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 Russia and Paris Winter Getaway February 2005
Last Year I was invited on a Russia trip escorted by Exeter International, a Virtuoso supplier. This is a 5 star luxury tour company that offers unique and wonderful destinations throughout Europe. Upon my arrival to Moscow I was astonished to discover that our Hotel Baltschug was located overlooking Red Square. As I gazed out our window I had a sense that me and my traveling companion were in for a treat! That evening we dined in the hotel's private restaurant (Bibliotek) overlooking Red Square..talk about a table with a view. The meal was incredible...right down to the Beluga caviar, Russian Vodka and Champagne.
Day1 We ventured off bright and early for our deluxe city tour. Later that morning we visited the Izmailovsky Park for the best shopping in Russia. (Weekends only) Later that day we visited the beautiful Park Hyatt Hotel. We finished the day by attending a Circus performance at a local arena....in our very own private box arranged by Exeter's local representative.
Day2 Today we gathered for a walking tour of Red Square, infamous G.U.M. Department Store and a 2 hour private tour of the Kremlin. We toured the grounds of the Kremlin and Assumption Cathedral. Once we entered the Kremlin...I was amazed at the size and the overall beauty that awaited us all. Exeter arranged for a private 2 hour tour with the 2nd in command of the security for the Kremlin. This was unbelievable. Later that day we had another private tour of the Faceted Palace and Terem, which was once home to all the Russian Tsars from "Ivan the Terrible" to "Peter the Great". We were advise that these rooms have hosted "Heads of States" from all over the world.....this experience was so incredible! As invited guests of the Kremlin, we toured these fascinating residences normally closed to the public! That evening we enjoyed a ballet performance at the Bolshoi and dinner at a traditional Russian restaurant.
Day3 We departed for our flight to St. Petersburg via Pulkovo Airlines. Here we stayed at the beautiful Hotel Astoria. Today we toured the city and visited the Peter-Paul Fortress. The evening was enjoyed by dining in the elegant Restaurant Davidov located at our hotel. Their specialty were Bellini's (Beluga Caviar rolled in a crepe with sour cream) simply delicious!!!!
Day4 Walking tour of the city to view several 5 star hotels. I was amazed as we entered the Eliseev Palace Hotel (home of the exclusive Taleon Club). This has to be the most exclusive and ornate hotel I have ever seen. Off to the Hermitage Museum to view the Malachite Room, Imperial living quarters and more! Later we toured the Grand Hotel Europe and had a lovely luncheon. We visited the Great Choral Synagogue, the second largest in Europe. Later this evening we went to the Opera Performance of Aida at the Mariinsky.
Day5 Today we had a very busy schedule...off to tour the Pavlovsk Palace...later we went to the winter palace of Nicholas II (Catherine Palace) here we had an exclusive tour of this luxurious residence and a private tour of the Amber Room Workshops, where craftsmen rebuilt the famous amber panels lost in World War II. This evening we enjoyed a Gala Dinner and Concert at one of St. Petersburg's private palaces arranged by Exeter. This lovely dinner was catered by Potel & Chabot--specialists in haute cuisine and former caterers to Tsar Nicholas II. We were serenaded throughout our dinner by a local opera singer......I will never forget our last night in Russia...from the ornate 24 carat gold walls to the candelabras...it was a 5 star experience and so much more!
Day6 We departed Russia for a 2 night visit to the beautiful city of Paris. We stayed at The Hotel Du Louvre.. guess what our view was from our room.....?This city is so amazing and offers so many fascinating restaurants and touring options. All and all the entire trip was simply elegant and one of my finest trips ever. If you choose to visit the wonderful cities of Russia I would highly recommend calling me to arrange your excursion to Russia with Exeter International. Take a few moments to view the destinations offered here.
Egyptian Express Slideshow March 2006
Egypt Trip hosted by
Egyptian Express
22 - 29 March, 2006
Day 1: Wednesday, 22 March:
Upon arrival of our international flights into Cairo International Airport, we were greeted by Egyptian Express (our Virtuoso Onsite Tour Host) who assisted us with the passport arrival formalities, followed by direct transfer service to the luxurious brand new Four Seasons at Nile Plaza Hotel. This evening we were greeted with a welcome reception and free time to meet our counter-parts for this amazing ancient journey back in time, for a week long tour of the highlights of Egypt.
Day 2: Thursday, 23 March:
Today we were met by our superb private English-speaking Egyptologist-Guide (Achmed). We started our amazing journey of sightseeing throughout Egypt, in the morning with a short but
informative introduction to the sites we will visit during our tour, starting with an exciting full day Cairo City Tour. We motor coached a short distance to the marvelous Egyptian Museum of Antiquities in the city center, for a tour of all the highlights of its brilliant collection of art and everyday-life objects from ancient Egypt, including the golden Treasures of the Boy King Tutankhamun! We enjoyed a luncheon hosted by the famous Rotisserie Belvedere Restaurant in Cairo Nile Hilton hotel’s rooftop, while enjoying breathtaking views of the River Nile. After lunch we visited the 12th century fortress; “The Citadel”, constructed by Saladin to protect Cairo from the Mongol threat. Within the Citadel walls is the mosque that has become the symbol of Cairo, the Mohammed Ali Mosque. It was built in 1830 in Byzantine style on the model of Hagia Sofia in Istanbul. This mosque is characterized by the great amount of alabaster used to sheath the walls. Then we continued to the Khan El Khalili Bazaars, where we enjoyed shopping amongst the shop owners. We had our on private shopping assistant as we searched for the perfect Egyptian gift for our loved ones at home. I espcially enjoyed my shopping experience at the ancient spice market. I was able to acquire several of my favorite spices; cardamon, curry and saffron, for a future dinners only to remind me of that special day. We returned to our hotel, only to attend an evening to the spectacular Sound and Light Show - in English language at the Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza! This spectacle was a perfect introduction to our upcoming adventures of the next several days. The show displayed the innovative Old Kingdom of Egypt’s long history, - the dramatic “Pyramid Age”, when our earliest civilization was formed! The show duration of 50 minutes was so surreal! This evening we enjoyed a welcome dinner hosted by the Four Seasons management team, before we retired for the evening only to wake for a wonderful day of planned touring.
Day 3: Friday, 24 March:
Today was an early 5:15 AM, transfer to the Cairo airport to embark on our short 45 minute flight to the Aswan airport. We boarded a motorcoach to visit the Aswan Dam and the historical temple of "Abu Simbel". Our 1st stop was the highlight of Abu Simbel; where we toured the Great Temples of Ramses II and his beloved Queen Nefertari, known as “Abu Simbel Temples”. After this amazing tour we returned via a flight to Aswan - “Gateway to Africa”, followed by a direct transfer from Aswan airport to the pier to embark on our Nile Cruise ship for an unforgettable 3-Nights/ 4-Days Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor. We were greeted with a welcome drink upon embarkation as well as a piano recital. All in all, a superb residence on the river! We enjoyed our first lunch on the Nile followed by a sail through the Nile in Aswan by “Felucca” - traditional sailing crafts - around Kitchener's Island and the Agha Khan Mausoleum. This was over the top---we visited a nearby Nubian village and were serenaded by music as we arrived upon this tiny Nubian village that dates back centuries in time. Our tour of Aswan featured a visit to the High Dam, the ancient Granite Quarries & Unfinished Obelisk, and the beautiful Temple of Philae. Followed by a Captain’s welcome cocktail party.
Day 4: Saturday, 25 March:
Today we were met by horse and buggy as we embark on our visit to the city of Edfu. We are whisked off briskly by our coachman dawned in the traditional egyptian garb. As we take off, I am offered to sit up front with our coachman. I know better and decline... for fear of what is to come. Our driver thought he was in a race to the finish line and guess what... we won the race...as he sped thru the ancient city of Edfu exclaiming his newfound American saying "Giddee Up" we finally arrive safe and sound and in first place! Upon our hairaising arrival we visited the mighty Temple of the Falcon-Headed Sun-God Horus, best-preserved
temple remaining from Egypt’s ancient past! We returned via stage coach for yet another pseudo race to the finish line only to have the driver announce that he won the race (even though we were the only carriage in the race....mind you) and expected a hefty tip...which we graciously offered due to the entertainment value had by all...and then he requested an additional tip for the horse...we kindly told him to split his with the horse and ventured off to our ship to enjoy an afternoon sail to Luxor This evening we all dressed in fancy "Gallabeya" costumes and enjoyed a belly dancing show and mummy wrapping contest with our colleagues. My husband (Mr. Charles Shachat) was chosen to belly dance on stage and was the hit of the evening and was featured on the ship's television thru-out the cruise. In hindsight, I think he wished that he stayed in his seat and blended in with the rest of the audience! Oh well.....it must of been the air onboard that enticed him.....huummmm!
Day 5: Sunday, 26 March:
Today we visited the West Bank - The Valley of the Kings and Queens, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El Deir El Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon. We continued on to visit Karnak and the Luxor Temples. What an amazing day! Followed by a lovely dinner and another Belly Dancing show.
Day 6: Monday, 27 March:
Today we were up bright and early to disembark to the Luxor airport to take our one-hour flight back to Cairo. We checked into the luxurious Four Seasons at the First Residence Hotel. We had some long awaited free time to enjoy this lovely hotel and visit the underground shopping complex. This evening we visited the Giza area followed by a lovely dinner at the hotel.
Day 7: Tuesday, 28 March:
Today we ventureed off for a full day of touring to Memphis, Sakkara, and the Great Pyramids & Sphinx of Giza! Our first surprise of the day was a "Camel back ride experience" in front of the Pyramids. An incredible experience and a must do for any Egyptian clients. We stepped back in time over 5000 years this morning as we motorcoached through the lush Valley of the Nile to the site of ancient Memphis, founded circa 3100 BC as the first capital of the newly united Kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt! This once glorious metropolis has vanished - and we learned why, during the visit to the open-air museum which offered evocative reminders of the time when Memphis was the city from which the entire known world was ruled! Among these remnants were a stunning colossal fallen statue of Ramses the Great and an elegant alabaster sphinx. Next we motorcoached from the green valley up onto the nearby desert plateau - to the vast and astonishing necropolis of Memphis, - spectacular Sakkara! - Here - truly “where architecture was born” - we walked among the very first buildings in hewn stone in all their history and glory, to the centerpiece of the soaring Step Pyramid of Pharaoh Zoser - first of all the pyramids! - We explored the noble courtyards and enchanting “dummy” buildings of this funerary complex of the pharaoh, designed by his Vizier-Physician-Architect Imhotep for the use of his God-King, not in this life, but in the Afterlife! Nearby, we entered the tomb of a court figure of the Old Kingdom, the delightful carved and painted relief scenes in whose chapel give a vivid picture of daily life at the dawn of history! Lunch was enjoyed at the Legendary Oberoi Mena House, in Giza. This afternoon shows us the final triumph in the search for the perfect pyramid, - the imposing Pyramids of Giza! The we ventured off via motorcoach and foot to explore the entire northern Memphite necropolis of Giza. - Driving through the site, we saw the three major monuments - the towering Pyramids of Cheops (Khofu), Chephren (Khafra), and Mycerinus (Menkaura); - the Subsidiary Pyramids of favorite Queens and Princesses; - the other three most important buildings of the funerary complex of each pharaoh - his Valley Temple, Causeway, and Mortuary Temples; - the still mystifying sacred boat pits which dot the ground beside each pyramid; - and the vast adjoining cemeteries of members of the Royal Family and of court nobles and high government officials! Proceeding to the high desert plateau beyond, we then enjoyed a panoramic view - where tookmarvelous photographs - of all the Giza monuments spread out below! Returning to the heart of the necropolis, we visit the Museum of the Royal Boat (or “Solar Boat” or “Sun Boat”) of Cheops, oldest large sailing craft every discovered - and a vessel of surpassing craftsmanship and elegance. Then we entered the well-preserved Valley temple of Chephren, with its astounding stonework, - and stepped onto this huge Causeway for a close-up introduction to his giant Sphinx! All in one day. This evening we enjoyed our farewell dinner and said our goodbyes to all of our new found Egyptian friends and contacts.
Day 8: Wednesday, 29 March:
Up bright and early to say our final goodbyes to the group. Today Charlie decides to bid Egypt farewell by golfing at the Sphinx and Pyramids during a total eclipse of the sun. What an incredible experience. This was no typical day on the course by far! We are now off to extend our trip to the beautiful city of Prague for an extended stay. Please refer to that chapter for further details. I would be pleased to assist and future clients to enjoy an amazing excursion to the land of Pharoahs and Pyramids with my new affliation of my Virtuoso onsite "Egyption Express". The are truly professional and the best tour operator for Egypt and Israel by far!
Stay tuned for details of our 4 days in the Imperial City Prague!
See photos below!
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