I am still Lush Life Travel - and always will be. That is the boutique agency that I founded, and I fully incorporated last year (so, now I'm Lush Life Travel, Inc.). My partner, Vision Travel, has rebranded to Direct Travel. 

This will be largely transparent to you as a client of Lush Life Travel, but you will begin to see some logo differences on invoices you will receive from me for booked travel (as per our regulators), as you'll see my affiliation with Vision Travel, a Direct Travel Company get rebranded to Direct Travel. 

Lush Life Travel has been around since 2010, and has operated as a boutique agency under the banner of my affiliate partner of Vision Travel. Back in 2017, Vision merged with Direct Travel to become a North American travel company.  In 2019, the business travel side of Vision Travel changed their name to Direct Travel (and les services Direct Travel in Quebec). Now, their retail side is following through with the initial plan for 2020 (but then we all know what happened). 

So, with 2023, the rest of Vision Travel will be rebranded to Direct Travel Personalized Experiences.

Of course, I'm still Lush Life Travel (Inc.). You still get access to me and my team, and through my affiliation, access to the broader Vision/ Direct Travel team across North America.

What will not change is my commitment to a more personalized approach to travel. That will never change.  Thank you for being a valued client and I wish you health and happiness in 2023.

EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISES FOR FAMILIESFamily River Cruises 

Discover effortless vacationing at one all-inclusive price with our European river cruises for families. Unpack your bags once, then join the fun of exciting shore excursions, as well as engaging onboard activities planned by your Family Host. 100% child (and adult) friendly!

All hands on deck for family adventure! Embark on our family-friendly river cruises on the Rhine, Danube, Douro, Seine and Rhône…where you'll be enchanted by fairy-tale castles and party in Imperial style…encounter world-changing history on the beaches of Normandy…pedal through picturesque vineyards and medieval villages… sample life in French cowboy country or the treats of the famed Christmas markets… stroll through the gardens that inspired Monet or walk in the footsteps of van Gogh. Wonderful discoveries are around every bend when you and your family go riverboat cruising with Tauck.

While many guests bring professional cameras on their expeditions, it's not necessary to invest in one to capture amazing photographs during your trip. Plus, Lindblad has expert photographers on board to help you get the best shots possible whether you’re a smartphone user, advanced hobbyist, or serious photographer.

The logic is simple—bring people who love making images to the planet’s most spectacular places and most thrilling subjects. Expedition Photography takes it to the next level by adding to the mix some of the world’s top visual storytellers who travel at your side and at your service. Not only are they deeply knowledgeable professionals versed in the technical aspects of photography and storytelling methods, they are also experts on wildlife—and sharing their knowledge sets you up to get some of the best images of your life.

Go ‘on assignment’ with National Geographic Photography Experts

Every expedition aboard National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Resolution, National Geographic Explorer, and National Geographic Orion sails with a National Geographic Photography Expert as part of the expedition team.

Sharing in the journey, they will offer tips at the deck rail, share engaging stories during presentations in the lounge, and with a little prodding over dinner or drinks in the lounge likely share amusing anecdotes of their time in the field. They are full participants in the expedition and engaging travel companions.

Learn from Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructors

They have each been specially trained to assist you with your camera model and settings; the basic elements of framing, composition and light; and to provide shooting tips in the field, ensuring you return home with fantastic photos. 

Unlike a photography class or workshop, an expedition is a highly dynamic environment, where an incredible sighting can occur at any moment. So, the fact that your photo instructor is also a skilled naturalist is invaluable. They can help you better understand the wildlife, so you can be at the right place at the right time to capture amazing behavior—whether you’re shooting from the ship’s deck, a Zodiac, or on a walk. Take an expedition with us, and you’ll not only have the experience of a lifetime, but you’ll also have the shots to prove it.

Photo Expeditions 

On designated departures, a combination of a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor and a National Geographic Photography Expert come together to provide a program that includes multiple photo presentations and editing sessions and is designed to maximize the best photographic conditions. They work closely with the Captain and the expedition leader to take advantage of sunrise and sunset opportunities (whether by foot, Zodiac, or ship) and unique wildlife viewing.

Photo expeditions are select departures in remarkable geographies, designed by photographers, for photographers. However, since these voyages also offer so many active options, you can invite a spouse, companion, or friend along, assured that they’ll have a wonderful time doing their thing, too.

Ready to capture bragworthy wildlife and scenery photos? 

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. 

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.

See the special programs I'm affiliated with below, and 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

See some additional detail on these preferred HOTEL PROGRAMS

A&K 100 Club ,

Accor Step & Fairmont , 

Belmond Bellini Club Program,

Couture by Langham ,

Dorchester Diamond Club

Four Seasons Preferred, 

Hilton Impresario

Hyatt Privé Program

IHG Hotel Program ,

Jumeirah’s Passport to Luxury ,

Kempinski Club 1897

Luminous Hotel Program ,

Mandarin Oriental Fan Club ,

Marriott Stars & Luminous , 

Pearl Partner Oetker, 

Peninsula Fan Club ,

Preferred Hotel Program,

Rocco Forte Knights Program 

Rosewood Elite ,

Small Luxury Hotels