1. Conscious Travel

Besides my wonderful acknowledgement as a Virtuoso Cruise Icon last month, and the reward trip to Tahiti (see more below), I've also been honoured to be nominated for top Virtuoso advisor in sustainable tourism.

See press coverage here https://www.paxnews.com/news/people/two-canadian-direct-travel-advisors-nominated-virtuoso-travel-awards

So, I thought it would be good to share some info with you about why conscious travel, or sustainable travel and tourism, is important. 

I was thrilled to be nominated as a top travel advisor supporting sustainability tourism. I have long joined hands with those who champion sustainable tourism, and feel strongly that we can have a trip of a lifetime while also making a positive impact on the local communities and places. 

I’m happy the photo of me is from a trip I took to the Galapagos. To me, the Galapagos is the home of #sustainability , and the recognition that we all have to work that we ensure we respect the nature, the culture, and the people of the places we visit.

Have a look.

From wildly delicious meals in Crete and Monaco to up-close encounters with Galápagos penguins and Scottish pine martens, green horizons are in your future. These sustainability-focused vacations lift and support their places in the world, with best practices from your hotel’s dining room to your ship’s carbon emissions. Embark on these eco-escapes to better the planet you love to explore. As your Virtuoso travel advisor, I can make it happen. 

Ready to go? Explore these offers and trip ideas.

Visit Monaco
Monaco
Discover Monaco’s unforgettable blend of sustainability and glamour with its certified luxury hotels, exquisite local cuisine, and eco-friendly mobility solutions.

  
The Brando
Arue, French Polynesia 
Travel luxuriously and responsibly to a private island that aspires to be zero carbon. Your flights from Papeete to Tetiaroa are complimentary with a 2-night stay.

Aurora Expeditions
Antarctica
Embark on responsible small-ship expeditions to Antarctica, with up to 20% savings and up to an additional US$2,000 airfare credit. Book by Jun 30. (But check with me for any updated promos.)

Six Senses Laamu
Laamu Atoll, Maldives
Dive into pristine coral gardens and check out turtles and tropical fish while you contribute to the preservation of this remote Laamu Atoll's biodiversity.

See more for Explora Journeys, Hurtigruten Expeditions, Insight Vacations, 
and Phāea Blue Palace, Elounda, Crete
 

Read about these 9 exceptional eco-escapes https://e.virtuosoemail.com/9-exceptional-eco-escapes?ecid=ACsprvtybsASWP4gnqebI6jl2yZMsInuzW6SBlfVj7ECyhr0qsxkojYO0EyOPmKss2nTNO_6gf0n  

And if you're ready to go, let me know!

2. River Cruise Corner - Essence of Burgundy and Provence

Here's a five minute feature that highlights AMA Waterways' 

Five Minute Feature highlights one of AmaWaterways's newest itineraries in France ... the Essence of Burgundy and Provence bringing extensive touring along the Saone river with our boutique ships. You can extend your river cruise in Geneva and Nice as well! 

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/2025/essence-of-burgundy-provence

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.

#AskSheila sheila@lushlife.ca

3. Adventure Travel Corner - Tahitian Sunsets, Part Deux - and an extra special offer for you 

Following up to last week's note about Tahitian Sunsets, and some time in Tahiti at the Intercontinental Overwater Bungalow, and some snorkelling in Moorea; here is an update on some of the other days.

Whoa, dude! We totally had an amazeballs day in Raiatea - like, the second biggest island in the Society Islands, yo! And get this, it's like super important in Polynesian history and stuff, 'cause it's probably where all the cool cats migrated from to places like Hawaii and New Zealand, and Captain James Cook was all up in here too, sipping coconut water and chillin' with the locals! Oh, and did I mention Ceili and I tried scuba diving for beginners? I was freaking out a bit, but Ceili was like a total mermaid, dude!

A hilarious Tahitian cultural experience on the boat, complete with bbq, drinks, and lots of laughter! While I took care of business in the morning, Ceili went snorkeling with sharks and visited a vanilla plantation. We capped it all off with a chill afternoon on a private motu in Tahaa. Unreal!

Greetings, land-dwellers! Our cocktail party for first time Virtuoso Travel cruise icons is where the cool sea creatures hang out. 😎 Then, we'll indulge in an epic meal onboard and waddle over to the Aqua safari, because walking on the ocean floor while breathing through an air hose is the new black! 💦🐙 We frolicked with the fishies and make them our official welcoming committee to Bora Bora! 🐠👋

Prepare for a giggle! Our scuba diving adventures in Bora Bora last week were pure hilarity. We indulged in the fantastic water sports and excursions courtesy of Windstar Cruises cruises. In the span of a quick 5 minutes, we got briefed, geared up in our wetsuits, and took the plunge into the stunning turquoise blue waters of Bora Bora. 

Some of us emerged as mermaids, while the rest of us (ahem) flailed about, providing endless entertainment! 

Who needs a spa day when you can jet ski around Tahiti and the Society Islands in French Polynesia with your fearless daughter?! 

Our Windstar Cruises Virtuoso Travel #CruiseIcon adventure had us zipping across the turquoise waters of Huahine, exploring every nook and cranny of the island, taking a short break for a swim at a private motu, and hitting the "sport" mode for some serious play time. We even hit 90 km/h (well, Ceili did) on those bad boys!@virtuosoltd #CruiseIcon 
 

Remember, I have 10% off Windstar cruises I can offer you as a newly minted Virtuoso Cruise Icon. This offer is not available in the market, and is only available to you as a client of mine.

As I'd mentioned in last week's newsletter, because I am a Virtuoso Cruise Icon, and experienced this reward trip, I have some special benefits I can extend to my clients. I can offer 10% off cruise fare, $100 pp SBC, reduced deposit, and with wide applicability - but - contact me soon, because this special offer won't last.https://archive.aweber.com/awlist4876745/DJwGQ

I have already booked a couple of clients this week to Tahiti, and another to Iceland. (It's for all Windstar cruises.)  Let me know if you'd like to take advantage of this special and exclusive offer.

4. Wellness Travel Corner - Airport Hacks to Ease Stress

I'm always about finding ways to reduce stress when you travel. And that is the best way to ensure your self-care and healthy living is to reduce stress.

Here's a very good article called "30 Airport Hacks to Change the Way You Travel"

https://za.investing.com/magazine/save-money-at-the-airport-with-these-thrifty-budget-ideas/ 

Give it a read.  They're not all great, but there are many that are.

Here are some listed in the article that I know from my own experience that I would endorse, with a couple of additions of my own:

• Bring your own 
  • headphones
  • portable charger
  • wet wipes and hand sanitizer (and tissues)
  • spare ziploc bags 
  • empty water bottle (and a pack of gum)
  • and bring a pack of playing cards
• Always 
  • check -in 24-hours before your flight
  • check seat guru for the best seat on the plane when you check-in (and buy the seat)
  • check ahead to see which restaurants and shops are at the airport 
  • check whether you can sign up for a VIP airport lounge
  • check your flight’s status before heading to the airport
  • check whether airport offers free WiFi
• Take a photo 
  • of your parking space so you won’t forget where you parked 
  • of your checked luggage 
• When entering security check, be prepared before you queue up
  • head to the left checkpoint
  • have your passport and boarding passes open, and ready to present 
  • don't be slow poke in the security line - be ready with belts off, large jewelry off, coins out of pockets, etc. - and be ready for the country of entry's security (if you're going to US, take off your shoes) 
  • pack your liquids and electronic devices at the top of your carry on bag so you can grab them quickly
  • don't redress and reorganize at the carousel - free up the space, and move to area with tables
  • watch whether your airport wants you to restack the bins or not (some countries ask that you do not)

6. Women's River Cruise - Wellness on Water

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 ONBOARD your moving boutique hotel room

STEP 3.) STEP ONSHORE to 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! 

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 if you're wondering, here are some blog posts 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

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

Silversea - Adventure awaits at every port https://e.virtuosoemail.com/adventure-awaits-at-every-port?ecid=ACsprvvy9djOR_5l3-lztLR57xNXxcuLOjagJQwa53czYA_ITf86aVjq_JxiHfiM6DGYMg0gd68m   

AlUla -Otherworldly adventures and must-see heritage sites https://e.virtuosoemail.com/otherworldly-adventures-and-must-see-heritage-sites?ecid=ACsprvs9aI2tcnYWLXiI6VWAPVm9t7VtQexU7Wh_Djp-gz3rHgoynVPVFeQwJxelI9MaKm0MYPKc   

Manitoba - Visit the Polar Bear Capital of the World https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sheilagallanthalloran/current-news/supplier/travel-manitoba/Visit-the-Polar-Bear-Capital-of-the-World 

Villa Vibes- Vacation at the next level https://e.virtuosoemail.com/vacation-at-the-next-level?ecid=ACsprvtP3uzd8LEOjjGOhn_1_jybRHiM8pnDlfUVSDfL5qBG6Ha5IOtmbimNm7YkmxwNPRV5S0Ug