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The Confidante Your Source for What's New in Luxury Travel
Fall 2013

Greetings!

As I read over the content of this newsletter, it seems skewed toward cruising. Maybe that's because I'm facing a month of travel in and out of suitcases, and am longing for a nice, long, luxury cruise again! I'm off in a few days to the annual International Luxury Travel Market, held every December in Cannes. From there, it's a series of site inspections at some of the finest properties in Switzerland and Spain, until returning home to Toronto for Christmas with the family. I'm counting 14 packs and unpacks in 28 days. But what a magical time to be in Europe!

As for a proper holiday escape, I can still find space in several fine properties on sunny shores or snowy slopes for your family this winter. Just call me and "consider it done!"

Team Kershaw wishes you and your family a wonderful holiday season, filled with memories of great travel experiences and dreams of countless more to explore!

Cruise, anyone?

Roger Kershaw, ASA
President
Roger Kershaw Custom Travel Inc.

in this issue
  • Feature Destinations
  • Queen Mary 2 welcomes James Taylor, and you!
  • Passport to the World - Tailor-made Journey by Private Jet
  • Come Cruise with me!
  • Plan ahead and save - with AmaWaterways
  • 'Tis the Season for American Adventures
  • Crystal's up close and personal with the Black Rhino
  • Best Bars & Pubs in London
  • Excusez-moi, Madam. Monsieur is in the Spa!
  • Most expensive hotel suites in the world

  • Queen Mary 2 welcomes James Taylor, and you!

    Cunard has announced that James Taylor and his band will again present two live concerts before their European tour aboard QUEEN MARY 2 on the August 27, 2014 Transatlantic Crossing from New York to Southampton. During the crossing, guests will have the opportunity to participate in a signing session with the artist and join a live Q&A interview by Cunard's Entertainment Director, where Mr. Taylor will talk about his four-decade-spanning career and upcoming album.

    James Taylor is true music royalty having sold close to 100 million albums and earning 40 Gold, Platinum, Multi-Platinum and Diamond awards. The five-time Grammy Award winner has delighted audiences for decades with hit songs such as "Fire and Rain," "You've Got a Friend" and "Carolina In My Mind."


    Passport to the World - Tailor-made Journey by Private Jet

    An Exclusive, Around-The-World Journey created for your Private Party of up to Eight Guests Land Accommodations from $750,000 | Flight Arrangements from $750,000

    Travel with a small group of friends or family on a dream journey by private jet, backed by the finest luxury travel company in the world.

    Luxury travel leader Abercrombie & Kent is partnering with private aviation experts Flexjet to provide the ultimate private jet travel experience. Passport to the World takes your small party of up to eight guests on an unforgettable voyage to some of the globe's most alluring destinations, with A&K's incomparable network of local offices revealing each stop on your journey at its most authentic. From an enchanting kaiseki banquet in Kyoto to a private visit to Istanbul's Topkapi Palace, experience the world through an unrivalled combination of luxury, attentive service and insider-access moments that make every visit an inspiring encounter. And because each Passport to the World itinerary is customized for you, you choose when you want to travel.


    Come Cruise with me!

    Christmas Markets 2014 Cruise

    We still have a few staterooms left on our Christmas Markets cruise on AmaWaterways, next year, December 9-16, 2014 from Nuremberg to Budapest (with an optional few days in Prague ahead of time).

    It's the only cruise group that I personally host each year, and I'd love to have you join us! Add that to the fact it's on my favourite river cruise line, in my favourite part of the world, at my favourite time of the year, and with my favourite clients and friends - it's going to be perfect!

    Cruise fares start at only USD 2799 per person, double occupancy, plus tax and cabin upgrades AND we've negotiated a special group savings of from USD 1000 and up per cabin off that price!


    Plan ahead and save - with AmaWaterways

    No time to sail in 2014? Want to plan now for 2015 and save? AmaWaterways has just announced their 2015 sailings, with early booking discounts, too.

    Check out the itineraries available. Pick one you like, let me know, and we'll see if we can't make that the annual RKCT Group Cruise for 2015!


    'Tis the Season for American Adventures

    Plan your sunny or snowy holiday escape in the USA.

    Choose from the picturesque slopes of Colorado, the breathtaking beaches of Hawaii, the old-world charm of New England, or other exciting excursions - all with expert guidance and connections.


    Crystal's up close and personal with the Black Rhino

    Crystal Cruises is rolling out a new excursion that takes travelers up close and personal with the "critically endangered" black rhino.

    Flying in a helicopter high above South Africa's lush Maputaland, participants will accompany the expert anti-poaching team and assist in locating the rhinos for conservation researchers. On the ground, they will get to stand within touching distance of a one-ton+ anesthetized rhino while its ears are notched to enable tracking and aid in the repopulation process.

    Participation in the "Rhino Conservation Experience" is extremely limited. It is available only to guests participating in Crystal's mid-cruise, off-ship Overland Adventure to the Phinda Private Game Reserve as part of Crystal Serenity's March 10 voyage from Singapore to Cape Town.


    Best Bars & Pubs in London

    Nothing says Christmas Cheer like a pub-crawl through London. Here, for your sipping pleasure, is a list of the top five! If you're planning on hitting more than one or two of them in a night, please let me engage your private car and driver, from Sincerely Paul!


    Excusez-moi, Madam. Monsieur is in the Spa!

    All hail the male spa-goer!

    More men are enjoying the benefits of the spa, my friend and colleague Simon Mayle, for one. Read about his transformation into a fully-fledged spa convert - experiencing treatments from Bangkok to Bahrain, Shanghai to San Miguel de Allende - racking up many a spa-mile, in this informative and entertaining guide to the new spa experience excerpted from the ILTM "The Insider"


    Most expensive hotel suites in the world

    Think that 800 euros per night is a tad expensive for a bed, regardless of the view and the butler standing outside your door? Look over these experiences. And please, if you want to book one, call me!


    Feature Destinations

    20 Best Trips in the World

    New Orleans, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and Canada's Nahanni National Park on Thursday were named among the 20 Best Trips in the world by National Geographic Traveler magazine.

    Like the rest of the list of must-see places, the three North American destinations "reflect what's authentic, culturally rich, sustainable and superlative in the world of travel today," says the magazine, which will feature them in the December issue.

    There are some pretty amazing destinations here, and I've designed trips already to the following places on the list:

    • Alentejo, Portugal
    • Bolaven Plateau, Laos
    • Cape Verde
    • Cathar Country, France
    • Cordoba, Argentina
    • Guyana
    • John Muir Trail, Scotland
    • Liechtenstein
    • Nahanni National Park, Canada
    • New Orleans, Louisiana
    • Northern Territory, Australia
    • Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda
    • Puglia, Italy
    • Ranthambore National Park, India
    • Riga, Latvia
    • Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

    Only a few to go. Arbil, Iraq anyone?

    To see photographs and learn more about each destination, Read more >


    It comes every year, this distinctively Canadian escape from Canada known as March Break. The first snowflake of the fall should be your Call to Action. Or, more specifically, your Call to Roger. Let me find your ideal respite while what you want is still available! Call me today! Then "consider it done!"


    Roger Kershaw in the news!

    Actually, it's a story about Virgin Galactic and Richard Branson's dream, but I got a mention, in the Mississauga Business Times. And yes, there are still quite a few seats available for launches currently estimated to start in 2014. Let me know if I can reserve your astronaut wings now. Read the article here and more about Virgin Galactic here.


    Read Virtuoso Life online

    The award winning magazine published by Virtuoso for its agents and their most travelled clients is available online for everyone. You can always find a link to the latest issue from my website. In the meantime, here are some highlights from the current issue

    Flip through the latest issue of Virtuoso Life.

    Oregon Crush-Great pinots, an earthy ethos, and truffle hunting: What's not to love about the Willamette Valley? Read More >

    Nip It in the Bud-Turning the tiniest of Darjeeling's leaves into the world's most treasured tea. Read More >

    Alpine Atlas-From the Matterhorn to the Dolomites, find sophisticated schussing to suit your style. Read More >


    Use of Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs) on airplanes

    FAA has announced that portable electronic devices-including phones on airplane mode, tablets, laptops, e-readers and video games-are safe to use during all phases of a flight "with very limited exceptions." Passengers may need to switch off their devices during landings with low visibility, and they still must hold their items or place them in the seat back pocket during takeoffs and landings.

    Carriers will be implementing this policy as they are given approval by the FAA. For the most up to date information please check the airline's website.


    Referrals welcome!

    The highest compliment my clients can give is the referral of their friends, family and business associates.

    Thank you for your support.


    "Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience."

    - Francis Bacon

    "I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train."

    - Oscar Wllde

    Cruise & Travel Links

    Crystal Cruises

    Silversea Cruises

    Seabourn Cruises

    Regent Seven Seas Cruises

    SeaDream Yacht Club

    Celebrity Cruises

    Azamara Club Cruises

    Backroads

    Hosted Villas

    Orient-Express Hotels Trains and Cruises

    Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic

    AmaWaterways



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    Newsletter Editor/Webmaster: Jim Lingerfelt - - Web site: http://www.rogerkershaw.com