Travel Agent - May 26, 2008 - (Page 22)

DESTINATIONS THIS PHOTO: Guest rooms at Hotel Mediterraneo are comfortable and inviting, while the bathrooms (below) are contemporary and spacious CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 raneo is the historic, four-star Hotel Massimo D’Azeglio (www.romehoteldazeglio.it). During our visit, General Manager Gianfranco Bassan told us that while the interiors of the hotel have undergone many refurbishments since the hotel was first established in the late 1800s, the façade has maintained the same character of that era. He also said that it was his goal to provide the elegance and style that began with that early period and then to bring that concept of charm and traditional style forward into today’s hectic world. A tour of several of the rooms and lovely suites of this hotel revealed a warm decor and comfortable furnishings that provide guests with an immediate reprieve from the outside world. Note: We recommend that guests of any of the four properties make time to visit the lobby bar of the Hotel Massimo D’Azeglio, which features charming decor and artwork and is, to our eyes, the ideal place to savor a cocktail. Most notably, the Hotel Massimo D’Azeglio is known throughout Rome for its very fine restaurant on the ground floor of the property, as well as for La Cantina, its wine cellar, which can also serve as a private dining room. We were fortunate to have dined at both locations; the cuisine and service at the restaurant was excellent and the dinner, together with the 22 | TravelAgent May 26, 2008 wine selection available, made the event very enjoyable. La Cantina, which must be reserved for special occasions, proved to be a unique experience. For our meal, we were joined by a large group of travel agents who were touring Rome. We enjoyed aperitifs and then gathered for a sumptuous meal at a long table half the length of the cellar. The meal was prepared by the chef of the main restaurant, who left no culinary detail unturned. The natural ambience of this stone-walled wine cellar, together with the food, wine and the laughter generated, made the entire evening memorable. Paradiso Found As a side trip, the hotel helped us secure a driver to take us to Florence in nearby Tuscany. Anyone traveling through Tuscany will experience row upon row of carefully placed grape CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 http://www.romehoteldazeglio.it

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - May 26, 2008

Travel Agent - May 26, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor Las Vegas: New Luxury Lounges and Gourmet Restaurants Lure Non-Gambling Vacationers Europe: Bettoja Hotels Provide a Personal Touch in Italy Pacific/Asia: Kyoto Blends History and Culture in a Serene City Pacific/Asia News and Notes Mexico: Food and Service Entice at Four All-Inclusive Riviera Maya Hotels Special Supplement: The Best of Portugal with Pestana and Pousadas Mexico Deals Caribbean: Region Makes Great Strides in the Ecotour Niche Caribbean News and Notes Cruises: A look at the Swiss Sapphire River Cruiser from its Christening and Inaugural Sailing Norwegian Cruise Lines offers something new Cover Story: Selling Golf Hotels: Golf Resorts with the Budget Golfer in Mind Resorts on Florida’s Gulf Coast Offer Getaway Deals for Summer and Fall Going for Gold: Hertz Incentive Program Encourages Agents to Book Car Rentals Tours: Summer Tour Packages Make the World Affordable for Your Clients Agent Profile: Connie Majors Goes the Extra Mile Members Know: American Express Joins the Networking Bandwagon Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar What Makes a Professional Agent? Hawaii Tourism Adjusts to Changes Asia is the Hot New Cruise Destination The Latest Caribbean Trends In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - May 26, 2008

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