Formerly with Skyscanner, Aaron Ritoper is the Vice President of Business Development at Fly.com, a website which scours major airlines, international carriers and online travel sites, and helps people easily sort and refine results by criteria such as number of stops and departure times and traveller class.
What is it that you do exactly?
I’m in charge of developing the Fly.com business across Europe. This means I manage our all commercial relationships, ensure we achieve our targets, and communicate across markets to spread the word on Fly.com (sharing the latest flight deal insights). Travelzoo travel producers are very knowledgeable, so I spend time with them to review the latest bargains.
On the technology side, the flight search experience is constantly developing, and hours are spent with the team to build the flight search product of the future.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
It’s not every day that you get the chance to build a global brand with the talent and resources of a company like Travelzoo. I love the challenge and the reward that we see as people discover how much better Fly.com is at finding cheap flights compared to legacy websites.
What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?
Méribel – Is fantastic place for a ski vacation. The last time we went “hors-piste” with a ski guide, and when he handed out avalanche beacons and put a snow shovel in his backpack that definitely made a lasting impression.
Iceland – Seeing the Northern lights was definitely high on my list. I stayed out in the countryside outside of Reykjavik and around midnight green oscillating light filled the sky.
Hawaii – A wonderful place for a family vacation, we stayed at the Grand Hilton in Waikoloa and found it very family friendly. The dolphin pool in particular was a big hit.
What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?
Probably the time I ate barbequed buffalo on an Indian reservation in New Mexico. They had the whole animal roasting on a spit and there were demonstrations of traditional dances with rhythmic music – it was very festive!
Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?
I’m constantly on airplanes so I’ve run across quite a few celebrities along the way. Within the travel world, I enjoyed speaking with Stelios Haji-Ioannou not too long ago just before my easyJet flight from London to Nice, France. I happened to be one of the first people on the plane, so tipped off the flight attendant that an important guest would be following me.
What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?
It’s about time for a surfing trip, so I’m hoping to spend some time in Biarritz, France soon.
Many thanks, Aaron. Having experienced the Northern Lights in Greenland myself, I can understand how that might be up there as one of your highlights.
The Inn and Spa at Loretto, a 134-room boutique hotel in the heart of Santa Fé, is beckoning golfers to come bask in the mild early summer sun and enjoy a golf excursion with their Golf Getaway Package. The packages includes one night’s lodging, two rounds of golf (with cart) at the Black Mesa Golf Club and complimentary breakfast for two at the Inn’s restaurant. Black Mesa Golf Club, which Golf Digest described as “Southwest architecture of the highest order”, is located on the Santa Clara Pueblo just north of Santa Fé. The course was also listed as one of the “Top Ten Courses You Can Play” by Golf Magazine. For more information, or to book a golf getaway package, call 800-727-5531 or visit the Inn’s website. Prices begin at $379 per room, per night through until October 2008.
On the banks of the Rio Grande within the ancient lands of the Native American Pueblo of Santa Ana, the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa offers luxurious amenities and beautiful natural surroundings with an ideal year-round climate. Just 20 minutes from Albuquerque and 40 minutes from historic Santa Fé.
Here’s another of those packages where you wonder if it’s truly just for media consumption rather than with the expectation of a likely buyer. Eldorado Hotel & Spa is offering a Picture Perfect Package for $100,000. Whilst that might sound a lot for a 3-night stay, the reason is that the guests are escorted through Santa Fé’s top galleries with a view to selecting a piece of artwork up to the value of $85,000. They say you’ll also get to meet the artist at a private dinner at the hotel’s Old House restaurant. The package also includes accommodation in the Presidential Suite, first-class airfares for two, daily breakfast in bed and daily spa treatments.
Experience a place of remarkable beauty and rich, cultural history where sunsets paint the mountains and warm breezes stir the imagination, at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa.
Today marks the start of New Mexico’s 5th Hot Chili Days Cool Mountain Nights festival, a 3-day event packed with entertainment in a beautiful Red River setting. Oh, and some great chili of course. For just $35 you’ll get entry in to all concerts and the CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International) cook-off, plus a commemorative event mug! See the site for further details.
Inspired by the new movie ‘Wild Hogs‘ starring John Travolta et al, the Eldorado Hotel & Spa in Santa Fé, New Mexico, is offering an extravagant ’Hop on a Hog’ package. As well as three nights deluxe accommodation, dinner for two at the award-winning The Old House Restaurant and – wait for it – a Harley Davidson so you can ride home. The package price is $18,888, of which approximately $17,000 is the Harley. The offer is available until 31st October 2007.
The luxury ski and spa resort Bishop’s Lodge, in northern New Mexico, is offering packages for spa-goers and ski enthusiasts, or a package for guests that want to sample both. Located in a forest valley in the mountains, the hotel has an award-winning spa and offers plenty of opportunities for enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding area with miles of trails for hiking and horse riding. Prices start from $399 per night for the spa-only package based on two sharing, from $289 per night for the skiing-only package, and from $499 for both, including all taxes, gratuities, and resort fees.
Take note if you’re yet to book a stay for Valentines. We’re still only in January, but the the “Top 10 Most Romantic Inns of 2007″ as chosen by the guidebook publisher, American Historic Inns, Inc, has been revealed as follows:
The 12th Annual Roswell International UFO Festival begins next week, running from 30th June to 3rd July 2006. This is an event which will attract thousands of people from all corners of the globe, all seeking the truth on what happened back in the summer of 1947. Is it really true that a UFO with aliens on board crashed and was recovered by the United States military? Go along and maybe you’ll find out!
There’s still time to grab tickets for the Taos Winter Wine Festival, held in New Mexico’s best ski country, Taos. The 20th annual festival takes place from 18th to 28th January 2006. Winemaker dinners, vertical and blind tastings, seminars and panels fill the schedule, but you’ll be able to squeeze in time on the slopes, too. Held at Taos Ski Valley; events are $35-$125. Register by calling (505) 776-2291, ext. 1427 or visit the website.
Formerly with Skyscanner, Aaron Ritoper is the Vice President of Business Development at Fly.com, a website which scours major airlines, international carriers and online travel sites, and helps people easily sort and refine results by criteria such as number of stops and departure times and traveller class.
Here’s another of those packages where you wonder if it’s truly just for media consumption rather than with the expectation of a likely buyer. 
Today marks the start of New Mexico’s 5th Hot Chili Days Cool Mountain Nights festival, a 3-day event packed with entertainment in a beautiful 
Inspired by the new movie ‘
The luxury ski and spa resort 
The 
There’s still time to grab tickets for the