Summerlin-area couple win Dubai trip to try video app

Imagine being handed an all-expenses-paid vacation halfway around the world. That's what happened to Summerlin-area residents Christina Amato and her fiance Marco Traniello. The pair has a constant presence on social media and were selected to fly to Dubai and spend the week of Sept. 11-18 "Periscoping" all the sites and sounds of the modern city to boost tourism.

Periscope is Twitter's new livestreaming video app that allows a person to watch and broadcast live video from all across the globe. It allows one to share what they're seeing in real time with other Periscope users by using their cellphone.

"I'm walking around, holding out my phone, and basically everyone is seeing what I'm seeing, and they're commenting on it," Amato said. "... There's no delay in the conversation."

The Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing for Dubai was in the middle of a campaign called #MyDubai.

Four other people were selected as well: two from Los Angeles, one from Australia and one from France.

Both Traniello and Amato have been devotees of the new social media platform since it debuted after the first of the year. Amato is a singer who performs at various venues. Traniello is a professional poker player.

They said they were contacted via email, and the invitation came soon after.

"How could we turn down a trip to Dubai?" Amato asked.

Their trip began with flying to Dubai on Emirates, a far different experience, they said, from traveling on most airlines.

"We didn't fly first class, but we were in the business section, and it was far and away the best — a first-class experience, it was beyond anything I've ever experienced," Amato said.

The visitors were welcomed to the country with a trip to the cultural center, where customs were explained, and they were free to ask any questions. There was no language barrier, as everyone spoke English.

One question: How come you're allowed four wives? The answer came with a historical reference: If your wife's sister became a widow of war, you were expected to take her in and provide for her, but it wasn't a marriage as Americans think of marriage.

"One guy said, 'Would you really want four mother-in-laws?' " Traniello said. "I went, 'OK, I understand now.' "

They were taken to many sites, including a visit to the top of the tallest building in the world. They also dined at the finest restaurants, rode camels, had a feast in the desert, toured a mosque, visited art galleries and went to the largest mall (five stories and growing), where they had to take a taxi through the mall. They also enjoyed indoor snowboarding and indoor skydiving.

"We went to the most extreme — the tallest, the fastest, the 'everything' — and shared our experience (on Periscope). Food was five-star everything. We were VIPs, treated like royalty," Amato said.

Back in Las Vegas, friends were following their trip online.

"They Periscoped the entire journey, most of which I watched. It was fascinating," said friend Michele Rothstein.

The weather was warm, similar to Las Vegas temperatures. But the humidity was not so great — it hovered around 90 percent.

"It wasn't like Las Vegas, where, yes, it's hot, but (here) you can wear a shirt and tie and be comfortable," Traniello said. "... (There) it was like a bath, a sauna. The lens on my camera got all foggy."

"The most terrifying experience was riding the camel," Amato said. "When they get up, they're so tall, they jerk up, so you'd better hold on."

They got to sit in a police car, which was a Maserati, and learned that women police officers' standard uniforms were skirts and high heels.

"And the police don't carry guns," Traniello said.

The couple estimated that the trip would have cost them $50,000 if they had to pay for it. Some of their adventures cost as much as $2,000 per person. The hotel room was $1,000 a night.

"The (airfare) alone was $27,000," Amato said.

The couple can be found at their websites, which link to all their social media: ChristinaAmato.com and MarcoTraniello.com.

— To reach Summerlin Area View reporter Jan Hogan, email jhogan@viewnews.com or call 702-387-2949.