National Geographic Society Launches Private Expeditions in Partnership with Virtuoso

Announce Date: January 22, 2015

National Geographic Society Launches Private Expeditions in Partnership with Virtuoso

Trips for Independent Travelers Include Stays at New National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World

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(January 2015) The National Geographic Society announced this month the launch of National Geographic Private Expeditions, a new line of trips geared toward independent travelers, offered in partnership with Virtuoso, the leading international network of luxury-focused travel agencies and advisors.

Private Expeditions are unique itineraries to destinations all over the world that are specially designed for those who seek the flexibility to travel when and with whom they wish. Travelers explore independently while enjoying the benefits of traveling with National Geographic: top local guides, access to sites and experiences, built-in free time to explore and excellent accommodations. Travelers simply select a Private Expedition, choose their travel dates and any number of traveling companions and leave the legwork to National Geographic Expeditions and Virtuoso.

With a lineup of 13 Private Expeditions at launch and more on the way, travelers can choose from a range of trips geared toward a wide spectrum of interests. Culture enthusiasts can venture into Buddhist temples and ancient fortresses in Bhutan, and join monks and nuns for prayer ceremonies. Adventure seekers can hike or ride horseback along the dramatic coasts of South Africas Western Cape before heading out on safari in Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park. Throughout each trip, travelers are treated to local perspectives and meaningful cultural experiences, such as examining dinosaur fossils with a paleontologist in Mongolia or sitting down to mint tea with a rural family in Morocco.

Many Private Expeditions feature National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, a new collection of world-class, sustainable hotels that were also announced today by the National Geographic Society. Spread across six continents, the lodges are linked by their dedication to providing an outstanding guest experience while celebrating the cultural and natural heritage of their region and embracing sustainable tourism practices.

Virtuoso comprises over 355 agencies with more than 8,900 elite travel specialists in 25 countries throughout North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia-Pacific and Europe. As part of the partnership, Virtuoso has enlisted 20 top travel advisors to form a team of National Geographic specialists dedicated to managing Private Expeditions bookings. These specialists can also offer additional assistance with obtaining visas and arranging air travel.

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National Geographic Society Launches Private Expeditions in Partnership with Virtuoso

Orlando's Villas of Grand Cypress Resort Named in TripAdvisor 2015 Travelers Choice Awards

Orlando, Florida (PRWEB) January 22, 2015

TripAdvisor, the worlds largest travel site*, announced the winners of its Travelers Choice awards for Hotels. Orlandos own Villas of Grand Cypress, a Personal Luxury Resort was ranked #4 in the Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the United States up from #21 last year; and #8 in the Top 25 Hotels Overall in the United States.

"With these awards, TripAdvisor has told the world our little secret," states Mark Cox, general manager. "Villas of Grand Cypress has dedicated decades to refining, redefining and reinforcing what it means to be a luxury resort, in an area with many options. Villas strives to provide intuitive service and transformative experiences. It is remarkably profound to be named not only the number one property in Orlando, with very esteemed competition, but also now #4 in Top Luxury Hotels (US) and #8 in Top 25 Hotels Overall."

The 13th annual awards showcase 8,151 winning properties worldwide, covering eight regions around the globe. Travelers Choice award winners were determined based on the millions of reviews and opinions collected in a single year from TripAdvisor travelers worldwide. The hallmarks of Travelers Choice winners are remarkable service, quality and value.

TripAdvisors community of millions of travelers has helped us highlight some of the very best hotels from around the world, said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. The Travelers Choice list of thousands of award-winning properties is perfect to inspire travelers as they think about their 2015 travel plans.

Travelers Choice awards take into account the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and opinions and traveler ratings specific to each award category. A recent survey of TripAdvisor travelers revealed 82 percent of U.S. respondents feel Travelers Choice award recognition is important when considering a hotel.

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About Villas of Grand Cypress Awarded the 2015 TripAdvisor Readers Choice Award Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the U.S.A and Top 25 Hotels Overall in the U.S.A. Villas of Grand Cypress is just miles from the Orlando International airport, but seems worlds away from the ordinary. In addition to its 45-holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature-designed golf, the resort offers the award winning Grand Cypress Academy of Golf, Grand Cypress Racquet Club; in-suite spa services; Lake Windsong and marina; easy access to Orlando's famed attractions; on-site transportation services; two pools, and more.

Villas of Grand Cypress has been a continued recipient of the Gold Key Award from subscribers of Meetings and Conventions Magazine, receiving the award 18 times, most recently in 2014. In addition, Grand Cypress Academy of Golf rated as one of the "Top 25 Golf Schools in America". For more information, please visit http://www.grandcypress.com.

About Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels includes unique hand-picked properties in spectacular U.S. destinations coast to coast. Each hotel and resort delivers personal luxury in a spirit true to its own distinctive locale, yet in keeping with the collections shared mission. They represent a select portfolio of Benchmark Hospitality International, which has been a leading US-based hospitality management company for over 30 years. Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels is the preferred choice of guests who yearn for transformation over accommodation, customization over conformity, and inspiration over predictability. With Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels, luxury is always personal. http://www.personalluxuryresortsandhotels.com. To become a fan on Facebook, visit http://www.facebook.com/PersonalLuxuryResortsandHotels, or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/PersLuxResorts.

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Orlando's Villas of Grand Cypress Resort Named in TripAdvisor 2015 Travelers Choice Awards

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Local artist infuses spirituality in henna tattoos

Allison Kridle, Staff Writer 9:39 a.m. EST January 22, 2015

Henna tattoos(Photo: FSView)

On the first Friday of every month, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., like clockwork, the art and music loving masses from all over Tallahassee converge at Railroad Square. These First Friday attendees wander around the square to find different art galleries and a few stages with musical performances. However, they may be surprised to stumble upon a henna body artist, Gabriela Fulginiti.

The Florida State junior Art Studio student sets up her henna table, covered with pictures of designs and symbols and flush with a line of patiently waiting customers, in front of Athena's Garden every First Friday.

Henna art became one of Fulginiti's many trades when she took henna lessons in India while teaching English in the Bhogpur village, located in the Himalayan Mountains.

"I made a connection in the village and signed up for classes. That's what really gave me the confidence to do the practice," Fulginiti said.

Before her training in India, Fulginiti was first interested in henna body art in middle school. She read about the practice and bought a henna kit for her to do with friends.

Being a member of the First Friday art family since Nov. 2013, Fulginiti has enjoyed meeting other artists who have been doing art in the square for so long and the handful of customers she talks to each month.

"I've been having a repeat of customers, so it's nice that I have been getting recognized in the area," Fulginiti said.

The majority of Fulginiti's clients request various symbols, such as infinity signs, anime symbols and their names. However, the henna artist also creates her own designs.

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Local artist infuses spirituality in henna tattoos

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Rose McGowan Turns Heads in "1930s Vulcan" Hat!

Rose McGowan's latest look has people scratching their heads.

The Jawbreaker star, 41, walked the red carpet for The Daily Front Row's 1st Annual Fashion Los Angeles Awards, held at Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood Thursday. McGowan's vibrant purple, cracked-egg-shaped headwear helped her stand out in a sea of stars that included Drew Barrymore, Ciara, Miley Cyrus, Gigi Hadid, Armie Hammer, Minka Kelly, Dylan Penn, Katy Perry, Nicole Richie, Rihanna, Louise Roe, Liberty Ross, Cody Simpson, Kerry Washington, Kanye West, Dita Von Teese and Rachel Zoe.

The rest of McGowan's look was demure, as she wore a turtleneck and wide-legged pants.

"I'm officially starting my awesome hat week," she tweeted. "Tonight was 1930s Vulcan #millinery."

Perry, who's headlining the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show Feb. 1, complimented McGowan on her hat, an eyewitness tells E! News. "I love your hat. It's so cute," the pop star said while waiting at the valet to get their cars. "When I saw you I didn't know it was you, and I thought, 'That lady must be in fashion.'"

The actress told Perry that she wore the hat because it's fun and "good for a woman with a small head."

VIDEO: Flashback! Rose McGowan flips off the paparazzi

Prior to attending the star-studded event, it was announced that McGowan has signed on to make her feature directorial debut with The Pines, with shooting set for fall in upstate New York. Sundial Pictures and Tangerine Entertainment are producing the psychological thriller. "V pleased @rosemcgowan will make her feature directing debut w/this script I wrote," screenwriter Alex Mar tweeted. "She's lethal."

McGowan is heading to Paris Fashion Week today. Who knows what she'll wear next?!

Reporting by Marc Malkin

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Rose McGowan Turns Heads in "1930s Vulcan" Hat!

NASA Spinoff 2015 Features Space Technology Making Life Better on Earth – Video


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Exclusive: A trip inside NASA’s historic Space Launch Complex 36, the new Moon Mountain – Video


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