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You are here: Home / Archives for Daniela Harrison

Daniela Harrison

Travel Expo Helping You Decide Where to Go Next

September 26, 2019 By quadcities Leave a Comment

It’s time to get ready for Avenues of the World’s 6th Annual Northern Arizona Travel Expo. This year, the event will be held 5-8 p.m., Thursday Oct. 10, at the Doubletree by Hilton located at 1175 Historic Route 66 here in Flagstaff. There is no better place to be for happy hour!

Avenues of the World Travel has created this educational event for travelers like you. Meet with professionals behind the scenes, ask questions and learn what products are out there that you may not know about. Avenues of the World’s travel advisors will be on site to help guide you and answer questions. This is your chance to meet face to face with representatives of renowned cruise lines, hotel chains and tour operators to get the inside scoop on all things travel. Have you wondered what the new travel hot spots are for 2020, 2021 and 2022? Stop by the event and find out!

A few new things this year: taste an array of hors d’oeuvres from 5-6:30 p.m., and celebrate happy hour at the cash bar from 5-8 p.m. The first 300 guests can enjoy one welcome glass of champagne with compliments of
AmaWaterways.

There will be three new and exciting live presentations throughout the Expo this year. They will begin at 5:30 p.m., with Star Clippers, unique sailing adventures in style. Star Clippers is not a cruise ship in the ordinary sense. If you love sailing, this is an exciting option for you. There are no rigid schedules and you are free to do as you wish with your days and evenings. Discover firsthand what makes them so special!

At 6 p.m., attendees will be able to join Natural Habitat Adventures in discovering our planet together. Get ready for life-enhancing nature and wildlife experiences and learn how every trip supports the World Wildlife Foundation to preserve our natural world.

The final live presentation will be given by Avenues of the World Travel at 6:30 p.m. Learn how to Travel Like a Pro, with insider tips and tricks of the trade. We’ll learn how to create a five-year travel plan, cash in on early booking bonuses, leverage promotions and about the benefits of using a travel advisor.

Let us show you how we can help to enhance your next vacation. There will be one giveaway at the end of each presentation.

Avenues of the World Travel is excited to offer booking specials on site, featuring as much as $250 per person discounts, future trip deposits as low as $40 and special amenities such as extra shipboard credit, free vacation excursions, upgrades and more. Gift cards will also be available for purchase on site. No matter what you’re planning, or if you want to surprise a loved one, the award-winning travel advisors have you covered.

So, who will be at the Expo this year? For the cruise lines: Celebrity Cruises, Viking Cruises, AMAWaterways, Seabourn Cruises, Holland America Cruise Lines, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Star Clippers, Lindblad Expeditions, Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Un-Cruise, Windstar, Ponant, Paul Gauguin, Norwegian Cruise Lines.

For the tour operators: Classic Vacations, African Travel, Travel Impressions, AMResorts, Natural Habitat Adventures, Backroads, Rocky Mountaineer, G Adventures, Brendan Vacations, Trafalgar Tours, Insight Vacations, Zegrahm Expeditions, TCS Private Jet Travel and Context Tours.

Don’t miss your chance to enter the Northern Arizona Travel Expo Raffle! Prizes range from gift cards to gift baskets, all the way to three-night hotel stays. Only event attendees are eligible to win.

The event is free to all, so bring the entire neighborhood to the 6th Annual Northern Arizona Travel Expo 5-8 p.m., Thursday Oct. 10, at the Doubletree by Hilton located at 1175 Historic Route 66 in Flagstaff. The team at Avenues of the World Travel is excited to see you there! For questions about the expo, please call us at 928-556-0853 or email Daniela@avenuesoftheworld.com. QCBN

By Daniela Harrison 

Daniela Harrison is a Travel Advisor and Director of Marketing at Avenues of the World Travel in Flagstaff, AZ. For questions, please reach out via 928-556-0853 or Daniela@avenuesoftheworld.com.

Filed Under: Columnists Tagged With: Avenues of the World Travel, Daniela Harrison, travel

Travelers Seeking Action, Adventure

September 1, 2019 By quadcities Leave a Comment

Expedition, Active and Adventure Travel are the fastest growing segments in the travel market right now. In the past, this type of travel has only been appealing to a specific kind of traveler. You had to be willing to “rough” it in terms of accommodations and food choices, but you were rewarded with experiences that few travelers have had the privilege to enjoy.
The market is rapidly changing now!
With more and more demand for off-the-beaten-path experiences and daring activities, experienced travelers are looking for the next big adventure. Cruise lines have quickly adapted to these requests. New purpose-built ships are debuting in the next three years. The new Celebrity Flora, for example, has been built for the Galapagos.

Silversea Cruises reimagined one of the company’s luxury cruise vessels to now be able to explore the Arctic. A reinforced hull has turned this ship into an icebreaker that allows clients to travel in the lap of luxury and the comfort they are accustomed to, while exploring.
Seabourn has introduced the new Ventures program, which offers more active and daring excursions, and also combines overland adventures throughout longer cruises.

The typical shore excursion is getting revamped to now include more zodiac rides, sea kayaking, submarine dive tours, helicopter tours, active hiking, mountain biking, glacier trekking and so much more. Have you noticed how many new cruise ships are designed with helipads on board? Even the new SeaDream Innovation will have them!
River cruises in Europe have also caught on to the trend. The clientele is more active, is getting younger and asks for more active excursions that push them to the edge of their comfort zone. While the traditional city walking tours are still being offered, alternate excursions include kayaking, mountain biking, cooking classes, rock climbing, port to port hikes, and many lines partner with high active companies like AMAWaterways and Backroads, thus allowing clients to enjoy the ease of a river cruise, combined with the highly active day tours via bike or hike.

While the new toys are a great way to attract travelers that are new to expedition cruising, the more important things to pay attention to are the expedition leaders on board. A knowledgeable guide, who is able to take you to the edge of your seat while making you feel safe, is priceless. These individuals are in high demand. As more ships are being released and more departure dates are being announced, contracting the top guides around the globe will likely become more challenging. It is definitely something to pay attention to.

Un-Cruise, Lindblad and Zegrahm are among the many niche lines that have all embraced the expedition style travel for years. Their itineraries are becoming more and more popular with families, honeymooners and multi-gen groups. Friends and families traveling together love the flexible and active options. They can set daily goals for themselves and celebrate when they all cross the finish line. While comfort and service levels are still important, the expedition traveler is more interested in the variety of activities offered. Learning a new skill, overcoming a personal fear and cheering each other on for the last mile of a challenging hike are bonding families, teaching children to overcome obstacles, and creating lasting friendships among travelers. All this helps the active and expedition traveler to create cherished memories for years to come.

G Adventures is breaking boundaries with the new Tailor Made programs, which allow small groups (like families) to experience a National Geographic Journey at a lower price point, custom built with a private guide, while challenging travelers with authentic experiences and visits to local non-profit projects abroad.
All of the offers out there can already be overwhelming now. And with so many new options entering the market in the next three years, consumers will be flooded with options. As travel advisors, it is our privilege to educate our clients and help them plan ahead.

To learn more about all these suppliers and programs, join us at our 6th Annual Northern Arizona Travel Expo on Thursday, Oct. 10 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Flagstaff. Meet face to face with cruise lines, tour operators and hoteliers between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Our Avenues of the World Travel Advisors will be on site to answer any questions, schedule appointments and assist with live bookings on site. Don’t miss your chance to secure amazing booking specials and enter our door raffle for vacation giveaways and much more! QCBN

By Daniela Harrison

Daniela Harrison is a travel advisor and director of marketing at Avenues of the World Travel in Flagstaff. For questions, please reach out via 928-556-0853 or Daniela@avenuesoftheworld.com.

Filed Under: Columnists Tagged With: Avenues of the World, Daniela Harrison

What’s New on Europe’s Rivers?

July 25, 2019 By quadcities Leave a Comment

River Cruises have been one of the most popular ways to explore Europe in the last few years. While ocean cruises take you to countries, river cruises take you through the heart of the country, allowing you insight into real life, traditions, local culture and enable you to see, smell and taste all the destination has to offer.

As most cruisers know, it’s the ports of call that bring an itinerary to life. AmaWaterways is a great example to look at. Most of our Arizona cruisers are very familiar with them, and many are on their fifth or sixth sailing with the line. Are you curious to know what keeps travelers coming back cruise after cruise?

First off, the crew! With a crew-to-passenger ratio of 1:3 or less, no wonder guests feel pampered and well taken care of. The intimate setting of a river cruise ship allows guests to feel at home naturally. There is a sense of community on board and you become part of the family during your time on the ship. It’s an excellent way for solo travelers to make new friends and meet like-minded travelers. The crew stays loyal to AmaWaterways; many have been with the line for 10+ years, providing some of the highest service levels on board the ships.

The ease of travel certainly helps. Imagine spending a week on board a floating hotel. Being able to explore multiple countries, cities and villages over the course of a week, without packing and unpacking… A delightful way to discover Europe! And best of all, every cabin comes with a view!

The diversity of the destinations is, of course, an attraction in itself. You can sail the Rhine in the spring, summer, fall and winter and each time the landscape has changed, there are other local festivities in place and excursions change with the season. While you might want to visit the Tulip Gardens in Amsterdam in the spring, you will see the Christmas markets along the Rhine in the winter, or enjoy Octoberfest festivities during fall foliage sailings, or taste your way through Europe’s famous beer gartens in the summer.

A wide array of excursions can be most intriguing. Choose from biking, hiking, kayaking, culinary-themed tours, walking tours, concerts, farm visits, wine tastings, lectures and more… There’s something offered for everyone. And most options are offered at various speeds to accommodate your fast, moderate and slow walkers.

Specialty Cruises like wine and golf-themed voyages, wellness or Christmas market voyages are another amazing way to repeat a destination with a new focus; opening an entirely new viewpoint and appreciation of the destination to its visitors. AmaWaterways just debuted its new Cruise and Golf Program – a fun way to get an insiders access of Europe.

And, of course, there are new ships that bring the latest innovations to the river vessels. A stellar example is AmaWaterways ship, the AmaMagna. She eas purposely built at twice the width of traditional European river ships and offers more personal space, more unique dining venues and more leisure opportunities. Most accommodations are spacious suites measuring 355 to 710 square feet with full balconies. In addition to the main restaurant and The Chef’s Table, AmaMagna introduces two enticing new dining venues: Jimmy’s, a family-style restaurant named for the late co-owner of AmaWaterways, Jimmy Murphy, and the Al Fresco Restaurant, with retractable windows and outdoor seating. Both a sun-deck pool and whirlpool invite guests to refresh and enjoy the views. AmaMagna’s Zen Wellness Studio is an expansive space with a fitness center and two massage rooms, and her innovative Water Sports Platform opens to reveal a Sundowner boat upon which intimate river excursions will take place.

AmaWaterways’ current specials include complimentary roundtrip economy air from most major U.S. airports. That is a huge savings! Should you have miles for your flights, you can take the money savings option off the cruise fare instead. Past guests can enjoy tiered benefits like discounts, welcome amenities and cabin upgrades.

As one of AmaWaterways’ preferred partners, we are excited to offer our guests exclusive shipboard credits on every AmaWaterways sailing throughout the end of 2020.

To learn more about AmaWaterways and the programs they offer on board, join us at our 6th Annual Northern Arizona Travel Expo on Oct. 10 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Flagstaff. Meet with Brandon from AmaWaterways, and many other cruise lines, tour operators and hoteliers face to face between 5 and 8 p.m. Our Avenues of the World travel advisors will be on site to answer any questions, schedule appointments and assist with live bookings on site. Don’t miss your chance to secure amazing booking specials and enter our door raffle for vacation giveaways and much more! QCBN

By Daniela Harrison

Daniela Harrison is a travel advisor and director of marketing at Avenues of the World Travel in Flagstaff. For questions, please reach out via 928-556-0853 or Daniela@avenuesoftheworld.com.

Filed Under: Columnists Tagged With: Avenues of the World, Daniela Harrison

Turning Sea Days into Highlights of Your Cruise

June 26, 2019 By quadcities Leave a Comment

When talking about a cruise vacation, there are many obvious options to consider, from the ports of call, the trip length, the size of the ship, the on-board inclusions and, of course, the levels of service you’ll experience on board. The one thing that always turns into a big point of discussion for us are the number of sea days during any given cruise itinerary.

Travelers either love them or hate them. But, we have figured out that sea days can be the highlights of your next cruise vacation, if you are traveling with the right cruise line for your interests.

While some lines are only focused on partying, gambling at the casino on board and visiting the shopping malls, other like to elevate your experience and challenge your knowledge.

Holland America does an excellent job of challenging their affluent cruisers. All ships offer a variety of programs to engage and stimulate their travelers’ minds and help them develop and fine-tune new skills. One of their most popular programs is America’s Test Kitchen, which offers live on-board cooking shows and hands-on workshops and the BBC Earth Experiences, which include exclusive lectures, concerts and documentaries.

For the wine connoisseur in you, join the Blend Program on board and learn how to create your own unique wine blend. Afterward, stroll through the on-board art gallery and get inspired by renowned artists before attending a digital workshop that will teach you how to edit, display and share your favorite vacation memories.

Enjoy cultural performances that capture the spirit of the region or join one of the many engaging presentations and interactive workshops on board that are led by expert guides and the top of their fields. What does that mean for you? You get to connect with marine biologists to learn about the underwater life in your destination. You can join a historian on your shore excursion and learn all about the history of ancient tribes in the region.

For Oprah Fans, schedule your day around the O-Inspired Programs, like morning meditation and yoga, the Oprah Book Club, and many others that guests can enjoy onboard and be inspired to live life to the fullest.

When inspiration strikes you, stop by the Rijksmuseum at Sea. Much more than a floating art museum, Rijksmuseum at Sea is a creative salon where guests can be inspired by the museum’s collection to create their own works of art – through drawing, photography or just doodling. Rijksmuseum at Sea includes a bright studio space featuring life-sized reproductions of artworks from Rijksmuseum, drawing tables, sketchbooks, pencils, friendly instructors and everything guests need to create their own masterpieces. 

Choosing a longer voyage that offers more sea days can add an amazing value to your next cruise vacation. You will be able to enjoy many exclusive on-board activities like those mentioned above, most free of charge, and you won’t have to miss out on spending time in ports and exploring the destinations you’re visiting. No more feeling rushed and feeling anxiety over missing out on activities. Holland America Cruises Legendary Voyages are a great way to get the best of all worlds. These lengthier itineraries extend your journey, giving you longer stays and overnights in key ports – time to truly experience the heart and soul of the region you are visiting. Each carefully planned itinerary gives you time to discover and reflect, with a diverse assortment of excursions, including culinary-themed shore excursions in partnership with FOOD & WINE. On board, make the most of each destination with Explorations Central, where you can engage in local language lessons, expert-led talks and more. In short, take advantage of amazing savings, cash in on added amenities, really get to know the crew on board as well as the expert guides and lecturers, acquire a new skill, discover a new destination and come back relaxed and rejuvenated.

To learn more about Holland America and the programs they offer on board, join us at our 6th Annual Northern Arizona Travel Expo on Oct. 10, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Flagstaff. Meet with Megan from Holland America and many other cruise lines, tour operators and hoteliers, face to face between 5-8 p.m. Our Avenues of the World Travel Advisors will be on site to answer any questions, schedule appointments and assist with live bookings on site. Don’t miss your chance to secure amazing booking specials and enter our door raffle for vacation giveaways and much more! QCBN

By Daniela Harrison

Daniela Harrison is a Travel Advisor and Director of Marketing at Avenues of the World Travel in Flagstaff. For questions, please reach out via 928-556-0853 or Daniela@avenuesoftheworld.com.

Filed Under: Columnists Tagged With: Avenues of the World Travel, Daniela Harrison

Cruising on One of the Most Luxurious Ships 

August 22, 2018 By quadcities Leave a Comment

Regent Seven Seas Cruises have some of the most luxurious ships ever built. Each ship nestles you in the lap of pure luxury and is absolutely amazing. The furniture is custom designed. The flowers in each lounge have been carefully selected for their aesthetic presence and delicate scent to create the perfect ambiance. Even the work has been handpicked to encourage conversation and wonder. 

The fleet consists of four ships, with a fifth debuting in 2020. The public areas on board are never crowded, and standing in line for disembarkation or dinner seating is practically nonexistent. The crew members, whose only mission is to tend to your every need, are quick to get to know you and remember your name, making sure you feel at home every second of the day. Since Regent Seven Seas Cruises is all-inclusive, shore excursions in every port are a main attraction, and the guides are phenomenal!  

Suites range from 300 square feet all the way up to 4,400 square feet! My suite, a Concierge Balcony Suite on board the Seven Seas Explorer provided an entire 454-square-feet to enjoy. I had a huge walk-in closet, bedroom area, separate sitting area, desk, minibar hutch, a large balcony furnished with two chairs and table as well as an incredibly comfortable lounge chair. The bathroom was beautifully laid out with double vanities, ample storage space, a bathtub and the most amazing rain shower ever! My favorite feature in the stateroom, you ask? All drawers are easy-close. Simply tap them and they close themselves. It’s truly the little things in life that make a difference. 

Feel like snacking? Try any of the amazing (up to seven) restaurants on board each ship. Each features its own cuisine and unique décor. Your options range from buffet style, Asian-Fusion, modern French, Italian, a top-notch steakhouse or the main restaurant. All dietary needs and food allergies can be accommodated. 

Feel more like lounging by the pool or getting spoiled silly in the spa? Not a problem at all. The saltwater pool is accompanied by two hot tubs and the spa features a separate infinity pool for a more relaxed atmosphere. The pool bar is fully stocked and the bartenders make a mean strawberry daiquiri. Of course there is nothing better to aid your relaxation than a visit to the Canyon Ranch Spa. Choose from a wide array of treatment options (at an additional cost). Get a manicure or simply relax in the sauna for a while. The choice is yours. 

For those who can’t sit still for too long, there is a tennis court, an 18-hole putting course, a jogging track and a top-of-the-line gym with stunning ocean views for your workout. The Constellation Theater offers a different show every night. All three lounges have live music in the evenings, and after 10 p.m., the DJ is ready for you. Don’t forget to stop by the casino, as the cruise manager would say: The casino is ready to pay out tonight…maybe.    

Trying to recover from last night’s party? The library has a plethora of books available for your enjoyment, and the business center is available for your computer needs. Did I mention each suite receives complimentary WiFi?  

I can tell by now you are wondering what else is there to do on board. Clearly this can’t be it? And you are right! Do you know an aspiring chef? The Culinary Arts Kitchen (on the Seven Seas Explorer exclusively) offers cooking classes (extra charge applies), themed by the port of the day. Some classes are a hands-on experience on board, others offer the chance to go ashore with the chef to pick ingredients at the local market and then learn how to prepare them.  

Where does this wonderful fleet sail? Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers itineraries anywhere around the world; except Antarctica and the Galapagos. You can choose from seven-night itineraries all the way to 147-night World Cruise adventures! Get ready to be spoiled beyond belief in some of the most unique ports of call. It would be my pleasure to make your arrangements and help get you there. We secured fantastic group rates for sailing in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and there are some amazing specials to take advantage of for departures during the remainder of the year!  

Still not sure if this is right for you? Join us for our 5th Annual Northern Arizona Travel Expo, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m., Sept. 20, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Flagstaff. A Regent Seven Seas Cruises representative will be on site to meet with you in person and answer any questions you might have. The event is free to all! QCBN 

By Daniela Harrison 

Daniela Harrison is a Travel Consultant for Avenues of the World Travel in Flagstaff AZ.  

For questions, or to make reservations, she can be reached at: 

Daniela@avenuesoftheworld.com or 928.556.0853 

 

 

Filed Under: Columnists Tagged With: Daniela Harrison

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