Ensemble Lifestyles - Winter 2016

Winter 2016

Lifestyles

TM

THE TREASURES OF

Southern India Irresistible

Wild & Rugged

Fire Rituals of

ANGUILLA

CHILE

JAPAN

You Could WIN a 3-Night Hotel Stay

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Smith, We are pleased to present Ensemble Lifestyles™, the magazine for inspired travelers and preferred clients like you. A new year brings new opportunities to explore the world and make your travel dreams a reality.

This issue is filled with fascinating stories from real travelers that are sure to spark your wanderlust.

Join Jill Mross on a mesmerizing journey through southern India, including a stop at a wedding with 6,000 guests! Tom Cuniff shares his love for Anguilla, the stunning island where he and his wife have vacationed every year for the past 25 years. Suzanne Morphet travels to Kyushu to experience a Japanese Buddhist fire ritual, and Nimish Doshi and Mario Stojanac explore Chile and its Carménère wines. Get an insider’s guide to Miami, and learn about the most luxurious way to travel: by private jet.

We hope these stories inspire you to think big. As your travel specialists, be assured that we are ready with the knowledge, insider connections, and exclusive offers to take your travel experience above and beyond your hopes and dreams.

Your Agency Name Here

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.

Lifestyles

ED ITOR’S L ET T ER

TM

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrowmindedness.”

E DI T O R I A L Editor In Chief Senior Editor Creative Director Art Director at Large Advertorial Coordinator Feature Art Director Senior Copy Editor Associate Editor Editorial Assistant Staff Writer

Georganne Shirk Alice Stroh Laura Torrisi

~ Mark Twain

Yin Wong Allyn Bacher

Alice Stroh Kimberly Buerkle Haley Tomsheck Daniel Stein

DE S IG N

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

TRAVEL: SPREAD PEACE AND DISPEL FEAR.

Ann Suh

Wendy Russo

An Ensemble Travel® Group Publication Ensemble® Lifestyles is a publication of Ensemble Travel® Group. © January 2016 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, 256 West 38th 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 and the floret design are registered and unregistered trademarks of Ensemble Travel, Inc.

Since our last issue, acts of terrorism have been more prominent in the Morocco headlines and fear of the unknown with travel has become a topic of discussion. Destinations which previously seemed safe raise questions. As a witness to the fall of the 9/11 towers, that fear is understandable. We feel vulnerable. But the best way to overcome fear is to face it head-on. And the best way to spread peace and understanding is to … travel. Why travel? Because as we travel, we are ambassadors of our culture and have the opportunity to promote cross-cultural understanding. As we explore, we meet new people and enjoy new experiences, finding common ground regardless of the locale. Experience, enjoy, and share. A gracious smile is not limited by language and opens doors better than a phrasebook or password.

Now, more than ever, it is important to keep moving forward and experience the world. We’ve learned fear can reach us anywhere. But as true explorers, we know that the world becomes smaller and more relatable the more we travel.

As you consider your next adventure, talk to your Ensemble-member travel agent and stay open to new destinations. Regions that may seem intimidating may be safe and offer a wealth of beauty and new experiences. Employ common sense, research your options, and follow local customs. But be wary of “guilt by association” as rarely a whole region or country should be categorized as off-limits.

Become an emissary of peace as you share your love of travel and bring your love of the destination and people home.

Wishing you all the joys of travel,

Georganne Shirk Editor In Chief Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2015 1

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 1

C ONT E N TS

Winter 2016

20

31

Features 12 Flying High

by SUZANNE GANNON

Discover the world by private jet.

D E ST I NAT I O N I N D E X

20 Irresistible Anguilla: A 25-year Love Story

Tom Cunniff shares why he and his wife return to this island paradise year after year.

31 Forever Curious in Southern India and Beyond

49

JILL MROSS takes a surprise-filled journey through Southern India.

36, 37

40 Experiencing a Buddhist Fire Ritual in Japan

SUZANNE MORPHET finds bliss during

a traditional Goma ritual.

49 Chillin’ in Chile

by MICHAEL SHAPIRO

Chile-insider Nimish Doshi shares his favorite places in Santiago and beyond.

54 Carménère: A Journey from Extinction to Distinction

MARIO STOJANAC explores Chilean wine.

58 Miami: A Tropical Metropolis

by PAUL RUBIO

The best things to see & do in Miami.

60 Creativity Peaks at Art Basel Miami

by NANCY HELLMRICH

An insider’s look at America’s premier art fair.

2 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

Anguilla 20 Baltics 25 Barbados 19 British Isles 25 Cambodia 38 Chile 49, 54 China 5, 38 Cuba 10, 11, 16 Easter Island 11 French Polynesia

Departments 1

Letter from the Editor

4

Contributors

Hawaii 13 Japan 38, 40 Malaysia 38 Miami 58 Morocco 25

Myanmar 38 Norway 25 Patagonia 11 Rio de Janeiro 11 Scotland 28 Singapore 38 Southern India 31 Spain 25 Sweden 13 Thailand 38 The Pantanal 11 Tibet 5 Turks & Caicos 19 Vietnam 38 Zimbabwe 5

13 RSVP

Readers share their travel stories.

29 Literary Escapes

Recommended reading for your travels.

65 Traveler’s Notebook

Ensemble® Exclusive deals & offers.

See page 6 for a chance to win a 3-night hotel stay!

60

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The spa suites, our most sought after rooms, offer lush new décor, modern lighting, and a spacious veranda with your own private soaking tub overlooking the ocean. You’ll never want to leave your room.

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Please see page 70 for special offers from Azamara Club Cruises. For more information please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 3

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

ENSEMBLE HOSTED CRUISE ®

that’s perfect for you!

CO NT RIB UTORS Based in New York, award-winning journalist 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” and published In the Garden with photographer Stacy Bass. Flying High, page 12.

Writer NANCY HELLMRICH splits her time between Colorado, Florida, and travel adventures. A former advertising creative director and current owner of Awfully Nice Copy, she has studied in Europe, camped in the Sahara, sailed the Mediterranean, spa’d in the Caribbean, wintered in Scandinavia, hiked New Zealand, and wandered the vineyards of Australia. Creativity Peaks at Art Basel Miami, page 60.

“It was fascinating to see how casually the monks and abbot at Monjusen-ji approached their work, without the pomp and formality we in North America sometimes associate with religion.” SUZANNE MORPHET is a former radio reporter with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation who now focuses on travel writing and photography.

Experiencing a Buddhist Fire Ritual in Japan, page 40.

JILL MROSS is a Florida-based freelance writer and public relations executive specializing in travel and culinary communications. She is in constant search of the next great escape from the ordinary. Forever Curious in Southern India and Beyond, page 31.

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

Travel journalist PAUL RUBIO is a Miami native, who has lived in nine countries and traveled to 110 (and counting). His writing appears in Condé Nast Traveler, LUXURY, Robb Report, Private Clubs, Departures, and Ultratravel. Paul also pens the Miami and Fort Lauderdale chapters of Fodor’s Florida and Fodor’s South Florida. Miami: A Tropical Metropolis, page 58.

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.

4 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

MICHAEL SHAPIRO is author of A Sense of Place: Great Travel

Writers Talk About Their Craft, Lives, and Inspiration. His article on Jan Morris’s Wales was a cover story for National Geographic Traveler and won the prestigious Bedford Pace Award. Shapiro also writes about travel for Islands magazine and the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle. Visit: www.michaelshapiro.net Chillin’ in Chile, page 49.

MARIO STOJANAC is a trained lawyer and multi-linguist (four and counting), an avid oenophile and lover of exotic brandies. Bitten by the travel bug at the tender age of seven, Mario has been fortunate enough to visit four continents in his insatiable curiosity to explore the globe.

Carménère – A Journey from Extinction to Distinction, page 54.

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EXPERIENCING

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Checking a destination off one’s list of travel dreams is undeniably rewarding. Those who embark on journeys with ALEXANDER + ROBERTS enjoy the added bonus of deeper connections with the people and places they visit. Moving about in small or private groups, these travelers are able to stay in more intimate hotels, enjoy unscripted discoveries, and diverge from the schedule for spontaneous fun. Along the way, extraordinary native guides share keen cultural insights and arrange meaningful interactions with local residents.

WILD + WONDERFUL SOUTHERN AFRICA

HISTORICAL CHINA, TIBET & THE YANGTZE

On this 9-day journey, travelers connect with nature through heart-pounding wildlife encounters in two of Africa’s most gamerich regions. Every possible type of safari is included, from game drives in open 4x4 vehicles and mokoro canoe rides to bush walks and thrilling night drives. Sundowner cocktails, an elegant dinner, and river wildlife are the highlights of a dramatic Zambezi River cruise. The grand finale is three nights in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, home to one of the densest concentrations of wildlife on the African continent.

Unforgettable cultural connections are forged on this dramatic journey through China & Tibet, featuring 11 nights in deluxe and luxury hotels, plus 4 nights aboard an elegant Yangtze River cruise.

In Tibet, guests enjoy private time with a local family, meet with a Tibetan doctor, visit a Buddhist nunnery, and share in an ancient rite. In China, they go behind the scenes at the Chengdu Panda Research Station, talk with actors backstage at the Sichuan Opera, walk atop the Great Wall at Juyong Pass, and stand in awe before the terra cotta warriors who guard the first emperor’s tomb.

Please see page 65 for special offers from Alexander + Roberts. For more information, please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 5

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FOR THE PAST 25 YEARS, Crystal Cruises has redefined luxury ocean travel, providing the finest travel experience — not just in cruising, but in all luxury vacations. Today, The World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line™ is charting a new, much vaster route. Over the next three years, Crystal® will introduce new ships — effectively establishing three brand-new classes of cruising — as well as its own luxury aircraft.

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Please see page 72 for special offers from Crystal Cruises. For more information please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 7

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TRAVE L PU RPOSE WITH

Fathom™ is a new kind of cruise that combines your love of travel with your desire to make a difference.

It’s a whole different kind of travel experience that can make an impact not only in your life, but also in the

The adventure begins in Spring 2016 with round-trip voyages from Miami to one of the Caribbean’s most desired destinations: Cuba. You will feel the excitement in the air from the moment you step on board your ship. Cuban movies, Cuban music, Cuban cuisine – they’ll all be part of your time at sea, as you learn more about the remarkable people you’re about to meet. Your time on the island is intended to be a true cultural immersion experience – part learning, part sharing, and lots of pure enjoyment – as you get to know the Cuban people face-to-face.

lives of the people you meet along the way.

Your one-week journey as a Fathom traveler will be part of an ongoing initiative that will bring hundreds of travelers week after week to the same communities. You’ll build on the contributions of the travelers who came before you. You’ll help prepare the way for the travelers who come after you. And you’ll realize that, yes, even a week out of your busy life really can have a cumulative impact on the wider world around you.

We believe making a dent in the universe should be the most fun you’ll ever have. Join us on one of our Ensemble® Hosted Cruise departures to Cuba on May 29th, July 24th or September 18th, 2016.

See page 67 for special offers from Fathom. For more information please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

10 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

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PATAGONIA

“Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia is another one of the most remote places on earth,” says Geoffrey. “You will be stunned by its incredible mountains, beautiful lakes, lush forests and pristine glaciers.”

CUBA

“For years, I had dreamed of combining the greatest destinations in South America into a single, comprehensive itinerary,” says Geoffrey. “I personally designed this journey to fulfill that dream.” In Cuba, Geoffrey joins guests on a people-to-people exchange that features opportunities to speak with a Cuban artist or perhaps even play baseball with the locals.”

Cuba & South America

by Private Jet

The Ultimate Insider’s Viewpoint

by GEOFFREY KENT A&K’s new luxury Private Jet Journey for 2016, Cuba & South America by Private Jet (23 days, $99,500 per person), was personally planned by A&K founder Geoffrey Kent, who selected only his favorite destinations for inclusion on this extraordinary itinerary. In a closer look at five key stops, Geoffrey reveals his reasons for choosing them.

EASTER ISLAND THE PANTANAL

One of the largest and healthiest populations of jaguars lives in the Pantanal. “I had the good luck to spot seven jaguars in two days on my last safari to the Pantanal,” says Geoffrey. “It is a destination that never disappoints.”

RIO DE JANEIRO

“Rio de Janeiro is one of my favorite cities in the world,” says Geoffrey. “I know the marvelous tastes, sights and sounds of Rio will provide a fitting finale to your unforgettable South American adventure.”

There are more than 600 moai, the human-like stone effigies found all over Easter Island. Their purpose remains a mystery. “Hike along the way of the moai, the trail once used to transport the statues,” recommends Geoffrey, “where you find moai in various stages of completion, displaying highly advanced carving techniques despite the rudimentary tools available at the time.”

To book your journey, contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant. For special offers from Abercrombie & Kent, please see page 65.

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 11

HIGH FLYING

by SUZANNE GANNON

Sarasota, Florida, this high-flying mode of travel allays all concerns. The evidence?

The behavior of her five-year-old son.

“What can I get you to drink today?” says an affable man wearing a slim black tie and aviator epaulets.

A few moments from now he will escort his guest from this cushy lounge, removed from the chaos of the main airport terminal, directly onto a slim white jet purring on the tarmac. No full-body scans or awkward pat-downs.

From the ski-bunny junket from Los Angeles to Aspen on a Learjet 60XR to the 20-person rock and roll party-in-the-sky from Miami to Addis Ababa aboard a Boeing 747 outfitted with 1,000-thread-count linens, plasmascreen TVs in each of four bedrooms, and $200,000 worth of champagne and sushi, private air travel remains aloft even if it has not returned to its peak of 2007. (Leisure flights like those described above fall into a category known as business jet travel, which accounts for four million flights annually in the United States.)

Fueled by bulging wallets, and a universal desire for more security, convenience, and efficiency, the popularity of private jet travel has spelled ubiquity and access that appeals to many who don’t necessarily work on Wall Street or in Hollywood.

For one Midwestern mom, who accompanied her friends on a recent flight from Chicago to 12 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

“He didn’t even pick up an iPad. He was so enamored by the plane, he spent the whole flight just looking around.”

Among the standard features that likely caught the tyke’s attention were the aircraft’s luxurious interiors, including leather seats, burled wood panels, a bar clad in wood, and fancy tray tables. The attentive pilot may have helped.

But the best part of the trip by far, says his mother, was the absence of stress.

“Airports cause lots of anxiety and airport security can be such an ordeal with children,” she says. “But when you fly private, you walk right up to the plane and leave whenever you want to leave. There’s no rushing to the airport.”

Featuring aircraft as light and petite as the Citation Mustang M2 as well as maxis like the sleek but powerful Gulfstream G450, the sector’s traffic is split among several business models, including charter (the passenger effectively rents a particular aircraft); fractional ownership (the flyer buys shares that entitle him/her to a fixed number of flights/flight hours); and independent ownership in which a passenger purchases his or her own airplane.

One provider has booked $1 billion in sales since it opened its cabin door to passengers in 2001 after the founder noticed that the employees of his New York City stock

brokerage were consistently failing to show up at work on summer Fridays because they were preoccupied with the four-hour drive to the Hamptons that awaited them at the end of the day. As an incentive, he hired 10 helicopters to ferry the brokers back and forth to the beach every Friday afternoon at four. Today his company has at its disposal as many as 15,000 jets idling at private airstrips all over the world at any one time.

“The price for private can be only a little bit more than first class,” says the Chicago mother who shares this entrepreneur’s enthusiasm. She adds that the air-time on her Sarasota flight was cut from two hours and 20 minutes to an hour and 45. “If you can afford it, it’s the only way to go. It beats commercial 10 out of 10.”

It seems we’ve reached cruising altitude, folks.

Time to freshen that drink. b

RSVP

Europe & Hawaii

while in Scandinavia...

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

Dear Editor, My fiancé and I waited a long time before we got married. It was a second marriage for both of us – and we wanted to be absolutely sure. One night, over dinner, we finally decided to set a date. We agreed that my sisters and I would plan the wedding and my fiancé would do the due diligence on the honeymoon. The next morning he walks into work, picks up his phone, and books a three week “Grand European” river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest – before I’d even had a chance to call my sisters!

The next few months were a blur of activity followed by a beautiful wedding and the most amazing honeymoon trip we could ever have hoped for. We sailed on the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers. We tried the food everywhere we went, savored a lot of different wines, and treated ourselves to way too many tempting Viennese pastries!

I fell in love with the fountains at the Belvedere Palace in Vienna. My husband is still raving about the vineyards along the Danube. It was the perfect start to our new life together. And I think we will always laugh about how we planned our honeymoon before we planned our wedding! ~ Vanessa F. Dear Editor, My husband and I are obsessed with golf.

When we’re not playing it, we’re following it on television. Last January, when we saw the pros walking those gorgeous greens at the Sony Open, it reminded us of an article we’d seen in your magazine.

A few weeks later, we packed our clubs and took off for The Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast. They have an award-winning 36-hole championship course there that is both challenging and breathtaking with spectacular vistas of rugged black lava rock bursting out of the pure turquoise sea. The colors were so vivid, we kept taking time out to snap photos. It was paradise.

We also took advantage of the amazing Spa Without Walls. We had a Couples Massage in one of the oceanfront huts that was beyond great. The whole trip was rejuvenating and just what we needed. ~ Lisa M.

We’d love to hear where your travels have taken you!

Please RSVP to: editor@ensemblelifestyles.com.

worth the

Journey

VISIT LAPLAND G O For travelers to Scandinavia, coastal cities such as Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo are must-sees. But those who make the effort to travel further north to the Swedish Lapland 200 kilometers above the Arctic Circle are in for the real treat. Originally populated by the nomadic Sami people, the northern region of Sweden – known for its midnight sun and polar night – contains some of northern Europe’s oldest and most spectacular national parks.

STAY If you’re there between December and April, don’t miss the chance to stay in the Jukkasjärvi Ice Hotel, built out of enormous blocks of ice harvested from the Torne River. Each year, artists from around the world compete for a chance to design and sculpt three-dimensional “art suites,” which are as breathtaking as the 23°F air!

D O Skip the taxi and book a dogsled from the airport to your hotel.

Wintertime activities include snowmobile trips to cozy cabins, Northern Lights viewed from the Aurora Sky Station, and perusing Sami art at the Jokkmokk Market. If you’re there between February and May, head to Riksgränsen Ski Resort for skiing under the midnight sun.

To plan your trip to Lapland, please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 13

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B E YO N D E X P E C TAT I O N The new standard in luxury cruising

R E G E N T S E V E N S E A S C R U I S E S ® leads the industry with its

luxury value, being the first to offer free unlimited shore excursions in every port of call, as well as the only cruise line to offer an unlimited complimentary internet program.

The line’s fares also include all-suite accommodations, round-trip air, highly personalized service, acclaimed cuisine, fine wines and spirits, gratuities, and a pre-cruise luxury hotel package for those guests staying in concierge-level and higher suites. Additionally, guests in penthouse suites and higher receive the ultimate indulgence of a personal butler and free business class upgrades on European voyages and, beginning on select voyages in 2016, all guests aboard Seven Seas Explorer®, Seven Seas Voyager®, Seven Seas Mariner®, and Seven Seas Navigator® will receive free unlimited WiFi. This is cruising as it was meant to be – a sumptuous and very personal experience where every wish, every whim and every want are met with gratifying luxuries, satisfying comfort and the romance of traveling to the world’s most exotic destinations.

14 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

3 5 0 D E STI N ATI O N S WO R LDW I D E The intimate and luxurious all-suite fleet of Regent Seven Seas Cruises® hosts between 490 and 750 pampered guests, which allow the vessels access to more intimate and off-the-beaten-path ports that larger vessels simply cannot visit. Delight in voyage itineraries that visit the world’s most extraordinary destinations that spoil you with a wealth of alluring vistas and memorable experiences across 350 ports of call.

E XTR AO R D I NA RY O FFE R Guests that are interested in exploring the ancient lands of Asia and Africa can further enrich their cruise vacation with a free, three-night land adventure in exotic locales such as Cape Town, Angkor Wat, Hong Kong and Beijing. The free land program is available in all suite categories on select sailings and includes sightseeing adventures such as an African safari, a Thai elephant camp and a visit to the 2,000-year old Great Wall in China.

REFRESHED FLEET Regent Seven Seas Cruises will complete a major, $100 million fleetwide refurbishment effort that will add even more luxury to its awardwining ships. First to receive the new luxurious design elements will be Seven Seas Navigator® in April 2016, followed by Seven Seas Voyager® in Fall 2016 and then Seven Seas Mariner® in 2017.

T H E M O S T L U X U R I O U S S H I P E V E R B U I LT ™ The summer of 2016 heralds the addition of Seven Seas Explorer®, which is slated to be the world’s most luxurious ship. When she debuts, Seven Seas Explorer will establish a new benchmark for style and service and perfectly complement the all-inclusive luxury experience currently enjoyed by guests aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises. This extravagant ship will boast the largest balconies at sea, the nearly 4,000-square-foot Regent Suite with an in-suite spa, and a cooking school named the Culinary Arts Kitchen.

W O R L D C R U I S E & G R A N D V OYAG E S Nothing expresses the pure joy of cruising or reveals the romance of the sea quite like a World Cruise or a Grand Voyage. On board Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the relaxed ambiance exudes a wonderful serenity that influences each moment and governs each day, allowing guests to be well rested and ready to enjoy the next global destination.

The ultimate journey is to circumnavigate the world, which can be done in the winter of 2017. Beginning and ending in Miami, guests may journey to 31 countries, call on 62 distinct ports and explore 29 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – all on board the line’s most intimate and beloved ship, Seven Seas Navigator.

YO U R E A L LY C A N H AV E I T A L L

Please see page 76 for special offers from Regent Seven Seas Cruises. For more information please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

Wherever guests choose to sail aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises, they enjoy the world’s most inclusive luxury experience. Each voyage promises an unforgettable journey to the world’s greatest destinations, where everything is included, without exception and without compromise.

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 15

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Bienvenidos a

Cuba

IN CUBA, the sun isn’t the only source of warmth. The welcoming people will make you feel like part of the family, and through Vacation Express’ escorted tours, you will enjoy the experience of a lifetime.

People-to-people tours, one of the most common of the 12 general licenses that allow Americans to visit Cuba legally, are perfect solutions for the traveler who wants to see life on the island through the eyes of the locals. Travelers who embrace new tastes, flavors, sights and sounds and would rather engage in real life than online will enjoy the carefully curated itineraries offered through Vacation Express.

Whether you choose the Historic Havana 5-night tour or upgrade to the 7-night Havana and Cuban Countryside tour, you won’t just see the vibrant art; you’ll have the opportunity to speak to the artists.

16 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

Whether you’re interested in seeing the famed vintage cars, meeting and chatting with students, musicians, artists or artisans, like the families in Pinar Del Rio who have hand crafted cigars for generations, Vacation Express’ hand-picked people-to-people tours were chosen with you in mind.

Both 5- and 7-night travelers will get to know Havana and the warm Cuban people, see UNESCO World Heritage Sites and spend a day in Pinar del Rio to visit a tobacco farm and learn directly from the farmer about the world famous Cuban cigar making process in addition to visiting an underground river in the area. Passengers on the 7-night escorted tour will continue to the city of Matanzas with its historic squares and to the city of Varadero where visitors will experience local craft markets, explore Casa Dupont and visit a local farm.

Please see page 69 for special offers from Vacation Express. For more information, please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

ANNOUNCING

Veranda Suite

Kabuki

La Grande Dame by Relais & Châteaux

We are pleased to invite you to reserve your suite aboard our stunning new Silver Muse.

Be among the first to sail aboard the most exciting new small ship in ultra-luxury cruising and experience her exquisite decor and sumptuous suites, handcrafted in every detail. Sample all eight restaurants, reimagined dining venues that will shape your own delectable journey. Relax in an expansive choice of new, exclusive venues — open-air spaces that flow seamlessly throughout the ship to embrace the world’s most alluring havens. Celebrate with us as our newest leading lady makes her debut to the ultra-luxury cruise market, offering the highest expression of elegance and comfort.

Make your reservations now and experience small ship sailing at its most divine.

Inaugural Season Now Open For Reservations TO RESERVE YOUR SUITE, CONTACT YOUR ENSEMBLE TRAVEL® GROUP CONSULTANT.

All renderings are intended as a general reference. Features, materials, finishes and layout may be different than shown.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Intimate River Cruise Experience A More

Imagine escaping on a cruise along a

glistening European river, a cruise

that is yours and yours alone … unshared by even one other soul. Picture sweeping views of rolling

green pastures, resolute castles perched upon hilltops, and quaint villages nestled below. Views that invite you to experience their textures and colors from a place of quietude and contemplation. Views that beg you to regard their details as one might study a work of art.

With Avalon Waterways, travelers are invited to embark on more intimate, personalized journeys, away from the shared experiences, the noise, and the clutter of the modern world. To facilitate such meaningful cruise experiences, every Avalon Suite Ship® cruising the rivers of Europe and Southeast Asia, boasts two full decks of staterooms and suites with beds that face … not a wall … but a wall-of-windows, so that guests may take in the breathtaking scenery from the comfort of their own private spaces.

In every Panorama SuiteSM, Open-Air Balconies® push the boundaries one step further by stretching the suite space all the way out to the edge of the ship and finishing with seven-foot-wide glass doors and a cleanlined balcony railing. When the doors are opened wide, the result is a room that is, at once, both private and supremely revealing … a full balcony experience that can be enjoyed in any weather condition, in any season, without sacrificing comfort, space, or point of view.

Please see page 70 for special offers from Avalon Waterways. For more information please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

18 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

A CAR I BBEAN ESCAPE Our featured vacations offer an idyllic respite in two Caribbean paradises: historic BARBADOS and flawless TURKS AND CAICOS.

AWAITS THE PALMS TURKS AND CAICOS COLONY CLUB BY ELEGANT HOTELS The Colony Club is a AAA four diamond hotel on the platinum west coast of Barbados. Here, timeless architecture and décor are balanced with modern updates; unique recreational options, boutique shops and tantalizing restaurants are among the best in Barbados.

With only 96 guest rooms and suites, intimacy is guaranteed. Take in the sounds of beautiful Barbados each morning from your own private patio or balcony. Relax in one of four lagoon-style freshwater swimming pools, or enjoy any of the complimentary water sports (including snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, water skiing and paddle-boarding). Unwind with a peaceful massage and feast on delectable, health-conscious fare from our very own organic garden.

Luxury on Grace Bay. That is what The Palms Turks and Caicos offers.

This 72-suite resort on the island of Providenciales is recognized as one of the top Turks and Caicos luxury destinations, and one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets.

Just steps away from pristine white sand beaches and a stunning sapphire sea, feel free to indulge and pamper to your heart’s content. Savor a glorious array of locally inspired and international tastes from Mexico to Morocco in unforgettable restaurants with unique culinary traditions.

Stunning oceanfront views, stylishly appointed rooms, a 15,000 square foot spa, aromatherapy mists and an astounding infinity pool make relaxation a priority.

Please see page 69 for special offers from Travel Impressions. For more information, please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

FIND YOUR ESCAPE TODAY!

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 19

REAL PEOPLE REAL JOURNEYS

Irresistible

Anguilla:

Sandy Island

In 1990, Barbara Berezowski was at her desk at Architectural Digest when a colleague brought her a copy of AD Travels. Inside was an article with a piece about Covecastles, a striking modernist group of villas set on the beach in Anguilla.

Her fiancé, marketing executive Tom Cunniff, barely made it through the front door of their Greenwich Village apartment before Barbara started showing him the magazine.

“The island looks amazing,” Tom said. “Let’s go!”

25 years later, they still go to Anguilla almost every May.

20 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

a 25-year love story

A

nguilla has amazing beaches, but that’s just the start. “Great restaurants, a vibrant local music scene, and fantastic people.” Barbara explains. “Once you’ve been to Anguilla, you’re hooked.”

“Creativity is in the Anguillian DNA.” Tom adds. “It’s a hard island to grow food on. The island is only 16 miles long by 3 miles wide at its widest point, and a lot of the soil is sandy and infertile. So Anguillians have learned to make the most of what they can grow and became expert boaters and fishermen. The CuisinArt resort built the first hydroponic farm in the Caribbean then went on to build a solar array to help power the resort and provide fresh water. If Anguillians don’t have what they need, they make it.”

Local legend Bankie Banx runs the world-famous Dune Preserve on Rendezvous Bay. At 10 years old, he wanted a guitar – so he built one from scratch. His first hit was in 1977 and he’s still going strong; his yearly Moonsplash Festival is a huge event. And the next generation – including Bankie’s son Omari Banks and local band British Dependency are busy building Anguilla’s musical reputation. “Omari Banks often plays at DaVida at lunch. There’s great music most nights at The Pumphouse, Veya, The Dune Preserve, and sometimes at the hotels,” Barbara says. “Just ask around.”

Or, go online. Music entrepreneur Davon Carty and photographer Josveek Huligar are brilliant at leveraging social media to promote the island. “They’re savvy marketers and tireless cultural ambassadors.”

Tom points out. “The magic of Anguilla is the people: smart, friendly, a great sense of humor.”

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 21

R E A L P E O P LE R EA L J O URNEYS

View from Jacala Restaurant

A

Sunshine Shack

great day in Anguilla might start with breakfast, followed by a leisurely walk along the two mile beach of Rendezvous Bay. Skip the noonday sun and relax over lunch. Jacala, Straw Hat, Maliouhana, Blu at Cap Juluca, and Trattoria Tramonto all have great food and picturepostcard views. After lunch? A dip in the hotel pool. Maybe a rum punch or two.

Anguilla is the culinary capital of the Caribbean. “Our first dinner on the island is always Straw Hat for crayfish.” says Barbara. Dinner at Hibernia might begin with warm lobster and crab spring rolls with mint and vanilla, and then Tom Yam Pla, which is Caribbean fish fillets in a spicy hot and sour Thai broth along with jasmine scented rice. Ask owner Mary Pat to recommend a wine from their unique list.

And don’t miss the art gallery in the back for beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces for sale from Southeast Asia. Other dinner favorites: Jacala, 22 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

Veya, Mango’s, Blanchards, DeCuisine, and Barrel Stay. P.S. Don’t miss the Johnnycakes at Veya.

Thirsty? See Garvey at the Sunshine Shack on Rendezvous Bay during the day, or Elvis at his Beach Bar at night.

Where to stay? Viceroy Anguilla, one of the newest resorts on the island, has trendy modern architecture and a celebrity clientele. You might end up making small talk at the Sunset Lounge with Sophia Vergara, Michael Jordan, or Sir Paul McCartney. (Pro tip: Don’t tell Paul the sunset is “Getting Better All The Time.” You can be sure he’s heard that joke before).

Barbara sums up the experience perfectly. “You’ll never want to leave Anguilla. But you’ll always find a way to come back.”

W H E R E TO S TAY Viceroy Double Room

VICEROY ANGUILLA Situated on 35 lush acres, with more than 3,200 feet of beachfront along Barnes and Meads Bays, Viceroy Anguilla – a distinctive luxury Caribbean resort – evokes a relaxed yet polished island sensibility. Its 166 superbly designed accommodations include ocean-view suites and private beachfront, oceanfront, and bluff-top villas … many with private pools. Cobà offers fine dining with exquisite views of both bays, while Half Shell and Sunset Lounge (perfect to see the setting sun!) add to the culinary offerings. Two white sand beaches, an adults-only saltwater infinity pool, an array of water sports, a spa and fitness center, and programs for children and families add to Viceroy’s rarefied experience.

Viceroy Sunset Lounge

Ensemble Exclusives: • Continental breakfast for two daily • $100 spa services credit per room, per stay • Upgraded room at check-in when available • Early check-in when available • Late check-out when available

Aerial view of Viceroy

TI P S FO R F I RST-TI M E RS

Rent a car. Cabs are pricey.

Car rentals are a bargain, most have automatic transmission, and having a car makes exploring the island easy. You’ll drive on the left, but don’t worry. Traffic is fairly light. Bonus: most rental car agencies will deliver and pick up your car at your hotel.

Take the public ferry.

There are no direct flights to Anguilla, but it’s simple to get there from St. Martin. Just take a taxi to the public Marigot ferry, which will take you to Anguilla.

From there, it’s a short taxi ride to your hotel.

Be friendly… but not loud.

Anguilla is a British dependency.

People can be a bit reserved at first. But if you are polite and friendly, you will be met with genuine warmth. A good icebreaker: say you have heard great things about the boat racing on Anguilla, and ask which boat they think is best.

If you have fun, consider giving back. Donate to The Arijah Children’s Foundation (http://arijahcf.org), a non-profit organization whose mission is to serve Anguilla’s children with special needs.

Start planning your second trip now. You’ll be back.

To book your trip to Anguilla, please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 23

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

BE OUR GUEST

You’re carefree on Cunard’s Ensemble® Hosted Cruises

Traveling on an Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Cunard is like traveling with an assurance policy. You can rest assured that your well-traveled hosts will share their insider knowledge on ports of call, host a complimentary cocktail party and an exclusive shore excursion; and should you have any special needs while at sea, your host will attend to them with swiftness and grace. Enjoy the company of other sophisticated, like-minded travelers and share once-in-lifetime experiences in the refined style that Cunard has made its signature for over 175 years.

There are 21 Ensemble® Hosted Cruises slated for 2016. Eight will take place on board Queen Elizabeth, Cunard’s youngest liner, which was christened by her namesake, Her Majesty the Queen, in 2010. With her Art Deco-inspired interiors, rich Italian marble, polished woods, and glittering chandeliers, Queen Elizabeth hearkens back to the glamorous travel of a bygone era. When not exploring enchanting ports, head to the Games Deck and partake in traditional English garden games like croquet and paddle tennis.

24 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

T

D

T

C

he twelve-day BRITISH ISLES Culinary Discovery will depart from and return to Southampton, calling on the lively cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, and Liverpool, as well as lesser-known ports like the Orkney Islands’s Kirkwall (known for its Norse heritage), Inverness, the mystical capital of the Scottish highlands that’s reputed to be the home of the Loch Ness monster, and the Channel Island of Guernsey, where you can visit the 13th century Castle Cornet. Savor cuisine ranging from England’s fish and chips to Scotland’s infamous haggis (diced meat served inside a sheep stomach). In Belfast, enjoy a complimentary Ensemble® Experience Shore Event, where you’ll join your Ensemble® Host and other guests for an unforgettable event designed just for you.

he two-week BALTIC exploration visits northern capitals like food-focused Copenhagen (where you can sample smushi, a unique sushi/open-faced sandwich hybrid) and regal St. Petersburg where the Hermitage Museum’s unrivaled art collection and the ornate onion-domed cathedrals will transport you back to the grandeur of imperial Russia. Overnight in St. Petersburg and enjoy your Ensemble® Experience shore event which is certain to be a night to remember.

Experience Stockholm on a unique tour of its rooftops and medieval Tallinn on a walk along its cobblestoned streets with a stop in St. Catherine’s passage for one-of-a-kind crafts.

on’t worry if time is an issue; Cunard has seven-day European itineraries including a Fjords cruise, which originates in Southampton and then sails to NORWAY to visit Bergen, home to Norway’s deepest, longest fjord; the village of Geiranger, renowned for its seven waterfalls; and Flam, known for its scenic railway that glides through the steep mountains passing waterfalls and picturesque villages. Lonely Planet called the Flam trip “the best train journey in the world.” Your complimentary Ensemble® Experience will take place in Stavanger, home to the magnificent Lysefjord where you’ll see unique mountain formations including Kjeragbolten, a rock wedged into a mountain crevice that makes a priceless photo-op.

unard’s twelve-day SPAIN and MOROCCO itinerary is a glorious odyssey that will introduce you to the exotic sights of Morocco, the Iberian wonders of Spain and Portugal, and the natural beauty of Gibraltar. Explore the souk of Tangiers which sells everything from handcrafted leather to fresh, pungent spices and visit Valencia where you’ll taste Spain’s best sparkling wine and Cartagena, home to your Ensemble® Experience shore event. In Gibraltar, ride a cable car up to the ancient Pillar of Hercules then call on Lisbon, Portugal’s beguiling capital where excursion options range from 18th century castles to stunning Atlantic beaches.

On Cunard’s Ensemble® Hosted Cruises, you’re guaranteed the trip of a lifetime without a care in the world. Let 2016 be the year you experience this dynamic duo. Please see page 73 for special offers from Cunard. For more information, please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 25

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

The MEDITERRANEAN: Where Antiquity Lives

It is the birthplace of some of the most deeply rooted, oldest civilizations on Earth. No wonder the eighteen countries that border its shores house some of the most iconic cities and sights in the world. The Mediterranean is a region of architecture and art, gods and government, the ancient and the new. And there is perhaps no better, and more appropriate, way to discover it than on a Celebrity Cruise® vacation.

C

ast your eyes skyward at the soaring spires of grand cathedrals. Walk amongst sun-bleached Greek ruins.

See the masterworks of the Renaissance greats. Wander through villages that have existed since the time of Columbus. Bursting with culture and life, the Mediterranean region awes and inspires. You can spend time enjoying centuries-old treasures on land and return to luxurious accommodations to restore the new you.

Onboard, Celebrity’s Suite Class takes its guests to new levels of luxury and indulgence.

26 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

All suite guests enjoy priority boarding and debarkation, the 24/7 service of a butler who will help you pack and unpack, and serve complimentary espresso and cappuccino from Cafe al Bacio, as well as lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, and evening hors d’oeuvres in your suite. You will also have access to you own private lounge and a restaurant, Luminae, that’s reserved exclusively for suite guests. Luminae serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and features exotic menus with dishes like creamy black truffle risotto and Jerusalem artichoke soup in an

informal but luxurious setting.

The wine list features over 400 selections from top vineyards around the world. Dinner service ends with sumptuous desserts like mascarpone cheesecake and gourmet chocolates. Suite guests also receive complimentary premium beverages and unlimited dining at our specialty restaurants.* * Suite Class benefits vary by suite type.

For special offers on Celebrity Cruises’ Mediterranean sailings, please see page 71.

For more information, please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

2016 in e p o r u E in rs s u r o a T e y w e 5 2 N s d e t n a rices a P r e w o Tauck celebr L h it w

Fresh off Tauck’s 90th anniversary commemorations in destinations around the world, Tauck is marking their 25th year of enriching travel along the scenic Yellow Roads of Europe in 2016.

Delighting guests with unexpected on-the-road treats is par for the course for this family-owned company whose mantra since 1925 has always been to do the right thing for their guests. So it comes as no surprise that, thanks to their relationships with long-time European travel partners and more favorable currency exchange rates, they’ve lowered prices on their land trips in Europe from 2015 prices, even while introducing two new trips in the Baltics, Ireland and Great Britain designed to wow their guests.

stand out from the rest. Think insider tours and special experiences like castle dinners, Guinness tasting, and punting in Cambridge on a two-week journey in the Emerald Isle, Scotland and England. A week in the capital cities of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Finland includes guided sightseeing in Riga; a walk back to the Middle Ages in Vilnius; lunch in the Estonian summer resort town of Parnu; a private concert in Helsinki featuring the music of Jean Sibelius and stunning scenic drives through forest, farms and coastal landscapes. These new trips, along with more exciting inclusions in Scandinavia, the Alps, Italy, France and Spain, make 2016 the best time to celebrate 25 years of enriching Tauck travel in Europe.

See page 68 for special offers from Tauck. For more information please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

Tauck’s 25 years of partnerships and European travel have afforded them exceptional access to people and places that make their trips Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 27

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SCOTLAND : Up-close and Beautiful

BOOK THIS EXCITING TRIP TODAY!

W ITH 84 Y E A RS of travel excellence, we know the best way to experience Ireland and Britain is from the comfort of a state-of-the-art luxury coach. All you have to do is relax and enjoy the beauty, wonder, and history of the Emerald Isle and U.K. with your friendly, local tour guide showing you every hidden treasure.

Choose from over 45 coach tours, ranging from five to 24 days. Every tour is all-inclusive.

First class hotel reservations, daily sightseeing with prepaid admission fees, full breakfasts, table d’hote dinners, medieval banquets, cabarets, and more—all are included in the price. Our tour guides do not sell any optional tours, so they are 100% focused on giving you the ultimate travel experience.

See page 66 for special offers from CIE Tours.

For more information please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

28 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

2016’S FEATURED TOUR is the 10-DAY SCOTTISH CLANS AND CASTLES , the perfect way to experience everything the fabled Highlands has to offer.

Your Scottish adventure begins with a leisurely tour of Glasgow’s Victorian buildings, delightful parks, and majestic River Clyde. Plus: • Drive north into the Trossach region to walk through Stirling Castle and learn about Scotland’s historic figures, from William Wallace to Mary Queen of Scots.

• Journey across the mysterious Rannoch Moor and through Glen Coe, made famous by the Campbell and Macdonald clans in 1692.

• Cruise through Loch Ness and Loch Katrine.

Sample a “wee dram” at the Speyside distillery.

• Visit the “Home of Golf” at St. Andrews and bask in the beautiful Highland scenery of Leault Farm.

End your tour amongst the wide streets and elegant mansions of Edinburgh. Departures during the August season come with reserved seating for the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a thrilling event watched by over 100 million on TV.

LITER ARY ESCAPES To truly evoke a sense of place, there’s no substitute for a book set in your destination. A talented author brings to life the sights, sounds and scents of a place and fuels your desire to see it. Here are some noteworthy books, set in the countries covered in this issue of Ensemble LifestylesTM .

IN DIA

MIA MI

JAPAN

B E H I N D T H E B E AU T I F U L F O R E V E R S

S T I LT S V I L L E

TH E L ADY AN D TH E MO N K

by Katherine Boo, 2012

by Susanna Daniel, 2010

by Pico Iyer, 1991

This nonfiction tale, by Pulitzer Prize winner Katherine Boo, is as compelling as a novel. Boo takes us into Annawadi, a slum walled off from towering hotels near the Mumbai airport. We meet kids like Abdul, who sees “a fortune beyond counting,” culling recyclables in a nearby dump.

Without preaching, Beautiful Forevers reveals the longings and hopes, so often dashed, of the poorest of the poor. Yet somehow, like India itself, the book remains hopeful and uplifting.

South Florida is the shining star of this debut novel which traces a couple’s relationship over three decades. At the book’s center is Frances, who in 1969 at age 26, meets a Miami local and ends up in a house on stilts on Biscayne Bay. She has no idea where her love will take her as the transformations in her life are reflected by the rapid changes in Miami and its environs. For more about Florida, read almost any novel by Miami Herald columnist Carl Hiaasen.

After working as a writer for Time magazine in New York, Pico Iyer decides to spend a quiet year at a Kyoto monastery. But after a week there Iyer’s curiosity propels him onto Kyoto’s streets, where he meets the lovely Sachiko, who guides him through the intiricacies of Japanese culture.

The Lady and the Monk explores cross-cultural themes and misconceptions as Iyer’s relationship with Sachiko deepens.

IN DIA

AN GUILLA

CH ILE

PA B LO N E R U DA : ABSENCE AND PRESENCE

by Luis Poirot, 1990 INDIAN SUMMER

A T R I P TO T H E B E AC H

by Alex von Tunzelmann, 2007

by Melinda Blanchard and Robert Blanchard, 2000

On August 15, 1947, India went from being a British colony to the world’s most populous democratic country. First came celebration, then typical Indian chaos. The Oxford-educated author chronicles the Indian transition from the sunset of the British empire to nascent democracy. At the center is Britain’s last viceroy there, Louis (Dickie) Mountbatten, whose glamorous wife, Edwina, falls head over heels for India’s first prime minister. It’s a riveting tale, told with a light touch.

A married couple decide to sell their Vermont food business and open a beachside bar and grill on Anguilla, an island 150 miles east of Puerto Rico. This is a genuine tale of the joys and hardships of island life; it’s not all pastel sunsets and cocktails on the beach. The grill becomes a popular restaurant staffed by dancing sous chefs Ozzie and Clinton. Everything goes swimmingly until Category 4 Hurricane Luis hits Anguilla and forces the Blanchards to reassess everything.

This large-format book pairs Pablo Neruda’s words with black-and-white photos of the Chilean poet and his coastal home at Isla Negra. All poems are in Spanish with English translations. The photos reveal Neruda’s love of quirky objects, such as a giant wooden shoe. The text includes tributes to the Nobel Prize-winning poet from South American authors such as Eduardo Galeano and from Neruda’s wife, Matilde Urrutia, who offer personal insights and humorous memories.

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 29

Explore the distinctive world of Holland America Line Discover treasures of Western civilization Journey to the wellspring of dreams, where the most inspired Old World empires took root and blossomed into bustling centers of culture, commerce and Europe’s most treasured art— setting the stage for adventure and discovery.

Holland America Line’s Mediterranean cruise vacations

offer

exquisite

and

exhilarating

experiences aboard spacious, elegant ships at an incredible value.

Breathe in a world of refinement on board with sophisticated five-star dining and gracious, award-winning service. Timeless beauty unfolds during visits to soul-stirring monuments such as the Acropolis and the Great Pyramids. Surprise and delight defines our guests’ experience as well, during extensive activities and enrichment programs as well as extended stays and immersion in less traveled ports such as Corfu, Katakolon (Olympia), and Santorini, where the welcoming sea glistens under rejuvenating sunshine. Consider one of our Mediterranean Collectors’ Voyages for the ultimate exploration of this magical realm.

For more information, please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands.

REAL PEOPLE REAL JOURNEYS

F O R E V E R C U R I O US I N

SOUTH E R N

INDIA

by JILL MROSS

AN D B E YO N D

I

recently had the chance to meet celebrity chef and globetrotter Anthony Bourdain, host of CNN’s popular Parts Unknown, who was in Orlando to deliver a keynote speech about the impact of travel and how it can change you – if you let it. Bourdain said you’ve got to immerse yourself in the destination’s local customs. Be curious and don’t be afraid to veer from the itinerary. Even have a misadventure or two along the way.

AND ALWAYS “EAT WHAT’S OFFERED.” HE SAID THAT FOOD IS A LOCAL’S WAY OF TALKING TO YOU; OF TELLING YOU A STORY THROUGH THEIR FOOD. Those words really struck a chord with me, and for good reason. My husband Jim and I had just returned from a two-week tour of Southern India (Chennai to Mumbai).

We were traveling with two other couples and a private guide and driver. It was a surprise-filled, whirlwind vacation full of cities and monuments I couldn’t spell (let alone pronounce); scents and flavors that stumped even the accomplished cook; and a native language that MUMBAI confused most visitors. And I loved every minute of it!

The vacation was exactly what my curious nature was hoping for. Bourdain would have been proud, for sure.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM ANTHONY BOURDAIN

INDIA

CHENNAI

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 31

R E A L P E O P LE R EA L J O URNEYS

The fragrances, colors, tastes, and textures were intoxicating.

We could not get enough.

We loved going to the local markets where flower vendors, fish mongers, spice dealers, nut and rice merchants, and vegetable farmers made their living each day.

The first surprise came before we even departed New York for our 16-hour flight to Chennai, India (via Dubai). Flying business class on Emirates, we enjoyed the many perks of the private lounge at JFK. One of the coolest? Boarding the A380 aircraft directly from the lounge. The privileges continued onboard not only in my personal space, but also in the cozy lounge at the back of the aircraft. It ended up being the perfect getaway for our over-the-water flights. The sea bass on the outbound flight deserves a special shout out.

The second surprise was also early on in the trip. In fact it was the 45-minute drive from the airport in Chennai to our oceanfront hotel, the Hotel Vivanta by Taj-Fisherman’s Cove, which had our group almost spellbound. The hundreds of cars, buses, bikes, scooters, trucks, oxcarts, and tuk tuks navigated the narrow roadways with such aplomb. It was a sight to behold and one we encountered frequently on the trip. Our driver, Anand, was unfazed by it all. He was a true master behind the wheel.

32 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

Spice market

In front of Mysore Palace

Arjuna’s Penance

buffets, the ever-present smorgasbord offered the perfect way to sample the endless culinary delights. One of our favorites was the appam, a crepe-like pancake perfect for sopping up the yummy curries and such at lunch and dinner. Our guide Satish arranged for us to try our hand at making the appam in two private homes during the trip. We got to be pretty adept, so guess what we now have in our kitchen? Yep, a special appam pan. (And yes, we’ve even used it several times).

Nandi Bull

Let’s talk about the food. While Indian cuisine is one of my favorites, nothing prepared me for the sensory immersion we encountered on our journey. The fragrances, colors, tastes, and textures were intoxicating.

We could not get enough. We loved going to the local markets where flower vendors, fish mongers, spice dealers, nut and rice merchants, and vegetable farmers made their living each day. The market in Pondicherry was one of our favorites.

Learning how to make appam

Meal time was much the same as our curiosity would often lead us to the kitchen or to seek out the chef with a multitude of questions. While I’m normally not one for

Our “official” itinerary was diverse (from mythical structures and wildlife outings to museums, animal encounters, and unique shopping) and showcased the enduring artistic and spiritual culture that’s woven throughout Southern India. Among the not-to-miss: the several UNESCO caves and temples of Mahabalipuram, the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, and palaces of Mattancherry and Mysore, for sure. Our elephant ride and interaction with these incredible animals in Periyar was another highlight as was the care with which the elephants are treated. Later that morning we explored the nearby Abraham Plantation, a private spice plantation and farm that’s received several well-deserved “best-of” awards. We returned home with a collection of cardamom, cinnamon, coffee, chocolates, and more that we bought at the little shop onsite. (Good to know: Pack your pepper in your checked luggage as it might sadly be taken from you during security screening at the airport).

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R E A L P E O P LE R EA L J O URNEYS

While we loved the scheduled sightseeing, just as delightful was our “unofficial” itinerary, those unplanned adventures that Anthony Bourdain considers a must in totally immersing yourself into a country and its customs. It works best when your group is spontaneous like ours. We were curious and inquisitive and eager to veer from the plan at a moment’s notice, which pleased our guide Satish to no end. In fact, when looking back on our adventure, it’s those moments that I remember most vividly: our pulling off the road to experience an outdoor Indian wedding (for 6,000 guests!) and being ushered to the front to meet the bridal party and partake in an unforgettable meal; shopping for colorful harem pants at a roadside stand; exploring an active saltern pond; touring a local bronze sculptor’s workshop to see the process first-hand; maneuvering the packed streets of Pondicherry in a wild tuk tuk ride; shopping for silk scarves made on a generations-old loom in a weaver’s home studio; even visiting an astrologist to have our fortunes told. It’s all about taking advantage of the special moments that pop up as you travel.

Maybe I’ve saved the best for last – and that’s the people of Southern India. Their smiles.

Their hearts. Their spirit. Somehow they have a way of reaching inside and pulling at your heart strings. And it’s not out of pity, but because of their inner beauty and how they bare their souls with such grace and humility.

Most of them spoke English, and even if Meenakshi Temple

Outdoor Indian wedding

34 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

Jill and Jim riding an elephant

Flower market

they didn’t, their expressions easily conveyed their thoughts. Their hard-work ethic was present throughout the trip. Whatever they’re tasked with – sweeping the floor, washing the clothes, cooking the meals, bussing the tables – they do so in earnest and clearly with a desire to please. And they take pride in their appearance and dress and homes, and it showed, even in the outlying villages.

A polite and well-mannered people, they were so appreciative of the small gifts we had brought along to share. A piece of candy, a colored pencil or pen, a sheet of stickers, they couldn’t thank us enough for these small tokens that we often take for granted.

We’re back home now and our journey is over. Well, not really. Travel really can change you, if you let it. All it takes is a little bit of curiosity, a genuine respect for others, an eager appetite – and of course a captivating destination like Southern India. b

Maybe I’ve saved the best for last – and that’s the people of Southern India.

Their smiles. Their hearts.

Their spirit. Somehow they have a way of reaching inside and pulling at your heart strings.

A visit to the astrologist to have our fortunes told

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 35

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

The

Center of the Universe for

LOVE

French Polynesia, known to locals as TAHITI, is home to 118 impossibly beautiful islands and atolls, each a paradise of its own. While the island of Tahiti holds timeless allure, Bora Bora and Moorea are the main attraction for those with romance on their minds.

Boasting a lagoon that resembles an artist’s palette of blues and greens, BORA BORA is the very definition of gorgeous. Its castlelike Mount Otemanu pierces the sky, while lush tropical slopes burst with hibiscus, and perfect, white-sand beaches give way to emerald waters.

Everything you ever wished for

Imagine awakening in this paradise to breakfast delivered by canoe, sun-kissed snorkeling adventures, lazy beach days, tropical spa treatments, liquid sunsets, and sweet nothings whispered over romantic dinners beneath the starry South Pacific sky.

Nearby, MOOREA dazzles with green velvet peaks and misty threads of waterfalls that tumble down fern-softened cliffs to a wide, shallow lagoon where colorful marine creatures swim in luminous coral gardens.

On the 7-day Tahiti & Bora Bora Escape, you can feel your heart race as you explore Tahiti on a 4x4 safari, then slip away for five blissful nights in a secluded overwater villa at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort. On the 9-day Moorea & Bora Bora Adventure, romance is in the air with three nights in a luxurious beach bungalow at the InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa and five more in an overwater bungalow at the InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort.

Add flights from award-winning Air Tahiti Nui and begin your vacation from the moment you board the airplane. Air Tahiti Nui is the leading carrier to French Polynesia, featuring daily non-stop service from Los Angeles.

36 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

See page 68 for special offers from Travel2.

For more information please contact your Ensemble TravelÂŽ Group consultant.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Solving the

PUZZLE of French Polynesia

All-inclusive value comes together perfectly in one beautiful French Polynesian vacation with Paul Gauguin Cruises. Small, intimate, and award winning, the 332-guest m/s Paul Gauguin is the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific … for good reason.

O

n board, all-inclusive fares enable guests to enjoy a completely relaxing escape.

And an impressive crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.5 – including a beloved troupe of Tahitian entertainers – ensures exceptional service at every turn. Of course no escape to French Polynesia can be complete without luxurious accommodations featuring wide ocean views, soft European linens, and refrigerated beverages, replenished daily. Aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin, nearly 70% of staterooms also feature a private balcony, perfect for watching those spectacular Pacific sunsets.

Throughout the journey aboard the Paul Gauguin, expertly prepared cuisine is served by attentive staff in three fine dining venues and available in-room 24 hours a day. Local naturalists give stimulating talks on the unique flora and fauna of the islands’ coralfringed lagoons, verdant mountains, and pure, white beaches. On summer and holiday sailings, the deeply enriching Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Program introduces young travelers to the precious natural wonders of the South Pacific.

During full days in port and overnight calls on the islands of Bora Bora and Moorea, guests experience island life to the fullest.

Active-minded travelers can launch an array of watersport adventures from the ship’s marina or destination beaches, including amazing dive trips and official PADI dive certification programs. The final two pieces of the puzzle, and perhaps the most exquisite, are exclusive visits to Paul Gauguin’s private utopias off the coasts of Bora Bora and Taha’a.

See page 75 for special offers from Paul Gauguin Cruises. For more information please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 37

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SILVERSEA PIONEERED ALL-INCLUSIVE CRUISES when it was founded over

twenty years ago, so it’s not surprising that it should up the ante and offer even more free benefits today. Silversea will offer free Silver Shore Select excursions, free onboard WiFi, included airfare, transfers and two nights pre-cruise hotel on all Asia voyages aboard Silver Shadow. Combine that with Silversea’s intimate luxurious ships, all-suite accommodations, a staff-to-guest ratio of almost oneto-one, and an exclusive culinary partnership with Relais & Châteaux, and you have the perfect recipe for an elegant trip of a lifetime at an incredible value.

Plus, with more Far East sailings than any other cruise line, Silversea’s profound knowledge of the region will ensure smooth sailing and the promise of exciting excursions led by engaging and knowledgeable local guides.

ALL ABOARD I T ’ S A L L- I N C L U D E D W H E N Y O U S A I L W I T H S I LV E R S E A T O

A

ASIA

ll-inclusive fares include complimentary economy airfare – or for an extra special perk, upgrade to business class from just $1,999 each way. Disembark from your flight and enjoy two free nights at one of Silversea’s exclusive hotel partners, ensuring that you are rested and ready for your Asian exploration. Deluxe hotel partners include Raffles Hotel Beijing, Shangri-La Tokyo,

38 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

Shangri-La Singpore, and Intercontinental Hong Kong. Airport and hotel transfers are also part of the package.

At the end of your voyage, you won’t be burdened with costly internet fees, expensive service charges, or unexpected bar tabs. Wifi and onboard gratuities are also included and you can expect complimentary champagne,

fine wines, and spirits, as well as specialty coffees and soft drinks throughout the ship.

Should you fancy a drink before dinner, you can either enjoy canapés and hors d’oeuvres in the company of new friends during the nightly cocktail hour, or enjoy a glass of wine in your room as your favorite beverages are replenished daily in your en-suite bar.

In Asia, Silversea’s ultra-luxe Silver Shadow visits enticing ports of call like the bustling cities of Bangkok, Shanghai, and Singapore; the languid beaches of Vietnam and Malaysia, and the breathtaking temples of Cambodia, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Japan, and Thailand.

Your Complimentary Silver Shore Select Excursions run the gamut of unforgettable experiences. In Bangkok, tour three of Bangkok’s most commanding temples and take a short ride on a tuk-tuk, Thailand’s ubiquitous motorized rickshaw; or visit the colorful Flower Market followed by a leisurely cruise down the Chao Phraya River.

Observe the intricate work at the XQ Embroidery Workshop in Da Nang, Vietnam before traveling to beguiling Hoi An, an exquisitely-preserved ancient riverside town lined with old merchant shops and tea warehouses.

Visit Yangon’s serene, 2,500 year-old, gilded Shwedagon Temple at night when it is beautifully illuminated by candlelight.

The world’s oldest pagoda, Shwedagon, is said to contain the relics of four previous buddhas, making it Myanmar’s most sacred site. Continue on to People’s Park for a panoramic view of the dazzling, gold pagoda.

Malaysian excursions include a stop at a Batik factory in Penang where you can shop for dyed textiles, a tour through a spice plantation, and a stop at the famous Snake Temple. (Breathe easy; the vipers are defanged.) In Langkawi, head off the beaten track for a river safari cruise looking for wildlife in the mangroves of Sungei Kelim National Park. Before returning to the boat, intrepid travelers can walk through a limestone cave known for its stalactites, stalagmites, and resident bats.

With these seamless new packages, Silversea has never been more exclusively inclusive – and that means you’ll experience the epitome of luxury without a daunting price tag or unexpected extra charges. As you relish your inspiring shore excursions and the camaraderie of new friends, relax on days at sea and on stunning tropical beaches, and recharge your batteries, discovering a renewed sense of energy … you’ll come to understand and appreciate that Silver Shadow’s mantra is “Relish, relax, recharge … repeat.”

Please see page 78 for special offers from Silversea Cruises. For more information please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 39

REAL PEOPLE REAL JOURNEYS

xperiencing a Buddhist Fire Ritual

Buncho performs the Goma ritual

Text and Photography by SUZANNE MORPHET

40 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

The deep gong of the temple bell wakes us at 6 A.M. On this late November morning, it’s still dark outside and cold. It’s tempting to drift back to sleep on my cozy futon but I’m not missing the chance to witness a Japanese Buddhist fire ritual.

in Japan

Roofline of temple buildings

We crawl out from under piles of blankets, pull on clothes, lace up our hiking boots and step outside where dawn is beginning to break, forming silhouettes of the mountains on the eastern horizon. We proceed quietly to the wooden temple that’s draped in colorful prayer flags. Inside, a couple of white-robed monks are preparing to perform what’s properly called the Goma ritual, a form of prayer that originated in India.

The Kunisaki Peninsula on Kyushu – Japan’s southern-most island – has excelled at absorbing and blending religious practices over the centuries, so perhaps it’s no surprise that this particular ritual comes from the Hindu faith. Even the Buddhism practiced in this remote region differs from Buddhism elsewhere in Japan. Here, it melded with the animistic Shinto faith, creating an offshoot known as Shugendo Buddhism. It’s common to find Buddhist temples next to Shinto shrines.

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R E A L P E O P LE R EA L J O URNEYS

Our journey began in Fukuoka, the largest city on Kyushu and closer to Seoul than it is to Tokyo, which explains how Buddhism arrived here from Korea. From Fukuoka we hopped onboard the Sonic Express train to Usa, the gateway to the Kunisaki Peninsula.

For the next ten days we’ll follow in the footsteps of a monk named Nimmon, who is popularly believed to have introduced Buddhism to the peninsula in the 8th century.

Cut off from the rest of Kyushu by a range of mountains, the peninsula was perfect for Nimmon’s ascetic Buddhist practice. He and his followers climbed its volcanic ridges and descended into its hidden valleys in prayerful contemplation. They established sacred places deep inside caves and carved thousands of Buddhist images in stone.

Once every ten years, Buddhist monks still gather in April for a four-day pilgrimage on the Kunisaki Peninsula where they walk the ancient trails, purify themselves under cold waterfalls and visit temples along the way.

Ours is not a pilgrimage, but more of an adventure. By our sixth day, we’ve visited numerous temples and shrines, but seen none quite as spectacularly situated as Monjusenji. Perched high up on a cliff overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, Monjusen-ji is on a list of the ‘best 100 scenes’ in the country. And in late November, with Japanese maple trees at their fiery peak, the temple grounds are stunning.

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Rakan, stone carvings of Buddha’s disciples

First, we pass two fearsome figures carved in stone. Ni-o look like muscular men with shaved heads and menacing facial expressions. They’re placed at the entrance to monasteries and temples throughout Japan to keep out evil spirits. Beyond the Ni-o, a grand staircase with something like 230 stone steps – I lose count – leads up the steep mountainside.

We emerge breathless at the top in a clearing that provides views of tree-filled valleys below and the sea in the hazy distance. Above us, the top half of the mountain is ablaze with crimson red and orange foliage.

Set against the mountain is the simple wood temple. The original one was founded in 648 A.D. Visitors come here not only to see the Goma ritual and revel in the landscape, but also to drink from a spring that seeps out of a cave at the back of the temple. The ‘water of knowledge’ is especially popular with students at exam time.

Exploring further, we find rows of Buddha’s disciples – known as rakan – human-sized figures carved in stone and now covered in moss, sitting on the sloping forest floor. They

look like the contented Buddha himself; smiling, their eyes closed and legs crossed.

We spend the night in the same building where the abbot – the head monk – and his family live. After a simple vegetarian dinner seated on the floor, the abbot apologizes for the lack of comforts. The drafty building can’t be upgraded due to its historical significance, he explains.

Throughout our hiking holiday, we’ve been staying at traditional Japanese inns with more comforts than at home, including thermal spring baths and toilets with heated seats and built-in bidets. Soaking in the various hot springs has been one of the highlights of each day. A temple lodging can’t compete, of course, and we don’t expect it to.

However, we do have high expectations for the fire ritual. The next morning, we’re shivering outside the temple, waiting for the monks to invite us in. The temple doors are open and we can see white-robed figures moving around inside. One monk is trying to light candles but can’t get his lighter to work. He fusses for a few moments, then finds another way. They seem surprisingly

Monjusen-ji temple’s 91st resident abbot

Metal bowls used during the Goma ritual

A monk doesn’t eat any oil or salt for 60 days before performing the Goma ritual, and fasts for four days immediately beforehand so that he can sit comfortably close to the fire and not sweat. unprepared, considering they perform the Goma ritual every month – on the 25th day – as well as by special arrangement.

Finally, we’re ushered inside and take our seats around a circular pit that represents the mouth of the Buddha. Then we wait some more while Buncho – the abbot’s son and the monk who will perform today’s Goma ritual – slowly and methodically stacks rectangular blocks of wood that will fuel the fire. From where I’m sitting I can see outside and notice that it’s now fully daylight.

Are they deliberately testing our patience, I wonder? Or trying to build suspense?

Perhaps time is simply not of the essence here.

Whatever, with my Western need – and desire – for punctuality, I just want the show to get on the road.

At last it does. Buncho lights a fire in the pit, rubs his prayer beads and begins to chant softly. Another monk, barely visible in the darkened room, lightly beats on a drum.

Buncho carefully places the first few wood blocks into the fire, one on top of the other at right angles, leaving lots of space for oxygen to feed the fire.

Soon, sparks are flying towards the ceiling.

The drumming and chanting grow louder and faster in a rising crescendo that matches the leaping flames. In almost no time the fire is so intense I can feel its heat even though I’m a few feet away.

Buncho, on the other hand, is sitting very close to it, his face aglow in the flames, but he’s not perspiring. The previous night his father explained that a monk doesn’t eat

Monjusen-ji temple

any oil or salt for 60 days before performing the Goma ritual, and fasts for four days immediately beforehand so that he can sit comfortably close to the fire and not sweat.

We sit transfixed by the hot flames, the pounding drum and the primal chanting.

Buncho continues to place block upon block of wood into the roaring fire, along with grains of rice. How long before his tower topples over like those in the kids’ game of Jenga?

I can’t judge – I’m now blissfully unaware of the time, enveloped in a realm of fire and sound – but eventually the tower collapses in a blazing heap. The Buddha has been fed.

Our wishes and prayers have been heard. Or at least, our expectations around the Goma ritual have been powerfully met. b

To plan your trip to the Kunisaki Peninsula of Japan, please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

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O C

Culinary Experiences aboard CEANIA

RUISES

T H E E P I C U R E A N T R AV E L E R ’ S D R E A M

Recognized as the leading cruise line for epicureans, Oceania Cruises is renowned for not only serving the finest cuisine at sea aboard their intimate and luxurious ships, but also for their authentic culinary experiences on board and ashore. These include hands-on cooking classes at The Culinary Center, the onboard state-of-the-art cooking school, along with Culinary Discovery Tours™ and Culinary Creations Land Tours. Plus, with new culinary offerings on board Sirena, Oceania Cruises now provides more ways to savor the finest cuisine at sea than ever. From the gourmet cuisine and cooking classes on board to special market tours and exclusive cooking demonstrations by award-winning chefs, Oceania Cruises offers truly unrivaled culinary experiences in the most sought-after destinations around the world.

Inspired Dining Aboard Sirena With the legendary Master Chef Jacques Pépin as the Executive Culinary Director, Oceania Cruises’ distinctive onboard restaurants have earned a reputation as the finest at sea.

Now Sirena proudly introduces a brand new specialty restaurant, Tuscan Steak, which was inspired by the warmth and Italian flair of Toscana and the classic appeal of Polo Grill.

The innovative and diverse menu features the best of both worlds, including succulent steaks and seafood with a Tuscan twist, along with rustic favorites that celebrate Italy’s rich culinary passion.

44 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

Meanwhile, Jacques Bistro transports guests to an authentic Parisian bistro at the Grand Dining Room during lunch. Savor fresh and seasonal French dishes, inspired by Master Chef Pépin’s personal recipes. A hand-written chalkboard announces the fresh specialties of the day. In addition, Sirena features the Oceania Cruises favorite for bold Asian cuisine – Red Ginger, which serves exquisite contemporary interpretations of Asian classics.

Hands-On Classes with Master Chefs On board Marina and Riviera, Oceania Cruises invites guests to learn professional cooking techniques at The Culinary Center, the first handson cooking school at sea. Under the tutelage of master chefs, guests can participate in a wide variety of cooking classes in which they prepare the recipes at one of 12 fully-equipped cooking stations. At The Culinary Center, guests can spend a delightful day at sea learning how to make fresh pasta or practicing the unique techniques of local cookery.

Culinary Discovery Tours Meanwhile, Oceania Cruises’ unique Culinary Discovery Tours™, available on Marina and Riviera voyages, offer guests the opportunity to experience and understand cultures worldwide through the lens of local cuisine. In local markets, guests are invited to marvel at the colorful produce, fresh fish and exotic spices used in traditional recipes that inspire people to gather around the table. Accompanied by a master chef, guests shop the local markets and later taste the authentic flavors of the region by dining in private homes or restaurants.

Then guests hone their skills back on board with a memorable cooking class on regional techniques at The Culinary Center.

Culinary Creations Land Tours In addition to Culinary Discovery Tours, Oceania Cruises is introducing an exciting collection of multiday pre-, post- and mid-cruise land tours that offer immersive explorations in the world’s most renowned culinary destinations. With availability starting in spring 2016, the new Culinary Creations Land Tours will be offered in Rome, Barcelona, Provence (Monte Carlo), Tuscany (Rome/Civitavecchia), Greece (Athens), London and Argentina (Buenos Aires) during select sailings aboard Nautica, Sirena, Marina and Riviera. Guests can take a hands-on cooking class at a Tuscan estate, savor dishes prepared by Greece’s top-awarded Michelin-starred chef, or tour London’s most renowned food market guided by a chef’s insight and expertise.

Truly fit for epicurean travelers and culinary connoisseurs, Oceania Cruises’ voyages invite guests to discover the finest cuisine at sea while exploring the rich diversity of culinary traditions around the world.

Please see page 74 for special offers from Oceania Cruises. For more information, please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

CASUAL

Unwind on Windstar’s Intimate Yachts

LUXURY Windstar Cruises invites you to join the world of small ship cruising on its luxurious yachts as they call on ports in Tahiti, the Greek Islands, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean and Central America. Known for casual elegance, there are no formal nights or appointed dinner seatings. Your time is your own and there’s plenty to do. Relax in your spacious stateroom or suite, try your luck at the Casino; get pampered at the WindSpa or workout at the Fitness Center. There’s no lining up for tenders as Windstar’s luxurious yachts slip right into small ports, cozy harbors, and city centers that larger ships can’t reach.

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In Tahiti, sail on board the elegant, fourmasted Wind Spirit as her white sails billow against the crystalline blue water like a picture postcard come to life. Relax on white-sand beaches beneath softly swaying palm trees and try drift snorkeling, letting the currents carry you through water teeming with colorful marine life. While he visited Tahiti after he’d written Tales of the South Pacific, James Michener called Bora Bora “the Bali Hai of the spirit” and said that Moorea was exactly what he envisioned when he invented Bali

Hai. In Bora Bora, enjoy a Polynesian feast and marvel at the fire dancers at a local Private Event held on a small island called a motu. You also have the option to spend the night in an overwater bungalow for a truly romantic night to remember.

In the Greek Islands, visit lesser-known ports like Monemvasia, where you’ll see magnificent 12th century churches, Venetian mansions and Kalymnos, home to the bronze statue of a lady that dates back to the 2nd

century BC and was rescued from the sea by fishing nets in 1994. Cruise through the Dardanelles, the narrow strait that separates Europe from Asia, accompanied by narration on the area. Lord Byron famously swam across the strait in 1810 and it was the site of WWI’s tragic Gallipoli Campaign. War memorials are visible from the ship.

Windstar’s Mediterranean itineraries visit a different port almost every day and never have more than one sea day per cruise.

You’ll sail on four-masted yachts or the recently inaugurated all-suite power yachts.

Ports of call include bustling European capitals, picturesque islands, and charming cobblestoned villages where life seems unchanged for centuries. Transit through the towering walls of the narrow Corinth Canal that links the Gulf of Corinth with the Aegean Sea. Windstar’s small ships are the largest able to pass through this passage carved out of limestone in the late 1800s. In Dubrovnik, moor in the center of Old Town at a port too small for larger ships.

Mediterranean Private Events include a trip to a family-run winery in Giardini Naxos where you’ll enjoy a lunch of traditional Sicilian dishes; or a visit to the modern March Palace in Mallorca, built in the 1940s by a self-made billionaire and home to his priceless contemporary art collection. After a private tour, enjoy tapas and a traditional folk dance performance on the terrace. In glamorous Portofino, a celebrity hotspot since the 1960s, your event takes place in the 16th century Villa Durrazzo and includes a private tour of the villa’s recently restored 17th century paintings and live music in gardens overlooking the Tigulio Gulf. In 2016, Windstar will inaugurate a new Mediterranean itinerary, sailing from cosmopolitan Barcelona to beguiling Lisbon, known as the City of Explorers after its seafaring 15th century world discoverers.

Visit stunning Costa del Sol beaches, the Moorish masterpiece, Alhambra, and exotic Tangier, a city at the crossroads of Europe and Africa that was frequented by Samuel Beckett and Henri Matisse.

When you sail with Windstar, you’ll understand why many consider it the world’s most romantic cruise line. Small really can be beautiful.

See page 80 for special offers from Windstar. For more information, please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 47

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

T

PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCES for Every Traveler Uniworld’s all-inclusive boutique river cruises in Europe are perfectly planned to give travelers the uniquely unforgettable experience they’re seeking, with the individualized, industry-leading service they deserve. From creating beautiful one-of-a-kind ships, to crafting exquisite meals prepared with only the finest and freshest local ingredients, every detail of a Uniworld cruise is carefully designed to deliver the highest level of excellence.

his year, Uniworld is expanding their award-winning Generations family river cruises to 13 departures of nine popular European itineraries. In addition to offering the same all-inclusive amenities available on every Uniworld itinerary in Europe, these family-friendly departures feature exciting shore excursions tailor-made for families, a host of onboard activities including language lessons and dessert-making workshops, kidfriendly menus with unlimited beverages, the services of two dedicated Family Hosts, and much more. Plus, young travelers aged 4 to 18 receive 50% savings off the cruise-only fare when traveling with an adult. There is simply no better way to introduce young people to Europe’s most spectacular cities, all while making memories together that will be shared for generations.

Uniworld also offers themed cruises that give guests the chance to live their travel fantasies through a series of exclusive, once-in-alifetime experiences. With The Monarch Collection themed cruises, travelers can gain insider access to Europe’s rich aristocratic heritage. These departures feature a special onboard piano concert and dinner, as well as onshore excursions that include a visit to Artstetten Castle for a cocktail reception with Princess Anita von Hohenberg and behindthe-scenes views of Vienna’s famed Spanish Riding School.

When unrivalled luxury, exceptional service, extraordinary cuisine, and innovative onshore programs come together, the result is unmistakably Uniworld.

Please see page 75 for special offers from Uniworld. For more information please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

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INSIDER’S VIEW

C H I L L I N’ in

C HILE

by MICHAEL SHAPIRO

I N S I D E R’S V I E W

LASTARRIA

U

Santiago

nlike most visitors to Chile, Nimish Doshi, a digital marketing strategist

Doshi lived in a bohemian neighborhood called Lastarria, known for its Frenchinfluenced architecture, cobblestone streets, inviting cafes, entrancing galleries and globally influenced restaurants. His favorite dining establishment was an Italian place called Squadritto (address: Rosal 332). Note that Chileans dine very late; eating dinner at 10 or 11 p.m. is typical and many places don’t open until 9 p.m. One of Santiago’s finest hotels, The Singular, is in Lastarria.

It’s modern and comfortable with a French neoclassical architecture that fits well in this neighborhood. The Singular’s rooftop bar is ideal for a sunset cocktail or tapas.

from New York City, didn’t visit the southern hemisphere as a tourist. He spent seven months there to launch a startup but used his free time to explore the Chilean capital, Santiago, from its bustling open-air markets to a hilltop viewpoint.

“It was my first visit to Chile,” said Doshi, adding that he can’t wait to go back. Founded in 1541 by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia, Santiago is a classically colonial city of broad plazas, wide boulevards and resplendent parks. On clear days you can see the snowcapped Andes mountains in the distance. From 1973 until the early 1990s, Chile was ruled by the iron hand of dictator Augusto Pinochet, but during the past two decades Santiago has undergone a cultural renaissance.

You can visit Santiago’s top attractions in two or three days and then spend time exploring the rest of this narrow country: 2,653 miles from top to bottom, about as long as the continental U.S. is wide. Following is a thumbnail guide to Santiago and nearby Valparaiso, based on Doshi’s tips.

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CERRO SANTA LUCIA

Stroll past the monuments up well-tended paths and leafy terraces to the top of Cerro Santa Lucia, a “30- to 40-minute walk at most,” Doshi said, where you can see for miles and miles. There’s an elevator for those who’d rather not (or aren’t able) to walk. At the peak is Castillo Hidalgo, a castle that hosts cultural events. Enter at Avenida Alameda and St. Lucía, or St. Lucía and Merced.

BELLA VISTA PARQUE FORESTAL AND MERCADO CENTRAL

The park is worth visiting, Doshi says, for its winding paths and shady groves. It’s just a couple of blocks from Mercado Central, where the real Chile is revealed. Note there are two major markets here, one for tourists, the other for locals. Both are worth visiting: at the tourist emporium you’ll find crafts and art to take home. At the locals’ market you’ll find flower vendors, stalls filled with dried kiwis and pears, and fishmongers with seafood caught that morning. A good lunch spot is El Galeon: try the seafood soup and the catch of the day – the waiters will let you know what’s fresh. Address: Ismael Valdes Vergara 970.

Near Lastarria is the Bella Vista neighborhood which Doshi recommends for its outdoor cafes and bars, stylish boutiques and avant garde galleries. On weekend evenings, there’s a crafts market in Bella Vista on a main street called Pio Nono.

Atacama Desert

W H I LE I N C H I LE . . .

worth the

J Journey

VI S IT STAR TO U RS I N TH E ATACA M A D E S E RT

PABLO NERUDA’S HOUSE

Chile’s best-loved poet built this whimsical hillside home to resemble a ship because he loved the feeling of being on the water.

Located in Bella Vista, it’s called La Chascona, a reference to the curly red hair of his beloved wife, Matilde. Neruda called himself a “land captain” and the house reflects his love of things nautical: ceilings are low and a spiral staircase winds up to the second floor. The home is well worth visiting for its collections (colored glass bottles, figures from Easter Island) and art, such as a Diego Rivera portrait of Matilde. It even contains Neruda’s Nobel Prize. Address: Fernando Marquez de la Plata 0192.

G O The Atacama, Chile’s desert region, is one of the most isolated places on Earth and ideal for gazing through a telescope toward the heavens. “It feels like the middle of nowhere,” said Nimish.

S E E San Pedro de Atacama Celestial Explorations (S.P.A.C.E.) offers its Star Tours program at an observatory where guests use the telescopes to view the Milky Way, the planets and the moon. “It was cool to see the sky from the southern hemisphere,” Doshi said. The first time you see Saturn’s rings or Jupiter’s colors with your own eyes is a memory for the ages.

To plan your trip to the Atacama Desert, please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

W H E N Tours aren’t held the three days before or after the full moon because the sky is too bright. The ideal time to go is around the new moon when the sky is darkest. Tours may cancel if the sky is overcast, but this is rare.

H OW The tour starts with a primer on how to “read” the sky as you look up with just your naked eyes. And then you gaze through the telescopes at distant planets and stars. The Atacama gets very cold at night so bring lots of layers. Descriptions are in English so you don’t have to speak Spanish to enjoy this tour. The 2.5-hour tour begins with bus pickup in San Pedro de Atacama, a city about 15 minutes away. (Most people fly from Santiago to the Calama airport near San Pedro; the 1,000-mile drive is arduous.)

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 51

I N S I D E R’S V I E W

Valparaiso

PALACIO DE LA MONEDA

COFFEE WITH LEGS

Adjacent to Plaza Constitucion, this is one of the foremost neoclassic edifices in Latin America, the most recognizable icon of old Santiago. Built in the late 18th century, the palace was the residence of Chile’s presidents from 1848 to 1958. Today it’s the official seat of Chile’s government, and visitors can walk through its inner courtyards. But there’s a dark edge to the palace’s history. On September 11, 1973, Gen. Augusto Pinochet staged a coup here that ended with the death of President Salvador Allende and the installation of the general as Chile’s ruler.

Today it’s the office of President Michelle Bachelet, Chile’s first female president.

Chilean society is conservative and traditional, Doshi notes, but recently the cafe con piernas (coffee with legs) phenomenon has added a lively touch to the cafe scene. Statuesque servers in short (but not immodest) skirts deliver cups of espresso and cappuccino to the delight of the patrons at the bar. “Overall, it was an interesting experience combining coffee with sex appeal,” Doshi said. “The decor was aged; it made me feel like I was in 1950s America.” A top choice is Cafe Haiti with 12 locations throughout the city.

W H E R E TO S TAY

ALTO ATACAMA DESERT LODGE & SPA | San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Tucked away in a valley of serene beauty and surrounded by Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountains), Alto Atacama blends seamlessly into its surroundings. The decor is elegant yet simple, complemented by local crafts that add warmth and character. All 42 rooms have a private terrace. Savor a range of unique culinary delights and fine wines.

Choose from over thirty cultural and adventure activities, and enjoy a small-group experience at the lodge’s observatory – northern Chile’s night sky is extraordinary. For those who prefer a more relaxing time, Puri Spa boasts six outdoor pools, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, plus a wide range of treatments.

Ensemble Exclusives • Welcome champagne & cheese tray upon arrival • For suite bookings: 30 minute massage for two and bottle of Chilean wine • Free additional bed for teens up to 17 years old, staying in their parents room • Upgraded room at time of check-in when available • Early check-in when available • Late check-out when available

52 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

BEYOND SANTIAGO, VISIT VALPARAISO

If you travel all the way to Chile, advised Doshi, don’t miss Valparaiso, on the coast about 70 miles west of Santiago, and nearby Viña del Mar. Even if you just walk around these towns and enjoy the murals on the walls, he said, it will be worth the trip. Known for its well-worn architectural splendor, Valparaiso was a major port in the 19th century, making it one of the wealthiest cities in South America, but its fortunes waned after the opening of the Panama Canal a century ago. Designated a World Heritage Site, Valparaiso is a city on the rise with new gourmet eateries and boutique hotels opening every month. Some say its steep hills, such as Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre, evoke the slopes of San Francisco, but its antiquated bars and faded glory are more reminiscent of Havana.

Active Chile

A DV E N T U R E S ABOUND Chile has something for just about anyone who enjoys the great outdoors. You can go horseback riding with gauchos in Patagonia, ski in August, or embark on a multi-day whitewater rafting trip down a churning river. In Torres del Paine, one of the world’s great national parks, you can hike among towering rock spires and glaciers. Following are three highlights – consult with your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant to find an adventure that’s right for you.

SKIING DURING SUMMER

HORSEBACK RIDING IN TORRES DEL PAINE

When it’s summer in the northern hemisphere, it’s winter in Chile, so avid skiers migrate south to keep their adrenaline pumping. Two ski resorts, Valle Nevado and Portillo, are close enough to Santiago that you can enjoy a day trip.

Valle Nevado, South America’s largest ski resort, launched Chile’s first gondola in 2013.

It’s just 35 miles away from the capital and has a wide variety of terrain. For a rare thrill, travel to the Volcan Osorno resort near Puerto Montt, in Chile’s Lake District, to ski down a dormant volcano that resembles Mt. Fuji. Or sign up for a snowshoe excursion into Osorno’s crater.

This park, which opened in 1959, is the jewel of Chilean Patagonia, where you’ll find hiking trails that approach legendary rock formations. But there’s an easier way to navigate the park: get astride a horse on a guided tour to the park’s scenic viewpoints. Guests at the upscale Explora eco-lodge can sign up for riding excursions with horses specially trained to carry guests with little or no equine experience. The rides through Torres del Paine’s forests lead to extraordinary views of the park’s rivers and glaciers. Traveling to remote Torres del Paine takes the better part of a day so allow at least three or four full days there to explore the park.

WHITEWATER RAFTING AND KAYAKING

One of the world’s most exhilarating and thrilling rivers is deep in Patagonia, the Rio Futaleufu. Its luminescent turquoise water snakes through valleys in the glaciated Andes providing thrills for rafters and kayakers. (If you don’t have kayak experience, go in a guided raft).

Trips range from three days to a week or longer. Some excursions combine horseback riding and hiking with rafting. Among the outfitters: Earth River Expeditions and ExChile. b

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 53

CARMÉNÈRE–

A Journey from Extinction to Distinction

by MARIO STOJANAC

For the longest time, Chilean wines were associated with entry-level table wines that you would perhaps enjoy at home but rarely take to someone else’s for dinner. This perception was partly created based on a long-term strategy aimed at market penetration – one in which you sacrifice a few foot soldiers in order to advance and win the war. If the initial battle was indeed won, then the next wave is definitely underway as Chilean wines seek to shift the consumer’s focus from price to quality.

Carménère vineyard

While Chile has a long-standing history of viticulture thanks to mid-16th

Carménère wine barrels

century missionaries and their Catholic mass rituals, there are few more romantic stories – as far as grapes go – than that of the Carménère. Its origins lie in the Médoc region of Bordeaux, where it was essentially used to produce deep red wines or as a blending grape. Chilean wineries often imitated their French colleagues and as such, Carménère was introduced into Chile during the mid-19th century. Shortly thereafter, French vineyards were struck down by a Phylloxera plague that destroyed many vineyards but Carménère plantations in particular. When the time came to replant, there was no Carménère to be found and the grape was presumed extinct. Enter Chile, where the absence of Phylloxera meant that the local Carménère grapes were doing just fine, though there was another issue here – one of mistaken identity.

The Carménère grapes looked fairly similar to the more well-known Merlot grape, and subsequently over the years, it was assumed that Chile produced interesting Merlot that had very little in common with its Northern cousin.

It wasn’t until 1994 that oenologists finally uncovered that Chile’s Merlot Peumal was actually Carménère all along – and so a national icon was born.

Carménère grapes

54 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

While Chile has extensive wine-growing regions, the Central Valley is particularly well-placed for its proximity to the urban-hub of Santiago – and just so happens to produce its own fair share of quality Carménère wines.

The Central Valley is further divided into 4 sub-regions, being the Rapel, Maule, Curicó and Maipo valleys, and it is this final area that is perfectly placed for experiencing the bustle of Santiago and the bliss of the vineyards.

The Maipo valley is wellknown for producing fantastic Cabernet Sauvignon, though quality Carménère is abundant thanks to a few of Chile’s most-renowned wineries taking root here. Arguably the pre-eminent brand in Chilean wine is that of Concha y Toro, located in Pirque within the Maipo Valley. Although there is a tasting centre in the heart of Santiago, it is well worth the mere hour’s trip to visit this home of the legendary Casillero Del Diablo. Founded in 1883 with strong roots in the Bordeaux region, there is still a strong affinity for French Oak casks even today.

De Martino vineyards

De Martino vines

There are few (if any) better places to become acquainted with the smoky, slightly fruity joy of Carménère for this is the home of Carmín de Peumo, arguably the world’s finest Carménère and consistent recipient of 95+ (as high as 97) points from the iconic Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. Tours and tastings can be booked online via the Concha y Toro website and, with all of the available offerings, it’s comforting to know that getting here and returning to your Santiago hotel via public transit is also a viable option.

Also vying for the title of Chile’s finest winery is the nearby Viña Almaviva.

Set up as the oenological lovechild of Concha y Toro and French powerhouse Baron Philippe de Rothschild, the aim of this Franco-Chilean venture was to specifically create an exceptional and premium wine in the model of a French Grand Cru. Judging by the accolades, including Wine Spectator’s 95 point rating, they have certainly succeeded. While this is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, some would say it is the finishing touches applied by the Carménère which leave a subtle Chilean kiss on the wine. Tours to Almaviva can be booked separately or in conjunction with Concha y Toro, and are also located approximately an hour away from Santiago, leaving ample time to take in some special samples before returning for dinner.

Chile has been blessed with a dramatic growing topography, a narrow stretch of land bordered by the ocean and mountains. Due in part to this and the prevailing winds that ensure insects don’t settle for too long on any particular fruit, Chile is able to produce quality fruits with a minimal amount of preventative spraying. This is great news for consumers increasingly wary of what they are ingesting, and wine lovers are no exception. Formed in a similar vein (or vine) and upon strong organic principles is the De Martino winery, located on the Isla de Maipo, 31 miles from Santiago. Though no longer an island due in part to an earthquake, the soil remains incredibly fertile and hosts more than 740 acres of organically managed vines. This vineyard is also the source of Chile’s first Carménère, the Armida, while the Limávida (a blend including Carménère) was made from vines tended to by a single man and his horse. Chile’s first carbon-neutral vineyard also boasts multiple awardwinning Carménère and was voted winery of the year in 2011.

It is often said that to fully appreciate a destination, one should absorb the journey too. The same could be said not only of the literal fascination which accompanies Santiago’s urban transformation into neat rows of vines, but also of the figurative way that a troublesome grape survived extinction in Europe only to nestle warmly in the heart of a nation’s identity thousands of miles away. b

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 55

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

EXPERIENCE the World in Unparalleled ULTRA LUXURY on SEABOURN

A new ship A prestigious culinary alliance An historic UNESCO World Heritage partnership

Debuting December 2016, the Thomas Keller. His restaurants, The Alaska cruises beautiful new Seabourn Encore continues French Laundry, Bouchon, Per Se And more in 2016 - 2017 the re-invention of ultra-luxury cruising and Ad Hoc have earned unanimous begun by its Odyssey-class sisters. Under accolades from international arbiters construction in Italy, the ship embodies of culinary excellence, including the essence of Seabourn’s award-winning, casually elegant style, three coveted stars in the Guide Michelin. Now he has teamed brilliantly re-imagined by master designer Adam D. Tihany. It will offer with Seabourn’s skilled staff to introduce a variety of dishes to guests one additional deck, more public spaces to enjoy, and a private every onboard menu. Prepared to his exacting standards from the veranda on each of its 300 spacious suites. Seabourn has earned travelers’ highest quality ingredients, these additions result in an unrivaled loyalty with the sincere, personalized attention of its staff. They will dining experience unlike any other at sea. In the spring of 2016, that find that same warm hospitality aboard Seabourn Encore, but with new, experience will be further enhanced at a new signature restaurant endlessly intriguing levels of delight added by Tihany’s visionary genius. dedicated exclusively to Chef Keller’s creations aboard Seabourn Quest.

The new alternative will also greet diners on Seabourn Encore when it Guests aboard Seabourn’s ships are already tasting the benefits of the launches in December, and roll out across the entire fleet, including line’s groundbreaking partnership with American chef and restaurateur Seabourn Ovation when it sets sail in 2018.

56 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

Seabourn’s partnership with UNESCO World Heritage provides cruise guests with unique insights into the history and cultural importance of places they visit, as well as inviting them to contribute to the sites’ preservation even as they experience their beauty. Speakers with special knowledge about World Heritage share their expertise on many cruises as a part of the line’s Seabourn Conversations enrichment program.

Seabourn also cooperates with UNESCO to design shore excursions that visit or offer exclusive content at World Heritage Sites. The prices of these excursions include a small donation to the World Heritage Foundation, thus helping to support UNESCO’s mission of safeguarding humanity’s universal heritage and fostering sustainable tourism.

Seabourn is also expanding and extending guests’ destination experiences with a new series of excursions called Ventures by Seabourn™. Capitalizing on the expertise it gained in developing the first truly ultra-luxury cruises to Antarctica, Ventures by Seabourn™ offers optional guided Zodiac or kayaking expeditions in select ports of call. They are launched directly from the ship, extending guests’ experiences with unforgettable up-close views of local wildlife and spectacular scenery. An expert team of lecturers, naturalists and expedition staff further enhances the Seabourn Conversations onboard enrichment, maximizing guests’ immersion in the colors, flavors, and cultures in a region. Often, regional cuisines and wines are featured on daily menus and in special events both on board and ashore. Folkloric and other cultural groups add local color to entertainment programs.

For years, travelers have asked their travel advisors when they might again be able to experience a cruise to Alaska aboard a Seabourn ship.

Now Seabourn has announced that they will return to the Great Land with Seabourn Sojourn in the summer of 2017. Guests can expect these 11- to 14-day voyages to deliver all the grandeur of Glacier Bay, the unspoiled majesty of Alaska’s coastal ranges, the thrilling wildlife and the picturesque appeal of its quaint towns and cities. But they also promise hidden gems that make Seabourn itineraries unique: tiny places like Klemtu, British Columbia, where a First Nations populace proudly maintain the traditions of their ancestors. Seabourn Sojourn’s Alaska & British Columbia voyages will also be enhanced with Ventures by Seabourn onboard enrichment and small-craft excursions.

See page 77 for special offers from Seabourn. For more information please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 57

U.S. CIT Y S POTL IG H T

MIAMI:

A TROPICAL METROPOLIS

by PAUL RUBIO

Balmy weather, dreamy beaches, Art Deco panache, Latin flair – Miami is America’s storied slice of tropical exotica. Now add an exploding arts scene, a burgeoning skyline rife with design-forward hotels and condominiums, trending chef-driven restaurants, and a mass influx of international designer boutiques, and you begin to arrive at today’s Miami – a multi-faceted metropolis replacing the singular beach destination of yesteryear.

A RT S & C U LT U R E

➊ DESIGN DISTRICT

Pérez Art Museum

Wynwood neighborhood 58 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

The eclectic collection of buildings comprising Miami’s newest center of high-end retail has been designed by some of the world’s foremost architects.

Miami’s A-list can’t get enough of the just-opened, hyper-modern Palm Court retail complex by Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto. Neither can we!

➋ MUSEUM PARK

Fifteen years in the making, this sparkling 30-acre public park along Biscayne Bay now houses the world-class Pérez Art Museum Miami (opened in 2013) and will soon house the much-anticipated Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science (opening in summer 2016).

➌ WYNWOOD WALLS The once-monochromatic walls of Miami’s warehouse district have been transformed into blank canvases for eye-popping graffiti and striking street art, catalyzing a renaissance of the entire Wynwood neighborhood. City blocks coated in edgy murals surface as an innovative outdoors museum, attracting art aficionados from across the globe.

FOOD & DRINK

S H O P P I NG

➊ BEACHCRAFT

Tom Colicchio makes his Miami debut with this style-conscious, seafood-centric eatery. Start with the Florida clam flatbread or wahoo tiradito, then moving onto to the local cobia over purpled cabbage kimchi or the spicy bucatini with Florida blue crab and sea urchin.

➊ Vº73

➋ GIANNI’S Experience the grandeur of the Versace Mansion by dining at this new upscale Italian restaurant situated within the fashion mogul’s former estate.

Feast on house made pastas and imbibe on artisanal cocktails overlooking Versace’s ”Million Mosaic Pool” or dining indoors in the mansion’s former dining room.

➋ THE WEBSTER

Though big-name tenants like Hermes and Tom Ford lure spendthrifts to the Design District, the more individualistic boutiques also impress, like the this exclusive store by Italian handbag designer Elisabetta Armellin which features an assortment of lustworthy leather totes.

Miami’s see-and-beseen crowd flocks to this 20,000 square foot Miami Beach retail sanctuary for the latest and greatest in ready-to-wear fashions, swimwear, and essential Miami accessories.

A new, second outpost in the Bal Harbour Shops offers even more selections from 100plus top designers.

➌ JUVIA

Ascend to the rooftop of the dazzling Herzog and de Meuron–designed parking garage at 1111 Lincoln Road for a bird’s eye-view of Miami Beach and delectable Japanese, Peruvian, and French dishes from the three-chef kitchen at this high design restaurant.

Ball & Chain

NIGHTLIFE

➊ LIV NIGHTCLUB

Miami’s raging nightlife scene unfolds at this posh two-story nightclub at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach.

Dress to impress, expect long entrance queues, and plan to party the night away to the sounds of celebrity DJs.

➋ BALL & CHAIN

Webster

Step back in time to 1935 Miami at this history-steeped nightlife spot in the heart of Little Havana’s Calle Oche. Resurrected in 2014, the revamped club oozes old Havana glamour and speakeasy redux to the live sounds of jazz, salsa, and other Latin music.

ROA D T R I P S T O NAT U R A L F L O R I DA

W H E R E T O STAY

➊ SHARK VALLEY Immerse in pristine Florida wilderness with a half-day trip to Shark Valley Visitor Center, the closest entry point to Everglades National Park from Miami. Rent a bike on-site, and tackle the 15-mile trail, where you’ll encounter wading birds, sunbathing alligators, and other curious reptiles a plenty.

➋ PEACE RIVER Unearth fossilized remains from the Pliocene epoch on a full-day trip with Fossil Expeditions. Sift through the riverbeds of Central Florida’s Peace River alongside paleontologist Mark Renz, in awe of Florida’s natural history while discovering prehistoric shark teeth, mammoth bones, and evidence of ethereal creatures like giant sloths.

THE ST. REGIS BAL HARBOUR RESORT ❘ Miami, Florida “The most anticipated hotel opening of 2012,” according to Forbes Traveler – is a peerless haven of oceanfront elegance, quiet unwavering taste, anticipatory service, and seductive amenities. With its world-class Remède Spa, critically acclaimed J&G Grill (inspired by Chef Jean-Georges), exclusive Butler service, private-cabana-bordered pools, and largest standard guest rooms on the Eastern Seaboard, the resort is an exceptional destination at the intersection of art, fashion, and design.

Ideally located minutes from the whirlwind energy of South Beach, this exclusive enclave is directly across from the celebrated Bal Harbour Shops, home to the world’s most upscale brands.

Ensemble Exclusives: • Full American breakfast for two daily • $100 spa services credit per room, per stay • Upgraded room at time of check-in when available • Early check-in and late check-out when available Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 59

Creativity Peaks at

by NANCY HELLMRICH

Whether you’re an art aficionado or an ardent people watcher, the place to be in early December is Florida’s Miami Beach.

In 2015, transcendent experiences were on offer once again at the 14th annual Art Basel Miami Beach. The America’s counterpart to the original fair held in Basel, Switzerland, Art Basel Miami begins with an invitationonly opening and then opens to the public for five glorious days. And what a fair it is.

This year, after an exhaustive selection process, a record 267 galleries from 32 countries were invited to exhibit their works in the iconic Miami Beach Convention Center. The event featured works from more than 4,000 artists and attracted 77,000 people, 60 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

including major private collectors, museum directors, curators, patrons, trustees, as well as culturally curious spectators.

of galleries around the world, in addition to independent pop-up art fairs and celebrityfilled after-parties.

Beyond the main event, satellite fairs came to life in Miami Arts District galleries, on the beach, and inside luxury hotels on Ocean Drive and the cool Art Deco scene along Collins Avenue. The warehouse district turned art mecca of Wynwood, with its graffiti murals, was home to the large and long-established fair, Art Miami. A smaller sister fair was held in South Beach in the Art Deco-style Aqua Hotel where every room was transformed into an individual gallery.

Between Miami and Miami Beach, there were 23 art fairs showing works from thousands

Our favorite art pieces followed the digital sculpture trend with a series by Troy Abbott, featuring small colorful birds projected inside real bird cages, as well as a butterfly themed “Flutter Wall” by Dominic Harris.

Touchable color was featured in “Super Variety,” a mixed media piece depicting brightly colored, oversized candy. And optical illusions and clever messages were recurring themes throughout the fair, including “Life is Beautiful” by the irreverent street artist Thierry Guetta (aka Mr. Brainwash). b

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Finally,

20

Crave-Worthy

Vacations for the

T

oday’s hyper-connected young adults are hankering for more sophisticated breaks than the amusement park vacations of the past. But tours designed for older adults can move at too leisurely a pace for this adventure-hungry set. Perhaps that’s why the Family Breakaway Trips, offered by the active travel specialists at Backroads, are garnering so much attention.

Designed specifically to satisfy the curious minds of young adults, more than 60 active family adventures are currently on offer from the company. Itineraries are set in spring, summer, and

Please see page 66 for Backroads Family Breakaway trips. For more information please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

Something Set

winter to fit neatly with semester breaks and graduation sprees but many families are also booking them to celebrate milestone birthdays such as 18, 21, or 25. Each trip pairs families in similar stages of life and wows them with days packed full of culture, camaraderie, and fun.

Backroads’ world-spanning selection ranges from hiking the Italian Alps, cycling the Loire Valley, kayaking in Argentina, and snorkeling in Belize to jungle trekking in Thailand and multisport adventures in the United States’ national parks. Jumping off points showcase exciting gateway cities young adults have read about and are ready to experience for themselves, including Prague, Barcelona, Florence, Amsterdam, Berlin, and San Francisco.

Backroads also caters to a variety of activity levels from cycling, kayaking, and trekking to hiking and active walking. On the six-day Cinque Terre & Tuscany Family Breakaway, for example, families walk and hike through two incredible regions of Italy. Highlights include hiking along the spectacular coastline, chatting with locals in the brightly colored cliff-side villages, savoring fresh Mediterranean cuisine in local restaurants, touring Chianti Classico vineyards, and ogling the yachts and powerboats in Italy’s jet-set playground of Portofino.

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 61

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Viking® Leads the Way in River Cruising

Legendary

waterways.

Rich

history.

Food that’s as inspiring as the scenery. ® On a Viking cruise, expect all that and a whole lot more.

Since their launch, the Viking Longships® have received acclaim for their innovative design, outstanding quality and state-of-the-art engineering.

In an unprecedented move, Cruise Critic editors recognized the entire Viking Longships fleet as the year’s “Best River Cruise Ship,” marking the first time this award has been presented to an entire class of ship. And, the Viking Longships topped Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Poll for “Best River Cruise Ships” in 2015. Viking® has achieved the distinction of being the most awarded river cruise line and continues to advance with the largest fleet of new ships.

62 Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016

“Today’s travelers are looking for immersive experiences that bring them right to the heart of a destination.”

A Better Way to Explore

The Viking Difference

Legendary waterways. Inspiring itineraries. Delicious, regional cuisine. On a Viking cruise, you can expect all that and more.

“Today’s travelers are looking for immersive experiences that bring them right to the heart of a destination,” says Viking’s Chairman Torstein Hagen. “That explains a lot of the growth in river cruising – and the demand Viking has experienced.”

Viking owns and operates its own river cruise fleet, which has advantages for guests. Direct communication, increased efficiency, economies of ship design and high standards all lead to increased savings that are passed on to its guests. This adds up to the best value in river cruising. Viking’s inclusive fares cover accommodations, all onboard meals, shipwide Wi-Fi, daily shore excursions, port charges, lectures and cultural enrichment.

An Insider Experience While Viking delivers the expected and iconic (such as visits to museums and landmarks), the cruise line also goes beyond, and on most itineraries offers a Local Life experience and a Working World experience, as well as an optional Privileged Access experience.

For example, Viking offers a number of home-hosted visits or trips to local markets so guests can experience Local Life; it provides experiences like the Kinderdijk windmills near Amsterdam or porcelain factory in Meissen, so guests can gain insight into the Working World; and Viking offers guests the option of experiencing Privileged Access to museums, private collections and after-hours events curated especially by Viking, such as exclusive behind-thescenes tour partnerships with Lobkowicz Palace in Prague, Czech Republic and the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Your Home Away From Home An innovative, creative departure from traditional ship design, the Viking Longships offer guests a choice of stateroom category unlike any other. From spacious Veranda Staterooms and French Balcony Staterooms with a sliding glass door, to the two-room Veranda Suites, each offers casual comfort and excellent river views. Guests may also choose one of two spacious Explorer Suites – the largest on Europe’s rivers – with wraparound verandas providing 270° views.

Take advantage of Viking’s 2016 Special Savings and receive discounts on international air.

See page 79 for special offers from Viking River Cruises. For more information please contact your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant.

Ensemble Lifestyles Winter 2016 63

ESCAPE TO WAIKIKI BEACH.

Receive up to a $200 dining credit on your vacation.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Hawai’i offer the perfect getaway for a fun and relaxing beach vacation. For a limited time, book a flight and hotel vacation of four nights or longer in participating room categories and receive a special dining credit:* • Book a Diamond Deluxe Ocean, Tower Partial Ocean or Tower Deluxe City room at The Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach and get a $150 dining credit.*.

• Book a Historic Room to Historic Garden Jr. Suite at The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki and receive a $200 dining credit.* Book by February 29, 2016, for travel January 15 – December 17, 2016.

CONTACT YOUR ENSEMBLE TRAVEL® GROUP CONSULTANT

Offer subject to change without notice; other restrictions may apply. *Minimum night stays, select travel dates and other restrictions may apply. ©2015 MLT Vacations, LLC DV20505

T R AV E L E R ’ S N O T E B O O K

Patagonia: The Last Wilderness

Peru: Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley

• 11 days touring Patagonia

• 9 days touring Peru

• Buenos Aires to Santiago

• Select departures January 29 – December 16, 2016

• Roundtrip Lima

• February 18; March 24; October 11; November 10 & December 8, 2016

• From $6,295 per person, land only

• From $8,795 per person, land only

• Web ID: EL1201

• Web ID: EL1200

Marvel at the spectacle of a truly pristine wilderness as you visit a working Patagonian ranch, stroll among Magellan penguins, explore rugged Torres del Paine and sail past icebergs and glaciers on Lago Argentino. Travel from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, El Calafate, Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine, and Santiago.

E

NSEMBLE®

E

This fascinating journey through Peru, from Lima to Cusco, takes you to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, where you stay at the only hotel on site. You also visit massive, mysterious Sacsayhuaman.

Mingle with the farmers and children of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and gain an intimate understanding of their centuries-old customs during a private visit to their village.

E

X C L U S IV E

Save $250 per person. Book by March 31, 2016.

NSEMBL E ®

E

XCL U SIVE

Save $250 per person. Book by March 31, 2016.

Historical China, Tibet & the Yangtze

Wild + Wonderful Southern Africa

• 16 days (including 4 day cruise) touring China

• 9 days touring Africa

• Shanghai to Beijing

• Select departures March 16, 2016 – April 2, 2017

• Botswana to Zimbabwe

• Select departures April 22, 2016 – April 21, 2017

• From $5,799 per person, land only

• From $6,299 per person, land/cruise only

• Web ID: EL1203

• Web ID: EL1202

Pandas, the Great Wall, Potala Palace, a Tangka painter and the finest ship on the Yangtze are perfectly combined on this intimate original journey to China and Tibet. Gain deeper insight into Tibetan life and culture ... by special arrangement, you’ll spend time with a resident family, meet a local doctor, visit a Buddhist nunnery and join in an ancient rite of walking and prayer.

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NSEMBLE®

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X C L U S IV E

Complimentary one category cabin upgrade from Main Deck to Xiling Deck on the Yangzi Explorer. Book now.

This value-packed trip explores two of Africa’s most game-rich regions, the Okavango Delta and Hwange National Park as well as Victoria Falls. Enjoy every possible type of safari activity... game drives in open 4x4 vehicles, serene mokoro canoe rides, bush walks, and exciting night drives! Set out at sunset for a private cocktail cruise with an elegant 3-course dinner on the Zambezi.

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Complimentary helicopter sightseeing flight at Victoria Falls.

Book now.

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California Wine Country Biking Tour • 6 days touring California

Cinque Terre & Tuscany Walking & Hiking Tour • 6 days touring Italy

• Yountville to Healdsburg

• Pisa to Florence • April – October, 2016

• March through November, 2016

• From $3,198 per person, land only

• From $3,198 per person, land only

• Web ID: EL1209

• Web ID: EL1208

Legendary vineyards. Soaring redwood forests. And the dramatic Pacific coast. This is Northern California. And for you, it’s a remarkable week and an incredible ride. Ride through five valleys of world-famous vineyards - hundreds of wineries line the cycling route. Enjoy seriously good food, inspired by local vintages and fresh California ingredients. Bike to Bodega Bay on the dramatic Pacific coast, and take pampering to the next level at award-winning spas.

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Receive one Camelbak Hydra Pack per booking.

Book by March 30, 2016.

Discover two distinct and beloved regions of Italy in one amazing trip. Hike the Cinque Terre’s spectacular coastline, with brightly colored cliffside villages, and savor outstanding seafood by the Mediterranean and simple hearty fare in Chianti. Stroll through archetypal Tuscan villages, vineyards and cypress-flanked lanes, and taste crisp Ligurian white wines and full-bodied Tuscan reds.

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Receive one Camelbak Hydra Pack per booking.

Book by March 30, 2016.

Scottish Clans & Castles

Taste of Ireland

• 10 or 11 days touring Scotland

• 5 – 7 days touring Ireland

• Glasgow to Edinburgh

• Dublin to Shannon

• Thursday departures April – October, 2016

• Select departures February – December, 2016

• From $2,098 per person, land only

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• From $598 per person, land only

• Web ID: EL1212

• Web ID: EL1213

Journey through Scotland, where legends and charm meet the stunning Highlands. Embark on a short cruise on Loch Ness to keep an eye out for “Nessie” and visit the ruins of Urguhart Castle. Enjoy tours of Glasgow and discover the history of the Lords of Isles at the Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle. Travel from Glasgow to Drymen, Stirling, Kyle of Lochalsh, Inverness, Pitlochry, St. Andrews and Edinburgh.

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Save $100 per person (reflected in price shown).

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This trip is perfect for the first time visitor. See Ireland’s most popular destinations and sights, including the vibrant Dublin City and the scenic Ring of Kerry. Enjoy live music and Irish dancing for a fun evening at Merry Ploughboy. Watch sheepdog trials, kiss the Blarney Stone, and see the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. Travel from Dublin to Cashel, Blarney, Killarney, Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty, and Shannon.

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Save $100 per person (reflected in price shown).

Book by February 29, 2016.

For reservations, call us today.

The Royal Hawaiian

Moana Surfrider

• 4 nights at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort

• 4 nights at Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa

• Honolulu, Hawaii

• Honolulu, Hawaii

• Select departures now through December 17, 2016

• Select departures now through December 17, 2016

• Ask us for current pricing

• Ask us for current pricing

• Web ID: EL1218

• Web ID: EL1219

Situated on Waikiki Beach, the legendary Royal Hawaiian Hotel is known as “The Pink Palace of the Pacific,” and has been recognized around the world as an icon of luxury and romance for more than a century. Waikiki’s only oceanfront dinner show, Aha Aina, A Royal Luau, honors the land’s majestic history through food, song, stories, hula, and culture.

The oceanfront Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, combines turn-of the-century Victorian elegance with modern amenities, and is a short walk from shopping, dining, and attractions. Waikiki’s first and only beachfront spa, the Moana Lani Spa features 14 treatment rooms, and a 1,400 square foot Westin WORKOUT fitness facility.

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Receive $200 in dining credits per booking at the Royal Hawaiian when you book a flight and hotel vacation by February 29, 2016*.

Offer subject to change without notice; other restrictions may apply. *Minimum night stays, select travel dates and other restrictions may apply.

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Receive $150 in dining credits per booking at the Moana Surfrider when you book a flight and hotel vacation by February 29, 2016*.

Offer subject to change without notice; other restrictions may apply. *Minimum night stays, select travel dates and other restrictions may apply.

Cuba

Dominican Republic

• 7 days cruising Cuba aboard Adonia

• 7 days cruising the Dominican Republic aboard Adonia

• Roundtrip Miami

XCL U SIVE

• Select departures May 1 – November 13, 2016

• Roundtrip Miami

• From $3,150 per person, balcony stateroom

• From $1,702 per person, balcony stateroom

• Select departures April 10 – November 20, 2016

• Web ID: EL1221

• Web ID: EL1220

Combine your love of travel with your desire to make a difference.

Your own itinerary might include a walking tour of Havana’s Old City. A visit to an organic farm. A meal at a home-based restaurant. An English workshop with students at a local primary school. A brainstorming session with local micro entrepreneurs. A chance to interact with local artists and musicians in, as you deepen your understanding of the arts as a vital bridge between people and cultures.

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Receive complimentary pre-paid gratuities, up to $100 shipboard credit per person and 50% reduced deposit. Book by February 29, 2016.

Almost from the moment you step on board your ship in Miami, you’ll realize that a Fathom voyage is anything but travel as usual. Yes, of course you’ll have leisure moments, creature comforts and time for recreation. But, during your time at sea, you’ll also be focused on building a community with your fellow travelers, as you participate in on-board activities designed specifically to prepare you for your onground impact experience.

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Receive complimentary pre-paid gratuities, up to $400 per person savings, Free cruise fare for 3rd & 4th passengers and 50% reduced deposit. Book by February 29, 2016.

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Classic Italy

Ireland & Great Britain

• 14 days touring Italy

• 14 days touring Ireland & Great Britain

• Naples to Venice

• Shannon to London

• April 6 – October 24, 2016

• May 21 – September 24, 2016

• From $6,790 per person, land only

• From $6,390 per person, land only

• Web ID: EL1242

• Web ID: EL1243

Discover bella Italia in scenic Tuscan hill towns, centuries-old cities and countryside villages, and along the Amalfi Coast, with a Tauck Exclusive in Rome – an after-hours guided visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel – without the crowds. Art is the focus in Florence, then cruise along the shores of Cinque Terre villages... stay at a 17th-century country house hotel in Torgiano... discover historic sites in Pompeii... spend two nights in magical Venice... and visit the hill towns of Orvieto, Assisi and San Gimignano.

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Explore capital cities and countryside throughout Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. Enjoy guided tours of Killarney, Ballyvolane, Dublin (including a private visit to the Guinness Storehouse), and Belfast. Travel by ferry from Northern Ireland to Scotland where Scottish travels include two nights in Edinburgh with city sightseeing. On to England, and a visit to Alnwick Castle. Spend two nights in York, take a Cambridge city tour, visit Hampton Court Palace, and spend two nights in London.

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Longitude Book gift set (valued at $100) per booking. Book now.

Longitude Book gift set (valued at $100) per booking. Book now.

Moorea & Bora Bora

Tahiti & Bora Bora

• 9 days: 3 nights InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa (beach bungalow) and 5 nights InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort (overwater lagoon bungalow)

• 7 days: 1 night InterContinental Tahiti Resort (superior lagoon room) and 5 nights InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa (Emerald overwater villa)

• April 1 – May 31 and November 15 – December 10, 2016

• April 1 – May 31 and November 15 – December 10, 2016

• From $2,999 per person, land only

• From $3,699 per person, land only

• Web ID: EL1244

• Web ID: EL1245

Immerse yourself in the incomparable beauty of French Polynesia.

This vacation package includes full breakfast daily, complimentary Wi-Fi, a 4x4 safari excursion, a shark and ray snorkel safari, a complimentary black pearl pendant, one 3-course dinner for two with bottle of wine, one dinner at Boody Mary’s, inter-island transfers by Air Tahiti, and more!

Escape to the ultimate paradise: Tahiti and Bora Bora. This vacation package includes full breakfast daily, complimentary Wi-Fi, a 4x4 safari excursion, a complimentary black pearl pendant, a shark and ray snorkel safari, one 3-course dinner for two with bottle of wine, a 50-minute Polynesian Taurumi massage, inter-island transfers by Air Tahiti, and more!

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Moorea: 20% discount at Helene Spa and a t-shirt and pareo. Bora Bora: beach bag and special Polynesian gift. Book by June 30, 2016.

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Complimentary lunch for two at the Sand’s restaurant in Bora Bora and a special Polynesian gift. Book by June 30, 2016.

For reservations, call us today.

Colony Club by Elegant Hotels

The Palms Turks & Caicos

• 5 nights at Colony Club

by Elegant Hotels

• 5 nights at The Palms Turks & Caicos

• Barbados

• Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos

• April 18 – December 18, 2016

• April 8 – December 19, 2016

• From $1,571 per person, luxury poolside room

• From $1,440 per person, junior suite room

• Web ID: EL1246

• Web ID: EL1247

Colony Club by Elegant Hotels, located on the platinum west coast, is a timeless retreat with souring palm trees, lagoon-style pools and serene tropical gardens. Known for its relaxing ambiance, the hotel appeals to those who enjoy healthy eating, unique health-conscious amenities and togetherness.

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Inspired by the classic estates of Oliver Messel, The Palms Turks & Caicos lies amidst 12-acres of gardens on Grace Bay beach. Its 72 suites feature no less than 1,800 square feet of living space. Other features include a 15,000 square foot spa; aromatherapy mists, tropical sorbets and iPod® minis poolside; Pan-Tropical cuisine; butler and chauffer service.

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Complimentary bottle of wine at check-in. Book now.

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Complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival and a $75 spa credit per room. Book now.

Historic Havana

Havana & Cuba Countryside Tour

• 5 nights touring Havana

• 7 nights touring Cuba

• Roundtrip Miami

• Roundtrip Miami

• Select departures April 25 through August 15, 2016

• Select departures April 17 through August 21, 2016

• From $2,495 per person, includes charter flight from Miami, hotel in Havana plus all meals in Cuba

• From $3,495 per person, includes charter flight from Miami, hotel in Havana and Varadero plus all meals in Cuba

• Web ID: EL1250

• Web ID: EL1251

This 5-night escorted people-to-people tour allows you to immerse yourself in the Cuban culture and experience the beautiful sights and people of Cuba in Old Havana and Pinar del Rio. Highlights include: a walk through Old Havana’s historic center; visits to local artists and tobacco farms; a convoy of classic American cars; a visit to the Angeles del Futuro children’s community project for circus and acrobatics; and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In addition to the many sights in Havana, on this escorted peopleto-people tour you will experience Pinar del Rio to see the worldfamous Cuban cigar making process, then continue onto Matanzas, known as the “City of Bridges” and considered the cultural center of Cuba. Afterwards, spend two nights in world-famous Varadero where one of the stops is a tour of Casa Dupont, also known as “Xanadu.”

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Receive a $100 credit per booking. Book by March 31, 2016.

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Receive a $100 credit per booking. Book by March 31, 2016.

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Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches

Burgundy & Provence

• 8 days cruising France aboard Avalon Tapestry II

• 11 days cruising France aboard Avalon Poetry II

• Roundtrip Paris • October 15 – 22, 2016

• September 29 – October 9, 2016

• From $3,049 per person, Deluxe Stateroom, cruise only

• From $4,349 per person, Deluxe Stateroom, land/cruise only

• Web ID: EL1204

• Web ID: EL1205

Sail to Vernon, for a choice of guided visits to either Claude Monet’s gardens at Giverny or Bizy Castle. Continue to Les Andelys with its Château Gaillard. Then, on to Caudebec, where you choose between an excursion to the Normandy landing beaches or a “Taste of Normandy.” Visit Joan of Arc’s Rouen, and in Conflans, visit Vincent van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise or Napolean’s Château de Malmaison before heading back to Paris.

Your adventure begins with two overnights in Paris. Ride the TGV train to Dijon, then continue on to Beaune for a Burgundy wine tasting or visit of Hôtel-Dieu. Board your ship in quaint Chalon-sur-Saône and set sail for Tournus, France’s gastronomic capital of Lyon, as well as medieval Tournon, charming Viviers, Avignon, and Arles. Sail into the peaceful Camargue area, and conclude with an overnight on the Côte d’Azur.

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Receive prepaid gratuities. Book now.

Receive prepaid gratuities. Book now.

Pearl of the Adriatic

Tuscany and Italian Riviera Voyage

• 7 nights cruising Croatia and Italy aboard Azamara Journey®

• 7 days cruising Italy aboard Azamara Journey®

• Roundtrip Venice

• September 23 – 30, 2016

• September 9-16, 2016

• From $5,149 per person, Club Continent Suite

• Roundtrip Rome

• From $4,849 per person, Club Continent Suite

• Web ID: EL1206

• Web ID: EL1207

Summertime living is easy along the deep blue Adriatic. You’ll love Hvar’s lavender fields, old Venetian architecture and lively bars and restaurants after dark. In Split, lose yourself in ancient Diocletian’s Palace, or take in the views from St. Duje’s Cathedral.

See Dubrovnik from below with a stroll on its marble streets, or from above with a walk on the old city walls. Tirana is a patchwork of Ottoman, Venetian and communist-era architecture.

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Ensemble Hosted Cruise, private cocktail reception and Ensemble Experience shore event in Split, Croatia. Book now. ®

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On Elba see Napoleon’s villa or take the chairlift up Monte Capanne for fantastic views. Marvel at the cliff-hugging villages of Cinque Terre, stroll the gardens of St. Margherita or visit charming Portofino. With two days in Livorno, explore the Renaissance art of Florence, the Tower of Pisa, medieval Lucca, and the rolling hills and vineyards of Chianti. In Bastia, you’ll love the picturesque old port filled with brasseries, bars, shops and Baroque churches.

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Receive $200 onboard credit per stateroom. Book now.

For reservations, call us today.

Greece, Turkey & Italy

Alaska Tracy Arm Fjord

• 11 nights cruising the Mediterranean aboard Celebrity Reflection

• 7 nights cruising Alaska aboard Celebrity Solstice

• Roundtrip Rome

• Roundtrip Seattle

• June 6 – 17, 2016

• July 15 – 22, 2016

• From $2,149 per person, AquaClass Stateroom

• From $2,349 per person, AquaClass Stateroom

• Web ID: EL1210

• Web ID: EL1211

Taxes, fees and port expenses of $108.34 per person are additional and subject to change.

Taxes, fees and port expenses of $202.76 per person are additional and subject to change.

AquaClass veranda staterooms offer spa elements infused into the stateroom experience and priority seating in the exclusive and chic specialty restaurant, Blu. If you love the spa, there’s no finer way to travel, from Rome to Santorini, Athens, Ephesus, Mykonos, and Naples.

Take the adventure you always dreamed of. Witness dramatic displays of ice-shelves breaking off into icebergs. Marvel at moose and bear on the land, bald eagles soaring above, and humpback whales peacefully rolling with the sea. Sail from Seattle to Ketchikan, Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau, Skagway, scenic cruising Alaska Inside Passage, and Victoria.

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$150 onboard credit per stateroom for AquaClass & Suites. $50 onboard credit and two category upgrade (when available) for all other stateroom categories. Book now.

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$150 onboard credit per stateroom for AquaClass & Suites. $50 onboard credit and two category upgrade (when available) for all other stateroom categories. Book now.

Mediterranean Romance

Alaskan Explorer

• 12 days cruising the Mediterranean aboard ms Eurodam

• 7 days cruising Alaska aboard ms Westerdam

• Venice to Barcelona

• June 11, July 9, August 13 & September 10, 2016

• Roundtrip Seattle

• May 18, June 23, September 3 & October 9, 2016

• From $799 per person, Interior Stateroom

• From $1,899 per person, Interior Stateroom

• Web ID:EL1223

• Web ID: EL1222

Journey to the wellspring of dreams, where inspired Old World empires blossomed into bustling centers of culture, commerce and treasured art. Breathe in a world of refinement on board with fivestar dining and award-winning service. Timeless beauty unfolds as you sail from Venice to Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Pompeii, Rome, Florence/Pisa, Monte Carlo, Toulon, and Barcelona.

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$75 shipboard credit per stateroom. Book now.

Experience forests, fjords and ice-blue glaciers plus must-see towns on the Inside Passage. The blue of glacial ice glistens in the sunlight. A pod of porpoises surfaces, then disappears. Snow that fell centuries ago moves from mountains to the sea. Welcome to Alaska, the 49th state of wonder with Holland America Cruises. Sail from Seattle to Juneau, scenic cruising Glacier Bay, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria.

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Up to $50 shipboard credit per stateroom. Book now.

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Majestic Alaska

European Tapestry

• 10 days cruising Alaska aboard Crystal Serenity

• 12 days cruising Western Europe aboard Crystal Symphony

• Vancouver to Anchorage

• London to Lisbon

• August 6 – 16, 2016

• August 6 – 18, 2016

• From $5,730 per person, Verandah Stateroom

• From $5,955 per person, Verandah Stateroom

• Web ID: EL1260

• Web ID: EL1261

Immerse yourself in the wonders of the Last Frontier...from its glaciers and fjords to its wildlife and rainforests. This voyage includes a rare call to Hoonah to see the world’s largest population of brown bears on Chichagof Island. Sail from Vancouver to Ketchikan, Hoonah, Juneau, Skagway, scenic cruising Glacier Bay, Sitka, and Anchorage.

Basque coast gems and charming cities await. Explore vineyards and chateaux with three days in Bordeaux, the heart of France’s famed wine region. Sail from London/Tilbury (overnight) to Honfleur (overnight), Guernsey/St. Peter Port, St. Malo, Bordeaux (overnight), Le Verdon, St. Jean-de-Luz, and Lisbon (overnight).

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Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience shore event in Juneau. Plus, save $950 per person when you book by February 29, 2016.

Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience shore event in St. Malo. Plus, save $950 per person when you book by February 29, 2016.

Colonial Charms & Idyllic Isles

Baltic Discovery

• 14 days cruising the East Coast and Caribbean aboard Crystal Serenity

• 13 days cruising the Baltic aboard Crystal Symphony

• New York City to Fort Lauderdale

• Stockholm to Berlin/Hamburg

• October 25 – November 8, 2016

• June 22 – July 5, 2016

• From $5,590 per person, Verandah Stateroom

• From $7,490 per person, Verandah Stateroom

• Web ID: EL1262

• Web ID: EL1263

With the famed New York City skyline in your wake, follow the Eastern Seaboard to islands in the sun...Caribbean idylls revered for their shimmering waters and magical beaches. Sail from New York City to Baltimore, Charleston, Savannah, Jacksonville, Turks & Caicos, Curaçao, Oranjestad, and Fort Lauderdale.

An inclusive 3-night “Beautiful Berlin” program showcases one of Europe’s most dramatically changed cities, while overnight stays in renowned Baltic capitals spotlight ancient history and modern design. Sail from Stockholm to Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Gdansk, Copenhagen, and Berlin/Hamburg.

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Ensemble Hosted Cruise with Ensemble Experience shore event in Charleston. Plus, save $1,500 per person when you book by February 29, 2016. ®

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Ensemble Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience shore event in St. Petersburg. Plus, save $950 per person when you book by February 29, 2016. ®

For reservations, call us today.

British Isles Culinary Discovery

The Fjords

• 12 days cruising the British Isles aboard Queen Elizabeth®

• 7 days cruising Norway aboard Queen Elizabeth®

• Roundtrip Southampton

• Roundtrip Southampton

• June 23 – July 5, 2016

• July 22 – 29, 2016

• From $3,750 per person, Balcony Stateroom

• From $2,326 per person, Balcony Stateroom

• Web ID: EL1214

• Web ID: EL1215

Circle the British Isles for 12 memorable nights. Discover Georgian Edinburgh, Invergordon and the Scottish Highlands, Kirkwall’s Norse heritage and Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Glasgow. Belfast and Liverpool will welcome you warmly, so too Guernsey’s historic capital.

Discover the Norwegian coast over seven nights. Leaving Southampton, a day at sea readies you for Bergen’s colorful warehouses, before you venture to Geiranger and Flaam set within a gorgeous fjord. Having glimpsed into the Viking heritage of Stavanger you’ll return home.

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Ensemble Hosted Cruise with Ensemble Experience shore event in Belfast. Book now.

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

Baltic Highlights

Spain & Morocco

• 14 days cruising the Baltic aboard Queen Elizabeth®

• 12 days cruising Spain and Morocco aboard Queen Elizabeth®

• Roundtrip Southampton

• Roundtrip Southampton

• August 2 – 16, 2016

• November 22 – December 4, 2016

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• From $4,415 per person, Balcony Stateroom

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• From $3,275 per person, Balcony Stateroom

• Web ID: EL1216

• Web ID: EL1217

Explore the Baltic Sea’s treasures on an intriguing 14-night adventure.

Having left Southampton, Hamburg beckons before a trio of atmospheric capitals. St. Petersburg reveals its palaces, museums and onion domes on an overnight stay, then Kiel and Skagen lead you home.

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

From Southampton, you’ll soon reach La Coruna with its glassfronted fishermen’s houses. The medina in Tangiers is yours to explore, so too Valencia’s Central Market. Admire Cartagena’s Carthaginian castle and Gibraltar’s forts before returning via Lisbon 12 nights later.

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

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Portraits of the Past

Divine Tides

• 10 days cruising the Mediterranean aboard Nautica

• 12 days cruising the Mediterranean aboard Sirena

• Rome to Barcelona

• Rome to Istanbul

• May 10 – 20, 2016

• May 22 – June 3, 2016

• From $3,799 per person, Inside Stateroom

• From $4,499 per person, Inside Stateroom

• Web ID: EL1224

• Web ID: EL1225

A new perspective every day: This is the Europe you’ve always wanted to see. With a new port of call each day, you won’t miss one spectacular sculpture, soaring cathedral, charming café or iconic treasure. Sail from Rome to Florence/Pisa, Porto Vecchio, Cinque Terre, Monte Carlo, Antibes, Provence, Palamos, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia and Barcelona.

Visit the famous Vatican Museums in Rome. On the island of Crete, discover Knossos Palace, the center of the ancient capital of King Minos. Explore the village of Rabat on Malta, where St. Paul is said to have lived in 60 AD, and marvel at the Great Theater of Ephesus.

During an overnight stay in Istanbul, you’ll have ample time to gaze at the countless azure tiles adorning the interior of the Blue Mosque.

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$200 shipboard credit per stateroom plus Free Airfare with 2-for-1 Cruise Fares and Free Unlimited Internet and your choice of 4 Free Shore Excursions, an additional $800 shipboard credit per stateroom or Free Beverage Package. Book now.

$200 shipboard credit per stateroom plus Free Airfare with 2-for-1 Cruise Fares and Free Unlimited Internet and your choice of 4 Free Shore Excursions, an additional $800 shipboard credit per stateroom or Free Beverage Package Book now.

Greek & Turkish Charms

Pearls of the Mediterranean

• 10 days cruising the Mediterranean aboard Sirena

• 7 days cruising the Mediterranean aboard Riviera

• Istanbul to Athens

• Rome to Monte Carlo

• June 3 – 13, 2016

• June 19 – 26, 2016

• From $3,999 per person, Inside Stateroom

• From $4,149 per person, Veranda Stateroom

• Web ID: EL1226

• Web ID: EL1227

From the mosques and minarets of Istanbul to the imposing Acropolis of Athens, you will discover new wonders at every turn. The beaches of Rhodes, Crete and Mykonos will enchant you. Just as captivating are the archaeological gems of Turkey, from the ruins of Ephesus to the ancient cities of Perge and Aspendos. Discover the healing powers of Alanya’s Damlatas Cave, and explore the ancient riches of Cyprus.

A treasure trove of unforgettable destinations, your journey will be a fabulous exploration of the very best the Mediterranean has to offer. Coastal towns shine along the seashore as you sail from Rome to the picturesque seaside towns of Amalfi/Positano, then Cagliari, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Provence, Antibes, and Monte Carlo (overnight).

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$200 shipboard credit per stateroom plus Free Airfare with 2-for-1 Cruise Fares and Free Unlimited Internet and your choice of 4 Free Shore Excursions, an additional $800 shipboard credit per stateroom or Free Beverage Package. Book now.

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$200 shipboard credit per stateroom plus Free Airfare with 2-for-1 Cruise Fares and Free Unlimited Internet and your choice of 3 Free Shore Excursions, an additional $600 shipboard credit per stateroom or Free Beverage Package. Book now.

For reservations, call us today.

Society Islands & Tuamotus

Tahiti & Society Islands

• 10 nights cruising Tahiti & French Polynesia aboard m/s Paul Gauguin

• 7 nights cruising Tahiti & French Polynesia aboard m/s Paul Gauguin

• Roundtrip Papeete

• Roundtrip Papeete

• March 2, June 1, August 10 & November 2, 2016

• Select departures January 23 – December 14, 2016

• From $5,595 per person, Porthole Stateroom including roundtrip airfare LAX/Tahiti

• From $3,995 per person, Porthole Stateroom including roundtrip airfare LAX/Tahiti

• Web ID: EL1228

• Web ID: EL1229 Beauty surrounds you on this 10-day sojourn, both on land and underwater. The Society Islands beckon with lush rainforests, crystal-clear lagoons, and warm breezes that encourage nothing but indulgent beachside lounging. Continue on to the Tuamotu Archipelago, a collection of low-lying atolls known the world ‘round for their vibrant underwater ecosystem.

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Discover your own island inspiration in the destination that enchanted painter Paul Gauguin, author James A. Michener, and countless others. In one wonderful week, you’ll explore the best of the South Pacific, with stops in lush Huahine, beautiful Bora Bora, and postcardperfect Moorea. Once you’ve made these islands your home – even if just for a week – they’ll always be calling for you to return.

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June 1 and November 2 feature an Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience shore event in Rangiroa. Other sailings feature $100 onboard credit per person. Book now.

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Ensemble Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience in Bora Bora (3/26, 5/14, 7/9, 9/3 & 10/1). Other sailings feature $100 onboard credit per person. Book now. ®

Enchanting Danube

Delightful Danube & Prague

• 8 days cruising Europe aboard River Beatrice

• 10 days cruising Europe aboard River Princess

• Passau to Budapest

• Prague to Budapest

• July 10 – 17, 2016

• July 4 – 13, 2016

• From $3,999 per person, Riverview Stateroom

• From $4,299 per person, Riverview Stateroom

• Web ID: EL1248

• Web ID: EL1249

German poet Friedrich Hölderlin called the Danube “a refreshing melodious river, sometimes foaming with high spirits, at other times dreaming serenely.” For centuries, this exquisite waterway has cast its spell on poets, musicians, and artists of all kinds. Now it’s your turn to be inspired, as you sail from Passau (overnight) to Linz, Melk, Dürnstein, Vienna (overnight), and Budapest (overnight) on this allinclusive journey.

Experience dynamic Budapest and imperial Vienna. Marvel at ravishing scenery as your luxurious ship glides through the Wachau Valley, celebrated as one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, into Germany and past charming Bavarian villages. This enchanting and all-inclusive voyage provides a variety of ways to enjoy captivating destinations, as well as plenty of time to relax onboard.

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Save $100 per person and receive $100 shipboard credit per person.

Book now.

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Save $100 per person and receive $100 shipboard credit per person.

Book now.

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Centuries of Contrast

Path of the Tlingit

• 10 nights cruising Northern Europe aboard Seven Seas Voyager®

• 7 nights cruising Alaska aboard Seven Seas Mariner®

• Roundtrip London

• Vancouver to Anchorage

• June 6 – 16, 2016

• July 27 – August 3, 2016

• From $8,999 per person, Deluxe Veranda Suite

• From $6,499 per person, Deluxe Veranda Suite

• Web ID: EL1230

• Web ID: EL1231

Discover the best of England, Scotland and Ireland as you sail from London to Newcastle, Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin, Liverpool, Cork, and Plymouth. 2-For-1 All-Inclusive Fares include Early Booking Savings, FREE Roundtrip Air*, FREE Unlimited Shore Excursions, FREE Unlimited Beverages Including Fine Wines and Premium Spirits, FREE Pre-Paid Gratuities and much more.

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Big, bold and impossibly beautiful, Alaska stretches beyond the imagination. Sail to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, and scenic cruising of Tracy Arm Fjord and Sawyer Glacier plus Hubbard Glacier.

2-For-1 All-Inclusive Fares include Early Booking Savings, FREE Roundtrip Air*, FREE Unlimited Shore Excursions, FREE Unlimited Beverages Including Fine Wines and Premium Spirits, FREE Pre-Paid Gratuities and much more.

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

$100 shipboard credit per person. Book now.

* Ask your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant for terms & conditions.

* Ask your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant for terms & conditions.

Riches of Europe

Royals & Palaces

• 10 nights cruising the Mediterranean aboard Seven Seas Navigator®

• 7 nights cruising Northern Europe aboard Seven Seas Voyager®

• Barcelona to Rome

• Stockholm to Copenhagen

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• August 16 – 26, 2016

• September 5 – 12, 2016

• From $6,999 per person, Deluxe Window Suite

• From $6,499 per person, Deluxe Veranda Suite

• Web ID: EL1232

• Web ID: EL1233

Sail from Barcelona to Valencia, Palma de Mallorca, Port-Vendres, Provence, Antibes, Monte Carlo, Portofino, La Spezia, Florence/ Pisa, and Rome. 2-For-1 All-Inclusive Fares include Early Booking Savings, FREE Roundtrip Air*, FREE Unlimited Shore Excursions, FREE Unlimited Beverages Including Fine Wines and Premium Spirits, FREE Pre-Paid Gratuities and much more.

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Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience shore event in Valletta. Book now. * Ask your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant for terms & conditions.

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Fairy tales spring to life as you sail from Stockholm to Helsinki, St. Petersburg (overnight), Tallinn, Berlin and Copenhagen. 2-For-1 All-Inclusive Fares include Early Booking Savings, FREE Roundtrip Air*, FREE Unlimited Shore Excursions, FREE Unlimited Beverages Including Fine Wines and Premium Spirits, FREE Pre-Paid Gratuities and much more.

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$100 shipboard credit per person. Book now. * Ask your Ensemble Travel® Group consultant for terms & conditions.

For reservations, call us today.

Rivieras & Spanish Splendours

Adriatic & Aegean Isles

• 10 nights cruising the Mediterranean aboard Seabourn Sojourn

• 7 nights cruising the Mediterranean aboard Seabourn Odyssey

• Barcelona to Monte Carlo

• Venice to Athens

• October 17 - 27, 2016

• May 21, July 16, August 13 & October 8, 2016

• From $5,999 per person, complimentary Oceanview to Veranda Suite upgrade

• From $2,999 per person, complimentary Oceanview to Veranda Suite upgrade

• Web ID: EL1234

• Web ID: EL1235 With Seabourn as your guide, cruise marquee ports as well as unsung gems where larger ships cannot follow. Discover the joys of an intimate yacht experience as you sail from Barcelona to Valencia, Ciutadella de Menorca, scenic cruising the Calanques, Portoferraio, Santa Margherita Ligure, San Remo, St. Tropez, La Joilette, Sanarysur-Mer, and Monte Carlo.

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Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience shore event in Portoferraio. Premium Suite bookings (Penthouse and above) receive $1,000 per suite shipboard credit when booked by February 29, 2016.

The hallmarks of cruising with Seabourn are felt from your very first moment on board, when you’re greeted with a warm smile and chilled glass of champagne. Seabourn Odyssey enchants her guests, sailing from Venice to Primosten, Dubrovnik, Kerkira, Nydri, Katakolon, Monemvasia, and Athens.

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Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience shore event in Katakolon. Premium Suite bookings (Penthouse and above) receive $1,000 per suite shipboard credit when booked by February 29, 2016.

Turkish & Aegean Treasures

Grecian Splendours & Adriatic

• 7 nights cruising Greece & Turkey aboard Seabourn Odyssey

• 14 nights cruising Greece & Turkey aboard Seabourn Odyssey

• Istanbul to Athens

• Istanbul to Venice

• June 4; July 2, 30; August 27 & September 24, 2016

• June 4; July 2, 30; August 27 & September 24, 2016

• From $4,499 per person, complimentary Oceanview to Veranda Suite upgrade

• From $7,499 per person, complimentary Oceanview to Veranda Suite upgrade

• Web ID: EL1236

• Web ID: EL1237

Seabourn cruises to the Mediterranean’s renowned cities, and to the places in between, offering traditional and innovative experiences alike – in a relaxed and elegant style. Sail from Istanbul to Myrina, Cesme, Bodrum, Rhodes, Santorini, Spetses, and Athens.

Let your eyes follow the sunlight as it dances from Corinthian columns to winding canals and back to your glass of wine, all in a region celebrated for centuries. Sail from Istanbul to Myrina, Cesme, Bodrum, Rhodes, Santorini, Spetses, Athens, Monemvasia, Katakolon, Nydri, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Primosten, and Venice.

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Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience shore event in Rhodes. Premium Suite bookings (Penthouse and above) receive $1,000 per suite shipboard credit when booked by February 29, 2016.

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Ensemble® Hosted Cruise with Ensemble® Experience shore event in Rhodes. Premium Suite bookings (Penthouse and above) receive $1,000 per suite shipboard credit when booked by February 29, 2016.

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Asia

Mediterranean

• 14 days cruising Asia aboard Silver Shadow • Singapore to Hong Kong

• 8 days cruising the Mediterranean aboard Silver Spirit

• November 12 – 26, 2016

• Rome to Barcelona

• From $9,250 per person, Veranda Suite

• May 2 – 10, 2016 • From $4,050 per person, Veranda Suite

• Web ID: EL1238

• Web ID: EL1239

Indulge in Asia’s exotic essence – from Singapore’s haute cuisine to Koh Samui’s gorgeous beaches, Bangkok’s bubbling energy and Ho Chi Minh City’s floating fishing villages. White sandy coves and hidden caves await you in Ha Long Bay, while Hue’s Forbidden Purple City equally delights. Dive into an underwater adventure off Nha Trang, and experience Hong Kong’s hottest nightlife spots.

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It’s difficult not to fall in love with the Mediterranean. On this cruise, enjoy Rome, Sorrento, Trapani, Tunis, Cagliari, Porto Mahon, Palma de Mallora, and Barcelona. Silver Spirit offers a lively, convivial atmosphere for cosmopolitan travelers who enjoy a greater variety of shipboard diversions, yet crave the personalized service and authentic and “up-close” experiences for which Silversea is known.

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Ensemble Hosted Cruise with Ensemble Experience shore event in Chan May. Book now.

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

Ask about our All-Inclusive fares.

Ask about our All-Inclusive fares.

Northern Europe

Caribbean

• 12 days cruising Northern Europe aboard Silver Wind

• 10 days cruising the Caribbean aboard Silver Wind

• Stockholm to London

• Roundtrip Fort Lauderdale

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• July 9 – 21, 2016

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• December 2 – 12, 2016

• From $8,650 per person, Veranda Suite

• From $4,650 per person, Veranda Suite

• Web ID: EL1240

• Web ID: EL1241

Get to know some of Scandinavia’s illustrious ports on this journey.

Delve into the archipelagos of Sweden, admiring hidden gems in places like Gothenberg. Get a sense for Norway’s maritime history in Kristiansund, and admire the architecture in Antwerp’s Old Town.

From Oslo to Amsterdam and onward to London, you’ll catch a glimpse of some jewels of northern Europe.

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

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Circle around the Caribbean and glimpse some of its most fascinating and beautiful places. Stroll along Cozumel’s sun-drenched beaches and marvel at the archeological wonders of Costa Maya. Experience Key West, the easy-going isle that once enthralled Hemingway, and see Honduras’ wildlife, including crocodiles, turtles and monkeys.

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

For reservations, call us today.

Grand European Tour

Rhine Getaway

• 15 days cruising Europe aboard Viking Longships

• 8 days cruising Europe aboard Viking Longships

• Amsterdam to Budapest

• Amsterdam to Basel

• Select departures throughout 2016

• Select departures throughout 2016

• From $4,962 per person, French Balcony Stateroom

• From $2,756 per person, French Balcony Stateroom

• Web ID: EL1252

• Web ID: EL1253

From Holland’s windmills and tulip fields to Germany’s fairy-tale castles and the picturesque vineyards of Austria’s Wachau Valley, this 15-day voyage presents the highlights of the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers. Sail from Amsterdam to Kinderdijk, Cologne, Koblenz, Miltenberg, Würzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Krems, Vienna and Budapest.

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Experience the highlights of the legendary Rhine in just 8 days. In Germany, sail past castles commanding the riverbanks, and tour both Marksburg Castle and the ruins of Heidelberg Castle. Admire Cologne, the jewel of the Rhine, with its awe-inspiring Dom, and witness the lush landscape of the Black Forest region. Explore Holland’s famous windmills and waterworks, and encounter multicultural Strasbourg in France.

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$50 shipboard credit per stateroom. Book by February 29, 2016.

Romantic Danube

Danube Waltz

• 8 days cruising Europe aboard Viking Longships

• 8 days cruising Europe aboard Viking Longships

• Budapest to Nuremberg

• Budapest to Passau

• Select departures throughout 2016

• Select departures throughout 2016

• From $2,656 per person, French Balcony Stateroom

• From $2,756 per person, French Balcony Stateroom

• Web ID: EL1254

• Web ID: EL1255

During this 8-day journey, encounter the grand cities and quaint villages along the celebrated Danube River. Explore both sides of Hungary’s capital, traditional, hilly Buda and cosmopolitan Pest.

Witness Vienna’s imperial architecture and tour medieval towns in Austria’s Wachau Valley. Savor the tastes of authentic dishes, learn about local legends and understand why Strauss immortalized the “Blue Danube” in his waltz.

Sail through Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Explore Budapest’s imperial delights, take in Bratislava’s baroque wonders and admire Passau’s ancient fortress. Discover why Austria’s Vienna is the “Waltz Capital” and the spectacular Wachau Valley is a wine lover’s dream. You’ll enjoy an included visit to magnificent Melk Abbey and an included full-day excursion to picturesque Český Krumlov.

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$50 shipboard credit per stateroom. Book by February 29, 2016.

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$50 shipboard credit per stateroom. Book by February 29, 2016.

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Dreams of Tahiti

Greek Isles & Turkish Delights

• 7 days sailing Tahiti aboard Wind Spirit

• 7 days sailing Greece and Turkey aboard Star Pride or Wind Star

• Roundtrip Papeete

• Athens to Istanbul, or reverse

• Select departures February 19 through September 9, 2016

• Select departures May 1 through August 20, 2016

• From $2,864 per person, Oceanview Stateroom

• From $2,866 per person, Oceanview Stateroom or Suite

• Web ID: EL1256

• Web ID: : EL1257 A graceful sailing yacht is the perfect way to experience the true wonder of Tahiti. The trade winds will fill your sails as you visit one legendary island after another, staying overnight in some to give you time to swim and snorkel in crystal-clear lagoons, meander through lush rainforests, and experience the fascinating Polynesian culture from tikis to tiare flowers.

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Explore the hidden delights of the Greek Isles, the Turkish coasts, and the greatest icons of civilization on this, Windstar’s signature voyage. You’ll discover thousands of years of humankind’s greatest feats — from the Acropolis of Athens to the grand palaces of Istanbul.

Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes — discover the Greek Isles as they were meant to be traveled, in private yacht style.

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$100 shipboard credit per person plus a complimentary Windstar Private Event in Bora Bora: Celebration Festival. Book now.

$100 shipboard credit per person plus a complimentary Windstar Private Event in Rhodes: The Tantalizing Tastes of Greece or in Kusadasi: Evening in Ephesus. Book now.

Enchanting Greece & the Amalfi Coast

Classic Italy & Dalmatian Coast

• 7 days sailing the Mediterranean aboard Wind Star

• 8 days sailing the Mediterranean aboard Wind Surf

• Rome to Athens, or reverse

• Rome to Venice, or reverse

• April 30 & October 22, 2016

• May 17 & September 23, 2016

• From $2,578 per person, Oceanview Stateroom

• From $2,961 per person, Oceanview Stateroom

• Web ID: EL1258

• Web ID: EL1259

Idyllic islands, charming cobbled villages, spectacular scenery, and intriguing history. Capture the heart of the Mediterranean in a single voyage. Each small harbor is especially suited for small ship exploration.

Enjoy the best of the region — from the ancient ruins of Sparta and Mystras to the pure indulgence of the Mediterranean lifestyle. Sail to Capri, Lipari, Giardini Naxos, Gythion, and Monemvasia.

Vacation with Europe’s elite along the sun-drenched shores of Croatia, Montenegro, and tiny Capri. Let your imagination soar as you travel through time to discover the magic of Venice, the grandeur of Rome, and the stunning beauty of the Dalmatian Coast. From the Grand Canal to St. Peter’s Square, this is a voyage of superlatives.

Sail to Giardini Naxos, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Split and Rovinj.

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$100 shipboard credit per person plus a complimentary Windstar Private Event in Giardini Naxos: Tastes of Sicily. Book now.

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$100 shipboard credit per person plus a complimentary Windstar Private Event in Giardini Naxos: Tastes of Sicily or in Dubrovnik: Spectacular View, Wine Tasting & Folklore Show at Park Orsula. 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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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 experiences, intriguing adventure, and consummate service.

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