VIRTUOSO® TRAVELER Magazine Reveals Its "29 Life-Changing Experiences"

NEW YORK, May 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Spanning land, sea, sky, and even space, luxury travel network Virtuoso® offers memorable experiences no matter what the destination.  The April/May issue of its VIRTUOSO TRAVELER magazine highlights "29 Experiences of a Lifetime," which can be brought to life by Virtuoso travel advisors together with the network's preferred travel providers. Virtuoso also includes insider tips from some of its most knowledgeable advisors, ensuring travelers get the most from their global escapades.

These enticing experiences offer something for everyone, from adventure (African safari), to magic (David Copperfield's private island), to the ultra-romantic (tango for two in Buenos Aires after touring the breathtaking Iguazu Falls).  No matter the destination, travelers can be assured that Virtuoso's advisors have extensive product and destination knowledge, and often firsthand experience, as is the case with Buenos Aires, where Virtuoso recently hosted 135 advisors during its Symposium. These travel professionals left Buenos Aires with a greater understanding of what the city and region offer, a tangible benefit to their clients wishing to go. 

These 29 memorable experiences align with Virtuoso's 2013 Luxe Report, a survey in which the network's 7,200 travel advisors provided insight into where, when and how travelers will go next.  When discovering what motivates luxury travelers, Virtuoso advisors report that clients want to explore new destinations; seek authentic experiences; rest and relax; spend time and reconnect with loved ones; gain personal enrichment; and seek adventures.

Tapping into its impressive portfolio of more than 1,700 world's-best travel providers, Virtuoso has selected 29 defining opportunities to motivate would-be travelers.  The Top-Ten Virtuoso "Experiences of a Lifetime" include: 

• Hiking in Bhutan: Nomadic Expeditions takes travelers to Taktsang ("Tiger's Nest") Monastery, perched 2,000 feet above the Paro Valley in the Himalayan Mountains of Bhutan in a ten-day private journey. Available throughout 2013. From $6,395. 
• Seeing the Northern Lights: Iceland Encounter's five-day adventure includes seeing the aurora borealis while offering the chance to dogsled and walk onto Solheimajokull Glacier. Available between September 15, 2013, and March 31, 2014. From $2,950. 
• Wine Tasting with a Master: The five-day tailor-made tour from Decouvertes includes a sampling of wines from a 35,000-bottle cellar with one of Paris' master sommeliers. Available through December 31, 2013. From $8,460. 
• Escaping to a Private Island: Make magic with a stay at David Copperfield's private Caribbean island, Musha Cay.  The illusionist even autographs a special memento for Virtuoso clients. Valid through December 31, 2013. From $37,500 per day for up to 12 guests staying a minimum of four nights. 
• Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef: Orion Expedition Cruises takes water enthusiasts on a six-day voyage to the world's largest reef. Departs December 8, 2013. From $3,640. 
• Dancing with the Masai: Nature enthusiasts traveling with Micato Safaris track wild animals in the bush and explore the cultures of Africa, visiting and dancing with members of the Masai Tribe. Weekly departures available throughout 2013. From $11,740. 
• Tangoing the Night Away: Excursionists with Abercrombie & Kent can learn the national dance in Buenos Aires after touring Iguazu Falls. Available throughout 2013. From $5,995. 
• Floating in the Dead Sea: Guests of the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea can trek in Petra, dune-buggy in the Wadi Rum, and, of course, swim in the waters of the Dead Sea.  A $100 spa credit is just for Virtuoso clients. Valid through December 31, 2013. Contact a Virtuoso travel advisor for pricing. 
• Getting Up Close on Easter Island: The mysterious South Pacific island is home to hundreds of moai, monolithic stone giants.  The explora Rapa Nui-Posada de Mike Rapu is the perfect base from which to adventure and provides Virtuoso clients with handcrafted keepsakes. Valid through December 31, 2013. Three- and four-night stays from $2,415 and $3,220 per person, respectively. 
• Living Like a Catalan: Hosted Villas offers families the opportunity to bond in the Spanish countryside, whether perched over the ocean or situated on a farm complete with horses and chickens. A Virtuoso travel advisor can arrange the ideal stay.

The remaining 19 experiences can be found at http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/virtuoso/traveler_20130405/index.php?startid=48.

To learn more about or book one of these experiences, contact Virtuoso at 855.570.3830 or by visiting www.virtuoso.com.

About Virtuoso
Virtuoso^® is the industry's leading luxury travel network.  This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 340 agencies with more than 7,200 elite travel specialists in 20 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, as well as over 1,700 of the world's best travel providers and premier destinations.  The network's member agencies generate over $9.6 billion annually in travel sales, making the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment.  Their relationships with the finest travel companies provide the network's affluent clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. For more information, visit www.virtuoso.com. To view Virtuoso's latest videos, go to http://www.youtube.com/user/VirtuosoTraveler.   

About VIRTUOSO TRAVELER
VIRTUOSO TRAVELER presents in-the-know information in a bi-monthly magazine that reaches qualified prospects of Virtuoso travel advisors. Each issue is devoted to presenting today's savvy traveler with insightful ways to explore the world in style and offers an engaging mix of special travel opportunities, insiders' tips, and expert advice readers can only get from Virtuoso's premier network of worldwide travel consultants. 

Media Contacts:
Betsy Goldberg 
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Virtuoso
206.254.1053
[email protected]                                          

Charles G. Curkin
Senior Account Executive
Alice Marshall Public Relations
212.861.4031
[email protected] 

SOURCE Virtuoso