Posted by David Porter on December 19, 2015 · 2 Comments
As you consider your travel plans for 2016, what is foremost on your mind? What might you call a must-have travel experience for 2016?
We were recently polled by Virtuoso®, the international network of luxury travel agencies to which we belong, and we’ve been sharing the results with you over the past few weeks.
Acknowledged as an industry trend forecaster, the resulting 2016 Virtuoso Luxe Report anticipates emerging luxury travel developments and destinations while presenting insight into the decisions of the globe’s most upscale travelers.
Top Five Must-Have Travel Experiences for 2016
2016 Virtuoso Luxe Report
Discover untouched, unique places. Exploring new destinations is this year’s chief travel motivator. Cuba is the top emerging destination, with Bhutan and Myanmar also ranking high on advisors’ lists.- Create unforgettable memories. Whether it is a multigenerational safari in Africa, as traveling with extended family is this year’s top trend, or celebrating a milestone (also a top-five trend) with a food and wine tour of Italy, travelers will return with memories that outlive the actual experience.
- Cross something off your bucket list and do not wait any longer for that trip of a lifetime. Perhaps it is seeing Machu Picchu or staying in an overwater bungalow in French Polynesia – either way, now is the time to go.
Push the boundaries of your comfort zone. Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef or take an expedition cruise to Antarctica. This is the year to transcend limits, with adventure travel a key trend in 2016.- Enjoy closer-to-home experiences. This year’s top U.S. destination, New York, appeals to a diverse range of travelers year-round. And Mexico appears on no less than three Luxe Report top-five lists, proving it is compelling for couples and families alike.
I don’t know about you, but all of these suggestions sound good to me. But, I think I’m down for something new this year. Hmmmm, maybe this is the year we finally get to Iceland. Or, we’ve helped quite of number of folks journey to New Zealand and Australia, but we haven’t been there ourselves. Yet! What’s THAT all about? :O
How ’bout you? Has this article stimulated a little travel dreaming?
As expert travel designers and advisors, we’ve become quite adept at helping our clients create unforgettable experiences. Plus, with our affiliation with the $15 billion Virtuoso Travel Network, we bring you travel clout. And, this clout brings YOU complimentary VIP perks.
So, with all of our experience and clout, why would you attempt to do this yourself on the Internet? Give us a call and let us share with you the value we can bring to your next travel experience.
To inquire, you can reach us at our travel agency during normal business hours at (480) 550-1235, or use our convenient online contact form (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
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Posted by David Porter on December 17, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Click photo for larger view. ©2014, David A. Porter
I snapped this photograph of Carol sitting in front of an ice-blue glacier back in the early spring of 2014. And to give you a sense of where she is sitting, follow the yellow arrow in my photograph to the right.
We were in the Alaskan wilderness, on the Taku River, and sitting on the front lawn of the Taku Glacier Lodge after a spectacular seaplane ride over the massive glaciers that surround Juneau, Alaska. I’ll give you links to all of this below.
I don’t know about you, but when the world gets crazy, or when I simply need to get away from the pressures of our fast, modern life, I tend to hunger for a little quite-time in creation.
Sure, we love ocean and river cruises, exploring the history of the world’s great cities, and getting to taste and experience different cultures around the world, but there seems to be a healing that occurs when we stand mute and awestruck before God’s creation.
Can I give you a little travel advice? As you consider your travel plans for 2016, make sure to plug in a little quiet time. Do yourself a favor and get away from the crowds a bit. Go stand in front of the Grand Canyon. Go stand in front of a centuries-old glacier. Go sit on a secluded beach. Find someplace quiet and take all of the noise completely out of your life for a spell. You’ll be glad you did. 😀
Links:
If you’re looking for a little quiet-time in Alaska, or anyplace in the world, we’d love to help you with the planning. In fact, we opened our travel agency two years ago for just that very reason.
To inquire, call our travel agency during normal business hours at (480) 550-1235, or use our convenient online request form (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our monthly newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more.
Posted by David Porter on December 15, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Flash Sale: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Europe
This just came across our desk and we liked these offers so much, we decided to whip up a quick post to share them with you.
Carol and I have sailed with Uniworld, and they offer luxury travelers a truly 5-star experience. Plus, they are truly all-inclusive. Their experiences include all tips, premium wines/spirits, shore excursions, and more. When we sailed with them, there were NO additional expenses added to our cruise bill. That is not common among river cruise lines. So, with that in mind, these up to 50% offers really are remarkable.
Tip: first time river cruisers should take a peek at the European Jewels sailing. This is a 15-day river cruise and will take you on Europe’s most popular rivers, the Rhine and Danube.
Uniworld is filling up some unsold space on these sailings and these offers are extremely limited and to qualify we must have you booked by January 15, 2016. But, please note: just because we have until January 15th to get you booked doesn’t mean that these limited-supply staterooms won’t be completely sold out by then. Therefore, if you have interest, call us now!
To learn more, and inquire about availability, call our travel agency during normal business hours at (480) 550-1235, or use our convenient online request form (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our monthly newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more.
Posted by David Porter on December 15, 2015 · Leave a Comment
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What words did you use to describe your last vacation?
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| Thrilling? Authentic? Bespoke? Trip-of-a-Lifetime?
You’ll use those and more to describe an adventure with one of Virtuoso’s handpicked, active and specialty travel providers. They offer an array of extraordinary experiences as diverse as the world itself and deliver unique moments that enrich your life while contributing to the well-being of the local communities which you visit.
Being a Virtuoso travel advisor, our connections with Virtuoso’s Active and Specialty Travel providers means we can maximize the value of your trip with custom itineraries, exclusive pricing and additional perks.
Contact us today to start planning your next extraordinary experience. |
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| All offers may not be available in all markets. All prices shown are per person, based on double occupancy, in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated. Prices converted from the supplier’s local currency are based on the current exchange rate at the time of deployment. Fares do not include taxes or other fees unless otherwise stated. While every care is taken to ensure accuracy, fares, schedules, Virtuoso exclusives, Virtuoso Voyager Club events and amenities are subject to availability, blackout dates, international currency fluctuations, and may change without notice. Virtuoso Voyager Club events require a minimum/maximum number of participants and may not be combinable with other offers. Space is limited and other restrictions may apply. See your Virtuoso travel advisor for more details and applicable restrictions. Virtuoso assumes no responsibility for the presentation confirmed within, including errors in pricing. The trademarks VIRTUOSO, the Globe Swirl Logo, SPECIALISTS IN THE ART OF TRAVEL, ORCHESTRATE DREAMS, VOYAGER CLUB, and RETURN ON LIFE are registered trademarks of Virtuoso, Ltd. has a U.S. copyright registration for the Globe Swirl Logo, ©2000. All rights reserved. Virtuoso California CST# 2069091; TA# 808 – Registered Iowa Travel Agency; Washington UBI # 601 554 183. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. 365166 AGT/STF 12/15 |
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Posted by David Porter on December 14, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Note: I shot this photograph at Treebones Resort.
The Roaming Boomers
As you consider your travel plans for 2016, what is foremost on your mind? What might you call a must-have travel experience for 2016?
