Virtuoso Travel Week 2016

What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas! We are just back from Virtuoso Global Travel Week and can’t wait to share everything we learned with you! Each August, the Virtuoso luxury consortium hosts a week-long event to connect us to our preferred suppliers so that we may better serve our clients. This year more than 5,000 attendees took over Las Vegas' Bellagio, Aria and Vdara resorts for seven days of networking. Sanders was fortunate enough to send 14 of our advisors this year. Throughout the week, we met with hundreds of vendors from around the world to become more knowledgeable about their products and to build relationships that foster better travel experiences for you. We had such a successful week and are so excited to share all the new information we learned! Watch this space next week when we’ll share some of the most interesting new products and promotions we discovered.

Kristie aboard The Explorer

Glitz, glamour and unforgettable memories are only the beginning of the experiences on Regent Seven Seas Cruises. After 8 wonderful days aboard their newest ship, The Explorer, our travel advisor, Kristie Cummins, has a lot to boast about. Kristie was apart of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in which she attended the black tie christening ceremony with Godmother Princess Charlene. Here is her recount of her unforgettable trip!

The Explorer is said to be “the most luxurious ship ever built,” and after seeing it for myself, I know that to be true. The christening ceremony was incredibly memorable. The ceremony was filled with women clothed in beautiful dresses and men in their best suits. It featured Princess Charlene of Monaco and a live performance by Andrea Bocelli. Such a glamorous ceremony was only appropriate for the ship they were christening.

Words don’t seem to do The Explorer justice in describing just how beautiful it is. The exquisite blue and green colors seen throughout the ship create an elegant yet warm ambiance. While the ship was incredibly spacious, it only carries 750 passengers, which fostered an intimate atmosphere. The extra space allows for larger staterooms and balconies, which meant more personal space to sit back, relax, and take in the gorgeous views of the rich, blue waters and colorful horizons.

My time aboard felt like the perfect serene escape from other family-style cruises. Since Regent cruises are geared toward older couples, there were no distractions from relaxation. There were a variety of restaurants and lounges to hang out in, offering different styles of food, atmospheres and music. One of my favorite moments on-board was Chef Kelly’s cooking class in the culinary arts kitchen. It was such a fun experience - I highly recommend if you get to experience The Explorer for yourself. Not only did I get to learn to cook with an incredibly talented chef, but I got to enjoy a delicious meal too.

One of the best parts of traveling is trying new foods. The food on board was outstanding at all of the restaurants, but the specialty Asian restaurant, Pacific Rim, was my favorite. The rich flavors and unique pairings were unbeatable. If you’re looking to indulge in something for dessert, you must try the popcorn ice cream sundae at Prime 7. It’s the perfect balance between sweet and salty, and will leave your taste buds wanting more. Everything from the décor to the dessert was unforgettable.

If you’re looking to sail the world in high-class fashion, then you must experience one of the elegant Regent cruises. Call Kristie or your Sanders Travel advisor today to book your next Regent Seven Seas Cruise.

Diane at The Palms, Turks & Caicos

After spending a week amidst white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, Diane Parks can officially say she has experienced total relaxation. Last month owner Diane Parks took her family down to Turks & Caicos. Here is her recount of her fabulous trip! 

My time in Turks and Caicos was nothing short of memorable, both for me and my entire family. The beautiful weather, breathtaking views, and serene surroundings proved to be the perfect combination for us to unwind.

On the Resort
While in Turks and Caicos, we had the pleasure of staying at the incredible Palms Resort, located right in the middle of Grace Bay. One of the greatest perks of the resort was the availability of space on the beach. Not once did I have to fight for beach chairs, which was just another factor in the all-around relaxation we experienced. The beach is a 12-mile stretch shared with 80 other hotels. This served well on days we were feeling more adventurous and wanted to venture along the beach to another hotel restaurant. We learned very quickly how easy it is to wander farther than you realize since we were so busy admiring the clear waters and palm trees scattered all around us.

The two restaurants on the resort both served delicious food – there was no bad option on either of the menus. We started each day by enjoying a full buffet breakfast and omelet station in the beautiful garden. This is complimentary when booking through Sanders Travel Centre. Breakfast is served until the late morning/early afternoon which allowed us to enjoy a nice sleep-in when we wanted. For dinner, we ate at Parallel 23, a fine dining restaurant. The food was very tasty and was the perfect way to unwind after a day in the sun. Yet, it wasn’t just the food that made for such an enjoyable dining experience. The dining and hotel staff always welcomed us with warm smiles and were very accommodating to ensure that we were having a relaxing and memorable stay. The Palms offered superb service from the beginning to end of our stay.

The breakfast garden

The pools were undeniably one of the best parts of the resort. While we spent a majority of the time at the main pool, there were some adult-only quiet areas between the pool and the beach - a great spot especially for those traveling without kids. Even from the pool or Jacuzzi, you are only a few steps away from the beach and still have an incredible view of the ocean. If you’re looking for some traditional relaxation, the Palms also has a lovely, serene spa with a wide range of treatments. Try to reserve a massage with Earl, a top mentioned name.

The Palms pool

If you’re looking to do some shopping, the boutiques are a great option. Although the island may be more on the expensive side, you do not have anyone on the beach trying to sell you anything.

Off the Resort
For those who don’t know, Turks is the third largest barrier reef in the world, so snorkeling was a must for our vacation. For a minimal cost we booked a spectacular group snorkel/fishing cruise. The crew brought us to a beautiful private island as well as around the reef for some snorkeling and tubing. We had The Palms pack a catered lunch from the resort for us. While lunch is provided by the crew, I definitely recommend getting a packed lunch from the Palms as their food is absolutely delicious. Since Turks is also the bone fishing capital of the world, my boys were eager to take part and had a great time.

While we mainly stayed on the resort for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we did try a couple of restaurants off-property. If you choose to venture out, I would recommend Coco Bistro or Coyaba. Both can be reached by taxi and offer a delicious menu.

Coco Bistro

I really cannot stress the beauty seen throughout The Palms. The incredible Palms builder is also opening a new resort in November called The Shore Club on the other side of the island. For now, this is the only hotel opening on Long Bay. While it will be a smaller stretch of beach, it will be very similar to The Palms but will offer even more - 3 restaurants, 3 pools, a spa and a kids’ area. It seems to be a more family-friendly resort for those traveling with younger children.

Travel
For an even more enjoyable travel experience to-and-from The Palms, there is a VIP Flyers Club available at the airport. This can get you access to a private lounge and expedite your customs process. Be sure to book this with your travel advisor in advance. 


Ready to take your family to Turks & Caicos? Contact your Sanders Travel Advisor to get your 4th night free, breakfast daily, $100 resort credit and possible upgrade!