reid

Seabourn Pursuit, the second ultra-luxury expedition ship by Seabourn, embarked on its inaugural voyage on Saturday.

All the details about the lovely Dromoland Castle in County Clare Ireland.

Today, on August 1st, we at Explora Journeys are thrilled to mark a significant milestone as EXPLORA I embarks on her Maiden journey from Copenhagen to Reykjavik!

Backroads, the active travel company, is introducing a new collection of tours tailored to teenagers and young adults. 

After a few weeks of delay, Explora Journeys finally received delivery of their latest luxury cruise ship, Explora I, on July 20, 2023.

Founded in 1988 by officers of the French Merchant Navy, Ponant is renowned for its expertise in luxury exploration and commitment to sustainable tourism in polar regions and beyond. The fleet consists of 13 state-of-the-art yacht-style vessels, accommodating anywhere from 32 to 330 guests, and offering exceptional experiences across all seven continents.

Congratulations to our neighbor to the south, Acqualina Resort & Residences for being named #1 Beachfront hotel in the US by TripAdvisor.  

In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the National WWII Museum is organizing an 11-day cruise across Europe, culminating in the official commemoration event in Normandy on June 6, 2024. Departing on May 29th, guests will embark on the luxurious Seabourn Ovation, exclusively chartered for this occasion...

Delta Air Lines became the first major U.S. airline to introduce fast, free Wi-Fi for all in partnership with T-Mobile. As of February 1st, the experience is available on most domestic mainline aircrafts with plans in place for full availability on international and regional aircrafts by the end of 2024.  Currently, the only other carrier to offer free Internet at this point is JetBlue.

Interestingly, Delta did not select SpaceX’s Starlink, the current “hot” Internet service from Elon Musk that has been taking the travel industry by storm in recent months.  Delta started offering fast, free Wi-Fi in partnership with T-Mobile to all customers on board most domestic mainline flights on Feb. 1 as a main element of its customer experience. At the launch, fast, free Wi-Fi was available on more than 500 Delta aircrafts. The airline is offering the service on more than 700 Viasat-equipped aircrafts by the end of 2023. At CES in Las Vegas in January, Delta also announced plans to bring free Wi-Fi on international and regional aircraft by the end of 2024.

“At work, at home and everywhere in between, connectivity is essential to daily life, and your journey on Delta should be no different,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian at CES 2023 in Las Vegas. “Our vision has long been to deliver an experience at 30,000 feet that feels similar to what our customers have available on the ground.”

The new Wi-Fi system is designed to match Delta’s vision of more personalized travel.  The new amenity allows customers to log in using their Delta SkyMiles account or join SkyMiles on the ground or in the air for free to connect. 

“We didn’t just want free Wi-Fi to offer base-level service – we wanted it to be transformative for the entire onboard experience,” said Bastian. “It is imperative all customers onboard can enjoy their favorite content just as they would at home, and we’ve put this system through meticulous tests to make that possible.” 

Julia Shore, President and CEO of Reid Travel, recently returned from a three-continent cruise with Silversea. For travelers looking to explore the ancient wonders of Egypt this cruise offers the opportunity to visit Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, Jordan and the excavated capital of Nabatean civilization, Petra, and the amazing white city in the desert, Muscat, Oman. This itinerary, and many others, are now available to Reid Travelers at an exclusive discount. In fact, Reid Travel is one of only thirty travel agencies nationwide that has been given exclusive offers for our cruising clients. Make this New Year count! In 2023, peruse our selection and book your dream getaway with a 10-20% discount, in addition to onboard credit. A few locations on this list include Antarctica, the Arctic region, Greenland, and the Canadian Arctic with three all-suite luxury expedition ships, which enable travelers to experience adventures by day, while dining in luxury by night. Expeditions are not strenuous; rather, travelers are often comfortable on a zodiac or listening to lectures by experts and scientists. Passengers are gifted jackets and boots are available, as well. You will learn about all of the wonderful creatures, polar bears, walruses, penguins, etc., that call these extreme climates home. Contact your travel advisor or [email protected] for the list of available sailings.

Last month, our very own advisor, Cynthia Schultz, journeyed to Antarctica aboard the Viking Expedition Ship, Polaris. Her one-in-a-lifetime experience is described below:

Step off the shore at the southernmost city of our world and make way through the convergence of 3 of the mightiest oceans-Atlantic, Pacific and Southern, through an never ending alley of serene floating blue icebergs to step onto one of the most magnificent places on earth—the seventh continent of Antarctica.

It is a place where tranquility and peace easily harmonize with the raw elements of nature, crystal-white snow, blue icebergs, and glaciers as far as your sight and dreams can take you. The waters are teeming with frolicking penguins, the blows of whales, and seals as the Antarctic wandering albatross, petrels and skuas soar above unmoved by our presence.

The new state-of the art Viking Expedition Ship beckons the heart of every explorer to journey to the ends of the earth and follow the winds and currents as it navigates by the most stunning iceberg formations to magical places tucked away and protected by the most majestic glaciers and ice mountains as an experienced expedition teams and scientists that leads you to discover places and scenery only experienced by few in a way only translatable by your own vision and imagination.

End your days of explorations by dipping into the warm pool, steam room, or sauna or catching up on your favorite book in the library, hanging out with the expedition team at Expedition Central or in the onboard lab with the knowledgeable scientists, daydreaming while enjoying your favorite beverage in the Explorer’s lounge, all before enjoying a sumptuous meal in one of 3 beautiful and scenic dining venues.

As an affiliate of Signature Travel Network, Reid Travel receives the latest most topical news relating to travel, so that we can be on the pulse of all that is current in the industry for our clients. Signature Travel Network's EVP of luxury business development, Ignacio Maza, has shared what he thinks is in store for travel in 2023. Ignacio said, "Travelers are ready for new frontiers, seeking destinations that are unique, authentic, and well worth visiting." We, at Reid Travel, couldn't agree with him more! The destinations that made it onto Ignacio's list are the following:

• Kyoto
• Bhutan
• Sydney
• Qatar
• Rwanda
• Greenland
• Piedmont, Italy
• British Columbia
• Ecuador
• Charleston, SC

Miraval Resorts and Spas specialize in all-inclusive, luxury wellness, and they are located in Austin, Texas; Tuscon, Arizona; Berkshires, Massachusetts.

Inclusive Package Rates Include: shared transfers from Tucson, Austin, or Hartford Airports, $175 per person nightly resort credits that can go toward classes, spa services and private consultations with Miraval wellness specialists, breakfast, lunch, and dinner (snacks too!), all non-alcoholic beverages, unlimited participation in select yoga, fitness and meditation classes, challenge courses, and healthy living lectures by Miraval specialists

One of our advisors will be planning a group trip to Miraval Austin in 2024. Located in the beautiful Hill Country, which is also home to over 50 vineyards, this retreat will focus on culinary activities, nature walks, yoga, and so much more, as well as a chauffeured tour of wine tasting at select nearby vineyards! 

This Five-Star alpine Resort is a destination to visit throughout all of the seasons of the year. Positioned in a picturesque mountain valley, this Four Seasons Resort is known for its breathtaking ski runs, but they also offer hiking, biking, and rafting in the nearby Grand Teton National Park. There are luxury rooms, suites, and private residences to choose from, as well as several dining options, including the Westbank Grill steakhouse and the Pan-Asian inspired Ascent Lounge. Of course, you can unwind with a massage at the end of your active day at their Spa and Wellness Center. This is an excellent trip for the family, a romantic get-away for two, or even an adventurous solo traveler!

Samantha Niederman, Director of Business Development at Reid Travel, recently returned from the Autograph Hotel, Punta Islita, nestled in a private cove surrounded by acres of protected jungle as well as the sea. In the Guanacoste region of Costa Rica, travelers to this pristine paradise will be able to connect with nature on an unparalleled level. Costa Rica is known for its abundant biodiversity, and this region is no exception. Situated next to a macaw sanctuary, visitors of Punta Islita will be delighted by these colorful birds, as well as sightings of monkeys, turtles, and more. One of the particularly unique points of Punta Islita is that it's located in one of 5 Blue Zones worldwide, regions where people live longer and healthier lives. The spirit of the land and the people can be felt here, as you immerse yourself in the experiences offered from horseback riding on the beach to kayaking through mangroves. The region's tiered landscape provides spectacular views of the ocean from every room, and locally sourced ingredients are served in fresh and innovative ways at the Alma & Aura Restaurants. Visitors who venture on this journey will want to return year after year.