Recommend January 2014 - (Page 15)

 WHAT TRAVEL AGENTS Opposite page: Queen Isabel as it makes its way through one of Portugal's most scenic regions. ARE SAYING... In selling Uniworld, Luelle Robinson, a river cruise grown on the steep and rocky slopes of the Upper Douro and its tributaries, where vineyards have rambled since pre-Roman times. Not only are passengers served a full-bodied ruby port each night after dinner, they set out on several wine estate visits that include tastings, and enjoy a traditional country dinner with more tastings and music at the family-owned Quinta da Avessada wine estate. For walking tours of towns and cities, Quiet Vox audio headsets are supplied to insure that all can easily catch the guide's commentary. Among the stops are Porto, built into the hillside above the river's north bank and currently turning up on various lists of top European cities to visit-praised for its well-preserved architecture, vibrant cultural spaces, and new restaurants. The colorful waterfront Ribeira District is a favorite for ambling. Equally rewarding is Guimaraes, also a UNESCO World Heritage site (the region is full of them). The ﬁrst capital of Portugal, it shows off a wondrous medieval quarter of antique buildings with ornate balconies. During free time for shopping, we were treated to an impromptu street concert by a student group. Then there's lovely Salamanca-a 2-hour drive from the Douro through groves of olives and almonds. Home to Spain's oldest university and one of the oldest in Europe, its streets resonate with the energy of student life, youthful shop windows and hip bistros. (Fun fact: Christopher Columbus lived here in the late 1480s; it's said he spent a great deal of time studying maps at the university and seeking counsel of the school's geographers.) Salamanca has a grand variety of architecture characterized by sandstone buildings that give the city a distinctive golden glow. When feet fail, a sidewalk cafe in the spreading Plaza Mayor provides coffee and peerless people-watching. It's an appealing program, Isabel's voyage through the stunning Douro River Valley-a key aspect being the level of service and attention to client wishes that agents can count on when it comes to repeat sales. "We continue to see record load factors on our ships," says Guy Young, the company's president and CEO. "This is due to the growing popularity of river cruising but also because we have an increasing number of repeat guests on our ships. For Uniworld, our repeat guests are vitally important because we do very little consumer marketing and are therefore very dependent on clients returning to our ships and promoting our brand." specialist with Avoya Travel, Round Hill, VA, lauds "the exceptional care they take of my clients. I know clients will not come home with any complaints. For me, it means happy customers and repeat business." Adds Robinson, who sold more than 150 Uniworld cruises in 2013, "I love when Uniworld comes out with new ships, as they are so popular. People want to return and do the new ship, even if they've previously done the itinerary. Same for me-I'm going to do the new Bordeaux cruise in April, and then the Burgundy and Provence itinerary on the new ship, S.S. Catherine." Heidi Hoehn, general manager of TravelStore in Pasadena, CA, opines that "any small ship cruiser, or one who likes expedition lines, is an excellent candidate for a river cruise. We were surprised to ﬁnd that river cruising appeals to tour passengers even more than traditional cruisers, though generally both types of clients will enjoy it. In most cities, the historic parts of town are squarely waterfront and therefore easily accessible from the ship. The quality of the included touring, the access to the towns and cities visited, the hours in port when people can explore on their own-these are all things that the tour customer enjoys. So, I am delighted to get a client on any river cruise because I know they'll enjoy it, and there is a good probability they'll come back to book more river trips in the future." Citing Uniworld's "consistent delivery of an outstanding product," Hoehn relished a Douro River experience of her own last year. "It reminded me very much of the Europe I knew of a few decades ago, less 'discovered,' less homogenized. I've sent a number of good travelers to the Douro and all have enjoyed it. It's more relaxing and low key than some other rivers and regions." Noting Queen Isabel's uncommon swimming pool, she sees it as a feature that "also reﬂects the more relaxed pace of this journey." january 2014 15 12-17 CR UNIWORLD.indd 15 12/18/13 1:15 PM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend January 2014

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Aloft Hotels
Tour Talk: Swain Destinations
Uniworld's Queen Isabel
Disney Magic
Delta Air Lines Travel Guide 2014
Macau
Egypt Update
Scandinavia Exposed
B Hotels & Resorts
What's New in Las Vegas

Recommend January 2014