What Happens in Vegas..., ~ from Sheila of Lush Life Travel
Published: Sun, 08/18/24
Updated: Sun, 08/18/24
Live Your Lush Life
Travel Newsletter
Sunday, August 18,
2024
What Happens in Vegas...
Hello, !
Welcome to Lush Life Travel's weekly newsletter.
In this week's newsletter, we'll focus on:
1. What Happens in Vegas...
2. River Cruise Corner - Captivating Rhine
3. Adventure Travel Corner- NEW! Pearls of Japan & China - with Mongolia
Extension
4. Wellness Travel Corner -Miraval Arizona Top Wellness Partner
5. Testimonial of Week-
Great Service!
6. Women's River Cruise - Wellness on Water
7. Virtuoso Life - Some Recent Issues & Newsletters
8.
Preferred Hotel Programs- Can You VIP Me?
9. Special Offers from Lush Life~ Direct affiliate & Virtuoso partner
Let me know if you'd like to schedule a
complimentary consultation!
1. What Happens in Vegas...
Did you miss my newsletter last Sunday? Sorry I wasn't able to send. I've just completed the week long marathon that is Virtuoso
Travel Week, and I'm here to tell you that what happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas - and I'm telling everyone (a la comic, Dane Cook.)
I had an epic first day to start
Virtuoso Travel Week 2024. And the best day of all - Globetrotting! I attended 2 trade show sessions with elaborately decorated booth set ups at Aria for Adventure Travel.
Each of the 12 adventure partners
featured gave whimsical and fun updates on their travel experiences around the globe! I met with partners like Lindblad Expeditions, Tourism Australia, Tourism New Zealand, Silversea, Natural Habitat, A&K, & Beyond, Micato Safaris, Rocky Mountaineer, Intrepid and G Adventures.
A terrific lunch
focused on sustainability by the Los Cabos Tourism Board fed my mind and tummy, and a nomination for me for top sustainability advisor, plus time to reconnect with travel friends.
And then it was time for another trade show by the first of my amazing cruise partners like Oceania, Crystal, Azamara, Explora, Uniworld, and Avalon.
With barely a moment to change, I popped
in to the opening reception of Virtuoso Travel Week at the Bellagio, where I met Sven Lindblad, and many of my Direct Travel colleagues from across North America.
And then I hoofed it back to the Aria to
head to Mastros Ocean Club with Windstar Cruises . Thank god I got some steps in. The seafood platter was insane, the steak like butter, and the “chocolate sin cake” did live up to its name.
Did I mention still keeping up with clients, helping resolve a travel issue or two, and even booking an Ama cruise on the fly?!
Phew, day 1 was gigantic! Wheaties were ordered for day 2.
As a travel professional attending the world’s largest luxury travel conference at the Bellagio and Aria’s convention centers in Las Vegas,
Day 2 did not disappoint.
The day kicked off with exceptional trade show presentations from esteemed cruise partners like Ama Waterways, Aqua Expeditions, Cunard, and Seabourn. These insights allow me to offer you the latest and most exclusive options for your next cruise adventure.
Following the trade show, I participated in enlightening professional development sessions focusing on branding and media led by Misty Belles, luxury mindset strategies with Neen James, and maximizing LinkedIn for networking with Vanessa McGovern. These sessions equip me with innovative tools to enhance your travel experiences and elevate the service I
provide.
A delightful surprise from my partners at Grand Velas—a rejuvenating pedicure—added a personal touch to the day, reminding me of the importance of self-care while planning luxury experiences for my clients.
Later, I joined the Direct Travel Vacations Canada team for a celebratory reception hosted by Accor Hotels, strengthening our relationships with global partners. This gathering is instrumental in ensuring that I have direct access to the best offerings for you.
A brief visit to a few cabanas allowed me to catch up with our hotelier partners from around the world, further solidifying our connections and the exclusive benefits I can bring to your travels.
The opening session featured inspiring performances and insightful updates from industry leaders Jennifer Campbell, @David Kolner, Helen McCabe, and Matthew Upchurch, who shared current travel trends, sales insights, and the future of sustainability in travel.
Simon Sinek captivated the
audience, reaffirming the value of travel advisors and the importance of building lasting relationships. His advice to ask friends for “8 minutes” for a meaningful conversation resonates with my approach to nurturing connections for your benefit. We were also honored by a powerful message from Martin Luther King III about pursuing dreams.
I then visited my partners at Tourism Australia in their luxurious Presidential suite at the Bellagio, reconnecting with key Australian contacts, which means I can provide clients with exclusive access to the best experiences down under.
A quick stop at the Barbershop speakeasy allowed me to catch up with friends from IHG Hotels, ensuring I’m always in touch with top-tier accommodations for your next getaway.
The day concluded with the Cruise Icon special dinner at LPM, the hottest restaurant in Vegas, exclusively reserved for us by Virtuoso. It was a pleasure to reconnect with friends from Tahiti and meet industry icons who didn’t make it to the conference, all while brainstorming exciting business opportunities with Windstar Cruises, our host for the evening.
Each connection I make here translates directly into enhanced offerings for my clients, ensuring that your luxury travel experiences are unparalleled. And that's just a snapshot of the work I did during the first two days of VIrtuoso Travel Week in Vegas.
Next week, I'll share a little about the matched appointments and one-on-one meetings I had with luxury travel supplier partners from around the globe.
Let me know if I can help you travel the world
better!
Here's a five
minute feature that highlights AMA Waterways' Captivating Rhine
Five Minute Feature highlights the Captivating Rhine luxury river cruise from Amsterdam to Basel along with pre and post packages available in Amsterdam and Switzerland.
To
reserve your spot on this cruise please get in touch with me for available dates and the best promotions.
See details of the itinerary here -https://www.amawaterways.ca/agent/lushlife/destination/europe-river-cruises/2024/captivating-rhine
And, I can extend to you an offer for new bookings only if made this week with me. I can extend a 5% off the voyage fare(for the cruise, before port fees) to either one couple, or one solo passenger. (Kindly note, you have to call me to get this private sale. You cannot book on my AMA website or through AMA directly.)
My normal
cruise booking and management fees would still apply.
Get in touch with me to get on this cruise and get all of the best prices and promotions.
3. Adventure Travel Corner - NEW! Pearls of Japan & China - with Mongolia Extension
At
Virtuoso Travel Week, I met with my partners from Nomadic Expeditions, who do the most fabulous trips to Mongolia. And I was thrilled to learn that they are partnering with my friends at Viking Ocean Cruises to do ocean cruises to China and Japan, and offering an extension to Mongolia!
How cool of a trip would that be?
Set sail with Viking, delving into the vibrant history, multifaceted cultures and delectable cuisine of the Far East and beyond during a fully guided journey. Gaze upon majestic Mt. Fuji from Shimizu and enjoy overnight stays in Osaka and Hiroshima. Relax in the natural splendor of Miyazaki and Jeju and immerse yourself in the dynamic cityscape of Shanghai. Cap your
memorable voyage discovering the legendary wonders of Tibet, Xian and Beijing.
And then - Extend Your Cruise with 5 nights in Mongolia
Immerse yourself in rich traditions and revel in the stark beauty of the Gobi Desert. Explore Ulaanbaatar, an eclectic mix of the ancient and the 21st century. At your desert lodge,
admire striking landscapes and enjoy a range of activities curated to bring insight into Mongolia’s nomadic heritage.
4. Wellness Travel Corner - Miraval Arizona Top Wellness Partner
VIRTUOSO® NAMES MIRAVAL ARIZONA AS THIS YEAR’S BEST OF THE BEST
Miraval Arizona Tops More than 1,400 Luxury Hotels to Take Home the Coveted Award for Exceptional Achievement in Wellness
Programming LAS VEGAS (August 15, 2019) – Global luxury travel network Virtuoso® revealed the winners of its celebrated 2019 Best of the Best Awards at the 31st annual Virtuoso Travel Week conference, where Miraval Arizona was recognized as the Best Wellness Program.
Just 10 properties and hoteliers were honored August 14 in front of more
than 1,800 premier travel advisors and luxury hospitality executives at the 13th annual Hotels & Resorts Dinner at Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. With a wide-ranging portfolio of more than 1,400 hotels, resorts, villas, tented camps and private island retreats in over 100 countries, Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts is the industry’s most renowned program. Started in 1992 with 20 hotels, today it includes more five-star properties than any other group.
Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa is an all-inclusive destination resort and spa located on 400 scenic acres of Arizona's Santa Catalina Mountains. Offering an array of dynamic growth and development programs; one-of-a-kind, luxurious spa treatments; authentic, flavorful, and healthful cuisine; and an expert staff of renowned well-being specialists, it’s no wonder the resort received Virtuoso’s 2019 Best Wellness Program award.
Equine Activities: Connect with Henry and all the horses at Purple Sage Ranch. Learn to stand your ground. Communicate with your energy and emotions. Get creative on a living canvas with a full calendar of offerings.
It’s so rewarding to receive wonderful #ClientTestimonials , such as this one from my
new client, DV, Glassystonegirl.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Great Service!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Sheila was a great agent to work with. Very knowledgeable!!"
🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠
Thank you, Glassystonegirl, for taking the time to leave some wonderful and kind comments on my @virtuosoltd verified client feedback site. I truly appreciate it.
6. Women's River Cruise - Wellness on Water
Imagine a getaway that's all about you! Sheila's Women's Wellness Cruise is not just a trip; it's a radical act of self-care amidst the
beaty of Europe, from Budapest to Prague in October 2024. Dive into a world of luxury, connection, and rejuvenation with award-winning Virtuoso luxury wellness travel advisor, Sheila Gallant-Halloran of Lush Life Travel.
Thanks Candace Sampson and "What She Said" for terrific blog post about my Women's Wellness Cruise. And see https://lushlife.ca/what-she-said/
Check out this ad appearing in PostMedia newspapers across Canada.
And check out this Daytime Ottawa TV appearance. Here's my interview talking with Derek Fage .
Just remember, there are three steps to Embrace “Your Grace”:
STEP 1.) STEP ON UP - savour, sip,
self-care
STEP 2.) STEP ONBOARDyour moving boutique hotel room
STEP 3.) STEP ONSHOREto cities and towns along the Danube River
Let me know if you'd like to secure your spot. (And yes, there are some husbands coming. At least 3 are booked thus far!)
This will be a 7-night Danube River cruise, that sets sail from Budapest on Oct. 4, 2024, and heads to Nuremberg, before finishing its voyage with 2 nights in Prague on Oct. 13, 2024. See all the details : https://tinyulr.com/LushWellCruise
Self-care is not a luxury. It's a necessity!
7. Virtuoso Life Issues
Here are some recent Virtuoso Life issues for you to peruse.
Travel advisors, like me, often have access to a range of exclusive perks and amenities when booking luxury hotels. Here are some special perks I may be able to provide when you book your hotel stay through me:
Room Upgrades: I often have relationships with hotel management (particularly luxury hotels), allowing me to secure room upgrades at the time of booking, ensuring a better view, larger room, or added amenities.
Complimentary Breakfast or Credits: I can negotiate special perks like complimentary breakfast, spa credits, dining credits, or
other perks that enhance the overall stay.
Early Check-In and Late Check-Out: Through my connections, I may be able to negotiate early check-in or late check-out times, providing more flexibility with your schedule.
Special Amenities: I may be able to arrange for special
amenities in the room upon arrival, such as welcome gifts, champagne, or personalized touches to make the stay more memorable.
Priority Access and VIP Treatment: I can secure priority access to facilities like spas, restaurants, or events within the hotel, ensuring a more exclusive and VIP-like experience.
Customized
Experiences: I can arrange unique experiences tailored to your interests, such as private tours, exclusive excursions, or special events within the hotel premises.
Concierge Services: I can often offer personalized concierge services, ensuring your preferences are noted and catered to throughout your stay, from restaurant
reservations to special requests.
Flexible Booking and Cancellation Policies: I may be able to negotiate more flexible booking terms or cancellation policies, providing peace of mind in case plans change unexpectedly.
These perks often go beyond what is
available through standard booking channels, adding significant value to the overall luxury hotel experience.
I am a Virtuoso luxury advisor, Four Seasons preferred partner, and member of preferred hotel programs like Belmond Bellini, Rosewood Elite, Accor Luxury Step and Fairmont Famous Agent, Leading
Hotels, etc., etc.
I rarely book hotel only reservations for clients (I specialize in river and expedition cruises, customized trips to Australia and Africa), I have ways to leverage my relationships to benefit my clients. Hotel only bookings are subject to my normal professional fees. https://lushlife.ca/2022-fee-schedule/
See some additional detail on these preferred HOTEL PROGRAMS
Note: There is a stop gap measure if you are planning a last minute trip, and you only need a hotel stay. If you do not require my assistance, or VIP'ing, or add ons like transfers, concierge service, etc., you can self-book luxury properties on my Virtuoso
website. You can now browse and book hotels online https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sheilagallanthalloran/travel/luxury-hotels at your convenience. (If you self-book hotels, I will waive
normal booking and management fees. But if you need additional assistance after the booking, VIP'ing, transfers, concierge assistance, etc., and/or the hotel stay is part of a larger holiday, normal professional fees will apply.)
9. Special Offers from Lush Life, a Direct
affiliate & Virtuoso partner
I run my boutique travel agency, Lush Life Travel, as an affiliate of Direct Travel. As Direct is one of the largest Virtuoso luxury travel network partners, I get access to some terrific offers for my clients.
Here are some offers from a few of our favourite travel supplier partners. Let me know if you'd like to book one of these holidays .
When you work with Sheila at Lush Life Travel, you get access to our in-depth knowledge, honed over 18 years experience in travel (with another 20 years in financial services). Atop our foundation of financial risk management skills; we have layered the bricks to build a wall of travel knowledge and relationships.
We leverage all of our expertise to help you live your lush life through travel.
So, schedule a consultation - and - don't forget to
complete this Pre-consultation Survey The call can't be confirmed without it.
I had an epic first day to start
Virtuoso Travel Week 2024. And the best day of all - Globetrotting! I attended 2 trade show sessions with elaborately decorated booth set ups at Aria for Adventure Travel. 
Each of the 12 adventure partners
featured gave whimsical and fun updates on their travel experiences around the globe! I met with partners like Lindblad Expeditions, Tourism Australia, Tourism New Zealand, Silversea, Natural Habitat, A&K, & Beyond, Micato Safaris, Rocky Mountaineer, Intrepid and G Adventures.
A terrific lunch
focused on sustainability by the Los Cabos Tourism Board fed my mind and tummy, and a nomination for me for top sustainability advisor, plus time to reconnect with travel friends. 
And then it was time for another trade show by the first of my amazing cruise partners like Oceania, Crystal, Azamara, Explora, Uniworld, and Avalon.
With barely a moment to change, I popped
in to the opening reception of Virtuoso Travel Week at the Bellagio, where I met Sven Lindblad, and many of my Direct Travel colleagues from across North America. 
And then I hoofed it back to the Aria to
head to Mastros Ocean Club with Windstar Cruises . Thank god I got some steps in. The seafood platter was insane, the steak like butter, and the “chocolate sin cake” did live up to its name.
Following the trade show, I participated in enlightening professional development sessions focusing on branding and media led by Misty Belles, luxury mindset strategies with Neen James, and maximizing LinkedIn for networking with Vanessa McGovern. These sessions equip me with innovative tools to enhance your travel experiences and elevate the service I
provide.
Simon Sinek captivated the
audience, reaffirming the value of travel advisors and the importance of building lasting relationships. His advice to ask friends for “8 minutes” for a meaningful conversation resonates with my approach to nurturing connections for your benefit. We were also honored by a powerful message from Martin Luther King III about pursuing dreams.
I then visited my partners at Tourism Australia in their luxurious Presidential suite at the Bellagio, reconnecting with key Australian contacts, which means I can provide clients with exclusive access to the best experiences down under.
And then - Extend Your Cruise with 5 nights in Mongolia
