⚾ Leaving It All on the Field — and in Life (and Travel)

That 11th-inning Game 7 heartbreak still feels raw. The Blue Jays fought right to the end — and though the result wasn’t what any of us wanted, their spirit united a country.

Across Canada, we wore our Blue Jays hoodies, clutched our Tim Hortons coffee cups, and cheered with everything we had. From Home Hardware ads to packed sports bars, there was a sense of togetherness we’ve been craving.

And even now — in the silence that follows — there’s something powerful to take from it all.

Remember when Vladdy told his teammates to breathe in and out? That calm in the chaos. Then they gave everything they had.

That’s not just baseball. That’s life. And it’s travel too.

Because travel is about doing what the Jays did — pushing beyond what’s comfortable, daring to dream big, and leaving it all on the field.

So here’s your nudge:
💙 If you’ve ever thought about Antarctica, why not make this your year?
You don’t have to be an elite athlete — only 1% of the world ever goes, and if you can get into a bathtub, you can get into a zodiac. If you can walk a 20-minute mile, you can walk on Antarctic ice.

💙 Or maybe it’s time to finally plan that Australia or New Zealand journey you’ve been putting off — your own bucket-list “World Series” trip.

💙 Maybe you’re dreaming of a river cruise on the Magdalena in Colombia or drifting down the Chobe River in Africa, surrounded by elephants and birdsong.

💙 Or maybe it’s Monaco with Explora, watching the F1 from your balcony — living that moment of pure exhilaration.

The Jays reminded us that playing small doesn’t change the outcome — giving your all does.

So why wait? Push yourself out of your comfort zone. Book the trip. Live the dream. Because the clock is always ticking, and the world is waiting.

Let’s honour the Jays’ spirit — by leaving it all on the field, and living it all on the map. ❤️⚾✈️

👉 Ready to plan your own big-league adventure? Reply to this email — let’s make your bucket-list trip happen.

📩 Let’s Start Planning Your Bucket List Journey:

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Sheila Gallant-Halloran | www.lushlife.ca | ✉️ sheila@lushlife.ca

🌍 This Week’s 4 Travel Corners

Each 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 - Falling in Love with Budapest — By Land and by River

There are some cities that seem made for river cruising — and Budapest is one of them.

It’s where East meets West, where grand architecture hugs the curves of the Danube, and where every view feels like a painting come to life. I’ve filmed a few reels from my time there — standing at the base of the Chain Bridge, wandering Fisherman’s Bastion, and watching the Parliament glow against the night sky — but even those moments barely capture the magic.

By day, Budapest dazzles in gold and stone — Parliament’s Gothic spires, Buda Castle perched high above, trams clattering along the riverbank.
 

By night, it transforms. The bridges shimmer, lights reflect off the water, and if you’re lucky enough to be on a river cruise, your ship will glide past it all like a dream. It’s one of those moments that makes guests gasp — and often fall in love with river cruising for good.

Whether you explore it on a pre- or post-cruise stay, soak in the Széchenyi thermal baths, or listen to a violinist serenade you at dinner, Budapest is more than a stop — it’s an experience.

So next time you’re thinking about Europe, picture yourself sipping Tokaji wine on deck as the city’s lights dance on the Danube.
 

Because some places you visit — but Budapest, you feel. ❤️

2. Adventure Travel -  🌊 Expedition Cruising Myth #4 — “It’s Too Educational.”

This week, I’m tackling the latest in my Expedition Cruising Myths series — and it’s one I hear more often than you might think:

📚 Myth #4: “It’s Too Educational.”
Truth: Expedition cruising isn’t about sitting through lectures — it’s about learning through wonder.

Picture this: one morning, you hear a glaciologist explain how ice forms and shifts. That afternoon, you’re kayaking past those same icebergs, penguins bobbing nearby, your breath catching at the stillness of it all.

Yes, you might learn a few fascinating facts — but it’s not about memorizing. 

It’s about feeling the planet. These journeys connect you to nature, science, and yourself in ways no textbook ever could. There’s also yoga on deck, fine dining, wellness spaces, and time to simply watch the world unfold around you. Because true luxury isn’t just indulgence — it’s curiosity balanced with calm.

And in case you missed the earlier myths in the series, here’s a quick look back:

🌊 Myth #1: “It’s Too Adventurous.”
Think adventure with amenities — not roughing it. You can sip champagne while watching icebergs drift by.

🧊 Myth #2: “It’s Too Dangerous.”
Modern expedition ships are marvels of safety and technology — often stronger and more stable than traditional cruise ships.

🦭 Myth #3: “It’s Too Rugged.”
From Ponant’s French elegance to Lindblad’s cozy luxury, these journeys redefine exploration — no compromise required.

Expedition cruising is not about being extreme. It’s about embracing the extraordinary.

If you’ve ever dreamed of standing on Antarctic ice, exploring the Galápagos, or venturing deep into the Arctic fjords, this is your sign. You don’t need to be a scientist or an athlete — you just need curiosity and a sense of wonder.

👉 Let’s find your perfect expedition — with Lindblad, Ponant, or another leader in luxury adventure travel.
Because the best journeys don’t just show you the world — they change how you see it. ❤️

#ExpeditionCruising #AdventureLuxury #LindbladExpeditions #Ponant #VirtuosoCruiseIcon #LuxuryTravel #ReturnOnLife #LiveYourLushLife

Myth #3 - "Expedition Cruising Is Too Rugged" | Busting the Myths of Expedition Travel

Myth #2 - "Expedition Cruising Is Too Dangerous" | Busting the Myths of Expedition Travel

Myth #1 About Expedition Cruising: “Isn’t It Too Adventurous?”

🚢✨ Expedition Cruising Myths — Busted!

If an expedition cruise has been on your list — from the Arctic to Antarctica — now’s the perfect time to reserve it.

#ExpeditionCruising #VirtuosoCruiseIcon #AdventureLuxury #ReturnOnLife #LiveYourLushLife

3. Wellness Corner - Time Change, Blue Jays Blues… and a Shot of Life for November

Between the clocks falling back, flu shots, and a Blue Jays heartbreak, it’s easy to feel the November lull. Here’s how to take care of yourself — and give the month a little Return on Life boost.

🕰️ Wellness Corner: Adjusting to the Time (and the Times)

This weekend, most of us in Ontario turned our clocks back one hour — officially shifting from Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) to Eastern Standard Time (EST).

It’s a small change on paper, but that single hour can feel surprisingly big. Shorter days, earlier sunsets, and that subtle pull toward slowing down can affect everything from our sleep to our mood.

We also did our part for wellness and got our double flu and COVID shots at a walk-in clinic — and they threw me for a loop for a full day. Nursing that with a Blue Jays hangover was rough! But even through the aches and disappointment, I’m so thankful for how the Jays bring us together and always rally — save for one November heartbreak last night. 💔

If you’re feeling a little off this week too, give yourself permission to rest. Linger over your morning coffee. Step outside to catch the daylight. Wrap up in a blanket and watch something cozy.

I’ll be honest — I don’t love November. It’s that in-between season when the light fades and routines shift. But maybe that’s exactly why it’s so important to slow down, listen to your body, and take care of yourself.

Because even when the clocks turn back, taking care of yourself keeps you moving forward. ❤️

And if you’re craving a little more sunshine (or a shot of life to break through the November doldrums), maybe it’s time to plan your next trip. I know I will be. ☀️✈️

👉 Let’s plan your next escape together — just reply to this email and tell me where you’d love to go next.

#ReturnOnLife #LiveYourLushLife #WellnessTravel #VirtuosoCruiseIcon

4.  🌟 Travel With Me: A Journey Home to Newfoundland — Fall 2026

Let’s reserve your suite and create unforgettable memories together. 

✨ Four Directions of Travel Inspiration

Each 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.   Spotlight: Crossing Continents with Lindblad Expeditions 

Subscribe to my youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@SheilaGallantHalloran

📩 Let’s Start Planning Your Bucket List Journey:

🔹 Pre-Consultation Survey:

🔹 Schedule a Consult

Sheila Gallant-Halloran | www.lushlife.ca | ✉️ sheila@lushlife.ca

Additional info: exclusive perks 

VIP’ing You at My Preferred Hotel Programs and 

💡 Still Wondering Why Book with an Advisor?

This week, we feature:  Aria Budapest

An Experience Inspired by Music

The Aria Hotel Budapest by Library Hotel Collection is a luxury boutique hotel with an exquisite design inspired by music. To compliment the musical concept, master designer Zoltan Varro's vision was to simultaneously recreate the rich, lavish atmosphere of a historic Hungarian palace while also embracing visitors in the warmth and comfort of a private residence. Aria Hotel Budapest has been awarded as the #1 Hotel in the World by TripAdvisor 2017 Travelers' Choice Awards and #1 Hotel in Central Europe by Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards in 2018.

Rooms

Each of the 49 guestrooms and suites feature a jazz, contemporary, opera or classical music theme through décor and sound. All rooms and suites feature caricatures by internationally acclaimed artist Joseph Blecha to celebrate the world's greatest musical legends such as Maria Callas or Hungary’s own Franz Liszt.

Virtuoso Amenities

https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sheilagallanthalloran/hotels/15444650/aria-hotel-budapest-by-library-hotel-collection 

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: Cunard

RIVER CRUISE Partner of the week: Tauck

EXPEDITION CRUISE Partner of the week: A&K

TOUR PARTNER of the Week: Roam by Tauck
HOTEL of the week: Four Seasons Budapest
LUXURY experience of the week: Regent Seven Seas

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

📩 Let’s Start Planning Your Bucket List Journey:

🔹 Pre-Consultation Survey:

🔹 Schedule a Consult

Sheila Gallant-Halloran | www.lushlife.ca | ✉️ sheila@lushlife.ca