Vision Travel/ Lush Life Sunday Ezine
September 17, 2017

3 Things You Can Do to Help Caribbean 
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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We're still dealing with the after effects of Harvey, and the devastation of Irma to parts of the Caribbean, and now another storm seems to be brewing. Good lord. It's been a busy week.

Parts of the Caribbean were terribly damaged by Irma. I was asked to appear on Carol Anne Meehan's radio show on 1310 News in Ottawa this Tuesday, and asked to share my thoughts on the Caribbean and whether folks should still visit. In short, I say: donate, visit affected areas when you can, and visit other areas of Caribbean not affected now!

Give my interview a listen here, and let me know if you have some ideas on how we can work together. - my interview starts at the 12:50 mark.. http://www.1310news.com/2017/09/12/carol-anne-meehan-show-september-12-200-300-2/ 

I was pleased to have the opportunity/ microphone today with  1310 NEWSCarol Anne Meehan to ask Ottawans for continued support for our friends in the Caribbean. 

Obviously, I am working with all my travel partners to answer questions, carefully monitor the situation, and make sure everyone is safe. Here is the latestreport  http://www.cdema.org/cdema_sitrep_5_hurricane_irma.pdf
Since 2017 has been named the United Nation's Year of sustainable tourism development, it's time to harness some positive energy from Irma's wrath. Let's  #travelenjoyrespect. Let's honour sustainable tourism development. Let's remember all of these people and these islands/ communities are resilient.

They will rebuild. Some will need a little more time than others before they'll welcome you back with open arms; but they will rise again. We must ensure first that those needing food, water, and shelter are cared for; and then ensure that their homes are rebuilt - but - we'll also need to help ensure they have a revenue stream in the future. Your tourism dollars still must continue to flow in.

In 1950, there were 25 million international travelers each year. In 2016, there were 1.2 billion. In 2016, 3 million travelers crossed international borders every day. Global tourism is important to all economies, and much of the Caribbean relies on tourism dollars.

So - do you wanna help? You can:

1. Donate! 

Please give to spots like

2.    Travel to affected spots as soon as is safe  (as tourism departments, governments, and my travel partners will advise)  and you're able . The heavily affected areas (like Barbuda, St. Martin, and St. Thomas) will need longer time to recover. Other areas like Anguilla, Cuba, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, T&C are a little less severely hit, but still significantly damaged, and must rebuild. Areas in the Keys and Naples in Florida will need some time , but all Florida airports (FLL, JAX, MIA, MCO, MLB, PBI, RSW, TPA) are open today. WDW is back open today. The Florida hotels I know are working to ensure they have power, clean up damage, and ensure they can care for guests (as soon as this Friday for Miami area). They want and need you as guests.

3. Other than donating, and helping support the very heavily affected areas, please remember the Caribbean is huge. Go visit affected areas when you can; but  please don't forget the other areas of the Caribbean in the interim. There are still vast areas unaffected. 

Visit Jamaica, Barbados, Aruba, Mexico, and even Colombia and Belize. I have some Jamaica spots below, as well as Colombia, St. Kitts & Nevis, Bermuda. There is still much to see!

Visit areas who can recover quickly next. And plan a visit to the hardest hit areas too. Your tourism dollars are needed for all of these areas to survive, and thrive. 
Don't stay home. Remember, you're one of the 3 million travelers who cross international borders every day. Just keep crossing borders into the Caribbean!
Please give me a call (613-837-0699) or shoot me an email at sheila.gh@visiontravel.ca, and we'll schedule your Caribbean journey- and we'll find the right holiday/ mix for you!  I have a couple of hotels featured below.
Not sure what's right for you? Want some further ideas besides the Caribbean? Get some further inspiration here. Look at the new VAST  catalog here Vast 2017  .

Remember the 4 A's I promise if you work with me? Advice, Access, Accountability, and Advocacy. See  blog article  .   

Let's schedule your dream vacation planning call today!

Best regards
Sheila
sheila.gh@visiontravel.ca
613-837-0699 
Visit Jamaica 
Want a unique holiday in the Caribbean?
   
Jamaica is a great island in the Caribbean that was unaffected by Irma.



The Jamaica Inn is a fantastic hotel in Jamaica that I stayed at last year.

Get tempted: 
White Suite - Jamaica Inn
White Suite - Jamaica Inn


Here's a visit to Secrets Wild Orchid.

Secrets Wild Orchid.

And here's Half Moon - if you have a large family, I've organized stays for families at their 4,5,6,and 7 bedroom villas - they come with a chef, maid, and butler too!

Half Moon, Jamaica
Half Moon, Jamaica

Let me know if you'd like to visit Jamaica!

Visit Colombia
a wonderful destination
   
I visited Colombia with my then 14 year old a couple of years ago. We visited Bogota, Medellin, and Cartagena.   It was wonderful Here's a one minute overview.

What's really neat about Colombia (besides the natural beauty and the people), is the fact that it is on the Pacific and Atlantic ocean - so it dips into the Caribbean. It's really transformed itself over the last 20 years, and is now a rising destination.

Let me know if you'd like to go!

Colombia - 8 days, 3 cities
Colombia - 8 days, 3 cities


Interesting Travel Articles
Want to catch up? Have a read
   
I track various news articles about travel, as you might expect. Here are some interesting ones. 

Disney Preps for Irma Disney

Help the Caribbean give

Walking the Way - spain

10 Happiest States US

Hefty Fines for Airline Breaches to be Expected, says Cdn Transport Minister Marc Garneau - see hefty

Upcoming Travel Events
Leverage my relationships to learn more
   
I have some terrific travel events coming up. Follow next week for more info, but mark your calendars.

1.) Toronto - October 11th - with Steve Spivak of Tauck Tours and Sheila

2.) Ottawa - October 24th - Foodie Travel for Solos (&Others) - with Intrepid Tours and Sheila
Lush Life Testimonials
Verified Virtuoso Client Testimonials
   
I love getting client reviews. Here's a terrific one. (Thanks, Judith/ Bailey.)

Fantastic Cruise
By: Bailey 

Reviewed on: 17 Aug 2017

We had a wonderful time on our recent golf cruise to the British Isles. Working with Sheila was a pleasure and she never hesitated to answer any questions we had. Thank you Sheila and I look forward to future trips.

Travel end date: 31 Jul 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 
Tulip Tour - Bike 'n Barge 
Tour Amsterdam
   
I'm offering a group 'bike 'n barge tulip tour to Amsterdam next April. There is only room for 20 passengers on this barge, and it is now selling. 

This is a really wonderful trip that includes a visit to the tulip auction next year, and seeing Keukenof Gardens - as well as toodle around on a bike. 

Want to join the group? There are 8 cabins left for sale. 
Double occupancy. $1,995 / person CDN (excl air).

See details here Tulip Tour - Bike 'n Barge  

Tour Start: Saturday, April 7, 2017
Tour End: Saturday, April 14, 2017

Contact me if you'd like to join the group.    
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.  http://www.1310news.com/2016/11/29/carol-anne-meehan-show-november-29-200-300/  

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.  http://www.1310news.com/2017/04/25/carol-anne-meehan-show-april-25-200-300/ 

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.   http://www.1310news.com/2017/09/12/carol-anne-meehan-show-september-12-200-300-2/ 

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: 
http://www.lushlife.ca/2016/08/the-four-as-of-working-with-me/

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

Best regards,
Sheila
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 and visit the Caribbean and other trips in the general region!

1. Big Five Tours -   Crystal Canyons of Colombia

2. Butterfield & Robinson - Argentina Biking

3. Backroads - Bermuda Bike Tour  


5. Backroads - Cuba - Multi-Adventure  

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 10 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