December 2022 Newsletter
Happenings
Greetings from Antarctica! Yes, Antarctica!
I am currently sailing through the Drake Passage before returning to Ushuaia, Argentina (southern most city in South America). Friday night I will be hopping on a plane back to the United States. I will be back in the office on Monday playing catch up.
I am wrapping up my two week cruise to Antarctica and It has been a trip of a lifetime. It has far exceeded all my expectations. The weather has been phenomenal with the average temperatures in the low 30s and very little rain and wind.
I was able to encounter Adelie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguins. I also met a few Weddell, Leopard, and Elephant seals. There has been countless birds and whale sightings from the ship and land.
The landscapes have went from beaches to snowcapped mountains to glaciers to volcanos to full on snow covered islands. Sailing through icebergs might be the most beautiful thing ever.
It is hard to believe that it has been less than 10 years since I started traveling internationally. In that short time I have set foot on all 7 continents. My younger self from small town America would never have imagined this to be a reality.
I hope my experiences and adventures encourages you that travel is possible for anyone who has the desire and will.
-Anne
V&V Travel Info
Have you heard the term "Wave Season?" In the Travel Agency world it is the busiest time of the year. Cruise lines typically push out their best promotions from January through March dubbing it Wave Season. But Wave Season has come a long way to now include all inclusive resorts, guided tours, independent tours, and hotels.
Many of the suppliers have already started opening up their Wave Season promotions. Some of my favorite guided tour companies are offering HUGE discounts.
Contact me today to take advantage of these offers for your next trip.
Trip Requests
Here are some of the 2023 and 2024 trip requests I worked on this past month:
Italy and Greece Honeymoon - A referred client inquired about planning their honeymoon next summer. They weren't sure what type of honeymoon they wanted, so we discussed a few options and then narrowed it down to two very different options (all-inclusive and Europe). After quoting a few options, they decided on doing a big Europe trip. They will be starting their trip in Venice with a few pre cruise nights before boarding a cruise ship to Greece. They are going to love discovering these historic cities.
20th Anniversary in Ireland - This was such a fun trip to plan as I have known this couple before they were even married. We had a call to discuss what they wanted to see most in Ireland and then I put together their itinerary to include the rental car, hotels, excursions, and flights. They will have plenty of time to explore the must see sights and still have time to celebrate their milestone anniversary overseas.
Riviera Maya Honeymoon - All Inclusive honeymoons come in all types of destinations and budgets. I try my hardest to find the perfect destination that will meet your wants and budget. My clients knew they wanted a tropical resort with plenty of food/drink options and a great beach. They choose my favorite resort in Mexico: Valentin Imperial. This was my first all inclusive resort experience and I have since been back a few times. They are going to love their beachfront suite and romantic vibe to celebrate their first few days as husband and wife.
Barbados Honeymoon - My new clients wanted an all inclusive resort destination that their friends had not experienced yet and that was special just to them. They decided on Sandals Royal Barbados. Because of limited flight options, we had to get creative with the flight schedule so they added on an extra night in Miami and will arrive in Barbados early the following day. I can't wait to hear about their experience.
My Groups
II love hosting group trips. Here is where I am heading in the coming year(s). Which one do you want to join me on?
April 2023 - (Sold Out) Tulip Time River Cruise. I have only a few rooms available on the AmaMora. We will spend 7 days exploring the Netherlands and Belgium enjoying the blossoms, chocolate, and beer.
May 2024 - Coming Soon - Egypt and Jordan
What other Group Trips should I plan for 2024?
If you are interested in joining me on one or all of these trips, please reply to this email.
