Vision Travel/ Lush Life Sunday Ezine
December 10, 2017

Manage the Risk, Magnify the Genius
 
 
SHEILA 
GALLANT-HALLORAN
Executive Producer, and Luxury Travel Advisor 

Contact me to arrange your complimentary consultation. www.lushlife.ca
sheila.gh@visiontravel.ca
613-837-0699
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Nov.14.17 
Caribbean Fundraiser & Travel 

Nov.27.17
Africa w Exodus Travels
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Hello there,

Happy Sunday!

"Manage the Risk, Magnify the Genius."  Great line, huh?




I heard Chris Kutarna speak at the  ILTM (international luxury travel mart) in Cannes, France last week. He was fantastic! He's a fellow Canadian, but also an Oxford scholar, author, and speaker. He shared info from his book, Age of Discovery

In his book, and his talk, he drew parallels between the age of Trump and 1490s Renaissance Florence with the false prophet, Girolamo Savonarola, taking on the ruling Medicis. He made some fascinating comparisons. 

Check out his book here https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/age-of-discovery-9781472936370/ . You can r emind yourself who Savonarola was here  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girolamo_Savonarola  . And you can also see some CBC News coverage about Chris here  http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/despite-turmoil-2nd-renaissance-regina-scholar-1.3618621

And watch his recent Ted talk:

But the biggest message Chris gave is that we are living through a 2nd Renaissance -with both great risk and great  genius possible. He told the 4000 of us working in the international luxury travel market that we have to manage the risk, and magnify the genius - and that what we do in travel helps us magnify the genius that is in the world. We have to embrace the wilderness, and remember what is glorious about exploring and getting to know the world.

It was fascinating, and inspiring.  Having just celebrated my birthday yesterday, I'm always looking for ways to move forward better, bigger, and stronger - so this message came at the right time.

After a week in Geneva and Cannes, and getting inspired by my friends and colleagues from around the world who'd attend ILTM with me, I hope to further the magnification of what is great about travel, and help you with your experiences of the world.  As a former actuary, I know how to manage risk, and can use those skills to help you as you travel the world; but magnifying the genius is truly where I can excel. 

But you have to take time to get away! You have to get away from the constant warnings and bombardment of terrible news stories. And - besides that - see if this picture might inspire you. Winter, it's a coming.


The risk and the worry is ever present. But studies show that few Canadians (and others) are taking time to get away from it all. Read "What Vacation" - see http://travelindustrytoday.com/2017-12-07-what-vacation-many-canadians-will-not-take-one-this-year::27710 

You have to take time to get away from the stresses. You have to magnify the genius. Wouldn't you rather be here?

the beautiful French Riviera - Cannes
the beautiful French Riviera - Cannes

Or any where else in the world? What's on your bucket list.

Check out some info below, and some of the wonderful thing s I've learned and can share with you to help you magnify the genius.

Remember, here are the 4 A's you get by working with me.

at ILTM Cannes - the 4 A's of Working with Me.


Lemme know if I can help!

Sheila
sheila.gh@visiontravel.ca
613-837-0699

Petit St. Vincent
My New Find in the Grenadines - Disconnect to Reconnect

I was excited to meet Matt Semark of Petit St. Vincent at ILTM Cannes. 

Petit St Vincent is my new find!

First up, Petit st Vincent is a private island - if you want to disconnect to reconnect with either yourself or your loved ones, it's the place to go. There is no wifi, no tvs, no electronics, and only a one way intercom to order room service.

Second up, it is a National Geographic Unique Lodge too! They are also applying to be a Virtuoso partner, and are already a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the world. Needless to say, if you want to go, I can leverage my relationship with Matthew to VIP you, and negotiate special amenities on your behalf.

Watch to learn more. And - lemme know if you'd like to go! We can magnify the genius of what this resort is all about.

talking with Matt Semark of Petit St Vincent
talking with Matt Semark of Petit St Vincent

The Pierre Hotel in NYC & Broadway
this iconic NYC hotel introduces a new Broadway program
   
Visit The Pierre Hotel in NYC, and you can get some special access to Broadway performers and some unique performances too.

The Pierre is a Taj hotel, and a Virtuoso partner of mine. So, I can VIP you, and negotiate special amenities on your behalf. And, I can also get you some terrific access to Broadway performers.

Watch my interview with Ernesto Floro of The Pierre to learn more - and - contact me if you'd like to visit. We can magnify the genius that is Broadway, and get you some special access too!

With Ernesto Floro of The Pierre in NYC - new Broadway Program
With Ernesto Floro of The Pierre in NYC - new Broadway Program

Let me know if you'd like to go!
Lush Life Events
Wildlife Africa
   
I had a great event with Exodus on Monday, November 27th before I left for Cannes featuring Wildlife Africa . Does it appeal to you?

I have an offer of $150 off any Exodus trip booked with me by December 31st. 



First of all, my partner Tony Perdomo shared this terrific app - 
https://www.discoverafrica.com/herdtracker/  to track the wilderbeest!  I know, life changing, right? 
 
There are so many wonderful opportunities to see wildlife in Africa - it's hard to know where to start.

But - there were a couple of people at the presentation with Tony who were really interested in Uganda. 

What do you think? Does it interest you to go see the gorillas?


Would you like to go?

 
Those are the dates, and my suggestion, for permits and all, IF you only want to do JUST Uganda, this is the ultimate trip! 

Tony and I would suggest, as per their Gorillas- Trip Notes when to go section ( here) to visit before the 2 nd rainy season, so Aug 12 or September 16 would be good. 

Wanna join a small group trip?  What do you think? Aug.12th or Sept16th good for you?

I can offer $150 off if you book before December 31st, and I'll also waive my $150 booking fee.

Let me know if you'd like t go!  Let's magnify the genius-  go see the gorillas! 
Lush Life Testimonials
Verified Virtuoso Client Testimonials
   
I love getting client reviews. Here's a terrific one from a valued client. (Thanks, Rachelle!)

Sedona hiking Trip
By: Rachelle 
 
Reviewed on: 12 Nov 2017

Amazing! Answered all our questions. Every detail of our trip was covered. No worries. Perfect vacation.

Travel end date: 20 Oct 2017

See more verified testimonials here from my clients, check this out;
 
Contact me if you'd like to schedule a complimentary consultation.
 
Best regards,
Sheila
sheila.gh@visiontravel.ca
613-837-0699 
My Recent Media Appearances 
More about why you should work with me!  
 
I was interviewed by Daytime Ottawa about the difference between a travel agent and a travel advisor. Plus, we talked about the explosion in adventure travel, and the show I was hosting at Shepherd's Fashions with  Viking River Cruises.  Have a watch!

Lush Life Travel visits Daytime Ottawa
Lush Life Travel visits Daytime Ottawa

I was also interviewed about the role of a travel advisor in the digital age in November. Give a listen to my interview with Carol Anne Meehan of 1310 radio in Ottawa from last  month. radio clip : role travel advisor

I've appeared on Carol Anne Meehan's show again. I was interviewed about the emergence of adventure travel, particularly for solo travelers, as well as the Solo Travel Club I've created. My segment starts at 20:20. Give it a listen radio clip: adventure + solo travel.

And I was interviewed by Carol Anne about Irma, and traveling to the Caribbean. My segment starts at the  12:50. Give it a listen, and let me know if you have some thoughts on how we can work together to help the Caribbean.   radio clip: Caribbean travel

I also appeared on Daytime Ottawa this week to talk about sustainable tourism, as I'd noted above (including the link here too. Give it a watch.)
Of course, you can see more about the 4 A's of working with me: 4 A's

Contact me if you'd like to schedule a complimentary consultation.  

sheila.gh@visiontravel.ca
613-837-0699
Lush Life's Top 5 VAST Trips of Week vast
Virtuoso's Active & Specialty Travel Program

VAST, Virtuoso's Active and Specialty Travel program, offers you the chance to immerse yourself in authentic, life-changing moments and unique experiences provided by a select group of travel partners, taking you one step closer to our world's most captivating destinations and intriguing cultures. See new 2017 catalog here

An important aspect of VAST to remember: Only a Virtuoso travel advisor can be a VAST specialist, and only Virtuoso clients can be a VAST traveler who enjoys Virtuoso exclusive perks, upgrades and access. I am proud to be a VAST specialist.See more  here

Here are some terrific options to explore Virtuoso Active & Specialty Travel partners who are the best in what they do - to magnify the genius!

1. Nomadic Expeditions  Visit Mongolia  

2.  Lindlad Expeditions Antarctica, South Georgia, & Falkland Islands
 
3. Big Five Tours Guatemala and Panama

4. Natural Habitat Classic Polar Bear Adventure

5. National Geographic Expeditions Great Apes of Uganda & Rwanda

Let's Collaborate        
Work with a Virtuoso Travel Advisor   
 
Let's collaborate. (See blog http://www.lushlife.ca/2016/06/lets-collaborate/ )

The concept I like to promote to my clients is a  lush life I craft travel experiences that contain magic and wonder for the whole family (or a subset).

I've been doing this for 12 years  So, I have more than 10,000 hours under my belt that I can leverage to help you. See here. Before becoming a travel advisor, I was an actuary. I dealt a lot with conventional return on investment (ROI) before, and I deal hourly with  return on life (ROL)  now. It's as if I went from being a true actuary to a  happiness actuary .

I love that my whole role is about helping you  build memories . Whether it's a "fly n' flop" beach holiday, a Galapagos expedition, a family reunion safari, a family bonding/ biking trip with university-bound kids, or a couples' wine -themed river cruise, I focus on what you want to bring home from each trip .   It's all about  the experience . I am a travel masterchef - and I put together the ingredients (travel suppliers) to make the meal (travel experience) you desire. See here
 
Value is more important than price. Let's set up a complimentary consultation, so I can start helping create your Lush Life.  See more  here  Call me!
 

Sincerely,



Sheila Gallant-Halloran
Vision Travel/ Lush Life
sheila.gh@visiontravel.ca
613-837-0699