Travel Agent - August 18, 2008 - (Page 40)

DESTINATIONS RIGHT: Rooms at the Hilton Valencia are warm and spacious BELOW: The Royal Suite at the Westin features dramatic decor from Francis Montesinos CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39 If you have clients who like to feel special, book them an Executive Room or Junior Suite (29 connect), which have access to the breakfast, drinks and snacks in the 26th-floor Executive Lounge. Spa Manager Esther Fernandez (011-3496-346-4320, fernandez@suite-spa.com) says the spa is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily and has single and twin treatment rooms and a Vichy Shower. The Bice Italian restaurant serves elegant lunches and dinners, and the Podium Bar has an amazing range of specialty malt whiskies. Contact General Manager Manuel Avila (011-34-96-303-0040, manuel.avila@hilton. com) or VIP Manager Amparo Cambronero (011-34-96-303-0042, amparo.cambronero@ hilton.com) for VIP needs. For special arrangements, go through the reception staff, who also act as concierges (011-34-96-303-0000, info@ valencia.hilton.com). The neo-classical Hotel Las Arenas Balenario Resort (www.hotel-lasarenas.com) on Valencia’s main beach is one of the CONNECTING YOU For more information on Spain and other hot destinations, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/europe Leading Hotels of the World and only a $10 taxi ride from downtown. Head Concierge Andrés Baamonde (011-34-96-312-0600, conserjeria @hotel-lasarenas.com) arranges airport transfers in stretch limousines and classic cars and will reserve tables at popular local paella restaurants like La Rosa and L’Estimat. The 253 rooms are Classic (city views), Deluxe (sea views) and Executive, which are more spacious. We recommend booking one of the eight Junior Suites and, for special clients, one of the two Presidential Suites. All rooms have Wi-Fi and complimentary minibars. All sea-view rooms have terraces, but the first-floor Junior Suites have the largest. Bathrooms are spacious and feature Hermès toiletries in the Executive Rooms and Suites. The Las Arenas Presidential Suite is one of the most attractive we have seen. Dazzling white with tan contrasts, it is coolly stylish (for those who get tired of velvets and brocades) with a living room and two bedrooms. Sales Manager Moisés Martinez (011-34-96-312-0600, commercial@ hotel-lasarenas.com) says the other Malvarossa Presidential Suite is white and mauve and has one bedroom and a dining room. Contact Spa Manager Lucia Peris (011-34-96-312-0600) for appointments and General Manager Pedro Cordon (direccion@hotel-lasarenas.com) to set up special arrangements for VIPs. I AGENTADVICE Gianpaolo Bonomi, president of Squirrel Viaggi (www.squirrelviaggi. it) in Milan, knows Spain as well as he does his native Italy, and says Valencia is not to be missed. “Valencia and its countryside bring colors to mind: the yellow and orange of its infinite citrus plantations and its glorious natural light and sunshine,” he says. “Another particularity is Las Fallas, the ancient spring festival with processions, parades and bullfights, which ends with bonfires and fireworks on March 19 every year.” Bonomi adds, “Valencia has labored down the centuries to attain the prosperity it enjoys today. It flourished in the 12th century after freeing itself from Moorish domination and then, after the discovery of America when the importance of its port began to decline, agriculture became its main focus. In the 1970s, taking a leaf out of Barcelona’s book, Valencia began to develop culturally and artistically, also making a name for itself as a prime sports venue. “The Lonja de la Seda, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, was one of the world’s first stock exchanges. And the wonderful City of Arts and Sciences and sporting events like the America’s Cup and Formula One have given it new luster.” And for gourmands, Bonomi notes, “The word ‘paella’ is not complete without adding ‘a la Valenciana.’ This worldfamous dish is made with rice from the nearby Albufera lagoon, which also produces tasty eels, another specialty of Valencian cuisine.” 40 | TravelAgent August 18, 2008 http://www.squirrelviaggi.it http://www.squirrelviaggi.it http://www.hotel-lasarenas.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/europe

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Travel Agent - April 18, 2008 Online Now Contents From the Editor Pacific/Asia: Visitors to Ubud will Discover the Essence of Balinese Art and Culture Special Supplement: Malaysia Travel Planner New Zealand: There is Plenty to See and Do Throughout the West Coast of the Southern Alps Europe: Beauty, History and Culture Combine in Valencia, Spain Caribbean: Scrub Island is the BVI’s First Development in 15 years The Wyndham Rio Mar’s $40 Million Makeover is Well Underway in Puerto Rico The Latest on Grenada, a Caribbean Up-and-Comer Mexico: Big Hotel Plans are in the Works for the Riviera Nayarit Florida: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel turns Orlando into Italy Las Vegas: Dinner at these Restaurants Can Get your Clients into Vegas’ Hottest Nightclubs Cover Story: Medical Tourism Special Supplement: Destination Weddings Specialist 3.0 Hotels: Everything Old is New Again at New York’s Algonquin Cruise: Short Cruises Keep your Clients on the Move for Less Group Travel: Disney makes Exotic Locales Friendly for Family Travel Car Rentals: How Much Insurance Does your Client Need for a Rental Car? Agency Profile: Corporate Travel Sales are Rising at MTravel.com, a Division of Montrose Luxury Travel Expo Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Hyatt comes to Curaçao New Hotels and Resorts in Asia CLIA Tightens Qualifications for ID Tripology Links Agents to Clients In the Spotlight Agent Access Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - August 18, 2008

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