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Travel + Leisure’s 2008 A-List recognized three of Linden Travel’s consultants and President among the 128 top travel experts in the country. Our ”Super Agents” are: Margot Cushing for Italy, Maria Guerrieri for Las Vegas, Susan Shevlin for the Bahamas and the Caribbean, and Barbara Gallay as the travel industry’s Power Broker.
Barbara Gallay, Power Broker
Gallay is the president of Linden Travel, one of travel’s most exclusive agencies, with a 37-year history and more than 110 associates and independent contractors. Gallay serves on a number of advisory committees for the hotel and cruise industries, so she’s likely to have already influenced how you travel, even if you’re not aware of it.
Margot Cushing, Italy
Insider Find: The pre-Romanesque Farneta Abbey in the Tuscan countryside. It now doubles as a chic spot for weddings and a museum showcasing the wealth of local Roman-era artifacts from the church’s storeroom, as well as villagers’ own discoveries, including statues, beads, and coins. But the most remarkable artifact predates them all: a baby mammoth skeleton.
Other Specialties: France, Portugal, and Spain; Cambodia, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Contact Information: mcushing@lindentravel.com or 212 784 0259
Maria R. Guerrieri, Las Vegas
Dream Trip: Staying at the new Palazzo Hotel at the Venetian, driving to Red Rock Casino for a meal at Billy Richardson’s new LBS: A Burger Joint, set to open this fall. Continuing the culinary adventure with a visit to Francois Payard’s 13-foot-high truffle-themed Chocolate Clock in Caesars Palace, which displays nine different time zones and dispenses free truffles. Finally, for another “only in Vegas” experience, visit the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay to see the new Komodo dragon.
Other Specialty: New Orleans
Contact Information: mguerrieri@lindentravel.com or 212 784 0233
Susan Shevlin, The Bahamas & The Caribbean
Dream Trip: A seaplane adventure through the Out Islands, starting with a flight to Andros Island and a boat ride to Kamalame Cay, with its quiet beaches and honor bars. Kayaking into the mangroves and dining on the conch fritters at Hank’s Place, on the water at Fresh Creek. Moving on to Harbour Island, to stay in a villa at Pink Sands. Puttering around town by golf cart and visiting boutiques like Miss May’s, for beautiful caftans. Then flying to the Four Seasons Resort at Great Exuma at Emerald Bay to meet my family in one of the grand residences on the beach.
Other Specialties: Small-ship cruises, honeymoons, Spain, the South Pacific.
Contact Information: sshevlin@lindentravel.com or 212 784 0276
To book with our A-List Agents or a Linden Travel consultant, please email us at request@lindentravel.com or visit www.lindentravel.com.
It was the kind of turquoise blue that gradually phased into deep cerulean, perfectly matching the smooth blue drapes of the sky behind it. The waves sparkled and shimmered underneath the sun in perfect rhythm with the warm Caribbean breeze. I couldn’t think of a more perfect welcome to the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and the legendary Seven Mile Beach
Rm. 533, Ocean View, And that was just the view from the terrace!
A knock on the door brought a representative from In-Room Dining, who promptly presented a welcome note from the hotel’s General Manager and a wonderful spread of chocolate truffles and cheese plate. Welcome to the Seven Mile Beach, indeed! The hotel staff are fondly referred to as the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Ritz-Carlton.
The Ritz-Carlton’s legendary service extends all the way to the white sandy beach. Robert, the beach attendant (or, in the tradition of the Ritz-Carlton, the Gentleman of the beach) greeted me every day with a smile and a beach lounge set up with my preferences in mind. Like clockwork, seconds after I settled into my chair a server would come to take my drink order.
The days spent on the beach were memorable, relaxing, and sun-drenched. Everyday offered the same luxuries; swimming in the warm water, napping on the beach lounge, and consuming fresh fruits and drinking wonderfully refreshing cocktails. Monotony has never been so appealing, or beautiful.
I spent Friday dinner sitting at the bar in the Silver Palm Lounge, feasting on the freshest tuna sashimi I’ve ever tasted and enjoying light conversation with Christian, the wonderful bartender at the Silver Palm Lounge. The Silver Palm restaurant is the hottest place to be on Fridays when the DJ starts spinning at 11.30PM on his Serato. Visitors and locals alike enjoyed the dance floor as well as the delicious cocktails.
One of the shining stars of the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman is the Silver Rain Spa by La Prairie. I opted for an aromatherapy massage after a long day at the beach and was pleasantly surprised by the design of the spa. Silver Rain is modern, clean, and inspired by water – in all shapes and form. After spending some time in the wet area, I was whisked into the Silver Haven Lounge to relax and meet with my massage therapist, Rebecca. Or, as she will forever be known (at least in my book), the Amazing Rebecca.
I’ve had many massages before, but all paled in comparison to the almost intuitive massage she gave me. Rebecca knew exactly what to do and when to do it, I left the treatment room slightly dazed, light-headed, and so incredibly relaxed. Hands down, the best massage I’ve ever received.
The rest of my stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman was blissfully wonderful. Housekeeping was lovely and helpful, In-Room Dining delivered my order efficiently, and I loved the Bvlgari toiletries. The property itself was an equivalent of a small city, with all that is available to the guests of the Ritz-Carlton: the spa with generous La Prairie products, the jewelry shopping at Tiffany & Co., and the best seafood restaurant on the island at Blue by Eric Ripert. Oh, and the beach is not too shabby, either.
As I departed, I took one last picture of my weekend. It captured my time perfectly; a beautiful island and turquoise water.
For more information on the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman or the Seven Mile Beach, please contact your Linden Travel consultant or email us at request@lindentravel.com.
