Do these experiences live up to their descriptions? We asked three Condé Nast Traveler readers to tell us how reality compared to their expectations, and for tips on maximizing your own encounter

Reader Report #1

The Reader: Robert Sikora, allergist, Virginia

The Experience: Visited the cellars of, and had dinner with, Spanish nobleman Martín Fernández de Navarrete of La Rioja (Condé Nast Traveler Consumer News Editor Wendy Perrin chronicled her own dinner with this descendant of El Cid in the December 2007 issue; you can read her account at cntraveler.com/dreamlist).

Arranged by: Virginia Irurita of Made for Spain.

Why this experience? "I'm a wine collector—and it's not every day you get to talk to a marquis."

What was it like? "The winery is in the quaint hilltop town of ábalos [200 miles north of Madrid] in an old mansion that's been in the family for hundreds of years. Martín met us and showed us his cellars. At dinner he opened bottles from the '60s and the '80s. The best part was the conversation: We talked about economics, food, wine, America versus Spain, conquistadors, and Franco—he's a big Francophile and butted heads with my very liberal wife and mother-in-law. We were there until 2 A.M."

Any advice? "The more specific you are with the travel agent, the better the results will be."

Was it worth the money? "Definitely, although I would tell people to give Martín a little more free rein than they would with, say, a tour guide. You're his guest; he's taking time out to do this."

Dinner at and private tour of the Marques de Legarda estate, $2,120. Source: Virginia Irurita, Made for Spain, Madrid (34-91-310-7070; mfs@madeforspain.com; madeforspain.com).

Reader Report #2

The Reader: Deborah Lee Minor, investor, San Francisco

The Experience: Ten-minute private visit inside the tomb of Queen Nefertari, first wife of Ramses II, in Luxor (Condé Nast Traveler Editor in Chief Klara Glowczewska chronicled her own experience in the tomb, which has been sealed to the public since 2003, in the December 2007 issue; read her account at cntraveler.com/dreamlist).

Arranged by: James Berkeley of Destinations & Adventure International.

Why this experience? "A friend had visited the tomb and said it was a must-see. I called Jim the day before I left—he had booked the rest of my trip as well—and told him I wanted to add it to the itinerary, and he made it happen."

What was it like? "The tomb is in the Valley of the Queens, which is more desolate than the Valley of the Kings. The best part was seeing something in its original state, without hordes of tourists. There were eight of us—my friend and me and our kids (ages 12, 11, and 9, and two 10-year-olds)—and six government officials and guides, who opened the tomb with a big key —a ceremony in itself. Inside, our guide, an Egyptologist, showed us the original wall drawings; they were restored with the original flaws intact."