Best of Latin American travel.

For international travelers, Latin America is filled with exciting destinations, fine hotels and innovative guest services. Here is a choice selection of the finest offerings.

DISCOVER CAPTIVATING BUENOS AIRES 

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. invites travelers to discover Buenos Aires, Argentina's captivating capital city. With a European and Latin American feel, Buenos Aires has a rich history and an exciting future.

Buenos Aires' wide avenues, elegant restaurants, museums, and theaters offer a continuous stream of attractions for visitors, who step to the beat of the tango.

In the heart of Buenos Aires are two leading Starwood properties--Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel and Convention Center, and Park Tower Buenos Aires.

With a convenient location overlooking the Rio de la Plata, Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center is a renowned landmark for international travelers. The 24-story hotel offers 742 rooms and suites, including executive floors and smart suites equipped to meet the needs of business travelers.

Guests enjoy excellent restaurants and the largest spa in the city with two pools and two tennis courts in addition to a complete gym, sauna and massage room.

The Sheraton Buenos Aires includes a major convention center with 15 function rooms for all types of events, from large conferences and shows to small group meetings. Services include state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, video-conferencing, simultaneous translations and complete banquet facilities.

Park Tower Buenos Aires is one of Starwood's elite Luxury Collection hotels and a favorite with celebrities like Bill Clinton, Jean Cretien, Prince Albert of Monaco, Vittorio Gassman, Geraldine Chaplin, Luciano Pavarotti, among others.

Located near the main building of the Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel, the hotel's tower dominates the cityscape of the Retiro area. The 23-story hotel includes 181 rooms and several suites--all equipped with numerous guest amenities and communication services.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 750 properties in more than 80 countries and 110,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc.

For more information, please visit www.starwood.com.

CROWNE PLAZA OFFERS INNOVATIVE 'SLEEP ADVANTAGE' PROGRAM

Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts is offering a new "Sleep Advantage" program designed to help more than half of business travelers who say they don't get enough sleep on the road, according to the 2003 National Business Travel Monitor survey.

"We offer an industry-leading approach to ensure that business travelers--and all guests--experience a good night's sleep in our properties throughout Latin America," says Carlos Baruki, area director of sales and marketing, Latin America InterContinental Hotels Group, (IHG), Crowne Plaza's parent company.

The Sleep Advantage program encompasses a guest's entire sleep experience, and includes new bedding, guaranteed wake-up calls, designated quiet zones, night lights, drape clips, sleep CDs, sleep tips and amenities, such as eye masks, ear plugs and aromatherapy lavender spray.

The result of more than 12 months of planning and study, Crowne Plaza interviewed guests and business travelers and collaborated with Michael Breus Ph. D, one of the nation's foremost sleep-disorder experts. "Crowne Plaza is the only hotel brand taking a holistic approach to address the entire sleep environment, from bedding and night lights to wake up calls and quiet zones," says Breus, the 'Sleep Expert' on WebMD.

Through the Sleep Advantage, Crowne Plaza recognizes two important travel-related stress conditions. The "First Night Effect" when trying to sleep in an unfamiliar environment and the "On-Call Effect" caused by anxiety over a wake-up call, hallway noise or other concern.

Crowne Plaza addresses the "First Night Effect" by creating the most comfortable and relaxing environment possible, starting with the bedding. The new bedding consists of natural-colored duvets, mattress toppers, cotton blankets and plush pillows. Guests will also find an in-room drape clip for that distracting sliver of sunlight that peeks through the window in the morning. A night light provides soft lighting and helps guests navigate an unfamiliar room during the night, and a sleep kit complete with ear plugs, an eye mask and aromatherapy lavender spray is also available for guests.

Crowne Plaza also has taken steps to reduce the "On-Call Effect" by offering a guaranteed wake-up call and "quiet zones." Under the guaranteed wake-up call, if guests do not receive a requested call, then their night is free (room and tax). Additionally, each hotel now designates at least one floor a "Quiet Zone" on Sunday through Thursday nights--prime time for business travelers who do not want to be disturbed with unwanted noise.

"Our Sleep Advantage program is leading the industry in providing an opportunity to improve a guest's sleep experience," says Baruki. "It's not just for a night or two but throughout the entire stay."

For more information: www.crowneplaza.com.

ENJOY AWARD-WINNING HILTON SAO PAULO MORUMBI

Hilton International's newest property in Latin America--the Hilton Sao Paulo Morumbi in Brazil--is already winning the most prestigious service, facilities and culinary awards for the region.

The US$90 million, 485-room business hotel has received several coveted titles over the past year, including "Best Business Hotel in Latin America" from LATIN TRADE magazine in 2004; "Best Luxury Hotel" from Guia 4 Rodas Brazil 2004; and "Best Meeting and Convention Hotel in South America" from the World Travel Awards.

"At the Hilton Sao Paulo Morumbi, we are proud to provide first quality service in an unparalleled environment of luxury," says Luis Perillo, resident manager. "Our ultimate priority is the comfort and enjoyment of our guests, which is why many return time and time again to the property."

The Hilton Sao Paulo Morumbi is home to the award-winning Canvas Bar & Grill, where chefs create culinary works of art on big white, square plates--emphasizing texture, color and flavor. The restaurant--which was named the "Best Business Restaurant" by LATIN TRADE in 2004 and received a coveted star from the Guia 4 Rodas Brazil 2004--also hosts exhibitions of local artists' work that rotate every 45 days.

Designed to replicate a working art studio, Canvas is a bold new statement on Latin America's hotel restaurant scene. The dining area features huge works of art on stretched canvas suspended from 45-foot ceilings, iron catwalks, a working artist quarter, an exciting modern bar with a massive 13-foot by 10-foot video wall and an open kitchen.

The contemporary flair of Canvas extends to the overall design theme of the 28-floor hotel, which is the third tower of the CENU business complex. The Canvas Bar overlooks a large atrium lobby and the rooftop features a glass canopy, encompassing the brand's LivingWell health club and spa, the first in the Americas.

Guest rooms have been designed for traveling executives, with an emphasis on comfort and flexibility. Each room is divided into separate zones featuring a living area and a dedicated work area with dual-line phones and high-speed Internet access.

The Hilton Sao Paulo Morumbi also provides a helipad adjacent to the hotel, a multilingual staff, foreign currency exchange, a news-stand, and 13,000 square feet of meeting facilities, plus a full-service business center offering a notary public and secretarial services.

Residential suites are available as well at the hotel, which has 80 executive floor rooms located on its top five floors. They offer DVD players, full-size body towels, luxurious bathroom amenities and access to the Club Room, which boasts panoramic views over the hills of the Morumbi district and provides a full breakfast, daytime snacks, and evening cocktails.

For more information, visit www.hilton.com

LAN ALLIANCE DELIVERS EXCELLENT SERVICE

The LAN Alliance--composed of Lan Airlines (Chile), LanPeru, and LanEcuador--efficiently unites Latin America with the world. The airlines in the LAN Alliance provide passengers and cargo customers with world-class service and excellence in air transportation on routes independently served by each participating airline. The LAN Alliance is known for its security and service, and has been recognized frequently as delivering the best service in Latin America.

Through a complete network of services, destinations and products, each of the participating airlines connects passengers efficiently with countries within the region. Each of the participating airlines also projects the cultural and tourism riches of Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and other countries of the region to the rest of the world.

The airlines in the LAN Alliance share the same philosophy and values, and offer a dependable and distinct service on land as well as in the air. Reliability and high level of service are the pillars upon which the LAN alliance bases its philosophy, and international passengers can expect the same degree of attention and service on all of their flights.

For more information, visit www.lan.com

SHERATON RIO HOTEL & TOWERS OFFERS TRUE RESORT EXPERIENCE

Located between the sea and the mountain, the five-star Sheraton Rio Hotel & Towers is the only hotel in town with characteristics of a resort. At the Sheraton Rio, the 559 guest rooms and suites have a privileged view of Ipanema and Leblon beaches.

Direct access to the beach, tennis courts, kids club, heated swimming pools, tropical gardens and a spa and fitness center are among the hotel's leisure features. The variety of gastronomic options is also wide: three restaurants and two bars meet all tastes from executive lunches to Sunday brunches, including the traditional "feijoada" on Saturdays.

Sophistication, comfort, beauty, modernity and coziness come together at Sheraton Rio. The hotel serves families and couples on vacation as well as executives on business trips. Executives appreciate the hotel's "intelligent suites" with direct access to telephone lines, fax, printer and functional furniture. Guests of the Towers Sector have butler service at their disposal, as well as meeting rooms, an exclusive business center and a reading lounge adjacent to a specially designed room for breakfast, tea and happy hour.

In 2005, the Sheraton Rio will adopt the "Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed" concept, including beds carefully developed to provide the best possible sleep. In January, four floors will be renewed with the "sweet sleeper" beds as well as new furniture, televisions and other features; all rooms will be revitalized by the end of 2005.

Sheraton Rio recently added spa services to its modern fitness center, which features classes, personal trainers and massage services. The Sheraton Rio Spa & Beach Club now offers energization with hot stones, chromo therapy, personal yoga, reflexology, lymphatic drainage, shiatsu and many other facial and body treatments.

For more information, visit www.sheraton-rio.com

'EXPRESS YOURSELF" AT RADISSON HOTELS & RESORTS

Radisson Hotels & Resorts recently enhanced its online check-in service, "Express Yourself," for its hotels throughout the Americas. The enhancements to Radisson's first of its kind service will provide Radisson guests with more choices and give them more control over their hotel stay. "Time is the new currency and a key driver of guest satisfaction" says Linda Hirneise, partner, J.D. Power and Associates, adding that Express Yourself gives Radisson "a key competitive advantage in the check-in process."

The two new Express Yourself features include the opportunity for guests to select an automated wake-up call time, and request the hotel's complimentary airport shuttle transportation service, if available. These two new service preferences can be requested on the customer's online Express Yourself profile at www.Radisson.com.

Express Yourself enables guests to check in up to seven days in advance of their arrival. Upon arrival, they only need to identify themselves at the front desk to receive a key packet and hotel information. Guests' selected preferences will be delivered automatically, every time they stay at a participating Radisson location.

Radisson Hotels Latin America expanded its portfolio with three new properties in 2004: the 240-room Radisson Decapolis, in Panama City's business district; the 146-room Radisson Royal Call Hotel in Colombia; and the 125-room Radisson Ciudad Empresarial in Santiago, Chile. Radisson Hotels Latin America also manages full-service hotels in Bogota, Caracas, Guatemala City, La Paz, Montevideo, Quito, San Jose, San Salvador and Sao Paulo.

FLL: A GROWING INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY

With a convenient location and passenger-friendly services, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is a fast-growing gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America. From its 9,000-foot main runway, Broward County's international airport now provides non-stop service to Europe, Canada, Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, South America and more than 40 U.S. cities.

US Airways recently announced a major expansion at FLL, more than tripling its daily flights and connecting 10 Caribbean and Latin American destinations with key cities in the Northeast and Florida, beginning in February 2005.

In the Caribbean and Latin America, US Airways will introduce new service in Guatemala City, Guatemala; Kingston, Jamaica; Panama City, Panama; and San Salvador, El Salvador. Additionally, the airline will begin nonstop service to Nassau, Providenciales, Santo Domingo, San Jose and San Juan.

One of the fastest-growing airports in the United States, FLL served 17.6 million passengers in 2003, a 5.3 percent increase from the prior year. That includes 1.3 million international passengers. A total of 38 scheduled, five charter, and six air cargo airlines currently operate 616 flights a day from FLL, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which is operated by Broward County's Aviation Department.

For vacationers, FLL is just minutes from 23 miles of white, sandy beaches in the Greater Ft. Lauderdale area. It's also close to more than 30,000 hotel rooms, a major convention center, and the second largest cruise ship port in the world. More than 50 public and private golf courses and other sporting and cultural activities are within a short drive.

For business travelers, often rushing to make a meeting, FLL is ideally located in the heart of Broward County with convenient access to South Florida's business, industrial and government centers.

Since its humble beginnings 75 years ago, Fort Lauderdale's international airport has grown into a modern transportation complex that has served nearly 300 million travelers over the years. For more information, visit www.broward.org/airport.

VISA: DEDICATED TO FACILITATE TRAVELING FOR IT'S CARDHOLDERS

Travelers can rely on Visa to provide them with safe convenient service and exclusive travel perks at some of Latin America's most desirable travel destinations. Leisure and business travelers can have access to a wide range of added-value benefits when using their Visa cards whether they are booking a flight, embarking on a cruise, renting a car, or making hotel reservations. You could encounter unexpected inconveniences during your vacation like loosing your purse and along with it all your cash and credit cards. Dedicated to facilitate traveling for it's card holders, Visa offers the following tips and global services:

* Visa offers a special internet service that helps travelers locate ATMs before they arrive at their destinations. This enables the traveler to know beforehand which ATM's offer the best exchange rates. This information can be found on Visa's Latin American and Caribbean website, (www.visalatam.com), under "ATM locater Guide", and is available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

* If your Visa card has been lost or stolen, you can contact Visas Global Customer Service Center through the financial institution that issued your card. They can supply you with the emergency telephone numbers for the country that you are traveling in. You may be eligible to have your card replaced or to receive emergency funds. For countries outside of the United States, dial the international operator to make a collect call to the number 410-581-3836 or 410-581-9994 for immediate assistance.

* Never write down your pin, memorize it.

* Ensure that you get your card back after every purchase.

* Always check sales vouchers for the correct purchase amount before you sign them, and keep copies of your vouchers and ATM receipts.