Make this a holiday season to remember for your family by taking a break from your traditional festivities to experience how another country jingles their bells. Now’s a great time to book your holiday travel to get the best rates and hotel options. Here are several destinations that truly get you into the holiday spirit, making them a joy to visit.
Munich, Germany Germany becomes transformed during December as Christmas Markets spring up across the country. At Munich's celebrated Christmas market, held in Marienplatz (St. Mary’s Square) since the 14th century, you'll find all manner of crafts, sweets, cakes and other delights. Christmas in Munich is also a time for music, when churches echo with carols and Bach’s ''Christmas Oratorio'' can be heard throughout town. Edinburgh, Scotland Beautiful throughout the year, Scotland’s capital becomes magical around Christmastime when winter festivals include fairground rides, Ferris wheels, outdoor ice rinks, hot food stands and traditional German Christmas markets. Other Christmas events include the Santa Run, Edinburgh's record-breaking attempt for the largest gathering of Santas, the Reindeer Gardens and carol concerts. London, England London hosts many Christmas activities to appeal to millions of revelers. The West End lights up to illuminate shoppers on Oxford and Regent streets; ice-skating rinks appear across town; a massive Norwegian pine is erected in Trafalgar Square; the English National Ballet performs “The Nutcracker” and other favorites at the London Coliseum; there’s even an obstacle race around Covent Garden that contestants run while carrying Christmas pudding on a tray! Sydney, Australia Christmas on the beach? Why not in Sydney, where the warm summer season makes such beaches as Bondi and Manly prime destinations for a Christmas Day family barbeque. Christmastime is also celebrated with a light show projected nightly onto the Town Hall and the annual Carols by Candlelight at the Domain, which concludes with a stirring, hand-holding, candle-raising rendition of “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” Island Hopping Around the Caribbean Setting sail together gives your family everything you love about the holidays — the feasts, the time together, seasonal décor — without the hassles of preparing for every detail and cleaning up afterward. Plus, a cruise ship gives your family plenty of space, activities and adventures to have the times of your lives, all while taking you to one exotic locale after another. The halls are decked, the holiday feast is prepared by a master chef and the jolly man himself is on board handing out gifts galore. Plus, your family can enjoy special shows and a choir of heavenly voices singing carols around the tree. Lawyers. Plumbers. Electricians. Mechanics. Realtors. We often turn to professionals to help us navigate plans, problems, and complex processes.
Travel Advisors are professionals too! We spend countless hours educating ourselves and growing as business owners in our industry, using our knowledge and expertise to craft memorable vacations for our clients. Below, you'll find five reasons why trips planned by travel professionals benefit you. 1. We Bring Dreams to Life Travel Advisors are passionate about helping you see the world. As adventurers who also love planning our own trips, we know that there are fewer things more precious than vacation time spent with family and friends! We know you have vacations you have been dreaming about, and we can’t wait to work with you to bring them to life. 2. We Are Logistics Managers Planning a vacation with a Travel Advisor saves you hours of research because you'll enjoy the perks of our extensive training, numerous travel agent trips and personal vacations, and the relationships we have with our trusted suppliers. We know how to create smart itineraries, combine destinations, and make your trip truly work. 3. We are Part of a Large Network of Industry Experts We have immense knowledge and firsthand experience to help you decide which destination, cruise line, or resort is best for you, but we constantly consult with those in our vast network to help one another on behalf of our clients. This means that when you work with a Travel Advisor, you have the support and care of many other industry insiders, too! We are constantly sharing our reviews, experiences, and recommendations with one another to better serve our clients. 4. The Human Connection Before, During, and After travel As Travel Advisors, we don't just provide answers. We ask plenty of questions too! That's so we can get to know you, your vacation style, and your preferences for your next trip. This makes us much more powerful than a search engine! 5. Travel Inspiration & Insights The Inspiration and insights we offer at Matt Travel don't end with this newsletter or after your trip is booked either. Our clients reach out to us months and days leading up to their trip seeking recommendations for things to see, do, and eat while in destination. Or sometimes insights for driving in destination or tips for traveling with kids. Nathalie and Brittany recently collaborated on a guide for a client searching for his roots in Italy. Click here to view it. by Matt Wahlgren:Travel Advisor, Agency Owner, and Avid Traveler... 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. Matt Wahlgren ADVISOR / AGENCY OWNER I work with both new and experienced travelers in order to provide them with an unforgettable experience by Matt WahlgrenTravel Advisor, Agency Owner, and Avid Traveler... Ever pondered the meaning of life? I believe it’s something each of us defines uniquely. For me, it involves accomplishing goals, creating moments of joy, and forging meaningful connections. One way to create meaning in life is through travel. By exploring and connecting with others, we discover ourselves. At Matt Travel, we take this philosophy to heart by helping you curate your very own living list. What adventures and experiences do you want to have in this lifetime and what are you doing right now to fulfill them? Whether you dream of trekking through ancient ruins, savoring exotic cuisines, or simply watching the sunset from every continent on a private yacht or villa, crafting your living list is about embracing those ambitions—no matter how grand or simple they may seem. Remember, it's never too early or too late to start sketching out the dreams that matter most to you. Crafting your living list isn't about squeezing everything into one year; it’s about steadily making your way through a lifetime of meaningful experiences. Let’s start building that list together and turn your "someday" into reality. Matt Wahlgren ADVISOR / AGENCY OWNER I work with both new and experienced travelers in order to provide them with an unforgettable experience. Top Travel Advisors Participate in Global Travel Marketplace West
Dallas, Texas - Northstar Travel Group is proud to announce that Matt Wahlgren was selected from among hundreds of applicants to attend Global Travel Marketplace West (GTM West), which took place at The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa in Henderson/Las Vegas, Nevada, June 2-4, 2024. GTM West is a two-and-a-half-day invitation-only event for top-producing travel advisors in the western states and provinces of North America. Selected advisors meet with leading cruise, hotel, tour and destination suppliers seeking to conduct business face-to-face. A select group of 144 travel advisors were chosen to participate from several hundred applicants. “GTM West is professionals, meeting with professionals, working to move their businesses forward,” said Jacqueline Hurst, Director, Trade Recruitment and Engagement, Travel Weekly Events. “A GTM West advisor is one that recognizes the importance of creating new business relationships and fostering existing ones in order to best serve their clients’ needs. Travel suppliers representing the depth and breadth of the industry engaged with travel advisors through a variety of one-on-one pre-scheduled meetings, exclusive Boardroom presentations and networking events. “At Matt Travel, we believe one way to create meaning in life is through travel. By exploring and connecting with others, we discover ourselves. We take this philosophy to heart by helping you curate your very own living list. What adventures and experiences do you want to have in this lifetime and what are you doing right now to fulfill them? Whether you dream of trekking through ancient ruins, savoring exotic cuisines, or simply watching the sunset from every continent, crafting your living list is about embracing those ambitions—no matter how grand or simple they may seem,” said Matt Wahlgren, Agency Owner of Matt Travel. GTM West advisors exhibit unparalleled industry expertise and come to the event to build relationships with key individuals in hotel, cruise, tour and destination organizations, allowing them to best meet their valuable clients’ needs. “Many advisors at GTM West have already exceeded their 2023 sales numbers, proving that the advisors chosen to attend this event represent the best in today’s travel business,” said Alicia Evanko-Lewis, Executive Vice President, Travel Group Events, Northstar Travel Group. “GTM West provided the platform for these travel professionals to network with like-minded individuals who all have the same goal: To build and grow their business.” About Northstar Travel Group Northstar Travel Group is the leading B-to-B media company providing information and marketing solutions for the global travel industry. The company owns 14 media brands connecting 1.4m industry professionals through a comprehensive portfolio of digital, social, print and more than 100 events in 13 countries. Northstar Travel Group is owned by EagleTree Capital. Northstar Travel Group is based in Rutherford, NJ, and more information is available at northstartravelgroup.com. About Matt Travel Matt Travel, a premier travel agency, is proud to be the go-to destination for travelers seeking personalized, unforgettable experiences. The company promises extraordinary adventures designed to inspire and excite. With over 10 years of experience, Matt Travel upholds the highest standards of professionalism and client care When it comes to planning a trip, a personal recommendation is usually the most valuable piece of advice — and we believe that the firsthand experience of a trusted friend helps make your decisions that much easier. We’re travelers ourselves and are always in the field making connections with hotel managers, tour operators and local experts who are confident in their recommendations. Our team has made travel both our passion and business, and there’s nothing we’d love to talk about more than your next trip.
In the summer issue of Postcards, find new ideas for informative and joyful excursions from our writers who cover the globe. Spend a weekend in Las Vegas catching up on the city’s latest additions and innovations. While in Cyprus, our writer embarks on a halloumi-themed adventure to find out more about the Mediterranean island’s prized cheese. In our cruise feature, follow in the footsteps of explorers like Roald Amundsen and Ernest Shackleton on a voyage through the icy waters of Antarctica. Plus, check out the culinary standouts and cultural attractions in the Taiwanese capital of Taipei. This publication (and the exclusive promotions you’ll find inside) is a gift from Matt Travel to you. Allow us to bring the inspiration from these pages to life and into a fabulous vacation that you’ll treasure for years to come. Matt Travel is here to help you turn your travel dreams into reality. Happy travels! by Matt Wahlgren:Travel Advisor, Agency Owner, and Avid Traveler... There's a lot to remember before heading out on your next adventure. That's why I always use a checklist to remind myself of all the things I need to pack before I embark on my next trip. Keep reading to discover the three must-have items you need while traveling! Click here for a handy packing list to make sure you are prepared for all of your traveling needs! After all the packing is done and just before I head to the airport, I double-check to make sure I have these three things on me. Without these items, I may not even make it to my destination, or at a minimum, my traveling experience will be considerably more difficult. If all I have are these three things, I'll be able to get by and can always purchase anything else I need. #1. Don't forget your passport If you're traveling internationally, you won't even make it on the plane without your passport. Even if you somehow manage to slip through all the check points and make it to your destination, they’ll put you on the next flight home as soon as you land. I've seen it happen a number of times. The traveler who forgets their passport has to go back home to get it, no exceptions. Their travel plans are delayed, plus they incur stiff fees from the airline to re-book their airfare. Bonus Tip: Make sure your passport doesn't expire until six months after the date you return home, or they might not let you go abroad. #2. Don't forget your money/credit card I was pickpocketed while traveling once. They took my wallet with all my money and credit cards. They were so talented that I didn't even realize it until the next day! The worst part? I was only halfway through my month-long journey. I begged my parents to send money via Western Union at each new city I went to so I didn't have to come home early. Thankfully, they agreed, but it was quite the process. The time difference between us was about 10 hours, which made communication while traveling extremely difficult. I wasn't sure how much money I needed for the rest of the trip and typos in my name made it difficult to collect the cash. All-in-all, lesson learned: do not forget your money or credit cards while traveling! #3. Don't forget your phone With the world’s shift from paper to digital almost complete, your most important travel information is now on your phone. Plus, your family and friends expect to hear from you frequently while you travel to make sure you're alive and well. We've grown so dependent on our smart phones, it's hard to travel without them. To top it off, many of us no longer use a physical camera; it's now just an app on our phone. Can you imagine traveling to all these beautiful sites and not being able to take pictures of any of your food? Lame! Before you leave for your next trip, double-check to make sure you didn't forget your three most important travel items: your passport, money and phone. Matt Wahlgren ADVISOR / AGENCY OWNER I work with both new and experienced travelers in order to provide them with an unforgettable experience. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Matt Travel, and often when I explain what I do, people are surprised to learn that Travel Advisors are far from extinct! Curious minds typically ask how I ventured into this exhilarating field. Well, it all began with my partner Jason, who was already dabbling in travel advising. He received an invitation to a travel seminar aboard the Carnival Imagination, and I decided to tag along. Not only was it my very first cruise, but it was also the catalyst for my career as a Travel Advisor. Don’t tell anyone, but initially I secretly used Jason’s credentials to book trips for clients—definitely not recommended! It wasn’t long before I officially entered the field, and the rest, as they say, is history. Four years into my newfound passion, I bid farewell to my traditional job and embraced guiding people through their travel adventures full-time. The realization that working in travel was my calling happened quite swiftly. My first journey abroad was immediately after college during a period of intense self-questioning about my future. The typical 9-to-5 office job just didn't appeal to me. After exploring various paths with my father, I felt a strong pull towards the Peace Corps—it just clicked mentally. Soon after, I found myself living in Bulgaria for two years, where the travel bug firmly took hold. Returning home with a fierce determination to integrate travel into my career, I scoured the internet for travel-related jobs. Despite considering roles from flight attendant to travel blogger, none resonated with me. At one point, I even secured a job managing a boutique hotel in Rome, but the visa limitations made it impractical. Several years later, it was Jason’s connection to a travel agency that opened the door to the world of travel advising. Joining the agency felt as right as joining the Peace Corps had years before. Now, a decade later, I can’t envision myself in any other industry. Travel advising is not just what I do—it's a crucial part of who I am. Here at Matt Travel, we don't just plan trips; we create gateways to global discovery and lifelong memories. Matt Wahlgren Advisor / Agency Owner I work with both new and experienced travelers in order to provide them with an unforgettable experience Think about the services you rely on in life: your doctor, your accountant, your hairstylist or barber. Trust is the key to your connection with these professionals. Your health, your financials, and your hair shouldn’t be left to just anyone. The same is true for your vacation, whether it be a Caribbean cruise or a romantic getaway. More than ever, your travel advisor is your guide to traveling smarter.
KNOWLEDGE THAT AFFECTS THE INDUSTRY Travel agents are familiar with resources for monitoring changing travel conditions, policies, and requirements that may impact their clients. They regularly monitor evolving travel advisories, policies for entering countries, visa requirements, hurricane updates, and more. They communicate this information to their clients in a timely manner for planning or adjusting arrangements as needed. GENUINE CARE FOR CLIENTS Travel advisors enjoy working with clients and genuinely care about those they serve. To the internet, you are a reservation number, but travel advisors understand you have instilled your trust in them to plan a memorable vacation. Travel advisors take their roles seriously, genuinely caring about your best interests. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE Travel professionals love to travel, and their experiences benefit those who plan vacations with them. When travel advisors travel, they take hundreds of photographs, document their experiences, meet with staff, attend on-site training sessions, and write reviews of their vacations. This knowledge helps advisors when working with future clients by using their experiences (both positive and negative) as a guide for recommendations. NETWORK OF COLLEAGUES Travel advisors spend a great deal of time together and talk with one another about everything travel-related. Travel advisors attend workshops together, tour resorts with organized groups, participate in discussions on social media, and constantly assist one another in sharing travel experiences or information. When booking with a travel agent, clients have a massive support network behind the scenes. This benefits clients, travel advisors, and suppliers, and strengthens the entire industry. ACCESS TO PERKS AND PROMOS While it can vary by supplier, dates, and availability, travel advisors often have access to promotions the public does not. Travel agents have access to all supplier-advertised national promotions, but additional perks are sometimes available because of relationships and standings with travel suppliers. Travel advisors work diligently to find the best savings and perks for their clients’ vacation plans. RESOURCES FOR CLIENTS Travel advisors provide resources for their clients that help make preparing for their trips easier. When booking travel with advisors, their assistance doesn’t stop once the deposit (or final payment) is processed. Advisors spend time meeting with their clients to prepare them for their vacations and providing them with packing lists, destination information, brochures, dining recommendations, excursion suggestions, and more. Advisors want their clients’ vacations to be as enjoyable and stress-free as possible—preparation and planning the details with an expert makes any trip better. PASSION FOR TRAVEL Travel agents have a passion for travel they want to share with the world. Fueled by a strong enthusiasm for exploring the world, travel advisors also want you to feel energized and excited about your travel plans. This passion for the industry shines through and drives how advisors interact with and serve their clients. They love traveling and want you to love it too! by Matt Wahlgren:Travel Advisor, Agency Owner, and Avid Traveler... 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.
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AuthorSharing my travel experiences and insights Archives
July 2024
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