Luxury Travel Advisor - October 2008 - (Page 12)

THE CLASSIC ELEGANCE of the Madfish room at Hotel du Vin is evident in the four-poster bed. McGarrity (claire.mcgarrity@ hotelduvin.com) to book private tastings with the resident whisky expert—whose real name is Johnny Walker. Concierge Simon Pringle (simon.pringle@hotelduvin. com) is the man to call for help in booking special needs or for VIP experiences for your clients. His duties oscillate from blacking out windows for rock stars to flying clients to and from the Isle of Arran on private jets for after-hours whisky tastings and private dinners at its 16thcentury castle, Brodick. And, of course, it wouldn’t ADVISOR INSIGHT: Both Linda Terrill and Ellen LeCompte, independent associates for Sterling Brownell, use Glasgow as a “gateway” city for VIP clients traveling to the Highlands and the Western Isles. “Glasgow is the perfect starting point,” says Terrill. “I begin my clients’ journeys to Scotland with a stay at the luxurious Hotel du Vin at One Devonshire Gardens. From this convenient location, clients can spend their days touring Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Museum, visiting the renowned Victorian Necropolis and strolling through the city’s Botanic Gardens.” For LeCompte, whose clientele often includes art lovers, Glasgow’s famed Glasgow School of Art is a treasure trove of special experiences that can be arranged for luxury travelers both during and after visitor hours. “They’ve just renovated their gift shop and they’ve created a new interpretation center, which really helps put Charles Rennie MacIntosh’s vision into perspective,” LeCompte explains. Other sites she books for art loving VIPs include the Burrell Collection, an eclectic array of masterpieces from all over the world, set in a private park and Charles Rennie MacIntosh’s “House of an Art Lover,” a small gem of a museum that houses the realization of one of the turn-of-the-century architect’s last blueprints for a wealthy client. LeCompte, (a qualified Destination Specialist/Brit Agent) also recommends Glasgow for its easy access to some of the world’s best golf courses. “You’ve got Royal Troon, Loch Lochmond, Gleneagles and Turnberry, all close by,” she says. “But as the city continues to develop, more and more luxury travelers are finding themselves spending time in Glasgow itself, rather than just using it as a gateway to other experiences.” 12 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | October 2008 be a Robert Burns-inspired homecoming without that most famous of songs, “Auld Lang Syne,” which Burns penned himself, little knowing it would become the New Year’s Eve song of revelers the world over. Glasgow’s Mitchell Library (www.mitchelllibrary.org) will be displaying the original copy of the song, along with other Burns memorabilia during its Inspired exhibit, timed to coincide with Homecoming. We can think of no better special VIP New Year’s trip than Hogmanay at the newly invigorated Hotel du Vin and a private viewing of Burns’ lifework in the austere but beautiful space of the Mitchell Library. Agents can contact Sheila Tennant (011-44-7788-433-704) for special VIP requests, which can include toasting “Old Acquaintances,” lest they be forgot, with a wee dram of fine single malt whisky for good measure. http://www.mitchelllibrary.org

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Luxury Travel Advisor - October 2008 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter Glasgow Greece & Cyprus Private Islands Park Hotel Weggis Mexico Private Yachts MS Europa Coastline Travel Awards of Excellence The Pulse Just Back Luxury Travel Expo Sightings Source List

Luxury Travel Advisor - October 2008

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