Welcome From
ATG President
Malaka Hilton
Welcome to our Summer newsletter! I hope you enjoyed a great holiday weekend.
It's hard to believe that we are past the mid point of 2008. Many of us in luxury travel began this year not knowing what to expect from the economic downturn. I am happy to report that ATG is going to finish '08 with higher numbers than last year, and our projected 2009 sales are in line to be the best season yet.
I attribute this success to the expansion of our brand via our strategic partners in the industry. Starwood Vacation Ownership (SVO) represents one of our most valued travel alliances. A few years ago SVO selected ATG to provide travel services for its St. Regis fractional owners. They subsequently expanded the program to include Elite vacation owners, which has opened our unique tours and services to a larger market - upwards of 50,000 travelers.
Last month ATG and SVO provided services and accommodations for a Hawaii vacation package available through American Express Network's Going Once declining offer promotion.
In the weeks leading up to the promotion, ATG received great exposure on the American Express website, resulting in an increase in traffic to our website and new business growth over the month of June.
We are also proud to have forged a partnership with Ms. Celia Sandys, acclaimed author and granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill. Together, we've launched our "Chasing Churchill" series of escorted tours, modeled after the upcoming PBS documentary featuring Ms. Sandys on her grandfather's travels.
The "Chasing Churchill" tours will appeal to history buffs as well as anyone wanting to experience these exotic destinations in a 'less touristy' manner - traveling with Ms. Sandys on a once in a lifetime voyage aboard the legendary Christina O mega yacht and viewing the famous vistas Sir Winston loved to paint in Morocco. The South Africa program retraces some of the most thrilling and dangerous moments of Churshill's life, including the location of his famous prison escape!
Few spaces remain for the Christina O and Morocco programs, and although we have only just announced South Africa, we expect it will fill quickly.
Many of you have asked for more specialized experiences that appeal to families, spirituality and lifestyle. We've worked carefully with our partners to create opportunities that meet this demand.
Be sure to check out new tours just announced in this issue: my escorted Egypt Adventure for Families slated for next summer; a Galapagos expedition aboard the National Geographic Islander - an 'easy' active vacation for families; an escorted Spiritual Journey to India and the highlights of Israel visiting Tel Aviv, Galilee and Jerusalem.
We are currently working on more "short stay" themed trips as well as our "value collection" which will be lower-priced packages and last minute deals, so stay tuned as those become available.
In the coming months you will likely notice some new faces and voices at ATG. Robert Tynan and Alyce Caplan have recently joined the team to help us expand into the European and home based markets.
Jolene DiRocco has come on board to oversee our escorted group experiences. And Rick Vranas is back, crafting air schedules to complement our exclusive ATG Elite departures.
We have welcomed a few new home based agents to the team, and they are reaching their financial goals much quicker than expected. If you know of anyone who may be interested to join ATG, please have them contact us.
I have been traveling through many parts of Europe this past month and recently completed a 10-day site visit of Turkey in preparation for our May 2009 trip with Chef Roy Yamaguchi.
If you have not yet been to Turkey, this is a new entry for your 'bucket list!' Turkey will surprise and delight you as it did me and my family. We enjoyed every minute of every day. Visit "What's New" on our website to check out my full report of our phenomenal trip. Be warned, once you read this, Turkey will become your next MUST-do destination!
In closing, I want to mention a few important upcoming dates:
July 31st - The booking deadline to receive double points on all 2009 ATG Elite trip deposits. Not sure what that means? Visit www.admiraltravel.com to learn more about our ATG Elite Travel Club and contact us with any questions you may have.
August 19th and 20th - The ATG Downtown office will be closed. Our staff will be attending Virtuoso's annual Travel Mart event, learning about new developments from our leading suppliers and hosting over 200 of our preferred partners in travel to an exclusive event to thank them for treating our clients with the utmost care.
October 5th - ATG invites you to join us in Hawaii for a culinary star-studded event celebrating Roy's 20th Anniversary. Check out the article and contact us for program details.
Have a wonderful summer!
Malaka Hilton
Owner, President and CEO
of Exclusive Product Development
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| FEATURED DESTINATIONS |
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Add Turkey To Your Bucket List - It's a Must See
The Hilton's have returned from a six-week European journey to Italy, Greece, Albania, Turkey, Slovenia and Croatia. Having completed their first tour of Turkey on June 22nd, Malaka has filed a glowing review of their experiences in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Kusadasi and Bodrum.
"...The highlight of our journey was a hot air balloon flight that took us over the miraculous moon-like landscape of Cappadocia. Seeing magnificent rock formations from 7,000 feet above sea level and gliding by tree tops on the way back down is indescribably beautiful. It's an early morning, but well worth the wake up call. It's so peaceful and quite simply an experience not to be missed."
Go up, up and away over Cappadocia on our 2009 escorted Highlights of Turkey tour with Chef Roy Yamaguchi and Salvatore Ferragamo. Or contact us to plan the perfect private tour for you and your family.
Zahi Hawass Confirms Missing Pyramid at Saqqara
In early June, Egypt's Chief of Antiquities confirmed that the recently-discovered superstructure of the pyramid dates from the Fifth Dynasty, about two hundred years after the Great Pyramid of Giza in 2500 B.C. This pyramid is believed to have belonged to King Menkauhor, who ruled for a relatively short eight years.
Witness the awesome wonder of this discovery in Egypt and spend a day with Zahi Hawass to explore the latest findings from his team of archaeologists on our April 2009 Cairo and the Nile River tour with Star Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
:: EARN DOUBLE POINTS ::
ATG Elite Members earn double points for deposits made by July 31st, 2008 on the following
ATG Elite Escorted Experiences. Highlights of Turkey with Chef Roy and Salvatore Ferragamo | Cairo and the Nile with Jean-Georges | Chasing Churchill Aboard the Christina O | Chasing Churchill in South Africa | Chasing Churchill in Morocco | Inside Japan with Chef Roy Yamaguchi | Escorted Singita Safari | Serengeti Under Canvas | A Spiritual Journey To India | The Highlights of Israel |Galapagos Expedition with Machu Picchu Pre Trip | Czars Cuisine and Caviar with the Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club | Black Sea Odyssey | Gorilla Tracking Safari
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| NEW ATG EXCLUSIVES |
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"Chasing Churchill:" Christina O and South Africa
Sir Winston Churchill loved the Mediterranean. He came to its shores to relax, to think, to paint and to write. In his twilight years he gained much comfort from his cruises on board the Christina. Join Ms. Celia Sandys, Sir Winston Churchill's granddaughter and author of "Chasing Churchill: The Travels of Winston Churchill," on an exclusive sailing aboard the legendary Christina O mega yacht through the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Departing from Naples, the five-day voyage calls upon Capri, Syracuse, Malta and finishes in Palermo.
Discover why Churchill was known as 'the James Bond of a century ago' as you retrace his early years in South Africa. Relive his time as a journalist and soldier on the battlefields of the Anglo-Boer War; visit the site of his capture by the Boers and the prison in Pretoria from which he escaped. Stay at the world famous lodge of the Rattray family in KwaZulu Natal and hear the bloodcurdling stories of the Zulu War. Walk on the eerie hillside of Spionkop, the scene of a British massacre, where three great leaders, Churchill, Gandhi and Botha served within yards of each other in 1900. Spend the last few days relaxing on safari at Phinda Game Reserve.
See "Chasing Churchill" presented by Celia Sandys on PBS stations Mondays July 21, 18 and August 4th at 10pm EST. Check your local affiliate for listings. Click here to visit Ms. Sandys' website.
Go Inside Japan with Roy Yamaguchi
Chef Roy will treat guests to a sushi demonstration at the famous Tsukiji Fish Market, a demonstration dinner at one of his favorite local restaurants and an Iron Chef-themed Dinner featuring Chef Roy as our champion and host at his own Roy's Restaurant in Tokyo. He's also selected a surprise event to welcome guests upon arrival. The eleven-day tour begins September 25, 2009 in Tokyo and visits Hakone, Kyoto and Hiroshima.
Check out this itinerary filled with historical, cultural, culinary, spiritual and outdoor activities.
New Africa Adventures for 2009
Looking for the ultimate Serengeti experience? Try a mobile tented camp during the great migration. How about experiencing the ultimate luxury of a Singita safari? Safari Specialist Ryan Hilton announces two 2009 escorted wilderness experiences designed to meet a variety of interests. Each are organized with the region's best operators who are recognized for the highest standard of hospitality, exceptional gameviewing and dedication to a low impact model of tourism.
A Spiritual Journey to India
See The Highlights of Israel
Visit sites of the most stirring events in human history. View landmarks of the Roman, Byzantine and Crusader eras as you travel through Tel Aviv, Galilee and Jerusalem. Visit the boyhood home of Jesus in Nazareth and the locations of the miracle of the loaves and fishes, the sermon on the mount and much more.
Galapagos Expedition and Machu Picchu
August 2009 may seem like a long way away, but space fills up quickly on small expedition ships. The Galapagos has been a very popular destination for families this year so space is limited. Pre trip excursion to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca includes first-class rail journeys through the Andes and amazing outdoor recreational opportunities.
Consider the Galapagos and Machu Picchu for an active vacation your family will never forget. |
| LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE ON GROUP TOURS |
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Last Minute Offer on Baltic and Black Sea
Still looking for a no-stress summer getaway? Why not head for the cooler climes of Northern Europe (think high 60's low 70's!) and Eastern Europe (think mid 70's to mid 80's)! Two phenomenal escorted sailings on Crystal cruise lines offer the thrill of discovering new ports while unpacking only once. Call today for details of offer!
Few Spaces Remain for Gorillas, Morocco and Antarctica Expedition
Don't miss out on your chance to join these popular tours. Experience Churchill's Morocco (stay in the location where Lawrence of Arabia was filmed), track endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda's Virunga Conservation Area or join an extended Antarctica expedition escorted by Ryan Hilton with the best operator in the region.
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| ATG NEWS BRIEFS |
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Join ATG for Chef Roy Yamaguchi's All Star Lineup In Hawaii
Nobu Matsuhisa, Charlie Trotter, Ming Tsai are among the culinary stars set to align this October at Roy's Hawaii Kai in Honolulu to celebrate Roy's 20th Anniversary.
Contact us for details of our special Roy's Anniversary Hawaii trip.
View the announcement in the Honolulu Star Bulletin.
Gulf Coast Business Review Profiles ATG
Managing Editor Mark Gordon caught up with Malaka and Ryan in between extended journeys to Africa and Europe to learn more about how the two have differentiated ATG in the word of luxury travel agencies and operators.
Malaka Hilton Nominated to Two Prestigious Boards
Good news for foodies who like to travel. Malaka Hilton has been selected to join the Epicurean Travel Consultant Board which will exclusively provide travel fulfillment for Bon Appétit Magazine's promotional special events and travel promotions. She's also joined the Nomination Board responsible for selecting the best of the best for Luxury Travel Advisor's Awards of Excellence.
View current culinary travel opportunities created by Malaka Hilton. |
| OFFERS FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELERS |
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Play the Game, See the World with Perry Golf
For those who combine their love of golf and passion for travel, Perry Golf presents the British Open by Sea golf cruise aboard the 105 passenger M/S Andrea. The eight night cruise begins in Edinburgh, sails counter clockwise along the Scottish shoreline for five rounds of links golf and daily touring before concluding with attendance to Sunday's final round at Turnberry. Get complete details of the British Open By Sea.
Or, join one of 18 small-ship cruises throughout 2008-9 ranging from The Great Lakes and Scotland to the Mediterranean and South Africa. Programs can all be customized to your preferences, including the exclusive comfort and convenience of a PerryGolf VIP Golf Coach.
Click to view the range of options.
Go Weightless with Buzz Aldrin in Vegas
Until recently, the experience of true weightlessness was only available to a small elite group of astronauts. Even fewer will be able to do so with one of the few men whose own adventures in weightlessness sparked our imaginations. Who unleashed our own inner dreamer, inner astronaut, inner flyer. The Zero G Platinum Experience, flying August 17 in Las Vegas, offers the thrill of weightlessness guided by Apollo 11 Astronaut and second man on the moon Buzz Aldrin.
30% Off One and Only Ocean Club
On an island called Paradise lies an enchanted place, graced by white sand beaches and warm turquoise waters. A playground of world-class golf, tennis, spa indulgences and of course, water. Within this secluded oasis, exemplary personal service defines the heart of One&Only Ocean Club.
Make a reservation through October 28, 2008 for a minimum of three nights and receive 30% off accommodations. Offer valid for stays in garden view, ocean view and beach front rooms, suites and garden cottages from June 1 - October 31, 2008.*
Contact us to discover Paradise at One and Only Ocean Club.
*Offer is subject to availability and booking conditions.
Free Night at Raffles Resort Canouan Island
Canouan Island is a hidden gem in the heart of the Grenadines approximately 100 miles west of Barbados. It is one of the Caribbean's best kept secrets and home to Raffles Resort Canouan Island luxury resort, which features 156 suites and rooms, four signature restaurants and bars, 10,000 square foot Amrita Spa, private yacht mooring, water sports, one of the largest freshwater swimming pools in the Caribbean, a European style casino overlooking the sea, and a Sugar Palm Kids Club. The resort also offers a Jim Fazio designed 18-hole Trump International Golf Club. Canouan is accessible by air from North America, Canada, and Europe through five major gateways - Barbados (45 min.), Grenada (20 min.), Martinique (60 min.), St. Lucia (20 min.) and San Juan (2 hours).
We invite you to stay 3 nights and receive a 4th night free* on summer and fall rates through December 18, 2008.
Contact us for new direct flights from San Juan to Canouan Island.
*Booking restrictions apply. Offer is subject to availability.
Starwood Guarantees 1.3 USD to the EURO
Guaranteed U.S. dollar rates at a fixed exchange rate of 1.3 to the Euro are now available at select Starwood hotels in Italy.
With the recent rise of the Euro to over 1.50 to the dollar, the rate of 1.3 is an exceptional value. Rates are for room only unless otherwise specified at participating hotels and resorts: Hotel Gritti Palace, Venice; The Westin Europa & Regina, Venice; Hotel Danieli, Venice; The Westin Excelsior, Venice Lido; Hotel Des Bains, Venice Lido; Grand Hotel, Florence; The Westin Excelsior Florence; St. Regis Grand Hotel, Rome; The Westin Excelsior Rome; Hotel Eden, Rome; Hotel Cala di Volpe, Costa Smeralda; Hotel Romazzino, Costa Smeralda; Hotel Pitrizza, Costa Smeralda; Cervo Hotel, Costa Smeralda and Hotel Villa Cipriani, Asolo. Terms and conditions apply.
Contact us for details and reservations.
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