Australia, Here We Come!

Our team has been busy the last couple of months as travel demand continues to soar.  Spring & summer travel is booking fast – especially for popular domestic, Caribbean and European destinations.  Clients have started to set sail again.  Many cruise lines have promotions ongoing at the moment- including two of our newest VIP partners: Seabourn and Azamara (promotions noted below).  Our global supplier network is receiving a record volume of travel requests, so itineraries are taking longer to prepare than usual.   Planning ahead gets you the best rates & availability and patience is (as always) appreciated!  Where would you like to go?  Let’s get planning!

At Last, Australia!

Are you ready to get your wild on again: hug a koala? Hand feed a wallaby? Cradle a wombat? Glide through rivers in a low-slung boat to watch crocodiles eat? Or swim with sea life at the Great Barrier Reef? A visit to Queensland may be just what you need to reinvigorate the spirit of travel. Australia has reopened at last and helping you figure out where and when to visit is our pleasure.

Once you’re in Oz, consider a stop in the state of Tasmania, this gorgeously green and rugged island is just off the country’s south shore. You can fly into the capital of Hobart, or the more adventurous can book a berth on the overnight ferry, the Spirit of Tasmania. Tasmania is a great place to rent a car and drive around -- it’s dense forests and wildlife make it a great substitute for New Zealand.

Did we mention the luxury accommodation scene is strong, too? From top-notch lodges near the shimmering shores of Wineglass Bay in Tasmania to the breathtaking scenery of the Blue Mountains near Sydney – there are many incredible places to stay.

Planning your visit is a priority. A trip to enormous, awesome Australia will be one of the best of your life. Let us help you figure out when and where you’ll want to visit. 

Satisfy that Thirst for Travel! 

Half of the fun of exploring is sampling the local food and drink that you just can’t get in your own neck of the woods – even if you’ve only crossed state or provincial lines. Why not base your next trip in a city renowned for the quality of its quaff? Here’s a few ideas to get you thinking and drinking:

West Coast

San Diego County is home to 120 microbreweries – start your craft beer crawl along the Hops Highway between Oceanside through Escondido to get you started. Prefer Seattle? Just north of the downtown, a walking tour through the Ballard neighborhood and its brewpubs will keep you busy all day.

Serious suds heads should land in Portland to discover its many makers of sours, IPAs and saisons. Or try one of British Columbia’s many ale trails, but let’s start in downtown Victoria, on Vancouver Island. This is the heart of Canada’s West Coast craft beer scene and Brewery Bay has a walkable ring of brewpubs and breweries that surround the Upper Harbor.

East Coast

Vermont is known as the birthplace of the New England IPA, so come and indulge in fresh air and fine beer; Boston has long been a hot spot for incredible beer – no matter what neighbourhood you’re in there’s a good brewpub waiting for you. Drive into Quebec and discover Montreal’s hip craft brews, some of the country’s top brasseur’s stock a city full of artisanal brew pubs.

Getting Comfortable with Travel

As restrictions ease around the world, travelers are spreading their wings again. If it’s your first trip out – you’ll be surprised by what you find in airports and hotels – but one thing hasn’t changed: the thrill of exploring new destinations or revisiting familiar haunts. What has changed is how important it is to plan ahead. More so now than ever. Long-term strategizing is what we do best – and we are busier than ever helping clients find their happy places around the world.

Book a time to speak with us and ask for our advice and recent experiences in the field. You’ll be happy you made the effort and thrilled when you step out and live your best life again, whether it’s seeing old friends in favorite destinations or returning to the cities of the world that inspired you to travel in the first place.

VIP Partner Spotlight

We’ve been busy leveraging our buying power and relationships to get our clients the best possible perks!  We’re excited to announce four new VIP Partnerships:

Across the pond in Italy – Palazzo Seneca in Umbria is much more than a hotel stay. You’ll be pampered in a 16th-century palace that’s been under the loving care of the Bianconi family since 1850. Restored by local artisans, this stately home welcomes you with 24 individually appointed rooms and farm-to-table cuisine. You’ll never lack things to do whether perusing ancient texts in the library, taking Umbrian cooking classes (including making pecorino cheese in the countryside!), attending a Benedictine Monk Chant or year-round truffle hunting.  I visited last July and it touched my heart.  It's a truly special off the beaten path property in the Green Heart of Italy!  

Closer to home – Park Hyatt New York is an award winning hotel in a prime location across the street from Carnegie Hall, one block from Central Park, and near MoMA and Lincoln Center. Large guest rooms inspired by well-appointed homes enjoy natural light and luxurious, spa-like bathrooms.  Looking for a wellness break?  Spa Nalai is the perfect retreat with its indoor saltwater swimming pool, eucalyptus steam room and a 24hr fitness center overlooking the Manhattan skyline.  This is a fantastic base for a shopping trip, sampling NYC’s restaurants, exploring museums or taking in a Broadway show!  An added bonus – they are offering a 3^rd night free with perks for travel through Sept 1^st!

On the Water 

Seabourn is luxurious, yet relaxed -elegant, yet casual - sumptuous, yet understated. Their intimate ships visit destinations worldwide, sailing to landmark cities & hidden gems where larger vessels cannot follow. Their acclaimed staff offers a style of heartfelt hospitality that is sincere, thoughtful & personal as guests sail on the World's Finest Ultra-Luxury Resort at Sea.  An Insider Tip: Like caviar? Order exclusive Thomas Keller brand Regiis Ova Siberian Reserve caviar, which is sustainably produced anytime and anywhere you want on a Seabourn ship.

Azamara is award-winning cruise line known for authentic destination experiences and the friendly, club-like feeling onboard its three 700-passenger ships. Enjoy Complimentary "AzAmazing Evenings" on almost every voyage highlighting the best of local culture and cuisine in stunning settings. Perhaps it will be an evening of French wines, cuisine and music at the gorgeous Le Hall de la Bourse in Bordeaux or a garden party under the stars at Villa Rufolo on the Amalfi Coast.  

Preferred Partner Offers 

Here are a few of the current promotions available to Departure Lounge clients: