Spring Forward!

Did you remember to put your clocks ahead last night? If not, you might have been surprised this morning (or this afternoon) when you saw the time on your i-phone didn't match the regular clocks in your home. I still have quite a old-style clocks to adjust.

There's something about the clocks going ahead that really makes you feel like spring is around the corner. (And yes, I'm choosing to ignore the 7 foot mountain of snow outside my office window.)  While I wonder how my colleagues and friends in Yukon and Arizona welcome spring without the artificial clock reminder, I like DST - at least in the spring (don't talk to me about the fall back - I'm not as enamoured). I do know that not everyone participates in DST, and there are lots of studies about the negative ramifications on health and driving mishaps (see wellness article below - we all miss that extra hour of sleep. Be careful!)  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time_by_country  I do But I do enjoy the spring forward.

I really love the feeling of days being brighter, longer days; and have it coordinate with the return of chirping birds, and soon (please) we'll see buds on the trees. It really does put the proverbial "spring" in my step. It makes the heart feel lighter. 

Not realizing the calendar date, we'd invited my nephew, niece, and our brand new little grand niece, over for brunch today. I'm late getting my Sunday newsletter to your inbox, but the smiles and coos of a 6 month old baby girl were too wonderful a distraction. The spring forward was pretty fitting. New life. Promise. Renaissance.

I was reminded that yesterday, March 11th, we passed the 3 year mark of CoVid being declared a pandemic.  https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/ottawa-health-marks-third-anniversary-of-covid-19-pandemic-declaration  And what a brutal 3 years it's been - missing family, gatherings, and, of course, travel!  Even on this date in 2022, my home province of Newfoundland was still in it's 2nd (or was it the 3rd?) lockdown, which prevented me from visiting my mom. And the Canadian government hadn't lifted the general "do not travel" recommendation until sometime in April 2022.

So, we're all due a renaissance. Rebirth. Grab our potential.

Canadians pretty much kept to home during the pandemic, while Americans, by and large, travelled more. Canadians are now catching up, and maybe even surpassing, our American counterparts for travel. We're taking big bucket list trips, longer cruises - even world cruises, and upgrading the accommodations and style of travel. There's nothing like having something taken away to make you realize how much you loved something. And that's certainly true for travel.

Travel records and booking levels are being broken each day it seems. Viking saw record-breaking sales in January. World cruise sales are through the roof with folks like Oceania and Regent as well with their longest cruises going for sale, and selling out. One company just announced a 3- year long cruise - 1,095 days of CoVid being replaced with 1,095 days to travel? 

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.

I've been planning a lot of river cruises for my clients lately. And France has really been of interest.

Provence has long been an exciting spot to visit. But with all the airline upheaval, route consolidations, and schedule changes; getting to the spots that river cruises will visit in the south of France is not the easiest if you want to fly. At least if you're flying out of an "international" airport like I do, in Ottawa. We have to connect to fly anywhere. I can't wait for the Air France direct flight from Ottawa to Paris to start later in June https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/transatlantic-flights-return-to-ottawa-airport-with-paris-flight-1.6257086 .)

So, if you want to limit flights and connections, and are travelling with carry ons especially, why not fly in and out of Paris, and take the France train system to Lyon or Arles.

You'll have to leave a little more time in each spot, but what's so terrible about visiting Lyon, the home of French gastronomy, or Arles in Provence.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eug%C3%A9nie_Brazier
https://www.secondshistory.com/home/2019/8/27/eugenie-brazier
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Bocuse 
https://www.finedininglovers.com/article/paul-bocuse-legendary-chef 
https://cluboenologique.com/story/la-maison-troisgros-the-birthplace-of-nouvelle-cuisine/
 

This is a great overview of the France train system. 

https://www.ouiinfrance.com/train-travel-in-france-where-to-buy-tickets

Check out the picture above from OuiFrance, who advise here:

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=685232823609805&set=a.116731690459924 

"When taking the TGV, always look for a sign like this on the platform that shows you where each numbered car will stop. The red dot is where you currently are. Seats are assigned by car — voiture — and because trains are long, it pays to quickly check where your seat is so you can head to that section of the platform in advance. That way, when the train stops, you’re in the right place."

So, fly into Paris, and connect to the Paris train station in Charles de Gaulle https://www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/train

Get on the train to nouvelle cuisine.

My hotelier partners at Canyon Ranch offer sleep screening.

So, if your idea of adventure is to get yourself back in good health, there's nothing better than focusing on improving your sleep.

Sleep Screening

Of course, Canyon Ranch will get you sorted.

https://www.canyonranch.com/lenox/services/health-and-performance/personalized-medicine/sleep-screening/ 

Canyon Ranch will let you focus on a pathway that is right for you, and offer curated services bundles to support your intention. As they note, explore a topic such as healthy weight, life transitions, wellness, or joy. https://www.canyonranch.com/lenox/services/health-and-performance/  and https://www.canyonranch.com/stay/pathways/?location=lenox

Let me know if you'd like to go.

While DST brings brighter days, the loss of sleep can have an impact.

As noted: https://abc7chicago.com/daylight-saving-time-is-springing-forward-but-your-sleep-may-be-la/12946148/ 

Daylight saving time starts Sunday, and everyone will lose an hour of sleep -- which most people can't afford to lose, according to new data from Apple and the Brigham and Women's Hospital.

As part of the Apple Heart & Movement Study, researchers reviewed data from over 2.9 million nights of sleep. They found that among over 42,000 people who have Apple Watches and participated in the study, only 31% of people are meeting the minimum recommended 7 hours of sleep per night. They published the data, which has not been peer-reviewed, on the study's website. 

What to do? Take care of yourself. Pay attention to the impact it might have.

Follow some advice https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/12/health/daylight-saving-time-sleep-tips/index.html

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/missing-your-hour-of-sleep-experts-offer-tips-as-daylight-saving-time-begins/3092754/ 

https://www.cnet.com/health/sleep/we-lost-an-hour-of-sleep-today-do-this-to-reset-your-bodys-internal-clock/

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