Press Releases

Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Jan Acorn
Gateway Destinations, LLC
Phone 888-248-7375
Fax 520-844-2999
www.gateway-destinations.com
jan@gateway-destinations.com

Gateway Destination Makes Bordeaux Wine Education Memorable

Tucson, Arizona – October 29, 2011

Gateway Destinations, in partnership with France Cruises, is excited to announce its Bounties of Bordeaux Wine Cruise tour beginning May 24, 2012 in Bordeaux, France. This 6-night barge cruise and 3-night land tour encapsulates wine education in its greatest form by immersing clients directly in the heart of this renowned wine region.

After arrival in Bordeaux, guests will join their professional guide explore this lively city before gathering for a gastronomic welcome dinner and their first introduction to Bordeaux wines of the Bordeaux. Travelers will be charmed the following day during a full day excursion to the Dordogne River countryside. Scenic beauty collides with history while visiting local villages, a foie gras production farm, a prehistoric cave, and a local chateau to end the day with a local wine tasting.

The true wine experience begins when guests are transferred to the Mirabelle hotel barge to begin their all-inclusive, 6-night cruise along three peaceful waterways. Each day the Mirabelle will introduce guests to one of 57 vast appellations, allowing guests to discover the different personalities and characteristics that make the Bordeaux wines so legendary. Education includes information regarding topography, geology, grape variety, and recommended food selections. Guests will leave France with a greater knowledge of the various methods in which to make wine as well as the rich history of winegrowing that has shaped the Bordeaux region over the centuries.

“Cruising on the Mirabelle is truly a delicious, comfortable and relaxing way to explore the Bordeaux region. Our captainalong with his crew of six, are excited to lead us on this very unique itinerary” offered Gateway Destinations’ owner, Jan Acorn.

About Gateway Destinations

Gateway Destinations, LLC, an affiliate of Bon Voyage Travel, provides travel planning services for individuals, couples and small groups to Alaska, Hawaii and foreign destinations. In addition, Gateway creates custom small group tours (escorted or unescorted) and specializes in guided tours for women.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Jan Acorn
Gateway Destinations, LLC
Phone 888-248-7375
Fax 520-844-2999
www.gateway-destinations.com
jan@gateway-destinations.com

Gateway Destinations Introduces Custom Tours to Europe

Tucson, AZ – September 22, 2011

Tucson-based Gateway Destinations introduces custom tours to Europe. These specialty travel journeys offer leisure travelers a one-of-a-kind adventure designed to fit the specific interests and budget of each group. Whether traveling solo, one couple or several traveling together, or family members spending quality time together, each itinerary is tailor-made to provide travelers with an exclusive vacation experience.

These custom tours are available throughout Europe, Ireland and the United Kingdom, with an emphasis on France and Italy vacations. According to Gateway owner, Jan Acorn, “A custom tour allows for unique and “off-the-beaten-path” experiences that our clients find more exciting and enriching. They may be escorted by one of our professional tour leaders, or designed as an independent journey for more adventurous or experienced travelers.”

Perhaps summed up best by one of Gateway’s custom tour clients who recently traveled to Tuscany with her daughter, Theresa P. says “Our mother/daughter trip to Italy was everything we hoped for and more. We enjoyed a unique adventure that included time in the great cities of Florence, Siena and Rome, but also relaxing time in the Tuscan countryside with our knowledgeable personal guide, Paolo. This trip was an unforgettable memory that my daughter and I will always treasure.”

About Gateway Destinations

Gateway Destinations, LLC, an affiliate of Bon Voyage Travel, provides travel planning services for individuals, couples and small groups to foreign destination as well as Alaska and Hawaii. In addition, Gateway creates custom small group tours (escorted or unescorted) and specializes in guided tours for women.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Jan Acorn
Gateway Destinations, LLC
Phone 888-248-7375
Fax 520-844-2999
www.gateway-destinations.com
jan@gateway-destinations.com

African Beauty & the Beasts

Tucson, AZ – August 31, 2011

Gateway Destinations, in partnership with African Sunrise Safaris, is pleased to announce an extraordinary journey through South Africa. Guests will be accompanied by a full-time tour director throughout this luxurious 11-day excursion filled with a bush country safari led by a licensed park guide, colorful history, rich culture, delicious wine-tasting and scenic sightseeing.

The tour begins in Johannesburg where guests will be introduced to the “Apartheid” era of South Africa’s history by visiting the Hector Pieterson Museum and Nelson Mandela’s House. Travelers will have the opportunity to shop at one of South Africa’s leading arts and crafts centers.

Guests will search for the “Big 5” during a 3-day safari in the Korangwe Private Game Reserve, home of a diverse large animal population. While there, cultural activities will include visits to an animal rehabilitation facility as well as an endangered species center. Leaving Kruger National Park, guests will relish the beauty of Blyde River Canyon, the third deepest in the world.

This safari tour ends in Cape Town where participants will enjoy shopping or a hike to the top of Table Mountain while exploring this vibrant city. A visit to South Africa’s wine country and to quaint Stellenbosch, known for its Cape Dutch architecture, will be included. Exploration of this area will also include the Cape Peninsula to discover a seal colony, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, and African Penguins.

“For first-time visitors to Africa, the Kruger National Park is the perfect introduction to Africa’s rich large game population,” according to Kiley Matthews of African Sunrise Safaris. “South Africa offers great diversity as well, with its incredible wine country, extensive beaches, cosmopolitan Cape Town and rich history in Johannesburg.”

This package is limited to 14 guests and requires only a minimum of 7 guests for a guaranteed departure. The cost is US $5475.00 (based on double occupancy). The tour begins in Johannesburg Spring 2012.

About Gateway Destinations

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Jan Acorn
Gateway Destinations, LLC
Phone 888-248-7375
Fax 520-844-2999
www.gateway-destinations.com
jan@gateway-destinations.com

Peru In All Its Splendor

Tucson, AZ – August 11, 2011

Gateway Destinations is pleased to announce Peru In All Its Splendor, an exclusive women’s only luxury tour this November 2011. Experience a 9-day cultural adventure that not only includes exploring Machu Picchu, but emphasizes the role that Peruvian women had on society prior to the Spanish Conquest through today.

The trip will begin in Lima at the Larco Herrera Museum, where guests will be personally escorted by the museum’s curator to view over 3,000 years’ development of Peruvian pre-Columbian history and receive a private showing of the most magnificent colonial art collections in South America, the Barbosa-Stern Collection.

Guests will be transferred to the Urubamba Sacred Valley where they will learn about the livelihood of the Peruvian women by visiting a National Geographic sponsored weaving project and a “Potato Park,” where women play a significant role in the preservation of the indigenous bio-culture heritage.

“This tour is a rich combination of past and present with an emphasis on how Peruvian women have helped shape present day Peru,” states Enrico Velasco, Jr. who is teaming up with Gateway Destinations for this exciting tour.

Travelers explore exquisite Machu Picchu with a local historian prior visiting Cuzco, a city rich in European and Andean art, Mestizo art, and Incan stonework. This journey concludes with a relaxing day at the beach participating in a local cooking class in which guests will learn how to make ceviche and the famous pisco sour.

This package is limited to 12 guests and requires only a minimum of 6 guests for a guaranteed departure. The cost is US $3650.00 (based on double occupancy) with a single supplement charge of US $650.00. The tour begins in Lima on November 10, 2011.

About Gateway Destinations

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Jan Acorn
Gateway Destinations, LLC
Phone 888-248-7375
Fax 520-844-2999
www.gateway-destinations.com
jan@gateway-destinations.com

Gateway Destinations to Host a Women’s Intimate Journey to Provence, France

Tucson, Arizona – July 30, 2011

Gateway Destinations’ owner, Jan Acorn, will host a 7-night women’s only tour through Provence that will immerse a small group of women in the beauty of this abundantly rich area of southern France.

This exquisite package will have guests intrigued by the geological wonder of Roussillon with its ochre colored soil that is used for painting, and picturesque hilltop villages such as Gordes. While traveling north to Vaison-la-Romaine to explore the fascinating Roman ruins still visible today, guests will enjoy a delicious chocolate-making class at a chocolate and wine artisan shop.

Relax with live music and a four-course lunch while cruising south on the Rhone River to Arles. A local guide will then join guests for a walking tour to discover how the Romans influenced the city. Visit an essence oil factory and museum, an archeological site of a former Roman city a beautiful former Roman aqueduct and bridge. And learn to prepare regional foods in a hands-on cooking class during lunch.

“Fall is a beautiful time to visit Provence as the colors are glorious and the pace has slowed from the summer months. We will travel from the southern reaches of Provence to the northern hills near Mont Ventoux to experience all that this rich region has to offer,” said Jan Acorn, owner of Gateway Destinations.

This package is limited to 8 guests and requires only a minimum of 5 guests for a guaranteed departure. The cost is US $3950.00 (based on double occupancy) with a single supplement charge of US $600.00. The tour begins in Avignon on October 2, 2011.

About Gateway Destinations

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Jan Acorn
Gateway Destinations, LLC
Phone 888-248-7375
Fax 520-844-2999
www.gateway-destinations.com
jan@gateway-destinations.com

Women-only Retreat Brings Italian Cuisine Alive

Tucson, Arizona – June 29, 2011

Jan Acorn, owner of Gateway Destinations, will host an 8-day Chianti Cooking and Tuscany Spa Retreat ending the week with a guided tour of beautiful Florence, Italy. This women-only luxury tour emphasizes cooking local cuisine with the Tuscan Mammas of Tutti a Tavola cooking school and discovering the history, beauty and serenity of Tuscany.

Guests will be transferred to the Chianti region where they will be welcomed by the owner of Podere Ciona Vineyard with a sampling of their delicious wines. This charming vineyard estate will serve as a relaxing base for the next three nights. Evenings will be spent learning to prepare family recipes to enjoy over relaxing hours of dining pleasure. Days will be full of exploring Siena and small Tuscan villages including wine tasting, a market visit, olive oil tastings, a castle tour and much more.

After Chianti, this unique tour will continue to the southern Tuscany countryside to relax at the tranquil and luxurious Adler Termae Spa Resort. This 5-star spa resort allows clients to unwind and enjoy an underground salt bath, indoor and outdoor thermal pools, exercise classes, as well as herbal, salt or Finnish steam saunas! Additional sightseeing to explore the surrounding countryside is included during the day.

“I loved every part of our trip to Tuscany and I would not have changed anything about it.” said Susie of Tucson, Arizona. “Our women’s tour was filled with a tremendous variety of activities to appeal to everyone, but I especially enjoyed cooking with the Tuscan Mamas. Our guides were friendly and knowledgeable and I appreciated how Paolo shared his family and home with us to introduce us to authentic country life. Our hotel rooms were great – I didn’t want to leave Adler Spa! No details were overlooked and our journey went smoothly every step of the way.”

This package is limited to 8 guests but requires only a minimum of 5 guests for a guaranteed departure. The cost is US $3950.00 (based on double occupancy) with a single supplement charge of US $600.00. The tour begins late September – early October 2011.

About Gateway Destinations

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Jan Acorn
Gateway Destinations, LLC
Phone 888-248-7375
Fax 520-844-2999
www.gateway-destinations.com
jan@gateway-destinations.com

Gateway Destinations to Host Bounties of Bordeaux Wine Cruise

Tucson, Arizona - June 14, 2011

Gateway Destinations, in partnership with France Cruises, is pleased to announce the Bounties of Bordeaux Wine Cruise this September 2011. This 11-day package has been designed exclusively to highlight the wines of the Bordeaux region in Southern France. Relax while enjoying a 6-day cruise on the Mirabelle Hotel Barge and spend 3-days exploring the beautiful Dordogne River valley.

The trip will begin with three nights at the La Ferme Lamy, a charming traditional farmhouse hotel, in the French Perigord countryside. Guests will explore the historic villages of Sarlat, Domme, and La Roque Gageac , with wine tastings and participate in a fun truffle hunt.

Guests will be transferred to the Bordeaux area to embark on a six day exploration of the Bordeaux wine region. Aboard the Mirabelle, passengers will relax while traveling the River Garonne, Gironde Estuary, and the Dordogne River with a personal wine connoisseur. On-shore excursions will include enjoying wine tastings at local vineyards and experiencing the delicious cuisine.

With a 1-to-3 staff to guest ratio while cruising, guests will be pampered as they enjoy delicious regional cuisine prepared by our personal onboard chef. Servers are English-speaking and available to assist you throughout the day, but a self-serve wine and coffee bar is also available as an added convenience.” said Jan Acorn, owner of Gateway Destinations. “The personal wine connoisseur will not only educate guests about the renowned Bordeaux wines, but also lead an in-depth discovery of culture, history, gastronomy, and traditions of this rich region.”

This package is limited to 22 guests and is only available from September 1-10, 2011. The cost is US$4625 per person (based on double occupancy) and single supplement charge of US$1775.

Fare includes 3 Nights/4 Days in Dordogne with daily breakfast & dinner and daily guided excursions including wine tasting and truffle hunting, followed by 6 Nights/7 Days aboard the canal hotel barge Mirabelle including all meals with wine and open bar, all shore excursions, wine tasting & Wine education on board.

About Gateway Destinations

Gateway Destinations, LLC, an affiliate of Bon Voyage Travel, provides custom travel consulting services to individuals, couples, and small groups to Alaska, Hawaii and foreign destinations. In addition, Gateway creates custom small group tours (escorted or unescorted) and specializes in guided tours for women.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Jan Acorn
Gateway Destinations, LLC
Phone 888-248-7375
Fax 520-844-2999
www.gateway-destinations.com
jan@gateway-destinations.com

Tuscany, Italy, October 5 – 12, 2008

Locally owned Gateway Destinations recently led a women-only luxury tour in Tuscany beginning with a guided tour of Florence. Guests from Tucson and St. Louis joined Gateway owner, Jan Acorn, on this 8-day Chianti Cooking & Tuscany Spa Retreat tour which emphasized cooking regional cuisine with the Tuscan Mammas of Tutti a Tavola cooking school.

From their vineyard farmhouse during the busy grape harvest season, guests enjoyed guided visits to Siena and numerous Tuscan villages, an olive oil tasting, castle tour, market visit and picnic lunch and, of course, wine tasting!This fun-filled week was rounded out in a 5-star thermal spa resort where guests relaxed and enjoyed a natural hot springs pool, spa services, great food and glorious views of the countryside.

Chefs of Tutta a Tavola visited Tucson earlier this year and by popular demand, are returning for one week in March.As on their last visit, they will hold several cooking classes during private in-home dinner parties – all of which are already filled! As a former student in Tuscany and host of one of their previous dinner parties in Tucson, Jan Acorn said “I was excited to recently visit the Tuscan Mammas again and to introduce other women to their delightful personalities and cooking skills in their authentic Chianti kitchens.I look forward to bringing more guests there next year.”

For further information about this and other women-only tours, contact Jan Acorn with Gateway Destinations, 888-248-7375.You may also visit their website at www.gateway-destinations.com.

About Gateway Destinations

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Jan Acorn
Gateway Destinations, LLC
Phone 888-248-7375
Fax 520-844-2999
www.gateway-destinations.com
jan@gateway-destinations.com

Tuscany Cooking Comes to Tucson

Tucson, Arizona – January 28, 2008

Chefs from the well-known cooking school of Tutti a Tavola from Tuscany, Italy will visit Tucson February 19 – 26. Known affectionately as the Tuscan Mamas, these four lady chefs will share their regional Italian cooking tips during four private in-home dinners in southern Arizona.

Tutti a Tavola, or “Everyone to the table” in Italian, has been teaching how to prepare local dishes for 15 years from the private kitchens of each of the chefs. Chefs Mimma, Franca, Simonetta and Lele have shared cooking techniques and recipes with thousands of visitors over the years, with many returning for follow up visits. At the invitation of two Tucson residents who have thoroughly enjoyed cooking there on several occasions, Nancy Lutz and Harriet Silverman, the Tuscan Mamas are paying a special visit to Tucson before their busy season begins. Four hosts have been invited to open their homes and kitchens in Tucson and Tubac for a fun and delicious evening for 12 lucky guests. Each specially prepared menu will be paired with a variety of Italian wines.

Jan Acorn of Gateway Destinations, who is co-hosting one of the Tucson cooking classes and wine dinners, said “It is such an honor to be a part of this exciting event. These chefs are so widely recognized for their talents and it is great to have them visiting our city.” Jan is offering an 8-day women’s only tour to Tuscany on October 5, 2008. She announced, “The tour includes cooking with Tutti a Tavola. As a special treat, guests will reside three days at one of the chef’s beautiful vineyard homes.”

Since 2001, the chefs of Tutti a Tavola have been invited to share their knowledge of traditional regional Italian dishes at a number of different venues in the United States, Chile, and Australia. They have been featured on NBC’s “Taste of Tuscany” program and highlighted in many newspaper articles around the world.

For further information about Tutti a Tavola, contact Jan Acorn with Gateway Destinations, 888-248-7375. You may also visit their website at www.tutti-a-tavola.com.

About Gateway Destinations

Gateway Destinations, LLC, an affiliate of Bon Voyage Travel, provides custom travel consulting services to individuals, couples and small groups. In addition, Gateway specializes in guided tours for women, with three European tours scheduled for 2008.

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