Yesterday, my city of Ottawa had the coldest day in 100 years https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/it-s-the-coldest-feb-4-in-100-years-but-it-will-get-warmer-1.6259961 

You'd think with all this snow and cold, polar and Arctic holidays wouldn't be popular with my clients.

But they are.

Expedition cruising is really having a moment now that we can travel again.

I have some groups of folks headed to Antarctica over the next two weeks - on their trip that have been cancelled and rebooked 3 different times with the pandemic. All of them are very excited to finally have this bucket list trip coming true, and to be stepping on the 7th continent. They are all Crossing the Antarctic Circle with a great polar partner of mine, Quark Expeditions.  And I have some great offers with Quark indicated below. 

With the Quark offer, new bookings can receive up to 45% savings, complimentary pre- or post-trip hotel accommodations, charter flights, and more when you book select sailings by April 3, 2023.

I also have some terrific offers with Silversea cruises on their new expedition ship, the Silver Endeavour.  Some limited and exclusive access to sailings that if you prepay, can include savings of up to 30% compared to Door-to-Door without air on Silversea's Port-to-Port prepay option. And with Ottawa often being the city for charter flights for the expedition cruises, it makes it easy to go (or connect to your home gateway).

Want to do a Reykjavik roundtrip in May 2023 for 10 days?

Or maybe Reykjavik to Churchill for 16 days in July'23?

Or maybe Pond Inlet roundtrip in August 2023 for 10 days?

Maybe Reykjavik to Kangerlussuaq in August'23 for 10 days?

Or Peurto Williams roundtrip in November'23 for 18 days?

Of course, I have some great classic offers (non-expedition) with Silversea as well, also with up to 30% off.

Maybe Seward to Vancouver in May'23 7 days might interest you?

Southampton to Copenhagen at end May'23 for 14 nights?

Reykjavik roundtrip in July'23 (non expedition) for 10 nights?

Or Bergen to Copenhagen in July'23 for 7 nights ?

Or this one which seems really extra special:

Sep.'24 13 nights Seward to Toyko

Let me know if you'd like to learn more. The exclusive offers abound. 

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. 

I have access to a private 2-for-1 sale, so this newsletter and details will not appear on social media (to respect the rules of the private sale).  

It’s a private sale 2-for-1 cruise and sometimes it’s also offered on the pre or post hotel, with a 2-for-1 land package.  

This sale is not advertised, and it’s not on the AMA website. So you won’t see the pricing on the web. I have to call in to check availability, and see if promo is still available (as the offer is tied to occupancy, and can be withdrawn at any time).

I can give you the itineraries here, but the pricing shown at the links on AMA’s website is not the pricing for the private sale 2-for-1 - instead, they will show the regularly published pricing.  But if you remove the port fees of roughly 300/p for a 7 night cruise, you can half the pricing shown at the link to get an idea of the 2-for-1. 
 

Kindly note that this offer is for all categories, as long as there is availability (can be withdrawn at any time), and as long as AMA continues to honour/ offer the private sale. (And please note, the dates keep getting updated with some dates/ routes being pulled. It has disappeared for many clients last week with one date or another no longer being eligible.)

Kindly note that the 2-for-1 offer is based on double occupancy. If you're a solo traveler, the 2-for-1 translates to being solo supplement waived for you (and it is applicable to all categories, as long as the offer is being honoured.)
 

The current itineraries I have (and again, this can be withdrawn at any time as it is tied to occupancy) are as follows:

• Melodies Danube -Jul 29, Jul30, Aug05, Aug12 https://www.amawaterways.ca/agent/lushlife/destination/europe-river-cruises/2023/melodies-of-the-danube 
 

• Gems South East Europe May 22, Jul17, Aug07 https://www.amawaterways.ca/agent/lushlife/destination/europe-river-cruises/2023/gems-of-southeast-europe 
 

• Paris & Normandy Mar 16, Mar30, Aug06 https://www.amawaterways.ca/agent/lushlife/destination/europe-river-cruises/2023/paris-normandy 
 

• Essence Burgundy & Provence June 22, Jul27, Aug10, Aug17 https://www.amawaterways.ca/agent/lushlife/destination/europe-river-cruises/2023/celebration-of-classical-music-the-danube

• Rhine Castles and Swiss Alps June26, Aug07 (I think June 26 was just withdrawn) https://www.amawaterways.ca/agent/lushlife/destination/europe-river-cruises/2023/rhine-castles-swiss-alps

• Celebration Classical Music Jun17, Jun24 https://www.amawaterways.ca/agent/lushlife/destination/europe-river-cruises/2023/essence-of-burgundy-provence

If either date/ route interests you, please let me know the date/ route, and the cabin category that you’d be interested in. I’d have to call in to confirm availability, and hold the space. I’d need names as they appear on your passports, and dates of birth, to grab a courtesy hold on a sailing for you to consider. 

While the courtesy hold does not have an obligation to secure it/ put down money, I will seek a credit card authorization for the amount of cruise deposit and booking/  management fee to strike a hold. (Charges will not be applied until you confirm you wish to book cruise.) And, other than back-to-back possibilities, AMA will only allow me to place one courtesy per person at a time. (If we confirm one booking with deposit, we can strike another courtesy hold.)   

Depending on availability of the cruise, and how far out from sailing, I can hold the space for 3-7 days for you to consider whether you’d like to confirm. 

Is it time to say G'Day to Australia?

I know when I visited Australia for the first time, flying over the Reef to get to Lizard Island Beach Reef, I was astonished that I flew for over an hour in this private plane, and all I could see was the Reef.

You really have to see it to believe it.

Is it time for a dip in The Great Barrier Reef? And maybe see why most of the world has added this Australian destination to their bucket list.

The Great Barrier Reef is big. So big, in fact, you can see it from space! Stretching 2,300 kilometres (1,430 miles) down the east coast of Australia, it's the largest coral reef system in the world. It’s home to an incredible array of marine life (think over 1,600 species of fish, and six of the world’s seven species of marine turtles) and exquisite coral formations. Whether your style is scuba diving to the depths of the ocean or soaking up the sunshine on the soft sands on an island, see why The Great Barrier Reef is the perfect destination for your next getaway. 

"The Great Barrier Reef is one of those places you must visit, whether you love the water or just want to see one of the great wonders of the world."

Chris Hemsworth, actor and Global Ambassador for Tourism Australia

There are four major access points to the Great Barrier Reef, and each of them has a range of experiences that will have you enjoying the best of this natural marvel: CAIRNS AND TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND; TOWNSVILLE AND MAGNETIC ISLAND; THE WHITSUNDAYS; and THE SOUTHERN GREAT BARRIER REEF. 

Whether it’s visiting idyllic islands, saying hello to local sea life with a wide range of underwater activities, traversing lush rainforests, or putting your feet up in luxury accommodation, you will leave your reef adventure with a new definition of paradise. Let me know if you'd like to to visit the reef and plan your next trip. I'm an Aussie Specialist.

You can discover the joy of living at JOALI Maldives
 

The art-immersive island resort, JOALI Maldives, is the epitome of sustainable glamour with elegantly designed private villas and residences. The six restaurants, an interactive kitchen, and special destination dining at the Manta Ray Tree House offer the ideal romantic setting for couples. A wide range of land and marine activities will provide you with the perfect adventures for all your clients.
 

Virtuoso guests who stay four or more nights will enjoy 25% off villa rates, daily breakfast and dinner, 40% off return seaplane transfers, and Virtuoso exclusive amenities. Available for travel from May 11 to September 30, 2023.
 

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 

With my partnership with Direct Travel, we often have private sales that are not in the market place.

Our Private Sales are held with select partners throughout the year. These offers are exclusive to Direct Travel and are the best promotion of the season.

In addition to the ones mentioned above, with Collette, you'll enjoy a refined take on the art of guided vacation, experience an adventure on a small group vacation, or set out on an inspiring journey on a faith-based travel experience. And traveling solo in a group setting is the best of both worlds.    

THE ULTIMATE BON VOYAGE PRIVATE SALE

Get ready to say Bon Voyage, and travel the world with Collette! Book during our exclusive Private Sale and SAVE up to 20% off* tours worldwide. Collette's guided vacations will take you to the world’s most awe-inspiring places, plus include local experiences and expertise that you can trust. Don't delay this offer is available only between January 30 and February 28, 2023. 

SAVINGS OFFER

Up to 20% off River Cruise style tours 

Up to 15% off tours to Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the South Pacific, Central America, and South America 

Up to 10% off tours to Canada, the United States

Exclusive Bonus: Choose one of these outstanding credits

- $100 credit towards tour add-ons 

- $100 credit towards Economy or Premium Economy airfare

- $250 credit towards Business Class airfare

Why Travel with Collette?

Choosing Collette has benefits that take your guided travel experience to another level. Their inclusive tours provide you with more value for your money and more of what makes travel unique. And right now is the time to choose your next vacation adventure.

Private sale with Collette - watch video https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/play/a4G8I-_YNm_KMOGj9WQP8VzSDzhpbBvMMwN9FJR-ZEenBZ4XRj5ezwYnQVjOtWe6qwcvjw5JKjfMAJun.FX8dlajek8VIvGGq?startTime=1675296027000&_x_zm_rtaid=5H61mk66QAaFYWxNKjIx0A.1675619572231.5e539cfac7f2f0a005a0d19da8f4f32a&_x_zm_rhtaid=212

And see details here https://www.visiontravel.ca/sheilagh/en/collette-private-sale

Let me know if you'd like to explore more.