 Matt horseback riding for the first time in Puerto Vallarta - April 2022 Are you a planner or do you prefer spontaneity? Do you make to-do lists to tackle each day or do you take things as they come? Does having a color-coded calendar system bring you joy or make you anxious? Many of us rely on itineraries and plans to bring order to our daily lives. Others see planning as too much work and not enough fun.
When it comes to travel, a little planning goes a long way. That’s why the professional expertise and experience of a Travel Advisor is a must. I’ve worked with both types of clients, the planners and the spontaneous types. They both want a vacation that checks all of their boxes, and it usually starts with what’s on their bucket list. Speaking of which, when was the last time you revisited your travel bucket list? If it’s been a while or you don’t yet have a bucket list, ask yourself these questions to get started:
Your bucket list can be as long as you want. Once you’ve put all your ideas down, go back and star or circle the top three to five items on it that are your top priorities. Then, set a goal for when you’d like to cross off that experience! Click here for a handy worksheet to help you create your bucket list! I’d love to see what you come up with. Maybe you’ve always wanted to do a sunset horseback ride along the beach in Puerto Vallarta. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to take a river cruise through Burgundy & Provence and taste local wines. The options are endless and as a certified travel advisor, I’m here to help make them happen. Let’s start planning now, so you can make it a reality in the future! I’m currently planning trips for 2022 and 2023! Not sure which of your bucket list items are doable right now, or when you want to travel? I can help you understand your options so that you can feel safe, comfortable and prepared with your future travel plans. Here’s to shortening your bucket list so you can add even more to it later!  Matt visiting Dubrovnik, June 2021 I love creating new traditions, so when I first started traveling, I came up with three ways to create lasting memories from my traveling endeavors.
Travel Tradition No. 1: Save a Bill Whenever I am traveling, I always keep the lowest denomination paper currency and take it home with me. One day, I found a double-sided clear frame and decided to get crafty. I laid the bills I had collected throughout my travels inside the frame and hung it on my wall. If you visit my home, you can take it off the wall and check out the backside of the bills too! It’s a super simple and fun way to remember your trip. Travel Tradition No. 2: Discover New Music When I travel, I appreciate listening to local music, so when I hear a song I like, I purchase one of the musician’s albums. I try to find contemporary, classic and traditional folk music. When friends visit me, we'll talk about my travels, eat some traditional foods from the place I visited and play music from the area to set the mood. Collecting music is a fantastic travel tradition! Travel Tradition No. 3: Buy Art I'm not looking for anything fancy. In fact, I typically prefer something sold by local street artists. I've purchased small sculptures, ceramics, freshly created paintings and wooden carvings during my travels. Whenever I look at a piece of art I've brought back home, it reminds me of where I was, the person who created it and how I felt at the time. Consider implementing these three travel traditions or start your own traditions the next time you travel. Creating traditions is a terrific way to build long-lasting memories and makes it easier to take a trip down memory lane.  2023 is here and with it we say, “out with the old and in with the blue” as we excitedly look forward to many new cruise ships embarking on blue seas this year. On the sea is really the place to be!
Here are ten new ships setting sail this year: Celebrity Ascent: This fourth ship in the Edge class has the widest range of staterooms and suites of the entire fleet and will feature more than 30 options for dining and beverages. Sail with me on her sister ship from Australia and around New Zealand. Click here for details. Norwegian Cruise Line Viva: The sister ship to Prima is nearly identical, but features the largest 3 level racetrack at sea, two infinity pools, and 44,000 square feet of outdoor space. Sail with me on Viva through the Mediterranean. Click here for details. Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady / Brilliant Lady: The adult-only cruise line debuts two ships in 2023, and 90% of the staterooms feature balconies. I've sailed on her sister ships during the summer and for New Year's. If you're looking for a fun vibe, consider Virgin Voyages. Carnival Jubilee: Named after an early ship in the fleet and raising the bar on family fun, the ship has six fun zones, Bolt! Ultimate Sea Coaster, and Family Feud at Sea. Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas: Now the largest cruise ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet, Icon of the Seas will debut two new neighborhoods, the largest waterpark at sea, and the largest pool at sea. Oceania Cruises Vista: Small, intimate dining experiences include Ember and Aquamar Kitchen. A new category of concierge level staterooms designed for solo travelers is an addition to this ship as well. Regent Seven Seas Cruises Seven Seas Grandeur: This new cruise ship boasts one of the highest space and crew to passenger ratios across the industry. The famed luxury of the brand stretches to this addition to the fleet. Silversea Silver Nova: As the first ship in the new Nova class, the Silver Nova features new suite categories, a wellness program, comfort food on the in-room menu, and is one of the most spacious cruise ships in the world. Seabourn Pursuit: Designed to lead passengers to the most diverse environments around the world, the Pursuit is designed for expeditions, and employs a team of 26 expedition experts to educate and assist passengers through their adventures at sea. Northern itineraries that include Greenland, Iceland, and Norway are highlighted. Viking Saturn: The adults-only Saturn may be identical to the other ships in the Viking fleet, but fans will appreciate the adults-only atmosphere, a tasteful and refined décor, and three new Nordic itineraries.  I love discovering ways to do things more efficiently. In fact, in another lifetime, I was a business analyst where part of my job was to help my co-workers work smarter. Read on to learn about my two favorite travel apps that help me travel with ease.
A+ Gallery For those who want organized photos, but don't want to spend the time actually organizing them, this is the travel app for you. It automatically sorts your photos by time and location. It also includes a map view! Simply explore the map as your photos pop into view. Not only can you search for photos by date and location, but you can also search by color. Plus, it includes a feature that allows you to hide an album from prying eyes. If you love to take photos when traveling, this app will become your new best friend. Learn more about this incredible travel app here. Hopper With airfare constantly fluctuating, it's hard to know when to buy your ticket to get the best rate. You can check one moment and by the next moment, the rate has already increased. Hopper has a data science team mining through trillions of archived flight records to spot trends and predict when you should book your flight to get the best rate possible. It also has a 95 percent accuracy rate! If you are traveling while on a budget, this travel app is perfect for you! Download it here.  How do you take a good vacation and make it great? It’s all about the upgrades!
Whether you’re planning a budget-friendly break or a luxurious getaway, know that adding a few special touches can drastically improve the overall travel experience. Which travel upgrades are worth the splurge? FIRST-CLASS FLYING
TOP-NOTCH TRANSFERS
LUXURY LODGING
MEMORABLE MEALS
EXCITING EXCURSIONS
Which travel upgrades will you choose for your next vacation experience? Matt Travel is happy to share tips and unique ideas for your getaway.  Travel appeals to our senses—hearing the crash of ocean waves, seeing the twinkling lights of a city skyline, feeling a cool mountain breeze on your face. Judging from the popularity of food-related hashtags and social media posts, many travelers especially love to indulge their sense of taste. Travel food and dining experiences are often the most memorable parts of a trip. Are you planning a trip for your favorite food buddies? Want to add some extra flavor to your next getaway? Here are a few ideas sure to tempt anyone’s travel taste buds. EXOTIC EXPLORATION
The world offers an endless variety of ingredients and cooking styles. Specialized foodie tours make it easy to explore vibrant destinations like Thailand, Morocco, Peru, and more. Options include guided visits through local markets and street fairs, unique dining experiences, and hands-on cooking lessons. WINE AND DINE Sail through some of the world’s top wine regions on a luxurious European river cruise. Wine-focused itineraries feature expert lectures, tastings, and culinary pairings. Or plan a custom self-drive tour along New Zealand’s wine trail or through California’s Napa Valley. HOP(S) ON BOARD River cruises are also a great way to explore beer-producing regions in countries like Germany and Amsterdam. You can include tours of local breweries, visits to malt factories and hops fields, and of course, plenty of tastings. And what beer lover wouldn’t enjoy a pub crawl through Dublin or London? SPICE IT UP If an entirely food-themed trip isn’t your style, you can still add a pinch of culinary adventure to your next vacation. Try a food-themed shore excursion to experience local specialties in cruise ports across the globe. Take a break from the beaches of Jamaica, Costa Rica, or the Dominican Republic to tour a local coffee plantation or distillery. The possibilities are endless… and delicious. Are you hungry for your next travel adventure? Matt Travel can craft a menu of tempting travel food options!  Many travelers look forward to their annual spring break trip, summer vacation, or holiday travels. With kids off from school, these times usually work well for families and those with busy schedules. That also means that these are among the busiest travel times of the year, or what we in the travel industry call peak season. Peak travel times can be the only option for some travelers, but those with more flexibility in their schedule should consider traveling during non-peak times to take advantage of these benefits!  LOWER COSTS Most travelers have a vacation fund or a budget planned for their vacation. Travel agents strive to work within their clients’ budgets to plan their ideal trip and maximize their vacation value. This can be tricky during some peak season times of the year when flights are at their priciest and occupancy is nearly full. One of the benefits of traveling during non-peak travel times is that travel costs are usually lower. This means a traveler’s budget can go farther. Perhaps they will be able to add an extra night to their stay, upgrade their room or cabin, fly first-class or include some activities that they didn’t consider before.
 WHEN ARE NON-PEAK TRAVEL TIMES?
Peak and non-peak travel times can vary from destination to destination and from year to year as holidays fall on different days. It’s important to know the local school calendars, when wedding season is in your area, and when holidays and three-day weekends will fall in the coming year. For travel from mid-January through February is slower, though three-day weekends can be a bit busier than other travel times during these months. Early May can also provide some great options for early summer travel without some of the peak travel prices. Most destinations are very busy from mid-May through mid-September, but things slow down once again for October and early November before holiday travel leads to busier destinations.  Matt attending the river cruise expo in Budapest - March 2022 A wine cruise offers the hospitality of traveling with a group of like-minded people with a variety of private events, dinners and tastings scheduled aboard the ship and on land. Keep reading to discover three of the best reasons to book a fall wine cruise!
1. See Europe’s breathtaking landscapes illuminated in vibrant autumn colors. 2. Visit renowned sites and wineries as the locals do, amid less crowds. 3. Save on airfare, as prices are typically reduced during fall. Cruise through highly acclaimed European wine regions, from Austria’s UNESCO-designated Wachau Valley to Germany’s Rheingau and Moselle regions, to France’s celebrated Bordeaux region and beyond. Expert Wine Hosts You’ll be accompanied throughout your cruise by a dedicated Wine Host from a North American winery who will lead tastings and provide trips to private cellars and historic vineyards. You will also enjoy carefully curated food and wine pairing dinners. Are you interested in booking a fall wine cruise? Click here to learn more about river cruising. Contact me today so we can get started planning the perfect wine cruise designed specifically for you!  As professional travel advisors, we use our vast experience to help you explore, relax and reconnect on your vacations. For those looking to reconnect with the one they love, the hotels, resorts and tour operators listed here can help you do just that. Set in some of the most dazzling destinations around the world, these properties from SELECT Hotels & Resorts — an exclusive program that includes the world’s finest hotels, resorts and villas — shower you with exclusive perks and privileges when you book them through Matt Travel. AT SELECT HOTELS & RESORTS, YOU'LL RECEIVE ALL THESE BONUS AMENITIES AND MORE:
COMBINE THESE BONUS AMENITIES WITH THESE SPECIAL OFFERS FROM THE FEATURED HOTEL PARTNERS:  21c MUSEUM HOTEL CHICAGO Located just steps from the famous Magnificent Mile shopping district in River North Chicago, contemporary art surrounds and inspires you at 21c Museum Hotel Chicago. Discover a new kind of cultural and travel experience in the Windy City with this multi-venue museum and 297-room boutique hotel featuring 106 suites. A welcoming sanctuary from the art and activity that fills the 21c galleries and downtown Chicago, the romantic rooms are the perfect place to rest, refresh and reconnect. Also included when you book through Matt Travel — these SELECT amenities:
 FAIRMONT KEA LANI, MAUI Discover the essence of Maui at Fairmont Kea Lani, Hawaii's only all-suite and villa luxury oceanfront resort. Imagine an island oasis where blue skies, golden sand beaches and an abundance of tropical blooms create a vibrant retreat. With six dining venues featuring four bars, three swimming pools (including an adults-only tranquility pool), authentic Hawaiian cultural activities and comprehensive fitness and wellness programming, Fairmont Kea Lani is the ideal place to re-energize and reconnect with loved ones. Also included when you book through Matt Travel — these SELECT amenities:
 HYATT HOTELS & RESORTS From iconic cities of the world to sunny white-sand beaches and beyond, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts around the globe provide the perfect settings for your romantic getaway. Choose the excitement of Nashville or the legendary European cities of Amsterdam and Prague. For the ultimate escape, select destinations like Hawaii or Cambodia. Or enjoy the breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe or the Pacific Coast. Wherever you set your course, you’ll be sure to share memorable experiences that will last a lifetime. Also included when you book through Matt Travel — these SELECT amenities:
 IHG HOTELS & RESORTS Wherever your travels take you, elevate the experience. As one of the world’s largest luxury and lifestyle hotel brands, IHG offers unparalleled service and stay experiences in the world’s most premium destinations. With 17 brands across 6,000 destinations around the world, they have multiple properties to choose from no matter where you wish to spend your romantic getaway.
Also included when you book through Matt Travel — these SELECT amenities:
 Have you seen the 2023 Culinary Collection brochure? We have featured more departures and shore events and added new suppliers to the program who have really stepped up their offers.
AmaWaterways is offering a shopping trip to a local market with the ship’s chef along with a Chef’s dinner made with ingredients from the market. Newly added Windstar is offering an array of benefits from their James Beard Culinary themed cruises, including a chef-hosted dinner with a guest chef, a wine pairing event, cooking demos and recipe cards to take home as well as $100 per person shipboard credit. Click the link for some culinary destination inspiration! |
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California Seller of Travel Registration # 2089491-50. Registration as a seller of travel in California does not constitute the state's approval. Agent is not a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund. Florida Seller of Travel Registration # ST37113. Hawaii Seller of Travel License # TAR 7231. Washington Seller of Travel UBI # 602 775122.
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