January 31, 2026 • 53 mins
The Wishing Well's Terrie Dean and Harry Reif discuss this week's travel news and Hot Deals!
Celebrate love and adventure in this episode, where we explore the world’s most romantic Valentine’s getaways. Discover why iconic destinations like Paris, Venice, Santorini, and Bora Bora continue to top couples’ travel lists.
We also dive into unforgettable luxury romantic escapes in the U.S., including the charm of Charleston, SC, the vineyard elegance of Napa Valley, and the cozy alpine luxury of Aspen, CO.
Whether you’re planning a passionate Valentine’s retreat or dreaming up your next couples’ adventure, this episode is packed with inspiration, travel tips, and swoon‑worthy destinations.
Celebrate love and adventure in this episode, where we explore the world’s most romantic Valentine’s getaways. Discover why iconic destinations like Paris, Venice, Santorini, and Bora Bora continue to top couples’ travel lists.
We also dive into unforgettable luxury romantic escapes in the U.S., including the charm of Charleston, SC, the vineyard elegance of Napa Valley, and the cozy alpine luxury of Aspen, CO.
Whether you’re planning a passionate Valentine’s retreat or dreaming up your next couples’ adventure, this episode is packed with inspiration, travel tips, and swoon‑worthy destinations.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is a Lifeless Ordinary, the travel show and podcasts
from your friends at the wishing Well two forty three
f Avenue in Harsmer and online at the wishing Well
dot biz. The wishing Well is your ultimate luxury concierge
travel agency and A Lifeless Ordinary is a travel show
and podcasts hosted by Terry Dean, bringing her over forty
years of experience in the travel industry to help guide
(00:21):
you to great experiences in your travel, whether it be
around the block, around the country, or around the world.
Let's bring in Terry Dean and say, hello, Chris, how
are you today? I am quite well.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Good.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
I'm trying to think of if I'm warm enough to
say that, Yes, today, I'm doing quite well.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
It has been so cold, Yes, no doubt about it.
We're in the middle of winter. We are, and it's
been winner for a long time. In the last week.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
If I've ever needed a reason to call you in
book traffic, I know it has been this week to
get me out of this tundra.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Indeed, I sold a lot of Hawaii this week about that.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Hey, I saw that it's warmer in Juno, Alaska than
it is in Yes, certain correct, I was talking to
my mother about that.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
It was like in the thirties this week in Anchorage
and we were in the minus digits and I'm like,
you know, no, I don't like it.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
If we're going to have this much ice here in
the valley, I'd love for it to be that beautiful
blue color of the Alaska and ice.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Uh huh, that'd be nice the glaciers. Correct.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Correct, But we've got a lot going on this week,
and Harry, welcome in as well. Glad you could join
us today. We're going to hand sales over to Harry.
But first of all, I'm going to hit the news. Okay, okay,
Global sports tourism. Is this a big surprise? Olympics, I know, Olympics,
(01:46):
FIFA World Cup.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
We're what a week away now? Yeah, February sixth is
the upena exactly. So there's this study.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
You know, everybody loves studies, everybody loves results, and you know,
surveying people. I get a lot of those, but soccer
is drawing the most travelers, with those showing a generational divide. Actually,
global sports tourism is projected to be a too ready
for this two trillion dollar industry by twenty thirty two,
(02:18):
a massive surge from the seven hundred and seven billion
dollars it was worth just this last year. That does
not surprise me, though. The most popular sport across the
world for travel was soccer football, which will likely prove
true again in a World Cup year, especially given the
recent news that FIFA has had five hundred million ticket
(02:43):
requests for the event in North America later this year.
In the Americas, fifty four percent of travelers did so
for soccer and football, followed by American football thirty nine percent.
Basketball was twenty nine percent of all these numbers and
baseball twenty five percent. The average spend on sport tickets
(03:06):
was seven hundred and seventy one dollars, with sixty two
percent of those saying they take trips associated with those
ticket purchases of four days or more. That's sounds right, yeah,
So I think that's very interesting statistic to look at
that sports tourism is going to be big in these
(03:26):
next years ahead, and I think we'll continue to see
that because, as we talk about a lot here on
a life less ordinary people want experiences when they travel.
That's what it's all about these days, which, by the way,
thank you folks for joining us today. We appreciate it
so very much. We love that we're in your homes
(03:48):
every single Saturday morning and we're able to bring a
lot of that information to you, whether it's sports, tourism,
or cruising or tours. We love that. We love being
in your home. Speaking of which, Norwegian Cruise Line has
amended their air program. This is big news. As a
matter of fact, they will no longer allow for embarkation
(04:11):
day arrival flights. In response to the feedback from its
travel advisor partners, Norwegian Cruise Line has made a significant
change to its air program. As of January twenty sixth,
Passengers who book their air through Norwegian will no longer
be permitted to fly in the day of their crew's
(04:31):
departure date. NCL informed travel advisors of the change via email.
They said, beginning today that was January the twenty sixth,
all guests booking air travel through NCL air programs will
be required to arrive at their embarkation port at least
one day prior to sailing. The email, said an NCL
(04:52):
spokesperson further clarified that the new policy applies to guests
from both the US and Canada. We know that flight delay,
particularly day of sailing arrivals, in some cases resulting in
guests missing embarkation for their cruise and having to downline
to embark at a later port of call. This update
(05:12):
reflects our shared goal of protecting your clients vacations by
allowing more time for unexpected travel disruptions such as flight
delays or weather interruptions, ensuring a smooth or more relaxed
start to their cruise journey. That was from an NCL
spokesperson in this change. Guess what this came from, Chris.
The change comes after a recent spat of massive air
(05:37):
delays caused problems for cruise lines, first from the shutdown
of airspace over the Caribbean and most recently when more
than ten thousand flights were canceled due to this recent
winter storm that we had called fern.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
Terry, I think and Chris might agree that they've been
listening to this show because how many times have I
heard you say arrive a day early for a cruise.
If you've heard her say that, Chris quite often.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Yeah, it's a good idea.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
I think this advice comes from Terry Dean that Norwegian
Cruise line has finally listened to a life less ordinary.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
But I have a question, please you said, this is
through the NCL air.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
Program Norwegian Cruise Line. They have their own air department.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
So I can't book my own flight and arrive day
of outside of their program and still board the This's.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
A great question, and the answer to that is yes,
you can negate the NCL air program if you want to.
That has a lot of ramifications if you're doing that.
Number one, if you're booking your own air incl nor
any cruise line that you decide to book your own
air through, they have no obligation to get you to
(06:51):
the cruise. If you don't make it there, their obligation
ends and begins with where you give them the reins.
And in case where you're booking your own air, you're
giving them the reins only when you check in for
that cruise, so they have no obligation to do anything
with your air protect you in any way if you're
booking your own air.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
And how's the consumer responding to this? Are they upset
that they've got to add a day to their trip
and book a hotel room well?
Speaker 3 (07:21):
As Harry pointed out, this is something that the wishing
well religiously will tell our clients is a very smart
thing to do. We will book air on the same
day of a cruise departure if a client insists. And
up until now that was allowed. We have now one
cruise line stepping up and saying we're not going to
(07:42):
do that anymore because it really over taxes their air department.
They really don't have the hands on deck to manage
that like an airline or like a travel agency would.
But I will tell you, Chris, the same thing that
these cruise lines have been telling me for years, Terry.
We're a cruise line, that's what we're good at. We
are not an airline, so they really don't want to
(08:03):
deal with air problems.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
And when they did book air to your question, Chris,
when you did book air through Norwegian or any other
cruise line, if that connection failed for whatever reason, whether whatever,
that cruise line owned the responsibility to reconnect you with
the cruise. If you missed the departure, they were responsible
(08:27):
for getting you to that next port, and they got
tired of doing that. Okay, that's expensive.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
Yeah, yeah, And I was just I've been waiting for
this shoe to drop for really several years, because it
really is when we have a massive storm or something
unusual happening in the air system that cruise lines pay
a hefty toll for that, because, as Harry pointed out,
it's their responsibility to get you on board that ship.
(08:53):
If the air failed and they booked it.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
That's on the way out, on the way back, it
doesn't matter if you end up spending an extra day,
you know, in Miami because you couldn't fly home, nothing lost.
You might have an extra hotel night, but it's not
like flying you to a new destination. So this is
a very very sensible logical, I think, in the wishing
(09:18):
Wells opinion, long awaited kind of action. Instead of us
advising it now we can say the cruise line requires it,
and we advise it.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
Yeah, So as you know, I mean, that's one step
in the evolution of the travel industry. And we know
that as we talk here on a lifeless Ordinary, a
lot of the news that we share with folks is
about evolution and change in this industry. Well, there's another
(09:49):
one that came across my desk that we knew was coming,
and that is Southwest Airlines. They have launched their assigned
seating program. We knew it was just a matter time
they've ushered in a brand new era. This just happened
this past Tuesday, launching its newly assigned seat policy. The
low cost carriers ongoing transformation aimed at enhancing you got
(10:13):
to love this follow the money profitability has featured many
notable changes, including the elimination of Southwest's beloved bags fly
free policy for two pieces of checked luggage. However, the
end of the airline's polarizing open seating policy is undoubtedly
the most significant change impacting Southwest customers in twenty twenty six.
(10:35):
Here's what travelers need to know about it. Southwest passengers
will no longer need to set an alarm clock to
check in for their flight exactly twenty four hours before
departure to secure an earlier boarding group, since they'll already
have an assigned seat. After checking in, customers can view
their boarding paths with their seat assignment and boarding group.
(10:56):
Travelers who book together on the same reservation, including fame families,
will board together in the same group. Meanwhile, passengers requiring
special accommodation will be able to self identify digitally before
their day of travel with service requests such as wheelchair
assistants clearly visible on their boarding paths, and travelers will
(11:17):
also notice extra legroom seats reserved for those customers who
purchase the popular upgrade, as well as convenience seatback charging
ports and larger overhead binds, free in flight Wi Fi
for rapid rewards, member elevated snack options wonder what that is,
and new look uniforms. I'm so glad they're getting. New
(11:41):
uniforms are also welcome improvements that Southwest customers can watch
for as the carrier continues its modernization efforts.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
I'm excited to see how this turns out for him,
because there have been a lot of businesses outside the
travel world that they make changes and everyone's like, oh no,
and it ends up working out really well for them,
except for maybe Coke when they launched new Coke.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Oh right, that so well for him?
Speaker 3 (12:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (12:07):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
Usually it's you know, let's wait and see.
Speaker 4 (12:09):
How it goes.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
Yeah, I mean, will they lose customers as a result
of this, Probably not, because we live in a world
and in a society today in which air travel is essential.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
Personally, I've never flown Southwest, so I don't know what
the experience was like, I'm not a person who likes
to have to try to elbow somebody to try to
get a better seat, So I would probably appreciate having
a sign seating. We'll see.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
Yeah. Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
Now there's one thing that I want to talk about
to folks who are planning some travel, especially now or
in the upcoming year for vacations. I want to talk
about scams. It's easy to get scammed out there. As
a matter of fact, we had someone in our office
just today who was targeted, and it's unfortunate. But scams
(12:59):
are becoming more sophisticated, and it's important to protect yourself
and your data. So this part, this segment of news
is vitally important. Think about it this way, especially if
you do travel. You're kind of mildly delirious, You're slightly overstimulated,
You're carrying a phone at twenty percent battery and a
place you've never been before. Any traveler knows this state
(13:20):
of mind, and it has always been the sweet spot
scammers look out for. And in twenty twenty six, the
game isn't changing much. Scammers are still going to rely
on travelers being tired, distracted, and trusting. But what has changed?
Are there delivery tactics Now, it's QR codes, it's delayed
flight alerts, it's airport Wi Fi networks, it's ride share
(13:43):
pickups and even USB charging ports for Pete's sake. The
tech keeps evolving, but some classics never dine. If you're
planning to be on the road this year, here's my
official list of the top travel scams you need to
watch for in twenty twenty six. And I wouldn't be
surprised if this list Chris doesn't grow for us as
(14:04):
we move through this year. But pick pocketing, you'd think
that's an old scam, but still out there. Distraction teams
and phone snatching, it's a coordinated group. Thieves often work
in teams, staging a scene to get close to you.
One spills a drink, another creates a distraction, and a
third person is already digging into your bag or your pocket.
(14:27):
Phones are an easy target. They're small, they're light, and
they're gone before you can even notice. Now, another one
of these scams that I'm familiar with is that they
put their children out in front of you to distract you.
They'll do a little dance, they'll maybe sing a Little
Song or whatever. You're involved, you're smitten, and all of
a sudden you're picked clean of all of your valuables,
(14:50):
so be aware of this, folks. Pickpocketing is on the rise.
The next one is fake taxi and ride share imposters.
Once you're in a car, the scam kicks in, with
the driver taking longer routes, hitting you with surprise fees,
or pressuring you to pay cash at inflated rates. And
these scams are easy to avoid if you only order
(15:13):
rides through official apps like Uber and Lyft, and always
confirm the license plate before you get in. Legit taxi
drivers should have badge numbers and clear licenses displayed in
and on their vehicle, so be aware of those. The
next one, and the last one on my list, is
(15:33):
fake tours, tickets and experiences. We've had several clients get
hit with this online and in person. Polished tours and
exclusive experiences are everywhere. Some promise skip the line tickets,
private guides, or once in a lifetime adventures, but the
reality isn't always there. Sometimes the ticket doesn't scan, sometimes
(15:56):
the god never shows up. Sometimes the website disappears in entirely,
leaving you stuck with nothing to show for what you
just bought. You want to book your tours and tickets
through official attraction sites or well reviewed platforms, or legitimate
travel advisors like the Wishing Well. If someone sliding offers
(16:19):
via Instagram, DMS or insisting their offer is good for
today only, your gut's probably right. I would say that
probably is a scam. So beware as you're traveling this
year and in our vacation season through twenty twenty six,
that you don't get caught in things like that. Nobody
likes those kinds of surprises when they're on vacation.
Speaker 1 (16:42):
Not good travel is stressful enough without having your wallet stolen.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
Yes it is, or your passport or your phone, you're right,
or your cash.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
For me, And maybe I shouldn't have met this on
the radio. My phone is my wallet. I have everything
in one place, and if someone took that, I have
no credit cards, I don't have numbers to call anyone
for help. I've lost everything.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
Yeah, and there are a lot of experts that will
tell you not to do that. Well, but we travel
how we're you know, we travel how we're comfortable. Right,
So just beware.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
And I always but when I anytime I travel, I
always hold my phone in my hand. I always make
sure because I'm always worried about that. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Yeah, So good tips for those of you.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
Who are maybe attempting to travel anytime soon or in
the future. Harry, I think you've got some sales for us.
This is going to be an interesting show today because
we are targeting a very popular time of year and
that is Valentine's Day, and so appropriately try to say
that again appropriately, we have some great sales that coincide
(17:48):
with this next upcoming very romantic holiday.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
Harry, what have you got?
Speaker 4 (17:52):
Well, I have the privilege of knowing what you're going
to be talking about soon, so I'm going to be
real brief, but I want to give listeners an insight
into three things that we've discovered that might be entirely
appropriate for Valentine's Day, and that is, think about going
somewhere for a quick, close by weekend retreat where you
(18:12):
can have a nice place to stay and something wonderful
to eat. The first one I want to talk about
is a place not too far from our office here
in Harrisonburg, and that's something in Middleburg, Virginia. There is
a in up there called The good Stone in In restaurant,
and they've got a wonderful romantic retreat right in the
heart of Hunt country, what we call it here in Virginia.
(18:36):
They have a package that includes a couple nights of
luxury accommodations, welcoming bottle of sparkling wine, artisanal chocolate, charcoteri board,
waiting in your suite upon arrival, and then breakfast in
bed experience on Sunday. What a nice way to celebrate
Valentine's Day. If you want details on that, give us
(18:57):
a call. That's The good Stone in a restaurant, Middleburg, Virginia.
Hit a little bit more up the road, further up
the road up in Philadelphia, one of my old haunts,
the Hilton in Philadelphia, which is right on Penn's Landing,
a place that we took our entire office staff one year.
A wonderful property right on the river there at Penn's Landing,
(19:21):
William Penn. They have a romance package, another one the
breakfast sparkling wine, some very special room rates but looked
really enticing to us. That's the Hilton in downtown Philadelphia.
So when you're down there you can go visit South
Street and all the classic places down there in Philadelphia,
(19:42):
some wonderful restaurants among them, one of my favorite bookbinders.
Another one that I want to mention real quickly is
in Richmond, Rhode Island. There is a wonderful resort up
there called the Preserve, The Preserve Resort and SPA. Did
you hear SPA, Chris, Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
There you go.
Speaker 4 (20:01):
They've got a wonderful Valentine's weekend offer out there that
includes one hundred dollars credit for the resort anything you
want to use, a complimentary a prosecco upon arrival, and
complimentary breakfast for two. So there are many, many wonderful
opportunities like this all around the country for a nice
(20:23):
Valentine's weekend retreat. Those are the things I wanted to
share with listeners this morning.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
And you know, Terry, this is a good lead in
to our show today because it's all about love. We
are going to be traveling by the heart. We are
We're traveling by heart.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
And Valentine's Day is not this coming week but the
week after.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Yeah. But all right, so two weeks away. I know
people need some prep time.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
Start planning.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
No pressure.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
We will find out what it means to travel by heart.
Next here on a Lifeless Ordinary.
Speaker 4 (20:54):
Who would think of driving off to a new destination
without guidance from Google or Syria? It's not the wishing World.
Your next travel experience. Travel the world as you enjoy
the very best destinations and all they offer at the
best prices. Our mobile travel app keeps your vacation on
track and keeps you connected with our team of experts.
For help if you need it, call us at five
four zero nine zero eight two three three three stop
(21:17):
buy two forty three nep Avenue, or visit us at
the Wishingwell dot.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
Bizz and welcome back to a Lifeless Ordinary, the travel
showing podcast from your friends at the Wishing Well. You
can find them on nepth Avenue in Harrisonburg. You can
find them online at the Wishingwell dot biz, where you
will find a link in the upper right hand corner
you can go back and listen to every single episode
(21:42):
that's ever been recorded of a Life Less Ordinary. You
can also give them a call at five four oh
nine oh A twenty three point thirty three. Our show
today is entitled Traveling by Heart. As we start thinking
maybe we should have already been doing this. Start thinking
about Valentines. It's just two weeks.
Speaker 3 (21:59):
Ag. Yeah. I always like to give people ample time,
you know, because you don't want to let your sweetheart down.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
You really don't.
Speaker 3 (22:07):
And for those of you who are listening to us
again on this wonderful Saturday morning, again, thank you so
much from the bottom of our heart. We love to
have you here joining us every single Saturday as we
talk about all the wonderful places that you can dream
about going, really go, and then here maybe some of
(22:28):
our experiences too as we've been traveling. But as Chris said,
today's show is traveling by heart. We're going to talk
about romantic and luxurious escapes that are really special. And
this episode, I like to think is for dreamers. It's
for romantics, for planners, anybody who really believes that love
deserves a beautiful setting.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
I do.
Speaker 3 (22:49):
I think that's fabulous. And with Valentine's Day falling on
that Saturday this year, I think couples everywhere are kind
of thinking the same thing. Let's not just go to
din Let's go somewhere unforgettable. That's the best. And so
today I'm talking to our listeners and inviting you guys
(23:10):
on a journey through some of the most romantic and
luxurious destinations in the world. And then Harry's going to
be bringing it right back home with some extraordinary US
hidden gems, perfect for quick romantic getaways. You're going to
enjoy that. But this is about places where time slows down.
It's about where details matter and where memories are made
(23:31):
on purpose. So let's pack and gear up and relax
and sit back and listen to how amazing and how
romantic these places are. The first one on my list today,
Chris is the timeless romance capital of the world.
Speaker 1 (23:52):
Oh, oh, the world Paris.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
There you go, boy, I'll tell I wish I had
a gold bar for you. You do very well at
these guessing games. I love that. And you know what,
he did not even see my notes. We had no
way of knowing that. I actually started to say, Pocono's parents,
you're absolutely right. I mean, this is there's a reason
why Paris is still the gold standard of romance. It
(24:18):
isn't hype. Its atmosphere and Paris really invites couples to
slow down. I remember true life story. I had some
clients several years ago who wanted to go to Paris.
And their dream was to go and stay in a
five star resort hotel and have dinner in the Eiffel
(24:41):
Tower and do all the wonderful things. But they didn't
have the budget to do that in peak season. Not
a lot of people do, you know, there's some that do.
But you know, these folks were really interested in a
second honeymoon, so they decided to go in February during
Valentine and it was they said, amazing. I saw their pictures.
(25:05):
I talked to them when they came back. It was
magic for them.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
Did they celebrate Valentine's Day in France.
Speaker 3 (25:11):
That, well, my couple did. Well, that's a great question, though,
I think they do. I think so. I think they
have Valentine's in a city like Paris, right, you know,
it's kind of one of those holidays that you celebrate
love everywhere across the world.
Speaker 2 (25:25):
What's the bridge the Locks of Love? Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
I think it has a beautiful French name which which
I don't know yet, but anyway, I know it as
the Locks of Love. But this is this is the
city where I mean, you really are invited to long
dinners and riverside walks and museum mornings and champagne afternoons,
and really, romance here is not rushed at all. It's
(25:55):
layered and private mornings at the Louver or the Mousse
d'ose tour, lunch at a tucked away left bank cafe
sounds pretty nice to me. The same sunset cruise, evening
at a Michelin starred restaurant, or a nightcap at the
Eiffel Tower with all of those beautiful views. Luxury travelers
(26:17):
can elevate their experience with beautiful Virtuoso hotels like the
Hotel de Creon a Rosewood hotel. It's a historic palace hotel.
It's got elegant rooms, superb service, world class spot experience.
They've often been featured on our Best Of with the
(26:37):
Virtuoso list. Talk about some all inspiring pictures whose inspiration
dates back to Louis the Fifteenth. I'm going to tell
you today is the day if you do have your
computer in front of you, you're going to want to
follow along. This is a hotel you really do want
to pull up, look at this hotel and really just
(26:58):
dream a little because it's been an inspiration to romantic
couples for centuries. And then The next hotel, of course,
in Paris, is the Maisson Souquet. This is a boutique
ultra romantic, how hideaway in a beautiful area of Paris.
Not virtuoso, but legendary for couples. It's absolutely beautiful and
(27:22):
I simply had to include this hotel in Paris, especially
since it was named the most romantic hotel in the world.
The Room de corps here at this boutique property ranges
from Art Deco to Napoleon the Third, Indian and even Japanese.
It's like entering several different countries all under one roof.
Speaker 2 (27:43):
I love it.
Speaker 3 (27:44):
Paris is absolutely romantic for this time of year, for
Valentine's Day, and some of the romantic experiences that you
can have again are those wonderful trips to the Louver
Left Bank cafes. I mean, there's one hundreds of things
to do in Paris, and really just being in Paris
itself is very, very romantic. Next on my list is
(28:09):
a beautiful city. I know, we all know it. It's
one of the most popular romantic cities in Italy. I
call this love and slow motion in Venice. So if
you think Paris is romance, Venice is intimacy. Paris feels
like a shared secret really between two people. There's no cars,
(28:30):
no noise, just water, music, candlelight and history. And here's
a little luxury tip for you. If you stay in
a resort, restored palace hotel on the Grand Canal, not
near the crowds, that's where you want to be on
that waterway. The difference in experience is enormous. I've had
(28:51):
a lot of people who will opt to stay not
on the canal because in their estimation it's a lot
less expensive. But again, the experience is not nearly the same.
I mean, if you go to Venice, Chris, what are
the pictures of Venice that you've always seen.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
The guy in the boat, gondolier, the gondolier, yeah, or
the plaza which yeah, sometimes is underwater.
Speaker 3 (29:17):
Yeah, yeah, exactly. I mean it's just it's the water
that's what everybody thinks of. And you're right, the gondolas
and all of that romance, that's what it's all about.
And some of the romantic things that are to do
in pairis center around the hotels that are on the canal.
(29:38):
And one of those such hotels, for is one of
our virtuoso hotels. It's the Aman Venice iconic Palazio hotel
on the Grand Canal, private gardens, just some serene luxury
perfect for couples looking for privacy and world class service.
And it's been closed for major renovation for a while. However,
(30:01):
they are reopening again this month February, so they're going
to be reopen. You can actually see that.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
I'm not sure.
Speaker 3 (30:09):
I don't think when Jeff Bezos got married in Italy
this hotel was even still open. This was a hotel
that they wanted to get married in, but it was
under in renovations, undergoing renovations, so they went somewhere else.
But this is a hotel definitely to put on your
must see. I mean, it would be great if you're
not even staying there, to just go there for drinks,
(30:31):
maybe at the bar, for a coffee something like that,
just to say you were in the Aman in Venice.
It would be an experience. The other hotel there is
called the Gritty Palace. That's a luxury collection hotel. Historic
Venetian Jim frequently featured again on our Best of the
Best Hotels, and really this hotel has one of the
(30:53):
most breath taking views of the canal than any other hotel.
I encourage you again, if you have a and you're
able to follow along with us this morning, be sure
that you look these hotels up because that's a treat
in of itself. Their websites and some romantic experiences that
you can enjoy in Venice are again those private gondola
(31:14):
rides at sunset with a local musician. He or she
will serenade you. It's so interesting. I've actually never had
that experience, to be serenaded in a gondola in Venice,
but I did have that experience, interestingly enough, in Las
Vegas at the Venetian Hotel, and they did the same thing.
(31:35):
It's sort of a reenactment of what you actually see
in Venice, and it was really very entertaining, and they
do sing to you.
Speaker 1 (31:41):
We didn't do that, but we ate at one of
the restaurants where we could watch them go by.
Speaker 2 (31:45):
Yeah. Yeah, it's great fun.
Speaker 3 (31:47):
I mean, it really is, and you really do get
the feeling that you're in Venice, but it's so much
better to be there.
Speaker 1 (31:52):
Well yeah, yeah, They've done a great job at the
Venetian with all the painting of the ceiling Yeah. They
really makes it feel like you're outside, does I mean?
So that's that's a that's a second on the list
would be to go to Las Vegas and experience Venice
there because it's real close, real close.
Speaker 4 (32:13):
Who isn't that saying that song et nothing like the
real thing baby exactly.
Speaker 1 (32:17):
I think I choose ver Y Venice.
Speaker 3 (32:22):
Yeah, and some of the other romantic experiences that you
might want to look into if you do go to
Venice the real thing, Uh. Maybe a hidden wine bar tour, uh,
enjoying a little local prosecco. That would be a nice
thing to do. Dinner on a private terrace that overlooks
the Grand Canal. So if you're not lucky enough your
(32:42):
budget won't allow you to actually stay at one of
those hotels on the canal, you can at least have
a private dinner on the canal, which would be nice.
And then the water taxi ride over to the exclusive
islands from Venice, like Murano or Torcello. Those are great
things to do. Those water taxis are also very romantic
(33:03):
and for our listeners who don't know about Murano. Actually,
one of a famous artists by the name of Chihuli
originated from there. He actually is responsible for the glass
works in the ceiling of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.
Speaker 1 (33:18):
And didn't they just do a Chihuly glass exhibit at
the Vanderbilt Estate.
Speaker 3 (33:24):
Builtmore Hotel, Built More Hotel in Asheville, North Carolina. Actually
took my entire staff down there to see that, and
so it's you know, it's like a little bit of
Murano that you can bring home with you if you
have the ability to see some of that. It's great
and his work is beautiful. Yeah, yeah, it's wonderful. So
I encourage you if you're interested in places like Paris
(33:47):
or Venice and that's on your list of places to go.
Can you People ask me all the time, Chris, they go,
Is that someplace you can actually go and winter and
really enjoy it? I mean, it's no worse than the
negative degree to pictures that we've had here at home here,
But there's something a bit romantic about that. With the
lesser crowds and the cooler temperatures, it sort of encourages snuggling,
(34:13):
you know, and snuggle weather we call it. But Venice
and Paris both I think are famous for that.
Speaker 1 (34:19):
I don't know if you need an excuse to have,
you know, an espresso and a croissant or some fine
piece of chocolate or whatever. But I think when it
feels a little chillier out, at least you have an
excuse to say, hey, let's go get some warm.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
To druss exactly exactly.
Speaker 1 (34:35):
That's dramatic, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (34:36):
It is, and it becomes less about the touristy things
to see and more about the special moments that you
have with the person that you're with. That's why we
chose at least these two places first on our list,
Paris and Venice. We want to pop over now to
someplace that might be just a tad warmer for you.
(34:56):
And this is full of dramatic beauty and priv luxury.
And I'm talking about Santorini, Greece. Yeah, Santorini. I mean
just the name of it sounds wonderful, but it's romance
with drama.
Speaker 4 (35:09):
Really.
Speaker 3 (35:10):
You've got all those cliff side suites that are there.
The whole area there is kind of iconic. You see
the white buildings with the blue roofs depicted in a
lot of artists renderings. You've got infinity pools there, sunsets
with uh that would that would really silence entire crowds
of people that gather. They just look at it in awe.
(35:33):
And it's best for couples who want that visual beauty.
They want those private punge plunge pools, champagne breakfasts overlooking
the Caldera uh and those sunset sailings with dinner on board.
Those are all wonderful romantic things to do in Santorini.
And many of the luxury suites there are actually many
(35:54):
people don't know this. They're actually carved right into the
cliffs with private terraces and hot tubs. They're perfect for
milestone anniversaries, proposals and honeymoons. A lot of people get
engaged this time of year and they like to go
away for that engagement to occur. Let me tell you
there's nothing like Santorini that would be the place to
do it, wouldn't it? And some of the suggested places
(36:17):
that I have to stay there is the mystique that
is a luxury collection hotel property. Yes, it is a
virtuoso property, simply saying that this hotel has spectacular cliff
side suites with private terraces and plunge pools. Overlooking the
Caldera is like saying the louver has paintings. You know,
(36:37):
that's really an understatement. It's hardly only that. And in
twenty twenty five, The Mystique was recognized as one of
the best hotels in Conde Nast Traveler Reader's Choice Awards
twenty twenty five and it ranked number one in intent
to recommend among all Marriotte luxury brand hotels in the
(36:58):
EMA region. And I will say, if you were not
here with us last week to enjoy the show that
we did with one of Marriott's wonderful director of sales
for Caribbean and Latin America, Rebecca MacArthur, you should go
back and listen to that. Marriott has some fabulous luxury
(37:18):
brands and the Mystique is one of them. So I
would encourage you to go back and listen to that
show if you missed it. Another great property within the
Santorini area is the Grace Hotel Santerini. This is an
Aberge resort collection hotel. It's a boutique romantic property. Again,
those stunning views and elegant suites, a couple of romantic
(37:40):
things that you can do and experience in Santorini include
private sunset catamaran cruises around the Caldera with Champagne. The
Sunset Dinner in Ea is a terrace restaurant with seaviews.
This is one of the most iconically beautiful areas. It's
spelled oi A, but it's pronounced Ea and a lot
(38:05):
of people who go to Santorini, they will tell me
they want to stay in Santorini, and they'll show me
pictures of Eon. I want to go there, So that's
the iconic place to go. You have wine tasting tours
of local vineyards on volcanic slopes, a couple spa days.
I mean, really, come on, you know, a spa day
for a couple in Santorini. That's something noteworthy and something
(38:27):
to tell you friends about when you get back.
Speaker 1 (38:29):
Right.
Speaker 3 (38:31):
So, those are wonderful places to stay, wonderful things to
do in Santorini. We've covered three now, Chris. The fourth
one on my list is going to take us to
a super ultra luxury escape.
Speaker 1 (38:43):
And we'll find out where that is next year. On
a life less ordinary, who would.
Speaker 4 (38:46):
Think of driving off to a new destination without guidance
from Google or Syria's not the Wishing World guide your
next travel experience. Travel the world as you enjoy the
very best destinations and all they offer at the best prices.
Our Mobile Travel keep your vacation on track and keep
you connected with our team of experts for help. If
you need it, call us at five four zero nine
(39:07):
zero eight two three three three stop buy two forty
three Nap Avenue or visit us at the Wishingwell dot.
Speaker 1 (39:14):
Bizz and welcome back to a Life less Ordinary. Every
Saturday morning, this is your one stop shop for travel talk.
We sit down with Terry, Dean and Harry right from
the wishing Well here on a Lifeless Ordinary. Our show
today is Traveling by Heart. We've talked about Paris, We've
talked about Venice, We've talked about Greece, and we have
(39:37):
another romantic getaway. By the way, If any of these locations,
or this topic in general brings up more questions or
maybe you want to book a trip, you can stop
buy the wishing Well. They're at two forty three Nap
Avenue in Harrisonburg, also online at the Wishingwell dot biz.
You can give them a call if you'd like at
five four to zero nine eight, twenty three thirty three Terry,
(39:57):
where is our next romantic destiny?
Speaker 3 (40:00):
Well, I'd like to say I saved the best for last,
but it all depends on your frame of mind and
when what strikes your romantic fantasies, you know. But this
one is ultra luxury, really, Chris, We're going to step
into a once in a lifetime romantic situation. We've got overwater, bungalows,
glass floor panels, breakfast delivered by canoe.
Speaker 1 (40:23):
Are we heading to Indonesia?
Speaker 2 (40:24):
Bora Bora?
Speaker 1 (40:26):
Is that Indonesia?
Speaker 2 (40:27):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (40:27):
Okay, yeah, And this isn't travel just travel, this is
emotional impact travel. Yeah, we are going to borbor This
is really again another one of those locations. It's perfect
for honeymoons, anniversaries, val renewals. I'm getting some of those anymore,
and also major anniversaries, you know those milestones twenty five,
(40:50):
you know, forty fifty and an excuse though I don't
think so. No, this is the one I wouldn't.
Speaker 1 (40:56):
This is the one that my wife keeps sending me pictures.
Speaker 2 (40:58):
Of of Borbora.
Speaker 1 (41:00):
It's like we've got to do this.
Speaker 3 (41:01):
Yeah, absolutely, I think everybody should. I mean, there's something
very magical about seeing that part of the world, you know,
where it really is just so unreal. I mean, it's
very surreal to be in a place like that. Like
I mean, I remember my first trip to Hawaii. I
felt the same way. You know, this was a world apart.
(41:23):
Bora Bora is a world apart. And some of the
suggested properties that I outlined there for us today, one
is the Four Seasons. You know, I came back from
my stay in the Four Seasons in Nashville, Tennessee. You
might remember, Chris what I said when I came back.
I said, oh, I am officially a Four Seasons girl. Now,
(41:44):
I mean, it was all that iconic over the water
villa's there with private plunge pools and waterside romance. There
are so many facets of tours made available to you
at the Four Seasons here at this Bora Bora location.
From the they've got lagoons, sanctuary, discovery tours, to private
dinners on the Motu, which, by the way, the Motu
(42:06):
is a white sand inlet that's there next to the
Four Seasons. This is a property experience that wherever and
whatever you can imagine you might want to experience that's
at the top of their priority list of service to you.
They're going to deliver that if they can. This is
a property Four Seasons have been known for years for
(42:28):
being the property that doesn't say no. You know, they'll
figure it out, they'll find a way. They even have
their own cruise line now and they even have their
own airline, so you know, Four Seasons is not playing
at the World of Travel. They mean it, They mean
every bit of it. The other one is, of course,
the Saint Regis. Again hearkening back to our last week
(42:50):
with Rebecca MacArthur from the Marriott brands. Saint Regis, of course,
we learned is one of their luxury brands. Spectacular overwater
suites and butler service for couples at this particular property.
Speaker 2 (43:03):
One of the things that's.
Speaker 3 (43:04):
Very unique at all Saint Regis hotels is that they
boast their stellar service being the hallmark experiences Champagne Sabering.
We learned that last week. I experienced that myself at
the Saint Regis and Puntemita, but this one in Borbora.
They are said to have the largest over water villas
(43:26):
in the French, Polynesia and the South Pacific. They start
at fifteen hundred and fifty square feet. That is bigger
than some people's homes, you know, So that is a
great place if you're interested in staying there. The last
one would be the Conrad Bora Bora Nui. This is
a hillside and over the water villa with stunning views.
(43:47):
This is by far one of the most unique properties
in Bora Bora. You literally step out onto your private
terrace and you lounge in an overwater hammock or infinity pool,
and this is where you're treated to endless lagoon views.
Those are really they're meant just to soothe your spirit.
And if you're interested in knowing ya, what can I
(44:09):
do in war Bar besides staying these beautiful properties, Well,
I got ideas for you. Believe me when I tell you.
Sunset lagoon cruises with private dinner, couple spa treatments, over
the water with Polynesian rituals to go with that private
motu inlet picnics. I talked about that, snorkeling together in
(44:30):
coral gardens. I mean, this is where couples unplug from
the world and they reconnect with each other. And I
wish there were more of that today, you know, couples
need to take time. You need to take some romantic
time and put that into your in your marriages, in
your relationships. You know they it's healing for every couple
(44:53):
to do something like that. And I spent a great
deal of time, I know, talking to you about this today,
but we want to bring it on a a little
bit closer. I'm going to hand it over to Harry
because one thing I want to be sure to convey
in today's show is that you don't have to cross
an ocean to find extraordinary romance. Sometimes it's closer than
(45:13):
you think. Harry, what have you got Forrest? That's going
to be a little bit closer to home, maybe Forest.
Speaker 1 (45:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (45:19):
I've titled my segmentary no Passport, No Problem. So I'm
staying in the US, and I'm going to start at
one of the most romantic cities I think in the
United States, and it reminds me so much of being overseas. Particularly,
it reminds me of being in Europe.
Speaker 2 (45:34):
A city with.
Speaker 4 (45:35):
Wonderful parks, downtown, lots of romantic elements like historic ins,
carriage rides, private garden courtyards, candle it, low country cuisine.
You know what low country is Chris low country cuisine.
Have you ever heard of that before?
Speaker 1 (45:51):
I've never heard of that.
Speaker 2 (45:52):
Okay, country, I can tell you.
Speaker 1 (45:55):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (45:55):
Low country cuisine is when they cook everything in a
big pot, fluting corn on the cob, maybe crawfish, all
kinds of you know, other seafood items and vegetables, potatoes,
and they throw it all out on a picnic table
on a newspaper.
Speaker 2 (46:14):
This sounds like kid cod Yeah, you know a little bit.
Speaker 1 (46:17):
Are we doing like a clam bake or are we
down in the New Orleans area doing creole?
Speaker 2 (46:23):
It's a little bit of everything there.
Speaker 4 (46:24):
Versu's kind of a blend of West African and French
culinary tradition, a lot of seafood, grits, rice, local produce.
You gotta taste it. So Charleston is a city full
of that. I didn't know where we were. Yeah, I'm
in Charleston and it's a perfect place for a two
or three night Valentine weekend. Yeah, lots of packages down there.
(46:47):
We've got several hotels I want to highlight. The Planters
in is one. Lots of luxurious, romantic, even specialized intimate
getaways that the Planter's in there's a heart review in
down there. Right there on the waterfront, the Charleston Waterfront
is fantastic, refined kind of Southern hospitality that a little
(47:11):
slower moving than what we might be used to here
in Virginia or especially as you move up north on
the East coast in other parts of the country. The
Dewberry Charleston, another very high end, modern luxury hotel with
this romantic kind of feel about it. I am being
dining options. They're great food. The Wild Dune Resorts, the
(47:34):
Sweet Grass in and Boardwalk in kind of a more
relaxed coastal themed resort escape. And then the last one
I want to talk about is the Vendu. It's Charleston's
art hotel. It's kind of a boutique, artistic, little quirky,
very intimate hotel, very specialized and just sets a really
(47:56):
unique mood, smaller than some of the others dining there.
There's a famous restaurant in Charleston that I'm planning to
visit when I'm down there in April this year.
Speaker 2 (48:07):
It's called the Circa eighteen eighty six.
Speaker 4 (48:09):
It's into Wentworth Mansion, and it's a top choice for
a romantic kind of historic feeling, lots of dinner cruises
down there, activities, guided tours, city tours. Charleston a great,
great location to consider. I'm going to move to the West.
I'm going to go out to Napa Valley for my
next stop on my no passport, no problem tour. Napa
(48:33):
Valley historically a well known place for wines, Lots of
spa res arts out there, vineyards as far as the
eye can see, vineyards and vineyards and vineyards. If you
want to do something special, you can get a private
dinner there in one of the wine caves. If that's
not enough to get you excited, hot air balloons. You
(48:54):
can go on a hot air balloon ride there while
you're chauffeuring around all day tasting wine, take your hot
air balloon and then stop at the end of the day,
maybe have a treatment in a mud spa. Does that
sound kind of exciting?
Speaker 1 (49:07):
Yeah? Yeah.
Speaker 4 (49:08):
Lots of packages out there. Some of the hotels I'll
talk about very quickly, Carnaros Resort and Spa in Napa.
They've got a love in the Air package. It's got
a two night stay out there. Bottle of sparkling wine
hundred dollars Resort Credit. They have a side by side
Swedish massage with love inspired oils.
Speaker 2 (49:27):
I don't know what.
Speaker 4 (49:27):
Those are, but that'd be one of the places. Churchill
Manor in Napa they have a special out there to
a two night special again including the champagne, the strawberries,
the massage, limo tour around the valley. Lots of places
out there, and let's see what else do I want
to go to. I talked about the hot air balloons,
(49:49):
the wine dinner pairings.
Speaker 2 (49:52):
One of the things about Napa.
Speaker 4 (49:53):
Very very popular California people always headed to nap a
lot of the people on the West coast. So if
US East Coasters want to head out there, my advice
is book early.
Speaker 1 (50:02):
It's getting late, so book early, call us early in
the week.
Speaker 4 (50:06):
If you're interested in that, you want to do something
a little bit different, a little more active, maybe go
to Aspen full of cozy, luxury romance. It doesn't have
to be tropical. It can be by a fireside. Think
about out there in Aspen. We've had it cold here,
but if you're on the West coast or you're in
the Colorado area, the snow is very, very different. It's
(50:28):
not these chunks of ice that we've experienced on the
East coast, but it's that powdery snow, beautiful, luxurious mountain
side lodges, private sleigh rides, a pery, ski champagne so
you get done skiing, have some champagne, all kinds of water,
kind of features there. You might take and use the
(50:50):
pool right outside your suite. The temperatures are such that
you can be outside there, be in this snow and
be in the pool at the same time. Lots of
romantic Valentine's Day packages out there. We picked out a
couple that we have available, but time is starting to
crawl in on me here, so I don't want to
go through all of them. But so many things to
(51:14):
do winter activity, skiing, dining, that outdoor walking, hiking. Even
if you're not a skier, the valley out there is
a wonderful, wonderful place to be. So we want to
talk about some quick ideas. Dude ranches, private lighthouses, stays
(51:35):
in New England, boutiguans, we've got some of the Shenandoah Valley,
castle stays in the Hudson Valley, luxury train journeys all around,
all inclusive. Caribbean escapes. You will need a passport for that.
And we've also got some private villas. Terry's talked about
those from time to time. So if you don't have
time to go overseas, you can do it at home.
Speaker 2 (51:57):
That's as quickly as I can get through it.
Speaker 1 (51:59):
So here's what I'm hearing, Harry and Terry. All these locations.
If there's a spa facility, it's a good place to
go at one of these included some sort of private spa.
I like it.
Speaker 2 (52:12):
I do too, I do too.
Speaker 3 (52:14):
And you know, Chris Romance, travel is not about distance,
it's about intention. Love deserves a setting worthy of the story.
And at the wishing Well, that's exactly what we love
to design, journeys that feel personal, intentional, and just a
little bit extraordinary. Because travel, when it's done right, I
always like to say, is the most romantic gifts you
(52:35):
can give. And if you're interested in finding out anymore
about any of the destinations we mentioned today, we are
so easy to find. We're located at two forty three
f Avenue in the Valley Center in Here's Someburg, Virginia,
you can call us. We're at five four to h
nine oh eight two three, three three, or look us
up on the web where at the Wishingwell dot biz.
Speaker 1 (52:56):
This has been a life Less Ordinary, the travel show
from your friends at the wishing Well at two forty
three nef Avenue in Harrisonburg. If you have any questions
on topics discussed today, please reach out to the wishing
Well online at the wishing Well dot biz or five
four oh nine oh eight, twenty three thirty three. Past
episodes are available on the iHeartRadio app. And we'll see
again next Saturday morning at ten for a Life Less
(53:18):
Ordinary from the wishing Well
This is a Lifeless Ordinary, the travel show and podcasts
from your friends at the wishing Well two forty three
f Avenue in Harsmer and online at the wishing Well
dot biz. The wishing Well is your ultimate luxury concierge
travel agency and A Lifeless Ordinary is a travel show
and podcasts hosted by Terry Dean, bringing her over forty
years of experience in the travel industry to help guide
(00:21):
you to great experiences in your travel, whether it be
around the block, around the country, or around the world.
Let's bring in Terry Dean and say, hello, Chris, how
are you today? I am quite well.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Good.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
I'm trying to think of if I'm warm enough to
say that, Yes, today, I'm doing quite well.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
It has been so cold, Yes, no doubt about it.
We're in the middle of winter. We are, and it's
been winner for a long time. In the last week.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
If I've ever needed a reason to call you in
book traffic, I know it has been this week to
get me out of this tundra.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Indeed, I sold a lot of Hawaii this week about that.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Hey, I saw that it's warmer in Juno, Alaska than
it is in Yes, certain correct, I was talking to
my mother about that.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
It was like in the thirties this week in Anchorage
and we were in the minus digits and I'm like,
you know, no, I don't like it.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
If we're going to have this much ice here in
the valley, I'd love for it to be that beautiful
blue color of the Alaska and ice.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Uh huh, that'd be nice the glaciers. Correct.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Correct, But we've got a lot going on this week,
and Harry, welcome in as well. Glad you could join
us today. We're going to hand sales over to Harry.
But first of all, I'm going to hit the news. Okay, okay,
Global sports tourism. Is this a big surprise? Olympics, I know, Olympics,
(01:46):
FIFA World Cup.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
We're what a week away now? Yeah, February sixth is
the upena exactly. So there's this study.
Speaker 3 (01:53):
You know, everybody loves studies, everybody loves results, and you know,
surveying people. I get a lot of those, but soccer
is drawing the most travelers, with those showing a generational divide. Actually,
global sports tourism is projected to be a too ready
for this two trillion dollar industry by twenty thirty two,
(02:18):
a massive surge from the seven hundred and seven billion
dollars it was worth just this last year. That does
not surprise me, though. The most popular sport across the
world for travel was soccer football, which will likely prove
true again in a World Cup year, especially given the
recent news that FIFA has had five hundred million ticket
(02:43):
requests for the event in North America later this year.
In the Americas, fifty four percent of travelers did so
for soccer and football, followed by American football thirty nine percent.
Basketball was twenty nine percent of all these numbers and
baseball twenty five percent. The average spend on sport tickets
(03:06):
was seven hundred and seventy one dollars, with sixty two
percent of those saying they take trips associated with those
ticket purchases of four days or more. That's sounds right, yeah,
So I think that's very interesting statistic to look at
that sports tourism is going to be big in these
(03:26):
next years ahead, and I think we'll continue to see
that because, as we talk about a lot here on
a life less ordinary people want experiences when they travel.
That's what it's all about these days, which, by the way,
thank you folks for joining us today. We appreciate it
so very much. We love that we're in your homes
(03:48):
every single Saturday morning and we're able to bring a
lot of that information to you, whether it's sports, tourism,
or cruising or tours. We love that. We love being
in your home. Speaking of which, Norwegian Cruise Line has
amended their air program. This is big news. As a
matter of fact, they will no longer allow for embarkation
(04:11):
day arrival flights. In response to the feedback from its
travel advisor partners, Norwegian Cruise Line has made a significant
change to its air program. As of January twenty sixth,
Passengers who book their air through Norwegian will no longer
be permitted to fly in the day of their crew's
(04:31):
departure date. NCL informed travel advisors of the change via email.
They said, beginning today that was January the twenty sixth,
all guests booking air travel through NCL air programs will
be required to arrive at their embarkation port at least
one day prior to sailing. The email, said an NCL
(04:52):
spokesperson further clarified that the new policy applies to guests
from both the US and Canada. We know that flight delay,
particularly day of sailing arrivals, in some cases resulting in
guests missing embarkation for their cruise and having to downline
to embark at a later port of call. This update
(05:12):
reflects our shared goal of protecting your clients vacations by
allowing more time for unexpected travel disruptions such as flight
delays or weather interruptions, ensuring a smooth or more relaxed
start to their cruise journey. That was from an NCL
spokesperson in this change. Guess what this came from, Chris.
The change comes after a recent spat of massive air
(05:37):
delays caused problems for cruise lines, first from the shutdown
of airspace over the Caribbean and most recently when more
than ten thousand flights were canceled due to this recent
winter storm that we had called fern.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
Terry, I think and Chris might agree that they've been
listening to this show because how many times have I
heard you say arrive a day early for a cruise.
If you've heard her say that, Chris quite often.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Yeah, it's a good idea.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
I think this advice comes from Terry Dean that Norwegian
Cruise line has finally listened to a life less ordinary.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
But I have a question, please you said, this is
through the NCL air.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
Program Norwegian Cruise Line. They have their own air department.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
So I can't book my own flight and arrive day
of outside of their program and still board the This's.
Speaker 3 (06:31):
A great question, and the answer to that is yes,
you can negate the NCL air program if you want to.
That has a lot of ramifications if you're doing that.
Number one, if you're booking your own air incl nor
any cruise line that you decide to book your own
air through, they have no obligation to get you to
(06:51):
the cruise. If you don't make it there, their obligation
ends and begins with where you give them the reins.
And in case where you're booking your own air, you're
giving them the reins only when you check in for
that cruise, so they have no obligation to do anything
with your air protect you in any way if you're
booking your own air.
Speaker 1 (07:13):
And how's the consumer responding to this? Are they upset
that they've got to add a day to their trip
and book a hotel room well?
Speaker 3 (07:21):
As Harry pointed out, this is something that the wishing
well religiously will tell our clients is a very smart
thing to do. We will book air on the same
day of a cruise departure if a client insists. And
up until now that was allowed. We have now one
cruise line stepping up and saying we're not going to
(07:42):
do that anymore because it really over taxes their air department.
They really don't have the hands on deck to manage
that like an airline or like a travel agency would.
But I will tell you, Chris, the same thing that
these cruise lines have been telling me for years, Terry.
We're a cruise line, that's what we're good at. We
are not an airline, so they really don't want to
(08:03):
deal with air problems.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
And when they did book air to your question, Chris,
when you did book air through Norwegian or any other
cruise line, if that connection failed for whatever reason, whether whatever,
that cruise line owned the responsibility to reconnect you with
the cruise. If you missed the departure, they were responsible
(08:27):
for getting you to that next port, and they got
tired of doing that. Okay, that's expensive.
Speaker 3 (08:32):
Yeah, yeah, And I was just I've been waiting for
this shoe to drop for really several years, because it
really is when we have a massive storm or something
unusual happening in the air system that cruise lines pay
a hefty toll for that, because, as Harry pointed out,
it's their responsibility to get you on board that ship.
(08:53):
If the air failed and they booked it.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
That's on the way out, on the way back, it
doesn't matter if you end up spending an extra day,
you know, in Miami because you couldn't fly home, nothing lost.
You might have an extra hotel night, but it's not
like flying you to a new destination. So this is
a very very sensible logical, I think, in the wishing
(09:18):
Wells opinion, long awaited kind of action. Instead of us
advising it now we can say the cruise line requires it,
and we advise it.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
Yeah, So as you know, I mean, that's one step
in the evolution of the travel industry. And we know
that as we talk here on a lifeless Ordinary, a
lot of the news that we share with folks is
about evolution and change in this industry. Well, there's another
(09:49):
one that came across my desk that we knew was coming,
and that is Southwest Airlines. They have launched their assigned
seating program. We knew it was just a matter time
they've ushered in a brand new era. This just happened
this past Tuesday, launching its newly assigned seat policy. The
low cost carriers ongoing transformation aimed at enhancing you got
(10:13):
to love this follow the money profitability has featured many
notable changes, including the elimination of Southwest's beloved bags fly
free policy for two pieces of checked luggage. However, the
end of the airline's polarizing open seating policy is undoubtedly
the most significant change impacting Southwest customers in twenty twenty six.
(10:35):
Here's what travelers need to know about it. Southwest passengers
will no longer need to set an alarm clock to
check in for their flight exactly twenty four hours before
departure to secure an earlier boarding group, since they'll already
have an assigned seat. After checking in, customers can view
their boarding paths with their seat assignment and boarding group.
(10:56):
Travelers who book together on the same reservation, including fame families,
will board together in the same group. Meanwhile, passengers requiring
special accommodation will be able to self identify digitally before
their day of travel with service requests such as wheelchair
assistants clearly visible on their boarding paths, and travelers will
(11:17):
also notice extra legroom seats reserved for those customers who
purchase the popular upgrade, as well as convenience seatback charging
ports and larger overhead binds, free in flight Wi Fi
for rapid rewards, member elevated snack options wonder what that is,
and new look uniforms. I'm so glad they're getting. New
(11:41):
uniforms are also welcome improvements that Southwest customers can watch
for as the carrier continues its modernization efforts.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
I'm excited to see how this turns out for him,
because there have been a lot of businesses outside the
travel world that they make changes and everyone's like, oh no,
and it ends up working out really well for them,
except for maybe Coke when they launched new Coke.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Oh right, that so well for him?
Speaker 3 (12:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (12:07):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
Usually it's you know, let's wait and see.
Speaker 4 (12:09):
How it goes.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
Yeah, I mean, will they lose customers as a result
of this, Probably not, because we live in a world
and in a society today in which air travel is essential.
Speaker 1 (12:21):
Personally, I've never flown Southwest, so I don't know what
the experience was like, I'm not a person who likes
to have to try to elbow somebody to try to
get a better seat, So I would probably appreciate having
a sign seating. We'll see.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
Yeah. Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
Now there's one thing that I want to talk about
to folks who are planning some travel, especially now or
in the upcoming year for vacations. I want to talk
about scams. It's easy to get scammed out there. As
a matter of fact, we had someone in our office
just today who was targeted, and it's unfortunate. But scams
(12:59):
are becoming more sophisticated, and it's important to protect yourself
and your data. So this part, this segment of news
is vitally important. Think about it this way, especially if
you do travel. You're kind of mildly delirious, You're slightly overstimulated,
You're carrying a phone at twenty percent battery and a
place you've never been before. Any traveler knows this state
(13:20):
of mind, and it has always been the sweet spot
scammers look out for. And in twenty twenty six, the
game isn't changing much. Scammers are still going to rely
on travelers being tired, distracted, and trusting. But what has changed?
Are there delivery tactics Now, it's QR codes, it's delayed
flight alerts, it's airport Wi Fi networks, it's ride share
(13:43):
pickups and even USB charging ports for Pete's sake. The
tech keeps evolving, but some classics never dine. If you're
planning to be on the road this year, here's my
official list of the top travel scams you need to
watch for in twenty twenty six. And I wouldn't be
surprised if this list Chris doesn't grow for us as
(14:04):
we move through this year. But pick pocketing, you'd think
that's an old scam, but still out there. Distraction teams
and phone snatching, it's a coordinated group. Thieves often work
in teams, staging a scene to get close to you.
One spills a drink, another creates a distraction, and a
third person is already digging into your bag or your pocket.
(14:27):
Phones are an easy target. They're small, they're light, and
they're gone before you can even notice. Now, another one
of these scams that I'm familiar with is that they
put their children out in front of you to distract you.
They'll do a little dance, they'll maybe sing a Little
Song or whatever. You're involved, you're smitten, and all of
a sudden you're picked clean of all of your valuables,
(14:50):
so be aware of this, folks. Pickpocketing is on the rise.
The next one is fake taxi and ride share imposters.
Once you're in a car, the scam kicks in, with
the driver taking longer routes, hitting you with surprise fees,
or pressuring you to pay cash at inflated rates. And
these scams are easy to avoid if you only order
(15:13):
rides through official apps like Uber and Lyft, and always
confirm the license plate before you get in. Legit taxi
drivers should have badge numbers and clear licenses displayed in
and on their vehicle, so be aware of those. The
next one, and the last one on my list, is
(15:33):
fake tours, tickets and experiences. We've had several clients get
hit with this online and in person. Polished tours and
exclusive experiences are everywhere. Some promise skip the line tickets,
private guides, or once in a lifetime adventures, but the
reality isn't always there. Sometimes the ticket doesn't scan, sometimes
(15:56):
the god never shows up. Sometimes the website disappears in entirely,
leaving you stuck with nothing to show for what you
just bought. You want to book your tours and tickets
through official attraction sites or well reviewed platforms, or legitimate
travel advisors like the Wishing Well. If someone sliding offers
(16:19):
via Instagram, DMS or insisting their offer is good for
today only, your gut's probably right. I would say that
probably is a scam. So beware as you're traveling this
year and in our vacation season through twenty twenty six,
that you don't get caught in things like that. Nobody
likes those kinds of surprises when they're on vacation.
Speaker 1 (16:42):
Not good travel is stressful enough without having your wallet stolen.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
Yes it is, or your passport or your phone, you're right,
or your cash.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
For me, And maybe I shouldn't have met this on
the radio. My phone is my wallet. I have everything
in one place, and if someone took that, I have
no credit cards, I don't have numbers to call anyone
for help. I've lost everything.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
Yeah, and there are a lot of experts that will
tell you not to do that. Well, but we travel
how we're you know, we travel how we're comfortable. Right,
So just beware.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
And I always but when I anytime I travel, I
always hold my phone in my hand. I always make
sure because I'm always worried about that. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Yeah, So good tips for those of you.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
Who are maybe attempting to travel anytime soon or in
the future. Harry, I think you've got some sales for us.
This is going to be an interesting show today because
we are targeting a very popular time of year and
that is Valentine's Day, and so appropriately try to say
that again appropriately, we have some great sales that coincide
(17:48):
with this next upcoming very romantic holiday.
Speaker 2 (17:51):
Harry, what have you got?
Speaker 4 (17:52):
Well, I have the privilege of knowing what you're going
to be talking about soon, so I'm going to be
real brief, but I want to give listeners an insight
into three things that we've discovered that might be entirely
appropriate for Valentine's Day, and that is, think about going
somewhere for a quick, close by weekend retreat where you
(18:12):
can have a nice place to stay and something wonderful
to eat. The first one I want to talk about
is a place not too far from our office here
in Harrisonburg, and that's something in Middleburg, Virginia. There is
a in up there called The good Stone in In restaurant,
and they've got a wonderful romantic retreat right in the
heart of Hunt country, what we call it here in Virginia.
(18:36):
They have a package that includes a couple nights of
luxury accommodations, welcoming bottle of sparkling wine, artisanal chocolate, charcoteri board,
waiting in your suite upon arrival, and then breakfast in
bed experience on Sunday. What a nice way to celebrate
Valentine's Day. If you want details on that, give us
(18:57):
a call. That's The good Stone in a restaurant, Middleburg, Virginia.
Hit a little bit more up the road, further up
the road up in Philadelphia, one of my old haunts,
the Hilton in Philadelphia, which is right on Penn's Landing,
a place that we took our entire office staff one year.
A wonderful property right on the river there at Penn's Landing,
(19:21):
William Penn. They have a romance package, another one the
breakfast sparkling wine, some very special room rates but looked
really enticing to us. That's the Hilton in downtown Philadelphia.
So when you're down there you can go visit South
Street and all the classic places down there in Philadelphia,
(19:42):
some wonderful restaurants among them, one of my favorite bookbinders.
Another one that I want to mention real quickly is
in Richmond, Rhode Island. There is a wonderful resort up
there called the Preserve, The Preserve Resort and SPA. Did
you hear SPA, Chris, Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
There you go.
Speaker 4 (20:01):
They've got a wonderful Valentine's weekend offer out there that
includes one hundred dollars credit for the resort anything you
want to use, a complimentary a prosecco upon arrival, and
complimentary breakfast for two. So there are many, many wonderful
opportunities like this all around the country for a nice
(20:23):
Valentine's weekend retreat. Those are the things I wanted to
share with listeners this morning.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
And you know, Terry, this is a good lead in
to our show today because it's all about love. We
are going to be traveling by the heart. We are
We're traveling by heart.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
And Valentine's Day is not this coming week but the
week after.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Yeah. But all right, so two weeks away. I know
people need some prep time.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
Start planning.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
No pressure.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
We will find out what it means to travel by heart.
Next here on a Lifeless Ordinary.
Speaker 4 (20:54):
Who would think of driving off to a new destination
without guidance from Google or Syria? It's not the wishing World.
Your next travel experience. Travel the world as you enjoy
the very best destinations and all they offer at the
best prices. Our mobile travel app keeps your vacation on
track and keeps you connected with our team of experts.
For help if you need it, call us at five
four zero nine zero eight two three three three stop
(21:17):
buy two forty three nep Avenue, or visit us at
the Wishingwell dot.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
Bizz and welcome back to a Lifeless Ordinary, the travel
showing podcast from your friends at the Wishing Well. You
can find them on nepth Avenue in Harrisonburg. You can
find them online at the Wishingwell dot biz, where you
will find a link in the upper right hand corner
you can go back and listen to every single episode
(21:42):
that's ever been recorded of a Life Less Ordinary. You
can also give them a call at five four oh
nine oh A twenty three point thirty three. Our show
today is entitled Traveling by Heart. As we start thinking
maybe we should have already been doing this. Start thinking
about Valentines. It's just two weeks.
Speaker 3 (21:59):
Ag. Yeah. I always like to give people ample time,
you know, because you don't want to let your sweetheart down.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
You really don't.
Speaker 3 (22:07):
And for those of you who are listening to us
again on this wonderful Saturday morning, again, thank you so
much from the bottom of our heart. We love to
have you here joining us every single Saturday as we
talk about all the wonderful places that you can dream
about going, really go, and then here maybe some of
(22:28):
our experiences too as we've been traveling. But as Chris said,
today's show is traveling by heart. We're going to talk
about romantic and luxurious escapes that are really special. And
this episode, I like to think is for dreamers. It's
for romantics, for planners, anybody who really believes that love
deserves a beautiful setting.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
I do.
Speaker 3 (22:49):
I think that's fabulous. And with Valentine's Day falling on
that Saturday this year, I think couples everywhere are kind
of thinking the same thing. Let's not just go to
din Let's go somewhere unforgettable. That's the best. And so
today I'm talking to our listeners and inviting you guys
(23:10):
on a journey through some of the most romantic and
luxurious destinations in the world. And then Harry's going to
be bringing it right back home with some extraordinary US
hidden gems, perfect for quick romantic getaways. You're going to
enjoy that. But this is about places where time slows down.
It's about where details matter and where memories are made
(23:31):
on purpose. So let's pack and gear up and relax
and sit back and listen to how amazing and how
romantic these places are. The first one on my list today,
Chris is the timeless romance capital of the world.
Speaker 1 (23:52):
Oh, oh, the world Paris.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
There you go, boy, I'll tell I wish I had
a gold bar for you. You do very well at
these guessing games. I love that. And you know what,
he did not even see my notes. We had no
way of knowing that. I actually started to say, Pocono's parents,
you're absolutely right. I mean, this is there's a reason
why Paris is still the gold standard of romance. It
(24:18):
isn't hype. Its atmosphere and Paris really invites couples to
slow down. I remember true life story. I had some
clients several years ago who wanted to go to Paris.
And their dream was to go and stay in a
five star resort hotel and have dinner in the Eiffel
(24:41):
Tower and do all the wonderful things. But they didn't
have the budget to do that in peak season. Not
a lot of people do, you know, there's some that do.
But you know, these folks were really interested in a
second honeymoon, so they decided to go in February during
Valentine and it was they said, amazing. I saw their pictures.
(25:05):
I talked to them when they came back. It was
magic for them.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
Did they celebrate Valentine's Day in France.
Speaker 3 (25:11):
That, well, my couple did. Well, that's a great question, though,
I think they do. I think so. I think they
have Valentine's in a city like Paris, right, you know,
it's kind of one of those holidays that you celebrate
love everywhere across the world.
Speaker 2 (25:25):
What's the bridge the Locks of Love? Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
I think it has a beautiful French name which which
I don't know yet, but anyway, I know it as
the Locks of Love. But this is this is the
city where I mean, you really are invited to long
dinners and riverside walks and museum mornings and champagne afternoons,
and really, romance here is not rushed at all. It's
(25:55):
layered and private mornings at the Louver or the Mousse
d'ose tour, lunch at a tucked away left bank cafe
sounds pretty nice to me. The same sunset cruise, evening
at a Michelin starred restaurant, or a nightcap at the
Eiffel Tower with all of those beautiful views. Luxury travelers
(26:17):
can elevate their experience with beautiful Virtuoso hotels like the
Hotel de Creon a Rosewood hotel. It's a historic palace hotel.
It's got elegant rooms, superb service, world class spot experience.
They've often been featured on our Best Of with the
(26:37):
Virtuoso list. Talk about some all inspiring pictures whose inspiration
dates back to Louis the Fifteenth. I'm going to tell
you today is the day if you do have your
computer in front of you, you're going to want to
follow along. This is a hotel you really do want
to pull up, look at this hotel and really just
(26:58):
dream a little because it's been an inspiration to romantic
couples for centuries. And then The next hotel, of course,
in Paris, is the Maisson Souquet. This is a boutique
ultra romantic, how hideaway in a beautiful area of Paris.
Not virtuoso, but legendary for couples. It's absolutely beautiful and
(27:22):
I simply had to include this hotel in Paris, especially
since it was named the most romantic hotel in the world.
The Room de corps here at this boutique property ranges
from Art Deco to Napoleon the Third, Indian and even Japanese.
It's like entering several different countries all under one roof.
Speaker 2 (27:43):
I love it.
Speaker 3 (27:44):
Paris is absolutely romantic for this time of year, for
Valentine's Day, and some of the romantic experiences that you
can have again are those wonderful trips to the Louver
Left Bank cafes. I mean, there's one hundreds of things
to do in Paris, and really just being in Paris
itself is very, very romantic. Next on my list is
(28:09):
a beautiful city. I know, we all know it. It's
one of the most popular romantic cities in Italy. I
call this love and slow motion in Venice. So if
you think Paris is romance, Venice is intimacy. Paris feels
like a shared secret really between two people. There's no cars,
(28:30):
no noise, just water, music, candlelight and history. And here's
a little luxury tip for you. If you stay in
a resort, restored palace hotel on the Grand Canal, not
near the crowds, that's where you want to be on
that waterway. The difference in experience is enormous. I've had
(28:51):
a lot of people who will opt to stay not
on the canal because in their estimation it's a lot
less expensive. But again, the experience is not nearly the same.
I mean, if you go to Venice, Chris, what are
the pictures of Venice that you've always seen.
Speaker 1 (29:09):
The guy in the boat, gondolier, the gondolier, yeah, or
the plaza which yeah, sometimes is underwater.
Speaker 3 (29:17):
Yeah, yeah, exactly. I mean it's just it's the water
that's what everybody thinks of. And you're right, the gondolas
and all of that romance, that's what it's all about.
And some of the romantic things that are to do
in pairis center around the hotels that are on the canal.
(29:38):
And one of those such hotels, for is one of
our virtuoso hotels. It's the Aman Venice iconic Palazio hotel
on the Grand Canal, private gardens, just some serene luxury
perfect for couples looking for privacy and world class service.
And it's been closed for major renovation for a while. However,
(30:01):
they are reopening again this month February, so they're going
to be reopen. You can actually see that.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
I'm not sure.
Speaker 3 (30:09):
I don't think when Jeff Bezos got married in Italy
this hotel was even still open. This was a hotel
that they wanted to get married in, but it was
under in renovations, undergoing renovations, so they went somewhere else.
But this is a hotel definitely to put on your
must see. I mean, it would be great if you're
not even staying there, to just go there for drinks,
(30:31):
maybe at the bar, for a coffee something like that,
just to say you were in the Aman in Venice.
It would be an experience. The other hotel there is
called the Gritty Palace. That's a luxury collection hotel. Historic
Venetian Jim frequently featured again on our Best of the
Best Hotels, and really this hotel has one of the
(30:53):
most breath taking views of the canal than any other hotel.
I encourage you again, if you have a and you're
able to follow along with us this morning, be sure
that you look these hotels up because that's a treat
in of itself. Their websites and some romantic experiences that
you can enjoy in Venice are again those private gondola
(31:14):
rides at sunset with a local musician. He or she
will serenade you. It's so interesting. I've actually never had
that experience, to be serenaded in a gondola in Venice,
but I did have that experience, interestingly enough, in Las
Vegas at the Venetian Hotel, and they did the same thing.
(31:35):
It's sort of a reenactment of what you actually see
in Venice, and it was really very entertaining, and they
do sing to you.
Speaker 1 (31:41):
We didn't do that, but we ate at one of
the restaurants where we could watch them go by.
Speaker 2 (31:45):
Yeah. Yeah, it's great fun.
Speaker 3 (31:47):
I mean, it really is, and you really do get
the feeling that you're in Venice, but it's so much
better to be there.
Speaker 1 (31:52):
Well yeah, yeah, They've done a great job at the
Venetian with all the painting of the ceiling Yeah. They
really makes it feel like you're outside, does I mean?
So that's that's a that's a second on the list
would be to go to Las Vegas and experience Venice
there because it's real close, real close.
Speaker 4 (32:13):
Who isn't that saying that song et nothing like the
real thing baby exactly.
Speaker 1 (32:17):
I think I choose ver Y Venice.
Speaker 3 (32:22):
Yeah, and some of the other romantic experiences that you
might want to look into if you do go to
Venice the real thing, Uh. Maybe a hidden wine bar tour, uh,
enjoying a little local prosecco. That would be a nice
thing to do. Dinner on a private terrace that overlooks
the Grand Canal. So if you're not lucky enough your
(32:42):
budget won't allow you to actually stay at one of
those hotels on the canal, you can at least have
a private dinner on the canal, which would be nice.
And then the water taxi ride over to the exclusive
islands from Venice, like Murano or Torcello. Those are great
things to do. Those water taxis are also very romantic
(33:03):
and for our listeners who don't know about Murano. Actually,
one of a famous artists by the name of Chihuli
originated from there. He actually is responsible for the glass
works in the ceiling of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.
Speaker 1 (33:18):
And didn't they just do a Chihuly glass exhibit at
the Vanderbilt Estate.
Speaker 3 (33:24):
Builtmore Hotel, Built More Hotel in Asheville, North Carolina. Actually
took my entire staff down there to see that, and
so it's you know, it's like a little bit of
Murano that you can bring home with you if you
have the ability to see some of that. It's great
and his work is beautiful. Yeah, yeah, it's wonderful. So
I encourage you if you're interested in places like Paris
(33:47):
or Venice and that's on your list of places to go.
Can you People ask me all the time, Chris, they go,
Is that someplace you can actually go and winter and
really enjoy it? I mean, it's no worse than the
negative degree to pictures that we've had here at home here,
But there's something a bit romantic about that. With the
lesser crowds and the cooler temperatures, it sort of encourages snuggling,
(34:13):
you know, and snuggle weather we call it. But Venice
and Paris both I think are famous for that.
Speaker 1 (34:19):
I don't know if you need an excuse to have,
you know, an espresso and a croissant or some fine
piece of chocolate or whatever. But I think when it
feels a little chillier out, at least you have an
excuse to say, hey, let's go get some warm.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
To druss exactly exactly.
Speaker 1 (34:35):
That's dramatic, Yeah.
Speaker 3 (34:36):
It is, and it becomes less about the touristy things
to see and more about the special moments that you
have with the person that you're with. That's why we
chose at least these two places first on our list,
Paris and Venice. We want to pop over now to
someplace that might be just a tad warmer for you.
(34:56):
And this is full of dramatic beauty and priv luxury.
And I'm talking about Santorini, Greece. Yeah, Santorini. I mean
just the name of it sounds wonderful, but it's romance
with drama.
Speaker 4 (35:09):
Really.
Speaker 3 (35:10):
You've got all those cliff side suites that are there.
The whole area there is kind of iconic. You see
the white buildings with the blue roofs depicted in a
lot of artists renderings. You've got infinity pools there, sunsets
with uh that would that would really silence entire crowds
of people that gather. They just look at it in awe.
(35:33):
And it's best for couples who want that visual beauty.
They want those private punge plunge pools, champagne breakfasts overlooking
the Caldera uh and those sunset sailings with dinner on board.
Those are all wonderful romantic things to do in Santorini.
And many of the luxury suites there are actually many
(35:54):
people don't know this. They're actually carved right into the
cliffs with private terraces and hot tubs. They're perfect for
milestone anniversaries, proposals and honeymoons. A lot of people get
engaged this time of year and they like to go
away for that engagement to occur. Let me tell you
there's nothing like Santorini that would be the place to
do it, wouldn't it? And some of the suggested places
(36:17):
that I have to stay there is the mystique that
is a luxury collection hotel property. Yes, it is a
virtuoso property, simply saying that this hotel has spectacular cliff
side suites with private terraces and plunge pools. Overlooking the
Caldera is like saying the louver has paintings. You know,
(36:37):
that's really an understatement. It's hardly only that. And in
twenty twenty five, The Mystique was recognized as one of
the best hotels in Conde Nast Traveler Reader's Choice Awards
twenty twenty five and it ranked number one in intent
to recommend among all Marriotte luxury brand hotels in the
(36:58):
EMA region. And I will say, if you were not
here with us last week to enjoy the show that
we did with one of Marriott's wonderful director of sales
for Caribbean and Latin America, Rebecca MacArthur, you should go
back and listen to that. Marriott has some fabulous luxury
(37:18):
brands and the Mystique is one of them. So I
would encourage you to go back and listen to that
show if you missed it. Another great property within the
Santorini area is the Grace Hotel Santerini. This is an
Aberge resort collection hotel. It's a boutique romantic property. Again,
those stunning views and elegant suites, a couple of romantic
(37:40):
things that you can do and experience in Santorini include
private sunset catamaran cruises around the Caldera with Champagne. The
Sunset Dinner in Ea is a terrace restaurant with seaviews.
This is one of the most iconically beautiful areas. It's
spelled oi A, but it's pronounced Ea and a lot
(38:05):
of people who go to Santorini, they will tell me
they want to stay in Santorini, and they'll show me
pictures of Eon. I want to go there, So that's
the iconic place to go. You have wine tasting tours
of local vineyards on volcanic slopes, a couple spa days.
I mean, really, come on, you know, a spa day
for a couple in Santorini. That's something noteworthy and something
(38:27):
to tell you friends about when you get back.
Speaker 1 (38:29):
Right.
Speaker 3 (38:31):
So, those are wonderful places to stay, wonderful things to
do in Santorini. We've covered three now, Chris. The fourth
one on my list is going to take us to
a super ultra luxury escape.
Speaker 1 (38:43):
And we'll find out where that is next year. On
a life less ordinary, who would.
Speaker 4 (38:46):
Think of driving off to a new destination without guidance
from Google or Syria's not the Wishing World guide your
next travel experience. Travel the world as you enjoy the
very best destinations and all they offer at the best prices.
Our Mobile Travel keep your vacation on track and keep
you connected with our team of experts for help. If
you need it, call us at five four zero nine
(39:07):
zero eight two three three three stop buy two forty
three Nap Avenue or visit us at the Wishingwell dot.
Speaker 1 (39:14):
Bizz and welcome back to a Life less Ordinary. Every
Saturday morning, this is your one stop shop for travel talk.
We sit down with Terry, Dean and Harry right from
the wishing Well here on a Lifeless Ordinary. Our show
today is Traveling by Heart. We've talked about Paris, We've
talked about Venice, We've talked about Greece, and we have
(39:37):
another romantic getaway. By the way, If any of these locations,
or this topic in general brings up more questions or
maybe you want to book a trip, you can stop
buy the wishing Well. They're at two forty three Nap
Avenue in Harrisonburg, also online at the Wishingwell dot biz.
You can give them a call if you'd like at
five four to zero nine eight, twenty three thirty three Terry,
(39:57):
where is our next romantic destiny?
Speaker 3 (40:00):
Well, I'd like to say I saved the best for last,
but it all depends on your frame of mind and
when what strikes your romantic fantasies, you know. But this
one is ultra luxury, really, Chris, We're going to step
into a once in a lifetime romantic situation. We've got overwater, bungalows,
glass floor panels, breakfast delivered by canoe.
Speaker 1 (40:23):
Are we heading to Indonesia?
Speaker 2 (40:24):
Bora Bora?
Speaker 1 (40:26):
Is that Indonesia?
Speaker 2 (40:27):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (40:27):
Okay, yeah, And this isn't travel just travel, this is
emotional impact travel. Yeah, we are going to borbor This
is really again another one of those locations. It's perfect
for honeymoons, anniversaries, val renewals. I'm getting some of those anymore,
and also major anniversaries, you know those milestones twenty five,
(40:50):
you know, forty fifty and an excuse though I don't
think so. No, this is the one I wouldn't.
Speaker 1 (40:56):
This is the one that my wife keeps sending me pictures.
Speaker 2 (40:58):
Of of Borbora.
Speaker 1 (41:00):
It's like we've got to do this.
Speaker 3 (41:01):
Yeah, absolutely, I think everybody should. I mean, there's something
very magical about seeing that part of the world, you know,
where it really is just so unreal. I mean, it's
very surreal to be in a place like that. Like
I mean, I remember my first trip to Hawaii. I
felt the same way. You know, this was a world apart.
(41:23):
Bora Bora is a world apart. And some of the
suggested properties that I outlined there for us today, one
is the Four Seasons. You know, I came back from
my stay in the Four Seasons in Nashville, Tennessee. You
might remember, Chris what I said when I came back.
I said, oh, I am officially a Four Seasons girl. Now,
(41:44):
I mean, it was all that iconic over the water
villa's there with private plunge pools and waterside romance. There
are so many facets of tours made available to you
at the Four Seasons here at this Bora Bora location.
From the they've got lagoons, sanctuary, discovery tours, to private
dinners on the Motu, which, by the way, the Motu
(42:06):
is a white sand inlet that's there next to the
Four Seasons. This is a property experience that wherever and
whatever you can imagine you might want to experience that's
at the top of their priority list of service to you.
They're going to deliver that if they can. This is
a property Four Seasons have been known for years for
(42:28):
being the property that doesn't say no. You know, they'll
figure it out, they'll find a way. They even have
their own cruise line now and they even have their
own airline, so you know, Four Seasons is not playing
at the World of Travel. They mean it, They mean
every bit of it. The other one is, of course,
the Saint Regis. Again hearkening back to our last week
(42:50):
with Rebecca MacArthur from the Marriott brands. Saint Regis, of course,
we learned is one of their luxury brands. Spectacular overwater
suites and butler service for couples at this particular property.
Speaker 2 (43:03):
One of the things that's.
Speaker 3 (43:04):
Very unique at all Saint Regis hotels is that they
boast their stellar service being the hallmark experiences Champagne Sabering.
We learned that last week. I experienced that myself at
the Saint Regis and Puntemita, but this one in Borbora.
They are said to have the largest over water villas
(43:26):
in the French, Polynesia and the South Pacific. They start
at fifteen hundred and fifty square feet. That is bigger
than some people's homes, you know, So that is a
great place if you're interested in staying there. The last
one would be the Conrad Bora Bora Nui. This is
a hillside and over the water villa with stunning views.
(43:47):
This is by far one of the most unique properties
in Bora Bora. You literally step out onto your private
terrace and you lounge in an overwater hammock or infinity pool,
and this is where you're treated to endless lagoon views.
Those are really they're meant just to soothe your spirit.
And if you're interested in knowing ya, what can I
(44:09):
do in war Bar besides staying these beautiful properties, Well,
I got ideas for you. Believe me when I tell you.
Sunset lagoon cruises with private dinner, couple spa treatments, over
the water with Polynesian rituals to go with that private
motu inlet picnics. I talked about that, snorkeling together in
(44:30):
coral gardens. I mean, this is where couples unplug from
the world and they reconnect with each other. And I
wish there were more of that today, you know, couples
need to take time. You need to take some romantic
time and put that into your in your marriages, in
your relationships. You know they it's healing for every couple
(44:53):
to do something like that. And I spent a great
deal of time, I know, talking to you about this today,
but we want to bring it on a a little
bit closer. I'm going to hand it over to Harry
because one thing I want to be sure to convey
in today's show is that you don't have to cross
an ocean to find extraordinary romance. Sometimes it's closer than
(45:13):
you think. Harry, what have you got Forrest? That's going
to be a little bit closer to home, maybe Forest.
Speaker 1 (45:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (45:19):
I've titled my segmentary no Passport, No Problem. So I'm
staying in the US, and I'm going to start at
one of the most romantic cities I think in the
United States, and it reminds me so much of being overseas. Particularly,
it reminds me of being in Europe.
Speaker 2 (45:34):
A city with.
Speaker 4 (45:35):
Wonderful parks, downtown, lots of romantic elements like historic ins,
carriage rides, private garden courtyards, candle it, low country cuisine.
You know what low country is Chris low country cuisine.
Have you ever heard of that before?
Speaker 1 (45:51):
I've never heard of that.
Speaker 2 (45:52):
Okay, country, I can tell you.
Speaker 1 (45:55):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (45:55):
Low country cuisine is when they cook everything in a
big pot, fluting corn on the cob, maybe crawfish, all
kinds of you know, other seafood items and vegetables, potatoes,
and they throw it all out on a picnic table
on a newspaper.
Speaker 2 (46:14):
This sounds like kid cod Yeah, you know a little bit.
Speaker 1 (46:17):
Are we doing like a clam bake or are we
down in the New Orleans area doing creole?
Speaker 2 (46:23):
It's a little bit of everything there.
Speaker 4 (46:24):
Versu's kind of a blend of West African and French
culinary tradition, a lot of seafood, grits, rice, local produce.
You gotta taste it. So Charleston is a city full
of that. I didn't know where we were. Yeah, I'm
in Charleston and it's a perfect place for a two
or three night Valentine weekend. Yeah, lots of packages down there.
(46:47):
We've got several hotels I want to highlight. The Planters
in is one. Lots of luxurious, romantic, even specialized intimate
getaways that the Planter's in there's a heart review in
down there. Right there on the waterfront, the Charleston Waterfront
is fantastic, refined kind of Southern hospitality that a little
(47:11):
slower moving than what we might be used to here
in Virginia or especially as you move up north on
the East coast in other parts of the country. The
Dewberry Charleston, another very high end, modern luxury hotel with
this romantic kind of feel about it. I am being
dining options. They're great food. The Wild Dune Resorts, the
(47:34):
Sweet Grass in and Boardwalk in kind of a more
relaxed coastal themed resort escape. And then the last one
I want to talk about is the Vendu. It's Charleston's
art hotel. It's kind of a boutique, artistic, little quirky,
very intimate hotel, very specialized and just sets a really
(47:56):
unique mood, smaller than some of the others dining there.
There's a famous restaurant in Charleston that I'm planning to
visit when I'm down there in April this year.
Speaker 2 (48:07):
It's called the Circa eighteen eighty six.
Speaker 4 (48:09):
It's into Wentworth Mansion, and it's a top choice for
a romantic kind of historic feeling, lots of dinner cruises
down there, activities, guided tours, city tours. Charleston a great,
great location to consider. I'm going to move to the West.
I'm going to go out to Napa Valley for my
next stop on my no passport, no problem tour. Napa
(48:33):
Valley historically a well known place for wines, Lots of
spa res arts out there, vineyards as far as the
eye can see, vineyards and vineyards and vineyards. If you
want to do something special, you can get a private
dinner there in one of the wine caves. If that's
not enough to get you excited, hot air balloons. You
(48:54):
can go on a hot air balloon ride there while
you're chauffeuring around all day tasting wine, take your hot
air balloon and then stop at the end of the day,
maybe have a treatment in a mud spa. Does that
sound kind of exciting?
Speaker 1 (49:07):
Yeah? Yeah.
Speaker 4 (49:08):
Lots of packages out there. Some of the hotels I'll
talk about very quickly, Carnaros Resort and Spa in Napa.
They've got a love in the Air package. It's got
a two night stay out there. Bottle of sparkling wine
hundred dollars Resort Credit. They have a side by side
Swedish massage with love inspired oils.
Speaker 2 (49:27):
I don't know what.
Speaker 4 (49:27):
Those are, but that'd be one of the places. Churchill
Manor in Napa they have a special out there to
a two night special again including the champagne, the strawberries,
the massage, limo tour around the valley. Lots of places
out there, and let's see what else do I want
to go to. I talked about the hot air balloons,
(49:49):
the wine dinner pairings.
Speaker 2 (49:52):
One of the things about Napa.
Speaker 4 (49:53):
Very very popular California people always headed to nap a
lot of the people on the West coast. So if
US East Coasters want to head out there, my advice
is book early.
Speaker 1 (50:02):
It's getting late, so book early, call us early in
the week.
Speaker 4 (50:06):
If you're interested in that, you want to do something
a little bit different, a little more active, maybe go
to Aspen full of cozy, luxury romance. It doesn't have
to be tropical. It can be by a fireside. Think
about out there in Aspen. We've had it cold here,
but if you're on the West coast or you're in
the Colorado area, the snow is very, very different. It's
(50:28):
not these chunks of ice that we've experienced on the
East coast, but it's that powdery snow, beautiful, luxurious mountain
side lodges, private sleigh rides, a pery, ski champagne so
you get done skiing, have some champagne, all kinds of water,
kind of features there. You might take and use the
(50:50):
pool right outside your suite. The temperatures are such that
you can be outside there, be in this snow and
be in the pool at the same time. Lots of
romantic Valentine's Day packages out there. We picked out a
couple that we have available, but time is starting to
crawl in on me here, so I don't want to
go through all of them. But so many things to
(51:14):
do winter activity, skiing, dining, that outdoor walking, hiking. Even
if you're not a skier, the valley out there is
a wonderful, wonderful place to be. So we want to
talk about some quick ideas. Dude ranches, private lighthouses, stays
(51:35):
in New England, boutiguans, we've got some of the Shenandoah Valley,
castle stays in the Hudson Valley, luxury train journeys all around,
all inclusive. Caribbean escapes. You will need a passport for that.
And we've also got some private villas. Terry's talked about
those from time to time. So if you don't have
time to go overseas, you can do it at home.
Speaker 2 (51:57):
That's as quickly as I can get through it.
Speaker 1 (51:59):
So here's what I'm hearing, Harry and Terry. All these locations.
If there's a spa facility, it's a good place to
go at one of these included some sort of private spa.
I like it.
Speaker 2 (52:12):
I do too, I do too.
Speaker 3 (52:14):
And you know, Chris Romance, travel is not about distance,
it's about intention. Love deserves a setting worthy of the story.
And at the wishing Well, that's exactly what we love
to design, journeys that feel personal, intentional, and just a
little bit extraordinary. Because travel, when it's done right, I
always like to say, is the most romantic gifts you
(52:35):
can give. And if you're interested in finding out anymore
about any of the destinations we mentioned today, we are
so easy to find. We're located at two forty three
f Avenue in the Valley Center in Here's Someburg, Virginia,
you can call us. We're at five four to h
nine oh eight two three, three three, or look us
up on the web where at the Wishingwell dot biz.
Speaker 1 (52:56):
This has been a life Less Ordinary, the travel show
from your friends at the wishing Well at two forty
three nef Avenue in Harrisonburg. If you have any questions
on topics discussed today, please reach out to the wishing
Well online at the wishing Well dot biz or five
four oh nine oh eight, twenty three thirty three. Past
episodes are available on the iHeartRadio app. And we'll see
again next Saturday morning at ten for a Life Less
(53:18):
Ordinary from the wishing Well
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