Four Seasons Buenos Aires

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Welcome to the Four Seasons Buenos Aires

The final stay of ourwhirlwind trip to South America was at the Four Seasons Buenos Aires. Wearrived late after a long day of travel and had very little time to freshen upfor dinner at 10pm.  We went to our Junior Suitesto discover a delicious chocolate welcome amenity, which was a neededpick-me-up.

Sadly, there were no coffee makers in the room and I didn’t havetime for room service.  It was a largeroom (646 square feet) with the bedroom separated from the living area by alarge TV armoire thing. The room décor was attractive in a subdued hotel way,but there were evocative tango paintings on the walls. The furniture wascomfortable and looked expensive. Thoughtful touches, like the electricconverter in the desk drawer, were appreciated. The walk-in closet was very well designed.
After I surveyed the room andtook some photos, I needed to quickly get ready. At that point of our journey,the dark circles under my eyes had become like ancient leather valises and Idespaired my repair efforts would be in vain. Then I heard my name being calledsoftly. I looked around the spacious bathroom to observe the huge Jacuzzi tubbeckoning me, scented bath salts at the ready. If only I had more than fifteen minutes to spare, I knew thehydro-massage would restore me. It wasn’t easy to resist, but our hosts werewaiting.

Tempting Jacuzzi tub

Executive Chef Juan Gaffuricreated a special Tasting Menu for our private dinner, and it was anexceptional meal. After dinner, we went to amilonga for an authentic Tango experience. It was fun to watch the localstango and give it a try.
I returned to the hotel at2am and finally discovered how amazing a Four Seasons bed can feel.  Intellectually, I knew their beds were thebest in the industry; but sleeping is believing. Perfection! Only apoet could describe how sublime the linens were. But at 6am, I awoke to hear myname again.  As if the Jacuzzi knew my7am wake-up call would only permit a quick shower, it tried to entice me once more. The bed would not release me: who knows when I’ll have anotheropportunity to experience the fabulous Four Seasons bed? It was a pleasantstruggle but the bed won the hour. If only all life dilemmas were as wonderful…

It just looks like an ordinary bed

After a quick bite and cafe con leche from the buffet breakfast at Le Mistral, and our private walkingtour of the city guided by Abercrombie & Kent, we returned for a tour ofthe hotel. We inspected a Deluxe room (definitely upgrade to the Junior Suitefor the extra space, double vanity and Jacuzzi tub).  We explored the Preferred Lounge called TheLibrary, the full-service Spa and Fitness center and the Presidential Suite in LaMansion, where Madonna stayed while filming Evita. There they arranged a private tangoperformance and served champagne- amazing!  From there, we went to Sunday Brunch foranother superb meal created by JuanGaffuri. The musicians played a Tango version of “Autumn Leaves” as I wandered through the garden admiring the heated outdoor pool. 

As a Preferred Partner of the Four Seasons Buenos Aires, FROSCH clients will receive these exclusive amenities:

• Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
• Lunch for two once during stay (up to USD85, excluding gratuity and alcohol)
• Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas)
• Welcome note at check-in acknowledging you and your travel agency and the amenities that are being extended
• Complimentary high-speed Internet access for all suite bookings
• Early check in subject to availability at time of arrival

Click here to see my Slideshow.

Hotel das Cataratas, Iguaçu National Park, Brazil

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Hotel das Cataratas, Iguaçu Falls, Brazil

The penultimate stay on our whirlwind tour of South Americawas at Hotel das Cataratas, an Orient Express hotel within Iguaçu National Park on the Brazilian side of Iguaçu Falls.Once again, we arrived late after a really long day of travel. It was too darkto see the falls upon arrival, but the elegant lobby and comfy leather sofaswere immediately calming. Click here for my photos.


Our Deluxe rooms were special. The décor was warm and brightwith dark woods and tropical accents.  Iespecially admired the exquisite Orient Express closet. The bathroom featured traditionalAzulejos painted tiles that were ever so pretty. After a quick change, we met our hosts on the veranda forCaipirinhas. (pronounced 'KIE-PUR-REEN-YAH'). These Brazilian cocktails are made withCachaca (sugar-cane rum), limes and sugar and taste refreshingly delicious. Clickhere for the recipe (but beware of thesecond caipirinha).

Feeling much better after a couple drinks, we headed into dinner at the Ipe grill for a "gaucho-style barbecue" buffet. An epic variety of meats and sausages were slowly grilled on a spit, a real carnivores delight. The smells were so enticing that I had to discard my vegetarian tendencies and eat like a local, but there were lots of fish and salads for my less flexible companions. 

This restaurant was near the pool, and each trip back to thebuffet revealed an incredible night sky floating above a gorgeous pool. Asstuffed as we were (and as tired), we couldn’t resist a swim. The Hotel dasCataratas is surrounded by forest and the river, and our stay coincided with aNew Moon, so the sky was pitch black with more constellations gleaming than I’veever seen before.  Floating in the tranquilwater while gazing at all those stars was a magical experience.  They say it’s just as wonderful during a FullMoon when the hotel offers guided walking tours to the falls where you can seea Lunar Rainbow!

The next morning, we hit the trails at 8am and had theglorious falls all to ourselves. The trails were empty except for otherprivileged guests of the hotel enjoying exclusive access to the park before itofficially opens. Iguaçu National Park opens dailyat 9:00 am, and it takes the first bus twenty minutes to arrive from theVisitor’s Center to our hotel where it drops visitors off at the trail’s head.
Here’s how UNESCO describes this WorldHeritage site:“The Iguaçu Falls span the borderbetween Argentina and Brazil. Some 80 m high and 3 km wide, the fallsare made up of many cascades and rapids that generate vast sprays of water andproduce one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world.”

The trails through lush foliage are very smooth with frequentviewing platforms. Each view is more amazing than the last and there arerainbows in almost every photo.  As youget closer to the waters edge, the trail becomes an elevated walkway extendedover the river between two levels of cascading falls. Feel the spray againstyour face, hear the roar of water gushing over the cataract and breathe inthose negative ions (some say they’re the reason we love waterfalls). 

After breakfast (buffet breakfast is complimentary), weheaded further into the park for our private Macuco Safari experience.  They bill this as a three-part adventure (trolley,hike and boat) and the rainforest is nice (we saw lots of monkeys) but the boatto the falls was the MOST FUN EVER and not to be missed. I confess, I’veexperienced the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls at least a dozen times, butthis was so much more exhilarating because the boat actually goes under the Falls.  Here is abefore photo from our zodiac (I’m afraid the after photo is not for publicviewing but take my professional advice and wearwaterproof mascara, and don’t bother with the rain gear because you’ll getsoaked anyway).

Back to the hotel for a traditional Brazilian lunch offeijoada, a stew of beans, rice and pork parts and garnished with farofa-delicious. We had a little time to digest in loungers by the pool and take afew final photos to help remember our wonderful stay before we headed to theairport. Unfortunately, there was no time to visit the Cataratas Spa or tenniscourts. I urge you to stay here three nights so you can also explore the Bird Parkand the Argentinian side of the Falls and still have some time to enjoy theresort. It’s a perfect combination with a city stay in Rio or Buenos Aires.
FROSCH clients willreceive these exclusive Amenities:

• One Way Private Sedan Transfer for up to two Guests, from Hotel to Airport (Brazilian side)
• Complimentary welcome amenity
• Upgrade based on availability at check-in

St. Petersburg, here I come!

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My Baltic Cruisedeparture date finally approaches and I wanted you to know my schedule. My lastday at work will be Thursday July 19, and I won't be back at my desk untilMonday August 6. If you anticipate any travel needs, please get in touch assoon as possible so I can help you before I go.

Don't worry: I'll havemy laptop with me so I can access reservations and answer questions (althoughthe time difference and busy itinerary may make it difficult), I will have acolleague available to assist you while I'm away and the 24-hour hotline isalways available if you have a travel emergency.


This trip will beamazing! I'm escorting a group of 85 guests sailing on the Crystal Symphony's "Journey of the Czars" from Stockholm to Copenhagen with three full days in St. Petersburg. It's myfirst time cruising with Crystal Cruises, which has been voted the World's Best Large-ship Cruise Line 17 years in a row by Travel & Leisurereaders. I'll be posting photos on Facebook and sharing trip details on my blogso please connect with me online.  

Baltic Cruise 2012

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St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia

Cruising the Baltic Sea was as wonderful as I expected.  Every destination was special, but by visitingso many in one trip I really experienced the region and learned about theirrelationships with each other and the sea. Here’s a quick summary of my trip:

• 3 days in Stockholm at the Scandic Grand Central
• 11-night cruise on the Crystal Symphony
• 3 days in Copenhagen at the Scandic Copenhagen

Crystal Cruises' "Journey of the Czars" itinerary included theseports of call:

• Tallinn, Estonia
• 3 full days in St. Petersburg, Russia!
• Helsinki, Finland
• Warnemünde, Germany

St. Petersburg was as amazing as I expected, but the Amber Room at Catherine's Palace was mind blowing. I knew I'd love Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen and wandering the Old Town of Tallinn, but was surprised how much I liked the canals of Stockholm and the architecture of Helsinki. All the Scandinavian ports were clean and charming (most of themclaiming to be The Venice-of-the-North).  The people spoke English, were friendly and extremely blond.  The politeness extended to pedestrianetiquette too — folks would stand at a red light with no cars coming from anydirection and still not cross until the light changed to green.  It’s really hard to do (tick, t-i-c-k,t…i…c…k), but I got better at it as the trip progressed.

A magical evening at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark

The weather was bizarrely excellent — 60-75 degrees andmostly sunny every day. All the guides swore it was cold and raining all summeruntil I arrived. The trip definitely challenged my linguistic skills, which arenotoriously terrible even in the few languages I studied in school. By theend, I was the Great Pronouncer — confidently reading street signs withphonetic American-English, give or take afew letters. Or syllables. 
FYI: I won the flights on SAS Airlines and the Scandic Hotel stays from Cruise Baltic while attending a CLIA cruise conference in April 2011. I took several of the Cruise Baltic educational seminars at the conference, but this trip taught me so much more about this beautiful and fascinating region. And I was hosting a Signature Travel Network group of 83 guests on the Crystal Symphony. Don't I have the best job?!

Stockholm

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Stockholm's charming harbor

Departed from Newark on SAS’ non-stop flight to Stockholm. Thetrans-Atlantic flight leaves early (around 5pm) and arrives early the nextmorning. Plane was reasonably comfortable (2-4-2 configuration) and there was a personal entertainment system for each seat in all classes (but no plugs orinternet access). The meal was OK (chicken in red wine sauce both coming andgoing) served with complimentary wine. It was an 8-hour flight made painless bytaking a 4-hour Ambien immediately upon being seated, so I slept most of the waythere and arrived feeling halfway decent.
While the Arlanda Express is an easy way to get into theheart of the city (and there are even less-expensive buses available), I doprefer to arrive as effortlessly as possible, so I took a taxi ($60, 30-minuteride). Happily, the Scandic Grand Central had the room ready so I couldsettle in and jump into the shower immediately. I liked the room’s modern vibe and eco-features (finally — recycle binsin a hotel room!). Wandered out into the city center on a self-guided walkingtour and visited Strindberg’s apartment. Had dinner at Den Glydene Freden in Gamla Stan (the restaurant was established in 1722, and their herring was amazing).

Gamla Stan, Stockholm's medieval center

Traveled by tram to the island park called Djurgärden. It’smost famous attraction is the Vasa Museum, which has a 17^th-centurysailing galleon with fascinating exhibits. They said “Stench, Disease and Tedium” summed up life at sea in thosedays. Good for me that life at sea has greatly improved, especially on Crystal Cruises! Couldn’t resist stopping in to the Spirit Museum to see their Absolut Art Collection (Warhol, Keith Haring, etc), since I had a Stockholm Cardgranting me free entry to all museums, public transportation and more.  The obligatory canal cruise was a very pleasantway to experience the archipelago (Royal Canal Tour is free with StockholmCard). The Nobel Museum was a yawn. Enjoyed a traditional smörgÃ¥sbord dinner at the Grand Hotel's Veranda Restaurant, especially the cured cod. 

Grand Hotel Stockholm

I was charmed by Stockholm. The ubiquitous lion statues evoked Venice more than their canals and bridges; but all the boats were beautiful, moored on every shore. Wandering around Gamla Stan (which was mobbed with tourists) and the city center (which was crowded with shopping Swedes) was a pleasure.  I was also surprised by the Swedish sense  of humor (restaurants called Eastanbul, Primo Ciao Ciao, and a Scottish restaurant on the harbor called Loch & Quay) Last stop was for coffee and cake in the courtyard of Vete-Katten (the name of the pastry was MjölnargÃ¥rdsbulle, — see, I’m not making it up) before setting sail on the Crystal Symphony. 

How would you pronounce it?