Live Your Lush Life - Travel! Hello, ! Welcome to this week's newsletter. ❄️ Antarctica Surprised Me I went to Antarctica to see it. To witness the white. The wildlife. The wonder of reaching the end of the earth. But what I didn’t expect… was how it would make me
feel. In November 2024, I traveled to the White Continent with Lindblad Expeditions. I was prepared for the penguins (who absolutely stole my heart), the towering glaciers, and the thrill of riding Zodiacs through an alien landscape of ice. But I wasn’t prepared for the stillness. Or the silence. Or the way it quieted something inside me.
🧭 What Antarctica Really Gives YouYes, there was Wi-Fi onboard. Yes, I FaceTimed our daughters to show
them penguins waddling across the ice. But I didn’t take calls. I didn’t join meetings. And—I didn’t want to. One evening, I stood on deck in the soft Antarctic light and realized something rare was happening: I wasn’t thinking about anything. Not my to-do list. Not my inbox. Not even my next trip. Just… presence. Antarctica gives you that. Not just scenery, but space. Not just a trip, but a
reset.
🐧 The Kind of Luxury You Can’t Measure in Thread CountI often say luxury isn’t about gold taps or white gloves—it’s about what you don’t have to worry about. And on an expedition cruise like this, luxury means access. It means safety, silence, wonder, and the freedom to truly disconnect. Expedition travel isn’t for everyone. But if Antarctica is on your list—whether for a milestone birthday, a retirement celebration, or simply a deep
personal calling—I’m here to help. I’ve been. I’ve felt it. And I can help you choose the right ship, season, and sailing to make your once-in-a-lifetime moment unforgettable.
🦚 Antarctica reminded me why meaningful travel matters. And why sometimes, the greatest luxury is feeling small—in the best possible way. Warmly,
Sheila
Virtuoso Cruise Icon | Lush Life Travel | Expedition Cruise
Specialist
#LiveYourLushLife #AntarcticaTravel #ExpeditionCruising #VirtuosoCruiseIcon #MeaningfulTravel 👉 Curious about Lindblad, Ponant, Silversea, or Hurtigruten expeditions? Want to know how to prep, what gear you need, or what it’s really like to kayak past a glacier? Just reply to this email—or book a call. Let’s talk Antarctica.
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🌍 This Week’s 4 Travel CornersEach week, we bring you insights from four inspiring corners of the travel world—designed to spark ideas, fuel your wanderlust, and keep you in the loop on what’s possible next: River Cruise Corner – Explore the best of river cruising with itinerary highlights, ship spotlights, and insider tips. Adventure Travel Corner
– From safaris to polar expeditions, get inspired by journeys that push the boundaries of exploration. Wellness Travel Corner – Discover retreats, resorts, and experiences that help you relax, recharge, and reconnect. Come Travel With Me Corner – Join one of my upcoming hosted group trips and experience the world with fellow curious, like-minded travelers—crafted and guided by me. Where will your next
corner of the world be? Let’s find out together. 1. River Cruise Corner - 🛳 What’s New in River Cruising? More Meaning, More Fun, More You River cruising has always been about gliding through postcard scenery without a care in the world. But
lately? It’s about so much more. Today’s river cruises are getting personal. Whether you’re craving a wellness escape, a wine-fueled adventure, or a bucket-list moment with deep emotional resonance—there’s a river cruise for that. And I’m here to help you find your perfect fit. Here’s what’s new (and why it matters to you): 🎶 Music, Beer & Memory-Making🍽 Culinary Cruises That Go Beyond the Buffet📚 Travel with Authors, Historians & Storytellers🧘♀️ Wellness, Movement & Mindful Travel Sign up for more info https://forms.gle/7tiGgFy6kvhxD9ZF6 2. Adventure Travel Corner: 🍽️ A dinner worthy of legends… Shackleton would’ve approved.One unforgettable night aboard the National Geographic Endurance: Bill and I sat down to a six-course feast at Charlie’s Table, tucked inside C. Green’s—named after Shackleton’s
expedition cook. 👨🍳❄️ This wasn’t just any meal. It was a culinary tribute to the farewell dinner served before the 1914 Antarctic expedition. Storytelling, history, and modern flair—all served in courses that honoured a journey into the unknown. A toast to adventure, resilience, and the joy of sharing moments like this together. 🥂 3. 💆♀️ Wellness Travel Corner: 😴 Travel Better, Sleep Better: Time to Rest (for Real)Good sleep is transformative—and yes, I do mean truly restorative, deep rest. And one Virtuoso-recommended retreat is designed
specifically around that goal:
🌿 Highlighted Retreat: Ananda in the Himalayas🛏 Broader Sleep & Restoration Trends in Wellness Travel🧘 Mind-Body Workshops🏞 Activity with Intention🌙 Why It Matters 🦚 Ready to sleep better? Let’s craft your restorative reset. 4. Come Travel with Me Corner -✨Along the Nile 🌟 Travel With Sheila: Secrets of Egypt & the Nile
📅 Nile Cruise Dates: November 21–28,
2026
🚢 Aboard the elegant AmaDahlia
📍 7-night Nile cruise (Luxor to Luxor) + 4 nights in Cairo Nile Ritz-Carlton 🛬
Complimentary Airfare - This sailing includes roundtrip economy airfare, but you can also choose to upgrade to business class. (Promo can disappear at any time.) 📆 Itinerary & Details - View the full day-by-day itinerary here:
🔗 Secrets of Egypt & the Nile – 2026 Itinerary 🚨 Availability Alert - I’m currently holding two Category CA cabins (French balcony) for a couple of days. If you miss this opportunity, the only chance to join later would be if someone else cancels. 💸 Sample Pricing (Per Person, Double Occupancy): Category CA: C$12,134 plus Intra-Egypt Air: C$699 . (Solo
traveler options available) 📩 Let’s Make It Happen - This journey is one for the history books—and I’d love for you to be part of it. Ready to reserve? Let’s chat today to hold your cabin. ✨ Four Directions of Travel InspirationEach edition of our newsletter brings you four curated travel insights to spark your wanderlust and keep you in the know. Here’s what to expect: In the Spotlight - From client journeys to industry features, see how Lush Life Travel is creating memorable adventures—and making headlines along the way. Virtuoso Travel Inspiration –
Handpicked features from Virtuoso Life, Virtuoso Traveler, or Virtuoso Insight—ideas that transport you. Elevate Your Stay – A weekly look at standout hotels from our preferred partner network, plus the VIP perks you receive when booking with Lush Life Travel. Exclusive Offers – Special promotions and insider access available only through Lush Life Travel, a proud affiliate of Direct Travel and top Virtuoso producer. This section is your one-stop compass for ideas, upgrades, and exclusive opportunities—all designed to help you live your lushest travel life. 5. 💬 In the Spotlight - Connecting, Learning & Leading at #TMPToronto This week, I travelled to Toronto to attend the Travel Market Place Canada conference—an annual gathering of top travel professionals, innovators, and supplier partners from across the industry. It was a terrific day
of reconnection and inspiration, packed with forward-thinking conversations, fresh ideas, and face-to-face meetings with some of my most trusted partners in luxury, river, and adventure travel. 🚢 River Cruise Standouts 🌍 Expedition & Adventure Experts 🚆 Land & Rail Partners Every time I attend an event like #TMPToronto, I’m reminded why these relationships matter: they help me craft even more personalized, seamless, and unforgettable experiences for my clients. 🦚 When I say I work with the best in the business, I mean it—and I travel to stay connected with them, so you can travel better.
6. Virtuoso Travel Inspiration
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Enjoy this recent edition of Virtuoso Life, Insider's Guide, and Virtuoso Dispatch—packed with award-winning travel inspiration and insights—all complimentary from me to you. Happy exploring! Water beckons, whether navigating the 7 seas or Europe's winding rivers. Relish the freedom to explore, knowing special privileges and remarkable savings await at every turn of your journey. Connect with your Virtuoso travel advisor to elevate your adventure with exclusive benefits and other perks. See Virtuoso Escapes
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Unlock Exclusive Perks for Your Luxury Hotel Stay Did you know booking your luxury hotel stay through me unlocks exclusive perks and amenities? Here’s a sneak peek at how I can elevate your next getaway: See exclusive perks As a Virtuoso luxury advisor, I leverage top-tier programs like Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Belmond Bellini Club, Rosewood Elite, and many more to ensure
your stay is nothing short of extraordinary. See some additional detail on these preferred hotels. See VIP’ing You at My Preferred Hotel Programs While I
specialize in river and expedition cruises, as well as bespoke trips to Africa and Australia, I’m happy to book luxury hotels for my clients. Hotel-only bookings are subject to my professional fees, outlined here: Fee Schedule. 💻 For Last-Minute Stays
If you’re planning a quick trip and don’t need VIP services or concierge add-ons, you can self-book luxury properties through my Virtuoso website: Browse & Book Hotels Online. Self-booking waives my fees, but if
additional support or VIP services are required later, standard fees will apply. 💡 Still Wondering Why Book with an
Advisor? This week, we feature: The Reykjavik EDITION The first true global luxury lifestyle hotel brand, EDITION is an unexpected and refreshing collection of individualized, customized, one-of-a-kind hotels. Showcasing the best of dining and entertainment, services and amenities, each EDITION property is completely unique, designed to give guests a curated taste of the locale. Conceived by Ian Schrager in a partnership with Marriott International, EDITION
combines the personal, intimate, individualized experience that Ian Schrager is known for with the global reach, operational expertise and scale of Marriott. The Reykjavik EDITION brings the first 5-star modern luxury experience to one of the world’s most sustainable capitals. Located in the historical, scenic heart of downtown Reykjavik by Old
Harbor port, the hotel is a 45-minute car ride from the airport and just steps away from the Laugavegur Street, the city’s vibrant shopping district, and the Harpa Concert and Conference Center. The hotel is the perfect jumping off point for exploring the wonders of the region, with the renowned Blue Lagoon within driving distance and the Northern Lights visible in the city during the winter solstice. The hotel boasts a variety of distinctive food, beverage and entertainment outlets including alfresco dining to enjoy the panoramic views of the waterfront and the city. The Reykjavik EDITION’s sophisticated bedrooms and suites offer spectacular views of the harbor, Mt. Esja and the legendary Snæfellsjökull glacier. A destination within a destination, the hotel will match the city’s fun-loving reputation with lively spaces to socialize, work and relax, all under one roof. See more, including VIrtuoso perks I can negotiate on your behalf: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sheilagallanthalloran/hotels/16251472/the-reykjavik-edition
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8. Exclusive Offers As the owner of Lush Life Travel, a boutique travel agency affiliated with Direct Travel, I’m delighted
to bring you access to exclusive offers through Direct Travel’s status as one of the largest Virtuoso luxury travel network partners. Here are some fantastic opportunities from a few of our favorite travel supplier partners: DESTINATION of the week: Mongolia SMALL OCEAN CRUISE Partner of the week: Silversea RIVER CRUISE Partner of the week: Avalon Waterways EXPEDITION CRUISE Partner of the week: Ponant
Expeditions TOUR PARTNER of the Week: Duvine Cycling Bordeaux HOTEL of the week: Canyon Ranch LUXURY experience of the week: Paul Gauguin Cruises I have some offers and information on all these weekly partners. Click the button to see more.
Unlock Your Lush Life through Travel
At Lush Life Travel, you’re not just booking a trip—you’re unlocking 20 years of travel expertise paired with 20 years in financial services. My focus on detail, risk management, and a network of trusted relationships ensures your journey is seamless, unforgettable, and uniquely yours. Here’s to creating defining moments and living your lush life through travel!
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