Virtuoso, a global network of 6,000 travel consultants who cater to the luxury market, has added BeautifulPlaces to its list of preferred suppliers. BeautifulPlaces, located in Sonoma, Calif., is a lodging company that provides luxury villa rentals and destination experiences to upscale food-and-wine-oriented travelers.

Virtuoso is a by-invitation-only luxury travel network comprising more than 6,000 elite travel consultants, associated with 301 agencies in 22 countries throughout North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand. With more than $3 billion in travel sales generated annually, Virtuoso`s member agencies make the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment. The network`s relationships with top hotels, resorts, spas, lodges, airlines, cruise lines and tour companies allow it to offer its affluent clientele top values and rare travel experiences.

Our selection is all the more exciting in light of the fact that our company is less than three years old, says Patrick Smith, president and CEO of BeautifulPlaces. It speaks to the quality of our product and professionalism of our staff that Virtuoso has selected BeautifulPlaces to be its sole preferred villa rental supplier for Napa and Sonoma wine country.

When looking at new properties for our program, we seek out that unforgettable, unrivaled experience our member agents are accustomed to offering their clients, says Albert Herrera, vice president of Virtuoso`s Hotel & Resort Program. BeautifulPlaces` spectacular villas and estates provide a unique luxury take on the food-and-wine experience.

Other travel industry members also praise the partnership. The affiliation with Virtuoso confirms the appeal and the quality of the BeautifulPlaces concept, says David Pottruck, chairman of Eos Airlines, who is a member of the BeautifulPlaces advisory board. I think that Virtuoso recognizes that BeautifulPlaces has created a unique hospitality option, one that appeals to a growing travel market composed of discriminating food-and-wine lifestyle enthusiasts.

BeautifulPlaces will be listed on the Virtuoso web site under Luxury Hotels, Resorts, Spas and Lodges by Virtuoso. Visitors looking there for a BeautifulPlaces villa will be directed to a Virtuoso travel consultant who can book the property and any desired concierge-type services.