**Setting Sail with Uniworld & Shepherd's Fashions: Women’s River Cruise Adventure, Part 1 Recap!** - and then - Part 2 -
with detail on next November's cruise on the Seine River with AMA!
What a memorable journey we had aboard the elegant *River Duchess* with Uniworld, alongside an amazing group of women from Shepherd's Fashions! From the moment we kicked off in Budapest, every day was packed with adventure, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments. In Budapest, we explored the vibrant fashion district, strolled the Széchenyi Chain
Bridge, and soaked in the historic views from Buda Castle. Onboard, Uniworld welcomed us with a stellar captain's reception, a delicious dinner, and even a spirited 70s dance party to kick things off.
Next came Vienna, where the art of Gustav Klimt inspired some, while I joined a small group on a powerful Jewish heritage tour through Vienna’s Jewish Quarter. The day ended perfectly with a delightful Mozart and Strauss concert. From there, we continued to Spitz, where we enjoyed a fun photography workshop and a memorable wine tasting in the Wachau
Valley.
And now, let me share Part 2 - and - info about the next cruise to Paris on the Seine next November. Let me know if you'd like to join us!
**Women’s River Cruise Adventure, Part 2: Exploring Austria, Germany, and Beyond!**
Our day in Spitz, Austria, began with an inspiring photography session led by Rachelle Ferron from Shepherd’s Fashions. We learned tips to capture the best of our surroundings, then visited the Danube River Shipping Museum, where we discovered how teams of 60 horses once
pulled ships upstream—a fascinating glimpse into the region’s history. A walk through the beautiful Wachau Valley vineyards led to a delightful wine and apricot schnapps tasting, where we toasted to the valley’s famous white wines.
Onboard Uniworld, we indulged in mint liqueur hot chocolate, enjoyed a delicious dinner, and ended the night with a lively silent disco dance party. The next day, we biked 28 kilometers from Austria to Germany, taking in the stunning riverside countryside. After a quick freshen-up, we toured a German brewery, complete with pretzels and beer samples,
and explored the charming town of Passau, where the three rivers meet.
Morning yoga with fitness expert Dora started the next day in Passau, followed by an inspiring talk from Jennifer on women’s leadership in board roles. She covered essential insights on certifications, D&O insurance, and the role of organizations like “Women on Board.” Many women in our group shared their own experiences, offering valuable
perspectives on this important topic.
In the afternoon, we wandered the streets of Regensburg, stopped by the world’s oldest sausage house, and visited Weltenburg Abbey. Here, we learned about monastic brewing at the world’s oldest brewery and, of course, sampled the beer! A scenic cruise through the narrow Danube Gorge was another highlight, where we even ran into clients of a
colleague—proof that the world of travel is smaller than you think.
Back onboard, we celebrated with the Captain’s Farewell Party and a wonderful dinner. The following morning, we gathered for a group chat on embracing “chapter three”—the phase of life that follows career-building and child-raising. It was a heartfelt discussion on reconnecting with other women, pursuing passions, and focusing on personal wellness.
Karen, a naturopathic expert, shared her insights on self-care and the joy of travel, community, and meaningful pursuits.
Our final stops included a visit to Faber-Castell Castle in Nuremberg, a fitting end to a week of history, adventure, and connection.
Thanks to all who'd joined me on this fantastic adventure. I hope you had as wonderful a time as I did.
And thanks to Rachelle Ferron from Shepherd's Fashions for joining us, and sharing your humour
and joy - and photography and scraf tying passions with us.
Thrilled to have had Jennifer Sondergaard share her passions about serving on boards.
And thrilled to have Karen Wright share with us
her insights on self-care, and the joy of travel.
Many of the group onboard were keen to know - where next.
And I'm happy to share that I'm working with AMA Waterways to do a roundtrip Paris
river cruise on the Seine next November 8, 2025. We can add two nights pre-cruise in Paris too.
As always, husbands and partners are welcomed. If we do any morning talks, they'll have a female focus. So, it's a great way to travel with a group of women and make new friends.
I have 10 reduced solo supplement cruises with a 10% reduced solo supplement for our solo travelers - please talk to me right away if you'd like to confirm a spot.
And a number of double French balcony cabins as well. On the Seine, AMA sails their
smaller French balcony ships, so while there are cabins of different sizes (and some smaller fixed window cabins as well), there are no exterior balcony cabins. However, the French balconies on the Dante ship will work out terrifically for an early November sailing. Here's the ship deck plan https://www.amawaterways.ca/agent/lushlife/ships/amadante-river-cruise-ship
Here's an overview of the route.
I'm confirming a group discount pricing offer in addition to current offers in the market to get some extra special pricing for us.
Here's a five
minute feature on AmaWaterways Romantic Danube cruise luxury river cruise experience with AmaWaterways from Vilshofen to Budapest with an available Prague pre package.
Friday's Five Minute Feature highlights their Romantic Danube.
To reserve your spot on this cruise please get in touch with me for available dates and the best promotions.
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- The Importance of Laughter
Laughter cannot be underrated.
If you saw SNL last night, you saw US Presidential Candidate, Kamala Harris, appear next to her impersonator, Maya Rudolph. The laughter from the two appearing side-by-side was pure joy.
Looking for some other things to get you chuckling? I'd highly recommend catching Kathy Griffin's show, “My Life on the PTSD List” if you can catch it live. My husband and I saw it in May, and loved it.
I'd also recommend "Hacks" on HBO. It's 3 seasons, and Jean Smart is amazing as an older woman comic. (Hannah Einbinder is fantastic as well.) And they've cleaned up in the awards for TV series as well.
Don't want to commit to 3 seasons (although it's worth it!) Here's a great HBO special stand up program by Alex Edelman, called "Just for Us" - based on his hit Broadway show. Check him out here https://www.alexedelmancomedy.com/
And if you want to combine travel with your laughter, watch some Eugene Levy's "The Reluctant Traveler" on Apple TV.
Keep laughing!
3.' Adventure Travel Corner-The Golden Bachelorette Visits Tahiti
The TV show "The Golden Bachelorette" visited Tahiti with WIndstar cruises this week.
I'm not a regular watcher of the show, but I tuned in to watch the ship I'd travelled on in June, the Star Breeze, in Tahiti.
Have a look of the video above to see some of Tahiti in the backgroup.
And here's a video of the show's visit to Moorea and some snorkelling.
It really is a magical place to visit.
Let me know if you'd like to visit Tahiti with Windstar. You can certainly visit Tahiti with your sweetie - but - it's also a magical spot to go with your daughter, as I did in June.
And - I still have access to a private sale. Let me know if you'd like to go!
4. Wellness Travel Corner-Miraval Austin Got Hoda Love
Hoda Kotb of the Today show recently visited Miraval Austin at the end of October. And she loved her experience.
Have a look of the video above, which takes a look back at some of her favorite moments from the Making Space Wellness Weekend Retreat at the Miraval Austin Resort and Spa where she hosted 150 people for a journey of connection, transformation and empowerment.
As you know, I also experience
Miraval Austin's wellness retreat this past July. (Are TV shows starting to follow my travels? Windstar Tahiti with the Golden Bachelorette above, and now Miraval Austin with the Today show?)
Maybe you should be travelling with me to hit the hot spots, before they get the TV exposure! :-)
Let me know if you'd like to
go to MIraval! I'd be happy to leverage my relationships to get the best holiday set up for you.
5. Testimonial of the Week - Another great experience
It’s so rewarding to receive wonderful #ClientTestimonials , such as this one from my
client, Kathy D.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Another great experience!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
By: Kathy D
"This is the 2nd river cruise I've booked with Sheila. She is very professional, responds quickly and answered my questions. All of the
arrangements she made were perfect and I experienced no problems!"
🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠
Thank you, Kathy D for taking the time to leave some wonderful and kind comments on my @virtuosoltd verified client feedback site. I truly appreciate it.
6. Join Me - Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent
Want to consider joining me and my husband Bill on the Journey to
Antarctica: The White Continent! We're leaving next week! You can still come!
We're travelling with the best-of-the-best expedition cruise company, Lindblad Expeditions. I'm so excited!
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.)
HOTEL OF THE WEEK! Alvear Palace
Welcome to the Alvear Palace Hotel in Buenos Aries, a true palace that opened its doors in 1932. Located in the most stylish neighborhood of La Recoleta, its imposing
architecture andimpeccable personalized service distinguish the Alvear as one of a kind.
The Hotel has grand French-inspired public areas and gracious 192 guestrooms & suites decorated in Empire and Louis XV style, offering fresh fruits in room the arrival date and complimentary WI-FI. Exclusive service for Deluxe Suites and higher
categories, a team of butlers assists guests, making their stay a unique and memorable experience.
The recently renewed top floors unveils 15 spacious, contemporary designed suites with exclusive access to the Alvear Lounge. Open from 7am to 7 pm, the Alvear Lounge offers to these guests complimentary buffet breakfast, lunch, wines, soft drinks
and infusions. The restaurants and bars are traditional meeting points in Buenos Aires, with warm ambiance and exquisite international cuisine. Savor at L´Orangerie Restaurant excellent buffet breakfast, buffet lunch and the classic Alvear High Tea. At La Bourgogne celebrated Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux Jean Paul Bondoux delights you with the most refined French cuisine. To enjoy signature drinks and delicious appetizers, the Champagne Bar, the Lobby Bar and the Alvear Roof Bar are
excellent options.
New areas on the uppermost levels, with great city views include an indoor heated pool with pool bar and. Not to miss is the luxurious Spa & Fitness Center that features a vitality pool, sauna, steam bath, body and face treatments, kinesis and high- tech fitness equipment. A fully equipped Business Center provides all the
comfort and technology.
Virtuoso
Amenities
For 2024:
Upgrade at time of booking, subject to availability (upgrade excludes Grand and Lounge Suites, see Terms & Conditions for details)
Daily Buffet breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant
$100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage
credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
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 19 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.
