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This week's newsletter will focus on:
1. The Troublesome PCR Test
2. Spain and France Entry Requirements
3. Travel Tuesdays: andBeyond Africa
4. Hotel of Week- Fairmont Banff Springs
5. Updates on Group Trips - Portugal
6. Travel with Sheila to Newfoundland
7. Work with me at Lush Life & Schedule a Consultation
Enjoy! And let me know if I can help you plan a getaway!
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This week, I was invited to participate in a press conference with the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable in Ottawa on Thursday, Nov.4.21.
It was a great experience to talk to media about the negative impact of the PCR test on families. And - I got to participate alongside Perrin Beatty (the President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, as well as a former federal Health Minister).
Perhaps you caught the press conference? (See video below or http://youtu.be/Ef9eqfoXU04 ).
I was fortunate to get some media pickup too, to bring some attention to the financial burden on families in particular. Obviously, we support science and data. But as Perrin Beatty noted, the Canadian government's own panel of experts did not support the PCR test remaining in place.
Here's a great one https://www.travelweek.ca/news/travel-agents-voice-of-reason-as-roundtable-outlines-pcr-cost-impact-on-family-travel/
But it was also picked up by CBC News, CTV News, CityTV News, Global TV News, and more. Here's hoping
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Spain and France Entry Requirements
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I had some clients travel to Spain for a pre-cruise France river cruise yesterday. They had all their documents in order. Each of them had very different gate agents checking them in, showing different levels of thoroughness in reviewing all their materials. We ended up redoing the Spain QR code, and France attestation and France Passe Sanitaire (which has changed this week - you now can use your Canadian vaccine passport, and have it done at a France
pharmacy rather than online).
All my clients are now in Spain, and resting up for a wonderful land tour in Bilbao and then San Sebastian.
But, word to the wise, the Spainish entry requirements and forms in particular are not easy to complete online. It says you can fill a form easily enough without registering https://spth.gob.es/create , but that's not been my clients' experience. Most times, it won't let you request until 48 hours before you arrive. Once you get
through that timing obstacle, then you have to register with the SLH https://spth.gob.es/security/register and wait for the promised text or email with a security code to proceed (which takes multiple attempts). And then fill out the info with various issues presenting themselves (cities don't populate, provinces drop down doesn't work, and you can't override
it to type in city/ province, etc.). We had to do several attempts on at least 3 devices, working through different browsers to get it to work. (And we'd been emailing Spain health for assistance earlier in week, without luck.)
But - everything is in a state of flux, and rules and regs are changing constantly.
So, if I'm working with you on a trip, and I send you an electronic itinerary with all the entry requirements for your trip, and then I get you to send me copies of all the forms you get back, as well as your vaccine records and your vaccine passports (as well as travel passports), please know that I'm working to help you have an easy a time as possible with your gate agent.
Travel is still possible, of course!
Travel is still well worth the headaches, of course!
But, we have to roll with the punches, and do whatever's needed to get you to your destination.
So, anyone travelling to Spain or France in the next while, please know we'll have to pad the planning and reservation time for their changing and problematic forms. And then we'll get you there to enjoy!
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Make sure you mark your calendars (and you can even sign up here) for my Lush Life Travel Tuesdays. These are special client presentations I host on zoom on Tuesdays, and regularly invite travel supplier partners to join me to help give you travel inspiration, and even start planning some travel. My Travel Tuesdays take place almost every Tuesday at 5pm (that's edt now that we're in daylight hours) - unless we have
a special accommodation for time zone, like this coming week.
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Upcoming - mark your calendars:
I'm rejigging a couple of dates. More later, but to know that what's ahead is:
Travel Trivia tbc
Travel Solo, Not Alone tbc
andBeyond - Africa Sheila welcomes Wayne Nupen, Regional Touring Director of and Beyond Africa ==> rescheduled==>on November 9,2021 at 11am edt - that's 5 pm in South Africa.
NOTE: We just had our clocks fall back an hour in most of Canada and the US (not Saskatchewan or Arizona). But South Africa doesn't change their time, so I'm confirming with Wayne - we may have to move planned 11 am to 10 am our time to still be 5 pm for him (unless he can do 6 pm)
and Beyond designs personalised high-end tours in 15 countries in Africa, five in Asia and four in South America, offering discerning travellers a rare and exclusive experience of the world as it should be. We own and operate 29 extraordinary lodges and camps in iconic safari, scenic and island destinations in Africa and South America. This enables us to positively impact more than 9 million acres of wildlife land and 2 000 kilometres of coastline.
Hotel of the Week - Fairmont Banff Springs and - Virtuoso "Best of the Best" Hotel Catalog
For more than 125 years, in-the-know travelers have flocked to Fairmont Banff Springs for a unique blend of chic sophistication and a rugged outdoor environment. Inside, take advantage of the Willow Stream Spa and countless dining opportunities. Stay in a Fairmont
Gold room and enjoy private check-in and the exclusive Gold Lounge with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, honor bar, and more. Outside, take your pick of golf, memorable skiing, gondola rides up the mountain, or shopping and museum-hopping in the town. Later, retreat to your cozy guest room and gaze at the natural splendor outside your window.
For Virtuoso Travellers booked through Sheila in 2021, perks include:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily Full breakfast for two guests per bedroom, served in Restaurant
- $100 USD equivalent Food & Be
- Authentically local welcome gift
- Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Many of these perks and amenities are only available when you book your stay through a Virtuoso travel advisor like Sheila.
https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sheilagallanthalloran/travel/luxury-hotels/6163998/the-fairmont-banff-springs
Get Real, Experience it ALL
Valid for Travel Now Through 17 Dec 2021
Enjoy your vacation and stay longer! The longer you stay, the more you save!
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Do you know about the Virtuoso hotel catalog? Virtuoso hotels are the world’s best places to stay. Intimate retreats, sustainable safari camps, gorgeous beach resorts … and so much more. There’s a world of dream stays to discover within Virtuoso’s curated collection of more than 1,400 hotels, resorts, lodges, villas, camps, and private islands. Ready to go? Your next getaway starts here. And remember
- if you book through me, as your Virtuoso travel advisor, I can negotiate special perks on your behalf!
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Group Trips Being Developed
Here's some info on the LONG STAY IN PORTUGAL
I have an 8 week package Jan.25.22-Mar.23.22 available for Faro, Portugal - with air for Toronto (we can do addons from Ottawa). This will give you an overview, but pricing and availability would have to be confirmed. So let me know if you'd like to go.
Albufeira is a coastal city in the southern Algarve region of Portugal. It’s a former fishing village that has become a major holiday destination, with sandy beaches and a busy nightlife strip. Local fishermen now use the modern marina, also a base for diving, dolphin-watching, and boat trips. It's surrounded by candy-colored apartments, with a waterfront promenade.
price per person (min 2 pax):
Staying at Villa Petra in studio apartment
Single occupancy CAD$ 6800.00 + $ 599.00 taxes
Double occupancy CAD$ 4000.00 + $ 599.00 taxes
Add cost for 1 pax transfer airport – hotel (one way) CAD$ 60.00
price per person (min 2 pax):
Staying at Jardim do Vau in one bedroom apartment
Single occupancy CAD$ 6950.00 + $ 599.00 taxes
Double occupancy CAD$ 4050.00 + $ 599.00 taxes
Add cost for 1 pax transfer airport – hotel (one way) CAD$ 80.00
The package includes:
International flight from Toronto to Faro with Air Transat in economy class including 1 piece of luggage without fee.
Private transfers as per the itinerary with English assistance
56 nights’ accommodation in first class hotel with no meals
Service charges
The package does not include:
Additional excursions and meals other than those indicated
Airport and hotel porterage
Telephone calls, laundry, and other items of a personal nature
Gratuities to driver, guides, and restaurant staff
Any travel insurance incl. Covid-19 tests and quarantine expenses.
Items not mentioned above
Pricing and availability would have to be confirmed - so if this interests you, please let me know right away.
Still coming - a 2023 trip to Southeast Asia. I'm working with my partners at Abercrombie and Kent to build a trip to Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos for October 2023. This will be an opportunity to travel alone, together. All rooms for solo travelers. Details to come over the next week or so.
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Travel with Sheila to Newfoundland
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Did you miss my presentation?
We had a terrific discussion about my two groups to Newfoundland. It made me so excited to be bringing people to my home province of Newfoundland. And fellow Newfoundlander, Carla Brake, the Director of Globus business development, helped me share the enthusiasm and love of our home.
The excitement was contagious with my clients too. I have a couple of dozen people confirmed. There are several friend groups, husbands and wives, moms and daughters, sister groups, and solo travelers all coming along.
It's going to be so much fun. Wanna come?
If you’re looking to travel to Newfoundland, and visit my home province with me, come “Travel with Sheila” from Corner Brook to St. John’s, Newfoundland. Spots are limited though, so if this interests you, please let me know. This will sell out.
I will be escorting two tours to my home province on:
* September 7-18, 2022 Newfoundland & Labrador, and
* May 29 - June10, 2023 Newfoundland & Labrador w Iceberg Festival.
Here are the full details details and flyers
Watch the video - and - let me know if you'd like a remaining spot!
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When You Work with Lush Life
When you work with Sheila at Lush Life Travel, you get access to our in-depth knowledge, honed over 16 years experience in travel (with another 20 years in financial services). Atop our foundation of financial risk management skills; we have layered the bricks to build a wall of travel knowledge and relationships. We leverage all of our expertise to help you live your lush life through travel.
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Live a Lush Life - Travel!
Lush regards,
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