March Newsletter
Happenings
Let's be honest there is only one thing going on right now: Coronavirus. It is all anyone can talk about and it is on the news non-stop. There is no escaping it. Cruise lines are shut down, Disney is closed (never would of thought), land tours have been stopped. The travel industry has been halted.
We know this has been a trying time for everyone. The uncertainty of the situation has everyone stressed. Industries across the board are suffering.
Let's do what we can to support local small business. Use carryout or drive thrus, buy gift cards for future use, leave reviews, and, like/comment/share their facebook posts. Support your local economy.
We can only control what our reaction to it is and heeding the instructions by the government. This too will pass.
-Anne
Travel News and Info
During the last crazy few weeks, the vendors I work with have been amazing. They have been doing the right thing by the clients by offering full refunds, extra future travel credits, On Board Credits, waiving fees, and being so helpful answering questions. Many of the vendors are also offering flexible booking terms and extended payment deadlines for new bookings.
Now is a great time to be thinking about where you might want to travel to this fall or in 2021. Visas and Vistas Travel is offering an extra incentive for those booking pre-built tours. Contact us to start planning your next trip.
Trip Requests
This is normally where I put a listing of some of the fun trips I planned during the past month...well there was a lot more cancelling than planning this past month. I thought I would share some of the ideas I have for my 2021 group travel. Let us know if you are interested in any of them.
European River Cruise at Tulip Time - I have always wanted to visit Holland and Belgium during peak tulip season (Late March to Early April). Check out this Uniworld 8 day Brussels to Amsterdam cruise. Uniworld includes boutique staterooms with lavish amenities, all meals, unlimited beverages (including beer, wine and spirits), excursions, bicycles, internet, entertainment, transfers, and gratuites.
Egypt and Jordan Land Tour - I had clients book a tour with Gate 1 Travel a few weeks ago and I can't stop thinking about it. In May they will be joining a 14 day Classic Egypt with 3 day Nile Cruise & Jordan tour. The tour includes Egypt (Giza Pyramids), a 3 day Nile cruise, and ending in Jordan (Petra). This would complete my 7 New World Wonders!
Hunt for Northern Lights Tour - The very best time to try to catch the Northern Lights is October/November or March/April. They can also be seen between these months as well. I have been looking at two G-Adventure tours: Norway Winter & Northern Lights and Iceland Northern Lights & Golden Circle tours. Both countries are on my list, so it is a tough one.
European River Cruise for Christmas Markets - Christmas markets are a BIG deal in Europe from Thanksgiving till Christmas. Cruise down the Danube river from Vienna to Budapest with Crystal Cruises Danube Christmas Dreams cruise. Crystal Cruise offers six-star service with a high staff to guest ratio, exceptional cuisine, elegant staterooms, and enrichment activities.
My Groups
I love hosting group trips. Here is where I am heading in the coming year(s). Which one do you want to join me on?
August 2020- Cruise and Land tour in Alaska. We will be sailing on Holland America and spending three days in Denali National Park. I have rooms available if you want to join us.
December 2020- SOLD OUT Galápagos Islands. We begin in Quito, Ecuador then spend 5 days island hopping on land and by ship. The ship only holds 20 guests.
January 2021- Antarctica. This is my last continent. We will be taking an expedition cruise from South America and through the Drake Passage to the Antarctica peninsula with Ponant Cruise Line. Trip of a lifetime.
If you are interested in joining me on one or all of these trips, please reply to this email.
