Come Say G'day to Australia
Hiya, ! This week's Lush Life Travel newsletter will focus on: 1. Come Say G'day to Australia 2. River Cruise Corner - Christmas Markets for the Win 3. Adventure
Corner - The Colors of Australia 4. Wellness Corner - Relaxing Destinations in Thailand 5. Come with Me to Greece
Jul.8.23 6. Virtuoso Life - Some Recent Issues & Newsletters 7. Preferred Partner Club - The Couture by Langham 8. Special Offers from Lush Life, Vision/ Direct, Virtuoso 9. New Non-Stop Flights from Canada to Fiji 10 Mauna Loa volcano eruption threatens Hawaii's main highway Let me know if you'd like to schedule a complimentary consultation!
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Come Say G'day to Australia
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As an certified Aussie specialist travel advisor, I love sending clients downunder for a bucket list trip. Australia is amazing. It is also huge - you will not see it
all. I like to share a map of Australia overlaid on a map of Canada - just to give the visual aid of size and comparison. So - don't think you can take 2 weeks and see all of Australia - you won't. Any more than you would see all of Canada in 2 weeks. If you only have 2 weeks, it's probably
best to focus on 3 areas of Australia - where would you most like to go? As an Aussie Specialist, I can help you figure that out, and design a trip that is customized to you. Known for its modern, cosmopolitan cities, Australia enshrines vast swathes of undeveloped wilderness. There is the drama of the remote ‘Outback’, the colourful spectacle of the Great Barrier Reef and its coral islands, the excitement of the big, efficient cities, the sun and surf at some of the best beaches in the world, and the tropical rainforests
of Western Australia. The list is endless in this diverse land of adventure, which boasts about 2,000 national parks and 14 World Heritage-listed areas, along with more than 7,000 beaches. Australia is a land of character too, with its melting pot of cultures. For
more than 50,000 years the Aboriginal people lived and thrived in the continent’s unique environment. The country remains a magnet for modern explorers and adventurers and has a great deal to offer.
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2. River Cruise Corner - Christmas Markets for the Win
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I'm just back from my AMA Waterways Rhine river cruise, and it was definitely wonderful to be at the Christmas Markets again. I sailed from Basel to Amsterdam on the AMA Certo, and thoroughly enjoyed my cruise, and being amongst the crowds of the markets again. And there were so many locals milling about too - especially in Cologne, which had its Christmas markets closed down in 2020 and 2021. Everyone was happy to be back out and about - there were families, and young couples - I saw wedding proposals and wedding parties - and just everyone having a great time. I have at least 7 couples and family groups doing AMA Waterways Christmas markets river cruises over the next couple of weeks doing both directions of Basel-Amsterdam and Amsterdam-Basel; as well as Nuremburg-Budapest and Budapest-Vilshofen. I have another several couples and families doing Uniworld Christmas markets river cruises from
Budapest- Passau, and Franfurt-Nuremburg, and a few other couples and families doing Avalon Christmas markets river cruises from Nuremburg-Vienna. Many folks are adding pre and post cruise stays in anchoring cities of Basel, Amsterdam, Budapest, and Prague. Of course, a pre-cruise night is always highly recommended with air travel still experiencing delays and schedule changes. But no matter. Canadians and Americans are clamoring to get back to Europe; and enjoy the wonderful markets in Basel,
Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Rudesheim, Cologne, Nuremburg, Prague, Rothenburg, Vienna, Budapest, and more. Here is one resource to help you know some of the different markets https://christmasmarketsineurope.com/christmas-markets-in-europe-dates/ Gluehwein, chocolate, and yummy pastries. Christmas ornaments, crafts, and Santa. It's so great to see the markets back in full swing! While I was away on my river cruise, I was contacted by Travelpress, a Canadian travel publication, to ask if Canadians were still travelling, despite space and prices. And, I was happy to share some feedback while I was onboard my Rhine river cruise. See https://www.travelweek.ca/news/space-is-going-fast-and-prices-are-still-high-but-that-hasnt-deterred-clients-from-booking-december-getaways-say-agents/ . As I'd noted in the article, '“EAGER TO GET GOING AGAIN” Sheila Gallant-Halloran, owner of Lush Life Travel (an affiliate of Vision
Travel), says her December bookings are strong too – particularly for river cruises. She connected with Travelweek from a Rhine cruise herself. “The river cruises, especially Christmas market river cruises, are very popular. I have at least eight different cabins of folks going over the next couple of weeks. With the
markets pretty well stopped or extremely limited for a couple of years, folks are eager to return. I even have some folks doing a river cruise over New Year’s Eve.” I'll be looking at following up with clients who'd asked me about Christmas markets for earlier years, and I strongly recommend we get next year's holiday plans
sorted. If you're interested in a possible river cruise group to do the Christmas markets next year, let me know.
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3. Adventure Corner - The Colors of Australia
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Experience the colors of Australia on this 14-day journey – from the lush greens of the oldest living rain forest on earth to the vibrant blues of the Great Barrier Reef. Slip away from the world on Lizard Island and fall in love with Sydney, all in a single itinerary. #SwainDestinations #VirtuosoTravel
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4. Wellness Corner - Relaxing Wellness Destinations in Thailand
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Recharging and rejuvenating the body is essential no matter what you do or where you are in the world, and one of the best places to experience wellness is in
Thailand! Thailand has many relaxing wellness destinations, from warm sandy beaches to tranquil resorts and spas with traditional Thai massage and breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea. We encourage you to treat yourself to wellness this year, and when you visit Thailand, you’ll have a list of incredibly relaxing activities that will reignite your soul! Unspoilt & Serene Islands of ThailandThailand has a large number of beaches and islands known for extraordinary snorkeling opportunities and
adventurous nature treks. However, there are also beaches where one can simply lay back and relax on the softest sand while sipping on a refreshing cocktail and feeling the breeze of the palm trees sway above you. On the northern tip of Krabi is a white sand beach met by
crystal clear, calm water with only the sounds of nature and gentle waves crashing to shore. Down the length of the beach are resorts for you to stay, and a few with dining on the shore and gorgeous views of Pak Bia residing in the distance. Tubkaak Beach is perfect for those looking to do nothing but relax and recharge, as the beach is very quiet despite its many resorts. However, if you want to have a little adventure, you may take a trail through the rainforest. One of the trails leads to
Khao Ngon Nak Viewpoint with tremendous views of Krabi Province. Ko Phra Thong in Phang Nga Province has one of the longest
beaches in Thailand, with about 8 miles of white sand beach for you to relax privately. Although there are few inhabitants on the island, there are accommodations for you to stay at and enjoy the serenity of the island. After sunbathing, dip your toes in the water or take a calming stroll along the beach while admiring the beautiful nature of the island. Many bird species inhabit the island, as well as Sambar deer and leopard cats. Unlike Ko Phra Thang, Ko Kradan in Trang is on the smaller side with a stretch of beach about 2-3 miles
long. This remote paradise is protected for conservation and offers a tranquil getaway ideal for wellness and self-care. The stunning landscape of emerald green water, white sand beach, and sunset vistas will leave you feeling breathless and composed. There are various accommodations on the beach, including dorms, bungalows, and tents, to truly connect with nature in one of the most peaceful destinations on earth. Restful Resorts & Spas of ThailandThere are many wellness retreats throughout the country for you to rejuvenate your body and
soul. Orion Healing Centre is a retreat that focuses on just that: healing. Here you can experience a total
detox by cleansing the body of toxins with tools such as Reiki, meditation and yoga, and even nutritious plant-based food. Situated on Ko Phangan, Orion Healing Centre overlooks the white sand beaches. At the same time, you can enjoy many accommodations such as yoga shalas, spa rooms, an open-air bay-front cafe, and a wellness lounge. After your healing oasis is complete, relax on a hammock or bean bag while admiring the coconut trees and soft waves rolling onto shore. One of the main reasons wellness is so important is that it can help find solutions to stress, anxiety,
and daily-life challenges. Kamalaya Wellness Resort in Ko Samui does just that by offering holistic solutions to everyday pressures, all the while surrounded by exquisite nature. The resort is built around a cave that once served as a space where Buddhist monks came to meditate. Visitors can choose from a wide variety of wellness programs, from detox to yoga. The therapies the resort uses are a combination of Eastern healing traditions and Western medical research. It’s truly a relaxing oasis
amid a natural landscape that must be experienced at least once! About 45 minutes from Phuket is the incredible and quite
popular seascape of Yao Noi on Phang Nga Bay. Six Senses Yao Noi is an island resort that offers luxurious wellness with pioneering healing treatments for you to enjoy while relaxing during your tropical getaway. The resort includes treatments such as the Thai Herbal Massage, which uses warm poultices containing plai, ginger, turmeric, and lemongrass applied to specific pressure points. Other facilities within the resort include a sauna, steam room, wellness consultation room, meditation room,
and more. Whether you want to sit back and relax on the beach, explore one of Thailand’s many serene temples, or
partake in traditional Thai wellness practices, there are numerous relaxing wellness destinations for you to experience. Ask about exclusive amenities such as complimentary
upgrades, complimentary breakfast, complimentary Wi-Fi, and more at select wellness resorts in Thailand.
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5. Come with Me to Greece
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I’m headed to Greece with my family next July, and I'm inviting my clients to come along. My husband and I will act as the Azamara Virtuoso Voyages host for the July 8, 2023 sailing onboard the Azamara Quest, roundtrip Piraeus for a Greece Intensive Voyage, for 7 days.
I've already booked several clients to come along. 08 Jul 2023 - 15 Jul 2023 - Your Onboard Hosts: Sheila Gallant-Halloran, Vision Travel - Toronto, William Halloran Besides me being the Virtuoso voyage host, and able to provide you some very special perks -like an onboard reception, a special perk that's at least an onboard credit (but there could be a special hosted excursion as well, once Virtuoso starts to offer those again) - there's also right now a really special 2 category upgrade right now. Which means you can get a balcony cabin for the price of an interior cabin.
And let me know if you want to visit Greece!
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Here are some recent Virtuoso Life issues for you to peruse. VIRTUOSO INSIDER’S GUIDE: Where to Go Next A Dispatch from the Editors: Winter (Travel) Is Coming A Dispatch from the Editors: This Year’s Best New Hotels A Dispatch from the Editors: Travel with Purpose
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7. Preferred Hotel Programs - The Couture by Langham
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One of the things we love most about what we do is matching our clients tastes' with the greatest hotels in the world. And with our preferred status with these industry leading hotel brands it means our clients are instant VIP's with upgrades and special perks that you only get working with an elite partner. So, not only do we have the best rates, but more importantly you get an exceptional
experience over and above what you would booking direct or with a credit card. Today, I’ll share a little about the The Couture by Langham program The Couture by Langham program is an exclusive, invitation-only network of
high-end travel advisors from around the world. Thanks to our status as a Couture Partner, you enjoy special value-added benefits at all Langham hotels and resorts worldwide. Take advantage of the offers below, which include the Couture standardized amenities: - Daily complimentary breakfast for two
- Upgrade at time of check-in, based on availability
- Early check-in, late check-out, based on availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Let me know if you’d like to
discuss a specific hotel stay. For specific articles about why you should book with an advisor, rather than book by yourself, see here: Why Wouldn't You Do It Yourself Booking a Cruise Yourself vs With Advisor Booking Hawaii Yourself vs Through Advisor Booking Rocky Mountaineer Yourself vs With Advisor Hotel Programs Peninsula Fan Club , Rocco Forte Knights Program , The Belmond Bellini Club Program, Hotel Programs
- Four Seasons Preferred, Dorchester Diamond Club , The Mandarin Oriental Fan Club , Marriott Stars & Luminous , The Couture by Langham , Pearl Partner Oetker, Rosewood Elite , Accor Step & Fairmont , Preferred Hotel Program, IHG Hotel Program , Hyatt Privé Program , Small Luxury Hotels
, Luminous Hotel Program , A&K 100 Club , Hilton Impresario , Jumeirah’s Passport to Luxury , The Kempinski Club 1897
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8. Some Special Travel Offers
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9. New nonstop flights from Canada to Fiji
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Starting November 25, 2022, Fiji Airways will offer twice-weekly services on Mondays and Fridays between Vancouver and Nadi. They can’t wait to welcome Canadians back to the place where happiness finds you! Located in the heart of the South Pacific, Fiji is comprised of 333 tropical islands due north of New Zealand and east of Australia. While known for its luxurious private islands, all-inclusive resorts, pristine
environments, culinary delights, and outdoor adventures, Fiji is most widely celebrated for its culture and unique Bula spirit Now is the perfect time to plan a winter getaway to this South Pacific paradise.
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10. Mauna Loa volcano eruption threatens Hawaii's main highway
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 17 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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