You may not be able to leave home, but that doesn't mean you can't Travel!
Travel enriches our lives on 3 levels ... dreaming about the vacation, experiencing the trip, and reliving the memories created ... keep your travel dreams alive
A big THANK YOU to all those who supported and attended my ROAM WHILE YOU'RE HOME Travel Series, ends for the summer. It was so much fun connecting with you weekly and your feedback was so appreciated! I'll be in touch in the fall again for a new series.
I'm reminded of the Stoic Philosopher Seneca: "If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favourable"
I hope I helped you consider a few new ports ...
All recorded links are below for those who couldn't make it, that next rainy day and a refresher for those enjoyed ... be curious, inspired and encouraged, at your leisure.
We'll take the summer to chill and revisit the series in September. I've not forgotten the requests for River Cruise Presentations, we'll look at those in September. Meanwhile - SIGN UP HERE for the latest and greatest travel offers
Right now, there are awesome offers to book in advance and tons of flexibility to get out of jail for free or change your mind ... take advantage! CONTACT ME If you never ask, the answer will always be "no".
While this article is written by an American, it's got some great questions you should be asking yourself "How Safe Is It (for my Wallet and **Me**) to Book Future Travel Right Now?''
Viking River Cruises are offering several Wednesday morning (9am CST/10am EST and 12pm CST/10am PST - you choose) webinars and itineraries beginning June 3 - July 22, 2020 CLICK HERE to review, choose and sign up
Wanna go somewhere we haven't yet? CONTACT ME with more ideas please!
JUNE EVENTS: Always Wednesdays, always 5pm (CST)
June 24, 2020: Tourcan Vacations - Phillip Solomon is back! Those who attended his East Africa Safari presentation know what a treat he is and this time, he's taking us to South Africa. The Wonders of South Africa will include an overview of the places to visit, particularly if you are a first time traveler there. Why South Africa is so popular and what you need to know, prior to going. Cape Town, The Garden Route, a safari experience and sites in Mpumalanga to inspire you more.
RECORDED WEBINAR PRESENTATION
TOURCAN VACATIONS - South Africa beach
June 10, 2020: Jordan Tourism Board - Avril Matthews is a wanderer, a seeker of cultural immersions + historic sites and an explorer of the culinary scenes + locals of a country. Referred to as "The Switzerland of the Middle East" she'll show you why she fell in love with the Hashimite Kingdome of Jordan and why you will too.
RECORDED WEBINAR FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT Once you click on the link to the left, choose the zoom_0.mp4 and watch and hear the Presentation (we apologize for the first minute or two of Avril waiting for the arrival of everyone so please be patient as you won't be disappointed)
VISIT JORDAN - Avril in Wadi Rum
June 17, 2020: Collette Vacations - Born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Danielle relocated to Winnipeg in 2000 to learn English. Her travel professional journey began on the Paddlewheel Riverboat (we had our high school grad here!), and throughout the years in Hospitality industry, eventually led her to Collette, drawn by their mission to enhance life's journey through travel. Our particular focus will be on their Explorations (off the well-traveled path + beyond the surface) + Spotlights (balance between guided + selfguided) brands. Destinations such as Maritimes, Iceland, , Netherlands + Belgium, Umbria + Puglia (Italy) and many more exotic and memorable experiences.
COLLETTE VACATIONS - Cabot Trail Maritimes
RESCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER (DATE TBD) 2020: Goway - Born and raised in Bombay, India, Sam Cottar started his Travel Career with Thomas Cook in 1990, starting out in India + Asia, Sri Lanka, Dubai. Wanderlust eventually took him to the Middle East, before moving his family to Canada in 2002. In addition to being an Expert on Africa, he's also traveled to Brazil, Argentina, Chile, perus, Thailand, Hongkong, New Zealand (me too!) and Tahiti. I've asked him to focus on the Idyllic Islands (Tahiti, Fiji, Mauritius, Seychelles) and the South Pacific for this presentation as you've requested.
GOWAY - Romantic Dining on the Ocean
For MAY Presentations you've missed and want to see on your own time, the Presenters have offered me a RECORDED webinar you can link to, see below.
May 6, 2020: JUST YOU - Nick Roberti is the National Sales Manager in North America for this newly Canadian acquired company. After joining the travel industry over 5 years ago, coming from the healthcare field and wanting to follow his passion, he wanted to make peoples' dreams come true and be a part of creating memories that last a lifetime. He's been to 24 countries, with some of his favs being South Africa, Colombia, Italy and Ecuador. His belief in Solo Travel and their increase led him to JUST YOU, a guided tour company exclusively for solo travellers. He wants to take you to some of the amazing places they visit, their unique and different travel styles offered and why being a SOLO traveller, doesn't mean you are "partnerless" ... and no, it is not a Matchmaking company. Nick and I did a Travel Presentation in Gimli at the Ship & Plough with me a few years ago and I can attest to his passion for his job!
Just You builds itineraries based on the needs and wants of a solo traveller. Their itineraries are meant to create a social environment where like-minded people from around the world create memories and friendships that last a lifetime. Many tours host “family-style” dinners, so guests can dine as part of a community of like-minded people. Every tour is “come and go as you please”, so guests can be as independent as they want. They are not just a tour operator that voids the single supplement – they build the tours exclusively for solo travellers.
Recorded Webinar Link: RECORDED LINK Password required: solotravel
JUST YOU - Wine Tasting at a Vineyard
May 13, 2020: G Adventures - Changing the world through travel has been their goal since 1990. That idea has been at the heart of everything they've ever done and has helped them grow into one of the biggest adventure travel companies on the planet. A Canadian owned and operated company, they are a social enterprise as much as a small group travel company. They are pioneers of community tourism since the day they headed out into the world 30 years ago, by building meaning relationships with local communities, directly benefiting the people and places they visit. We want to show you one of their unique small group experiences, which is a Barge & Bike cruise down a river in Lyon, France with only 22 passengers, with the option to use either a bicycle or e-bike to ride to wineries for wine tasting and food enjoyment.
Sean Russo, National Sales Manager for Canada, has been exploring the globe since he was a child. Sean and I met at a travel conference probably 4 years ago and several times after that and his love of the authentic travel he experienced with G Adventures whilst exploring Ecuador and the Amazon, made him want to work for them. 10 years, 70 countries, all seven continents and several cooking classes later, he believes in their philosophy of the power to unite the globe with travel and embracing the quirkiness of each destination. When he's not travelling, he enjoys cooking and playing with his two French Bulldogs.
Registration Link: CONTACT ME FOR COPY OF PRESENTATION VIDEO (and no, it's not the one below)
May 20, 2020: Manulife Insurance - If there is one thing that the COVID-19 has changed in the travel industry, it is certainly everyone's perspective on the importance of travel insurance. Melissa Peterson was born and raised in Winnipeg and has Ukrainian roots. After living and working in Vancouver, she and her husband made their way across Canada (heading east) to Fort McMurray, Saskatoon and finally back to just outside of Winnipeg to raise her family, with family. After running several travel agencies, an opportunity arose for her to work with Manulife representing Manitoba and Saskatchewan, where she's been for over 10 years. Melissa is the first to admit that even as an agent, insurance was an afterthought offered to her customers and her personal experience with not purchasing it for her family ... lesson learned! Not the most exciting subject, but Melissa certainly presented with clarity, personality and resonance.
May 27, 2020: Rocky Mountaineer - Hop Aboard while we explore the vast, rugged beauty of the Canadian Rockies and BC on the Rocky Mountaineer, travelling on 3 unique Western Canadian routes that connect Vancouver to the mountain towns of Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff. We'll explore these destinations along with a day in the life aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, their history and community initiatives. Working for a company that showcases the stunning scenery of the Canadian Rockies and British Columbia was what drew Lisa Otterman to start her journey with Rocky Mountaineer for over 5 years. Their purpose to be the "Creators of Life Changing Experiences" is the reason she continues to find her job so rewarding. RECORDED WEBINAR Password: 2l$#e%!@
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER - Onboard Gold Leaf Service
ON YOUR OWN TIME, SEE WHAT YOU'VE MISSED IN APRIL! Past Presentations and links for your viewing pleasure, at your leisure:
April 8, 2020: Globus Family of Brands (Globus/Cosmos/Monograms/Avalon Waterways) - Chuck Edwards wants to tell you about their little known programs such as Escapes, Monograms and Undiscovered Places. Chuck began with Globus last October, after coming from a background in radio and 14 years in travel with Westjet, starting as an On Board Flight Attendant and then Sales Rep for Westjet & Westjet Vacations for Manitoba/Saskatchewan. Recipient of the first ever Westjet President Circle of Award for exceptional guest service. We are currently waiting to receive the recorded webinar link. RECORDED WEBINAR
GLOBUS ESCAPES - Rome, Sorrento
April 15, 2020: Learning Journeys - Their vision is rooted in developing cultural understanding and reciprocity through integrative education immersions woven into the global travel experience to deepen individual growth and experience on a personal level. Learning Journeys delivers educational experiences that move beyond the realm of traditional travel. I had the pleasure of meeting Professor Carol Dimopoulos several years ago and at many travel conferences throughout North America, where she offered yoga classes in the mornings, before our sessions would start. As President of LJ, she brings her passion for learning and travel into transformative learning and community service based programs to global destinations in Europe, Latin and South America, Africa and India. Learning Journeys has been featured i Travel and Leisure, Yoga Journal, LA Times, The Washington Post, Spirituality and Health and named as a trend by Spa Finders for 2015.
RECORDED WEBINAR
LEARNING JOURNEYS - Cooking School with Chef
April 22, 2020: Hurtigruten - Kristin Erz is the Sales Director in Canada, for Hurtigruten Americas and has she got a story to share with you. She was in Antarctica on one of their expedition ships when everything started to escalate and ended up on board for almost a month as they ran into port closure issues in South America. Why talk about cruise ships at a time like this? Because we all need a good ending to a true story right now ... here is the link to her recorded presentation from April. Watch and enjoy it at your leisure and pace.
RECORDED WEBINAR
HURTIGRUTEN - Baffin Island
April 29, 2020: Tourcan Vacations - Phillip Solomon is the General Manager with Tourcan, providing vacations of a lifetime for the last 32 years, to Africa, Asia, Middle East, South & Central America, South Pacific, Turkey & Greece. With their Destination Experts, they carefully create customized itineraries to exotic destinations around the World. With his wonderful South African accent, Phillip's presentation: Safaris ... What's It All About? got rave reviews from the attendees. Enjoy this insightful presentation on the the best locations, time of year, types of safaris, differences between accommodations, transportation and expectations. PS - this presentation was so well received, that we've invited Phillip back on June 3, 2020 (5pm CST) for South Africa: The Wonders of South Africa
TOURCAN VACATIONS - Cheetah and cub in East Africa
Now if any of the above doesn't excite you to join ... I don't know what would! So tell me ... what would?
We'll take the summer off and reconnect about resuming in September. In the meantime, enjoy April, May + June at your leisure.
Drop me a line with suggestions! CONTACT ME for any passwords, questions, clarifications or just because ... I'd love to hear from you! Don't be a stranger ...