling, or boating, or explore the islands by safaris, hiking, or shopping.

Tahiti is the perfect place for you and your special someone to do everything you wish … or nothing at all.

Please see page 68 for exclusive deals on Fijian & Tahitian vacations, or call your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 21

Special Advertising Section

Boutique Sailing: The Luxur y Touch– only with Uniworld

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and their sister company, Red Carnation Hotels – an award-winning collection of five-star luxury boutique hotels worldwide – combine their expertise to present the world’s only authentic boutique cruise line. Designed with the same elegant flair and run with the same attentive precision, Uniworld ships reflect the benefits of their association with Red Carnation Hotels.

22 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

Uniworld offers over 500 departures sailing on over 13 rivers in more than 20 countries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, China, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

E

ach Uniworld ship carries its own cachet, and has its own unique story to tell – rich in character, uncommon in design, unyielding in attention to every detail, and planned with your every comfort and desire in mind. From elegantly appointed staterooms with handcrafted Savoir® of England beds to gleaming marble lobbies with grand chandeliers; to beautiful public areas adorned with original paintings and hand-selected art, your ship has been prepared with a masterful eye for detail and harmony. Uniworld strives to ensure that every moment you spend onboard is as memorable as those you spend onshore.

No Request Too Large; No Detail Too Small While five-star luxury can be seen here, it’s more often felt. Fine hoteliers make their guests welcome in many ways, most importantly by getting to know them and being aware of their personal preferences.

It’s a pleasure when your waiter remembers exactly how you like your eggs prepared “sunny-side up” at breakfast, or the bartender sees you coming, and before you even ask, he has prepared your favorite drink with that little extra twist. Enjoy kind attention, and the clear knowledge that you are truly valued

as a unique traveler with your own tastes and preferences that Uniworld works hard to accommodate. And with an average capacity of just 130 guests, you’ll enjoy the highest staff to guest ratio on the rivers.

A Voyage to Fulfill your Dreams As you sail, you’ll quickly realize Uniworld’s intimate ships offer you unmatched access to the sites you’ve traveled so far to see. You’ll sail peacefully over calm waters straight into the heart of imperial capitals, medieval towns, and rural villages, unreachable by big ships. And should you choose to view the sites from the restaurant as you dine on world-class cuisine or in your riverview stateroom, you’ll do so as the proximity to shore from your ship allows you take in all the sites up close.

While it may be difficult for you to want to leave the haven of your ship, you’ll be encouraged to disembark as Uniworld’s expertly planned excursions introduce you to UNESCO World Heritage sites, old-world castles, captivating museums, as well as hidden treasures. You’ll delve into a region’s art, architecture, music, cuisine, landscapes, culture, and history, and see the pieces fit

together like an exquisite puzzle, creating an immersive and enlightening journey.

All Uniworld excursions are fully hosted

by English-speaking local experts and your professionally trained and experienced Cruise Manager, who are more like professors of world history and culture, with their classrooms being the places they take you to.

Extra Value with Uniworld In 2013, Uniworld will offer 11 Ensemble® Hosted Cruises, each featuring a private cocktail reception and a complimentary Ensemble® Experience shore excursion, ranging from a Ba Kheng sunrise picnic and elephant ride within Cambodia’s UNESCO Angkor Wat temple complex, to a Viennese concert while in Vienna to the Tretyakov Gallery in Russia.

Add in extra special Ensemble® Exclusives, a $50 per person onboard ship credit, all meals onboard, included entertainment and Signature Lectures onboard, transfers on arrival and departure days, and so much more – and all you’ll have to worry about is how to fit in all the adventure you can.

Please see page 79 for special offers from Uniworld.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 23

Special Advertising Section

Tauck Events

Exclusive new experiences in a class by themselves…

Tauck Events are exclusive once-ina-lifetime travel experiences, just for you. These journeys give unique, behind-the-scenes access to places and people. You’ll find “insider” insights that take guests beyond typical tourist sites and into the local cultures. Tauck Events feature single departure, theme-driven, one-ofa-kind trips that redefine the very meaning of travel.

Celebrate America’s favorite pastime on the 4-day Tauck Baseball Event (Jun 27-30, 2013) in Cooperstown, NY. Highlights include exclusive sessions at Cooperstown's Doubleday Field, a 19th-century “Town Ball” game on the Fenimore Art Museum grounds, a lakeside barbeque, a gala evening in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and appearances by MLB Hall of Fame players.

A rich and regal experience, the 5-night Tauck London Event (Sep 19-24, 2013) delves into the British Empire, Victorian London, London's Contemporary Art Scene and the London of World War II. Highlights include a tour of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 24 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

an enriching lecture by the granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill, a cruise on the Thames River, a private viewing of the Crown Jewels and gala evenings in Guildhall and King Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace.

Travel back in time to the Windy City of 1871-1933 during the 4-night Tauck Chicago Event (Oct 14-18, 2013).

Learn about the Chicago World's Fairs, the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright and jazz-age Chicago. Highlights include an evening at the Chicago History Museum, a "Prohibition Repeal Celebration,” and a gala event at the Chicago Theatre.

Each Tauck Event features luxury accommodations in a single destination, exclusive behind-the-scenes access, themed Tauck-only experiences, presentations by noted experts, gala evenings, and personalized service from professional Tauck Directors and local guides.

Please see page 69 for special offers on Tauck vacations, or contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

Southeast Asia

Land of Ancient Intrigue and Modern Enchantments

Former French colonies Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia have preserved a unique mix of French civilization and ancient Asian dynasties, providing an exotic and highly sought after travel destination.

From spiritual temples and traditions to renowned cuisine and shopping, the mesmerizing lands of Southeast Asia are sure to captivate every traveler.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 25

Real people real journeys

Discovering a

New Vietnam

by Judy Kirkwood

For anyone who grew up in the 1960s and 70s, Vietnam was not an exotic travel destination. Today Vietnam is on luxury travelers’ radar with new and restored historic properties, golf courses, spas, fabulous food, and an authentic cultural experience based on the country’s ancient roots and history as French Indochina.

Diana Hechler’s journey began with a blast of tropical heat as she stepped out of Tan Son Nhat airport with her family. Saigon, or rather Ho Chi Minh City – renamed after the fall of Saigon in 1975 – is sauna-like even at dusk in early spring.

The airport is always surrounded by motorbikes and “cyclos” (like giant baby carriages attached to bicycle frames), with drivers noisily vying for fares. Fortunately Diana’s family had a car lined up to take them to their hotel. “I can’t imagine not having everything planned in advance,” Diana says. “A travel agent’s planning is essential because they understand the country and can make the necessary arrangements.” For instance, it is vital to know whether to go by plane, boat, or train between cities.

The streets are filled with motorbikes carrying families of up to five plus a baby glued to a 26 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

shoulder. Even though the scene looks like a video game where the motorbikes are going to collide with each other, causing cartoon explosions, the traffic flows gracefully around pedestrians, who miraculously make it across the street.

At the hotel, sitting on the terrace of the Saigon Saigon rooftop bar above Lam Son Square, it was easy for Diana to imagine helicopter blades chopping the air over the city. This is where international media watched from their bar stools during the Vietnam War. Diana is sure that her father sat in that bar hundreds of times.

This is the city where Diana’s father was stationed (1970-72) while working for the U.S. government. This is the country about which Diana wrote her Masters thesis on nation-building in 1960s Vietnam. And this is Diana’s family’s spring vacation: a chance Diana & Peter at Cao Dai temple

“One of the benefits of having guides meet you in each locale,” says Diana, “is that you have a chance to hear their personal stories and get a richer perspective when visiting tourist sites.

to make peace with the past and to share an adventure with her husband, David, and son, Peter, before he leaves for college.

“I kept hearing from people who had been to Vietnam that it was beautiful and so welcoming to Americans, but that didn’t make sense considering the war,” says Diana.

“Now I’m one of those people who says the same thing.”

Dong Khoi Street, Saigon

Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi

Saigon and The Cu Chi Tunnels

The family visited the 95-room Reunification Palace where President Nguyan van Thieu lived until the North Vietnamese took over the city, and the War Remnants Museum. But it was their guides who made the tourist sites fascinating.

“One of the benefits of having guides meet you in each locale,” says Diana, “is that you have a chance to hear their personal stories and get a richer perspective when visiting tourist sites. Our four guides had different experiences, but were very open about their feelings.” Husband David says that the conversations about politics and history with the guides are what made the trip special.

Diana felt compelled to see the 125-mile long Cu Chi Tunnels, about an hour from the city. A sobering reminder of the Viet Cong’s guerilla warfare strategy, it is not for everyone.

For young people like her son, the war echoes were strangely out of context because he saw the Vietnamese as such a progressive people.

After such an experience, the family lightened the mood with shopping at Ben Thanh Market, a warren of 1,200 stalls where the

riot of colorful, inexpensive goods is worth the hassling; beautiful scarves can be had for a few dollars. Dong Khoi Street, once the epicenter of wild nightlife for American GIs, is a mecca for upscale shoppers, with designer stores like Dolce & Gabanna beside traditional silk shops.

Cao Dai and the Mekong Delta

Since Diana was fascinated by Cao Dai, a religion with 2.5 million followers in Vietnam, the family stopped in Tay Ninh on the way to the Mekong Delta. The Cao Dai temple was as polyglot as the religion, which blends Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, ancestor worship, and bits of Christianity, with a dab of Freemasonry for good measure.

The ornate columns and architecture were a fantasyland of stars, elephants and serpentine dragons, with a divine eye guarding it all.

Diana was thrilled to discover for sale the same ceramic elephants her father brought back from Vietnam.

The Ben Tre province of the Mekong Delta provided exactly what Diana was looking for to balance Vietnam’s urban experiences: life as it has been lived for centuries. Watching villagers stir big vats of coconut candy under the shade of trees confirmed that “life here hasn’t changed in 200 years,” says Diana.

The two ceramic elephants that Diana’s father brought back from Vietnam now sit on either side of her fireplace.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 27

Real p eo p l e real journeys

The Hechlers had a lovely lunch at Tranquility Gardens in Hue, where a pineapple was presented dressed up as a rooster with spring rolls on its back, and rice was molded into a turtle shape (symbolizing long life) with carrot strips as the shell.

The Hechlers in Hue

Hue

Hue – The Imperial City

You can’t go wrong choosing to visit a place with a Forbidden Purple City, a Palace of Supreme Harmony, and the Perfume River.

Hue is so historically significant that there are several UNESCO World Heritage designations for its citadel and monuments.

The Hechler family found Hue, with its walled Imperial City surrounded by a moat, the complete opposite of Saigon. Known for its music, poetry, and cuisine, Hue has a deep soulfulness. It’s a peaceful scene with many monuments and temples, but there is also a thriving community living within the walls of the ruins of the last imperial dynasty in Vietnam, with schools, parks, and shops.

The Hechlers had a lovely lunch at Tranquility Gardens, where a pineapple was presented dressed up as a rooster with spring rolls on its back, and rice was molded into a turtle shape 28 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

(symbolizing long life) with carrot strips as the shell.

“After we saw the main monuments,” says Diana, “we were passing Thien Mu, an ancient pagoda that is home to a Buddhist monastery, when people started arriving for a service.

We saw monks in their 50s and 10-year-old boys in training make their offerings. It was authentic, not just a show for tourists, and we were welcome to watch.”

The family’s lodging was a restored Art Deco former residence of the French Colonial Governor of Hue. Swimming in the pool in the evening, bordered by tiny lights, with the Perfume River in the background, was an unexpected “ethereal” moment for Diana.

“I couldn’t think of a more luxurious setting anywhere on my travels, and here I was in the center of Vietnam.”

Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Hoi An

Da Nang and Hoi An

A major seaport in the 1600s, when the river silted up in the nineteenth century, Hoi An became a sleepy backwater town. Once again bustling with travelers, Diana, too, was charmed by the ancient Chinese merchant homes still used as residences or shops.

This is the place to do your shopping. Hoi An is noted for lacquered panels, tailored clothing, paper lanterns, tunics, and handmade shoes among other goods. You realize how busy the tailor shops are when you see the staff sleeping in the corners in shifts.

Because Hoi An is a base for other trips, Diana advises spending at least 3 nights to enjoy the ancient town more and leave time for custommade clothing. The Hechlers took a side trip by car to The Marble Mountains of Da Nang, where many locals come to pray. Five marble and limestone outcrops with pagodas (one with a giant Buddha) are tucked into the landscape – 300 steps to the top.

Ta i l o r M a d e i n H o i A n

If you have never had a custom-made dress or suit (even shoes), this is your chance. The prices are extremely reasonable and the service is fast. Think about what you would like to have made beforehand. Bringing a picture, and having an idea of color, will speed up the process immensely. Get recommendations for tailors from your hotel or trip planner: reputable ones are well-known and may employ up to 200 tailors. A sketch will be drawn and measurements taken. Don’t be embarrassed by your vital statistics being shouted around the store; it’s in Vietnamese. You will return for a fitting within 24 hours and can often have your clothing delivered to your hotel the next day.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 29

Real p eo p l e real journeys

C r u i s e o n H a L o n g Bay

Ha Long Bay

A one-night cruise on the Emeraude, a replica of a nineteenth-century paddle wheeler, may provide the best night’s sleep of your trip – especially after an on-board massage. Sit on the deck and absorb the peace and panorama of misty limestone island sculptures as if you are traveling in a dream. For activities, the paddle wheel opens to provide a lower deck for swimming in the buoyant jade green water of the South China Sea and kayaks are available for paddling to caves. Cabins are airconditioned with en suite bathrooms.

Diana in Ha Long Bay

Old World Hanoi and Mystical Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay’s rock formations rise from the green China Sea like mirages of miniature mountains in the mist. “It is like being on another planet,” says Diana. “Very peaceful.”

As the sun rises the water becomes active with colorful junks, their bamboo-ribbed sails spread like butterfly wings. The Hechlers loved their boat ride and the floating fishing villages that sell goods to tourists.

W h ere t o S tay

They also enjoyed the cooler and less humid weather in Hanoi, where residents are out in parks doing every conceivable form of exercise by 6:30 a.m: Tai Chi, dancing, and silk scarf twirling. Street merchants walk with bamboo poles across their shoulders with goods in hanging baskets. Visitors can follow early risers across a small red bridge at Hoan Kiem Lake park to meditate at the temple on a tiny island at the lake’s northern end: a calm start to a busy day.

Sofitel Legend Metropole

Diana recommended staying at the Metropole, where tropical architecture and louvered fans blend French and Vietnamese influences.

You can dine on the patio of an exquisite French restaurant, not unusual since Vietnam was French Indochina from 1885 to the mid 1950s. The French introduced beef, pâté, rich sauces, custards, crusty baguettes and flakey croissants to the Vietnamese cuisine.

Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius and linked with Vietnam’s first university (in 1076, School of the Elite of the Nation) was a reminder that Peter would soon be entering college himself.

At the end of the journey, Diana had accomplished both of her goals. She had put the ghosts of the Vietnam War to rest, and had a memorable adventure with David and Peter. Peter’s assessment of Vietnam, “It’s more fascinating than one can imagine.” b

The Hechlers toured Hanoi’s Old Quarter, where 600 to 1,000 years ago the 36 streets were each associated with specific crafts, and attended a water puppet performance. The

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi | Hanoi, Vietnam

Park Hyatt Saigon™

The French colonial-style hotel - a longtime favorite of ambassadors, heads of state, business moguls, and writers – is just a five-minute walk to Hoan Kiem Lake and ten minutes from Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

This gem of a property provides a sophisticated stay in a convenient setting, complemented by European luxury and Vietnamese hospitality.

Ensemble Exclusive: Breakfast for two daily & 30-minute foot massage per guest, per stay with purchase of 60-minute treatment in spa

| Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Elegant five-star Park Hyatt Saigon™ is located at the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. The hotel’s residential feel is enhanced by its stunning guest rooms with hard wood floors, marble baths with rain showers, sumptuous beds with feather duvets, and classic ceiling fans.

Ensemble Exclusive: Dinner for two once during stay (excluding alcohol)

To book a trip like Diana’s to Vietnam, please contact the Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

30 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, and Thailand are all predominantly

Hanoi street stall Mi Quang is actually a central Vietnam specialty but consumed in both the north and south. It is comprised of a thick rice noodle, scented with turmeric in a prawn and pork broth. It is typically served with peanuts and fresh herbs.

Buddhist, with a respect for monks and monastic traditions. The climate varies from sub-tropical in the north to tropical in the southern parts of Thailand, Burma, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The huge rivers – the Mekong, Salween, Irrawaddy, Red, Ping, and more - that flow through the region provide fish, and also water for irrigation. The main staple is rice, primarily aromatic plain steamed rice, and in some places sticky rice.

Except for Laos, all countries of mainland Southeast Asia have coastlines on the ocean, so there is generous access to seafood. And they all use fish sauce – a salty brine usually made of anchovies fermented with salt – as a condiment in cooking, although the people in northern Thailand and in northern Burma traditionally use salt rather than fish sauce. In the areas near the coast and up the river valleys, cooks from Vietnam to Burma rely on fermented shrimp paste, or similar fermented sea products, to give depth of flavor to cooked dishes.

But despite all these similarities, there are fascinating and delicious local culinary differences, not just country-to-country, but also within countries.

Food as Your Compass in

Southeast Asia What to Look for and What to Expect

by Naomi Duguid photography by David Hagerman

Thai and Vietnamese restaurants in North America and Europe have opened restaurant-goers’ eyes and palates to the wonderful world of Southeast Asian food. But they give only a small glimpse of all the possibilities. A trip to Southeast Asia is the best way to get familiar with the creativity of the cuisines of the region.

Vietnam’s cuisine is getting more familiar to North Americans, though its regional variety isn’t much talked about yet. Especially in the south, Vietnamese cuisine is generous in its use of fresh herbs and aromatics such as lemongrass. The general all-purpose dipping sauce nuoc cham is a wonderful balance of Vietnamese fish sauce, lime juice, and vinegar, diluted with a little water and given heft by garlic and a touch of chile. Rice paper, made of a paste of rice and water that is dried into sheets, is used as a wrapper for foods, and noodles. Both rice (pho) and wheat noodles, are the bases of rich meal-in-a-bowl soups. Central Vietnamese food, from the area around Hue, generally has more chile heat than either northern or southern food, while the dishes from the north, reflecting a cooler climate, are more often long-simmered soups and stews, with fewer fresh herbs and Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 31

2 4

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vegetables. The influence of the French, who colonized the country, is most obvious in the baguettes, which are found all over the country. They’re used to make the famous Vietnamese “subs” – delicious sandwiches filled with Vietnamese pâté, spicy pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, and sliced meats.

For centuries Cambodia was the center of the powerful Khmer empire, that at times controlled much of southern Vietnam as well as central Thailand. Khmer cuisine makes generous use of minced lemongrass as an aromatic flavoring in soups and stews, is light-handed with chile heat, and is perhaps best known for its amok: coconut milk curries steamed in banana leaves. (Otherwise coconut milk is not widely used in savory dishes).

As in Vietnam, the French who colonized Cambodia contributed baguettes, as well as coffee to the country.

32 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

Laos has two quite distinctive cuisines: one

around the old royal capital Luang Prabang and the other south of there in Vientiane.

Luang Prabang food has a delicious hit of bitter in some dishes, and uses lots of wild herbs and greens. It’s well known for “river weed” (a wild-gathered green that grows in the Mekong and its tributaries) that can be stir-fried into a tender green mass, but more often is dried and pressed into sheets that resemble Japanese nori. In the rest of Laos, the food is like the food in Thailand’s Isaan (northeast), with punchy intense flavors.

There are chile hot salsas – called jaew – of grilled chiles and vegetables, and marinated grilled meats and forms of jerky. The staple is sticky rice and meals are not complete without a plate of fresh and steamed vegetables, a great complement to the heat of the jaew.

In central Thailand the curries are rich with coconut milk and pungent with shrimp paste; the jasmine rice is wonderfully aromatic. Thai salads like yam thalae (seafood salad) are almost shockingly chile-hot, bright and burning in the mouth. Thai dipping sauce nam pla prik is a hot and pungent mix of chopped fiery Thai chiles in Thai fish sauce, a much punchier and less nuanced sauce than the Vietnamese sauce nuoc cham. In the north there are grilled salsas that are close cousins of the jaew of Laos; beef and pork, rather than seafood, are favorites. Flavors are earthy and intense, and, as in central Thailand, often very chile-hot. Sticky rice rather than jasmine is the staple. And the food of the northeast, the region called Isaan, is like that of Laos.

The recent emergence of Burma on the world stage has given people a chance to explore an unfamiliar cuisine. Food in central Burma, like that in Cambodia, is not very chile hot.

The salads are a light-handed blend of crunchy and soft textures, brightened with lime juice and aromatic with fried and fresh sliced shallots. The main meal is made of many small dishes anchored by rice. It always includes a light broth, a plate of fresh and steamed vegetables, several relishes and condiment sauces, and mild subtle curries flavored with shallots, turmeric, and ginger. b

R e stau r a n t & M a r k et Gu i de Restaurants don’t always make the most traditional food (that’s usually found in markets, and at street stalls, as well as in private homes), but it can be reassuring to explore the cuisine in a beautiful setting, via dishes prepared by a creative chef.

Markets are a great way to feel the pulse of a city, and to get an understanding of the local way of life. Ask your hotel for advice about which market to head to in the city you are in. Here are some restaurant and market suggestions.

Vietnam

In Hanoi the beautiful Madame Hien restaurant is a fine place to sample regional specialties. For a place with buzz and flash, try Bobby Chinn which delivers Vietnamese and some pan Asian with flare. Or dine at a street stall-like restaurant, Quan An Ngon; the place is very popular with locals and ex-pats.

Madame Hien 15 Chan Cam, Hoan Kiem Restaurant Bobby Chinn 77 Xuan Dieu, Tay Ho 1 Luang Prabang, Laos Makings of a wedding feast.

Sticky rice is dipped into orlam, an herb and pork stew common to northern Laos.

2 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Noodles from a street stall in Cholon (Chinatown) market.

3 Bun Rieu, rice noodles in a tomato broth seasoned with ground paddy crabs (a northern specialty). Herbs, lettuces and banana stalk are served on the side and added to the hot broth as it is is eaten.

4 Siem Reap, Cambodia Grilled marinated beef served on top of a bed of pickled green papaya salad.

5 Hanoi market fruit vendor Dokong (a fragrant, sweet fruit comprised of 3 internal segments), rambutan (that is the red “hairy fruit”), watermelon, dragon fruit (red on the outside and can either be white or red inside), apples, custard apples.

6 Bun Bo Hue Vietnamese spicy beef noodle soup fron Hue.

Quan An Ngon 18 Phan Boi Chau, Hoan Kiem In Hanoi visit the huge Cho Dong Xuan, a market building with spices and dried foods on the ground floor, fabrics upstairs, surrounded by streets alive with vegetable and fruits stands and sellers of kitchenware and lots more.

In Ho Chi Minh City, at An Vien restaurant you’ll find traditional Vietnamese food served in a heritage house with colonial 1920’s decor. At lunchtime for a casual meal try the banh xeo (Vietnamese crepes) at Banh Xeo Muoi Xiem An Vien 178 Hai Ba Trung, Ho Chi Minh City Banh Xeo Muoi Xiem on Nguyen Trai Street in District 1 Laos

In Vientiane, dine at Makhpet, where authentic and outstanding Lao food is served by retrained street kids as part of a charitable project. Another option, in an elegant setting, with a restrained use of chiles than is traditional, is Amphone, behind Wat Xieng Nguen.

Makhpet Behind Wat Ong Teuph Z (856) (021) 260 587

Amphone Unit 37 Ban Xieng Gneun Z (856) (020) 771 1138 In Luang Prabang, the former royal capital, dine at the elegant Apsara, which serves beautifully presented Lao and Western food; or for a purely Lao dinner menu, head to 3 Nagas, located in a stunning heritage building. For lunch the more casual Mango Tree, opposite 3 Nagas, is a good option.

In Chiang Mai, Thailand’s northern capital, Huen Phen, in the walled city, serves traditional northern Thai cuisine in a charming environment. Lunch is casual; dinner is more elegant.

Huen Phen 112 Rachamanka Phra Sing Z (66) (053) 277 103

Mango Tree same as 3 Nagas

In Chiang Mai, poke around in Warorot Market by the river. It’s over a hundred years old and full of interesting nooks and crannies. In the daytime there is fish and meat, vegetables and prepared dishes at ground level, as well as traditional kitchen tools such as mortars and pestles and huge clay pots. Upstairs there is everything from mosquito nets to traditional Thai farmers’ clothing on sale. At night there is a lively street food scene outside.

Cambodia

Bu rma

In Phnom Penh, the country’s capital, have a drink upstairs at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club (known as the FCC, a great place to watch the sunset with a view of the river in the other direction), then dine at the Restaurant Le Royal, where the menu includes both French and Cambodian dishes.

In Yangon (Rangoon), the main meal of the day is served at lunch.

Aung Thukha serves traditional Burmese fare at noontime and has a good range of dishes to choose from. In the evening, head to Feel Myanmar restaurant, the local expat favorite, and the best place to eat authentic Burmese in the evening.

Restaurant Le Royal 92 Rukhak Vithei Daun Penh Sangkat Wat Phnom, Phnom Penh Z (855) (23) 981 888

Aung Thukha 17(A) 1st St., West Shwegondaing Z (95 1) 525 194

Apsara Ban Phanluang Z (856) (071) 254 670 3 Nagas Sakkarine Road Z (856) (071) 253-750

FCC 363 Sisowath Quay, Phnom Penh Thailand

Of Bangkok's many fine restaurants, Bo.lan stands out for its relaxed atmosphere and the chef’s attentiveness to traditional ingredients.

Bo.lan 42 Soi Pichai Ronnarong Songkram Sukhumvit 26 Klongtoey Bangkok 10110 Z (66) 2 260 2962

Feel Myanmar 124 Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Street Z (95 1) 725-376

In Yangon, Bogyoke Market (known to locals as Scott Market) is a good place to look for lacquerware, both antique and new, textiles, and local pearls, as well as jade, jewelry, longyis, wood carvings, and more.

Along the side aisles of the market you’ll find little hole-in-the-wall restaurants where you can stop for a snack or coffee.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 33

Real p eo p l e r e al j o u r n eys

Seeking Spirituality in

Laos & Cambodia

by Margie Goldsmith

Southeast Asia is a land of chiming temple bells, ancient kingdoms, and mystical mountains; a place where the Buddhist population lives simply and believes that good actions such as meditation bring about happiness.

I’ve always wanted to see Southeast Asia, and I’ve never been able to meditate, so I booked a trip to Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. I was particularly looking forward to the temples in Angkor Wat, Cambodia, but I was also hoping to have a very special experience with the monks in Luang Prabang, Laos. Both places are spiritual centers, so even if I found myself twitching and muttering instead of meditating, at least I’d come back relaxed, refreshed, and renewed. Maybe I’d even come home enlightened – whatever that meant.

They call Laos “The Land of a Million Elephants,” but it would be more appropriately named “The Land of a Million Monks.” Each morning in Luang Prabang, over 100 monks come out of their temples and walk slowly, single-file down the main street. They hold out copper alms bowls to receive food from the faithful, a daily occurrence called tak bat. The ritual of giving the monks food is considered a good thing in Buddhism and counts as a merit. It helps both the monks who need food, and the almsgivers who need spiritual redemption.

At 4:30am, I dressed and went down to the hotel lobby where the chef was waiting to hand me a covered straw steamer of rice.

On the main street, locals were already sitting on mats, waiting to offer rice balls wrapped in banana leaves or fingerfuls of sticky rice. I knelt on the sidewalk because women are required to kneel to the monks while men may stand. A group of Hmong women in traditional costume set up their wares of colorful hand-woven cloth purses, scarves, and traditional cloth hats. Tourists arrived on foot, by tuk tuk and motor coach.

A Laotian woman with a pole balanced on her shoulder and hanging baskets walked down the street selling plastic bags of wrapped rice for 10,000 kip, or one American dollar.

At 5:30am a gong sounded, and out of the early morning mist an unending ribbon of saffron-covered monks, aged 8 to 80, paraded towards us, silent and barefoot. As they passed, we each put a dollop of rice in their bowls. Eventually I ran out of rice but stayed until the last monk walked by. I followed them up small unpaved streets until they filed into their monastery. I wanted to be like the monks – meditating, silent, and at peace; but

At 5:30am a gong sounded, and out of the early morning mist an unending ribbon of saffron-covered monks, aged 8 to 80, paraded towards us, silent and barefoot.

Luang Prabang

Monks collecting alms in the early morning

Luang Prabang

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 35

Real p eo p l e real journeys

We arrived at Angkor Wat at 5am ... we had the entire place to ourselves as we walked through the giant stone bas-reliefs and detailed carvings.

Pak Ou Caves

I was already looking at my watch because a guide was going to take me on a private boat trip 15 miles up the Mekong River to visit the centuries-old caves of Pak-Ou. Our small motor-driven boat glided along the muddy brown river water and I eagerly watched from my perch in the bow. A larger boat passed by with a water buffalo on the way to be sold at market. Along the banks, children waved and called out to me. Two fishermen in a narrow wooden boat cast out a white net which gleamed in the sun. Too soon, the relaxing trip ended and our boat pulled up to the endless stone steps leading up to the Pak Ou Caves. Inside, there were two levels of caves containing hundreds of Buddha statues of all sizes and shapes, all placed on the rock ledges. The locals consider the caves an important spiritual site and have been coming here for over 500 years to worship. While the caves were shady and a relief from the heat, I wasn’t feeling particularly spiritual. But that night, I found my joy – shopping.

Each night in Luang Prabang, the night market springs to life on the main walking 36 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

Sunset at Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

street and turns into a patchwork of silkembroidered tablecloths, pillow covers, silk scarves, jewelry, appliqué purses, incense, aromatic oils, and Hmong tribal batiks. I found each piece exquisite and because the prices were so inexpensive, I bought batik shoulder bags, appliqué wall coverings and silk scarves, silver jewelry, hand-made paper, and colorful zip purses.

The next morning, my now-bulging suitcase and I headed to Siem Reap, Cambodia to see Angkor Wat. Built by the Khmer civilization between the 9th and 13th centuries, this world-famous archeological park was formerly a religious and social metropolis, and an important pilgrimage destination.

To beat the crowds, my guide Sofea arrived at 5:00am with a car and driver, which was a good idea because we had the entire place to ourselves as we walked through the giant stone bas-reliefs and detailed carvings. Some of Angkor Wat’s 105 temples have been restored, but Ta Prohm has been left as it was found. Here, centuries – old trees have pried apart the old stones and their gigantic trunks cling to the remains of the temple.

For the next two days Sofea took me through ancient stone hallways and endless dark temples where nuns draped in white and monks clad in maroon sat meditating, a single lit candle at their feet. Sometimes I’d find a private corner, sit on a stone ledge, close my eyes, and try to meditate, but the thoughts kept flying through my head and I couldn’t let them go.

On our last day as we walked through the jungle, Sofea pointed out a spiritual cleansing pagoda where, for a price, a monk would perform a 15-minute cleansing ceremony on me. I would change into a sarong and the monk would pour bowls of water over me.

After, I’d feel calm and cleansed and all my bad thoughts and deeds would vanish. She asked me if I wanted to do it.

I listened to the sounds of the forest: a chorus of crickets, the uh oh cry of the geckos, the birds singing coo-coo, coo-coo. As we walked along the dirt trail, it felt as though my feet were kissing the earth. I didn’t need a monk to heal me. I was already healed: relishing the shade, the beauty of the trees, and the sounds of the jungle. I had found my spirituality. b

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40 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

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ensemble exclusives

Liverpool, England Known as the Maritime Mercantile City, Liverpool was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because its architecture and extensive dock systems testify to its history as a thriving port of commerce and migration in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Located at the intersection of the river Mersey and the Irish Sea, the city played a pivotal role in the expansion of the British Empire, serving as the experimental center for modern dock technology, transport systems, and port management.

The Beatles Story, Albert Dock

Julia Lennon

Pete Best & his band

Famous Liverpudlians include Echo & the Bunnymen, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Billy Fury, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and of course, the Beatles. While Liverpool’s numerous civic buildings, docklands, and public sites are easily explored at a distance by walking tour, an intimate look at the legacy of one of the city’s rock and roll icons is possible through a private lunch with John Lennon’s sister Julia. You can attend a 60’s-themed private party featuring a performance by Pete Best, the Beatles’ original drummer, and his band. The experience is made possible by Ensemble’s World Heritage: Up Close & Personal series.

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Santiago de Compostela, Spain Droves of pilgrims, some wearing the scallop shell emblematic of the apostle St. James, fill the shoulders of the road as you enter Santiago de Compostela. They are perpetuating a tradition that began in the 9th century, when pilgrims wary of visiting Jerusalem, began journeying to the tomb of St. James, who is credited with bringing Christianity to the Iberian Peninsula. The route’s religious and cultural importance in the Middle Ages won Santiago a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.

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42 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

Siena, Italy They say that competition motivates innovation and beauty, and Siena, which fostered a centuries-long rivalry with Florence, metes out that adage in its abundant Gothic architecture, its fine art, and the ingenious urban planning that served as a blue print for much of Europe.

Some time in the 14th century the city began to host the Palio, a colorful horse race in which competitors ride bareback around a tight track on the Piazza del Campo. A vibrant symbol of the city’s cultural legacy, over time the race has done its part to earn Siena a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.

Because the Palio lives on to this day in the hearts of the Sienesi it is an excellent gateway to the people, their tastes and sensibilities. Through the World Heritage: Up Close & Personal series, your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant can arrange for an intimate meeting with Alessandro Grazi, the artist behind the Palio banner of 2007, who will provide access to the Museo dell’Oca where his banner is displayed. A passionate native and an exciting storyteller, Grazi will reveal the race’s most treasured secrets and escort you to a private luncheon of authentic Sienese fare at which and has been known to sketch on the spot.

Dubrovnik, Croatia In many ways, the city of Dubrovnik is a miracle of architectural integrity. Despite a devastating earthquake in 1667, many of its Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance churches, monasteries and fountains remained intact. Known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic” for its location on the rugged Dalmatian coast, the city thrived as a significant Mediterranean sea power from the 13th century on. Though it was founded in the 7th century, and is featured in the histories of the Byzantine and Hungarian-Croatian Empires – and the Fourth Crusade – it was the shelling damage it sustained following the dissolution of Yugoslavia in 1991 that drew the attention of UNESCO, which deemed it a World Heritage Site.

While touring by foot or by boat affords a good view of the city built on rocks, Ensemble’s World Heritage: Up Close & Personal series offers travelers a chance to enter a world behind the walls. In a private visit with Matija Vierda, one of the area’s leading goldsmiths, guests will observe the secret of an ancient art that is steeped in the city’s culture. During the visit, Vierda will demonstrate how a “Konavoska puca,” a symbolic ornamental button, is made.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 43

Ensemble exclusives

Cappadocia, Turkey Sculpted entirely by erosion due to wind and water, Cappadocia is a spectacular landscape of volcanic peaks that offers not only exquisite natural beauty but also breathtaking evidence of a thriving civilization dating to the 4th century. Steeped in the artistic tradition of Byzantine history, sanctuaries, dwellings, churches, and convents are carved into the volcanic sediment known as tuff and sit atop a jagged topography of pillars, columns, obelisks, and needles that tower as much as 120 feet above a 3,000-foot plateau, making it worthy of a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.

Over the centuries, the region has perpetuated its artisanal heritage with the proliferation of gifted potters who carry on a tradition that dates as far back as the 2nd century and who work with the red clay that is sourced from the banks of the Halys River. As part of the special World Heritage: Up Close & Personal series, your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant can arrange a private tour of the workshop of renowned potter Chez Galip and an intimate lunch or dinner with him and his family at their home, where it will be possible to experience the local culture on a firsthand basis.

Prague, Czech Republic A shining example of Medieval Urbanism built between the 11th and 18th centuries, Prague is situated on both banks of the Vltava River and features numerous structures of architectural and cultural significance, including Hradcani Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge, and other churches and palaces, many of them built in the 14th century under Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV who intended to establish the New Jerusalem. The city displays several periods of architecture from Gothic to High Baroque to Modernism, all of it exerting an influence on the structure of the rest of Europe. Despite the onset of modern life, Prague has managed to preserve its city center, and earned a designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Marvelously photogenic, Prague is a magnet for tourism that has developed many packages that give visitors a view of the sights. To avoid the crowds, book Ensemble’s World Heritage: Up Close & Personal offer, which includes a beverage on a private rooftop that offers an aerial view of the city, followed by a visit to a private garden, and a choice of lunch or dinner in a custom-designed venue based on your tastes. The

experience culminates in luxury transport to several secret spots that afford memorable vistas.

To experience World Heritage: Up Close & Personal, contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

44 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

Special Advertising Section

CIE Tours

81

Celebrating Years of Travel Excellence

Experience Ireland The benefit of coach travel on the Emerald Isle is not missing anything it has to offer.

Two tours featured by CIE in the 2013 season include the eight- or nine-day Irish Gold, and the 12- or 13-day Emerald Supreme. Each tour includes a horse-drawn car ride through Killarney National Park – home to the three Lakes of Killarney – as well as an evening of traditional Irish song and dance. Don’t forget to take in the world-famous Cliffs of Moher in County Clare or visit the prizewinning horses of the National Stud in County Kildare, or Killarney’s renowned Killeen House Restaurant. For a more breathtaking and ancient spectacle, gaze at the Giant’s Causeway, the astounding 60 millionyear-old volcanic-formed columns in County Antrim.

For more than eight decades, CIE Tours has been delivering excellent vacations aboard state of the art luxury coaches in Ireland and Britain.

Guests are privy to prompt and pleasant customer service, the best hotels, and carefully chosen visits and entertainment. All tour directors are well trained, incorporating background information and histories of destinations into fun and easy to digest narratives.

CIE Tours has created a balanced and varied way of sightseeing that is a hassle free and affordable dream vacation.

For the more independent-oriented, CIE Tours’ Go-As-You-Please Ireland tour is a self-drive, custom rental car excursion across Ireland’s most popular destinations. The six day, six night vacation allows you to travel at your own pace without sacrificing any amenities that CIE Tours has to offer.

Luxury coach travel provides daily sightseeing through large panoramic windows, reclining seats, and individual climate control, while a public address system keeps guests informed of their whereabouts with exciting details. Traveling with CIE Tours, you are given access to speedy VIP check-in at hotels and must-see attractions, complimentary breakfasts and most dinners, airport transfers and bag handling, prepaid hotels, and admissions.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 45

Special Advertising Section

Northern

sights

Regent Seven Seas Cruises enchants in Northern Europe ®

Northern Europe captivates with majestic capitals and spectacular natural wonders. Come see for yourself why readers of Porthole magazine gave Regent Seven Seas Cruises® the award for “Best Northern European Itineraries.” Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ all-suite Seven Seas Voyager® plies the waterways of Scandinavia, Russia, and the British Isles calling on some of the world’s greatest cities and little-known gems. These ancient lands were once inhabited by Vikings and Celts; today, its varied landscapes are blessed with rugged beauty, majestic castles, medieval villages, and magnificent fjords.

You’ll depart from London, Reykjavik, Copenhagen or Stockholm but your vacation begins before you board, as Regent Seven Seas Cruises® offers a free one-night Luxury Hotel Package so you can explore your port of embarkation before you set sail. Once on board, enjoy Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ allinclusive Suite Life. Relax in your spacious ocean-view suite; all are outfitted with Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ exclusive Suite Slumber Bed® and luxurious European linens; all have private balconies.

46 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

Your northern journey will open your eyes to beguiling and cultured capitals. Explore the monuments and museums of London before departing from Southampton and its historic Old Town. Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital, is home to a colorful Old Quarter with brightlypainted corrugated metal houses and the mineral-rich, geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon. Copenhagen captivates with its Little Mermaid statue, whimsical Tivoli Gardens and intriguing Round Tower which houses Europe’s oldest functioning astronomical observatory. Ascend the tower via a spiral ramp as Peter

the Great did (on horseback) in 1716. With its beautifully medieval square and the world’s first national urban park, Stockholm is a feast for the senses. Although much smaller, Amsterdam also captivates with its cobblestone streets lined with elegant baroque houses. You can see Dutch Masterpieces at the Rijksmuseum, fresh from a ten-year renovation, and visit the Secret Annex where Anne Frank hid during the Holocaust.

Lively St. Petersburg, Russia’s capital for over 200 years, dazzles with brightly-painted cathedrals and the masterpieces of the Hermitage Museum. Guests have the option

to take a day trip to Moscow on board a high-speed train. See the Russian countryside before disembarking for a tour that takes in Red Square, the Kremlin, and St. Basil’s onion-domed Cathedral. Helsinki’s vibrant Senate Square is dominated by the dazzling, blue-domed Lutheran cathedral. In Tallinn, as in Gdansk, Bruges, and Visby, you’ll see beautiful houses built by the merchants of the Hanseatic League, the medieval trade group that once dominated northern European commerce. You’ll be enchanted by the Baltic jewels of Tallinn with its medieval Old Town and Riga with its impressive collection of Art Nouveau architecture.

Along with magnificent cities, expect spectacular natural wonders and cultural diversions. See breathtaking Sognefjord, Norway’s longest and deepest fjord which is home to the largest glacier in mainland Europe. You’ll be enthralled by the stunning hill-fringed port of Portree on the Isle of Skye and Kirkwall, the well-preserved capital of the Orkney Islands known for its well-preserved 17th and 18th century houses. Picturesque Torshavn on the Faroe Islands is an ancient Viking city and one the region’s first capitals.

Visitors to the Scottish Highlands won’t want to miss a “wee dram” of the “water of life,” Scotland’s venerated single malt whiskey. Overlooking the Dornoch Firth, Glenmorangie has been distilling whiskey using the same traditional methods for over 150 years. And in Dublin and Copenhagen, beer lovers will enjoy our tours of the Guinness and Carlsberg Breweries.

While Regent Seven Seas Cruises® offers free Unlimited Shore Excursions in nearly every port of call in every destination, it also offers unique, one-of-a-kind excursions at deeply discounted prices. With Regent Choice Shore Excursions, you could go whale watching at the Arctic Circle or attend a lavish reception at one of the Tsar’s Imperial Palaces.

Please see page 76 for special offers on Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, or contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 47

Fr eq u e nt T raveler

A Hit Maker Goes Global Anjula Acharia Bath O c c upation

Music and Entertainment Entrepreneur CEO, Desi Hits!

Favo r ite c u ltu r a l D e stination

Spain Favo r ite c u lina ry D e stinations

Brazil and Colombia

On the eve of the Grammys, Anjula Acharia Bath is gushing about the Jay-Z Roc Nation brunch she has just attended and choosing the outfit she will wear to the awards ceremony the next day – it’s a difficult decision. Her laughter is contagious, even from 3,000 miles away.

Born and raised in England by

Indian parents, Acharia Bath spent 10 years scouting stars for global media ventures before founding Desi Hits! with her husband Ranj Bath and Arun Sandhu five years ago. The multi-media company – comprised of a record label, a pop-culture content distributor, and a talent management division – brings “Bollywood to Hollywood” and vice versa.

(Desi is a term used to describe people of

48 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

Indian, Pakistani, or Bangladeshi heritage who live abroad.) Among her wow-factor accomplishments are partnering with the Universal Music Group to create the first music label for the development of global pop icons from South Asia; negotiating a promotional tour of India for Lady Gaga with a performance in Delhi; and signing her newest artist, Priyanka Chopra, with RedOne, producer of Pitbull, J.Lo, and Enrique Iglesias. In addition, she co-founded

the Pvblic Foundation, a non-profit that donates unused media assets like billboards, web banners, and print ads to other nonprofits with a message to promote.

Featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and Rolling Stone, she has judged the Ibiza International Film Festival and spoken at the Digital Music Forum and New York University’s Clive Davis School of Music.

She spends 75 percent of her time hopping

continents, shoe-horning into her itinerary holidays in places like Jamaica, where she says she stays at her favorite hotel in the world. (She would disclose its name, but she’s afraid she will spoil the tranquility of the place). Otherwise she’s at home in Los Angeles where she has lived for the last year. Here’s what she has to say about her life on the go:

Why is this a good time for Desi Hits!?

The South Asian population is global.

They’re spread out from South Africa to the U.K. to the Middle East. This informs the dynamic of our business.

Where do you travel?

I go to Mumbai, London, New York, Toronto, Dubai. I support our activities such as film productions, and music recordings.

What was your first significant trip?

My dad was a scientific journalist and photographer, and the first time he brought me along on one of his trips it was to Dusseldorf. I was probably eight or nine at the time and I remember eating the best pizza I’ve ever had in my life – and the best ice cream. This was back in the time of full-service airplanes, and I recall the proper plate, the real napkin, and the knife and fork.

food was sensational. The fish and vegetables blew me away. In Brazil I ate passion fruit and mashed potato in a single dish.

Do you have a travel tip?

I’m always cold on planes, so my niece gave me a heart-shaped hot-water bottle that stays hot for the duration of the flight. I also take over-the-counter sleeping tablets. They work better than the prescription meds. And I wear sweatpants. They take me across the planet.

Do you check or carry on?

I have way too many shoes not to check.

What experience taught you the most?

Every time I go to India I experience a mix of emotions. I stay at luxurious properties like Taj Lake Palace, Rambagh Palace, and The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai; meet with affluent business associates in Bollywood, and then on the way back to the airport I see children begging in the streets. It’s a dilemma. I always wind up giving them money and then I round up as many kids as I can and take them to a restaurant.

It makes me remember that I’m utterly blessed with what I have. I’m so grateful.

Do you have a favorite piece of luggage?

Hartmann is my favorite. The wheels work really well and they’re big enough to accommodate my shoes. Sometimes they’re bigger than I am.

I love the Alhambra. It is so unassuming from the outside, yet the inside is stunning.

Alhambra

.

What is your first memory of India?

It was a trip to my dad’s family’s home in Punjab in the north. It was unbearably hot, I was bitten by mosquitoes, and there were geckos on my head. We were supposed to be careful about what we ate but all of my cousins were eating food from street carts.

Jimmy Iovine, Priyanka Chopra, Troy Carter & Anjula

Jamaica

What is your favorite place to visit?

Spain by far. I love the clash of architectures – the Gaudi and the Moorish influence. I love the Alhambra. It is so unassuming from the outside, yet the inside is stunning. I love Andalusia, how the mountains go pink at sunset, and Barcelona for its cobblestone streets and architecture. I don’t dig the food though.

Barcelona

What is the most interesting food you’ve eaten recently?

I went to Brazil and to Colombia, and the

Anjula with Lady Gaga in Delhi

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 49

XX Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

Special Advertising Section

AZAMARA CLUB CRUISES Longer Stays, More Overnights, Night Touring

Seville

Every Azamara voyage combines sophisticated sailing with authentic cultural experiences

Yalta

that will deepen your understanding and appreciation of our amazing world. Every year we visit a variety of fascinating ports in the Mediterranean, Northern and Western Europe, Asia, South America, the West Indies and North America. With nearly half of all Azamara port stops featuring overnight or late night stays, you'll have plenty of time to explore and see the advantages of longer and later stays in port.

Their two smaller, 694-guest boutique hotel vessels provide an intimate and attentive atmosphere for you to revel in all-inclusive amenities and AzAmazing EveningsSM – the new, complimentary evening excursions – on 2013 sailings. With 184 ports of call in 63 countries, you’re guaranteed longer stays and more overnights (50% of all ports have late night or overnight stays), giving you more time to fall in love with where they take you. That’s the Azamara promise.

AzAmazing EveningsSM Monte-Carlo

As part of Azamara Club Cruises’ commitment to destination immersion and authenticity, the complimentary onshore evening events are bespoke experiences designed by excursion experts and chosen exclusively for your enjoyment. AzAmazing EveningsSM allow guests to take full advantage of each port of call’s unique cultural experience.

New Amenities On top of the selection of standard spirits and international beers and wines, Azamara Club Cruises has added a caviar and champagne bar, Chef’s Table concept with three wine degustation menus, as well as newly refurbished balconies with upgraded furniture, and a re-surfaced pool.

Corfu

It All Starts In Western Europe & the Mediterranean The 2013 season kicks off with two immersive and exciting journeys through Western Europe and the Mediterranean. Spend 7 nights aboard the Azamara Quest® as you venture from Seville, Spain through the Guadalquivir River, into Gibraltar, then onto Valencia and concluding in Barcelona.

Or, take a 10 night sojourn through the Greek Isles, Cyprus, and the Holy Land.

Please see page 71 for special offers on Azamara Club Cruises, or contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 51

Special Advertising Section

When Traveling with Globus, Do as the Locals Do

This season, Globus – who has been creating hassle-free vacations for more than 85 years – offers Local FavoritesSM that make it possible for you to indulge in every moment of your vacation – without a hint of stress.

When you choose an itinerary

from Globus, you not only benefit from reservations at hotels in ideal locations, prearranged transportation, VIP access to all the must-see sights – but you’re granted entry to a world behind the scenes, courtesy of expert local guides.

For special offers on Globus vacations, please see page 67, or contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

52 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

There are detours to tastings of balsamic vinegar and authentic parmigiano cheese in northern Italy near Modena, a look at Cinque Terre, a stunning series of hillside vineyards that descend into the sea, and in-depth explorations of the Etruscan labyrinth near Umbria that will indulge your archaeological curiosity. In Venice, you’ll witness skilled glassblowers at work in Murano, take a serenaded gondola ride through the canals, and traverse the lagoon by cruise to reach Burano, the tiny village known for its lace work. In Tuscany you’ll visit the Verrazzano

Castle to learn about the blending of Chianti, the wine that has been made by noblemen and peasants alike for 700 years, while in Siena you’ll be enlightened by a scholar at the Palio Museum who will offer a lecture on Siena’s most historic horse race. Should you choose an itinerary that sweeps through Sicily and the South, you’ll savor the flavor of freshly made ricotta at a working farm and tour the excavations at Pompeii, which will take your breath away. You’ll also travel by jetfoil to Capri, beautiful playground to the leisure class. Up north, the flavor changes. You’ll glide across the impressive Lago Maggiore to land on Isola Madre where you’ll tour the world-renowned Botanical Garden and then make your way to Isola dei Pescatori for an enchanted dinner of freshly caught local fish.

With such an inspired array of itineraries, it’s hard to imagine a more enticing way to travel.

Special Advertising Section

Be a VIP in the World’s Greatest Locations with Monograms Jet setting around the world can be one of the most memorable experiences.

Planning a trip, however, can be tricky. With Monograms and your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant, there’s no need to think about planning. All you have to do is experience the sights, sounds, and new cultures at hand. The all-in-one itineraries are prepared by experts who have traveled the globe, scoured the best hotels, and weeded out only the best for you.

The Right Hotel For You

Local Hosts® Show You The Ropes

Looking for the best view from your room, the easiest way to all the historic landmarks, or the best restaurants? With Monograms, you’ll find contemporary, elegant, stately, and trendy hotels around the world, and the hotel that best fits your personal style. But Monograms isn’t just about providing you with world class accommodations.

Monograms Local Hosts® are natives. They can show you the heart of each destination – where to get the best coffee, where to find the best boutiques and where to see the best sunset. Your experiences should be unique to you, which is why a Monograms vacation is personalized for you.

Hassle-Free Sightseeing and Travel

You will have VIP access to the world’s treasures. Connecting with your destination has never been easier because you can avoid the long lines and quickly get from place to place without any hassle. Not only that, but all your transportation is included so you don’t have to worry about getting from Point A to Point B. With Monograms, you’ll be picked up and dropped off, from your flight there to the flight back, and everywhere in between.

Please see page 68 for special offers on Monograms vacations, or contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 53

Special Advertising Section

See Majestic Alaska with Oceania Cruises

Alaska is a rugged land known for

its unspoiled wilderness. Experience the awe-inspiring wonder of the last frontier for yourself with Oceania Cruises. They offer an array of breathtaking Alaskan itineraries that pamper travelers with world-class cuisine, unparalleled personal service, luxurious accommodations, and enriching ship and shore activities.

Surrender to Regatta’s charms Oceania Cruises is known for its fleet of intimate, mid-size ships, and Regatta is sleek and elegant. Her decks are resplendent in the finest teak, custom stone, and tile work.

Her lounges, suites, and staterooms boast luxurious, yet comfortable furnishings, such as those found in a fine estate home.

54 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

Onboard, 400 professionally trained International staff cater to just 684 fortunate guests. World-class cuisine is served in four unique, open seating restaurants, all at no additional charge. Guests can relax in the English-inspired library, enjoy Monte Carlo-style gaming, strike up new friendships in the multiple bars and intimate lounges or participate in enrichment lectures by a renowned guest lecturer. Regatta’s Canyon Ranch SpaClub® adds to the adventure with indulgent services, nurturing wellness experiences, and classes that restore serenity.

glaciers creep toward the sea, oblivious to the passage of time. Some say Alaska is Mother Nature’s canvas ... and the sapphire waters, snowcapped peaks, crystalline glaciers, and pine-coated mountains are her palette.

Experience staggering natural beauty

Visit wildly entertaining towns Alaska is known for glacial wonders. Tracy Arm Fjord provides views of the twin Sawyer Glaciers. The serene Inside Passage, with its cliff-like mountains, is breathtaking. And whales breach the surface of the water near

America's largest state, Alaska truly knows no bounds. Stretching beyond the imagination, it is a land of staggering natural beauty.

Here, forests blanket the hills, snow-mantled mountains soar high into the sky, and ancient

To ensure travelers have ample opportunity to appreciate her beauty, see her abundant wildlife, and absorb the region’s legends and lore, Oceania Cruises thoroughly explores the Alaskan shores, from north to south, calling upon lively port cities as well as rustic and charming towns.

massive Hubbard Glacier. Beyond these dazzling gems, historic settlements, Russian influences, Tlingit Indian villages, gold rush towns, and lush forests add to the region’s many charms.

Oceania Cruises’ newest itineraries offer fresh options for exploring Alaska’s inland forests and storied frontier towns. For those wishing to delve deep into the Alaskan wilderness, the Gateway to Alaska voyage includes rugged landscapes, historic sites, and favorite stops such as Sitka and Juneau. The new Coastal Alaska itinerary sails the Alaskan coastlines for seven glorious days, stopping into charming Ketchikan and Prince Rupert along the way.

Enjoy exhilarating shore excursions Now, Oceania Cruises guests can maximize their savings with new Shore Excursion Value

Packages that offer substantial savings and unexpected insights into the culture, history, art, and cuisine of Alaska’s fascinating ports of call.

An exciting selection of excursions include: ATV expeditions, forest tram rides, bike trekking, kayaking, sport fishing, bear searches, wild Alaskan culinary extravaganzas, dog sledding, helicopter rides, whale quests, gold panning, salmon bakes, glacier walks, flight-seeing, zip lines, rafting, native cultural experiences, and more. Guests booking by March 31st may take advantage of Oceania Cruises winter sale promotion of 2-for-1 Unlimited Excursion Package on select voyages.

° FREE AIRFARE and 2-for-1 cruise fares Unlimited Shore Excursion

° 2-for-1 package on select voyages

° Bonus savings up to $1,500 per stateroom ° NEW Shore Excursion Value Packages ° NEW Alaska Explorer Youth Program ° Gourmet cuisine by Master Chef Jacques Pepin

° Country-club casual ambiance ® ° Acclaimed Canyon Ranch SpaClub ° Extraordinarily high staff-to-guest ratio ° Private balconies in most staterooms

Please see page 75 for special offers on Oceania Cruises, or contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 55

Special Advertising Section

Custom-made Cruising

Design your own vacation with Avalon Waterways

Travel the great rivers of the world with Avalon Waterways, who has created fabulous cruises in Europe, Asia, Egypt, the Galapagos and now, the Mississippi. You can choose from over 100 itineraries across five continents.

You’ll enjoy the intimacy of river cruising as smaller ships make it easy for you to make new friends and just steps from shore, you’ll find yourself immersed in the landscape like never before. Enjoy spacious contemporary staterooms, complimentary Wi-Fi, regional wines and beers with dinner, and all-inclusive shore excursions.

Sail past tranquil vineyards and fairy-tale castles on great European rivers like the Danube, the Seine, and the Rhine, stopping in cities like Paris, Vienna, and Budapest. In Asia, choose between the mighty Yangtze river and the gentle Mekong river where you can sail aboard the new Avalon Angkor, the first passenger ship built to cruise from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap. On a Nile River cruise, you’ll pass ancient temples and thriving villages that line the delta. Cruise the Galapagos where you’ll see

56 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

the wildlife that inspired Charles Darwin or see the American heartland by paddlewheel steamboat along the Mississippi River.

This year, Avalon Waterways has also introduced Avalon Choice Cruising, allowing you to design every aspect of your journey, with the help of your Ensemble Travel® Group agent. When it comes to dining, opt for the casual fare in the Panorama Bistro or a gastronomic feast in the more formal Main Dining Room. A regional culinary specialty is offered each evening and on every cruise, a local chef is on board to prepare a sumptuous banquet using the fresh local bounty.

Please see page 70 for special offers on Avalon Waterways, or contact the Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover to find out how to receive prepaid gratuities OR a $600 per couple air credit on select 2013 vacations.

Dispelling the

Myths of Overseas Travel for People with Disabilities

Whether you favor intimate luxury yachts or glittering liners, there’s an

Ensemble Hosted cruise ®

that’s perfect for you!

by Valentino Macor

Traveling overseas may seem overwhelming for a person with disabilities, such as myself, but I can assure you that it is possible to travel with comfort and ease. I recently traveled to Monaco, where the people excel at making you feel welcome and comfortable, and their transport system is most favorable for people with disabilities. There are numerous elevators and escalators to take you from sea level to the higher confines of the Principality, including the “Rock”, home of the Prince’s Castle.

•

T ake advantage of your travel agent, who is invaluable in making you feel comfortable, welcome, and making special arrangements so that you will not have to forego visiting any and every part of your destination that you desire.

•

I recommend traveling with a type of chair called a ‘transporter’ which is lighter, folds up much smaller, and can navigate through tight spaces more easily than a wheelchair. Let your travel agent know what you’re bringing so that any vehicle meeting you is able to accommodate the chair.

•

T alk to your travel agent to make sure the hotels where you will be staying have a shower, and not just a bathtub.

•

I f you will be traveling to other places by train, your travel agent can arrange for you to be taken by wheelchair to the correct platform and coach.

N eed some extra help in the airport?

Travelers Aid is a nonprofit organization that provides information and support to travelers, especially those who are stranded, in different airports and train stations around the U.S., Canada and Australia. The best way to inquire about assistance for seniors and people with disabilities is to directly contact your local Travelers Aid office. To find the contact information for your local office please visit their website: travelersaid.org.

Share the warmth and camaraderie of an Ensemble® Hosted Cruise, accompanied by our popular

Ensemble Hosts. Mingle at private cocktail parties, then ®

sample what the world has to offer in a unique way on a complimentary shore event known as the

Ensemble Experience. ®

For more information, please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

Ensemble EnsembleLifestyles LifestylesSpring/Summer Spring/Summer2013 2013 57 7

Special Advertising Section

ME is a brand of experience-based hotels in select urban and resort destinations. ME is the hotel of the individual: the place to be, an experience beyond all accommodations.

ME seeks to open your mind to absorbing all cultural aspects of these exotic destinations.

ME by Meliá Involved & Evolved

cancun cabo

ME Cancun – Everything Is Possible

ME Cabo – The Place To Be

Located just 20 minutes from downtown Cancun, upon the famous white sand beaches of Mexico, is a sensory paradise of art, design, music, and cuisine. Your sole pursuit is your pleasure. Surrounded by breathtaking contemporary design and original works of art, the lavish suites and guest rooms are light-filled, with either sunrise ocean or gorgeous sunset views. On the premises, there are five exceptional dining options (most with à la carte menus) with unlimited dining from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; two adults-only pools (one of which is an infinity pool) for you to soak up the sun; Bali and day beds along the beach to rent at your leisure; or simply find a romantic moment in the main pool’s water ritual.

Sitting on the Sea of Cortes’ Medano Beach at the end of the Baja Peninsula, ME Cabo is one of Cabo San Lucas’ première steps to the sea, where the hip, sun-and-fun loving clientele come to find their cool, hypnotic groove. The terraces of this barefoot-friendly, 151-room hotel embrace the free form pools, gardens, Bali beds, and sunshine.

Take advantage of the idyllic and beautiful Playa el Medano: a twolevel lagoon that steps down into the beach and its gentle surf. You’re ten minutes from shopping, dining, and a raucous nightlife, or simply lounge in a Bali bed overlooking the craggy formations of Land’s End.

58 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

For special offers at these hotels please see page 66, or contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

Chart a course for forested islands and calm, sheltered waters. Prepare for the kind of beauty you see with your heart, as well as your eyes. On these thrilling cruises, imagination meets reality and dreams come true.

7-Day Roundtrip Seattle ms Westerdam

Ocean-view from

$799*

ms Oosterdam*

5/12*; 5/25; 6/9*; 6/22; 7/7*; 7/20; 8/11*; 8/24; 9/1*; 9/7/13 Roundtrip Seattle *ms Oosterdam sailing cruises Tracy Arm on Day 4 in lieu of Glacier Bay

7-Day Roundtrip Vancouver ms Amsterdam

Ocean-view from

$749*

6/28; 7/26; 8/30; 9/13/13 Roundtrip Vancouver

$25 shipboard credit per person

7-Day Glacier Discovery Northbound ms Zaandam

Ocean-view from

$599*

5/12; 6/9; 7/7; 8/18/13 Vancouver to Seward

May receive one or more amenities $25 shipboard credit per person and deluxe canapes

embark

for wildlife, wonder and beauty

D4C: 13-Day Classic Denali ms Zaandam

6/9; 7/21; 8/04; 9/1/13 Vancouver to Fairbanks

Ocean-view from

$1,899*

May include one or more $25 shipboard credit per person, $75 shipboard credit per stateroom; Pinnacle Grill Dinner

To book these Ensemble Exclusive offers, please contact your Ensemble TravelÂŽ Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

Spacious, Elegant Ships Gracious, Award-Winning Service Worldwide Itineraries Extensive Activities and Enrichment Programs Sophisticated Five-Star Dining

*Fuel supplement has been suspended. Holland America Line reserves the right to re-instate the fuel supplement for all guests at up to $9 per person per day should the price of light sweet crude oil according to the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index) increase above $70 per barrel. Please consult our website for current information. Fares are based on Promo RH. Featured fares are per person based on double occupancy, cruise only. Fares are in U.S. dollars and include non-commissionable fares. Taxes are additional and vary according to itinerary.

Subject to availability. Offers are capacity controlled, and may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. Restrictions may apply. Please refer to the appropriate Holland America brochure Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 59 for full terms and conditions. Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands.

Special Advertising Section

Night

Tonight’s the Your perfect night out awaits on Queen Mary 2

®

Since her maiden voyage in 2004, Queen Mary 2 has set the gold standard for Transatlantic Crossings. When you embark, a string quartet plays as you’re greeted by whitegloved, White Star bellman and you know this is not going to be an ordinary voyage.

Queen Mary 2’s elegance harkens back to a bygone era of sophisticated glamour, and sitting in the elegant Chart Room, you can almost imagine Bogie and Bacall clinking martini glasses as Hoagy Carmichael tickles the ivories.

You and your girlfriends can gear up for the night at the Canyon Ranch SpaClub® with an energizing Shiatsu massage followed by a chic up-do or a soothing mani-pedi. Or, if you and your partner are more in the mood for romance, enjoy the intimacy of the Rasul Ceremony, an ancient Middle Eastern spa ritual set in an ornately-tiled chamber with mineral-rich aromatic mud and herbal mist. After you rinse off in the rain shower under a starry fiber-optic sky, 60 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

Whether your idea of a perfect night on the town is an exciting girl’s night out or a romantic rendezvous,

Queen Mary 2, the world’s most refined magnificent ocean liner, has everything you need to make it special. The fact that your “town” is in the middle of the ocean just makes it all the more memorable.

cap off your experience with a relaxing Two-by-Two Couples Massage. Before you return to your room, consider stopping by the Mayfair Shops for a new trinket or one of the latest fashions.

Return to your sumptuous stateroom or suite for pre-dinner canapés as you prepare to paint the town. Once you’re dressed for the evening, the girls can head out to the Commodore Club for ginger cosmos muddled with fresh ginger while gazing across the Atlantic through panoramic observation windows. After cocktails, head to dinner at the Todd English restaurant, which features the celebrity chef’s contemporary Mediterranean cuisine. Fortify yourself for the night ahead with signature dishes like fig and prosciutto flatbread and paella olivacious, an untraditional take on the Spanish classic with braised lobster in a spicy chorizo broth.

Couples can start the evening by sipping La Grande Dame champagne at the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar before walking through the spectacular Britannia® Restaurant to the liner’s most intimate venue, the single-seating Britannia® Club. Enjoy delicacies like a symphony of salmon & shrimp ceviche and châteaubriand, a revered recipe for tender and flavorful beef tenderloin. Finish up with a luscious mango & passion fruit crème brûlée.

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Gear up for the night at the Canyon Ranch SpaClub® with an energizing shiatsu massage ...

After dinner, the group can head to the two-story G32 nightclub, named for Queen Mary 2’s shipyard hull number. The disco on the first floor hosts theme nights including ABBA night, where you and your friends can sing and dance to “Mamma Mia” à la Meryl Streep. Think Lady Luck is on your side? Then you’ll want to try your hand at the Empire Club, the onboard casino.

If you and your friends fancy yourselves modern-day Supremes, belt out some karaoke tunes at the Golden Lion, a traditional British pub with an extensive selection of international beers.

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Couples will want to check out the Queen’s Room, the largest ballroom at sea, where they can dance the night away under high-arched ceilings hung with glittering crystal chandeliers. If you’re more in the mood for a lavish show in the style of Broadway or London’s West End, take in a production performed at the Royal Court Theatre.

End your night on the town under your choice of stars. Take in a show at the Art Deco-style Illuminations®, the first full-sized planetarium at sea; or head up to the Regatta Bar on the ship’s upper deck for a night cap. Whatever you choose for your night on the town, on Queen Mary 2 you’re guaranteed it will be an affair to remember.

Please see page 73 for special offers on Cunard Line voyages, or contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

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Special Advertising Section

Viking River Cruises The Future of River Cruising

As the world’s most award-winning river cruise line, Viking proudly delights travelers with comfortable and convenient journeys to more enriching and fascinating destinations than you could encounter any other way. Sail into the heart of the world’s greatest cities —they were built around rivers. Spend less time getting there and more time being there.

With 175 years of river cruising expertise, all Viking River Cruises destinations are inspiring, itineraries are beautifully crafted, the cuisine is delectable, service is excellent and the value is remarkable. The attention to every detail is personal – from handwritten directions from the concierge to your morning Tai Chi instructor knowing your name. It’s no wonder Viking River Cruises was voted the World’s Best River Cruise Line in Travel + Leisure’s 2012 World’s Best Awards, and is consistently ranked high amongst the competition by Conde Nast Traveler.

The Viking Longships – Revolutionary Ships, Unprecedented Awards From the moment you enter the glass-walled, sunlit lobby, you realize that Viking’s ships are unlike any others on Europe’s rivers. Viking’s fleet has always had a tradition of setting new standards. Following the unprecedented introduction of six Viking Longships in 2012, Viking is changing the history of river cruising

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once again with the launch of additional Viking Longships in the 2013 and 2014 seasons. With names inspired by Viking gods, the Viking Longships celebrate Norse heritage while taking a quantum leap in engineering, design and quality.

Your Home Away from Home An innovative and creative departure from traditional ship layout and design, the Viking Longships offer you a choice in staterooms unlike any other. From spacious Veranda Staterooms and French Balcony Staterooms with a sliding glass door to the two-room Veranda Suites, each offers unmatched comfort and excellent river views. Or, you may choose one of two stunning Explorer Suites – the largest on Europe’s rivers – with a wraparound veranda providing 270° views and a sumptuous sense of luxury.

Relax on the Aquavit Terrace

Discover and Transcend the World

The Aquavit Terrace is the perfect place to make new friends and new memories. Revolutionary in concept and design, it is a glorious outdoor seating area at the bow of the ship where you can enjoy a casual meal al fresco, have a drink or read a book – all while basking in the fresh air and enjoying breathtaking views.

Viking River Cruises doesn’t just simply take you from one destination to another. Every locale is made all the more fascinating and enjoyable with their host of guided tours, informative lectures, unique demonstrations, and entertaining performances. Viking River Cruises allows your experiences abroad to be as enriching and enlightening as possible.

A Celebration of Fine Cuisine When traveling, you use all your senses.

So why not do the same with your dining experience? Sumptuous breakfast buffets, inspiring lunch dishes, and artistic five-course dinners incorporate traditional influences and contemporary cuisine. Enjoy a cappuccino on the front deck in the morning, or a fine local wine at lunch – everything is included in your cruise fare! Enjoy Viking’s signature “Taste of …” events: a casual gathering that introduces guests to the culinary delicacies of each region.

Viking River Cruises unparalleled knowledge of the world is to your benefit. Dig deeper for more answers, more stories, and more information on demand. Engage in Viking’s Culture Curriculum and listen to a concert of Austrian classics, discuss French impressionism, or watch traditional dancers from Cambodia, Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Portugal. Viking’s expert staff will give you the utmost insight into every cultural immersion.

Please see page 80 for special 2014 offers on Viking River Cruises, or contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

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Special Advertising Section

The Fairmont Royal Pavilion Located on an enviable beachfront on the famous West Coast of Barbados, in the charming environs of St. James Parish, the boutique Fairmont Royal Pavilion is ideally situated just a short drive from the airport and is ready to serve guests wanting to embrace a truly Barbadian experience.

After a recent and extensive renovation, the resort’s 72 luxurious guest rooms stand ready to welcome the most discerning travelers. 48 Deluxe Oceanfront rooms, now with clear glass balconies, offer unobstructed views of the glittering Caribbean Sea, while 24 stylish Beachfront Junior Suites complete with butler service and private terraces with immediate access to the lush tropical gardens and sugary-white beaches redefine the phrase “steps from the beach”.

Elegantly implemented and retaining the property’s authenticity, all the public areas have been refurbished and have been affectionately made anew. Guests can partake in a guided tour of the grounds in order to learn more about the native flora and fauna.

Enjoy your stay in understated luxury

The welcoming staff will make you admire the warm island hospitality.

Exceptional cuisine awaits you at Palm or Taboras Restaurant. An array of complimentary services including non-motorized watersports, afternoon tea, midday treats and more will make you feel extra special at this intimate resort.

For eight days and seven nights and enjoy your seventh night for FREE*. Ensemble® Exclusive amenities include a complimentary dinner for two; welcome amenity and daily breakfast for two.

This resort is perfect for romantic getaways, memorable celebrations and unforgettable family holidays under the sun kissed Caribbean sky.

The resort makes for a picturesque backdrop for an island wedding and rest assured you will be in helping hands with the aid of an onsite wedding coordinator.

To book your vacation to The Fairmont Royal Pavilion, please see page 69, or contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant at the phone number on the back cover.

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*Book by October 30, 2013 and travel by October 31, 2013.

T r av e l e r ’ s N o t e b o o k

East Africa: Tanzania & Kenya

Eastern Europe: Budapest, Vienna & Prague

• 11 days touring • Tanzania 00 days cruising the & Kenya

• 10 days touring Eastern Europe

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Baltic aboard Ship • A rushaSea to Nairobi

• Budapest to Prague

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• March 20 through • December Copenhagen 11,to2013

• April 23 through October 8, 2013

• From $5,195 per • person, July 30, 2013 land only

• From $4,335 per person, land only

•W F rom $4,850 Deluxe eb ID: EL2809

• Web ID: EL2810

Stockholm

Stateroom including AllInclusive cruise only fares

• Web ID: EL0000

Experience the full panorama of East to Africa on this Connections Walk in the footsteps of the Romanovs discover imperial treasures, safari adventure. the local Maasai with tribes as you set out gilded palaces andMeet stunning architecture three full days in on game drives inSail search Africa’s iconic wildlife to and stunning natural St. Petersburg. fromofCopenhagen (overnight) Berlin, Helsinki, beauty in Ngorongoro National Park, Amboseli St. Petersburg (2-nights),Crater, Tallinn,Serengeti and Stockholm (overnight).

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National Park, and the Masai Mara Game Reserve.

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Discover three of Europe’s great cities through Connections’ activities that bring out each one’s unique character. Cruise the Danube at dusk, brush up on your waltz in Vienna, enjoy a private visit to the opera house in Budapest, and tour the Strahov Monastery in Prague.

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Copy to come Save $100 per person off the price shown. Book by April 30, 2013.

Save $100 per person off the price shown. Book by April 30, 2013.

Irish Gold Tour

Emerald Supreme Tour

• 8 or 9 days touring Ireland

• 12 or 13 days touring Ireland

• Roundtrip Dublin

• Roundtrip Dublin

• April 2 through December 8, 2013

• April 12 through November 8, 2013

• From $1,198 per person, land only

• From $3,598 per person, land only

• Web ID: EL2811

• Web ID: EL2812

Begin your Emerald Isle journey in Dublin, then head to Galway, Killarney, and Waterford. Highlights include the Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, a Killary Fjord catamaran cruise, Titanic Experience, the House of Waterford Crystal, a Killarney jaunting-car ride, and much more!

From Dublin to Killarney, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Cong, Donegal, and Belfast, stay in Ireland’s best deluxe & castle hotels including Dromoland and Ashford Castles. Highlights include special dining experiences, Slieve League Sea Cliffs, Giant’s Causeway, and more!

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Save $200 per couple off the price shown. Book by May 31, 2013.

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Save $400 per couple off the price shown. Book by May 31, 2013.

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T r av e l e r ’ s N o t e b o o k

ME Cancun

ME Cabo

• 7 nights at ME Cancun

• 3 nights at ME Cabo

• Cancun, Mexico

• Los Cabos, Mexico

• Now through December 31, 2013

• Now through December 31, 2013

• From $1,299 per person, All-inclusive Premium Oceanview Room

• From $1,559 per person, All-inclusive Vibe Room • Web ID: EL2814

• Web ID: EL2813

A South Beach experience in the Mexican Caribbean, ME Cancun is a contemporary adult-oriented luxury resort on the most perfect stretch of beach. “An experience beyond mere accommodation,” ME Cancun boasts energy, style, and innovative cuisine, in a chic yet laid back atmosphere.

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The hip & seductive ME Cabo takes full advantage of its location on the beautiful Playa El Medano. Lounge the day away at the World famous Nikki Beach enjoying a cool drink and music from the DJ; enjoy an exquisite dinner at Tequila Fusion Tapas style and dance the night away at Passion Club; purify your mind and body at YHI SPA.

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Receive a $1,000 resort credit per booking. Book by December 24, 2013.

Receive a dedicated “ME+ Manager”, separate check-in, complimentary light breakfast, and access to the private “Deep Lounge”. Book by December 29, 2013.

Machu Picchu & the Galapagos

Journey to South Africa & Victoria Falls

• 14 days touring South America

• 10 days touring South Africa

• Lima to Guayaquil

• Livingstone to Cape Town

• April 19 through November 15, 2013

• March 30 through November 16, 2013

• From $6,899 per person, land/cruise only

• From $5,999 per person, land only

• Web ID: EL2815

• Web ID: EL2816

Explore Lima, Cuzco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Quito, Ecuador’s Avenue of the Volcanoes and a 4-night all-inclusive cruise in an outside suite to the Galapagos Islands with experienced Naturalist Guides on this small group escorted tour – with never more than 16 guests. Guaranteed.

With General Tours’ award-winning expert guides, this perfectly designed South Africa tour showcases the very best of this vibrant country and stunning Victoria Falls. Travel from Livingstone to Victoria Falls, Kruger National Park, the Cape Winelands, and Cape Town.

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Receive a cabin upgrade on the Galapagos cruise. Book now.

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Receive a complimentary helicopter sightseeing flight at Victoria Falls.

Book now.

For reservations, call us today.

New! Gems of Umbria & Tuscany

Italian Mosaic

• 9 days touring Italy

• 13 days touring Italy

• Roundtrip Rome

• Roundtrip Rome

• March through October, 2013

• Now through December, 2013

• From $2,349 per person, land only

• From $2,949 per person, land only

• Web ID: EL2817

• Web ID: EL2818

Learn about the mysterious Etruscans; roam a hilltop town that was the inspiration for the Chronicles of Narnia; and learn how to make Manfricolo pasta from a local chef on this unforgettable vacation from Rome to Narni, Spoleto, Spello, Assisi, Cortona, Siena, Pienza, Montalcino, and Orvieto.

This classic Italian vacation takes you sightseeing from Rome to Pisa, Florence, Lugano/Locarno, Lake Maggiore, Milan, Verona, Venice, Padua, Assisi, Sorrento / Capri, and Pompeii. Overnight stays allow for plenty of time to visit all of the sights.

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Receive free transfers. Book now.

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Receive free transfers. Book now.

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Riu Palace Peninsula

Majestic Colonial Punta Cana

• 3 nights at Riu Palace Peninsula

• 5 nights at Majestic Colonial Punta Cana

• Cancun, Mexico

• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

• May 1 through December 23, 2013

• Now through December 23, 2013

• From $565 per person, all-inclusive Junior Suite Jacuzzi Villa

• From $715 per person, all-inclusive Junior Suite with jacuzzi

• Web ID: EL2819

• Web ID: EL2820

Located in the heart of Cancun and surrounded by lush gardens, the brand new Riu Palace Peninsula resort is the perfect all-inclusive getaway. Discover an array of eclectic dining, live entertainment, therapeutic spa, and spacious accommodations. Luxuriate in the adults-only Deluxe Villas section, boasting a chill-out area with private pool and exclusive waiter service, private check-in, welcome cocktail and fresh towels.

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This all-inclusive resort is without a doubt the perfect place for couples, families, and groups alike to relax while enjoying a privileged surrounding. The resort features eight unique and exquisite restaurants, nine bars, a spa, theater, nearby golf, a separate children’s pool, and the gorgeous Caribbean beach.

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Receive one complimentary round of golf. Upgrade to a Majestic Junior Suite Swim Up for only $95 more. Book now.

Receive hotel transfers, bonus savings up to 28% (reflected in price shown), $35 massage credit per person, and golf savings. Book now.

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T r av e l e r ’ s N o t e b o o k

Deluxe Le Taha’a & Rangiroa Escape

Exotic Tokoriki and Matangi Islands

• 7 days: 3 nights Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa and 3 nights Hotel Kia Ora Resort & Spa

• 10 days: 4 nights Tokoriki Island Resort and 5 nights Matangi Private Island Resort

• Taha’a & Rangiroa, French Polynesia

• Tokoriki & Matangi Islands, Fiji

• April 1 – June 30; October 1 – December 23, 2013 & January 1 – March 31, 2014

• April 1 – December 24, 2013 & January 1 – March 31, 2014

• From $2,699 per person, Overwater Suite (Taha’a) and Beach Bungalow (Rangiroa)

• From $4,799 per person, Deluxe Beach Bure (Tokoriki) and Ocean View Bure (Matangi)

• Web ID: EL2821

• Web ID: EL2822

Discover the ultimate getaway at the secluded Le Taha’a Resort & Spa and beautiful Hotel Kia Ora Resort & Spa. Enjoy breakfast daily for two, a drift snorkeling tour in Rangiroa, domestic flight transfers, and much more!

Immerse yourself in the storied beauty of the Fiji islands! This luxury vacation includes all meals, plus you’ll enjoy a private island picnic for two with a bottle of sparkling wine in Tokoriki, a 30-minute tropical massage and private candlelight dinner for two in Matangi, and much more!

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Receive a complimentary canoe breakfast on one morning during your stay at Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa. Book now.

Receive a complimentary half day Discover Nadi tour. Book now.

A Week in London & Paris

Rome, Florence & Venice

• 7 days in London & Paris

• 10 days in Rome, Florence & Venice

• London to Paris

• Rome to Venice

• Now through December, 2013

• Now through December, 2013

• From $1,290 per person, land only

• From $1,986 per person, land only

• Web ID: EL2823

• Web ID: EL2824

With three nights in each city, you’ll have plenty of time to see all the sights of these two iconic cities. Local guides will provide insight into St. Paul’s Cathedral, Piccadilly Circus, Place de la Concorde, the Eiffel Tower, and much more; and you’ll also have a full day in each city to explore at your leisure.

See the sights, experience new cultures, and dance to new rhythms in Rome, Florence, and Venice – and leave the details to Monograms, who have included everything you need in an all-in-one package.

They’re also on the scene with Local Hosts so you can make the most of your time.

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Save $100 per person off the price shown. Book by April 30, 2013.

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Save $100 per person off the price shown. Book by April 30, 2013.

For reservations, call us today.

Treasures of the Aegean

Treasures of the Mediterranean

• 14 days cruising the Aegean

• 11 days including 7 nights cruising the Amalfi Coast aboard Le Ponant

• Athens to/from Istanbul • May 15 through October 16, 2013

• Malta to Nice

• From $6,990 per person, cruise only

• May 9 through August 30, 2013

• Web ID: EL2825

• From $6,990 per person, land/cruise only • Web ID: EL2826

The art of personalized cruising is embodied in the experience of the moment. Cruising with Tauck to explore the Treasures of the Aegean, those moments might include an early morning breakfast on the terrace of your Athens hotel, pausing to reflect inside Istanbul’s iconic and inspirational Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia … or a walk back in time to the ancient two-tiered Library of Celsus on a shore excursion to Ephesus which includes lunch in a local village.

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This is the Mediterranean as you’ve always dreamed it should be, explored aboard a sailing ship small enough to reach remote, treasured islands. Spend a night in Malta, then embark on a 7-night cruise to Taormina, Lipari, Stromboli, Ravello, Ponza, Bonifacio, Elba, and disembark for 2-nights in Nice / Monaco.

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Receive a Longitude Books gift set (valued at $100) per booking.

Book now.

Receive a Longitude Books gift set (valued at $100) per booking.

Book now. cruising

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The Kahala Hotel & Resort

The Fairmont Royal Pavilion

• 5 nights at The Kahala Hotel & Resort

• 7 nights at The Fairmont Royal Pavilion

• Honolulu, Hawaii

• Barbados

• Now through December 19, 2013

• May 1 through October 31, 2013

• From $3,391 per person, Partial Oceanview Room

• $1,724 per person, Deluxe Villa Room includes the 7th night FREE and roundtrip transfers.

• Web ID: EL2827

• Web ID: EL2828 CST #2029006-20, IOWA #758, NEVADA #2004-0029, Washington UBI #602 425 801.

Recognized as having the “Best Rooms and Restaurants in the U.S.” by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, The Kahala Hotel & Resort is situated on a secluded beach among exotic gardens, complemented by a gorgeous waterfall and lagoon that is home to dolphins, sea turtles, and an array of tropical fish.

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Receive buffet breakfast for two daily, Pineapple Ruby welcome amenity, late check-out, and a room upgrade (based on availability).

Book now.

CST #2029006-20, IOWA #758, NEVADA #2004-0029, Washington UBI #602 425 801.

Hidden away in a sun-drenched cove on the beautiful West Coast of Barbados, The Fairmont Royal Pavilion boasts an unrivalled beachfront presence and is set within 11 acres of lush tropical gardens. This elegant resort is the perfect choice for a luxurious and memorable getaway.

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Receive a complimentary bottle of wine on arrival, VIP treatment and preferred check-in. Book now.

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T r av e l e r ’ s N o t e b o o k

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana

Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta

• 7 nights at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana

• 7 nights at the Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta

• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

• Travel June 1 – 23, 2013

• Travel June 1 – 23, 2013

• From $1,423* per person, All-inclusive Deluxe Room, includes roundtrip transfers

• Riviera Nayarit, Mexico

• From $1,704* per person, All-inclusive Caribbean Suite, includes roundtrip transfers • Web ID: EL2829

• Web ID: EL2830 * For United Vacations, see Terms and Conditions on page 41 for details.

Take off for the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana and enjoy the grand casino, show theater, or full-service spa. Feel the true spirit of rock ‘n’ roll with 11 swimming pools with swim-up bars, a sprawling beach, a bevy of international restaurants, and memorabilia from your favorite music legends.

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* For United Vacations, see Terms and Conditions on page 41 for details.

Head for the beautiful beaches of Bahia de Banderas and the Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta, where you can go golfing, diving, deep-sea fishing, and sailing. Or chill out in chic guestrooms, two swimming pools, four decadent restaurants, world-famous Rock SpaTM, and enjoy attentive service throughout.

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Children 12 & under stay and eat FREE! Receive a $1,500 resort credit per booking. Book now.

Children 12 & under stay and eat FREE! Receive a $1,500 resort credit per booking. Book now.

New! Austrian Highlights & Bavaria

Romantic Rhine

• 9 days cruising the Danube River aboard Avalon Affinity®

• 8 days cruising the Rhine River aboard Avalon Felicity®, Avalon Artistry II® or Avalon Affinity®

• Vienna to Munich

• Zürich to Amsterdam

• June through October, 2013

• April through November, 2013

• From $2,579 per person, cruise/land

• From $2,249 per person, cruise only

• Web ID: EL2831

• Web ID: EL2832

Sail along the iconic Danube River and be delighted by Vienna’s charming small towns – Melk, Dürnstein, and Grein – and spectacular museums and music before heading into Germany’s Bavaria, where you will visit Munich, Oberammergau, and the fairytale castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof.

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Receive prepaid gratuities on select sailings. Book by December 31, 2013.

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This mesmerizing journey along the Rhine features guided sightseeing in Strasbourg, Koblenz, and Cologne; an excursion to Heidelberg; sailing through the Rhine Gorge, dotted every mile with castles; a canal cruise in Amsterdam, a visit to the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz and the legendary Lorelei rock.

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Receive prepaid gratuities on select sailings. Book by December 31, 2013.

For reservations, call us today.

Celebrating Andalucia

Shopping in the Mediterranean

• 11 nights cruising France & Spain aboard Azamara Quest®

• 10 nights cruising the Mediterranean aboard Azamara Quest®

• Monte-Carlo to Seville

• Roundtrip Rome

• April 10 - 21, 2013

• October 23 – November 2, 2013

• From $4,299 per person, Club Veranda Stateroom

• From $4,199 per person, Club Veranda stateroom

• Web ID: EL2833

• Web ID: EL2834

Plenty of overnights allow you to fill up on tapas and take in a flamenco performance in Barcelona, and explore the Old Town of Seville as you sail from Monte-Carlo (overnight), Nice, Toulon, Barcelona (overnight), Palma De Mallorca, Valencia, Granada, Gibraltar and Seville (overnight).

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This voyage is a terrific opportunity to explore the Mediterranean.

Sail from Rome to Elba, Santa Margarita, Portofino, Saint-Tropez (overnight), Cannes, Nice, Monte-Carlo (overnight), and Florence/ Pisa (overnight). Spend an AzAmazing EveningSM at a private party in the famous Oceanographic Museum in Monte-Carlo.

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Receive $200 shipboard credit per stateroom. Book now.

Receive $200 shipboard credit per stateroom. Book now.

Redentore Festival

Alaska Tracy Arm Fjord

• 12 nights cruising Spain & Italy aboard Celebrity EquinoxSM

• 7 nights cruising Alaska aboard Celebrity Solstice®

• Roundtrip Barcelona

• Roundtrip Seattle

• July 16 - 28, 2013

• June 21 - 28, 2013

• From $2,499 per person, Oceanview Stateroom

• From $1,449 per person, Oceanview Stateroom

• Web ID: EL2835

• Web ID: EL2836

This cruise spends two nights in Venice so you can fully experience the Festa del Redentore, which originated in 1577! See the gorgeous St. Mark’s fireworks display and small boats decked out with brightly colored lanterns that sail at dusk. Other stops include Valletta, Kotor, Rome, Florence/Pisa, and Nice.

Be supremely spoiled in an unspoiled land as you explore the natural wonders and fascinating wildlife of Alaska, all from the comfort of Celebrity Solstice. Sail roundtrip from Seattle to Ketchikan, cruising Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau, Skagway, cruising the Alaska Inside Passage, and Victoria.

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Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience shore event in Kotor. Book now.

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Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience shore event in Skagway. Book now.

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T r av e l e r ’ s N o t e b o o k

Bounties of the Black Sea

Aquitaine Tapestry

• 12 nights cruising the Black Sea aboard Crystal Symphony • Rome to Istanbul

• 11 nights cruising up the French coast aboard Crystal Symphony

• July 13 - 25, 2013

• Lisbon to London

• From $5,510 per person, Deluxe Stateroom

• August 22 – September 2, 2013 • From $4,465 per person, Deluxe Stateroom

• Web ID: EL2837

• Web ID: EL2838 Join renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa and savor his award-winning creations as you journey to Crimea, discovering an ancient sea more iridescent blue than black. Sail from Rome to Sorrento, Sicily/ Taormina, Constanta, Odessa (overnight), Yalta, Sochi, and Istanbul (overnight).

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Discover a pastoral land of rolling green hills, fortresses and chateaux; renowned wines, and delectable cuisine with indulgent specialties like truffles and foie gras as you sail from Lisbon (overnight) to Bilbao, Bordeaux (overnight), Lorient, St-Malo, Guernsey, Honfleur (overnight), and London.

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Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience shore event in Odessa. Book now.

Book by April 30th and save $1,000 per person (reflected in price shown)!

Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience shore event in Bordeaux. Book now.

Book by April 30th and save $1,000 per person (reflected in price shown)!

Russian Reverie

European Embrace

• 10 nights cruising the Baltic aboard Crystal Serenity

• 9 nights cruising France & Spain aboard Crystal Serenity

• Copenhagen to Stockholm

• London to Barcelona

• June 15 - 25, 2013

• From $3,840 per person, Deluxe Stateroom

• September 2 – 11, 2013

• From $4,850 per person, Deluxe Stateroom

• Web ID: EL2840

• Web ID: EL2839

Explore charming old world cities and walk in the footsteps of the Romanovs to discover imperial treasures and stunning architecture with three full days in St. Petersburg. Sail from Copenhagen (overnight) to Berlin, Helsinki, St. Petersburg (2 nights), Tallinn, and Stockholm (overnight).

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Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience shore event in St. Petersburg. Book now.

Book by April 30th and save $1,500 per person (reflected in price shown)!

72 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

See all of London’s legendary sights before sailing off to charming Guernsey; taste world-renowned wines in Bordeaux (overnight); explore cosmopolitan Lisbon and the old city of Cádiz; and discover the architectural treasures of Barcelona.

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Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience shore event in Lisbon. Book now.

Book by April 30th and save $1,500 per person (reflected in price shown)!

For reservations, call us today.

St. Petersburg & Baltic Discovery

Icelandic Adventure

• 13 days cruising Northern Europe aboard Queen Elizabeth®

• 16 days cruising Northern Europe aboard Queen Elizabeth®

• Roundtrip Southampton

• Roundtrip Southampton

• June 18 – July 1, 2013

• July 15 – 31, 2013

• From $4,199 per person, Britannia Balcony

• From $5,033 per person, Britannia Balcony

• Web ID: EL2841

• Web ID: EL2842

Recalling the rich heritage of the first Cunarder to bear the name, Queen Elizabeth’s elegance echoes that legendary age and enhances her modern allure. Revel in her timeless refinement as you sail from Southampton to Kristiansand, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg (overnight), and Tallinn.

Explore the quirky historic districts and medieval charms of Hamburg. The world’s most northern capital city, Reykjavic, will intrigue you with spouting geysers, and the spectacular fjords and Viking sagas of Isafjordur and Akureyi will delight you before perusing local works of art in Bergen.

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Receive complimentary hotel & dining charges and a bottle of wine.

Book now.

Receive complimentary hotel & dining charges and a bottle of wine.

Book now.

St. Petersburg & Baltic Explorer

Transatlantic Crossings

• 14 days cruising Northern Europe aboard Queen Elizabeth®

• 7 days crossing the Atlantic aboard Queen Mary 2®

• Roundtrip Southampton

• New York to/from Southampton

• August 17 – 31, 2013

• May 25 through December 15, 2013

• From $4,368 per person, Britannia Balcony

• From $1,799 per person, Britannia Balcony

• Web ID: EL2843

• Web ID: EL2844 Norway’s Summer City, Kristiansand, seamlessly knits together culture and nature. Discover Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens, Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, and be utterly enchanted by the fairytale charm and iconic historical sights of Tallinn, St. Petersburg (overnight), Helsinki, and Stockholm.

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Receive complimentary hotel & dining charges and a bottle of wine.

Book now.

In 1840 Cunard provided the first passenger transatlantic voyage.

Today, you can discover for yourself why Cunard’s iconic Transatlantic Crossings epitomize The New Golden Age of Ocean Travel. With Cunard, the journey may be even more magnificent than the destination.

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On select crossings, receive complimentary hotel & dining charges and a bottle of wine. Book now.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 73

T r av e l e r ’ s N o t e b o o k

Alaska

Classic Denali Cruisetour D4C

• 7 days sailing Alaska aboard ms Amsterdam

• 13 days: 7 days cruise aboard ms Zaandam and 6 days land

• Roundtrip Vancouver

• Vancouver to Fairbanks

• June 28; August 30 & September 13, 2013

• June 9; July 21; August 4 & September 1, 2013

• From $1,599 per person, Verandah Stateroom

• From $3,449 per person, Verandah Stateroom

• Web ID: EL2845

• Web ID: EL2846

Travel through Alaska’s sublime beauty in unsurpassed luxury as you sail from Vancouver to Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juenau, Ketchikan, and scenic cruising through the Inside Passage. Take in the Great Land from your private verandah, and watch as whales breach and massive glaciers come into view.

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This carefully crafted land and sea vacation gives you the time you need to explore what you’ve come to discover – the wildlife and scenic wonders of Alaska. Travel from Vancouver to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Anchorage, Denali National Park (3 days), and Fairbanks.

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Receive a $25 shipboard credit per person. Book now.

Receive up to $75 shipboard credit per person. Book now.

Greek Isles

Tahiti & Society Islands

• 8 days cruising the Greek Isles aboard m/v Tere Moana

• 8 days cruising Tahiti & Society Islands aboard ms Paul Gauguin

• Athens to Istanbul

• Roundtrip Papeete

• July 13 & September 7, 2013

• April 20 through October 12, 2013

• From $3,595 per person, Porthole Stateroom

• From $3,995 per person, Porthole Stateroom including roundtrip Airfare Los Angeles/Tahiti

• Web ID: EL2847

• Web ID: EL2848 Voyage from the birthplace of Western civilization to the heart of the Byzantine Empire on this extraordinary voyage. Along the way, visit the sacred island of Delos; Mykonos, beloved by jetsetters and celebrities; picturesque Santorini; and historic Rhodes, Patmos, Kusadasi and Canakkale.

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Receive $100 per person shipboard credit. Book now.

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There’s a reason the islands of French Polynesia are world-renowned – their beauty is unmatched. Call on Raiatea and its reef-bound lagoon and Taha’a, its companion island, where you’ll enjoy a full day of exploration. Then sail to beautiful Bora Bora and Moorea.

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Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience shore event in Bora Bora (5/11, 7/27 & 10/12). Other select sailings feature $100 per person shipboard credit. Book now.

For reservations, call us today.

Aegean Gems

Scandinavian Serenade

• 10 days cruising the Mediterranean aboard Riviera

• 14 days cruising Scandinavia aboard Marina

• Venice to Athens

• London to Stockholm

• May 5 – 15, 2013

• June 11 - 25, 2013

•F rom $4,699 per person, Veranda Stateroom including FREE Airfare

•F rom $6,899 per person, Veranda Stateroom including FREE Airfare

• Web ID: EL2849

• Web ID: EL2850

On this marvelous voyage, each port of call is a jewel to be treasured. Watch the moonlight dance across the canals from St. Mark’s Square in the romantic city of Venice (overnight), then sail on to the dazzling ports of Koper, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Monemvasia, Santorini, Ephesus, and Athens.

The capitals of Northern Europe lure you with their treasures: Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg (2-nights), Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo, Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the medieval streets of Riga and Tallinn, Helsinki’s Church on the Rock, Stockholm’s Royal Palace, and the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen.

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Receive FREE airfare, 2-for-1 cruise fares, bonus savings of $2,400 per stateroom, $999 Business Class air upgrade per guest each way and pre-paid gratuities. Book before April 1, 2013 for best available fares.

Receive FREE airfare, 2-for-1 cruise fares, bonus savings of $3,900 per stateroom, and pre-paid gratuities. Book before April 1, 2013 for best available fares.

Gateway to Alaska

Coastal Alaska

• 9 days cruising Alaska aboard Regatta

• 7 days cruising Alaska aboard Regatta

• S an Francisco to Vancouver

• Roundtrip Seattle

• May 9 – 18, 2013

• From $3,099 per person, Veranda Stateroom including FREE Airfare

• June 28 – July 5, 2013

•F rom $3,499 per person, Veranda Stateroom including FREE Airfare

• Web ID: EL2852

• Web ID: EL2851

Ride the iconic streetcars in San Francisco, and explore colorful Victorian homes in Astoria. Sample snow crab legs in Ketchikan, relax in Juneau’s historic Red Dog Saloon, discover Sitka’s Totem Park, enjoy the big-city attractions in Vancouver, and sail the scenic Outside Passage, Hubbard Glacier, and Inside Passage.

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Receive FREE airfare, 2-for-1 cruise fares, bonus savings of $1,500 per stateroom, 2-for-1 unlimited shore excursion package, and pre-paid gratuities. Book before April 1, 2013 for best available fares and shore excursion package.

Watch for wolves, bears, deer and harbor seals at Tracy Arm Fjord and Sawyer Glacier. Bald eagles soar over the Inside Passage, and the sea is swarming with salmon near Ketchikan. Get a glimpse into the wilderness around Wrangell and Prince Rupert, and spend some time in the hip city of Seattle.

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Receive FREE airfare, 2-for-1 cruise fares, bonus savings of $1,200 per stateroom, 2-for-1 unlimited shore excursion package, and pre-paid gratuities. Book before April 1, 2013 for best available fares and shore excursion package.

Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 75

T r av e l e r ’ s N o t e b o o k

Realm of the Romanovs

City of the Tsars

• 10 nights cruising Scandinavia & Russia aboard Seven Seas Voyager®

• 10 nights cruising Scandinavia & Russia aboard Seven Seas Voyager®

• Stockholm to Copenhagen

• Stockholm to Copenhagen

• July 18 - 28, 2013

• August 4 – 14, 2013

• From $9,249 per person, Deluxe Suite with Private Balcony including FREE roundtrip air*

• From $9,249 per person, Deluxe Suite with Private Balcony including FREE roundtrip air*

• Web ID: EL2853

• Web ID: EL2854

Explore the architectural delights of Stockholm and Helsinki; and the grand palaces in St. Petersburg (2-nights). The UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Tallinn and Riga; Gdansk, Ronne, Berlin and the world-famous Tivoli gardens in Copenhagen will keep you spellbound.

Seven Seas Voyager’s plentiful amenities include four main dining venues where you can dine wherever, whenever and with whomever you choose. Sail from Stockholm to Turku, Helsinki, St. Petersburg (2-nights), Tallinn, Klaipeda, Gdansk, Berlin and Copenhagen.

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Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience in St. Petersburg.

Receive 2-for-1 fares, $1,250 bonus savings per person, FREE unlimited shore excursions, FREE 1-night pre-cruise luxury hotel package, FREE pre-paid gratuities and FREE ground transfers. Book now.

Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience in St. Petersburg.

Receive 2-for-1 fares, $1,250 bonus savings per person, FREE unlimited shore excursions, FREE 1-night pre-cruise luxury hotel package, FREE pre-paid gratuities and FREE ground transfers. Book now.

Alaskan Explorer

Adriatic Escapade & Venetian Dreams

• 7 nights cruising Alaska aboard Seven Seas Navigator®

• 10 nights cruising the Mediterranean aboard Seven Seas Mariner®

• Anchorage to Vancouver

• Rome to Venice or Venice to Monte Carlo

• August 14 – 21, 2013

• August 29 & September 8, 2013

• From $5,299 per person, Oceanview Window Suite including FREE roundtrip air*

• From $8,249 per person, Deluxe Suite with Private Balcony including FREE roundtrip air*

• Web ID: EL2855 Ancient glaciers glint majestically as snow-mantled mountains soar into the cerulean sky on this cruise to Alaska’s southeastern seas; sailing from Anchorage to Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Vancouver, plus scenic cruising Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm, and the Inside Passage.

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Ensemble Hosted Cruise with Ensemble Experience in Juneau.

Receive 2-for-1 fares, $1,000 bonus savings per person, FREE unlimited shore excursions, FREE 1-night pre-cruise luxury hotel package, FREE pre-paid gratuities and FREE ground transfers. Book now. ®

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• Web ID: EL2856 Seven Seas Mariner’s staff-to-guest ratio ensures the absolutely highest level of personal service as you explore the Mediterranean. Ports of call include Rome, Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa, Sorrento/Capri, Taormina, Valletta, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Corfu, Portofino, and Venice.

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Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience in Kotor (8/29) or Taormina (9/8). Receive 2-for-1 fares, $1,250 bonus savings per person, FREE unlimited shore excursions, FREE 1-night pre-cruise luxury hotel package, FREE pre-paid gratuities and FREE ground transfers.

Book now.

* Please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant for Terms & Conditions.

76 Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013

For reservations, call us today.

Mediterranean Magic & Rome

Turkey & Greek Isles

• 10 days cruising the Mediterranean aboard Seabourn Quest • Barcelona to Athens

• 7 days cruising Turkey & the Greeks Isles aboard Seabourn Odyssey

• July 8 & August 7, 2013

• Istanbul to Athens

•F rom $4,499 per person, Oceanview Suite

• June 29 & August 3, 2013 • From $2,999 per person, Oceanview Suite

• Web ID: EL2857

• Web ID: EL2858 Sail to the heart of romantic cities, picturesque harbors and noble monuments of antiquity on this Mediterranean journey from Barcelona to Palamos, St. Tropez, Ajaccio, Golfo Aranci, Rome, Sorrento, Messina, Mykonos, and Athens – and enjoy award-winning dining aboard Seabourn Quest along the way.

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Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience shore event in Sorrento. Book now.

Sail from exotic Istanbul to the volcanic island of Limnos, then continue your odyssey in Aegean Izmir; Cesme and its medieval castle; the tiny island of Patmos; the black sand beaches and sheer limestone cliffs of Thira; Naousa; and conclude with Athen’s treasure trove of antiquities.

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Ensemble Hosted Cruise with Ensemble Experience shore event in Patmos. Book now. ®

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Mediterranean Gems

Baltic Gems & the Low Countries

• 10 days cruising the Mediterranean aboard Seabourn Legend • Rome to Monte Carlo

• 11 days cruising the Baltic & North Seas aboard Seabourn Sojourn

• August 6 & 26, 2013

• Copenhagen to London

•F rom $4,199 per person, Oceanview Suite

• August 13 – 24, 2013

• Web ID: EL2859

• From $4,999 per person, Oceanview Suite

The intimate Seabourn Legend is like a private club, featuring intuitive, gracious service and luxurious amenities, so you can truly relax as you journey from Rome to Portofino, Cannes, Ile De Porquerolles, Roses, Barcelona, Mahon, scenic cruising the Calanques, Saint-Florent, and Monte Carlo.

In summer, Northern Europe takes on a festive air as its people celebrate the return of long, warm days and lingering daylight. Sail from Copenhagen to Tallinn, St. Petersburg (overnight), Bornholm, transit the Kiel Canal, scenic cruising the North Sea Canal, Amsterdam (overnight), Bruges, and London.

• Web ID: EL2860

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Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience shore event in Barcelona. Book now.

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Ensemble Hosted Cruise with Ensemble Experience shore event in St. Petersburg. Book now. ®

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Ensemble Lifestyles Spring/Summer 2013 77

T r av e l e r ’ s N o t e b o o k

Greece & Turkey

Alaska

• 7 days cruising Greece & Turkey aboard Silver Spirit

•1 0 days cruising Alaska aboard Silver Shadow

• Istanbul to Athens

• J uly 22 – August 1, 2013

• May 18 – 25, 2013

• From $5,150 per person, Vista Suite

• Roundtrip Vancouver

• From $3,550 per person, Vista Suite

•W eb ID: EL2862

• Web ID: EL2861

Marvel at the stained glass windows and 20,000 shimmering bluegreen tiles in the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, then take in the impressive cliffs, ancient ruins, sandy beaches, and whitewashed towns of Kusadasi, Patmos, Marmaris, Santorini, Mykonos, and Athens.

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Ensemble Hosted Cruise with Ensemble Experience shore event in Marmaris. Book now. ®

Diamond-blue icebergs, rushing mountain streams, flowers of every color, and more than half of the world’s entire population of humpback whales await you in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Prince Rupert and Victoria, plus scenic cruising the Inside Passage and Tracy Arm / Sawyer Glacier.

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Ensemble Hosted Cruise with Ensemble Experience shore event in Skagway. Book now. ®

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Western Europe

Caribbean Sea Adventure

• 12 days cruising France, Spain & Portugal aboard Silver Cloud

•9 days cruising the Caribbean Sea aboard Silver Explorer

• Southampton to Monte Carlo

•O ctober 9 – 18, 2013

• Bridgetown to Colon

• August 14 – 26, 2013

• From $4,550 per person, Vista Suite

• From $6,050 per person, Vista Suite

•W eb ID: EL2864

• Web ID: EL2863

Silver Cloud epitomizes everything that is Silversea; providing the most intimate of sailing experiences with the luxury of space and the ability to slip into ports off the beaten path. This cruise visits Saint-Malo, Bordeaux (overnight), Bilbao, Lisbon, Portimao, Malaga, Cartagena, and Monte Carlo.

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Ensemble Hosted Cruise with Ensemble Experience shore event in Portimao. Book now. ®

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Explore the Buccoo Reef by glass bottom boat, relax on powdery white beaches, meet the indigenous Kogi people, and walk through virgin rainforest on this Silversea Expedition from Bridgetown to Scarborough, Port of Spain, Los Roques, Santa Marta, Cartagena, San Blas Island, and Colon.

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Receive $200 per person shipboard credit. Book now.

For reservations, call us today.

Venice & The Po River

Grand Danube & Prague

• 8 days cruising Italy aboard River Countess

•1 7 days cruising Central Europe aboard River Ambassador

• Roundtrip Venice

• Prague to Belgrade

• September 22 – 29, 2013

• August 30 – September 15, 2013

• From $3,799 per person, Riverview Stateroom

•F rom $6,398 per person, Riverview Stateroom

• Web ID: EL2865

• Web ID: EL2866

Gondoliers pole past, singing, in Venice. Ravenna hosts ravishing Byzantine mosaics. Bologna, Verona, and Padua, bequeathed beautiful historic city centers by centuries of trade, are still dynamic places to visit. Unpack, pour a glass of prosecco, and explore Northern Italy from the comfort of a luxurious ship.

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Let the Danube show you the history of Europe, from the Middle Ages to the vibrant present, as you travel through six nations.

Begin with a 2-night stay in beautifully preserved Prague, then sail from Nuremberg to Regensburg, Deggendorf, Passau, Melk, Vienna (3-nights), Budapest, Vukovar, and Belgrade.

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Ensemble Hosted Cruise with Ensemble Experience shore event in Venice, plus save $100 per person off the price shown and receive a $50 per person shipboard credit. Book now.

Ensemble Hosted Cruise with Ensemble Experience shore event in Vienna, plus save $200 per person off the price shown and receive a $50 per person shipboard credit. Book now.

Burgundy & Provence

Portugal, Spain & the Duoro River Valley

• 8 days cruising France aboard River Royale

•1 1 days cruising Portugal & Spain aboard Queen Isabel

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• Lyon to Arles

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• November 3 – 10, 2013

• Lisbon to Porto

• From $2,749 per person, Riverview Stateroom

•O ctober 10 – 20, 2013

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• From $3,699 per person, Riverview Stateroom

• Web ID: EL2867

•W eb ID: EL2868

Sail past quaint hilltop cities and lively towns, as well as lush vineyards, fields of flowers, and sun-drenched vistas made famous by great painters such as Van Gogh and Cézanne. Discover fine wine, legendary history, and joie de vivre in Lyon, Chalon-sur-Saone, Tournon, Viviers, Avignon, and Arles.

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Ensemble Hosted Cruise with Ensemble Experience shore event in Arles, plus save $100 per person off the price shown and receive a $50 per person shipboard credit. Book now. ®

Discover a hidden gem in the unspoiled Douro River Valley, and revel in the intriguing cities and beautiful architecture of the Iberian Peninsula. Spend 3-nights exploring Lisbon, then sail through the dramatic Duoro Valley: Porto, Bitetos, Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Tarron, and Barca d’Alva.

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Ensemble Hosted Cruise with Ensemble Experience shore event in Lisbon, plus save $100 per person off the price shown and receive a $50 per person shipboard credit. Book now. ®

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T r av e l e r ’ s N o t e b o o k

Rhine Getaway

Romantic Danube

• 8 days cruising Western Europe aboard the New Viking Longships

•8 days cruising the Danube River aboard the New Viking Longships

• Amsterdam to Basel

• Budapest to Nuremberg

• Departures throughout 2014

• Departures throughout 2014

• From $1,656 per person, Riverview Stateroom

•F rom $1,656 per person, Riverview Stateroom

• Web ID: EL2869

• Web ID: EL2870 In Germany, see the many charming castles commanding the riverbanks as you sail by. Admire Cologne and experience the lush landscape of the Black Forest region. Explore Holland’s famous windmills, encounter multicultural Strasbourg in France, and take part in the inviting nightlife in Rüdesheim’s Drosselgasse.

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Encounter the grand cities and quaint villages along the celebrated Danube River. Explore both sides of Hungary’s capital (traditional “Buda” and more cosmopolitan “Pest”) before sailing on to the “City of Waltzes,” Vienna, and Melk, Passau, Regensburg, and through the Main-Danube Canal to Nuremberg.

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Receive $50 shipboard credit per stateroom. Book now.

Receive $50 shipboard credit per stateroom. Book now.

Waterways of the Czars

Imperial Jewels of China

• 13 days cruising Russia aboard Viking Rurik

•1 3 days cruising China aboard Viking Emerald

• Moscow to St. Petersburg

• Beijing to Shanghai •D epartures throughout 2014

• Departures throughout 2014

• From $2,692 per person, Riverview Stateroom

• From $5,046 per person, Riverview Stateroom

•W eb ID: EL2872

• Web ID: EL2871

On this river cruise, spend several days touring Russia’s important landmarks – Moscow’s Kremlin and Red Square, and St. Petersburg’s Catherine’s Palace, Peter & Paul Fortress and the Hermitage – and also discover the history and culture of Russia’s heartland in quaint towns like Yaroslavl and Uglich.

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Receive $50 shipboard credit per stateroom. Book now.

Explore cosmopolitan Shanghai, and in Beijing, imperial treasures like the Great Wall and Forbidden City. Cruise the wildly beautiful Three Gorges region of the legendary Yangtze, and admire the engineering marvel of the Three Gorges Dam. You also visit Xian, home of the famous Terra Cotta Army.

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Receive $50 shipboard credit per stateroom. Book now.

FOR ALL ENSEMBLE LifestylesTM OFFERINGS: Prices are per person, double occupancy unless otherwise stated. Prices and terms are displayed throughout this catalog as received from individual suppliers. Certain offers carry restrictions and penalties to be advised at time of booking. Validity differs with each offer. Offers are subject to change without notice, subject to availability, and may be withdrawn at any time. Offers apply to new bookings only.

Some blackout dates apply. Ensemble Travel® Group does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy of prices and terms. Ensemble Travel Group and its sub-agents act solely as agents for the companies providing services and facilities to travelers and have no responsibility or liability for loss of or damage to property, injury, or death due to errors, omissions, or intentional acts of the companies providing services.

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Travel with confidence: We are among the distinguished travel specialists of Ensemble Travel® Group – an international network of creative, inspiring individuals who excel at designing superb vacations for a discerning clientele.

Our membership means that you will always find complimentary Ensemble® Exclusives on thousands of exciting vacations from our valued partners – the world’s best cruise lines, most distinguished tour companies, and finest hotel and resort properties.

For you our preferred client, let us open the door to a world of exclusive

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Experience the warmth and sophistication of an Ensemble Hosted Cruise.

Meet your Ensemble Host at a private cocktail party, then enjoy a complimentary ® Ensemble Experience shore event. Whether you favor glittering yachts or ocean liners, there’s an Ensemble Hosted Cruise that is right for you!

Travel as it should be, enhances your life. Let us help you write the next exciting chapter of yours with customized journeys or vacation enhancements we create for you in concert with our destination experts across the globe. Why settle for anything less than extraordinary!

You are always a VIP at the hundreds of handpicked properties in our ® Ensemble Hotel & Resort Collection. Be first on the list for complimentary upgrades, early check-in and late check-out. Added perks such as daily breakfasts and soothing spa treatments further enhance your stay.

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