Live Your Lush Life - Travel! Hello, ! Welcome to this week's newsletter. From Actuary to Antarctica: Why I Plan the Way I Do From spreadsheets to safaris… and I’ve never looked back. I’m Sheila Gallant-Halloran, founder of Lush
Life Travel. Before I started designing once-in-a-lifetime adventures for my clients, I worked as an actuary—calculating mortality rates and managing financial risk. In 2006, I had a moment of clarity.
I didn’t want to spend my life forecasting loss.
I wanted to help people focus on what makes life rich. So I swapped spreadsheets for ship decks and founded a boutique travel business focused on high-touch, high-value journeys. My goal? To help
busy professionals and well-traveled couples make the most of their most precious resource: time. I used to calculate risk.
Now, I help my clients take them—in the best way possible.
Just in the past year, I’ve:❄️ Journeyed to Antarctica aboard Lindblad Endurance 🧊 Sailed the luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot from Quebec to St. Pierre & Miquelon 🌴 Explored
Tahiti with Windstar 🌊 Cruised from Istanbul to Athens with Explora Journeys 🎼 Sailed the Danube with AMA Waterways, Scenic, Uniworld, Viking, and Avalon 🎨 Cruised the Seine with AMA 🚢 And personally inspected 16 river ships at the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Vienna
I do all of this because I believe luxury travel isn’t powered by algorithms—it’s powered by
relationships. It’s powered by deep product knowledge, personal experience, and strong connections with cruise lines and ground partners around the world. When something doesn’t go to plan (and let’s face it, travel always has surprises), I don’t leave you on hold with a call centre. I work behind the scenes to make it right. At Lush Life Travel, this is what it looks like when you trade return on investment for return on
life. ✨ Let’s plan your next unforgettable escape. — 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 the Moselle River Deserves a Spot on Your Travel ListWhen people think of river cruising in Europe, the Danube and the Rhine often come to mind first—and for good reason. But if you’re looking for something a
little more off the beaten path, a little more storybook, and a lot more charming, let me introduce you to one of my favorite hidden gems: ✨ The Moselle River. Tucked between France, Luxembourg, and Germany, the Moselle is a winding ribbon of
serenity—where half-timbered villages cling to vineyard-covered hillsides, and castles seem to appear around every bend. It’s quieter than the Rhine. Slower than the Danube. And that’s exactly what makes it so special. 2. Adventure Travel 🚢 What Exactly Is Expedition Cruising—And Is It Just for Hardcore Adventurers?When you hear the word “expedition”, do you picture rugged explorers with ice axes, scaling mountain peaks and eating freeze-dried meals? You’re not alone. The word can sound a bit intimidating. But here’s the
truth:
Expedition cruising isn’t about being extreme. It’s about being curious. Yes, these journeys take you to places big ships can’t go—like Antarctica, the
Galápagos, South Georgia, or the fjords of Greenland. Yes, you’ll likely hop into a Zodiac and maybe pull on a pair of boots. But do you need to ride like you’re in the Tour de France or be able to summit Kilimanjaro? Absolutely not. If you can:
✔️ Step in and out of a bathtub
✔️ Walk about a mile (sometimes on uneven ground)
✔️ Manage a wet landing (with expedition guides' assistance) from a small boat or climb a few stairs …you’re in great shape for an expedition cruise. 3. 🌿Wellness Travel: Because You Deserve to Come Home Feeling BetterWhen was the last time you came home from a trip feeling deeply rested? Not just with a phone full of photos—but with a clearer mind, a lighter body, and a sense
that you truly paused? That’s the power of wellness travel—and it’s becoming one of the most meaningful ways to explore the world. Clients are increasingly asking me for
experiences that don’t just tick off the must-sees, but build in time to reset. And whether it's a luxury spa escape, a wellness river cruise, or a custom itinerary with rest and reflection woven in, my job is to help you feel well before, during, and after your journey. Recently, Condé Nast Traveler spotlighted one of my favorite wellness trends 4. Come Travel with Me Corner 🌟 Travel With Sheila: Paris & Normandy Seine River
📅 Cruise Dates: November 8–15, 2025 👉👉👉 One cabin has become available on my hosted Paris-to-Normandy river cruise this fall—perfect for art lovers, history buffs, and anyone dreaming of a boutique journey through northern France.
After this, the ship is completely sold out.
🔹 Category A
– Double Occupancy - one cabin
💰 $7,822 CAD per person (before my group discount, and cruise booking and management fees)
🛏️ Premium location on the ship
⏳ Held until Thursday, July 31, 2025
📝 Pricing excludes air, cruise booking fee, pre- & post-cruise hotel, gratuities, and insurance.
✨ If you’ve been dreaming of sailing through France with expert guidance and a small group of like-minded travelers—this is your sign.
Let’s make it happen.
📩 Contact me today to grab these final spots!
🌟 Travel With Sheila: Secrets of Egypt & the Nile
📅 Nile Cruise Dates: November 21–28, 2026 with pre (Nov.18-21) & post (Nov.28-29) at Ritz
Carlton Cairo
🚢 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 -
I have one category CA left. Let me know if you'd like to go! (One other suite may also remain.) Pricing - $12,134.00 CAD per person (before my group discount, and cruise booking and management fees_. This includes pre and post listed. (Excludes intra air and international air.) 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. 🌟 Travel With Sheila: Quebec & Newfoundland Adventure
📅 Montreal to Montreal -Fri Sep 25, 2026 - Fri Oct 9, 2026
📆 Itinerary & Details -
check back next week for details ✨ 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.
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! Suite Retreats & Ultraluxe Behind every seamless, luxurious trip is someone who knows how to make it happen. Your Virtuoso advisor specializes in tailoring every detail, whether it’s arranging a chef and personal trainer for a vacation in the Caribbean or scheduling a fashion consultant for a shopping spree in Paris. They’re the ones who know
which suite to book, when to fly, and where to dine. Your next great journey starts here.
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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: Fogo Island Inn Fogo Island Inn sits on an island, off an island (Newfoundland), at one of the four corners of the earth. Situated along Iceberg Alley, all 29 rooms feature floor-to-ceiling views of the North Atlantic Ocean. This is where locality is expressed when nature and culture come together through food, adventure, and community. The island has seven seasons, and its still-wild world has caribou to track,
hills of berries to forage, nature trails to explore, and countless birds and marine species to behold. This award-winning inn is operated as a social business, and 100 percent of the operating surpluses are reinvested in the community. Virtuoso travelers receive: For 2025: - Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant and via in-room dining (already included in property rates)
- A locally crafted seasonal amenity, custom chosen for each client. Valued at a minimum of $100.
- Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to
availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
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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: Dubrovnik SMALL OCEAN CRUISE Partner of the week: Seabourn - sail
into savings RIVER CRUISE Partner of the week: AMA Waterways -Christmas in July EXPEDITION CRUISE Partner of the week: HX (formerly Hurtigruten)
Anniversary Sale >35% off Antarctica, Galapagos, Svalbard & more TOUR PARTNER of the Week: Context Travel -visit Auschwitz-Birkenau HOTEL of the week:
Conrad Tulum LUXURY experience of the week: Belmond Royal Scotsman Train -Grand Tour of Scotland 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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