Women's River Cruise Part Deux
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Hello, ! Welcome to Lush Life Travel's weekly newsletter. I'm back from my women's river cruise with Uniworld, and have lots to share. In this week's newsletter, we'll focus on: 1. Costa RIca 2. River Cruise Corner - Enchanting Rhine 3. Adventure Travel Corner-
Travel + Inspiration from the Godfather 3.' Adventure Travel Corner- Explora Journeys & Monaco Grand Prix 4. Wellness Travel Corner - Miraval Austin - Black Friday
Sale 5. Testimonial of Week- Another great experience! 6. Join Me - Women's Cruise 2025 - Paris & Normandy 7. Virtuoso Life -
Some Recent Issues & Newsletters 8. Preferred Hotel Programs- VIP You & Alvear Palace 9. Special Offers from Lush Life~ Direct Affiliate & Virtuoso Partner Let me know if you'd like to schedule a complimentary consultation!
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**Pura Vida in Papagayo: My Costa Rican GEM Adventure** As 2024 kicks off, it’s my year of “revenge travel,” making up for all those missed moments during the pandemic. Turns out, the hard work paid off—Direct Travel Canada is sending me on a luxe GEM trip to Costa Rica for “Going the Extra Mile”! This trip isn’t just about play (though there’s plenty of that); it’s filled with business dinners and networking with industry leaders. Here’s a peek into my adventure, filled with a perfect mix of work and well-deserved relaxation. **Costa Rica, Day One: Settling into Paradise** Mondays are looking a lot better in Costa Rica! Kicked off the day with emails and some inspiring client calls, then made my escape
on a boat ride to Casa Playa with my colleagues. We settled into “veg mode,” enjoying a poolside lunch before some tropical rain sent us shuttling between pools. Wrapped up the day with a lively dinner at Chao Pascao, chatting with the fabulous AMA Waterways team, and a nightcap at Ostra. Blissful start! **Day Two: Costa Rican Bliss & Business Mix** A day of pure relaxation: client catch-ups, a dip in the pool, and a blissful massage to get fully into the Costa Rican
spirit. After honing my coffee skills with some local beans, we headed to La Piazza for a business dinner. This trip might be about business, but it’s also about soaking up everything Costa Rica has to offer. --- **Midweek Costa Rica: An Eco Adventure** Wednesday kicked off with breakfast before a scenic drive through Guanacaste’s rolling fields. At Hacienda El Viejo Wetlands, we joined a tranquil boat tour with views of sugarcane farms and the Rio Tempisque. Our guide, Gustavo, shared his passion for conservation and the delicate ecosystem of the wetlands. A rum tasting and cultural tour followed, giving us a
glimpse into Costa Rican traditions. With the day full of experiences, we squeezed in a quick refresh before dinner. A perfect balance of adventure and insight! **Farewell Day: Costa Rican Adventures** My final day was the ultimate send-off: breakfast with the monkeys, a thrilling zip line adventure, and some quality poolside relaxation at the Beach Club. The grand finale? A management Q&A and a festive closing party to toast the unforgettable GEM experience in Costa Rica. Thank you, Direct Travel and Costa Rica, for an inspiring and energizing journey—Pura Vida! Let me know if you'd like to go to Costa Rica. I can highly recommend the Andaz Papagayo - you can go surfing, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, zip lining, golfing, or veg at the beach or pool. And my partners at Hyatt would be pleased to VIP you on my behalf. They even have some 2 and 3-bedroom villas, and I believe there is still some availability for festive/ Christmas perios. Let me know if you'd like to go! 2. River Cruise Corner - Enchanting Rhine Here's a five
minute feature on AmaWaterways on the Enchanting Rhine from Basel to Amsterdam with an available Switzerland pre package. Friday's Five Minute Feature highlights their Enchanting Rhine Danube. 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/enchanting-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. #AskSheila sheila@lushlife.ca 3. Adventure Travel Corner- Travel and Inspiration from the Godfather When I was in Costa Rica recently, I had dinner with my partners from Windstar at an Italian restaurant. My Italian supplier friend, Joe Jiffo, who hails from New York, started talking with me about "The Godfather." Like my husband and I, Joe and his wife love watching The Godfather trilogy (or at least part one and two), and rewatch it regularly. Joe started talking to me about a limited series called "The Offer," that was all about the making of The Godfather. And he
had me hooked. My husband and I have already devoured the Paramount series. I'm hoping there'll be another series based on the making of The Godfather II, but until that day comes, I can heartily recommend you give this a watch. The trailer is above. And here's an overview: THE OFFER is based on Oscar-winning producer Albert S. Ruddy's extraordinary, never-revealed experiences of making "The Godfather." The series stars Miles Teller as Albert S. Ruddy, Matthew Goode as Robert Evans, Juno Temple as Bettye McCartt, Giovanni Ribisi as Joe Colombo, Dan Fogler as Francis Ford Coppola, Burn Gorman as Charles
Bluhdorn and Colin Hanks as Barry Lapidus. 3.' Adventure Travel Corner-Explora Journeys Cruise & Monaco Grand PrixReady for the ultimate Formula 1 ® experience? We’re excited to announce that in May 2025, EXPLORA II will be docked at Port Hercule during the FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2025! Just a stroll
away from the action. Join us for an unforgettable adventure at the heart of this legendary event🏎️ Let me know if you'd like to go! 4. Wellness Travel Corner-Miraval Austin Black Friday SaleLast week, I'd sharedthat 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. I can highly recommend it. Miraval Austin has a Black Friday sale that I have early access to because of my relationship with the resort. Miraval’s highly anticipated annual Cyber Sale is now LIVE for me, as a preferred travel advisor partners, to book with
early access. The general public gets access to the sale on Dec 2 (Cyber Monday) and the sale ends for all to book on Dec 9. This includes $300 USD in nightly Resort Credits, per person per night and is valid for all new reservations between now and Dec 31,
2025. If you're looking for a spa/wellness retreat in the next year, this Cyber Sale is the best promo they will have available for all 2025 with the most Resort Credits included per night. 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
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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.
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6. Join Me - 2025 Women's River Cruise - Paris & Normandy I'm happy to share that after the success of my latest Women's River
Cruise with Uniworld, many of my guests asked where we were going next! Cruise: AMA Waterways river cruise. Sailing: Roundtrip Paris on the Seine River. Sailing on: AMA Dante When: November 8, 2025 for a 7 night cruise Option: 2 night pre-cruise in Paris. Kindly see https://lush-life-travel.optin.com/newsletter/awlist4876745/MjU0OTcyOTI=/2025-women-s-river-cruise-paris-normandy-from-sheila-of-lush-life-travel.htm for details on: - Itinerary
- Map
- Video
- Info about AMA
- Deck Plan
- Inclusions
- Pricing
- Sheila Promos
- Land Package in Paris
- Air Promo
- Events
- Monday, November 25th at 7pm - online with AMA
- Thursday, November
28th at 10 am at Shepherds
- Thursday, November 28th from noonish to 2 pm at Bruno Racine's with Leslie-Anne Barrett
Roundtrip Paris Paris always sizzles while Normandy beckons with its stunning coastline, incredible food and artistic beauty. Monet’s Gardens and the charming harbor town of Honfleur, will inspire you the same way as they inspired the great Impressionists. For
inspiration of a different kind, witness the site of Joan of Arc’s historic martyrdom, or travel to the unforgettable beaches of Normandy where Allied forces landed during WWII’s D-Day invasion. Relive the grandeur of royalty at Château de Bizy, once referred to as “the Versailles of Normandy.” Blend a passion for the good life with culture, art, architecture and timeless landscape in Northern France. And yes - we will be visiting the Normandy Beaches for a 1/2 day tour (Canadian guests will visit the Canadian Beaches. Americans can visit the American beaches.) In fact, we’ll be in Normandy on November 11th next year! See: https://www.amawaterways.ca/agent/lushlife/destination/europe-river-cruises/2025/paris-normandy Want to join me? Cabins are starting to book already.
8. Preferred Hotels - VIP You & Alvear Palace
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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/
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See some additional detail on these preferred HOTEL PROGRAMS 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: 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
AmenitiesFor 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
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
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 . Explora Journeys - Festive Season
When You Work with Lush Life
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.
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Live a Lush Life - Travel!
Lush regards,
Sheila Gallant-Halloran
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