Lately, I've been booking a lot of Portugal for my clients.

I've been booking river cruises. A lot of river cruises. It's an extremely popular way to travel in a moving boutique hotel room - especially since you only have to unpack and pack once, and don't have to move between hotels, etc.

It's so popular, top river cruise companies like AMA Waterways has very little space left in 2023 - especially if you'd like a balcony cabin. But, I continue to book clients on those ships.

AMA Waterways has two itineraries to Portugal

https://www.amawaterways.ca/agent/lushlife/destination/europe-river-cruises/2023/enticing-douro

As well as

https://www.amawaterways.ca/agent/lushlife/destination/europe-river-cruises/2023/flavors-of-portugal-spain

But I'm also booking clients on land tours and customized vacations.

Here's an example of an escorted tour company that takes groups to Portugal - and - I have a private and unadvertised sale starting on February 1st with this company, Collette Vacations,  that gives some great discounts for couples and solos. Let me know if you'd like to learn more.

https://www.gocollette.com/en-ca/tours/europe/portugal

Here's some great general info on Portugal  https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/portugal-top-travel-destination 

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.  Now, Vision is taking the Direct name on their retail side. 

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. Which is more of everything for you.

Avalon Waterways asks if you are DREAMING OF AN ESCAPE? 

YOU’RE NOT ALONE. 

River cruising offers you the ease, the breeze, and the do-as-you-please experience you’re looking for. With cabins featuring the widest views in river cruising, not to mention award-winning European Suite Ships with wide-open spaces, fresh air, and fresher perspectives – plus more excursions with fewer passengers – Avalon Waterways has the cure for your Cabin Fever. Here’s your window of opportunity with these great offers!

EXPLORE EUROPE IN 2023 WITH FREE AIRFARE AND SAVINGS! 

Save up to $700* per couple on select 2023 Avalon Europe river cruises PLUS receive FREE Airfare^{^} on select 2023 Avalon Europe river cruises

Our Exclusive Bonus: Receive Free Transfers^{^} on select 2023 Europe river cruises. 

It has inspired empires, dynasties, winemakers, and waltzes. Winding through ten countries, four capital cities, and thousands of years of history, the legendary Danube is the setting for some of the most dramatic chapters in time. As the river, Rieslings, and pilsners flow from the Black Forest of Germany all the way to the Black Sea, colorful experiences await at every palatial port. Just try to compose yourself through the harmonious streets of Vienna, the castle- and vineyard-clad hills of the Wachau Valley, and the lush green medieval city of Bratislava. And that’s just the Upper Danube. Cruising from baroque Budapest through the fortresses and towers of the Balkans, a wealth of elevating sights equally delight along the Lower Danube. As you follow in the footsteps of explorers, emperors, monarchs, and musicians all the way to Slovakia, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria, you’ll see why the Danube presents more ports and possibilities than any other European river.

The Ultimate Globe-Spanning Adventures

An A&K Private Jet Journey is the pinnacle of inspiring adventure. Your small group of no more than 48 guests travels on an exclusive itinerary packed with insider access, fine dining, and invitation-only cultural events arranged by local experts. Jet from one destination to the next with the finest Tour Managers and a dedicated flight crew, ending each day in accommodations chosen for their comfort, hospitality, and true local character. From the moment you arrive until the day you bid your private jet crew farewell, experience a journey that combines luxury, authenticity, and expertise as only A&K can.

SOLO OFFER

NEW! Solo travelers save 50% on the single supplement on Cultural Treasures: Around the World by Private Jet and Africa: Across a Continent by Private Jet (a savings of up to $14,750).

INCLUDED WITH YOUR PRIVATE JET JOURNEY

- Authentic Insider Access and Exclusive Experiences Made Possible by A&K's Unrivaled Local Expertise

- English-Speaking Tour Director, Tour Managers, and Local Guides throughout

- Chartered Boeing 757 with Fully Lie-Flat, First-Class Seats with Dedicated Crew and Executive Chef

- Hand-Selected, One-of-a-Kind Accommodations

- A Choice of Activities in Select Destinations with A&K’s Design Your Day®

- Complimentary Internet Access, Including in Flight (Where Available)

- Travelling Bell Boy® Luggage Handling

- Traveller’s Valet® Complimentary Mid-Journey Laundry Service

- Onboard Physician and White Glove Visa Service

- All Meals with Beverages, Including Custom-Crafted Culinary Experiences and Festive Local Entertainment

- All Gratuities

- 24/7 A&K On-Call Support

Sometimes the best resolutions are the most restorative ones, and nothing beats the invigorating feeling of a great getaway. This year, people are further defining what “wellness” means in their lives, considering areas of sleep, recovery, nutrition, and mindfulness, as reported in Hilton’s 2023 Trends Report.

According to the report, half of global travelers noted that they are looking for travel experiences that support their wellness goals and priorities in 2023. For those who want to maintain their routine on the road, the solution may be as easy as choosing the right hotel.

“At Hilton, guest wellness is always top of mind, and we continue to find ways to ensure they feel cared for from check-in to checkout,” said Matt Schuyler, chief brand officer at Hilton. “Whether looking to maintain an established routine, like a daily Peloton ride, or seeking an immersive experience, we strive to bring wellness to the forefront of our brands, and meeting guests wherever they may be on their wellness journey.”

Flexibility in fitness

A third of global travelers reported that being able to address their physical well-being while traveling will be a priority in 2023, and for more than a quarter of respondents, accessibility to amenities, like fitness centers or classes, will also be top of mind. Many travelers are looking to maintain the consistency of their daily routine — even when on the road. For instance, the millions of people around the world who joined the Peloton community during the pandemic are now seeking out locations that offer Peloton equipment either on-site or nearby when they are traveling. As a solution, Hilton recently partnered with the connected fitness platform to bring Peloton Bikes to nearly all of its 5,400 U.S. hotels.

With some travelers also preferring to work out in private, programs like Five Feet to Fitness, and soon Five Feet to Fitness with Peloton, bring fitness equipment to within just five feet of a guest’s bed.

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