Virtuoso Life - September/October 2007 - (Page 16)

EDITOR’S NOTE New Zealand’s Kaleidoscope Locally Hosted 7 days from $1,175* Including: 6 nights in standard accommodation � Visit: Famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, Te Puia, Rainbow Springs, Agrodome Farm Show & Milford Sound Red Boat Cruise � Queenstown Wine Trail “Original” 5 hour wine tour including wine tasting in a unique underground cave and tastings at 4 wineries � � � Lunch at Waitomo Caves 2 specially themed dinners: � Maori Hangi feast & Concert � Dinner at Waitomo Caves Call your Virtuoso Specialist today! ames michener Wisely advised, “if you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, and avoid the people, you might better stay home.” each day around the world, every single component touched on in this quote makes an appearance or an impression on a plate. When you travel, eating is such an important, easy way to experience a culture, whether it’s south carolina or samoa. From a multicourse gourmet meal at a five-star restaurant to a stand-up snack from a street vendor, food is more than sustenance, and those who embrace the opportunities to try new things are living in the moment – an enviably satisfying feat. (Granted, what you’re trying – say, water snail curry in Thailand or century eggs in hong Kong – may not be satisfying, but just knowing that you tried it makes the endeavor worthwhile.) my favorite travel memories involve food – and, admittedly, more than a few bars, a whole other cultural experience. local wines and beers are as expressive of a place as its food – and its people. We showcase the subjects with a biking trek through the rioja region of spain, a tour of australia’s Barossa Valley vineyards, and the little-known appellations of liguria. Beer is also featured in a big way, with a look at some of the world’s most notable local brews. Of course, restaurants are a major part of most trips, and knowing where to go is key. That’s why we asked food critics in seven cities to share their top hot spots, classic choices, and local favorites; the article is definitely a read-and-keep reference for your future travels. There’s much more in this issue, a vicarious gourmet trek around the globe. a large part of what makes the articles so enticing is the gorgeous photography, one of the hallmarks for which Virtuoso Life is known. The vivid images of italy’s ligurian coast, of Thailand’s rich landscape, of spain’s spectacular vineyards truly make you want to be there. Virtuoso Life works with some of the best photographers in the world, and this issue is no exception. For the foodies on our staff, the Food and Wine theme is a fun one to develop, if a bit of extra work. it may seen counterintuitive, but making food look visually appetizing takes much effort. On camera, that seafood amuse-bouche, for example, suddenly looks, well, fishy, the decadent chocolate dessert just looks dark, and why didn’t we notice those fingerprints on the wine glasses? For the photograph on the cover, designers melanie Fowler and Korena Bolding spent all day and into an evening working with the photographer and stylist to get the ingredients exactly perfect. recipes must be made in multiples, with tweaks to get the consistency, color, and texture just right, and everyone must move quickly before things start to melt, dry out, or worse. The good news is that at the end of the photo shoot, the crew went home with batches of pesto to fill their fridges. The articles and photographs on these pages will surely make you crave the travel experiences they depict. Why stay home when the world is waiting? THOM JACKSON/INDEPENDENT ARTISTS J Elaine Srnka EDITOR esrnka@virtuoso.com Coming in November: THE SHOPPING AND STYLE ISSUE *Price is per person, twin share, land only. International and domestic air not included. Rates are based on availability and subject to change. Other restrictions may apply. For full terms and conditions visit our website BrendanVacations.com. CST# 2084503-20 Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. 16 V I RT U O S O L I F E http://BrendanVacations.com http://BrendanVacations.com http://BrendanVacations.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Virtuoso Life - September/October 2007

Contents Editor’s Note Contributors Luxe Report Bon Voyage Suite Talk City to Go Vanity Case

Virtuoso Life - September/October 2007

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