Ryan and Malaka attended the unveiling of SpaceShipTwo last week, where Sir Richard Branson and spaceship designer Burt Rutan, over 800 press, future astronauts and VIP guests including Governors Bill Richardson and Arnold Schwarzenegger gathered in the desert to witness the roll out of the world’s first commercial manned spaceship.

Standing at the end of the runway, guests braved gale force winds and stormy weather to see SpaceShipTwo for the first time. The spaceship was carried down the runway as snow fell, by her mothership, VMS Eve, to a spectacular display of lights and music.

"I was thrilled to participate in what was certainly a major milestone in this project," says Accredited Space Agent Ryan Hilton. "It is even more apparent now than ever that there is no brand or company in the world that is better suited to lead the world into the groundbreaking arena of space tourism and commercial space use than Virgin Galactic.  I am proud to participate in this endeavor.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MOJAVE AIR AND SPACEPORT, CA (December 14, 2009) – Malaka and Ryan Hilton, proprietors of Admiral Travel International, a member of leading luxury travel network Virtuoso®, joined Virgin CEO and Founder, Sir Richard Branson and SpaceshipOne (SS1) designer, Burt Rutan, on December 7, 2009, for the reveal of SS2.  This was the first unveiling to the public since construction of the world’s first manned commercial spaceship began in 2007.  SS2 has been designed to take many thousands of private astronauts into space after test programming and all required U.S. government licensing and regulatory approvals have been completed. 

As the official sales channel for Virgin Galactic throughout the Americas, Virtuoso® and select members of this leading luxury travel network were present for the unveiling event.  The organization’s CEO, Matthew D. Upchurch, who is also a “Founder” passenger with Virgin Galactic, headed the Virtuoso group attending the event.  Ryan Hilton is one of only 74 Virtuoso member travel advisors chosen to train and become an Accredited Space Agent (ASA). 

The unveiling represents another major milestone in Virgin Galactic’s quest to develop the world’s first commercial space line providing private sector access to space.  The spaceship draws on the experience developed during the successful flights of SS1 in 2004, which won the Ansari X-Prize for completing the world’s first manned private space flights.  SpaceShipTwo will undergo an extensive test flying program to commence shortly, and it is capable of carrying up to six passenger astronauts and up to two pilot astronauts into space on a suborbital flight, subject to applicable regulatory approvals.

Matthew D. Upchurch eagerly anticipated the day, having the dual role of ‘Founder” passenger, meaning he will be aboard one of the first 14 flights, as well as CEO of the organization hand-selected by Virgin Galactic to accept deposits for future flights of the spaceship from potential future passengers exclusively throughout the Americas. 

Remarked Upchurch, “The unveiling of SS2 marks one of the most exhilarating advancements in the tourism industry, especially for those who value travel for its ability to provide a new perspective on the world, a detachment from the ordinary, as well as the ability to create lifelong memories and growth as a human being.  Both as a ‘Founder’ and the CEO of Virtuoso, I am honored to have a role in this historical event, and proud of our members who have been selected by Virgin Galactic to represent this unique product.  These Accredited Space Agents, like Ryan Hilton, have the ability to help pioneer an industry, while bringing this life-changing experience to their clients.” 

“I was thrilled to participate in what was certainly a major milestone in this project,” says Accredited Space Agent Ryan Hilton.  “It is even more apparent now than ever that there is no brand or company in the world that is better suited to lead the world into the groundbreaking arena of space tourism and commercial space use than Virgin Galactic.  I am proud to participate in this endeavor.”

The unveiling took place at Mojave Air and Spaceport as darkness fell on the famous aviation and spaceflight location.  SS2 was attached to her WK2 mothership, unveiled last year and named EVE after Sir Richard Branson’s mother. In the future, WK2 will carry SS2 to above 50,000 feet (10 miles) before the spaceship is dropped and fires her rocket motor to go into space from that altitude. In honor of a long tradition of using the word Enterprise in the naming of Royal Navy, U.S. Navy, NASA vehicles and even science fiction spacecraft, Governor Schwarzenegger of California and Governor Richardson of New Mexico christened SS2 with the name Virgin Space Ship (VSS) ENTERPRISE. This  represents not only an acknowledgement of that name’s honorable past, but also looks to the future of the role of private enterprise in the future exploration of space.

Commenting on the unveiling, Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Galactic said:  “This is truly a momentous day. The team has created not only a world first but also a work of art. The unveil of SS2 takes the Virgin Galactic vision to the next level and continues to provide tangible evidence that this ambitious project is not only moving rapidly, but also making tremendous progress towards our goal of safe commercial operation.”

Burt Rutan, Founder of Scaled Composites added: “All of us at Scaled are tremendously excited by the capabilities of both the mothership and SS2.  Today is the culmination of a dream that began many decades ago, was stimulated by Paul Allen’s funding of our X-Prize winning SS1 and then moved forward to commercial reality by Sir Richard and Virgin’s visionary investment in a new future for space transportation.”

SpaceShipTwo was unveiled after darkness fell over the Mojave Desert, to the sound of a space-themed anthem from Britain’s biggest DJs, Above & Beyond.  Following the naming by Governors Richardson and Schwarzenegger, the DJs also performed an exclusive set at the celebration cocktail party which featured the first ever IceBar in the desert, hosted by Absolut and the world-famous Swedish IceHotel. All the guests were protected from the desert cold by designer space jackets supplied by PUMA.

Click here to view a video of the SpaceShipTwo debut.

Click here for a sneak preview of the Virgin Galactic article in Virtuoso Life's January issue.

ADMIRAL TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL TEAMS UP WITH GULF COAST CONNOISSEUR CLUB

GCCC members will earn redeemable points when they book travel through ATI

(Sarasota, FL) Admiral Travel International, Inc. (ATI), a boutique Virtuoso-member travel company, has joined forces with Gulf Coast Connoisseur Group (GCCC), the loyalty program for the renowned Klauber/Mancini family of restaurants and shops in Sarasota. With this new partnership, GCCC members may now earn and redeem points for travel, in addition to earning rewards on inspired dining experiences and wines from around the world. 

For the past five years, the Connoisseur Club and ATI have worked together to create landmark culinary adventures in all corners of the world. Michael Klauber, GCCC executive and proprietor of Michael’s on East, describes the affiliation with ATI as the next logical step. 

“It began with our South African Spa-Fari in 2005,” says Klauber. “Since then, we’ve featured some truly outstanding food and wine experiences in South America, Southeast Asia, the Baltic, Napa Valley and France. The next logical step is to offer our members the opportunity to enjoy club benefits when they travel with GCCC’s annual programs or with ATI on other journeys.” 

In 2010, ATI and GCCC are teaming up for a collection of experiences with top chefs and prestigious winemakers in Champagne, Bordeaux, the Loire Valley and Northern Spain. “This tour will be a perfect example of why GCCC and ATI make great partners,” Klauber explains.  Malaka Hilton, owner and president of ATI, agrees. “ATI’s brand of personalized, one-of-a-kind travel experiences, along with Michael’s outstanding food and wine connections, will offer unique perspectives into the culture, cuisine and traditions of each region.”

GCCC members who book travel through ATI will now earn a five percent credit for every dollar spent, whether traveling on the GCCC annual tour or on personal trips such as cruises, tours and the company’s exclusive AuthentEscapes escorted journeys.

“If you spend $5,000, for instance, you’ll earn $250 in credit that can be used toward your next trip or toward a GCCC purchase,” explains Hilton. According to Hilton, ATI will also offer quarterly promotions for which GCCC members can receive double points toward travel and other purchases. “In many cases, consumers can earn thousands of dollars toward high-end travel and culinary experiences during these promotions,” she explains.

GCCC members earn points for dollars spent at participating locations, including Michael’s On East, Polo Grill and Bar, Pattigeorge’s, FÊTE Catering, Michael’s On East Catering, Michael’s Wine Cellar, WineFlorida.com, and Michael’s At The Van Wezel. For more information about becoming a member of The GCCC, visit www.Florida-Hospitality.com or call 941-957-4222.

Admiral Travel International, Inc., is located at 1284 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota. For more information, call 941-951-1801, or visit www.admiraltravel.com. ATI’s Concierge Service is located at MGA Commerce Plaza, 9024 Town Center Parkway, Lakewood Ranch; 941-907-2858

For more information about this press release or to interview Malaka Hilton, contact Cemantha Crain at 941-951-1801

About The Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club
For over a decade, members of the Connoisseur Club have earned “on the spot” rewards for dining in award-winning restaurants, enjoying sumptuous wine dinners and wine tastings. For the truly adventurous, sojourns to destinations around the world have given members exclusive access to world-famous chefs, renowned restaurants, winemakers, and more. Proprietors Michael Klauber and Philip Mancini and Chef/Proprietor Tommy Klauber offer their own unique flair in each establishment, with a diversity of menu offerings ranging from coastal, international-inspired fusion to cutting-edge contemporary fare. With members spanning the entire country, the popular Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club’s award-winning restaurants and wine events have earned the distinction of the best fine-dining establishments in the region. 

About Admiral Travel International, Inc.
Established in 1997 in Sarasota, Florida, ATI operates a boutique Virtuoso-member travel agency with two locations in the Sarasota-Bradenton Florida area: the corporate headquarters in downtown Sarasota and a Concierge Travel Service in Lakewood Ranch. Malaka and Ryan Hilton, proprietors of ATI, are known throughout the luxury travel industry for innovative travel concepts. The Hiltons have prepared and escorted travel experiences throughout the world for high-profile individuals, as well as for such groups as the St. Regis Residence Club, Starwood Vacation Ownership, Bon Appétit, The Churchill Centre, and numerous philanthropic, culinary and cultural organizations. The Hilton’s new venture, AuthentEscapes, is an experiential tour company with offices in Sarasota, Los Angeles and Cairo. AuthentEscapes escorted journeys inspire travellers who want to experience the world's most intriguing destinations with iconic figures in food, wine, sports, entertainment and global culture. For more information, please visit www.admiraltravel.com

Bon Appétit Executive Editor Victoria Von Biel and Safari Specialist Ryan Hilton to Escort Travelers Through the Country’s Top Food, Wine, and Safari Destinations

Sarasota, Fla. (July 29, 2009) –  AuthentEscapes, a new concept in luxury travel that pairs iconic hosts with the world’s most exotic destinations, announces “Journey Through the Flavors of South Africa with Bon Appétit,” an 11-day tour that will introduce guests to the country’s extraordinary food and wine. Hosts for this exclusive journey are Victoria Von Biel, Bon Appétit executive editor, and Ryan Hilton, Condé Nast Traveler recommended safari specialist and COO of AuthentEscapes.

 A limited number of spaces for this exclusive trip, taking place Oct. 5-15, 2009, are available.  Space reservations close August 7.  Information and reservations may be found online at www.authentescapes.com.

“Guests on this journey are in for a once-in-a-lifetime mix of luxury, historical and wilderness experiences,” said Malaka Hilton, president of AuthentEscapes. “Having grown up in South Africa and spending his career guiding travelers on safari, Ryan is a deeply knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide who provides insider information that travelers love.  Victoria’s culinary expertise and engaging personality will delight our food and wine aficionados as they explore the country’s outstanding regional cuisines.”

Chef Bruce Robertson, one of South Africa’s most celebrated chefs and proprietor of The Showroom Café, will curate the array of culinary experiences presented throughout the itinerary.  The trip starts in the Winelands, where guests will meet top winemakers from the Franschoek and Elgin Valleys.  While in Cape Town, internationally recognized Cape Malay cuisine expert Cass Abrahams will offer a private spice demonstration and lunch. The trip will conclude with a safari in South Africa’s Kruger National Park with a stay at the storied Singita Lodges, voted number one in the world by Travel + Leisure.  While in the bush, guests will have the rare opportunity to join Singita’s Master Chef in the kitchen to learn about South African ingredients before sitting down to a five star culinary event.

Malaka and Ryan Hilton are known throughout the luxury travel industry for having established the boutique, Virtuoso-Member agency Admiral Travel Gallery (ATG). To date, the Hiltons have prepared and escorted travel experiences throughout the world for high profile individuals as well as groups such as St. Regis Residence Club, Starwood Vacation Ownership, Bon Appétit, The Churchill Centre and numerous philanthropic, culinary and cultural organizations.

AuthentEscapes’ exclusive journeys are commissionable to travel professionals. Space on AuthentEscapes journeys is available on a limited basis and requires a deposit to secure a reservation.

To learn more, visit www.authentescapes.com or call 1-866-994-9814.

By Veronica Gould Stoddart, USA TODAY

ON THE DANUBE RIVER — It's Day 3 of a week-long cruise down Europe's second-longest river, and the River Beatrice is gliding leisurely through the verdant Slovakian countryside into the tiny capital of Bratislava.
Lauren and Gary Snyder prepare to stroll into town, conveniently just steps from the pier where Uniworld's new 160-passenger vessel will dock. "It's been a surprise," says Lauren of the ease of exploring the ports along the route from Budapest, Hungary, to Passau, Germany.

"The most stressed I've been so far is playing Name That Tune," says Gary, a cardiologist from Jacksonville.

The relaxed pace and easy access to city centers are just two reasons why river cruising is on a roll. Indeed, it's one of the fastest-growing segments of travel with up to 60% annual growth for some lines in the past five years — nearly 10 times the rate of ocean cruising. Even with the recession, Uniworld competitors Viking River Cruises and AMA Waterways are growing at double-digit rates this year.

Why the surge? With fewer than 200 passengers per ship, river cruising is more laid-back and intimate than most ocean cruising, without lines to embark, debark or wait for meals or crowds to overwhelm ports. On ocean cruises, "there's too much herding around and standing in line," says Paula Wagner of the Travel Square One/Alltour agency in Denver.

It can also be more sociable. "You meet more people than on ocean cruises, because of the open-seating in the dining room," says the ship's hotel director Siegfried Penzenleitner. "The average for a river cruise is 20 people."

Because river ships dock right in the center of town, cruising the inland waterways offers far easier entree to a region's heartland — whether small medieval villages or grand historic capitals. Unlike on many ocean voyages, you can walk right off the ship into town — whenever you like. No tendering ashore. No long drives to your destination.

Furthermore, the size and configuration of river vessels guarantees that every cabin is "outside" with a coveted river view. And calm, shallow waters prevent any motion sickness of being at sea.

Compared with bus touring, it's much easier. "All the major cities of Europe are on a river, so why not unpack just once?" says Joy Whitney, 45, a researcher from Princeton, N.J, who has taken five Uniworld cruises.

Ian Dash, 48, an audio engineer from Sydney, agrees. "On a bus trip, most of the time you're on motorways, going from city to city. The nice thing about a boat is you can sleep in the same bed, and you travel slowly and can see the scenery rolling by."

Finally, river cruising — unlike most ocean liners — often includes excursions and wine with meals, as does the River Beatrice. That's a particularly good value in Europe, where you pay upfront in dollars and avoid the unfavorable currency exchange.

"Economically, you can't beat it. You aren't nickel-and-dimed to death," says travel agent Wagner. "People say 'I can't afford Europe,' but with this, I say 'yes, you can.' River cruising is under-promised and over-delivered."

A rising tide of cruises

Indeed, no fewer than nine new river ships are launching worldwide just this year: two from Avalon Waterways, one from Viking River Cruises, three from AMA Waterways, one from Tauck, and two from Uniworld. Avalon and AMA are rolling out three more in Europe next year, reflecting bullishness about a product that appeals mainly to Baby Boomers, retirees and experienced travelers.

(One exception: Peter Deilmann Cruises, geared largely to the German market, announced last month that it is removing all of its eight river vessels in 2010.)

How does the River Beatrice, now Uniworld's flagship, make waves in a burgeoning market? By paying attention to details. As in generous closet and storage space. As in vanity mirrors and good bathroom lighting. As in French balconies in 80% of the staterooms. "I've toured a lot of other ships, and this one stands up," say Wagner. "They've been listening to their customers."

Overall, the River Beatrice fairly gleams, from the white Murano crystal chandelier in the two-story lobby to the smartly appointed staterooms. Some 2,085 mirrors — from beveled wall insets to cabin table tops to full-length in the bathrooms — enhance the luminosity and sense of space. Silk wallpaper, velvet curtains, original art (Chagall, Picasso and Matisse, among others) and a soothing cream and brown color scheme complete the understated elegance.

There's no skimping on cabin amenities, either: flat-screen TVs, in-room safes, mini-fridges, hair dryers, fluffy robes and slippers, and crisp white-on-white Egyptian cotton linens. Bathrooms boast floor-to-ceiling white marble and luscious L'Occitane toiletries. Several unexpected touches stand out: espresso makers in the mini-suites, delicate white orchids, and complimentary bottled water. One quibble: Although rooms are equipped with Internet access, service was slow to non-existent.

Still, some passengers, such as Barbara King, a show-business retiree from Scottsdale, Ariz., find the 150-square-foot cabins too small. But she still prefers this to the megaliners.

Visitors are immersed in the flavor of Europe from the minute they step aboard. Start with the 53 crew — from the Dutch captain, Austrian hotel manager and German cruise director, to the Romanian concierge, Hungarian masseur and Slovakian engineer.

Well-prepared meals — some five-star worthy — spotlight regional specialties, too: Hungarian goulash and cabbage soup (better than it sounds); Wiener schnitzel and Sachertorte; Bavarian sausages and potato pancakes. But there's plenty for the less adventuresome, with two entrees plus a vegetarian choice at dinner.

After dinner, forget cabaret shows, casinos or Broadway revues. Instead, cruise director Christine Bremberger showcases the local culture — especially fitting for a region as famous for its musical heritage as Central Europe. Highlights include a magical night at the Kursalon concert hall in Vienna, where a chamber music group played selections from the Strauss brothers, Mozart and Haydn— all of whom lived in this music capital — as well as an unforgettable organ recital at St. Stephan's Cathedral in Passau, which boasts the world's largest cathedral organ with nearly 18,000 pipes. You can even take onboard Viennese waltz lessons.

The makeup of passengers is international, too — Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada and the USA — but all are English-speaking to avoid language barriers, says Robert Fitzgerald, a Uniworld sales manager.

Retirees Brian Johnson, 65, and Toni Johnson, 63, from Corlett, Australia, say they like the mix of nationalities. They chose the River Beatrice "because we wanted the comfort and service," says Toni. "They're very hands-on." For example, when Capt. Tom Buining overheard a passenger complain about the lack of weights in the small fitness center, he bought some at the next port and delivered them personally.

Life on the river's banks

As comfortable as the ship is, this voyage draws you into the destinations. Slicing through the heart of the Continent, the Danube historically was the lifeblood of its communities. Quiet country scenes and vineyards, citadels and castles, monasteries and cathedrals form a never-ending tableaux along its 1,770 miles. This itinerary features some of Europe's great capitals: sophisticated, stylish Vienna with its reminders of Austro-Hungarian imperial grandeur; historic Budapest, where coffee culture percolates again in some 300 cafes; Bratislava with its cozy cobblestoned Old Town.

But the less-known stops offer the most unexpected treats: tiny baroque Dürnstein (pop: 900), gateway to Austrian wine country (bike tours to the vineyards are available). Melk, Austria, home to a 900-year-old cliff-top abbey famous for its 80,000 medieval manuscripts. Storybook Salzburg, which is still alive with the sound of music on every street corner and courtyard, and Passau, set in pastoral Bavaria.

As Harvey King, an association executive from Scottsdale, sums it up, "This cruise is a no-brainer."

Sarasota-based boutique travel agency is recognized for its unparalleled personal service and in-depth expertise

(Sarasota, FL) Admiral Travel Gallery (ATG) was honored as a top luxury travel specialists by Crystal Cruises, one of the most highly rated luxury cruise lines in the world. Of the thousands of travel agents who sell Crystal Cruises, only 67 qualifying worldwide travel agents were recognized for their expertise selling luxury cruises.  Crystal executives hosted the travel advisors at its 19th Annual Sales Achievement Gala aboard the ultra-luxury Crystal Serenity from Miami to Bermuda from May 23-26.

Top-producing travel representatives from the U.S., Canada and England, as well as the cruise line’s international sales representatives from Australia, Brazil, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Germany, Spain, Singapore, Taiwan, South Africa and Switzerland were honored. 

“These agents and representatives are the best of the best,” says Bill Smith, Crystal’s senior vice president, sales and marketing. “They achieve this status because they offer their customers unparalleled personal service and in-depth expertise.”

Hosted by Crystal Cruises’ senior management, the gala provided a forum for the latest product updates and educational seminars capped off by exclusive parties honoring the award-winners. 

“We’re delighted to be recognized for our efforts,” says ATG’s founder and president, Malaka Hilton. “We take pride in being able to offer our clients exceptional products and services; it only makes sense to partner with Crystal Cruises—a company renowned for its reputation for excellence.”

Admiral Travel Gallery is located at 1284 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota. Admiral Travel Gallery Concierge Service is located at MGA Commerce Plaza, 9024 Town Center Parkway, Lakewood Ranch; 941-907-2858. For more information, call 941-951-1801, or visit www.admiraltravel.com.

For more information about this press release or to interview ATG’s founder, Malaka Hilton, contact Cemantha Crain at 941-951-1801.

Media Contact:
Michelle Bauer
727-510-2524
michelle@common-language.com

AuthentEscapes Pairs Iconic Figures and Exotic Destinations in New Luxury Travel Concept

International travel gurus Malaka and Ryan Hilton offer once in a lifetime experiences for small, exclusive groups

Sarasota, Fla. (June 10, 2009) –  Luxury and adventure travel veterans Malaka and Ryan Hilton are pleased to announce the launch of AuthentEscapes, a new concept that caters to travelers seeking once in a lifetime experiences.  AuthentEscapes pairs iconic figures in food, wine, sports, entertainment, and global culture with the world’s most exotic destinations. 

Love Italian culture?  Enjoy a VIP experience at Andrea Bocelli’s annual hometown concert in Tuscany, and then spend three days with Salvatore Ferragamo, grandson of the famous Italian designer, at his family villa.  Fascinated with Japan?  Accompany celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi on a cultural and culinary tour of Tokyo, Hakone, and Kyoto.  Enchanted with South America?  Savor the beauty of Rio de Janiero and Salvador with world-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten as he introduces you to the flavors and cultures of Brazil.

“Our long-standing relationships with top providers in the luxury, adventure and expedition travel industry allow us to create truly unique travel experiences for our guests,” said Malaka Hilton, president of AuthentEscapes. “By combining the world’s most beautiful places with some of its most extraordinary people, we hope to create unforgettable journeys that will live in people’s memories for their entire lives.”

AuthentEscapes’ exclusive journeys for 2009/2010 include:

• Bocelli in Italy, hosted by Salvatore Ferragamo, July 18-26, 2009
• Inside Japan with Chef Roy Yamaguchi, Sept. 25–Oct. 4, 2009
• Journey Through the Flavors of South Africa with Bon Appétit, Oct. 5–15, 2009
• The Ancient Mysteries of Peru with Future Hall-of-Famer Shannon Sharpe, May 18-24, 2010
• Culinary Brazil with Star Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Feb. 18-24, 2010
• Epic Australia with Chef Roy Yamaguchi, April 11-17, 2010

Malaka and Ryan Hilton are known throughout the luxury travel industry for having established the boutique, Virtuoso-Member agency Admiral Travel Gallery (ATG). To date, the Hiltons have prepared and escorted travel experiences throughout the world for high profile individuals as well as groups such as St. Regis Residence Club, Starwood Vacation Ownership, Bon Appétit , The Churchill Centre and numerous philanthropic, culinary and cultural organizations.

Malaka has been recognized among Travel + Leisure’s top-recommended Travel Specialists for her expertise in Egypt since 2004 and Ryan has been endorsed by readers of Condé Nast Traveler for his specialty in South African Safari every year since 2003.  In addition to his Safari expertise, Ryan is one of the few travel specialists worldwide to be selected as an Accredited Space Agent for the Virgin Galactic suborbital flight experience.

AuthentEscapes’ exclusive journeys are commissionable to travel professionals. Space on AuthentEscapes journeys is available on a limited basis and requires a deposit to secure a reservation.

To learn more, visit www.authentescapes.com or call 1-866-994-9814.

About AuthentEscapes
AuthentEscapes, a division of Florida-based Admiral Travel International Inc., is a unique travel company created to serve individuals who want to experience the world's most intriguing destinations with iconic figures in Food, Wine, Sports, Entertainment and Global Culture. AuthentEscapes serves clients from offices in Sarasota, Los Angeles, and Cairo. For more information, visit www.authentescapes.com.

Admiral Travel International Inc. also operates Admiral Travel Gallery, a retail Virtuoso-member agency with two locations in the Sarasota-Bradenton Florida area.  For more information, visit www.admiraltravel.com.

###

Virgin Galactic today announces the successful completion of the first phase of tests of the rocket motor that will propel space tourists, scientists and payloads into space.

In the desert of southern California, Virgin Galactic's key supplier Scaled Composites and its subcontractor SNC (Sierra Nevada Corporation) have successfully completed the first tests of the innovative rocket motor that will propel space tourists, scientists and payloads into space. The hybrid Nitrous Oxide system being used is the largest of its kind in the world and it will send Virgin's customers up into sub-orbital space at speeds over 2500 mph (4000kmh), to heights over 65 miles (110km) above the Earth’s surface, before the spaceship descends back down through the atmosphere using its pioneering feathered re-entry system.

Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Galactic said: "As Virgin Galactic gets ever closer to the start of commercial operations, we are reaching and passing many important and historic milestones. The Virgin MotherShip (VMS) Eve, the first of our amazing, all carbon composite, high altitude WhiteKnightTwo launch vehicles, is flying superbly. SpaceShipTwo, which will air launch from Eve, is largely constructed and awaiting the start of its own test flight programme later this year."

The rocket motor burns for a very short period of time because the spaceship is launched from VMS Eve in the upper atmosphere, rather than from ground level. This means much less fuel is required, and the fuel burn is more environmentally benign than the solid rockets used in most ground based systems.

While the rocket motor is extremely powerful, it is also completely controllable. This system can - if necessary - be shut down at any time, allowing the spaceship to glide back down to land at a conventional runway. This is a significant feature in the overall safety of the Virgin system for human space flight.

Sir Richard continues: "Less fuel and clean fuel all add up to a space launch system which will be completely unprecedented in its low environmental impact compared with current space flight. The spaceship’s carbon footprint for each of its passengers and crew will be about a quarter of that for a return trip from London to New York, demonstrating again the extraordinary benefits that new technology can bring to the quest for clean transportation."

"We believe space is on the cusp of a new industrial revolution. Virgin Galactic’s mission has always been to transform the safety, cost and environmental impact of access to space. Not just for passengers, but also for a range of important scientific purposes, and to send small satellites into orbit. The world’s scientific community is united in recognising that making better use of space will be vital to mankind’s ability to manage the huge future challenges of life back here on Earth."

The rocket motor will continue a series of exhaustive tests, and the spaceship itself will start flight testing later this year. The testing programme for the rocket, the spaceship and VMS Eve will be extensive.

To view broadcast quality footage of the tests, along with the full interview with Sir Richard Branson please visit www.virgingalactic.com/rocketmotor.

To view on YouTube click here. 

Private Jets, Exotic Destinations, Precious Jewels, Customized Tours, Luxury Spas, Private Islands, Panama Casinos, Celebrities - all courtesy of Worldwide Jet Charter and their 2009-2010 Travel Partners.

Scottsdale, AZ (PRWEB) May 13, 2009 -- Worldwide Jet Charter, LLC (www.worldwidejet.com) has announced its newest Travel Partners: Admiral Travel Gallery, BELLARRI, SkyBuyHigh, Shatour, and Turtle Island Fiji.

Worldwide Jet passengers can now enjoy endless choices in private jet travel destinations, products and services. Admiral Travel Gallery creates once-in-lifetime adventures such as July's backstage visit with Andrea Bocelli in Italy or an escorted trek to Antarctica next November. Admiral Travel also has fantastic new packages highlighting luxury activities and accomodations in Panama City.

BELLARRI, inspired by her own international travel, designs fine jewels with passion and the eye of a great artist. BELLARRI is also included in SkyBuyHigh's Collection of Luxuries exclusively available to private jet passengers via a laptop electronic catalogue onboard Worldwide Jet Charter flights.

Shatour customizes individual tours of Israel and plans family events at historic sites. Want to live on your own private island? Turtle Island Fiji provides 14 houses for the perfect South Pacific escape. It's even possible to rent the whole island for a week. Worldwide Jet and Admiral Travel Gallery have teamed up this spring to offer special all-inclusive packages to the Veneto Casino in Panama.

For 2009-2010, with these unique and luxury Travel Partners, Worldwide Jet passengers will enjoy the best life has to offer by simply clicking on any of our Travel Partner's websites. Worldwide Jet Charter, proudly ARGUS Gold/WYVERN Wingman, operates a fleet of Gulfstream, Challenger and Lear 60 aircraft based in California and New Jersey and offers exclusive one-way pricing worldwide. Call 856-825-4540 (24 hours) to speak with a domestic or international Charter Specialist.
 

In Once In A Lifetime Trips: The World’s 50 Most Extraordinary and Memorable Travel Experiences (Clarkson Potter, May 12, 2009), author Chris Santella showcases 50 extraordinary travel experiences that people will remember for the rest of their lives.

Santella covers fly-fishing in the virgin waters of the Chilean fjords; embarking on a private-jet tour to the great opera houses in Europe with behind-the-scenes passes; and navigating the waters of Alaska on a small boat. She also includes “The Mysteries of Egypt,” an Admiral Travel Gallery (ATG) custom-designed land and cruise exploration of Egypt’s culture and cuisine designed by ATG’s founder and president Malaka Hilton.

What inspired Santella to include this unique travel experience? “Malaka Hilton is the world’s most acclaimed Egypt tour guide,” says Santella. “The special insider exclusives her trips include make her Egyptian excursions stand out as truly once-in-a-lifetime adventures.”

Admiral Travel Gallery is a Sarasota-based boutique travel agency specializing in personalized, one-of-a-kind travel experiences. Its annual escorted Egypt tour is often hosted by an icon of popular culture; celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi prepared a dinner at the Pyramids in 2007, and Sir Winston Churchill’s granddaughter, Celia Sandys, will join in 2010. The tour includes a three-day cruise up the Nile; a private, after-hours tour of the Egyptian Museum; a private session with Egypt's most famous archaeologist Zahi Hawass - Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and the opportunity to meet other cultural and political figures, such as former First Lady, Her Excellency Jehan Sadat.

“Egypt is one of those destinations people have heard about since the age of four and every time the subject of ancient history comes up in school,” says Hilton. “By the time many travelers have the means to go, they might not be as comfortable traveling alone in the Middle East. Once they go, people appreciate how safe Egypt is, but they feel more confident initially exploring Egypt as part of a group. Of course, traveling in a group also affords the pleasure of experiencing its most luxurious settings with one-of-a-kind embellishments.”

Please contact us for more information about traveling to Egypt or joining Malaka's next escorted Egypt adventure.

Sir Richard Branson's dream of making space accessible for everybody is now even closer to becoming reality.

 

The test programme for WhiteKnightTwo, the revolutionary new aircraft that is purpose built for safer, cleaner and more affordable spaceflight launch, is well underway.  This beautiful aircraft, named VMS Eve, has been taking to the skies over the Mojave desert and has now complete three successful test flights.

Not only will Eve launch passengers on the ride of a lifetime into space, but she will also be used to research the effects of carbon emissions in the upper atmosphere, to test new and more environmentally benign fuels and to give scientists cheaper and cleaner access to space through her capability of launching low-Earth orbit satellites.

Learn more about the Virgin Galactic Sub-Orbital Space Flight

ATG's Ryan Hilton is the Accredited Space Agent serving Tampa Bay 
You may contact him directly on ryan@admiraltravel.com

Legendary tenor and classical music singer Andrea Bocelli is considered a national treasure in his homeland of Italy. This two-time Grammy Award-winner consistently performs to sold-out concerts around the world. This summer, Bocelli will celebrate his birthday, as he does every year, with a special concert in his hometown of Lajatico in the heart of Tuscany.

A few lucky Bocelli fans will savor this unique experience as part of Admiral Travel Gallery’s (ATG) upcoming “Signature Delights of Italy,” a 10-day custom-designed cultural and culinary excursion set for July 18-26, 2009. Participants attending the concert will be invited backstage to meet the celebrated singer as guests of Salvatore Ferragamo, grandson to the esteemed Italian footwear designer.

“Andrea Bocelli is a very private person who rarely meets with fans,” says Malaka Hilton, owner and president of Admiral Travel Gallery. “This unprecedented opportunity is available because the Ferragamo and Bocelli families are longtime friends. We’re grateful to Salvatore for this very rare pleasure.” She adds that the excursion is limited to 20 travelers and only four more spaces are available. 

Hilton offers an overview of her company’s exclusive Italian land excursion, explaining that guests will stay at the Ferragamo’s private villa in the medieval village of Il Borro, a historic property perched on a hill overlooking the Tuscan valley. The lovingly restored estate features a vineyard, a winery and the acclaimed restaurant, Osteria del Borro.

“Il Borro is a very special place,” says Ferragamo, who will escort guests on a tour of his estate’s wine-production facilities, which he oversees. “We have several artisans who live and work there. And, during this trip, guests will learn the secrets of true Tuscan cooking in a private class. It’s a wonderful way to become immersed in Tuscan culture and cuisine.”

Another tour highlight includes a visit to the Piedmont region where guests will explore Italy’s countryside in vintage Alfa Romeos and visit the private Frescobaldi wine estate.

“Piedmont is one of the finest wine-producing regions of the world and it’s also considered the gastronomic capital of Italy,” says Hilton. “It’s a beautiful patchwork countryside of gently rolling hills, hidden castles and tiny villages,” says Hilton. “What better way to experience it than letting your hair down and feeling the sun and wind in your face in an open-top Alfa? It doesn’t get more Italian than that!”

Participants will tour Aramengo, home to the historic restoration company, Nicola Restauri, acclaimed for its work on the Sistine Chapel. The final stage of the excursion includes a rejuvenating visit to the breathtakingly beautiful Italian Lakes District, with a day trip in Milan to explore the highlights of the Renaissance. Guests will visit monuments, churches and galleries, including the Bramantesca Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where Leonardo da Vinci painted “The Last Supper.”

Hilton specializes in a signature line of “ATG Elite” exclusive travel experiences, which she describes as, “Authentic journeys that encourage travellers to pursue their passions and experience other cultures from the inside. Our guests meet influential people and explore special places that leave them with memories and experiences they will treasure for a lifetime.”

Click here for tour details.

Admiral Travel Gallery, Bon Appetit and South Africa Tourism launch custom-designed epicurean travel experience

Admiral Travel Gallery launched an innovative new marketing partnership with Bon Appetit magazine last month. The goal? Enticing travelers with a taste for culinary adventures. Each year, Admiral Travel Gallery and Bon Appetit will create a new epicurean odyssey custom-designed by acclaimed chefs, restaurateurs and travel experts.

According to Malaka Hilton, owner and president of ATG, it’s an idea whose time has come. “Culinary tourism is one of the fastest growing travel trends,” she says. “More than 12 million people each year seek culinary and wine-related activities as their key reasons to travel. Authentic culinary experiences offer unique perspectives into a destination’s cultures and traditions.”

Malaka explains why it makes perfect sense to partner with Bon Appetit magazine.  “Bon Appétit celebrates the world of great food and the pleasure of sharing it with others,” says Malaka. “With our expertise in travel and their relationships with great chefs and restaurants around the world, we’re planning some extraordinary journeys.”

This year, the group is partnering with South African Tourism, South Africa’s national tourism agency, to create a culinary journey through South Africa. “Journey through the Flavors of South Africa” will introduce travelers to the flavors and textures of South Africa’s eclectic fusion cuisine via some of the country’s best hotels and restaurants.

Hilton explains that “Journey through the Flavors of South Africa,” which takes place October 5-15, 2009, features personally designed menus by top South African chefs, a series of private wine tastings from some of the country’s best vintners, and excursions to the iconic locales of this diverse destination.

The 11-day journey will be led by Ryan Hilton, co-founder of Admiral Travel Gallery, and named by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the world’s top safari specialists. In addition, a Bon Appétit editor will join travelers for the journey. Accommodations include the lovingly restored estate hotel Grand Roche, situated in the heart of the Cape Winelands, and home to the award-winning Bosman’s restaurant. Guests will also stay at the acclaimed six-star One&Only resort in Cape Town. With such celebrated restaurants as Nobu and Gordon Ramsay, the One&Only is the perfect base to explore the city and nearby coastal landscape. The journey ends on safari at the spectacular Singita Lebombo and Sweni lodges in Kruger National Park, known for their outstanding hospitality. Days spent on safari are enhanced with private dinners and breakfasts in the bush.

“This partnership is groundbreaking in further strengthening South Africa’s position as a compelling epicurean travel destination,” said Sthu Zungu, president of South African Tourism in North America. “The association of these renowned organizations sends an important message to our consumers, the affluent leisure travelers who are seeking an enriching travel experience.”

Click here for tour details.

Experience Japan’s cuisine, culture and natural beauty with Roy Yamaguchi of Roy’s Restaurants

September 25-October 4, 2009

Curious to know what it’s like to cook in Kitchen Stadium? Want to discover the inspiration for Chef Roy Yamaguchi’s acclaimed Hawaiian Fusion® cuisine? Travelers seeking to experience the flavors, traditions and natural beauty of Japan will have the opportunity to explore this extraordinary country with the Iron Chef and founder of Roy’s Restaurants, Chef Roy Yamaguchi, on a 10-day culinary and cultural odyssey, September 24 to October 4, 2009. The tour is coordinated through Admiral Travel Gallery, a Sarasota-based boutique travel agency specializing in personalized, one-of-a-kind travel experiences.

“Japan is a land of great beauty and its people take pride in attending to every detail,” says Yamaguchi. “I’m eager to share my knowledge of this enchanting country with this select group of travelers. We’ll share some unforgettable experiences.”

The program features a host of distinctive culinary experiences, including sampling dishes prepared for the emperor’s court, vegetarian dishes developed by Buddhist monks, meals that accompany the tea ceremony, and the formal dining favored by samurai families for special events. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn the art of making sushi by a sushi master at the Tsukiji Market, the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world. Guests will explore Japan’s legendary natural beauty on a cruise excursion on Lake Ashi, a crater lake famous for its inverted reflection of Mt. Fuji. Other outings include a visit to the spectacular 300-feet-high waterfalls at Kegon Falls, and a cable car ride to the top of Mt. Komagatake, which affords a breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi, Mt. Futago and the mountains of the distant Izu Peninsula. Visits will also be made to select temples, shrines and museums. This extraordinary journey will include a special visit to Hiroshima, where guests can pay their respects at Peace Memorial Park.

Malaka Hilton, president and CEO of exclusive product development for Admiral Travel Gallery, met Yamaguchi while planning an event together at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival. Since then, the two have collaborated on culinary treks in South Africa, Croatia and Egypt. 

“The only thing better than dining at one of Roy’s restaurants is traveling with him,” says Hilton. “Roy’s cooking demonstrations feature local ingredients and add so much to the guest’s experience of a destination. He’s a wonderful host!”

Hilton specializes in her signature line of “ATG Elite” exclusive travel experiences, which she describes as, “Over-the-top activities and events that are all about the ‘wow-factor.’” She continues. “Our travelers meet influential people and gain access to special places that leave them with memories and experiences they will treasure for a lifetime.”

Click here for trip details.

TORONTO, ONTARIO – February 26, 2009 -- SeaMiles Limited (TSXV-SEE), North America's premier cruise loyalty provider, is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with Sarasota, Florida’s Admiral Travel Gallery® (ATG), offering new benefits to members of both organizations.

SeaMiles launched in 2004 with the Carnival Sea Miles MasterCard program and in May 2007, expanded the program by adding a second SeaMiles credit card – the SeaMiles Visa Rewards Card with Chase Bank. Both cards offer the promise of “Any Cruise Line…Anytime” with no restrictions, no blackouts and no fees. SeaMiles is the cruise industry’s largest loyalty credit card program and has awarded over two billion (2,000,000,000) SeaMiles to its members.

“Admiral Travel Gallery is a world-class travel organization with significant cruise expertise and is an ideal partner for SeaMiles,” said Peter Rooney, president of SeaMiles.  “We believe in fostering loyalty by offering the customer tremendous value on their terms. Under this program, members who book cruises through Admiral Travel Gallery will receive triple (3X) SeaMiles and will be encouraged to use them freely against future cruises and other ATG products.” 

"The partnership between SeaMiles and ATG represents an unprecedented value and opportunity in retail travel,” said Malaka Hilton, Admiral Travel Gallery owner and president.  “Our clients will now earn cash back on cruises and other products that they would be purchasing anyway, and SeaMiles Card Members will earn SeaMiles on exclusive 'Wow-Factor' experiences throughout the world.  Simply put, we’re enriching the experience and everybody benefits."

ABOUT SEAMILES
SeaMiles Limited is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSXV-SEE), with offices in Fort Lauderdale, Boston and Toronto.  SeaMiles is North America’s premier cruise loyalty provider, committed to recognizing and rewarding the cruiser through multiple earning opportunities and best-in-class, maximum award flexibility based on “Any Cruise Line… Any Time.”  Additional information can be found at www.seamiles.com.

LIVING THE DREAM | 1st Annual Travel Showcase
Fete Ballroom at Polo Grill & Bar - February 18, 2009 

Thank you to all who attended, exhibited and supported our 1st Annual Showcase, Living the Dream, at the Fete Ballroom at Polo Grill and Bar.  We send a special shout-out to Chef Tommy and Jaymie, who inspired us will all manner of delectable delights - the 'lobster corn dogs' were quite a hit!
 
Click here to view images from the event.
 
What a wonderful success, with over 300 guests in attendance and 40 exhibitors representing the top names in travel and our business partners who serve Lakewood Ranch residents. 
 
We welcomed many new faces to the ATG Circle, and are truly honored to be the only agency introducing Virtuoso amenities and benefits to the travelers of Lakewood Ranch. 

Due to the incredible response, our partners have extended offers available exclusively to ATG through March 7, 2009. 
 
In addition, new SeaMiles® Visa® Rewards Card Members will earn 5x SeaMiles with no interest for 6 months on travel purchases, plus, cash back with any cruise line. Click here for more information.
 
As we all focus on the economy and cross our fingers for a quick turnaround, it warrants mention that people are still traveling.  Revenue from sales associated with this one-time event has now topped $120,000. 
 
Luxury travel remains a buyer's market, so take comfort in planning milestone birthdays, anniversaries, reunions and family getaways with the knowledge that you will get much more value for your money now than ever before.  Having trouble making sense of all the offers in the marketplace?  Contact us, and we'll be happy to help you sort out the best value. 

EXCLUSIVE 'LIVING THE DREAM' OFFERS EXTENDED Through Friday, March 7th
 
& Beyond
Receive a complimentary 5th night in select Safari Villas.
 
Abercrombie & Kent
$500 off any Egypt departure or 5% savings on any Private Jet/Around the World Departure 
 
Avalon Waterways
Save $500 per person on Avalon River Cruises: The French Connection with the Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club or Rhine River Cruise and Health Symposium with CVIS Medical Group
 
Azamara Cruises                         
Receive up to $300 Shipboard Credit and a complimentary bottle of wine.
 
Celebrity Cruises
Receive up to $300 Shipboard Credit and a complimentary bottle of wine.
 
Classic Vacations
Save $250 per booking.   
 
Crystal Cruises                              
$1,000 per person Shipboard Credit on select Europe voyages; up to $300 per couple savings ($100 pp Savings and $50 per person Shipboard Credit).
 
Disney Destinations
Save $250 per booking.  
 
Holland America Line
On Board Value Booklet offers over $350 in onboard services and reduced deposits from $100 per person.
 
JG Black Book
Receive a complimentary fourth night at any JG properties in North America.   
 
Jumeirah Group                           
Get the sixth night free on any Jumierah property.
 
Norweigan Cruise Line           
Onboard Credit Up to $250 per stateroom, and 3rd -8th guests from $99.
 
Oceania Cruises  
2-for-1 fares along with free airfare on select sailings plus an additional $100 per person Shipboard Credit.
 
PerryGolf                                               
Save 50% on 2 cabins for 2009 British Open By Sea or 50% on one cabin each for 2009 British Open By Sea and 2010 Ryder Cup; save 30% on 12 day South Africa program.
 
Princess Cruises
$200 Shipboard Credit per stateroom on select voyages.  
 
Red Carnation Hotels              
One complimentary hotel night with purchase of any 4 nights in Europe or South Africa.
 
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Complimentary shore excursion on select sailings and $100 per person Shipboard Credit for new bookings deposited by March 4th. 
 
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
$200 Shipboard Credit per stateroom on select voyages.  
 
Saks Fifth Avenue         
Receive 15% off in store purchases at the Sarasota store through February 20th.
 
Sea Dream Yacht Club
Complimentary shore excursion on all bookings.
 
Sea Miles Credit Card      
Earn 5x points when you deposit on any ATG Escorted Departure.
 
Silversea Cruises               
$500 off any booking.
 
Singita Game Reserves               
Up to $100 spa credit per couple per booking.   
 
Six Senses Spa      
Get the sixth night free on any Six Senses Spa experience.
 
Tauck Tours                            
Save $250 per booking.  
 
The World of Residensea
$500 Shipboard Credit per booking and up to $1,000 savings when deposited before March 1st.
 
Wilderness Safaris      
$500 credit toward any ATG escorted experience to Africa with Wilderness Safaris.

The Gorillas of Rwanda

My First Gorilla Experience
by Safari Specialist Ryan Hilton

On that cold, clear September morning in Johannesburg I knew within minutes of arriving at the airport that this safari would be very different from any other I had ever traveled previously. Rwandair Express had cancelled all direct flights from Johannesburg to Kigali for the next week as they had to return their loaned aircraft to its owner and the man on the other end of my barrage of questions simply replied, “What do you want me to tell you? The flight is cancelled. Go find something else.” I did and without much inconvenience and delay Dr. Danton De Guia (Dan) and I were on our way to Kigali, Rwanda through Entebbe, Uganda. Dan & I had taken on a few other destinations in Africa and I was excited to have him along. His photographic enthusiasm is contagious and I had no doubt that my traveler’s photographic records of this experience would benefit.

The next few days while in Kigali gathering my travelers as they arrived from various parts of the world, I found it hard to focus on anything other than the one question I had been asking myself for the last few months, “How would my first encounter with a Mountain Gorilla unfold?” My mind would then race to the many questions that make up that big one, “How long and how steep will the climb up the volcano be?” And, “Am I fit enough to get up the mountain to even see a Mountain Gorilla? What would the conditions underfoot be? How much light will there be? Will we get rained on? How do I keep my camera equipment dry? What about the altitude?”

Repeatedly I found that I had to step back, shake my head, gather my thoughts and return to my most important task of ensuring that my travelers were all safe, comfortable, aware of what was expected of them and what their opportunities for unique experiences were in the next 24 hours.

On the morning that our two 4 wheel drive Land Rover Defenders rolled out of Kigali amid the honking and the dust I could feel the expectations being carried by my travelers. I could have sworn I heard a collective chant from the vehicles “Go-ri-lla! Go-ri-lla! Go-ri-lla!”

We had given ourselves 4 hours to drive from the Kigali Serena to our first appointment in Musanze and we used all the allotted time as the drive was filled with sights and content only available in this land of a thousand hills. Streams of men and women laden with their goods for the markets in Kigali, groups of children in school uniform walking to their small schools, road-side stalls selling many things including eggs wrapped in banana leaves, goats tied to trees, kids in trees, mud brick factories, men and women in the fields tending their crops and preparing the ground for new crops about to go into the ground.

This hilly region of central Africa offers some fantastic African vistas and we made a point of stopping a number of times to have a comfort break, stretch our legs and snap a few shots of the scenes we encountered. I was sure that at some point the cultivated land and its inhabitants would thin out and we would begin to see some native vegetation. I was wrong. If the ground was not cultivated it meant that the slopes were too steep to work, and those slopes were planted with the exotic Eucalyptus. It was clear to me that any wildlife in this region had to compete for resources with the native populations.

I had read as much as I could get my hands on about this population of Gorillas and the conservation efforts of this region to protect them, but nothing could have prepared me for the human density that we encountered. This point was driven home at our first appointment in Musanze which is better known as the town of Ruhengeri. This town is the gateway to Volcanoes National Park for travelers seeking a gorilla encounter and also serves as the regional headquarters of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP).

As we drove through the white steel gates at the MGVP we were warmly greeted by the ever smiling regional field veterinarian Dr. Magdalena Mukasik-Braum and one of her assistants. The MGVP regional headquarters is nothing more than a converted, white, single story home in a suburb of the town of Ruhengeri. Off the central courtyard there were a few doorways leading into small rooms that served as administrative offices, conference room, storage and the laboratory. A large blackboard on the wall with dates and notes showed a busy schedule for the week ahead.

We started in the conference room where Dr. Magda passionately presented an introduction to the species, the conservation concerns for this population that lives on the Virunga Volcanoes (which straddles 3 countries, Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo or DRC), what the goals of the MGVP are and how they work with the officials, guides and trackers of the Parc National des Volcans (PNV). The presentation and tour of the facility including the laboratory only increased the sense of urgency among my travelers and I could hear the chanting getting louder. As an Admiral Travel Gallery exclusive experience I know our travelers benefited tremendously from our time at MGVP. We said our thank you and good-byes to the team at the MGVP and with rumbling stomachs we drove the 35 minutes to Virunga Lodge for our 3 night stay with the Sabyinyo and Muhabura volcanoes rising high to our left.

After a brief, warm welcome to Virunga Lodge and a room introduction we were all seated around the lunch table firing questions at the Virunga Lodge team and Volcanoes Safaris guides about how the next 24 hours would unfold, completely ignoring the amazing views of Lake Bulera and Ruhondo from the lodge. I was okay with that as my travelers were focused on the next scheduled activity. That afternoon and evening just evaporated and before I knew it I was saying good night to my guests and heading back to my room. Dan & I had spent the afternoon preparing our camera equipment so there was nothing left to do but rest. A tough task on the night before I was to see my first Gorilla. I felt as if I was perched on the lip of a broad, dark, deep chasm and was about to leap off the edge into who knows what.

At breakfast the silent chanting I was hearing from my travelers was now deafening and for a moment I saw them all pounding their fists on the breakfast table “Go-ri-lla! Go-ri-lla! Go-ri-lla!”  The sun had not even broken the horizon over lake Bulera and my travelers were in the vehicles as our guides negotiated the steep, rocky, dirt roads away from the lodge with only one destination in mind. “Go-ri-lla! Go-ri-lla! Go-ri-lla!”  Along the way to Kinigi, the site of the Volcanoes National Park headquarters, I gave our guide instructions on how we wanted the group split for the day on the volcano as some of my guests wanted to challenge themselves while others wanted a more moderate climbing experience. All wanted gorillas.   

There were already 7 – 10 vehicles in the rotunda and 40 – 60 people were on the lawns when we arrived and eagerly joined the sea of anticipation that emanated from the premises. Twenty anxious minutes later we were all split into groups, introduced to the PNV guides who would lead us up the mountain and briefed on the gorilla family we would visit. With the group dynamics slightly altered we were back into the vehicles and off to the trailheads at the foot of the volcanoes on which the gorillas lived. My sense of responsibility had encouraged me to opt for the more ambitious hike along with my two travelers who were looking for a challenge. We 3, and five other international travelers, had been assigned to the Sussa group on the Karisimbi Volcano by PNV. Our guide Dee, had assured us that we were the fortunate ones as we had drawn the Sussa group, a large group of 40+ family members that included twins (very rare in Gorillas) and 4 silverbacks. The last 15 minutes in the vehicles we were bouncing uphill as Dee communicated with his tracking team and porters to ensure that all were in place at the rendezvous site which was where the slope of the Karisimbi’s incline prohibited the vehicles from carrying us any higher.

When we exited the vehicles at around +/- 7200ft above sea level, the sun was shining and there was a slight chance of rain predicted for the day. All my travelers had received their requested assignments, were prepared accordingly and I thought to myself for just one moment, “Everything has gone just about as well as I could have hoped for.”

I shook the hand of my porter, handed him my backpack and familiarized myself with my hand-carved walking stick (with a gorilla on top) while Karisimbi loomed over me. Setting off from the vehicles on foot, our party of 15 (8 travelers, 1 guide, 2 soldiers 4 porters) was greeted by immediate gradient on uneven paths and a 50 minute uphill hike through cultivated lands dotted with small mud-brick houses before we arrived at the wall that separated the gorilla’s fragile environment from the productive fields of the local farmers that pressed all the way to within feet of the boundary. On the way up we stopped a couple of times to catch our breath and take in vistas over the fields of Irish Potato and Pyrethrum to Lake Ruhondo in the distance and did so again as we reached the wall and received a second briefing and welcome.

We scaled the 4ft volcanic rock wall, dropped down onto the other side and everything changed. This is where my gorilla experience really took off; this is where it began for me. Within minutes we were swallowed up by the jungle and the now familiar sounds of goats bleating, cows moo-ing, children laughing and farmers calling across the fields to each other were being muffled and obscured by the dense vegetation in the form of bamboo forests that stretched far overhead.  My attention was drawn away from the pounding of my heart in my ears to the plants, insects, animal tracks & bird calls. Only now did I feel that we were in their habitat.

Repeatedly, Dee checked-in with the trackers (who by now had located the Sussa family) and through the crackled transmissions on the hand-held two-way radio, confirmed the route up the volcano. One hour later and we had cleared the bamboo forest and were now in one of the varied Afromontane habitat types that occur on the Virunga massif. There was dense ground cover of leafy plants and shrubs 4ft – 6 ft high and the occasional tall tree, but an absence of high canopy as we began to hear the sounds from the villages below again. We took 3 or 4 more short rests over the next 2 hours to catch our breath and encourage those who were really starting to feel the effects of the altitude and exertion.

Shortly after one of these breaks Dee pointed out an area of trampled vegetation littered with Gorilla feces, “they slept here last night” he said, “and went that way” as he pointed up. By now the volcano was beginning to feel like a mountain and the hike or trek was beginning to feel like a climb. My heart was pounding even louder in my ears now and noticing that my two travelers were still doing well and stood no chance dropping out I re-enforced my strategy to myself: “Little steps! Little steps! Make sure you see where your next footstep will land. Little steps! Little steps!”

The porters with our backpacks, the soldiers with their gear & weapons and Dee with his back-pack and Wellingtons did not find this hike difficult at all. At every rest opportunity they stood around eyeing up the unfit white visitors panting away and sucking down large quantities of water. This was where I realized why our guide had asked us to call him Dee. His longer Rwandese name would have been unpronounceable to the travelers sucking wind on the way up and the one syllable of the first letter in his name would be all the travelers could get from their oxygen-starved brains when trying to get his attention.

Dee’s shouting into the hand-held and crackled replies increased in frequency and his attention was sharply focused in one direction. Up! He looked as if he was straining to see something or someone in a particular direction and I tried as well, but saw nothing. Dee gave us the 15 minutes to the trackers notification and all travelers perked up. The end of the climb, and the gorilla sighting we had all traveled so far for was within reach. Whether it was the freshness of their presence or our heightened sense of awareness I am not sure, but I began to pick up a distinct pungent odor occasionally and saw a lot more fresh feces when suddenly a human voice called out from above and Dee replied. We had arrived. Finally!

In conversation with Dee, the tracker pointed to his left, gestured over a small ridge and nodded his head. Dee turned to us and confirmed the direction of the animals and said “Get your cameras ready, all backpacks stay here with the trackers. No water no food!” As tired as we all were it took us about 90 seconds to be at attention and ready to walk towards the ridge to our right. Dee had to ask the group for permission for us to enter their space and he made a series of low grunts which was answered almost right away by the same sounds from one of the silverbacks. Ahead of me was Dee and one other traveler as we approached the small ridge and saw the ground gently slope away from us and up to another ridge about 500 yards away. Amongst the dense Afromontane ground cover I saw one little black speck moving about 100ft away I did what comes naturally to me when traveling with guests, I turned and found my travelers, pulled them towards me and confirmed that they could see what I was seeing…a gorilla!

Knowing that the sighting was strictly limited to only one hour with the animals, I had promised myself that for the first 15 minutes I would not take any photographs, would just observe some animal behavior and try to get a handle on how they move, why they move and hopefully some interaction between them. This would prevent me from having my eye to the viewfinder the entire time with the animals. Ha! That plan went out the window immediately. As we crested that ridge I was still looking at the individual that was about 100ft away when I turned my attention a little to the left and closer to me and saw 30+ individuals of all sizes with the closest being no more than 25ft from me. Dee must have seen my frozen stance and the look on my face because he called out to me and reassuringly directed me to follow him down off the crest towards the group of animals. I hesitated, a natural response I thought. I was looking for cover to hide behind and tried to get a sense of the wind direction as I would with elephant or rhino when on foot but none of this was necessary as we literally waded into the middle of the family. Every direction I turned there were Gorillas.

The next 55 minutes flew by as we watched mothers and babies, sub-adults and silverbacks staring back at us as they fed, played and very slowly moved towards the far crest. Maybe 20 minutes into the sighting Dee grabbed one of my travelers, took his camera and motioned for him to take a seat with his back to a female that was 15ft away and casually feeding at a seated position. As the traveler sat down and was beginning to get his smile going for the camera the animal stood up, walked over to my traveler and placed its hand on his shoulder as if she wanted to be in the photo too. Immediately Dee stepped up, produced a reassuring gorilla sound, reached out to my traveler and pulled him away from the setting as the animal’s hand gently slid off his right shoulder. As the animal initiated the contact I was assured that was quite okay, but I struggled to come to grips with how habituated these animals are. Three of four times I had to freeze as individuals moved within 2ft of me without any concern for my presence whatsoever. I was astonished at how human-like their actions were when interacting amongst themselves. Body language, hand movements, head movements and most importantly the way the looked back at us looking at them. Dee gave us notice that our sighting would end in 5 minutes so we all fired our last few shots and then stood to watch the family slowly climb to the top of the far ridge and disappear. We all stood for a while attempting to process some of what we had just seen as we turned to each other and gasped with hands on heads or thumbs up in the air. We could not see or hear the animals anymore but their presence could still be felt and I know that this would stay with me for a very long time.

Within minutes we were reunited with our porters so that we could put our cameras away and have a drink of water before starting the journey back down the volcano. Getting to the wall took less than half the time it took us to get up and along the way I found myself really enjoying the walking, slipping/sliding in the mud and finding tracks and signs of the other wildlife that inhabited this forested piece of central Africa. Beyond the wall the stares from the locals in their fields were a little different as we glided down the steep and uneven ground back to the waiting vehicles.

Or was I just a little different after my encounter as I had now experienced and seen with my own eyes two sights I had always wanted to see? A central African forest (sometimes referred to as the deep dark jungles of Africa), and a mountain gorilla in its own environment. My legs ached, my stomach was rumbling, I had consumed all the water I carried up the mountain with me, but I was surprisingly buoyant as we approached the vehicle and our Volcanoes safaris guide. By now it was just after 3pm as we all fell back into our vehicle seats, ate a little of the packed lunches we had brought from the lodge and did our best to re-hydrate ourselves as we knew we would do it all over again tomorrow. On the drive back to the lodge I asked our guide to confirm that my other travelers had already returned and seen the gorillas on their day on the volcano. They had indeed seen gorillas and were all resting.

By the time we had arrived at the lodge, still very sweaty with mud up to our knees, the aches in my legs had intensified, my muscles had tightened considerably and the hot shower and clean clothes were greatly appreciated. The cold beer and conversation around the fire prior to dinner that evening was even better as the primary goal of getting my travelers safely to and from a gorillas sighting had been accomplished. It was wonderful to see the smiles and hear the recounts of how their interactions with their family of gorillas had unfolded and even better to know that all were as enthusiastic about tomorrow and the encounter that it held.

On our second day up the volcano in search of the Gorillas I was fortunate again that our guide was able to negotiate with the PNV route assignment individual that my travelers received their group of choice. My second day was far less strenuous than day one with the walk to the wall being 30 minutes and then only one hour to the gorilla family. This time it was the Sabyinyo group which includes the largest of all silverbacks among the habituated families. They were in the bamboo forest feeding on the new shoots at the base of the plant. Seeing them in the bamboo was amazing as parts of these forest are very dense and they would appear and then disappear, only to reappear again somewhere else. Quite ghost-like, indeed. Still fairly clean and not all that fatigued, I was back at Virunga Lodge in time for lunch and the afternoon.

The above recount of my first two gorilla treks are just that, mine, and this how I viewed it as it unfolded for me. At the time that this report is going to press Rwanda’s Director of State Protocol is under arrest in Germany, soon to be extradited to France to face charges of involvement in the 1994 genocide and General Laurent Nkunda (leader of the rebel group controlling Goma and much of eastern DRC) is threatening to bring the entire central African region to conflict again. None of these stories have any positive impact on the Mountain Gorillas and the state of their conservation. Please read my notes below on a few of the details that will help prepare you for when you take on the mountain in search of the Mountain Gorillas.

Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei)
The estimated total global population of these animals is around 700 and today they occur in only two places on the African continent; the Virunga volcanos which is where the countries of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) meet and the Bwindi impenetrable forest in Uganda. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has compiled a list of the most endangered species in the world and the Mountain Gorilla falls into the Endangered category. The IUCN lists the total population as declining and is only one stepping stone away from Extinct in the Wild. Please take a moment to review the IUCN 2008 Red List for more detailed information on this unique species’ geographic range, population, habitat and ecology as well as it’s threat and current conservation actions.

In Rwanda there are currently 7 families of habituated gorillas and every day a maximum of 8 travelers per group hike up the volcanoes for their allotted 1 hour visit.

Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project
This amazing project is responsible for the health of pretty much every gorilla in the wild today. Their teams in the field are so dedicated and committed, working in all three countries where these animals occur they monitor and treat any health issue that they encounter on the treacherous slopes of the mountains. In order to achieve this they work closely with the park officials, guides and trackers to observe very part of every animal every day. Please take some time to learn more about this underfunded operation and the work they do by visiting the website for Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project at www.mgvp.org anytime. Should you consider visiting

Virunga Lodge
Set high on the top of a hill that overlooks both Lake Bulera and Lake Ruhondo every one of the 8 guestrooms and all common areas have amazing views of the lakes. This property has been identified as one of the most environmentally friendly stays in Africa with it’s bucket showers and dry human waste management system. Hospitality is warm and friendly and all staff are very accommodating. The kitchen is able to work with travelers with dietary requirements and requests.

My Conclusion is This
If you have ever wanted to see these animals in their own environment I encourage you to plan and go now as I am not confident that they will still be available to travelers the way they are now in one generation. Do not expect to be immersed in the wild of the deep, dark continent as this is a very densely populated region and you can expect to see 200,000 to 300,000 people every day before you get to see gorillas. Make sure you carry the best camera equipment you have and I found that the wide-angle zoom options worked best around these animals. Please email me on ryan@admiraltravel.com or call on 941.951.1801 should you wish to plan your gorilla experience or have any questions about mine.

Click here to view details of our 2009 Gorilla Tracking Safari.

ATG's Director of Global Recruitment and European Development recently escorted a group of travelers in Morocco along with Churchill's granddaughter Celia Sandys.  The series continues with a trip to South Africa in June of 2009.

An Overview of Morocco, part of the "Chasing Churchill" Travel Series

by Robert Tynan

The drive from Casablanca to Marrakesh is beautiful and exhilarating with an array of mystifying natural hues. It is easy to see why a person with an artist’s eye, like Sir Winston Churchill, would fall in love with such views, from the low land browns speckled and dashed with dark greens to the white peaks of the high Atlas Mountains. This is an extraordinary landscape.

On to Marrakesh and the exciting prospect of exploring the city.  It is a sight to behold, from the Majorelle Gardens to the Souks the hustle and bustle of the city streets.  The Majorelle Gardens, now owned by Yves St. Laurent, were created by the French artist Jacques Majorelle, whom Churchill met on his visit to Marrakech in 1950. The gardens are bursting with colors, unusual plant life and bizarre-looking cacti.

In the Souks of Marrakesh within the ancient walls of the medina, I met many strange and wonderful characters whose daily life follows an intriguing, centuries-old pattern. Goods are bought and sold amidst plenty of haggling in tiny shops and stalls. There are many places to grab a drink or two.  Many of the locals chat over glass after glass of what is commonly considered the national drink--hot mint tea as sweet as pure honey with the essence of chewing gum. Echoes reverberate along narrow passageways as craftsmen pound out designs on metals and veiled women move through the day's activities.

Jemaa el Fna is the heart of Marrakech's shopping experience where performers and tradesman gather in this sprawling square.  I watched cobras dance to the sway of a wooden flute, and wondered around the mesmerizing circus-like square. This dramatic stage of Marrakech's Souks is an experience not to be missed.

The drive through Ourika valley provides breath taking views and unusual color schemes reminiscent of the great movie scenes. It's exciting to stand in the same place Sir Winston stood and draw inspiration from the same source.  As for the gardens of Navarone - a wonderful experience filled with unusual fact as well as intriguing information about the indigenous plants and herbs of Morocco.

While in Marrakech we had the wonderful opportunity to meet with several dignitaries as guests traveling with Churchill's granddaughter.  The English Ambassador to Morocco and an Austrian princess made very lively dining companions!

The Dar Ahlam, our oasis resort in the midst of Ouarzazate, is a true escape from the trials and tribulations of life. The wonder and beauty of this renovated Kasbah lies in the uniqueness of the property.  There are no numbers on the beautiful, wooden room doors and no phones in any of the rooms.  Breathtaking panoramic views from the roof let the imagination wander as utter relaxation sets in.  The magical feeling of the place, its delectable foods and exquisite service will always hold a special place in my heart.

With A population of well over 40,000 inhabitants Ouarzazate is a center of tourism in the Sahara. Ouarzazate is also the hub for international filmmakers seeking the perfect desert scene.  The Gladiator, Alexander, Lawrence of Arabia and The Sheltering Sky are among the films shot here in this place of mystique and wonder.

I encourage everyone to visit Morocco at least once, and would eagerly accompany Ms. Sandys on future installments of the "Chasing Churchill" series. 

Click here for details of "Chasing Churchill" in South Africa.

Win Tickets to Moves Magazine's Super Bowl Party With NFL Superstars Ray Lewis and Reggie Bush

All bookings made by January 15, 2009 qualify for our random drawing for one couple to join ATG President Malaka Hilton at Moves' unforgettable Super Bowl Blow Out. 
 
January 28, 2009 commensurates Moves Magazine's Third Annual Super Bowl Party hosted by NFL Superstars Ray Lewis and Reggie Bush at 'The Venue' in Tampa.  Prize includes dinner, round trip limo, and luxury accommodations for the night.

Known as one of Super Bowl's premier parties, each has boasted over 1,000 attendees and hosted Sports' most notable athletes, coaches, and most well-known sports network personalities as well Hollywood's most recognizable entertainment icons.
 
Receiving accolades from the New York Post as one of Super Bowl's hottest shin digs, Moves continues to dazzle party-goers with its sexy, chic vibe.  This year's exclusive party has set the standard with an all-inclusive facility that will offer an Ultra Lounge, Martini Bar, outdoors Deck Bar, Champagne Bar and Cabana Deck.
 
Book today to qualify for the drawing.
 
Stay Tuned For The Next ATG Reward:
 
The Pre-Espy Award Party at the Playboy Mansion in LA - July 2009.  Details to follow.

Easter Island - the name immediately calls forth the mysterious monolithic tiki-like faces, but what do you really know about this remote South Pacific destination? ATG’s new Director of Global Adventure, Jennie Morris, recently traveled there to experience a new program offered through Explora, a South American tour operator specializing in natural and cultural discovery in the remote regions of the continent. She offers the following commentary on her journey.

Geographical region:  Being the most isolated island in the world, halfway between Chile and Tahiti, Easter Island is like no place else. It sits in the South Pacific Ocean 2,300 miles west of South America, 2,500 miles southeast of Tahiti, 4,300 miles south of Hawaii, 3,700 miles north of Antarctica. The closest other inhabited island is 1,260 miles away - tiny Pitcairn Island where the mutineers of the H.M.S. Bounty settled in 1790. Rapa Nui is a volcanic cone that rises to a maximum of 1,640 feet above sea level. The triangle shaped island is 166 square km, and home to a fascinating history, as evidenced by the giant moais-giant stone sculptures- sitting atop their ahus, or ceremonial platforms.

 
Easter Island Getaway: A New Adventure From Explora 
by Jennie Morris

The Explora program has a 3 night minimum stay as part of their philosophy. The history of the island and its culture unfolds in the progression of sites taken in on morning and afternoon excursions. Take my word for it, 3 nights is not enough!

There is so much to do, so many different hikes to go on and so many sites. You can take bikes out, go for walks, go into the town, go to church (which we did and it was great!), go to the markets, go scuba diving or horseback riding (these are not included and must be arranged separately), or just relax at the resort, use the pool or sit out on the deck or the terrace or get a massage.

There is one town, where 98% of the population of 4000 people lives. It is charming, and most of the hotels are located there in addition to little cafes, restaurants and shops, the markets, the church, the fishing pier, the dive shops, the soccer field and the post office.

The Explora lodge is not in town, as part of its philosophy is being a part of a remote environment and experiencing nature. And the lodge is fantastic. The scenery is a bit strange, not traditionally picturesque and ‘beautiful’ like most Polynesian islands, but amazingly serene and spiritual. Due to competition for resources when the inhabitants were warring in the 16th and 17th centuries, a lot of the island is fairly barren, mostly scrub. Also, the winds ensure it stays like that. Additionally, the island’s 7000 horses add to the scenery. 

The resort facilities are made of natural materials: wood, glass, slate, etc. - more functional than extravagant, but you definitely have everything that you need. Very comfortable beds, amazing chocolate on your pillow, fantastic sunken tubs with Jacuzzi jets, fabulous picture windows with views over the entire island, separate room with toilet and bidet and the amenities you would expect to find in a luxury property: toiletries, welcome cookies, robes and slippers etc. There is a small shop and even internet for those who need to get online, though no phone or blackberry connection out at the resort.

Our first afternoon we were driven from the lodge in one of their vans with an Explora guide (there are 10 and they are all local Easter Islanders) to the site of our first hike. Groups are split to ensure a maximum of 8 people. We usually had 4.

We hiked along the ‘moai’ route to the quarry, called Rano Raraku, where the monolithic human figures were mostly carved. The mystery has been how they got these huge statues from here to other parts of the island. The main theory that the locals agree with is that they ‘walked,’ meaning they moved them forward from one side to the other slowly using ropes. Though it is thought that the inhabitants first arrived in the 4th century AD from Polynesia, most likely the Marquesas, different clans developed on different parts of the island, and one way to manifest their power was in building more impressive moai.

The moai represent ancestral chiefs who were believed to be descended directly from the gods and whose supernatural powers could be harnessed for the benefit of humanity. The massive stone figures were generally erected on temple platforms (ahu) along the coast, where they faced inland to keep watch over the local community. Between roughly 1100 and 1650, Rapa Nui artists created nearly 900 moai. Most were carved from soft volcanic tuff at Rano Raraku, an extinct volcanic crater that served as the primary statue quarry. The giant stone sculptures commonly weigh between 10 and 12 metric tons. Their average height is roughly 13 feet, but they range anywhere from 8 feet to an unfinished example over 70 feet high.

Moai are characterized by long sloping noses, strong brows, deeply inset eyes, and prominent chins. Some examples also wear a hatlike cylinder made of red stone on their heads, which may represent a headdress or elaborate hairstyle. Each moai was commissioned by a specific individual or group and created by a team of expert stoneworkers under the direction of a master carver. As many as fifteen people began by quarrying a large rectangular block using basalt picks (toki). Once the figure was roughed out, the master carver and his assistants added the fine details, usually beginning with the head and face. Afterwards, a team of workers used ropes and levers to move the sculpture down the quarry slope. It was then set upright and the remainder of the carving was completed. The finished sculpture was then moved to its final destination using a wooden sled or rollers.

Experimental re-creation of this feat by modern archaeologists suggests that it required approximately 40 individuals to move an average-sized moai, and roughly 300 to 400 people to produce the rope and food required. By the time Europeans first reached Easter Island in 1722, the moai tradition was already in decline. Early explorers reported many moai still standing, but by the mid-nineteenth century, all had fallen due to neglect or warfare. Many have since been restored by archaeologists.

The guide took us around the quarry and explained the history of the island and the moai, which we viewed in all stages of development; some were even halfway carved still in the rock. That night we had an amazing dinner. As it is all-inclusive resort, you can choose from 2 options for appetizer and dinner, open bar and lots of dessert options. They have fantastic fresh food, lots of seafood, and excellent Chilean wines. The staff is so sweet and friendly, and can’t do enough for you. We also went into town for a local traditional dance performance. The place was packed, and we strolled right into our reserved seats in the front row!

Sunday morning we went to church - another great experience escorted by your guide and driver. The mix of Catholicism with local flavor and music is very touching. We then visited the museum, highly recommended, Ahu Taihi, and then went to the artisans market, which was quite expensive.  We later got to go to a more local market that was more affordable.

In the afternoon we visited Ahu Akivi, the seven moai, and then we spent a great afternoon out on the cliffs and even got to try our hand at fishing local style. Our guide then treated us to a chilled bottle of wine!  Incidentally, travelers who are interested in partying with the locals should be advised that the bars are only in action on Friday and Saturday nights. Otherwise, you will be enjoying fabulous dinner with drinks and the amazing view at the resort.

Monday was a long morning of hiking along the north coast to the beaches, after a visit to the 15 moai at Tongariki. There are two beaches on the island, called Anakena & Ovahe and they are located on the North end. Both are on the same road. Anakena affords the scenery you would expect on a Polynesian island, with loads of palm trees and a very wide, white sand beach. It is the best place for shore break bodysurfing.  Though busy on weekends, it was empty when we were there on Monday. Ovahe is less busy and has some interesting caves in the area.

We returned to the lodge for lunch and a nap, then headed out to Rano Kau, the large crater in the SW of the island, and Orongo ceremonial village (if you read history, you will know this was where the Birdman cult was). It was windy and cold up there, but the houses were still intact. There were great views up at the crater overlooking the 1000 foot drop to the sea and the small islands of Motu Nui, Motu Iti, and Motu Kao Kao.

That evening we were treated to a great BBQ with whole fish and steak and lots of fresh vegetables along with a local band and dancers. The food was again fantastic, and it was so much fun. I slept very well in my comfortable bed.

We awoke on our final morning for another tremendous breakfast while the staff picked up our luggage, and then checked out. We enjoyed some free time to wander around town and visit another market. I saw many things that I wanted to do had I more time: scuba dive, learn to surf, and fish.  I particularly would have liked to ride on horseback up to the highest point on the island, but there was no time! Then it was off to the airport for the epic journey home.

All in all, Easter Island is a totally amazing, unique place. I recommend a minimum 4 night stay to allow enough time to relax and just enjoy the resort as well as all of the activities the island has to offer.

Getting there: the flight from Miami to Santiago is 8 hours and 20 minutes. (Quite a haul, I would recommend business class!) Then after a layover of a few hours in Santiago, a 5-hour flight out to Easter Island arrives in the morning. There are now daily flights from Santiago due to popular demand. You are picked up at the airport upon arrival (it’s pretty small, not difficult to find your driver!) and driven about 10 minutes (8 km) to the lodge.

Are you a top-selling Independent Travel Advisor who is ready to take your career to the next level?  Are you eager to deliver Virtuoso value and amenities to your clients?

Cruise the Nile with celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten with our compliments
when you affiliate with ATG by October 31, 2008.

Our unique hosting program for luxury travel consultants offers flexible compensation plans and the opportunity to sell exclusive product your clients can't book online - or anywhere else!

Discover the difference for yourself when you travel as our guest on a 4-night Nile River cruise with celebrity chef Jean-Georges. This unforgettable ATG Elite tour, escorted by Travel + Leisure-recommended Egypt specialist Malaka Hilton, includes all manner of special perks and insider access along the way.  Click here for complete tour details.

Contact Robert Tynan, Director of Global Recruitment and European Development, to learn more about this once-in-a-lifetime Nile River experience and the many benefits of affiliating with ATG or click here for more information.

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Board Chair Lou Marinaccio
Welcomes Admiral Travel Gallery to Lakewood Ranch

Malaka and Ryan Hilton, owners and principals of Admiral Travel International, Inc., announce the launch of Admiral Travel Gallery’s concierge travel services at MGA Commerce Plaza in Lakewood Ranch.

Lou Marinaccio, president of MGA Insurance Group, is pleased that ATG has chosen this location to bring to Lakewood Ranch residents its portfolio of exclusive tours and custom travel services. "This is a welcome addition to the Ranch and we are thrilled and honored to have them," he said.

“We’re very excited to be joining our good friends and business partners here in Lakewood Ranch,” states Malaka, who organizes The Gulf Coast Connoisseur Club’s annual culinary tour with Chef Tommy and Jaymie Klauber of the Polo Grill and exotic photographic journeys with commercial photographer Carlton Grooms of Big Bamboo Adventures.

ATG’s ‘concierge service’ will offer clients the convenience of meeting at the time of their choice, right in their own back yard.  Travel specialists will come to your home, meet at your favorite restaurant or welcome you in a private reception area to their state of the art conference facilities at MGA, which provide a perfect space for small group presentations and gatherings.

As young entrepreneurs and renowned experts in travel, the Hilton’s are eager to engage area businesses, residents and social organizations with experiences that break the mold of what affluent travelers have come to expect from a luxury travel agency.  “We are the only Virtuoso agency in the Ranch,” states Malaka. “We’re eager to welcome new travelers to experience the Wow-factor with us in Egypt, Africa and other worldwide destinations – to really see what’s possible when you go with the right people.”

Named the "single best travel professional for Egypt" by Travel + Leisure magazine every year since 2003, Ms. Hilton is recognized throughout the world for her knowledge and the insider experiences she arranges for clients in Egypt. She earned similar distinction from National Geographic Traveler in 2004.

Condé Nast Traveler has recommended Ryan Hilton for his extensive knowledge and expertise in South African safaris every year since 2002.  A native Zimbabwean and prolific wildlife photographer, Ryan grew up in the wilds of southern Africa and was formerly a guide in one of South Africa’s premiere game reserves.

Of course, ATG’s unique travel experiences are not limited to the African continent. Their portfolio of custom escorted tours spans the world. Exclusive programs include retracing Winston Churchill’s footsteps in Morocco with his granddaughter and noted author Celia Sandys, tracking gorillas in the mists of the Rwandan hillsides, attending an Iron Chef-themed dinner at Roy’s Tokyo with your host and escort Chef Roy Yamaguchi and dining at the base of the Pyramids on a meal prepared by world-renowned restaurateur and chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. 

Members of ATG Elite, the company’s exclusive travel club, earn points on these and other far-flung adventures that may be redeemed for future travel. For details, visit www.admiraltravel.com or call 941-907-2858.

For more information please contact:
Kimberley Mancini, Director of Strategic Alliances
Admiral Travel Gallery
Phone: 941.951.1801 or 888.722.3401
Email: kmancini@admiraltravel.com

Click here to view our Summer 2008 Newsletter.

Place deposit on the following cruises by May 30, 2008 and receive promotional discounts listed below.

Silversea's new expedition ship, the Prince Albert II
Rates will never be this low again! Receive a 10% discount on any of the below sailings:

Jun 12, 2008                 18 day             London (Tower Bridge) to Tromso

Jun 30, 2008                 12 day             Tromso to Tromso

Jul 12, 2008                  18 day            Tromso to Reykjavik

Jul 30, 2008                  16 day             Reykjavik to St. John's

Aug 15, 2008                10 day            St. John's to New York

Sep 1, 2008                  16 day             Fort Lauderdale to Acapulco

Sep 17, 2008                12 day             Acapulco to Los Angeles

Sep 30, 2008                12 day            Los Angeles to Acapulco

Oct 12, 2008                 22 day             Acapulco to Valparaiso

Nov 3, 2008                  11 day             Valparaiso to Ushuaia                                
 

Two Crystal Cruise Offerings
Pay with your American Express Platinum card and receive shipboard credit in addition to the incentives below.

Athens to Rome on Crystal Serenity
Departs October 06, 2008 - 12 days

*Receive one free night in Athens at the Royal Olympic (or comparable property).

 
Caldera to Miami on Crystal Symphony
Departs February 05, 2009 - 11 days
*Receive a 2 night PRE PACKAGE in Costa Rica for all Penthouse bookings and above (CAT A and B receive one night.)

Regent Seven Seas
Choose a complimentary helicopter tour in Monte Carlo, one complimentary night at the St. Regis Grand (or similar) in Rome, one complimentary night at the Royal Olympic (or similar) in Athens or shipboard credit of $500 per cabin.

Rome to Athens on Seven Seas Navigator
Departs August 16, 2008 - 14 days

Contact us to reserve. 

Turkey with Chef Roy Yamaguchi, Antarctica for Photographers and the Dramatic Landscapes of New Zealand

Click here to view details. 

Click here to view ATG's Kids FREE to Egypt offer.

Click here to view ATG's Spring 2008 Newsletter.

Are you looking to expand your passion for travel into your professional life?  Join the ATG team and open the door to the world’s most intriguing destinations and cutting edge travel opportunities.

“The benefit of affiliating with our company is the opportunity to experience the world the way our clients do,” explains ATG Owner and President Malaka Hilton.  “Our partnerships and friendships with top suppliers all over the world allow us to extend VIP status, upgrades and other special amenities to our clients as well as our affiliates and staff.”

ATG Advisors have recently visited the Bahamas, Belize, Botswana, China, Egypt, Hong Kong, France, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Myanmar, Singapore, Tahiti, Tanzania, Thailand and Vietnam on familiarization, educational and escorted departures with the industry's top suppliers - Silversea, Crystal, Sea Dream, Regent as well as the World and the Christina O.

ATG Advisors who escort group departures experience once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunities alongside our clients.  Recent experiences include private wine tasting and dining with Salvatore Ferragamo at the family estate in Tuscany,  watching Il Palio horse race in Sienna from a Contessa's private flat, cruising the Yangtze River, attending red carpet events at the Cannes Film Festival, attending cooking demos and private dining with menus created by Chef Roy Yamaguchi in Cape Town, at the Pyramids of Giza and onboard Sea Dream Yacht Club.  

Those interested in blending their love of travel with their career aspirations are encouraged to contact Malaka Hilton for more information: email Malaka@admiraltravel.com or phone 941 951 1801.

Do you specialize in niche luxury markets? Admiral Travel Gallery is currently recruiting experienced luxury Travel Advisors for part time and full time positions in our Downtown Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch locations. 

Work with our team of inspiring travel professionals to grow your career to the next level. In addition to Virtuoso amenities and benefits, ATG Advisors access the hottest ‘wow factor’ experiences available in luxury travel. 

Benefits include competitive compensation, flexible scheduling and amazing travel opportunities. Preference is given to established Cruise, Spa, Golf, Destination or Group specialists.  Contact ATG Owner/President and CEO of Exclusive Product Development Malaka Hilton for more information: email malaka@admiraltravel.com or call 941 951 1801.

What better way to learn about the exclusive product, signature service and amazing on-the-ground experiences ATG provides for clients than to witness them first hand? 

ATG Owner and President Malaka Hilton is demonstrating that she’s serious about recruiting the best-of-the-best by treating the first new members to join her team to choose between her “Mal Factor” Egypt tour escorted by celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten or an amazing tour of the highlights of Turkey escorted by celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi. 

Click here to view Cairo and the Nile River with Guest Chef Jean Georges.

Click here to view Turkey with Chef Roy Yamaguchi.

Discover why Malaka has been named the top Super Agent for Egypt by Travel + Leisure every year since 2004, and then share the experience with your clients!  

Contact ATG Owner/President and CEO of Exclusive Product Development Malaka Hilton for more information: email Malaka@admiraltravel.com or phone 941 951 1801.  This signing bonus offer expires March 31, 2008.

Looking for a dynamic, high-energy position in the up-and-coming Main Street shopping and dining district in Lakewood Ranch?  Join our team of creative, inspired travel professionals as the “glue” that holds this luxury office together. 

The Administrator will be responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the office and oversee technological operations for our team of in-office and remote Travel Advisors.

The ideal candidate must be well-organized with impeccable client service, communication and computer skills.  Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications is required as well as the ability to quickly learn software specific to the travel industry such as Trams Client Base, Trams Back Office and Sabre.

Interested parties are encouraged to contact ATG Owner/President and CEO of Exclusive Product Development Malaka Hilton for more information: email malaka@admiraltravel.com or call 941 951 1801.

Click here to view ATG's Winter 2008 Newsletter.

Click here to view ATG's Summer 2007 Newsletter.

Click here to view ATG's Spring 2007 Newsletter.

Click here to view ATG's Winter 2007 Newsletter.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sarasota, FL (January 4, 2007) On Sunday, January 28th, Hawaiian-Fusion Chef Roy Yamaguchi will welcome guests at Sarasota’s Roy’s location, 2001 Siesta Drive, for a 7 p.m. four-course Wine Dinner celebrating the late September trip he will be escorting to Egypt with Malaka Hilton of Admiral Travel Gallery. Guests who reserve space on the departure are also invited to attend a private Wine Reception with Chef Roy and special guest Salvatore Ferragamo, who will be serving his signature Il Borro reds.

Roy Yamaguchi and Salvatore Ferragamo will each be escorting unique exclusive departures with Admiral Travel Gallery in 2007.

Roy’s Egypt departure is based in Cairo and includes a three-day Nile River cruise from Luxor to Aswan, featuring a kick off dinner at Medinat Habu temple and Roy’s culinary touches onboard Abercrombie & Kent’s Sun Boat IV. Guests will experience a rare opening of Queen Nefertari’s tomb, named among 50 ‘one of a kind’ lifetime experiences in Condé Nast Traveler’s December 2006 issue, spend a day in the desert with Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities and meet former Egyptian first lady Jehan Sadat at a private reception in her villa overlooking the Nile.

The trip concludes with a tented Bedouin-style farewell dinner on the Giza Plateau where the Pyramids will serve as a dramatic backdrop to Chef Roy’s cuisine. Salvatore Ferragamo will attend the dinner in Cairo to present his Il Borro wines.

The upcoming Egypt departure builds on the success of Roy’s 2006 safari to South Africa, led by Admiral Travel Gallery co-owner and Safari Specialist Ryan Hilton.

Beginning August 27, Chef Roy welcomed 25 travelers in Cape Town, South Africa for a nine-day tour, which included the sights of Cape Town, visits to South Africa’s most elite wineries, magnificent dinner presentations crafted by Roy in conjunction with notable South African chefs and a four-day safari at Singita, South Africa’s preeminent destination for big game viewing, adjacent to Kruger National Park.

“I’ll really miss the Singita days and nights,” said Chef Roy at the conclusion of the trip. “I had such a great time with this group; I would love to travel with them again next year.”

This year’s Egypt departure is organized and presented by Malaka Hilton, owner and CEO of Exclusive Product for Admiral Travel Gallery, who has been recognized as Travel + Leisure’s “SuperAgent” for Egypt each consecutive year since 2003.

For the past two years, Malaka has been developing her line of ‘exclusive product,’ which she describes as, “over-the-top experiences that are all about the ‘wow-factor.’ It’s much more than going to exotic locations and staying in luxurious properties,” she continues. “My travelers are meeting influential people and accessing special places that leave them with memories and experiences they will treasure for a lifetime.”

A trip to Italy hosted by Salvatore Ferragamo is also slated for her 2007 Exclusive Product lineup. Salvatore first escorted ATG clients on a trip to Tuscany in 2006, which featured a stay at the Ferragamo family’s private villa of Il Borro and a rare opportunity to view Sienna’s famous bareback Palio horse race from a Contessa’s private apartment overlooking the Piazza del Campo. The trip was so popular, Malaka decided to repeat the experience one last time in 2007 for those who missed out on her initial offering. Beginning June 24, guests will spend ten days in Italy, with stays in Tuscany, Rome and Florence.

Salvatore, grandson to the famous shoemaker with the ultimate last name in fashion, manages the family’s estate at Il Borro and is passionate about the wines he crafts there. "I truly enjoy spending time with the travelers that Malaka brings to Tuscany,” says Salvatore. “To share valuable experiences such as the Palio with her guests is always a pleasure."

Guests who register for “Cruising the Nile with Chef Roy” or “Classic Italy Featuring Il Palio Hosted by Salvatore Ferragamo” are invited to meet their hosts at a private reception to be held at Roy’s prior to the Wine Dinner, whose guests will also have the opportunity to meet Roy and learn more about traveling with him to Egypt.

For more information, please call Admiral Travel Gallery at 941-951-1801. Reservations for the Wine Dinner with Chef Roy are available on a first-come, first-served basis through Roy’s (941 952-0109); however, priority will be given to guests who have registered to travel with him to Egypt. To learn more about these unique travel opportunities, please visit www.admiraltravel.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sarasota, FL (January 2, 2007) Last December at International Luxury Travel Market based in Cannes, France, Virgin Galactic, in conjunction with Virtuoso, proudly announced the travel consultants who will train to become “Accredited Space Agents” – the first and only consultants in North America allowed to reserve seats aboard Virgin Galactic’s suborbital space flights. Ryan Hilton, internationally renowned Safari Specialist and co-owner of Sarasota’s Admiral Travel Gallery, is among an elite group of 45 consultants in North America selected for this unique accreditation.

To date, the world has seen fewer than 500 astronauts, but with the launch of Virgin Galactic spaceflights that will soon change. Together with Virgin Galactic, Virtuoso’s “Accredited Space Agents” are poised to turn the dream of going to space into a reality for their clientele. The once-in-a-lifetime experience includes Astronaut training, ‘G force’ acclimatization and a sensational spaceflight lasting over two hours.

At $200,000 per ticket, Virgin Galactic’s flights are a mere fraction of the $20 million price tag associated with other commercial space tourism. And while Virgin Galactic’s technology makes space travel more attainable for the general public, it takes a talented and skilled luxury travel consultant to sell a trip to space.

“As a Virtuoso consultant, Mr. Hilton embodies the adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit needed to represent Virgin Galactic,” said Carolyn Wincer, Head of Astronaut Sales for Virgin Galactic. Ryan’s passion for space travel, combined with his talent for selling unique experiences, makes him an ideal candidate for this new level of space tourism.”

As a part of this select group of consultants, Ryan will go through a comprehensive education program in his quest to become an “Accredited Space Agent.” Training will take place in early 2007 and, once accredited, he can begin reserving seats, with the first flights launching in late 2008. Overall, Admiral Travel Gallery will make a five-year commitment to the program, which includes marketing and sales support in addition to training.

Matthew Upchurch, CEO of Virtuoso, added, “By becoming an ‘Accredited Space Agent,’ Ryan and the Admiral Travel Gallery team continues to set itself apart, reinforcing its position as an innovator in the life experience business.”

Click here to view ATG's Fall 2006 Newsletter.

LAS VEGAS, NV – Today Virgin Galactic announced the appointment of prestigious travel company, Virtuoso, as their exclusive retail travel group in North America, promoting commercial space tourism to the North American market. A select group of Virtuoso’s elite members will go through a comprehensive training program with Virgin Galactic to become “Accredited Space Agents,” making them among the first travel consultants in the world endorsed to reserve seats on Virgin Galactic spaceflights, due to launch in late 2008. Together with Virgin Galactic, Virtuoso’s member consultants will help make the dream of going into space a reality for their affluent clientele.

Selected for qualities which mirror Virgin’s values and complement Virgin’s experience in aviation, quality travel and adventure, Virtuoso’s member consultants will be the first – and only – travel agents in North America to gain full accreditation, enabling them to offer their clients a unique, three-day Virgin Galactic space adventure. This once-in-a-lifetime experience includes Astronaut training, ‘G force’ acclimatization and a sensational spaceflight lasting over two hours.

Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Group, said, "Today’s announcement is exciting. It makes space travel even more accessible for the general public, who will now be able to simply contact their trusted Virtuoso "Accredited Space Agent" to reserve a Virgin Galactic ticket into space. They may even find themselves being flown into space by Virgin Blue or Virgin Atlantic pilots, who are currently training to fly the Virgin Galactic spacecraft."