Happy Thursday Hidden Gem Travel community! November before Thanksgiving is typically a quiet month for client travel. This week, Hidden Gem Travel clients are in northern Italy and Costa Rica. This quieter time allows me to focus on working with clients on 2025 trips which include Spain, Scotland, New Zealand, Japan, Napa, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, Peru, Anguilla, Hawaii, Nevis, Amsterdam, and African safaris – just to name a few.
HIDDEN GEM TRAVEL IS EXPANDING! If you, or someone you know, would like to get into the travel industry, I’ve looking to bring on one or two people to support my growing business. Email me to express interest in learning more.
With Thanksgiving and the beginning of the holiday season only two weeks away (yikes), it’s good timing to be thinking about 2025 travel. Why might you wonder? Because come January, there will be a flurry of inquiries and bookings (see the section at towards the end of this newsletter where I explain Wave Season).
Note – I will be taking a two week break from the office late January into early February (you will love finding out where I’m going), so new trip consultations will be scheduled when I return. Reach out now to get the ball rolling so there’s no delay.
If you have a premium to luxury level trip in mind for 2025, let’s talk and read on for the news and scoop (see the end for updates on new entry requirments for the UK and EU countries)…
Virtuoso Magazine – Award Winners
I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight a few of the Virtuoso award winners for best of 2024 who well deserve every accolade that comes their way:
Best Cruise Lines: Silversea (ocean) & AmaWaterways (river).
I’ve sailed on both lines multiple times and loved the experience! So do clients, and I get them some nice perks too 😊
Best Onsite Company: Leonidas Travel
Leonidas is local in the Balkan counties, the most popular being Croatia. I love partnering with Leonidas as they truly uplevel the travel experience. Why would you book any other way when you can have the best local guidance, expertise, and support?
Sustainability Award for Supporting Local Economies: Big Five Tours & Expeditions
Not only does Big Five support local economies but they also make sure you have awe-inspiring experiences in all of their destinations. Peru is one of their specialties, so be sure to reach out to me if Peru is on your travel bucket list.
You can see the full list and read the magazine at this link https://bit.ly/VirtuosoMagNov24 and/or email me to request a subscription (it’s a gift from me for clients).
‘Cruise’ Issue
The theme of this latest Virtuoso Magazine issue is cruising. If the picture that comes to mind is a gigantic ship overflowing with American tourists, then you’re only seeing one (1) type of cruise.
If you like being on the water, I challenge you to schedule a cruise consultation with me to learn about the many types (I’ve written about this in past newsletters), and what would be a match for how you like to travel. Personally, I love a good cruise as mentioned above, and I’ll share why and share my tips.
💎Hidden Gem Tip: The cruise industry keeps diversifying and growing. Keeping abreast of all of the options, ocean – river – expedition – yacht, is what I do.
Safari Guide – New Resource!
Together with my partners that specialize in African safaris, I’ve put together a fantastic new resource for anyone hoping to go on safari whether it’s your first or fifth time! It’s a valuable resource because it spans 11 countries and highlights the safari experience, when to go, places to stay and more.
Email me to get a copy of my Safari Guide and schedule a safari consultation. Safaris are best planned a year in advance so for later 2025 or 2026 – start now.
UK & EU Updates
If you’re planning to travel to the UK or EU countries in 2025, you’ll need to be aware of the new entry requirements requiring travelers from the US to apply for travel authorization. The details will be in all applicable Hidden Gem Travel client itineraries and part of the booking process.
If you’re hoping to travel to Italy in 2025, it’s a Jubilee year meaning tourism will be up sharply not only in Rome but across the country. My Italian partners are keeping me continually updated, and we will discuss the situation on your consultation call.
Ready to begin 2025 travel planning? Respond to this email or click on the links above or below to get started!
Wishing you amazing travel adventures,
Susan
Travel News You Can Use
💎 Hidden Gem Tip: What is WAVE Season?
In the cruise industry, wave season is in January and February when many cruise lines offer incentives to book. Lately, Black Friday and Travel Tuesday (the Tuesday after Thanksgiving) have had some great promotions. If you’re not a cruiser, other travel companies are catching on and offering some nice perks.
Finding the cruise itinerary and promotions can be a daunting task, so working with a trusted travel advisor will help you with all of the decision points throughout the research, booking, and preparing to travel processes.
PARTNERSHIPS
About Hidden Gem Travel Consulting
Hidden Gem Travel Consulting was founded by Susan Wilson. After decades of traveling the world and working for Fortune 50 companies and global nonprofits, she opened her own travel business which is affiliated with Virtuoso – the leading global network of agencies specializing in luxury and experiential travel.
Through her deep network and signature consultative process, she designs customized travel itineraries that elevate your escape and speak to what will wow everyone on the trip.
It’s a new way to travel – a vacation that allows you to feel the full vibrancy of the destination while giving you access to perks, amenities, and experiences that are “ungoogleable.”
Enriching. Experiential. Effortless. Hidden Gem Travel Consulting is your trusted travel advisor.
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REFERRAL BONUS If you know someone who would benefit from help from a travel expert, forward this email and have them mention your name during their complimentary consultation. You will receive a special perk!
Virtuoso Wanderlist Specialist
Hidden Gem Travel Consulting is proud to be one of the first travel businesses to be certified in Virtuoso Wanderlist, a unique and exclusive consulting service designed to turn travel dreams into reality through the creation of a strategic plan – called a travel portfolio.
Much like wealth advisors manage investment portfolios, Wanderlist Advisors manage an equally important asset – our leisure time. Wanderlist marries “Netflix-style” technology with the deep expertise of a travel advisor. Wanderlist helps families live a life filled with anticipation and special memories.
Take a peek here: https://bit.ly/wanderlisthgtc
