1. 🍽️The Culinary Compass: Travel That Tastes as Good as It Feels

🍽️ The Culinary Compass: Travel That Tastes as Good as It Feels

For many, travel is as much about the palate as it is about the passport stamp. From private cooking classes and after-hours immersions to Michelin-worthy shipboard meals, today’s culinary journeys nourish body, mind, and soul. Here’s how you can make your next adventure truly delicious.

🌊 Silversea: Global Flavors, Private Experiences

Silversea leads the way with small-group, private cooking and tasting experiences that go beyond the plate. Try their Cape Town–to–Accra sailing, with a private contemporary South African cooking class and wine tasting (virtuoso.com). Or, sail Bridgetown to Nice, stopping for a private Bajan cooking lesson in Barbados (virtuoso.com). On their Buenos Aires to Valparaíso voyage, embark on a market tour that ends in a chef-hosted lunch at a local home (virtuoso.com). This is travel with flavor—and authenticity—in every itinerary. Other ideas:

• https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sheilagallanthalloran/travel/luxury-cruises/sailings/16684042/southampton-to-lisbon-21oct2025-02nov2025 

• https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sheilagallanthalloran/travel/luxury-cruises/sailings/16895563/civitavecchia-rome-to-barcelona-23feb2026-05mar2026 

• https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sheilagallanthalloran/travel/luxury-cruises/sailings/16897478/lisbon-to-lisbon-24mar2026-05apr2026 

• https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sheilagallanthalloran/travel/luxury-cruises/sailings/16897485/lisbon-to-southampton-15may2026-27may2026

🚢 Oceania Cruises: Private Sale & Culinary Excellence

This month, Lush Life and Direct Travel have an exclusive Oceania Cruises private sale—not shared on social media. (See section 4. below.)

Oceania is famed for “The Finest Cuisine at Sea,” offering menus curated by legends like Jacques Pépin and its Michelin-starred Culinary Advisory Board . 

With this private sale, you can savor lighter, wellness-forward dishes, take cooking classes at sea, and indulge in beautifully balanced cuisine without compromise.

⚓ Windstar Cruises: Partnership with James Beard

Windstar brings land-and-sea culinary artistry to your table—through their partnership with the renowned James Beard Foundation. 

Expect onboard cooking demos, tastings, and chef’s tables featuring fresh, local ingredients that honor the regions you sail through. It’s boutique cruise luxury with a gourmet edge.

See Windstar details in section 8 below.

🚢 AMA Waterways: River Cruises with a Culinary Twist

If you're traveling with the Secrets of Egypt & the Nile (Nov 21–28, 2026) or Paris-to-Normandy cruise this fall, you already enjoy culinary perks with AMA:

Château-style dining with locally-sourced ingredients

Soirée Chef’s Table events paired with wine

And opportunities to earn the prestigious Chaîne des Rôtisseurs designation for excellence.

See section 2,3, and 8 below for details.

🎯 Takeaway: Travel Healthy… Deliciously

Culinary travel is wellness travel too. It’s mindful eating, cultural immersion, new learning—and the joy of a really good meal in an extraordinary place.

Whether it’s Silversea’s boutique cooking classes, Oceania’s private culinary sale, Windstar’s James Beard experiences, or curated food-focused river cruises with AMA—there’s a journey that feeds your curiosity, your taste buds, and your sense of well-being.

Want help selecting the perfect food-focused itinerary?

Warmly,
Sheila Gallant-Halloran
Virtuoso Cruise Icon | Culinary Travel Expert
sheila@lushlife.ca | lushlife.ca

Note: This private sale is exclusive to my newsletter and subscribers—bookings must be finalized in June 2025. Talk soon! 

Virtuoso Cruise Icon | River & Small Ship Cruise Specialist
www.lushlife.ca

2. River Cruise Corner - 🚢 River Cruising Revealed: From Paris to Practical Tips (Part 3)

🚨 Just Extended – Only 3 Cabins Left! 🚨
I pulled some strings and got us a little more time—but this is truly the final call!

👉👉👉 Only 3 cabins remain 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 these, the ship is completely sold out.

Here’s what’s still available (but not for long!):

🔹 Category B1 – Solo Occupancy - one cabin
💰 $7,390 CAD per person
🛏️ Rare solo-occupancy stateroom
⏳ Held until Monday, June 9, 2025
➡️ Just released as someone upgraded

🔹 Category B – Double Occupancy - one cabin
💰 $7,390 CAD per person
🛏️ Ideal for two guests
⏳ Held until Wednesday, June 11, 2025
➡️ Also released due to client upgrade

🔹 Category A – Double Occupancy - one cabin
💰 $7,522 CAD per person
🛏️ Premium location on the ship
⏳ Held until Wednesday, June 11, 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 one of these final spots!

Missed the boat on my last newsletter? Don’t worry—we’re still sailing strong on the River Cruising Revealed series. 

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing highlights from my River Cruising Revealed series—a deep dive into everything you really need to know before booking a river cruise. We’ve busted myths, decoded itineraries, and matched traveler types to rivers across Europe and beyond.

Now in Part 3, I’m wrapping up the series with the final round of insights from our popular Facebook event, plus an exciting update:

Stay tuned as we explore:
• What’s really included on a river cruise (you’ll be surprised)
• Why river cruising is ideal for solo travelers
• The wellness perks you didn’t know were onboard
• And more myth-busting, travel tips, and real client questions

Want to see more? Check out these recent YouTube shorts from the event:

🎥 Why River Cruising is Effortless
🎥 Let Luxury Care for You 
🎥 Think It’s Just for Retirees? Think Again

🎥 Which river cruise is your perfect match? Let's find your flow.

🎥A baby dragon opens its eyes… and finds itself sailing past the glowing Parliament in Budapest

🎥 One Place I HAVE to Go Every Time in Vienna

👉Catch up on the full event here:
 River Cruising Revealed: Insider Access Facebook Event

💬 Still have questions? Just reply to this email or book a call. I’d love to help match you to the right ship, itinerary, and experience.

Because river cruising isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s personal—just like great travel should be.

Ready to cruise smarter—not harder?

Let’s dive in.
#RiverCruisingRevealed #VirtuosoCruiseIcon #LuxuryTravelAdvisor #UnpackOnceRelaxAlways #AskSheila #ParisToNormandy

Warmly,
Sheila Gallant-Halloran
Virtuoso Cruise Icon | River & Expedition Cruise Specialist
www.lushlife.ca

3.Adventure Travel Corner- Travel with Sheila: Ready to Unlock the Secrets of Egypt? Travel With Sheila in 2026! 🏺🌍

✨ Journey Back in Time Along the Nile – Now Departing November 21, 2026

I’m excited to share that my hosted journey to Egypt is confirmed—new dates, limited space, and even better perks!

🌟 Travel With Sheila: Secrets of Egypt & the Nile
📅 New Dates: November 21–28, 2026
🚢 Aboard the elegant AmaDahlia
📍 7-night Nile cruise (Luxor to Luxor) + 4 nights in Cairo at the Nile Ritz-Carlton

This luxurious 11-night land and river journey includes bucket-list sites like the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, Temple of Karnak, Valley of the Kings, and even a private lunch at the Abdeen Presidential Palace—all guided by a professional Egyptologist.

🛬 Complimentary Airfare
This sailing includes roundtrip economy airfare, but you can also choose to upgrade to business class for added comfort.

📆 Itinerary & Details
View the full day-by-day itinerary here:
🔗 Secrets of Egypt & the Nile – 2026 Itinerary

🚨 Availability Alert
I’m currently holding just a few Category CA cabins (French balcony) this week—these will go fast. Once gone, there’s no guarantee I can secure more at the group rate.

💸 Sample Pricing (Per Person, Double Occupancy):
• Category CA: C$12,134
• Intra-Egypt Air: C$699
(Solo traveler options available)

✨ Group Inclusions
• 7-night cruise aboard AmaDahlia
• 4 nights luxury hotel stay in Cairo
• Private Egyptologist throughout
• Airport transfers when traveling with the group
• Complimentary roundtrip economy airfare (or optional upgrade)
• Hosted extras from Lush Life Travel

🧳 Optional Add-Ons & Extensions

Want to extend the adventure or enhance your experience? Here are some exciting options to customize your journey:

🏛️ Abu Simbel Excursion 

Fly to southern Egypt for a guided tour of the magnificent twin temples of Abu Simbel, carved into the cliffs by Ramses II. A breathtaking add-on that many say is a highlight of their entire trip.

🍰 High Tea at the Old Cataract Hotel – 

Step back in time with an indulgent high tea at Aswan’s iconic Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel, famously frequented by Agatha Christie. A refined and elegant optional afternoon.

🌍 4-Night Jordan Pre-Cruise Extension – 

Includes guided visits to Petra, Wadi Rum, and Amman with upscale accommodations and transfers. Perfect for adventurers and history lovers alike.

🏙️ 3-Night Dubai Pre- or Post-Cruise Extension – 

Add a luxurious stopover in Dubai—explore futuristic skyscrapers, vibrant souks, desert dunes, and more.

Let me know if you'd like a visual version of this for your marketing materials or newsletter layout.

📩 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.

4. Wellness Travel Corner-🚨 Exclusive Private Sale – Oceania Cruises

(This offer is not shared on social media)

I’m excited to bring you a Private Sale from Oceania Cruises—available exclusively through Lush Life Travel and Direct Travel this month only. This offer isn’t open to the public, so I’m sharing it here first:

Once a year, we hold an exclusive Private Sale with Oceania Cruises. Quite often a promotion is limited to a handful of sailings - but our Private Sale is your opportunity to save on any Oceania itinerary currently available, with a rare exception. 

✨ Through June 30, 2025

• Save up to US $1,900 per stateroom
• Reduced deposit: only CA $325 per person
• US $250 shipboard credit

Plus on select sailings, you can also take advantage of one or more of these additional offers:

• Canadian dollars at par, 
• a free beverage package, and 
• up to US $500 shipboard credit on select sailings 

Don’t miss out on this once-a-year opportunity.

Don't delay—our Exclusive Private Sale ends June 30, and Oceania’s prices increase on July 1, 2025. Ask Sheila for all the details and applicable sailings.
 

Your World Included™ 

With Oceania Cruises' new Your World Included™ brand promise, you’ll receive af free rich selection of always included amenities for the ultimate value in ultra-premium cruising. Along with their signature personalized service, you’ll enjoy a value-packed experience with no nickel and diming. A value of up to US $300 Per Day!

Always Free:

- Gourmet Specialty Restaurants

- Unlimited Starlink^® WiFi

- Shipboard Gratuities

- In-Suite and In-Stateroom Dining

- Sodas, Specialty Coffees & Teas

- Still and sparkling Vero Water^®

- Juices, Smoothies & Gourmet Ice Cream

- Group Fitness Classes

- Laundry Services

Let your passion be reignited as you explore the world with Oceania Cruises. 

🍽️ Culinary Excellence + Wellness at Sea

Oceania is renowned for "The Finest Cuisine at Sea," with menus crafted by Chef Jacques Pépin and a Culinary Advisory Board featuring Michelin talent.

For wellness-focused travelers, this is a delicious way to indulge mindfully:

Enjoy lighter, plant-forward culinary classes inspired by the Mediterranean

Savor fresh-ingredient menus in specialty restaurants included in your cruise fare

If you’re looking to treat yourself while caring for your well-being—this is the luxury escape that truly nourishes body and soul.

📩 How to Book

This private offer won’t be published online—it’s exclusive to our newsletters and direct clients only. Interested? Let’s talk soon to secure your sailing at these rates before they vanish June 30.

Warmly,
Sheila
Lush Life Travel | Virtuoso Cruise Icon
📞 [Phone Number] | ✉️ sheila@lushlife.ca | 🌐 www.lushlife.ca

5.  Lush Life Voices: Why Your Feedback Matters
✍️ Client Testimonial Spotlight – May 2025

Each week in this space, we spotlight one of the incredible travelers who entrusted Lush Life with their journey—and share their experience in their own words.

This week’s featured review comes from A, who recently returned from a spring getaway planned with care:

“Great trip. Always very responsive and proactive. Easy and pleasant to work with!”
– A, returned May 8, 2025

💬 These verified client testimonials mean the world to us—not just as kind words, but as a reflection of the care, customization, and connection we put into every trip we design.

✨ At Lush Life Travel, we believe luxury is what you don’t have to worry about. That means anticipating questions before they arise, supporting you throughout your travels, and following up to ensure everything went smoothly.

If you’ve traveled with us recently and haven’t yet shared your experience, we’d love to hear from you. Your stories help guide future travelers and keep us focused on delivering travel that feels effortless and unforgettable.

📣 Read more verified reviews here.

Where will your Lush Life take you next?

8.  Special Offers from Lush Life Travel, a Direct Travel affiliate & top Virtuoso partner

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: Australia

SMALL OCEAN CRUISE Partner of the week: Windstar

RIVER CRUISE Partner of the week: AMAWaterways

EXPEDITION CRUISE Partner of the week: Hurtigruten

TOUR PARTNER of the Week: Micato Safaris

HOTEL of the week: SLS Baha Mar

LUXURY experience of the week: Luxury at the End of the World with Atlas

I have some offers and information on all these weekly partners. Click the button to see more.