American Cruise Lines explores the Mississippi River like no one else—offering unique cruise experiences along the length of the river, from St. Paul to New Orleans—also cruising the famous Mississippi tributaries, the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers. This week, the company’s newest riverboat, American Melody, is headed north on the Mississippi, where it will begin seasonal Upper Mississippi River cruises between St. Louis and St. Paul. The company is also offering Complimentary domestic airfare for late July and August Upper Mississippi cruise departures aboard American Melody. Currently, the new riverboat is underway along the longest river cruise itinerary in the country, American’s 22-day Complete Mississippi River itinerary, from New Orleans, LA, to St. Paul, MN. 

With over 10 different Mississippi itineraries, American’s guests experience the rich history and classic American mystique embodied by the Mississippi, as they explore the charming towns, distinct cultures, 

and colorful characters that give life to the country’s most vital and storied waterway. Cruises include a range of cultural experiences, from literary inspired visits to Mark Twain’s boyhood home in Hannibal, MO, to more active experiences, like a Cajun Pride Swamp Adventures in Baton Rouge, LA. Throughout the cruises, guests enjoy curated onboard entertainment and lectures, as well as small-group-guided adventures each day on shore. 

10 Different Carefully Curated Itineraries 

American offers several delightful 8-day cruises along both the Upper and Lower Mississippi, departing from many of its most famous port cities like Memphis, New Orleans, Nashville, St. Louis, St. Paul, and more. American offers unparalleled longer itineraries, including a 22-day Complete Mississippi cruise and a 15-day Grand Heartland cruise—both enable guests to cruise the entire Mississippi—exploring 10 states in a single journey. American also offers shorter 5-day Highlights cruises, seasonal Holiday cruises, and exceptional Theme cruises—carefully crafted both on board and on shore to celebrate iconic Mississippi themes, from Mark Twain cruises to Music cruises, to Culinary cruises featuring Cajun, Creole, and classic Memphis BBQ. 

Four new riverboats to choose from: 

American Cruise Lines is the only domestic line to offer 2 styles of riverboat for explorations along the Mississippi—classic paddlewheelers and new modern American riverboats. American’s modern riverboats are the newest in the country and the company’s beautiful classic paddlewheel fleet has just been completely renovated and redecorated for 2022. On all American’s riverboats, guests enjoy an all-inclusive experience, and relax in spacious 100% outward-facing staterooms, nearly all with private furnished balconies. In August 2022, the company will introduce a 5th new riverboat for the Mississippi, American Symphony. 

Special Pre-Cruise Packages: 

All American’s Mississippi River itineraries include Complimentary Pre-Cruise Hotel Stays, including concierge luggage and transportation services in every departure city. Also offered are longer pre-cruise packages like the Line’s exceptional Graceland Pre-Cruise Package, which includes 2 nights in Memphis at the Guest House Hotel (right next door to Graceland), Graceland ticket with special presentation, a Memphis City Tour, and transportation to the ship. 

Complimentary & Flat Rate Domestic Airfare: 

There has never been a better time to cruise close to home and fly free. American now offers Flat Rate Domestic Airfare for all its domestic cruises, and for a limited time, the company is also offering Complimentary Airfare on select Upper Mississippi River cruises between St. Louis, MO and St. Paul, MN; summer departures with Complimentary Air are aboard American Melody: 7/29/22, 8/5/22, 8/12/22, 8/19/22, & 8/26/22. 

Learn more at: www.AmericanCruiseLines.com 

Follow us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/americancruiselines 

Follow us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/American_Cruise 

(Photo credit: Regent Seven Seas Cruises)

For the fourth year running, Regent Seven Seas Cruises® has sold out its world cruise in record time, with the sailing being completely reserved prior to officially opening for bookings on June 15, 2022. Read the rest of this entry »

Goway has launched the GowayPro Travel Academy in order to help travel professionals expand their destination knowledge and level up their business.

The GowayPro Travel Academy features fun and inspirational training modules on over 22 destinations (at launch) across all seven continents. Subscribers can take individual country courses and learn key information on its nature, culture, and history, as well as its main tourist attractions and selling points. Travel professionals will also acquire expert insights into various travel styles and strategies for securing repeat bookings. It offers practical travel knowledge in a fun and easy-to-understand package.

After completing an individual country course, subscribers earn a Bronze specialist status for that country, which includes email badges and electronic certificates. Subscribers can upgrade their status to Silver, Gold, and Platinum by expanding their knowledge of travel regions and entire continents. In addition to earning Goway-certified specialist status, subscribers also gain access to bonus rewards on their GowayPro Rewards Card, as well as exclusive benefits, including VIP invitations to FAMs and discounted personal travel. The GowayPro Travel Academy is run by “Professor Goway” Don Forster, and is supported by Goway’s extensive network of Account Managers and Destination Specialists.

“Goway has spent the past few years creating an innovative and comprehensive travel educational platform,” says Renee Stanton, Director of Sales at Goway. “By taking advantage of our over 50 years of experience in designing customized FIT itineraries on all seven continents, and channelling all that knowledge into informative and interactive video modules, we think we have found a fun and inspirational way to pass on pertinent and valuable expert information and tips. We believe knowledge is power and are committed to making travel professionals’ lives easier through industry-leading training and sales assistance. The GowayPro Travel Academy is another tangible way that Goway is helping travel professionals grow their business and secure repeat customers.”

It’s time for travel professionals to level up their travel knowledge. With the GowayPro Travel Academy, the more they learn, the more they earn. An individual membership to the GowayPro Travel Academy is valued at $49.99 per month or $499 per year. However, Goway’s preferred partners can enjoy complimentary subscriptions as an introductory special.

Travel professionals can visit our enrollment page to subscribe to the GowayPro Travel Academy. They can also register for an informational webinar on July 7th. Attendees will be entered into a draw to win a 2-night stay at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali in Hawaii.

To learn more about the GowayPro Travel Academy, email academy@goway.com.

Wholesale tour operator Avanti Destinations has teamed with Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism [DCT] to educate and inspire advisors and their clients on customized independent and group travel to Abu Dhabi City, Read the rest of this entry »

Intrepid Travel – the B Corp certified world-leader in responsible travel – has added 15 new itineraries across the United States focused on backcountry and hiking adventures that provide both a minimal footprint and immersive nature-based experiences few others get to see.

The new trips will more than double Intrepid’s trekking portfolio within the U.S., with tours in sought after destinations such as Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion, and will primarily focus on backcountry adventures on off-the beaten-track trails away from most signs of civilization, allowing travelers to reconnect with nature in its purest form.

In 2021, over 3.3 million people visited Yosemite National Park, yet just 1% of visitors got off the main (and often crowded) trails. With the addition of these new trips to its U.S. tour range, Intrepid hopes to change this trend. Backcountry trekking allows adventurers to see these iconic destinations away from the popular trails, often times with no vehicles or fixed facilities in sight, while relying on responsible camping and a “pack in, pack out” philosophy that makes for some of the most sustainable holidays on the planet.

Demand for this style of travel in the U.S. has increased dramatically since the onset of the pandemic, which saw people wanting to get away from city crowds and closer to nature. In April 2022, the company saw bookings in North America up 208% year-over-year, with customers predominantly planning active summer trips. For the U.S. year-to-date, active trip bookings are up 61% vs. 2019, with walking and trekking tour bookings up a remarkable 211%.

Samples of the new backcountry trips offered by Intrepid include:

• Hiking and Backpacking Yosemite’s North Rim (4 days from $1,395 USD per person)

Explore the North Rim of Yosemite Valley during an early season Yosemite hiking adventure up to the rim that overlooks one of the world’s scenic treasures. Travelers will see Yosemite Falls, North Dome and Indian Rock while taking in expansive views of the entire Yosemite Valley and the incomparable High Sierra, and will sleep under the stars, witness Yosemite’s only above water natural arch, and climb to the summit of Half Dome’s smaller twin, North Dome. This small group backpacking trip offers a wonderful opportunity to escape the crowds and absorb some of the best views in Yosemite National Park.

• Hiking and Camping in Zion (3 days from $1,468 USD per person)

Travelers will sleep under the stars in the heart of Zion National Park on a backcountry camping and hiking adventure in Utah’s most famous national park. Highlights include strolling down the paved River Trail, buttressed by tumbling water and a 3,000-foot cliff face, experiencing the iconic Virgin River Narrows hike walking through moving water on the way to Orderville Canyon, and exploring Snow Canyon, which is like a mini Zion and cuts impressive walls from the lava-covered country above the rim through the slickrock country below.

• Hiking Washington’s Olympic National Park and Mt Rainier (6 days from $3,675 USD per person)

Travelers will discover the best of the Olympic Peninsula and Mount Rainier, from the high alpine ridges and glaciated volcanoes to dramatic waterfalls, wildlife, and lush rainforests. Hike along a ridge traverse 5,500 feet above sea level on a coastal hike to Shi Shi beach, one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, walk through the Hoh Rainforest to see some of the largest and oldest trees in Washington, and admire the Reflection Lakes at Mount Rainier. The trip also includes a visit to the famous Makah Museum to learn more about the cultural history of the local Makah people.

• Hike New Hampshire’s Appalachian Trail and Presidential Peaks (4 days from $1,265 USD per person)

Travelers will hike the highest mountains in New Hampshire, the Presidential Range, including the highest point in the Northeastern United States – the summit of Mount Washington – spending their nights in authentic backcountry huts. Visitors will enjoy stunning views of the Ammonoosuc River before rock scrambling among beautiful waterfalls, eat a picnic lunch at Lake of the Clouds hut perched above the trees near spectacular alpine lakes, and traverse some of the most famous Presidential Peaks, including Mount Monroe and Mount Eisenhower.

• Hiking and Backpacking North Carolina’s Appalachian Trail (3 days from $945 USD per person)

Discover the Cradle of Forestry area where American forest conservation began and stop at Looking Glass Falls, a stunning roadside waterfall, which features incredible 360-degree views. Travelers will spend two nights camping in the heart of the action near the famous and unique rock feature known as Shining Rock and take in sweeping views of the Appalachian Mountain Range as they enjoy lunch on the summit of one of the peaks or in the grassy meadows of Ivestor Gap.

The addition of these new experiences are a result of Intrepid’s recent acquisition of Wildland Trekking, an environmentally-conscious U.S.-based tour operator focused on walking and trekking experiences, which was done to build upon Intrepid’s operational capability in the United States, providing more diverse and robust outdoor adventure-based options for both domestic and international travelers.

Intrepid Travel also launched its own dedicated American operations hub in 2021, Intrepid DMC North America, to increase its capacity in the region, ensure the utmost quality control over each trip and incorporate the highest sustainable and responsible measures. The company has additionally been increasingly focused on building more impactful relationships with BIPOC-owned businesses and suppliers throughout the United States to offer its travelers a broader range of experiences and perspectives.

For more information or to book these trips, visit https://www.intrepidtravel.com/us/theme/walking.

Full-Service Luxury Villa Company Helps Travel Advisors Earn Up to $2,500 on Every Booking All Month Long

Rental Escapes, a full-service luxury villa company specializing in providing unparalleled private villa rentals worldwide, today announced the launch of a new bonus commission program.  In celebration of the company’s valued travel advisor partners, thanking them for their hard work, continued support and incredible dedication as travel continues to bounce back, Rental Escapes will offer a bonus commission of up to $2,500 on every booking made this June.

Rental Escapes’ bonus commission offer is valid on bookings made June 1-30, 2022 for stays between July 1, 2022 and December 31, 2023. In addition to outstanding earning potential on luxury vacations, travel advisors working with Rental Escapes have access to various tools to grow their business including training videos, a dedicated villa specialist, and a concierge team to assist with providing around the clock care for guests. Banding together with a villa specialist and concierge team helps advisors offer the personalization and elevated, unique experiences that travelers are increasingly seeking for the most unforgettable vacations.

With a rapidly expanding portfolio of premium vacation properties around the world, Rental Escapes’ villa specialists and concierge team are trained to assist travel advisors searching for the ultimate luxury villa rental for their clients. Their team of experts are able to combine extensive product knowledge with personal service, hand-picking from a highly curated selection of more than 5,000 luxury villas globally and organizing personalized experiences for travel advisors and their clients, including private charter boats and yachts, personal chefs, helicopter tours, cultural excursions, in-villa spa services and more.

“Travel advisors have been essential to our business and valued partners since our inception ten years ago,” says Willie Fernandez, chief marketing officer of Rental Escapes. “As the travel industry rebounds, luxury villas continue to welcome travelers in increasing numbers, given the premium space, comfort and service they provide.  We are committed to offering travel advisors the very best tools they need to feel equipped for success. And, with special offers like this, we are excited to celebrate the valuable role they play in our industry with the ability to increase their earning potential.”

For more information on Rental Escapes, visit RentalEscapes.com. Stay up-to-date on the latest news by following Rental Escapes on Facebook, Instagram,Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About Rental Escapes

Rental Escapes is a full-service luxury villa company that prides itself in providing top-notch personalized service and unforgettable villa experiences. The company offers a hand-picked selection of more than 5,000 carefully vetted and curated luxury villa rentals in 70 destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, the United States and beyond. Its team of highly trained villa specialists assist guests and travel advisors in planning and booking the ideal villa stay. In addition, every reservation is provided with a concierge service to take care of arranging everything from private chefs to boat charters.

VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) is proud to remain the most trusted transportation company in Canada for the fourth consecutive year according to the 2022 Gustavson Brand Trust Index (GBTI), published by the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business.

In addition to having obtained a better ranking than last year, VIA Rail performed as one of the best employers for employee recognition ranking sixth out of 402 brands in the study.

“As we approach the almost complete resumption of our services planned in June 2022, we are very proud to have been awarded this title for a fourth consecutive year despite the circumstances that have affected the transportation industry for over two years now,” said Martin R Landry, Chief Commercial Affairs Officer. “Determined to always go further together and driven by our mission to put our passengers first, the results of this ranking show that VIA Rail stands out as a transportation provider. I would like to thank all of our passengers for their continued trust throughout the pandemic, as well as our employees for the outstanding service they offer every day from coast to coast to coast.”

Besides a brand’s functional performance (quality, reliability, value for money) and the experience it offers, this study reveals that consumers also have a keen interest in the social responsibility and values of a brand. VIA Rail has been working for several years to reimagine the travel experience of its passengers, for a more modern, accessible and sustainable passenger rail service. Whether through its modernization program or its recently unveiled accessibility and sustainability plans, it’s time for VIA Rail to embody a vehicle for change in Canada.

To establish the Gustavson Brand Trust Index, the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business completed a survey of close to 9,200 Canadians to learn about their perception of various brands in terms of their performance and social responsibility, among other things.

As Canada’s national rail passenger service, VIA Rail (viarail.ca) and all its employees are mandated to provide safe, efficient and economical passenger transportation service, in both official languages of our country. VIA Rail operates intercity, regional, and transcontinental trains linking over 400 communities across Canada, and about 180 more communities through intermodal partnerships, and safely transported over 5 million passengers in 2019. The Corporation has been awarded nine Safety Awards and three Environment Awards by the Railway Association of Canada since 2005. Visit the “About VIA Rail” section at https://www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail.

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SOURCE VIA Rail Canada Inc.

Explora Journeys, the new luxury lifestyle travel brand of the MSC Group, today announced two new group programs for travel advisors called ‘Journey Together’ and ‘Journey Together +’ and also unveiled details of ‘By Appointment +` , a development of its industry-leading ‘By Appointment` service.

Michael Ungerer, Chief Executive Officer of Explora Journeys said, “we are firmly on track for our maiden journey from Barcelona to Athens in May 2023, and we remain absolutely committed to providing our travel advisor community the resources and customized solutions to ensure mutual success for the long term.”

Journey Together

Designed for travel advisors to book small groups, extended and multi-generational families, and meetings and incentive groups.  The new offering starts with five suites and a minimum of 10 guests.  Travel advisors can benefit from a complimentary host berth, rewarding commission payments and each suite reserved comes with a complimentary Journey Experience credit to use onboard.

Journey Together +

The program starts with a 10 suite, 20 guest minimum and offers travel advisors a complimentary host suite, rewarding commissions and a value fare to significantly increase their profit potential.

Full ship charter requests can also be submitted by travel advisors and shipping brokers and are  negotiated independently of the Journey Together program based upon the length of the customized journey and time of year.

By Appointment +

Launched in December last year, Explora Journeys `By Appointment’ service completely removes any on hold time and is exclusively available to Travel Advisors. With immediate effect, travel advisors can now invite their clients on a `By Appointment +` call to allow Explora Journeys’ Ambassadors to answer questions and finalise their bookings.  Travel advisors can set up an appointment on their chosen date and time with an Explora Journeys Ambassador which is immediately confirmed with an introductory personalised message of a dedicated Ambassador. Bookings can be made for any of EXPLORA I `s inaugural journeys` collection, including the ship’s maiden journey in May 2023 from Barcelona to Athens.

Chris Austin, Chief Sales Officer, of Explora Journeys, said, “Designing our Journey Together group programs and developing our ‘By Appointment +`service’ has been a highly collaborative process with the travel advisor community.  We are enormously proud to launch these industry-leading programs to protect the health and longevity of the travel advisor community.”

Sales are now open for the Inaugural Journeys Collection for EXPLORA I from May 2023 and in its first year, the ship will visit 132 ports in 40 different countries, including two destinations, Kastellorizo, Greece and Saint Pierre, Martinique that have not been visited by cruise ships before. The itineraries include the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the UK, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, the U.S. East Coast, Caribbean, South America, and Hawaii. Sailings start from six-night journeys and culminate in an epic 44-night Northern Europe Grand Journey.

With the addition of the `By Appointment` + service travel advisors can choose their preferred booking option including booking online via the digital booking suite at the Explora Travel Advisor Centre www.explorajourneys.com/traveladvisors selecting the `By Appointment` service or contact our Journey Together Ambassadors via journeytogether@explorajourneys.com.

American Cruise Lines announced today that the 2022 river cruise season on the Columbia and Snake Rivers has begun. Read the rest of this entry »

The Travel Institute and AmaWaterways have launched a new, additional $50 bonus commission for all travel professionals who successfully graduate with their CTA, CTC, or CTIE in 2022 and subsequently book and deposit a new AmaWaterways river cruise within 90 days of their certification date.

“Certification from The Travel Institute has propelled many travel advisors’ forward giving certified advisors the knowledge, know-how, and confidence they need to best advise their clients. We want to recognize those advisors for making this investment in their careers and striving to be their best for our mutual guests by giving them something extra to recognize this achievement,” shared Diane Horan, CTC, director of Strategic Partner Networks with AmaWaterways.

Horan, a longtime advocate of agent education and The Travel Institute, said the new bonus commission applies to any new booking for travel in 2022 or 2023 and is combinable with some additional promotions that may also be available at the time of booking. For advisors who graduated earlier in 2022, the program is retroactive to January 1 allowing 90 days from announcement of the bonus program for early 2022 graduates to complete a new AmaWaterways river cruise client booking.

According to Guida Botelho, CTIE, director of training for The Travel Institute, the AmaWaterways bonus commission in effect decreases the cost of certification by approximately 10%. “We applaud AmaWaterways, the leader in luxury European river cruising, for their efforts to support, recognize and reward travel professionals who go above and beyond to achieve a higher level of professionalism, career success and satisfaction via certification. Together with our graduates, they are creating truly amazing travel experiences,” she said.

To receive their $50 USD, pre-paid digital Visacard,* graduates must first register for the commission and then email AmaWaterways providing their date of certification along with the passenger’s full name and booking number. The card can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted and is redeemable for one year from date of issue; full details for the commission plan are available online at registration.  Learn more at The Travel Institute.

VIA Rail is transforming into a vehicle for change in Canada! On April 19th, we reached another milestone towards that objective as we unveiled our five-year sustainability plan and announced our participation in the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, the United Nations Global Compact.

So what are we doing to be part of the solution in helping create a better tomorrow?

Zero-Waste Train is on its way

We want to reduce our environmental footprint at every step of your journey. That’s why as part of this plan we will focus on minimizing waste generation, ensuring products and packaging are reused and recycled. The goal? Welcoming you on board zero-waste trains in the Québec City-Windsor corridor by 2025.

Reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

By choosing to take the train, you are already using one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transportation. But that doesn’t mean we have to stop here: as part of our plan, we aim to reduce our GHG emissions by 30% or more by 2030, compared to 2005.

Sustainability is at the heart of the future we are all building together, and these are only a few examples of the ten goals we have set. Click on the link below to learn more about our plan.

https://corpo.viarail.ca/en/sustainability

Collette, global tour operator, launches a “Share Your Travel Moment” giveaway for travel advisors, in honor of travel advisor appreciation month. 

The giveaway, which is open to all travel advisors, can be accessed through Collette’s Travel Agent Network page on Facebook.  Once a travel advisor joins the page and posts their favorite travel moment, they will be entered to win a $1,000 travel voucher.

“Joining the Travel Agent Network on Facebook is a great opportunity to learn and share all the latest information about new tours, flash sales, and product offerings with your clients.” said Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, President and Chief Brand Officer of Collette. “

The winner will be announced in early June.  If advisors don’t want to wait until the giveaway is announced, Collette also offers 50% off land for advisory travel and 25% off land for companion travel. Bookings can be made beginning 180 days prior to departure.

SATA Azores Airlines has announced exclusive offers for agents for New York (JFK) to the Azores. The Azores is One of Europe’s Most Popular Island Destinations.

OFFER 1:

Earn 12% commission on this package through May 6!

OFFER 2:

If you want an unforgettable trip, which you will never forget, the Azores are the place. The Azores islands located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean offer idyllic landscapes. Isolated until the 20th century, the archipelago with the different cultures and nationalities of its settlers, the Azores Islands have a rich cultural diversity, which makes each island a new world waiting to be explored. In the Azores you will find landscapes of unparalleled beauty, monuments carved in stone from volcanoes, museums that will take you back in time, animals unique in all the world, a cuisine stuffed of intense flavors and people who will welcome you with arms wide open. All the necessary ingredients for a perfect trip.

About SATA:

Formerly known as SATA International, Azores Airlines (S4) is a subsidiary of SATA Air Açores that is based in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal. Founded in 1990, the airline operates from a hub at João Paulo II Airport (PDL). Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) is a focus city.  SATA connects over 80 destinations in the North Atlantic, with flights between continents, archipelagos, and islands.

Exceptional Demand Leads Luxury River Cruise Line to Add Additional Opportunities for Guests to Experience the Beauty of Portugal

Luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways today announced that it has extended its 2022 and 2023 Portugal river cruising season with 14 additional sailings round trip from Porto onboard AmaDouro.  With cruises available through the end of December, guests now have the opportunity to experience the joys of this popular destination in the early winter season with temperate weather, fewer crowds, and charming Christmas markets, complemented by stunning landscape and delectable food and wine tasting experiences.

“Full of rich culture, inspiring architecture, and enticing cuisine, our Portugal sailings have always been extremely popular. This demand inspired us to extend both our 2022 and 2023 season until the end of December, giving guests another reason to travel and experience all that Portugal has to offer during this special time of year,” said Kristin Karst, co-founder and executive vice president of AmaWaterways. “The extended season opens up a new opportunity for our travel partners to reserve groups to visit Portugal’s festive Christmas markets, delightful vineyards, and historic sites during this quieter period!”

Sailing onboard the spectacular AmaDouro, the extension of the 2022 and 2023 season in Portugal includes additional dates for AmaWaterways’ Enticing Douro itinerary – a seven-night roundtrip from Porto river cruise along the Douro River Valley. Throughout the itinerary, guests will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in authentic cultural experiences with a variety of included small-group shore excursions, such as:

• A visit to the tranquil village of Entre-os-Rios where they will enjoy a traditional Portuguese lunch at a local Quinta (a country estate)
• A step back in time as they stroll through the historical city of Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• A guided hike of Porto, followed by a tasting of Port, Portugal’s most renowned contribution to the world of wine

Portugal is known for its mild winters that make it a magical destination during the pre-Christmas period. Those wishing to extend their time in the destination can add three nights in Lisbon pre-cruise, including a tour of the city and a morning excursion to Serra de Sintra, one of the loveliest mountain villages in Portugal. Guests will enjoy the temperate climate as they stroll through Lisbon and Porto’s intimate Christmas markets, where they will find charming handmade gifts and festive treats.

Travelers interested in experiencing AmaWaterways’ extended Portugal season from November 12 to December 31 during the 2022 season can take advantage of the More to Love sale. Guests who book their Portugal sailings for this year by June 30, 2022 will enjoy a comprehensive package complete with a 7-night river cruise in a French balcony stateroom, round-trip airfare, transfers, a 3-night pre-cruise land package in Lisbon, port charges, and Travel Waiver Plus starting at $5,999 USD* per person. With this special sale, guests can enjoy extended time in Portugal with a comprehensive, peace-of-mind package.

For more information or to book an AmaWaterways river cruise for a client, visit AmaWaterways.com or call 1.800.626.0126. Follow AmaWaterways on Facebook at Facebook.com/AmaWaterways, Instagram @AmaWaterways, Twitter @AmaWaterways, and YouTube at YouTube.com/AmaWaterways.

Rental Escapes, a full-service luxury villa company that provides customized villa experiences, today released its Summer Travel Forecast, revealing its top five most popular summer travel destinations.

Based on booking demand for luxury villa rentals from June through September, Rental Escapes has identified that luxury travelers are increasingly eyeing the Caribbean and close-to-home domestic destinations for their summer 2022 getaways.

“Summer travel bookings are up over 30 percent across the board and as the temperatures are heating up, so is demand for close-to-home luxury vacations that feel a world away,” said Willie Fernandez, chief marketing officer of Rental Escapes. “In addition to seeing an uptick in bookings for domestic villa rentals and Caribbean island destinations, we are seeing a surge in large group bookings.”

According to Rental Escapes, the top 5 most sought-after spots for luxury villa rentals this summer include:

Jamaica

As one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, Jamaica has something to offer every type of traveler. With ocean views, gorgeous sunsets, reggae music, and complete relaxation—it’s not hard to see why this destination made the list. With its many mountains and rivers, this nature-lover’s paradise is the perfect location for adventure seekers. Luxury villa rentals, which are all fully staffed, can be found beachfront amid white sands, seaside, cliffside or on the bay. With a variety of villa sizes and price ranges to choose from, the options are endless for travelers that are ready to enjoy some “island time.” View Jamaica Luxury Villas

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is known as one of the most geographically diverse countries in the Caribbean. The towns and cities of the modern-day Dominican Republic are a clear testament to times past, and today people gather to celebrate among their historical remains. On the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic, travelers will find La Romana, a 16^th-century artisan’s village and one of the island’s best places to shop for quality crafts and gifts. With magnificent mountain scenery, desert scrublands and stunning beaches, there is never a lack of choice for those seeking adventure. Whether it’s the peaceful refuge from the hustle and bustle of life or the inviting Dominican culture travelers are chasing, Rental Escapes’ luxury villa rentals will provide everything they need to enjoy this destination to the fullest View Dominican Republic Luxury Villas

Florida

Florida is full of fun-in-the-sun activities and a wide variety of attractions. Home to Walt Disney World^â, this destination is a year-round favorite for families looking to experience the wonders of the Magic Kingdom. Beachgoers can enjoy not one—but two beautiful coasts, with the Atlantic side on the east and the Gulf Coast on the west. For fashion and nightlife lovers, Miami provides the perfect destination with world-class shopping, eclectic dining and a thriving arts and culture scene. Florida travelers can choose quiet condos on the beach, or free-standing homes perfect for larger groups. Luxury villa rentals in Florida will cater to every need, whether travelers are seeking convenient theme park access in Orlando or the animated scenes of Miami Beach, among many other city choices. View Florida Luxury Villas

Mexico

From the Riviera Maya on the Caribbean coast to Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta or Punta Mita, Mexico provides the perfect getaway for any traveler. While some seek the simplicity of a cold drink in the warm sand, others look to Mexico for an adventure-driven getaway. This destination offers an impressive range of activities, excursions and adventures for any risk-taker or explorer. Whether it be a fun-filled family vacation, a romantic getaway, or a tropical wedding, Rental Escapes’ exquisite luxury villa rentals in Mexico will provide a relaxing home-away-from-home with magnificent views. View Mexico Luxury Villas

Turks and Caicos

For those looking for a beachfront paradise, Turks and Caicos is the perfect spot to book a luxury villa. Whether one’s ideal vacation includes basking in the sun or parasailing over the turquoise-blue surf, this destination is sure to meet every need. There are a number of incredible things to see and do in the Turks and Caicos. The island boasts some of the world’s best snorkeling and diving, as there is a huge variety of marine life in addition to the beautiful coral reefs. Travelers will find the perfect balance of relaxation, excitement and entertainment by booking a luxury villa at this breathtaking destination. View Turks and Caicos Luxury Villas

For more information on Rental Escapes, visit RentalEscapes.com. Stay up-to-date on the latest news by following Rental Escapes on Facebook Facebook.com/RentalEscapes, Instagram @RentalEscapes, Twitter @RentalEscapes and LinkedIn.

About Rental Escapes

Rental Escapes is a full-service luxury villa company that prides itself in providing top-notch personalized service and unforgettable villa experiences. The company offers a hand-picked selection of more than 5,000 carefully vetted and curated luxury villa rentals in 70 destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, the United States and beyond. Its team of highly trained villa specialists assist guests and travel advisors in planning and booking the ideal villa stay. In addition, every reservation is provided with a concierge service to take care of arranging everything from private chefs to boat charters.