Press
Concierge.com Navigates First-ever Virtual Voyage
Adventurer Uses Latest Technology on Once Forbidden Journey Between Turkish Coast and Aegean Islands of Greece
NEW YORK (June 1, 2000) - Experiencing the exotic islands of Turkey and Greece doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars. Concierge.com will give travel enthusiasts a virtual tour of the once verboten pathway between the Greek islands and the Turkish coast from June 16th to June 23rd. Real-time traveler, Bob Payne, a contributing editor at Condé Nast Traveler, will guide all virtual travelers using state-of-the-art technology to log his journey for the Concierge Explorer.
Cyber-travelers can sail along with Payne and his 73-foot, Turkish flagged vessel without risk of getting seasick. Payne will use the combination of the Nokia 9110 Communicator wireless device, the first-ever phone capable of transmitting wireless images, and a Casio QV-200UX digital camera to share his experiences with virtual vacationers around the world. On a daily basis, Payne will share photos and commentary on experiences that range from a punishing Turkish massage to an idyllic Greek meal. Throughout the trip, visitors to the site can participate in a forum that allows them to communicate directly with Bob -- and discuss such issues as "Is the beach Marc Antony built for Cleopatra the most romantic in the world?" and "Should the Colossus of Rhodes be rebuilt?"
"We anticipate that Bob Payne's virtual voyage will be exciting for even the most frequent travelers," said Jonathan Fishel, general manager of Concierge.com. "Concierge.com is the first site to provide such a feature to visitors and the journey itself is a voyage unseen by anyone for many years."
People who log onto the Explorer section of Concierge.com during Payne's journey can enter into a sweepstakes and 25 winners will receive a year's subscription to Conde Nast Traveler. Concierge.com will also offer site visitors a forum with Payne during his voyage and some challenging trivia questions.
"I've traveled often among the Aegean Islands, but, thanks to Greece and Turkey's warming relationship, this route has only become possible this year," said travel expert Bob Payne, host of the Concierge Explorer. "I'm looking forward to sailing new waters, in the Aegean and on the Internet."
During Payne's trip, cyber-travelers will get a first-hand look at the following destinations:
Turkey
* Istanbul: Taking the Heat (Day 1)
Payne begins his adventure by seeking out a traditional neighborhood bath for a punishing-yet-relaxing Turkish massage.
* Bodrum: Turkey's Liveliest Resort Town (Day 2)
See and be seen at a jet-set village on the Mediterranean as Payne and friends anchor the gulet (a traditional sailing vessel) in Bodrum.
* Gökova Bay: The Most Romantic Beach in History (Day 3)
Payne and friends explore a beach created by the Emperor of Rome, Marc Antony, who (legend has it) shipped in sand from Africa so that he and Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, could better enjoy their honeymoon.
Greece
* Kos & Nísiros: In the Heart of the Volcano (Day 4)
After a quick visit to Kos, where the Hippocratic Oath originated, sail on to Nisiros, one of the most undeveloped islands in the Aegean. There, journey to a steaming volcanic crater and hear from the locals what effects seismic activity has had on the region, as recently as last year.
* Sími: The Perfect Greek Meal (Day 5)
Join Payne on a stroll through one of the prettiest harbors in the Eastern Aegean and loll away the afternoon with him in a traditional taverna as he furthers his education in the finer points of retsina, moussaka, and grilled calamari.
* Rhodes: The Colossus of Rhodes (Day 6)
Payne will visit the ancient fortress town built by the Knights of St. John and get the inside scoop on rumors about building a full-size re-creation of the famous Colossus of Rhodes.
* Chartering Your Own Mediterranean Cruise (Day 7)
Here's how to turn this virtual vacation into a real one. Payne tells you what's involved in chartering your own boat through the Aegean, and how to avoid any mistakes he made.
Payne's trip will come to an end on the 23rd of June. Upon his return, Payne will host a post-trip forum for all virtual vacationers and share with them his adventures in Greece and Turkey. For additional information, log onto Concierge.com.
Concierge.com, launched in August 1999, is part of Condénet, the leading creator and developer of upscale lifestyle brands online. The site offers travel deals, features from Condé Nast Traveler, advice, discussion forums, maps and photos. Continuing Condé Nast Traveler's tradition of "truth in travel," Concierge.com is committed to delivering excellence in travel information online. This commitment to quality is strengthened by content from various Condé Nast publications, as well as daily travel deals and weekly Q&A's with travel experts. This fall, new features will be added, providing a more personal experience for users.
Adventurer Uses Latest Technology on Once Forbidden Journey Between Turkish Coast and Aegean Islands of Greece
NEW YORK (June 1, 2000) - Experiencing the exotic islands of Turkey and Greece doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars. Concierge.com will give travel enthusiasts a virtual tour of the once verboten pathway between the Greek islands and the Turkish coast from June 16th to June 23rd. Real-time traveler, Bob Payne, a contributing editor at Condé Nast Traveler, will guide all virtual travelers using state-of-the-art technology to log his journey for the Concierge Explorer.
Cyber-travelers can sail along with Payne and his 73-foot, Turkish flagged vessel without risk of getting seasick. Payne will use the combination of the Nokia 9110 Communicator wireless device, the first-ever phone capable of transmitting wireless images, and a Casio QV-200UX digital camera to share his experiences with virtual vacationers around the world. On a daily basis, Payne will share photos and commentary on experiences that range from a punishing Turkish massage to an idyllic Greek meal. Throughout the trip, visitors to the site can participate in a forum that allows them to communicate directly with Bob -- and discuss such issues as "Is the beach Marc Antony built for Cleopatra the most romantic in the world?" and "Should the Colossus of Rhodes be rebuilt?"
"We anticipate that Bob Payne's virtual voyage will be exciting for even the most frequent travelers," said Jonathan Fishel, general manager of Concierge.com. "Concierge.com is the first site to provide such a feature to visitors and the journey itself is a voyage unseen by anyone for many years."
People who log onto the Explorer section of Concierge.com during Payne's journey can enter into a sweepstakes and 25 winners will receive a year's subscription to Conde Nast Traveler. Concierge.com will also offer site visitors a forum with Payne during his voyage and some challenging trivia questions.
"I've traveled often among the Aegean Islands, but, thanks to Greece and Turkey's warming relationship, this route has only become possible this year," said travel expert Bob Payne, host of the Concierge Explorer. "I'm looking forward to sailing new waters, in the Aegean and on the Internet."
During Payne's trip, cyber-travelers will get a first-hand look at the following destinations:
Turkey
* Istanbul: Taking the Heat (Day 1)
Payne begins his adventure by seeking out a traditional neighborhood bath for a punishing-yet-relaxing Turkish massage.
* Bodrum: Turkey's Liveliest Resort Town (Day 2)
See and be seen at a jet-set village on the Mediterranean as Payne and friends anchor the gulet (a traditional sailing vessel) in Bodrum.
* Gökova Bay: The Most Romantic Beach in History (Day 3)
Payne and friends explore a beach created by the Emperor of Rome, Marc Antony, who (legend has it) shipped in sand from Africa so that he and Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, could better enjoy their honeymoon.
Greece
* Kos & Nísiros: In the Heart of the Volcano (Day 4)
After a quick visit to Kos, where the Hippocratic Oath originated, sail on to Nisiros, one of the most undeveloped islands in the Aegean. There, journey to a steaming volcanic crater and hear from the locals what effects seismic activity has had on the region, as recently as last year.
* Sími: The Perfect Greek Meal (Day 5)
Join Payne on a stroll through one of the prettiest harbors in the Eastern Aegean and loll away the afternoon with him in a traditional taverna as he furthers his education in the finer points of retsina, moussaka, and grilled calamari.
* Rhodes: The Colossus of Rhodes (Day 6)
Payne will visit the ancient fortress town built by the Knights of St. John and get the inside scoop on rumors about building a full-size re-creation of the famous Colossus of Rhodes.
* Chartering Your Own Mediterranean Cruise (Day 7)
Here's how to turn this virtual vacation into a real one. Payne tells you what's involved in chartering your own boat through the Aegean, and how to avoid any mistakes he made.
Payne's trip will come to an end on the 23rd of June. Upon his return, Payne will host a post-trip forum for all virtual vacationers and share with them his adventures in Greece and Turkey. For additional information, log onto Concierge.com.
Concierge.com, launched in August 1999, is part of Condénet, the leading creator and developer of upscale lifestyle brands online. The site offers travel deals, features from Condé Nast Traveler, advice, discussion forums, maps and photos. Continuing Condé Nast Traveler's tradition of "truth in travel," Concierge.com is committed to delivering excellence in travel information online. This commitment to quality is strengthened by content from various Condé Nast publications, as well as daily travel deals and weekly Q&A's with travel experts. This fall, new features will be added, providing a more personal experience for users.
