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Virtuoso Travel Week 2022 is in the books! Last week I met with dozens of hotels, cruise lines, tour operators, tourism boards, and service providers from around the globe.
The week was fun, fast-paced, and fascinating. Sometimes called the Fashion Week of Travel, Virtuoso Travel Week allows Travel Advisors to create relationships that benefit our clients while learning about new experiences and travel trends.
Let me share some of my takeaways and favorite moments with you:
Alaska for Non-Cruisers
Land Itineraries
While Alaska is well-served by several cruise lines, I met with partners who offer alternative approaches to this bucket-list destination.
If you're interested in a land itinerary rather than a cruise or want to spend extra time before or after your cruise, my on-site partners can help. They support all destinations in Alaska and offer year-round itineraries. If you want to chase the Northern Lights in winter or spend Spring Break dog-sledding with the family, they've got you covered.
Cruise Experiences
It may seem counter-intuitive, but small ship cruise line Uncruise Adventures appeals to "non-cruisers" because of its access to authentic experiences.
Uncruise has seven vessels in Alaska from April to October, and unlike most other cruise lines, their ships are US-flagged. This means their itineraries start and end in Alaska rather than Seattle or Vancouver, so you spend more time in your destination.
The small ship size (all carry fewer than 90 passengers) allows for entry to smaller ports and means every traveler has access to experiences, not just a select few.
Egypt-Israel-Jordan-and Beyond
Ancient wonders, holy sites, deserts, and oases - the Middle East is the source of so much of the world's history and mystery.
It's a region with many facets and modes of exploration.
Your points of interest are the starting place for constructing an itinerary here, and there are countless possible destinations and experiences. My partners can help refine and personalize a plan for you or your group.
You may be drawn there because you want to sail the Nile, connect with your faith, take a pilgrimage to sacred sites, or explore the desert. We can help make sure you don't miss some incredible opportunities while you're there.
For example, AlUla is an ancient oasis and historic crossroads along the incense-trading routes in Southern Arabia. It's home to some mind-boggling monuments in dramatic natural settings.
Umbria
One of Italy's lesser-known regions, Umbria sits just between Rome and Florence and next to Tuscany. Like Tuscany, Umbria features beautiful rural landscapes, charming medieval towns, and fantastic food and wines. But it's largely undiscovered by US travelers.
The capital city of Perugia has a 5-star hotel in the center of the very walkable town. Travelers can rent a car when they want to visit nearby sites like Assisi, Spello, Gubbio and Lago Trasimeno.
The region is home to many celebrated wineries, and activities like truffle hunting, cooking classes, and olive tastings can be arranged. Not to be missed is a visit to Perugina, a chocolate confectionary in Perugia which operates a chocolate-making school and a chocolate museum.
Puppy Love
Ok, so you may not bring your favorite four-legged friend along on your next trip to London, but if you find that you miss your pal, stop by the Egerton House Hotel during Doggy Afternoon Tea.
The lucky pups enjoy treats like chicken and beef meatloaf, dog biscuits, and carrot cupcakes served on elegant three-tier stands.
The Egerton bar is known for their martinis (you can take a class), so they created a Fido-friendly dog-tini complete with skewered meatballs in place of olives. I can't imagine my dogs showing any decorum in that setting!
I hope you enjoyed hearing about some of my Virtuoso Travel Week learnings. If you want to learn more, please send me an email at katy@grandjourneystravel.com.
Ready to start planning your next travel adventure? Contact me to get started.
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