VIRTUOSO TRAVEL WEEK — You may ask why anyone would visit Las Vegas in August (when it is only slightly cooler than the surface of the sun). For Bob and me, it’s our annual pilgrimage to Virtuoso Travel Week where we learn about NEW products for our clients; refresh relationships with vendors, and investigate new ways to innovate and serve our clients better.
You’ve expressed interest when we peel back the curtain on the travel industry so here goes:
WHAT is Virtuoso Travel Week?
- Virtuoso Travel Week (VTW) is to the luxury travel industry, what Fashion Week in Paris is to that industry.
- More than 5000 of us from 100 countries converge on Vegas to learn, network, improve, and connect. This conference is by invitation only, so we learn a ton from the world’s top performing travel industry peers.
- There is networking, professional development, mastermind groups, new product introductions, and technology presentations.
TRENDS and THEMES:
- BABY BOOMERS are still driving the luxury leisure travel segment, but every year other cohorts become more influential.
- MULTI-GEN: Generations are travelling TOGETHER. We notice this in our business too – our clients want to create memories with their kids and grandchildren.
- INBOUND TRAVEL is in trouble: Globally, the travel industry is growing rapidly, but travel TO the United States has declined significantly. This affects millions of jobs, overall economic health, AND reduces outbound air service to other countries.
- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE and Automated Tools will radically change the travel industry. We are excited about the possibilities to better automate the behind the scenes functions of booking YOUR travel, so it gives us more time for the personal connection.
How YOU (Our Clients) Benefit from Virtuoso Travel Week:
We soak up all kinds of things at VTW, and it shapes what we do for you:
- NEW PRODUCTS: Meetings turn into ideas, and those ideas turn into YOUR next experience! Next week, we’ll talk about SEACLOUD – a new product!
- TECHNOLOGY TOOLS: We’re experimenting with tools to make us better and faster. Our intent is to have MORE time to personally connect with clients.
The old adage “What Happens in Vegas, STAYS in Vegas” is exactly the opposite of what we do. We leave Vegas with the intent of bringing YOU the benefit of everything we learned and experienced there. We leave Bellagio and Las Vegas re-energized, re-committed, and ready to take on the next year!
Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED:
Check out our VIDEO BLOG where Kim & Bob talk about Virtuoso Travel Week, and why that matters to YOU: https://youtu.be/oFelxE9YSCE
If you want to see the flashy video produced by Virtuoso, here it is:
https://youtu.be/C7tN1q6AbUQ?si=SZKYboA_BlP6jUEJ
In Case You Missed It:
Travelling with the AFFLUENT: Who are these people? In short, they’re YOU – even though you probably don’t describe yourself this way:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/travelling-with-the-affluent/
OCEANIA – Here’s a peek at this culinary-focused cruise line that positions itself between the Premium and Luxury cruise lines:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/oceania-private-sale-in-june/
GREENLAND – You may want to get to this destination BEFORE demand outstrips supply. We’re seeing lots of interest in this destination:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/greenland-add-it-to-your-bucket-list/
Featured Post From Our YOUTUBE Channel:
VIKING EXPEDITION: Ever wonder how Viking Expedition ships and cruises differ from the Viking Ocean offering? Want to see the Viking HANGAR deck and submarines?
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Today’s Travel Opportunities
OCEANIA
With a strong focus on the CULINARY, and lots of overnight port stops, OCEANIA occupies a market niche between the Premium and Luxury lines:
NEW ZEALAND & AUSTRALIA: Auckland to Sydney departing January 25 for 14-days
- Visit Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Hobart, Melbourne (overnight).
- Fares from $6699 with a $400 on board credit.
SOUTH AMERICA: Buenos Aires to Lima departing February 3 for 18-days
- Visit Montevideo, Falkland Islands, Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt, Valparaiso, Coquimbo, Iquique, Pisco.
- Fares from $5499 with a $400 on board credit.
CARIBBEAN: Miami round-trip departing February 26 for 11-days
- Visit San Juan (overnight), St. Kitts, St. Barts, St. Martin, BVI on the brand-new ALLURA
- Fares from $4180 with a $300 on board credit
TAUCK on the RIVER CRUISES
This company is THE leader in land-cruises, and also have a small fleet of river boats in Europe:
EASTERN EUROPE: from BUDAPEST to BUCHAREST for 13-days
- Visit Budapest for 2 nights, then travel to Mohacs, Pecs, Vukovar, Novi Sad, Belgrade (with a private Palace evening at Royal White Palace of Serbian royal Family), Iron Gates scenic cruising, Ruse (also known as little Vienna), Constanta & Mamaia, then disembark to visit Bucharest and Transylvania.
- 2026: Departures April through October from $7490
GERMAN OKTOBERFEST: Amsterdam to Munich for 10-days in September
- Visit Amsterdam (overnight), Dusseldorf (to visit local craft breweries), sail the Rhine Gorge, Heidelberg for a beer-paired lunch, Strasbourg, Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus, Lake Konstanz, and then on to Munich for 2 nights for the world’s largest festival!
- 2025: Sold Out
- 2026: Depart September 16 or 23 from $8490
FRENCH RIVIERA to Switzerland for 14-days
- Fly to Marseille, and visit Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo, Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Avignon, Chateau Neuf du Pape, Tain L’hermitage, Macon, Cluny, Chalon sur Saone, Burgundy, Lyon, Geneva, Chamonix.
- 2026: Departures April through October from $9190
SEABOURN Private Sale
Just one week left to take advantage of our Private Sale with Seabourn, where you can get up to 10% OFF. If you want to try out a high-end small ship luxury cruise line that is both casual and sophisticated, then the opportunity is not going to get better than this. Here are the details:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/seabourn/
REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
You don’t have to be an elite athlete, but if you like to be active on vacation, here are some ideas. These trips are also perfect for PHOTOGRAPHERS:
WHALE WATCHING in MAGDALENA BAY (Baja California) for 6-days round-trip Loreto
- Whale Watching in Magdalena Bay for 6 days Jan, Feb, Mar.
- See the Gray Whales, explore the sand dunes at Sand Dollar Beach, and visit the fishing village of Puerto Magdalena. Go kayaking, zodiacs, paddleboarding, hiking, and cycling.
- Departures January through March from $3155, with additional incentives for January departures. Contact us for details.
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS round-trip from Quito (or Guayaquil) for 10-days
- Visit for 2 days in Quito or Guayaquil, then fly to Baltra to board Endeavour II in the Galapagos. Over the next week stop in at North Seymour Island, Isabella Island, Fernandina, Espanola, Floreana, Santa Cruz, Bartolome, Santiago, Genovesa, San Cristobal.
- Departures in January and February from $5722, with additional incentives available. Contact us for details.
BRITISH ISLES: England, Ireland, Scotland from London to Edinburgh for 12-days
- Visit London, Fowey (Cornwall), Scilly, Cobh, West Coast of Ireland, Inner Hebrides, Outer Hebrides, Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands, Aberdeen, Edinburgh.
- Depart April 26, 2026 from $12,745, with additional incentives available. Contact us for details.
G-ADVENTURES LAND CRUISE
Here are two close-to-home options if you want to explore with G-Adventures GELUXE:
COSTA RICA: San Jose round-trip for 15-days
- Visit San Jose, then go kayaking and wildlife spotting at Tortuguero NP. Next, it’s on to Arenal Volcano to take in the views, and visit a coffee plantation. Then into the jungle at Rio Celeste, to experience the hot springs, waterfalls, and cascading pools. Mount Chirripo for more volcanoes and the central highlands. Also visit Puerto Jimenez and Corcovado NP, and Manuel Antonio NP before returning to San Jose.
- Departures November through March from $7899 per person
MEXICO: Oaxaca to Tulum for 14-days
- Visit the historical town of Oaxaca to experience its culinary delights, then on to Puebla, and Mexico City for urban highlights. Next, take a plane to Yucatan (included in the price), and visit Chichen Itza, and Merida before carrying on to Tulum. This trip is great if you want to see Mayan ruins and pyramids, or swim in the cenotes.
- Departures October through May from $5099
Recently booked a Viking Cruise?
Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board. Our clients worry that if they book on-line, that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation (even if you booked ON BOARD).
We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.
We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.
There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).
If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.
If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
