Thank you, Kathryn Folliott and Travelweek for your wonderful profile of me in this week's edition, and sharing some of my memories in the world of travel. 

There's more to come, I'm sure - but it's been a wild and great adventure thus far. 

And - happy 50th anniversary to your publication! 

Read the article:

Sheila Gallant-Halloran didn’t join the travel industry until 2006, but her travel memories could fill several lifetimes – and she’s not stopping any time soon.

She also has incredible recall. Asked for her favourite moments in this industry, as part of Travelweek’s 50th anniversary celebrations, Gallant-Halloran was able to offer an almost year-by-year retelling of her own major landmark moments, from once-in-a-lifetime trips, to career decisions that got her where she is today: an award-winning independent travel advisor and owner of Lush Life Travel, an affiliate of Vision, a Direct Travel company.

Gallant-Halloran tells Travelweek: “I wasn’t in the industry in the heyday of commissions on air, and junkets and fams. Of course, the upside is that I came to travel with 20+ years in financial services, so that risk management background helped ground me in the travel industry in a different way.”

She adds: “I used to be an actuary, and worked on ‘return on investment’ – but as a travel advisor, I truly did get into ‘return on life’ for my clients.”

While 2006 seems like recent history, there have been big changes if you know where to look. When the Ottawa-based Gallant-Halloran was still working in financial services, as a corporate traveller she used to fly the Ottawa-Toronto corridor 2 – 3 times a week. “I flew into Billy Bishop before its current incarnation. My memories are of a very bare-bones terminal, with maybe a spot to buy coffee if you were lucky.” Now, of course, passengers flying in and out of YTZ enjoy a full-service lounge and plenty of perks and services.

My boutique agency is called Lush Life Travel. I am an affiliate of Vision Travel. Vision Travel has recently rebranded to Direct Travel. 

As a client Lush Life Travel, this change won't really impact you. You will begin to see some logo differences on invoices you receive from me for travel (as per our regulators), and you'll see Vision Travel now be referred to as Direct Travel Company.

Just wanted you to know. And - if you click some of the marketing links I have in the offers section below, you'll notice the migration over to a Direct Travel link as well.

Also - the visiontravel email is migrating over to direct travel.

You can always email me at sheila@lushlife.ca 

If you use the sheila.gh@visiontravel.ca email - that will still work, and I will still get your email -  but - it will get redirected to the new sheila.gh@dt.com 

I'll still here! Email me either way. Or, of course, you can still call me at 613-837-0699.

This week, I did a special presentation about AMA Waterways. 

Here’s a recording of the presentation (the first minute has the bad audio, and then I changed mikes – so stay with it) 

https://youtu.be/1wp-PU_c5LE

I am not posting this newsletter on social media, because there is a private sale referenced. And I cannot put that out in the general marketplace as it is unadvertised.

So this is a special access you're getting because you've signed up for my newsletter.

Here are the promos I’d mentioned (kindly note: .ca is CAD, and 

.com is USD – I’ll show both for the air, as rates are different). 

Remember, most promos are tied to capacity – so, once AMA 

has sold, say, 20% of cabins onboard with the promo, they will 

pull the offer without notice:
 

• Airplus promo for fixed rate economy air (and prem, and biz) for select dates and routes – cad https://www.amawaterways.ca/airplus and usd https://www.amawaterways.com/airplus  (combinable with free land for select dates and routes)
• Free land promo 2023 https://www.amawaterways.ca/freeland-2023#sailings  and 2024 https://www.amawaterways.ca/freeland-2024#sailings
• Solo traveler 2023 https://www.amawaterways.ca/solo-traveler-2023
• Vision/ Direct Travel - $200/p discount on Europe and Egypt sailings – expires Apr.30.23 – only available through me for next couple of days
• Sheila promo – 5% discount off cruises (combinable with most other promos, save 2for1) for first 10 bookings – not available through other advisors and/or agencies - I extended this to those on the zoom, and I still have a few left
• Sheila’s access to private and unadvertised 2for1 sale – screen shot shown on video – some dates have already changed (some removed, and a couple added) – so let me know if of interest (solo supplement waived in lieu of 2for1 on select dates) – see 39:14 mark of video

Please let me know if you’d like to book an AMA cruise – particularly to save the $200/p with the Vision/ Direct promo. (I'd have to strike a courtesy hold today!)

Want to be inspired to feel the thrill of adventure and reap the 

rewards of human connection in Australia? 

From vibrant cities and some of the world’s best beaches to 

plentiful marine life and wondrous wildlife, this awe-inspiring 

destination beckons to travelers of all stripes. 

Let this special Australia guide inspire you - and then reach out 

to me to craft a customized itinerary.

I can help you choose your own adventures.  I am a certified

Aussie Specialist.
 

Inside you’ll find tips on getting there, when to visit, 

featured itineraries, and a spotlight on unique destinations 

around the country. 

You're invited!

Consider this 15-day private jet journey through Nepal, Bhutan, India, 

and Sri Lanka with Remote Lands, Inc. With tiger safaris in India, 

explorations with private guides, and circle talks and meditations led by 

Asian philosophy and religion expert Shantum Seth, travelers will enjoy meaningful deep dives into each culture as they bond with their 

16- to 18-guest group.

Let me know if you'd like to go.

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 

And - I wanted to let you know about a new way for you to book hotels online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week... You can now browse and book hotels online https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sheilagallanthalloran/travel/luxury-hotels  at your convenience – and what’s more, you’ll still receive all the usual benefits you get when I book your travel - including full service, preferred rates, and exclusive amenities.  And once you make a booking, the information comes directly to me so I can follow up with you about additional services or whatever else you may need!

It’s perfect for last minute getaways, weekend breaks, or other short trips!

I’m sure once you try it you’ll agree you get the best of both worlds; the ease and convenience of online booking – plus the value and VIP treatment I know you love. As long as you don't need me to provide any additional services or assistance, you can book hotels yourself with my Virtuoso partners, and I will waive normal booking and management fees. (If you need additional assistance after the booking, normal fees will apply.)

One point, though - if you're looking to stay at week at a Four Seasons partner around the world, say, having me book your holiday through my Four Seasons preferred partners directly (rather than you self-booking through the Virtuoso.com booking engine link above) will bestow additional benefits that I can leverage as a preferred Four Seasons partner. So, let me know if you want to book a Four Seasons, but I can get some extra benefits and "love" for you. 

Of course, this Virtuoso.com booking link and the benefits of you booking yourself, if you choose, doesn’t change any of the services I already offer. I’m still available in person to book hotels and take care of your other travel needs. Just know you now have access to this VIP online hotel booking option now, too.

I'm here when you need me.