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Designed to Inspire: VIRTUOSO LIFE Announces Results From Its Annual 'Travel Dreams' Survey

- Findings show travel trends leaning toward adventure and the exotic -

NEW YORK, July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading luxury travel network, Virtuoso, continues to stay one step ahead of top-tier travel trends by going directly to the elite readers of its award winning magazine, VIRTUOSO LIFE. Reaching some of the most upscale travelers inthe United States, the second annual VIRTUOSO LIFE Travel Dreams Sweepstakes survey reveals the "next big thing" in luxury vacations.

WhileItaly took top honors for the second year as the "dream destination," the results point to some new destination experiences on the horizon. This year's responses paint an exciting, predictive picture of what to expect from affluent travelers in coming months, including substantial new interest inAustralia,South Africa andIndia and an increase in active interests like Peruvian hikes, European biking and walking tours. As for the ultimate vacation, those best traveled are still seeking authentic and exclusive experiences, whether sailing the Mediterranean aboard a private yacht, tracing the ancient trade routes ofAsia, or setting sights towards the stars with a Virgin Galactic suborbital space flight. Virtuoso reveals the top responses in the current July/August issue of VIRTUOSO LIFE.

"The response rate was considerably higher this year, which is indicative of people's continued desire to travel -- to see and experience the world," says Elaine Srnka, editor of VIRTUOSO LIFE. "Although perennial favorites such asItaly once again appear on this year's list of dream destinations, the results point to new interest in the more exotic and emerging destinations likeIndia andEgypt. We tailor VIRTUOSO LIFE articles to our readers' interests, but we also strive to expand their horizons on the countless travel opportunities available through the Virtuoso network -- think African safaris, sailing the Mediterranean on private yachts, renting private islands and other unbelievable experiences. The content of the magazine mirrors our readers' desire for authenticity and unique experiences, and this year's survey responses will certainly help shape future issues of the magazine."

Forward-thinking by design, the Travel Dreams survey also serves to assist Virtuoso travel advisors as they turn their clients' travel dreams into real itineraries. The 14 survey questions asked readers about everything from their dream destinations and alluring cruise itineraries to the most romantic spots and best cities for dining, shopping and more. Driving an impressive response rate more than 15% higher than the previous year, the top results are below. Additional information, including how to experience these amazing destinations, is available at www.virtuoso.com and at www.virtuosolife.com.

To view a digital edition of the VIRTUOSO LIFE July/August "Readers' Choice Travel Dreams" issue, click below. For a comparison of year-over-year results, please contact us.

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/virtuosolife/200807/

Top 10 Dream Destinations

1.Italy

2.Australia

3.New Zealand

4.French Polynesia

5.South Africa

6.Antarctica

7.Egypt

8.China

9.Dubai

10.India

Top 10 Trips of a Lifetime

1. Sailing the Mediterranean on a private yacht

2. Photographing the big five on an African safari

3. Spreading out in a European villa

4. Renting a private island

5. Seeing the pyramids inEgypt

6. Chartering a private jet

7. Tracing the ancient trade routes ofAsia

8. Cruising inAntarctica

9. Touring the Taj Mahal

10. Blasting off in a Virgin Galactic flight

Great Adventures

1. On safari in Serengeti National Park

2. Yachting in theCaribbean

3. On a walking tour ofItaly

4. Hike Machu Picchu

5. Biking in the French Countryside

Perfect Family Vacation Destinations

1. Hawaiian Islands

2.Ireland

3. Galapagos Islands

4.Australia

5.Rome

Best Places to Fall in Love

1.Paris

2.Venice

3. Santorini,Greece

4.Hawaii

5.French Polynesia

Best Shop 'Til You Drop Cities

1.New York

2.Paris

3.Hong Kong

4.London

5.Milan

Top Educational Travel Experiences

1. Cooking school

2. Archaeological exploration

3. Historical pilgrimage

4. Photography instruction

5. Foreign language immersion

Most Desirable Wildlife Sightings

1. Elephants inZimbabwe

2. Tortoises in the Galapagos Islands

3. Birds inCosta Rica

4. Gorillas inRwanda

5. Penguins inAntarctica

Most Alluring Cruise Itineraries

1. Mediterranean

2.Australia/New Zealand

3.Alaska

4. European River

5. South Pacific

Best Island Escapes

1. Greek Isles

2. Hawaiian Islands

3.Fiji

4.French Polynesia

5. Galapagos Islands

Most Beautiful City Architecture

1.Rome

2.Saint Petersburg, Russia

3.Barcelona

4.Prague

5. Florence

Best Cities for Foodies

1.Paris

2. Florence

3.New Orleans

4.New York

5.Barcelona

The Wine Region We Toast

1.Tuscany, Italy

2.Bordeaux, France

3.Napa Valley, CA, USA

4. Champagne,France

5. Loire Valley,France

The survey results were created from responses by 12,300 of VIRTUOSO LIFE readers who participated in the Travel Dreams Sweepstakes. One lucky winner received the grand prize of a new 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser, valued at $71,000. Virtuoso promoted the sweepstakes via email and within the magazine.

Virtuoso is the industry's leading luxury travel network. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 300 agencies with more than 6,000 elite travel specialists in 22 countries in North andSouth America, theCaribbean,Australia andNew Zealand, as well as over 1,000 of the world's best travel providers and premier destinations. The network's member agencies generate over $5.1 billion annually in travel sales, making the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment. Their relationships with the finest travel companies provide the network's affluent clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. Virtuoso is the exclusive luxury travel network provider for World Elite(R) MasterCard(R). VIRTUOSO LIFE is the official lifestyle magazine of Virtuoso, its member travel consultants and World Elite MasterCard. It features luxury cruising, top vacation destinations, hotel and resort stays, cultural tours, spa retreats, private jet charters and more, and is distributed bi-monthly to the homes of Virtuoso travel advisors' top clients and World Elite MasterCard cardholders.

SOURCE VIRTUOSO LIFE

Tags: ,TRA,PUB,MAG,SVY,NY-Virtuoso-Travel

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