Live Your Lush Life - Travel! Hello, ! Welcome to this week's newsletter. ✨ Paris to Normandy: A Journey Etched in MemoryLast week, I shared how our river cruise began with Parisian sparkle and Eiffel Tower magic. Read Article But as the AmaDante sailed deeper into Normandy, the journey shifted—becoming more reflective, more emotional, and even more unforgettable. In Le Havre, we explored the Saint-François Quarter and the striking modernist St. Joseph’s Church, a concrete masterpiece that rises like a
lighthouse of light. Our drive through the Porte Océane gave us sea views and the feeling of a city reborn from rubble—modern, resilient, and full of stories. See Le Havre But nothing quite prepared us for the day we followed in the footsteps of heroes. We walked the sands
of Juno Beach, where freedom has a price and remembrance lives in every grain. 🇨🇦 From Ranville War Cemetery and Pegasus Bridge to Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, we followed the arc of history—and heartbreak. We stood at the graves of two of the three Westlake brothers, Canada’s own “Saving Private Ryan” tragedy. At the Juno Beach Centre, built by a Canadian, we read names, touched stones, and left with
tears in our eyes and gratitude in our hearts. See Juno And still, Normandy had more to show us. In Rouen, we wandered half-timbered lanes, visited Joan of Arc’s execution site, and stood before the cathedral that inspired Monet. Then, after dinner onboard,
we walked back to witness something extraordinary: a nighttime light show projected onto the cathedral façade—a luminous retelling of Rouen’s history in colour, music, and magic. It was theatrical, moving, and oh-so-French. See Rouen (and light video against cathedral
below.) From castle climbs and cheese tastings to sacred sands and digital storytelling, this trip had it all. This is what river cruising can be: not just a vacation, but a tapestry of emotions, discoveries, and deeply personal moments. Let me help you find the river that speaks to your soul. 📩 When you're ready, I’m here to plan your own Lush Life journey. — Sheila
@Lush Life Travel | Virtuoso Cruise Icon
www.lushlife.ca | Virtuoso Profile
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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 - Why a Mekong River Cruise Belongs on Your Bucket ListIf you think river cruising is all about European castles and canals, it's time to set your compass toward Vietnam and the Mekong River. 🌟 Why the Mekong Is MagicUnlike ocean voyages along the coast, a Mekong cruise plunges you deep into the heart of Southeast Asia—through floating markets, stilted villages, verdant rice paddies, and diving-scooter cities quietly bustling beyond the banks. It's a sensory journey: the scents of street food, the hum of life on water, the sight of riverside temples and fisherman casting nets at sunrise. As Avalon Waterways puts it, “River cruising in Southeast Asia brings guests face to face with local traditions… transported by small vessels that reach places large ships cannot” (Avalon
Waterways). 🛳️ Which Luxury Lines Sail the Mekong?AmaWaterways – AmaDara
My top pick. Luxurious, intimate, and expertly guided—with wellness amenities, local décor, and curated apps. Explore my personalized itinerary here: [AmaWaterways Mekong Cruises] in partnership with Lush Life Travel. Viking – Viking Tonle & Viking Saigon
Scandinavian design meets Mekong spirit. These small ships carry around 80 guests, delivering cultural insight through onboard experts—and immersive shore experiences
(Viking Cruises). Avalon Waterways – Avalon Saigon & Avalon Siem
Reap
Boutique luxury, panoramic window suites, and plenty of cultural enrichment. Vessels are small—just 36 guests—designed to glide beneath low bridges and bring the river to you (Avalon Waterways,). Uniworld – Timeless elegance on the Mekong, blending colonial style with curated excursions. (Uniworld ) Tauck – Top-tier service and sightseeing, with private touring and personalized inclusions. (Tauck )
💫 The Power of Experience Over AmenitiesHere, it’s not about extravagant wine
lists—it’s about powerfully personal moments: - Dawn paddle at a floating village
- Buddhist temple blessings
- Eye-opening visits to Khmer Rouge history sites
- Intimate meals with local families
- Guided peace ceremonies at sacred sites
And when heroes of expedition—bio-ethnologists, marine experts, cultural locators—share their knowledge (often with doctorate-level credentials),
every interaction becomes a lesson and every vista a story.
📩 Ready to Explore Southeast Asia?This is no ordinary trip—it’s a life-reshaping journey along one of our planet’s most fascinating rivers. Let’s talk about your timing, travel style, and intentions. I’ll match you with the right ship, shore experiences, and accommodations. Just reply to this email or visit www.lushlife.ca
to start your Mekong adventure. 2. ✈️ Adventure Travel Redefined: From the Arctic to the Azores, Let the Wild InIf you think cruises are all about cocktails on deck and tuxedo dinners—let’s talk. Expedition cruising is reaching places most people will never dream of. Like the untouched river valleys of New Guinea, where traditional dugout canoes still drift along rainforest-shrouded banks. (You can read more about that in this Virtuoso spotlight article ). But it doesn’t stop there. Expedition cruising lets you step foot on
Antarctica, trace the edges of the Arctic tundra, or snorkel alongside sea lions in the Galápagos Islands. This is luxury with a sense of purpose—where wildlife matters more than wine lists, and every day is guided by marine biologists, glaciologists, or National Geographic-certified photo pros (often with doctorate degrees!). I’ve had the joy of experiencing expedition cruises myself—to Antarctica, the Galápagos, and closer-to-home adventures through the Canadian Maritimes, Newfoundland, and from Quebec City to St. Pierre & Miquelon. Each one left me with a deeper connection to place, people, and planet. Lindblad Expeditions is a leader in this style of travel—and they’ve just launched a rare 35% off pop-up sale exclusively for Canadian residents. The offer applies to a curated list of extraordinary sailings from
July 2025 to March 2026.
🐧Embark 🐧 Antarctica & Patagonia (16 days)Oct 12, 2025 Jan 27, 2026 Feb 10, 2026 🐧 Antarctica, South Georgia & Falklands (20 days)Oct 29, 2025
🦎 Galápagos ItinerariesGalápagos by Catamaran – NG Delfina Jan 2, 2026 Galápagos Escape – NG Islander II (5 nights) Jan 1, 10, 24, 29 | Feb 21, 26 | Mar 26 Exploring Galápagos – NG Endeavour I & Gemini (7 nights) Jan 2, 16, 23, 30 | Feb 6, 13, 20, 27 | Mar 6
🌍 Other Exotic AdventuresGreece &
Turkey – Jul 23, 2025 Croatia – Aug 23, 2025 Canary Islands – Mar 26, 2026 Channel Islands & Catalina – fall 2025 Wild Costa Rica
Escape – early 2026 Azores – spring 2026
This newsletter isn’t going on social media, as these exclusive Canadian-resident offers are part of a private pop-up sale not publicly posted online. If this kind of adventure speaks to you—or you’re simply curious about what expedition cruising might feel like—take a look at this Virtuoso guide on luxury Antarctic expeditions I was featured in, or reach out and let’s explore
what’s possible for you. 👉 Email me or visit www.lushlife.ca. These voyages tend to fill quickly—and this discount won’t last. Because the world is wide—and your next great adventure is calling. 3. 🌿Wellness Meets the Water in Europe This August…Picture yourself doing sunrise yoga on the Seine or biking through Danube vineyards—then returning to a river ship where wellness is part of every day. AmaWaterways' new Celebration of Wellness cruises are setting sail this August with special perks just announced—including triple savings or a waived solo supplement on two handpicked itineraries. ✨ Curious which sailings and what makes them so rejuvenating? 👉 Discover how these August 2025 wellness cruises could be your perfect 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 📆
Itinerary & Details - View the full day-by-day itinerary here:
🔗 Secrets of Egypt & the Nile – 2026 Itinerary 🚨 Availability Alert - only a couple of suites remain. If you miss this opportunity, the only chance to join later would be if someone else cancels. 📩 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. ✨ Advisor Spotlight: Kinda Cool! This week brought a fun surprise—my Instagram reel was featured in a brand-new virtual training hosted by ASTA (the American Society of Travel Advisors), focused entirely on expedition cruising. This was the first time
ASTA—America’s much larger counterpart to ACTA here in Canada—offered a dedicated training on expedition travel, bringing together over 500 travel advisors, mostly from across the U.S. (and yes, one or two of us proud Canadians who live and breathe expedition cruising—ahem). So, I was truly honoured when ASTA’s
Senior Vice President of Marketing featured my reel and storytelling style as an example of how advisors can bring travel to life through digital content. 🎥🐧 The reel they showcased? A peek into my Antarctica expedition—penguins, zodiacs, surreal icebergs, and all the wonder that makes expedition
cruising unforgettable. ▶️ Watch it here: Instagram Reel It’s exciting to see the industry recognizing the power of storytelling, and I’m thrilled to keep inspiring future adventures—both for clients and fellow advisors. Thinking about your own reel-worthy expedition? Let’s talk. —Sheila
📩 Let’s Start Planning Your Bucket List Journey: 🔹 Pre-Consultation Survey: 🔹 Schedule a Consult Sheila Gallant-Halloran | www.lushlife.ca | ✉️ sheila@lushlife.ca
6. Virtuoso Travel Inspiration
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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: Palacio Ludovice Wine Experience Hotel Experience
Lisbon’s history and cultural heritage while staying at the 61-room Palacio Ludovice Wine Experience Hotel. Occupying an entire block in the central Bairro Alto neighborhood — and boasting the same scenic views as the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara — this 18th-century palacete incorporates Azulejo tiles, frescoes, and other original elements in its contemporary design. Join daily wine tastings, indulge in a Vinothérapie spa ritual, and admire the courtyard’s vertical garden while dining on
reimagined Portuguese classics at Federico restaurant. re the nearby Moorish Quarter before sampling fine ports at the wine bar’s dramatic, floor-to-ceiling counter. Note the brick ceiling —a remnant of its wine cellar days. Virtuoso travelers receive:
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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: Budapest SMALL OCEAN CRUISE Partner of the week: Regent Seven
Seas RIVER CRUISE Partner of the week: Tauck River Cruises EXPEDITION CRUISE Partner of the week: Lindblad Expeditions
PopUp TOUR PARTNER of the Week: Rocky Mountaineer HOTEL of the week: Palacio Ludovice
Lisbon LUXURY experience of the week: Four Seasons Yachts 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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