Virtuoso Life - January/February 2009 - (Page 28)

PASSPORT Clear SkieS aCt Vapor trails ticket to Fly adventurers are lining up to be among the first space tourists. a profile of the Virgin Galactic astronauts thus far: 284 18 to 83 Age: Number with tickets for liftoff: 35 Higher calling: Virgin Galactic’s mother ships will help monitor greenhouse gasses. Nationalities represented: World’s oldest A bit closer to earth, Air New Zealand is experimenting with biofuels to cut costs and save energy during long-haul routes. A test flight out of Auckland this winter powered a Boeing 747 partly with environmentally friendly fuels refined from seeds of the Jatropha plant. That’s in addition to some 41 eco-conscious initiatives already in place, such as installing electric dryers in planes’ ceilings to cut cabin condensation, which can add more than 400 pounds of water weight. people to pull 6 g’s for 20 seconds (a 77-year-old Japanese woman and a 78-year-old American man) Records set so far: Proof that you can shoot for the stars while pondering the planet below: Virgin Galactic is working with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to help monitor climate changes with its new spaceship and high-altitude plane. The Galactic mother ship, known as WhiteKnightTwo, soars to 50,000 feet – twice the altitude reached by most research planes – before launching passengers into space aboard SpaceShipTwo. Onboard instruments measure greenhouse gases and atmospheric carbon, and the data will be shared with NOAA scientists on a pro bono basis. The first of more than 200 planned test flights began last year. Q : How can I maxImIze my european vacatIon? “Look into buses and trains. Bus and train travel in Europe is superior to that of the U.S. and a great way to get around countries.” ASK THE EXPERTS Virtuoso Life’s editorial advisory board, a panel drawn from the most celebrated travel advisors in the industry, gives tips on how to get more for your greenbacks. “Plan ‘headquarters’ vacations with a car: avignon with day rambles in Provence, Madrid with excursions to toledo, Segovia, Salamanca, and more. this type of travel can be done much more inexpensively, avoids multiple check-ins, and gives trips more depth.” “Use atMs for the best exchange rate. Check with your banks on what they’re charging, as one likely charges more than another – and of course be sure to tell them you’re traveling so they don’t put a hold on your cards.” “Consider a villa. it’s a great way to experience the real italy and France with a few friends.” “If it isn’t included with your hotel rate, eat breakfast elsewhere. Patisseries offer better value, and you get to mingle with locals.” Have a question for our panel? E-mail VLeditors@virtuosolife.com. If it’s published, you’ll receive a $500 prepaid MasterCard® gift card, as well as the answer. For details, see page 20. 28 VIRTUOSO LIFE

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Virtuoso Life - January/February 2009

Virtuoso Life - January/February 2009 Contents Editor’s Note Contributors Passport Bon Voyage Suite Talk City to Go Vanity Case Quick Escape Go Green What Matters Design Tour Emerging Europe Essence of Paris Northern Exposures Madrid’s Moment Tasting Notes Global Gourmet Well Traveled Great Outdoors Big Shot

Virtuoso Life - January/February 2009

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