Passport processing seems to have significantly improved in Ottawa over the past 6 months.

I took my daughter to get her passport renewed in Ottawa in August. I took my niece to do the same this week.

Lines this week were nothing like what I’d experienced with my daughter in August.

The main passport office on Meadowlands (off Prince of Wales) was fairly busy, although we could find two seats no problem.

We just dropped into the passport office after 2 pm. I didn’t even check to see how long the wait queue was before we arrived. (In August, the passport office website was posting 4 hour queue times pretty regularly.)

My niece had to briefly wait and be processed through two intake spots, and then was given a number to wait for a one-on-one meeting to review all her paperwork. The whole thing took an hour.

I’d been expecting 3+ hours as I’d experienced in August, and had come prepared for hours long wait (with work and reading material), so I was pleasantly surprised to be in and out so quickly.

Also, my niece didn’t have to show proof of travel with an airline ticket (as my daughter had to do in August.) My niece just mentioned when she was planning to travel, and the clerk indicated she’d have it back in plenty of time as her new passport would be mailed in mid-March (not the months later we had to wait, and this was normal processing for my niece - she did not have pay for expedited service.)

The two intake queues emptied out at times, and then more folks would arrive, but it was nothing like the hordes of people waiting in long lines and no seats that I’d experienced in August.

So, things are looking up for passport processing. 

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.

Exciting news from my partners at AMA Waterways. They have their Colombia's Magdalena River

now available for sale.

Beginning in March 2024, with pricing just under $5000/p for a lead in category, 

based on double occupancy, AMA introduces it's river cruise clients to Colombia.

I've been to Colombia with my daughter, and I can attest that it is a magical spot. 

This addition to river cruising will be wonderful.

AMA is leading the way as the first major river cruise to explore Colombia along its 

magnificent Magdalena River in 2024. Guests will enjoy exquisite
locally-sourced cuisine inspired by the Colombian Caribbean coast, explore
local history and traditions on a variety of included excursions and attend an exclusive
Carnaval experience in Barranquilla – just for AmaWaterways guests! 

CRUISE FROM : CARTAGENA TO BARRANQUILLA

I just had some clients come back from Antarctica with Quark.  They all had a marvellous time, finally getting to experience this destination on a cruise that CoVid delayed a couple of times.

They kindly sent me a photo or two, and indicated it was ok to share.

Some of their comments:

"It is hard to believe that this trip is happening! "

"It was a great trip. Quark really knows how to do expeditions in Antarctica."

"What a great adventure, exceeded my expectations.  I'll need some time to process!  ... Many thanks for all your effort in getting me to Antarctica.  For most passengers it was their 3rd time booking.  Highly recommend Quark and a southern holiday."

"Thought I would drop you a note on how much I enjoyed the trip to Antarctica. The whole trip was more than I could have imagined. I didn't make it easy getting there, but I am so happy I made it. Quark Expeditions did such a wonderful job. The staff in the kitchen were great, and made it simple to share and mingle with others in the dining room. I am so glad I met your clients too. It was such a great experience.

Thank you for offering this amazing trip."

So, do you want to experience the 7th continent? 

Let me know.

Some of my solo clients visited The Body Holiday in St. Lucia in January and February over different weeks. I'd done a presentation with Randall Jackson of The Body Holiday during CoVid times when we weren't travelling, and it certainly whetted the appetite of those attending to go when they could. 

Here are some reactions: 

"I was at Body Holiday St. Lucia Jan. 29 to Feb 5/23 (booked by Sheila); a wonderful week of food, fitness, esthetician treatments, pool/beach time. The setting is gorgeous - do as much or as little as you want. A perfect all-inclusive resort to relax, re-set, rejuvenate."

"I wouldn’t change anything except to stay a bit longer." 

and

"I chose Body Holiday St. Lucia as my fist solo vacation (my husband can no longer travel). I was one of the few “first timers” at the resort; I met people of all ages and most were repeat visitors (4 - 17+ times!). It was easy to understand why - the resort is stunning, with a gorgeous beach, club house area, and several choices/options for delicious meals/snacks/drinks.The spa is lovely - very calming/restful and the fitness facilities, indoor and outside, are well equipped/maintained. 

My room had a garden view; it was clean, quiet and well situated within the resort. Although it is a Health and Wellness resort it is the visitors vacation - do as much or as little as you want! My all-inclusive package included any amount of fitness choices/water activities plus treatments (facial, scrubs, massages). At times there was entertainment on the beach or in the Clubhouse. And I felt safe. The staff were all professional and friendly; the trainers knowledgeable, helpful, and supportive. 

The motto “give us your body for a week and we will give you back your mind” is fitting but the next time I would plan a stay of at least 9 nights. For anyone planning an all-inclusive Health and Wellness vacation I would definitely recommend Body Holiday St. Lucia.

The strengths:
1.    The beauty, cleanliness, and safety (as a solo traveller) of the resort and what it offers; all-inclusive (with the exception of a few treatments/activities). 

2. The meal choices - and all food was delicious and nicely presented. 

3. The staff.
The weakness:

I cannot think of any - it really was a perfect Health and Wellness resort."

Watch the video above, and let me know if you'd like to go. (It's a great spot for solos, couples, and any combo.)

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