What is Virtuoso?
 

Is this a company that specilizes in hotels/luxury travel/etc?

yes, very reputable.

Virtuoso is a consortium of travel agencies, a network of true specialists.Of the 30,000 travel agencies on the US, only 264 are "Virtuoso".The agents themselves are seasoned and positively experts in their fields.To answer your question, they do ONLY luxury travel.Yes,yes,there are exceptions.I have seen a couple of posts here that reference so-and-so who owns a Virtuoso agency,he'll fix you up.Of course.But I would not doubt the first question a "prospect" would be asked is regarding the budget.EG, a 14 day trip to Africa--less than $5,000 per person,they may refer you to American Express.I am aware of 2 such agencies in the Dallas area and one of them was selected the ASTA Travel Agen of the Year for 2002, a really wonderful kudo.

Virtuoso is sort of like a travel association for high end travel agencies (planners) and high end resorts, destinations, and cruise ships(suppliers).

It is very expensive to join Virtuoso. My former hotel paid $17,000 a year to belong to Virtuoso.

You also have to be accepted into Virtuoso.

BeachBoi is absolutely correct!
They are the Neiman Marcus of agencies. If you are going upscale you should consider using a Virtuoso agency.

TTP.....OMG, funny that you should mention Neimans!! The owner of one of the Virtuoso agencies I referred to was as the story goes,the manager of Neiman Marcus Travel/NorthPark when he decided to go out on his own!!....

Beachboi, are you referring to Rudi Steele Agency in Dallas? They were clients of mine for a long time.

I gave a cocktail reception at the country club by Mansion on Turtle Creek with Small Luxury Hotels and the agents all got rip roaring drunk! Fun group!

I cannot remember the name of that country club.

The Dallas agency I am aware of is Precision Travel (Walnut Hill @ 75) They are another fun group of talented travel "artists".
If I ever go somewhere exotic I can assure you they are going to create the trip for me!