Welcome to my weekly Sunday travel newsletter.
First up, let me remind you of an event I have in Ottawa this Wednesday, May 20th. If you want to learn about AMA Waterways, and river cruising, please join us. RSVP here.
click here.
And now - on to the regularly scheduled programming. :-)
Do you know the classic rock "Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin? You might remember these lyrics, below? The next line is.... "Valhalla, I'm coming!"
A few weeks ago, my newsletter focused on "going Viking," (click here) and I had a reference to this Led Zeppelin song (if you didn't grow up in the 70's, the song is also key in the more recent movie "School of Rock").
This song has been running through my brain ever since.
I don't pretend to be a hard rock aficionado. But I grew up hearing my older cousins and uncle sing the "Immigrant Song." I knew the song was ubiquitous, with an instantly identifiable hiss, scream, and driving beat. I knew it was about Iceland - the land of ice and snow. And I knew that Valhalla was Norse mythology's resting spot for slain heroes. Not exactly a typical rallying cry for angst-ridden teenagers in western Newfoundland :-).... but then again, maybe that was the point?!
Now that I'm much older (ahem), the Robert Plant lyrics do seem a little more contrived than inspirational. Now, I prefer to sanitize the line "Valhalla, I'm coming" so that I don't think of it referring to conquering invaders, fighting to the death; but rather people wanting to go to Norse heaven, although maybe heaven on earth! Now, I'm wanting a little Valhalla myself.
I think it's time to "embrace the world" with a little heaven on earth, don't you?
"
Valhalla, I'm coming!
"
We all could use a little Valhalla!
We certainly all have enough stressors and hard work in our daily lives! My own family is working through the pain and suffering of two debilitating strokes (both my mother-in-law and my father-in-law), and a MRSA-infection (my hubby), plus a host of other health afflictions (including my godmother's heart surgery gone awry), and unexpected deaths in my family circle, There's been just a little TOO much reality crammed into the past 6 weeks. But, the human condition is such, we all go through this at different points. I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting a little Valhalla here on earth!
So, tell me - what do you think of, when you are "singing and crying, 'Valhalla, I'm coming!' "
What is your idea of heaven on earth? What is on your bucket list?
Can I help you sort it? Or maybe re-frame it so we don't call it a bucket list, so much as a "living list?!"
How do you want to "embrace the world?"
This past Monday, I was part of the "Embrace the World" travel showcase in Toronto with a few of my terrific VAST (Virtuoso Active & Specialty Travel) partners; as well as the Virtuoso Toronto roadshow. It was an honour to have some of my Toronto-based clients meet my friends from Lindblad Expeditions, Big Five Tours, Arctic Kingdom, and International Expeditions. What a privilege to have folks like Lesa Bain, Ashish Sanghrajka, Thomas Lennartz, and Kristin Day in front of my clients; sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for their companies and their experiential journeys.
The travel presentations that followed Monday's cocktail party were both inspirational and aspirational. Those in attendance have a much better idea of what's on their bucket list/ living list for upcoming trips. I have further details on the presentation below, and a terrific "show" offer I can extend to all of my clients,regardless of whether you could make it to the Shangri-La Toronto this past Monday.(See last article.)
Of course, if you want to go visit the Shangri-La Toronto (my fave Toronto hotel), and experience a little Valhalla close to home, my VIrtuoso partner Daniela has crafted a promo for me to share with you. If you're in Ottawa, Toronto, or even further afield; a weekend stay at the Shangri-La Toronto can only serve you and your family well. Rejuvenate. See this
Shangri-La Toronto promo (And call me to get it booked. Like all Virtuoso promotions, you have to book through a Virtuoso advisor, such as myself, to take advantage of the offer, and get the Virtuoso amenities/ perks..)
After the client event, I had drinks and dinner with with Lesa, Ashish, Thomas, and Kristin last Monday at the Shangri-La; and I was able to focus in on some of their special trips for my clients.
Here's an example of one!
Lesa Bain of Lindblad Expeditions was telling me about this really unique opportunity for folks to travel with world explorer, and company founder, Sven Lindblad to Iceland this July. The trip is very close in, but it is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. It is a fantastic opportunity to visit the land of ice and snow, and the midnight sun (a la Robert Plant). see
Iceland Hangout - Valhalla, I'm Coming
. Just look at the
speaker list
-
incredible speakers, including very powerful Icelandic women who've ensured the land of ice and snow has smashed any glass ceiling to smithereens. And, that's on top of what Lindblad offers with the special expedition cruising around Iceland. You'd see Iceland in a way that very few people do! As well as you'd be travelling with Sven Lindblad, along with the National Geographic photographers. If there's any way you can make this trip, I'd highly encourage you to do it. Let me know if you have a girlfriend's group that might want to go. Or perhaps a photography group. Maybe even a few science teachers, mothers and adult daughters, or perhaps new retirees! There will be something special for everyone! Have a look at the details here - Iceland trip, And just picture yourself with the bloody orange midnight sun this July. Imagine - $1000/day to change your life!
If Iceland isn't your thing, there may be other Valhallas awaiting you! Maybe you want to see the humpback whales off of British Columbia? (Just watch this CBC News story about an encounter
Or perhaps you want to see the icebergs off of Newfoundland - look at this astonishing picture taken this week (
click here for credits).
Or maybe you want to see the Arctic or Antarctica with Arctic Kingdom, cruise the Peruvian rainforest or go check out Cuba with International Expeditions, check out South Africa or maybe Dubai with Big Five Tours.... or more besides!
This week, I'm including some Lindblad, Big Five, Arctic Kingdom, and International Expedition trips in the VAST section of the newsletter.
And, for a more moderate sampling of active trips, I'm focusing on Incredible India. In case that's your idea of Valhalla. Ah, India - a world of it's own.
(And if your idea of Valhalla is river cruising - whether through Europe, or maybe even Vietnam and Cambodia - please join us this Wednesday in Ottawa with AMA Waterways. click here. )
And now... on to the newsletter. Valhalla, I'm coming!
Sheila
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