“Happy New Year!”. It’s a common salutation at this time of year, but I prefer to think of it as a directive. How can I make sure this is a happy year for me, and those in my orbit?
Bob and I both feel extraordinarily fortunate because we work every day in a job we love. The travel perks are great, but the day to day “grind” is helping people with their vacation plans. This is not without occasional frustration, but it is easy to be happy when interfacing with people in this way.
Bob and I, both individually and as a couple have always been travellers. Neither of us particularly enjoy sitting on a beach and drinking Margaritas (although we’ve known to enjoy that on occasion!), so I was trying to figure out why I love travel (even before being part of the industry).
I think it’s about learning and discovery. It’s about seeing how people in different countries live their day to day lives, and realizing how much we have in common with them, and simultaneously seeing what they do differently. When you live in the United States, it’s very easy for us to remain oblivious or disinterested in how other people live. I’ve decided to work harder at paying attention.
You might not ever have heard of the Cantril Ladder – it’s an attempt to empirically measure “Happiness” around the world using a standard criteria. We’re ranked 15th in the United States (the top 14 are Northern/Western European nations, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada). It’s my goal to help us rank higher on this list – primarily through the tremendous privilege of travel.
My theme for 2024: LESS SCREEN TIME… MORE TRAVEL TIME. The first part is to minimize a force that is proven to make people UNHAPPY. The second is to increase what makes people HAPPY.
Join us on this mission, and see if we can’t bump up a couple of rungs on the Cantril Ladder.
Today’s Travel Opportunities
DOMESTIC & CANADA with NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
The Pacific Northwest has some of the most stunning scenery in the world. Here are two trips to experience it:
Columbia River Cruise from Portland to Clarkson
- Visit Portland, Astoria, Columbia River Gorge, several locks on the Columbia River, Multnomah Falls, Walla Walla, private vineyard tour, Palouse River, and Clarkston
- Go Kayaking, Zodiac boat rides, light hiking, or just take in the scenery.
- Departures for 8-days in March, April and September from $5768.
British Columbia and San Juan Islands – round-trip Seattle.
- Visit Victoria, Desolation Sound, Alert Bay, BC’s Gulf Islands, Friday Harbor, Washington’s San Juan Islands.
- This corner of the world is one of the best kept secrets out there.
- Departures for 8-days on September 29, October 6 or 13, from $5730.
LOOKING TO 2025
Many of you are planning your trips a year or more in advance. Oceania is launching its next ship in June of 2025. The Oceania Allura will be the identical twin of the Oceania Vista. If you like idea of sailing on a brand new ship, here’s some ideas:
Barcelona to Athens departing June 25, 2025 for 12-days
- Visit Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Sardinia, Tunis, Valletta, Cephalonia, Alexandria, Cairo, Santorini, Athens.
- Verandas from $5999 with a $300 per person shore-excursion credit.
Lisbon to New York departing September 16, 2025 for 14 days
- Visit Lisbon, Madeira, the Azores, Newfoundland, Halifax, Bar Harbor, Boston, Newport RI, and NYC.
- Verandas $5799 with a $300 per person shore-excursion credit
Remember that Oceania includes the shore excursion credit, specialty dining, beer/wine with meals, and wifi on the ship.
AMA WATERWAYS FREE PRE-PAID GRATUITIES
Our friends at AMA have offered us some departures with Free Gratuities in addition to their regular promos. Here are some examples:
Wine Cruise! Amsterdam to Basel departing November 7, 2024
- Visit Amsterdam, Dusseldorf, Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim, Ludwigshafen (for Heidelberg or Speyer), Strasbourg, Breisach (for Riquewihr or Freiburg), Basel.
- Included wine tastings and events both on ship and on shore.
- $3299 cruise only or $5729 for the cruise and 6-nights on shore (2-nights Amsterdam, 2-nights Lucerne, 2-nights Zurich)
- Includes Pre-paid gratuities and $150 per person On Board Credit.
Vietnam & Cambodia departing December 30, 2024 for one-week
- Visit Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Angkor Ban, Oudong, Phnom Penh, Tan Chau, Sa Dec, My Tho, Ho Chi Minh City.
- $2949 cruise only for a Twin Balcony Room. OR
- $4399 for cruise plus 2-nights Hanoi, 1-night Ha-Long Bay, 3-nights Siem Reap, and 2-nights Ho Chi Minh City.
- Includes Pre-paid gratuities and $150 per person On Board Credit.
- See our ship tour video here: https://youtu.be/T6YIfrUbDwk?si=TU2RRzT4Zd1CwCWC
Budapest to Bavaria on AMA Magna departing July 21 for one-week
- Visit Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Krems, Spitz (for Wachau Valley), Linz, Passau, Vilshofen.
- $3649 cruise only.
- $4399 for the 7-night cruise PLUS 2-nights Budapest pre-cruise, or 3-nights Prague post-cruise.
- Includes Pre-paid gratuities and $150 per person On Board Credit.
Remember that AMA includes a choice of several shore excursions in each port of call, beer/wine with meals, wifi on the ship, and if you book this month free pre-paid gratuities on many departures.
DON’T see the AMA cruise you’re looking for? There are several other departures in Europe and the Mekong with FREE GRATUITIES. Please enquire.
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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
