Hello Fellow Travelers!
I hope you had a lovely Easter and were able to spend it with those you love.
This morning, on Holy Monday, the Catholic Church announced the death of Pope Francis. For those headed to Rome, the logistics over the next weeks and possibly months, will be slightly different as they hold the funeral and then head into Conclave to select the next pope.
For those traveling to Italy in the next months, you will get individual updates for your trips if booked through me. My partners in Italy will also be adjusting your itineraries if impacted so you get to enjoy everything we've planned. This is one of the benefits of using me and in destination partners, my partners know all the ways to make things happen even with these kinds of unexpected events and you don't have to figure it out on your own.
Italy is always a wonderful idea.
I am currently working on a family trip up into the Dolomites and through the lakes of northern Italy on a self-drive itinerary. So much to explore in that part of Italy that's often overlooked. If you've traveled to Italy before and want someplace with a different Italian feel, let's look to the north, from Piedmont to the Dolomites - a wonderful place to discover. Putting it together makes me want to go hiking!
But rather than hiking I'm headed off to host a Virtuoso Voyage sailing from Amsterdam to Budapest with Uniworld down the Rhine and Danube. I've never sailed with Uniworld before and am excited to see how they do things differently than AmaWaterways. It's a great itinerary and we hit a lot of smaller towns and not just big cities.
I'll be traveling solo this time, I've been told there’s no better way to do solo travel than with Uniworld. I'll let you know what I think. From NOW through April 30 Uniworld is offering reduced or waived solo supplements on select departures and stateroom categories AND these savings are combinable with all current offers - like the 40% off offer.
- For anyone who's ever traveled solo, you know waived or reduced supplements are a huge deal. Solo travelers most often pay a single supplement of 150% - 200%. This means a single person has to buy out the second bed/berth and it's really drustrion to get excited about booking a trip only to learn there's an additional cost of 50-100%.
That's about all I've got this week. Below is some Partner News and some opportunities to get great value for your vacation dollars. Many of these are exclusively through booking with me at Opal&Finch. I've got others, just give a shout to find out what they are. That little hotel you're thinking about may well be on the bigger list.
Because I get asked a lot, so if you're wondering, yes, people are out traveling the world.
I'm currently working on trips for Italy, Spain, Peru, Norway, and a couple of different multi-generational family adventures to Lake Tahoe, Galápagos Islands, and possibly an expedition journey to Antarctica. It's my joy to help busy people get out exploring.
When and where are you next going? I'd love the opportunity to help get you there.
Live beautifully and with intention.
Real-ID is here! |
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Real-ID, or enhanced ID, is being fully implemented on May 7, 2025. Under the new regulations, following the enforcement deadline, federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will be prohibited from accepting driver’s licenses and identification cards that do not meet these federal standards. |
WHAT TO DO to ensure
you have Real ID
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Check your license for the star symbol or a US flag and doesn't say something like "not for federal purposes", "standard" or "federal limits apply".
- If your license is NOT real-id, you will not be able to fly domestically without your passport. Go to your state real-id site and get that process accomplished
- If you don't yet have your passport, here's the link to get that process started -> Passports
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Travel with a Paddle
a Pickleball Life
Yes - this is a thing!!
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Partner News and great opportunities
Last week, I had a meeting with a favorite partner, Preferred Hotels. I am excited to share that Opal and Finch, as part of Montecito Village Travel, is now a member of their exclusive Platinum Preferred Partner Club.
What this means for you is when booking through me, you now have access to the following exclusive amenities for selected preferred properties when booked through me.
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- Breakfast for Two Daily
- $100 Hotel Credit per Stay (to be used on services such as spa, dining, or selected amenity valued at $100 or more)
- Complimentary In-Room Internet
- Room Upgrade, subject to availability
- Priority Check-in and Check-out, subject to availability
Image: Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como
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Exclusive to Opal&Finch through Montecito Village Travel
Save 25-60% on select Regent Seven Seas Voyages (Deluxe Window to Penthouse Suites)
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Save up to 30% + beverage & SBC
Embark on an unforgettable journey with Oceania's special limited-time offer of up to 30% Off select sailings plus a Free Beverage Package and Shipboard Credit up to $800.
This offer expires on May 31, 2025.
An Oceania Idea for a summer sail!
Take a 14-day Culinary adventure through the Mediterranean
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NoMad Hotel, New York
a Ritz Carlton property
Enjoy 30% off 3 nights or more on Suites
Includes exclusive STARS Amenities:
- Complimentary breakfast daily for two guests per room
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Hotel Credit (once per stay)
- $200 credit for all One Bedroom Suites & Residence
- $300 credit for all Two Bedroom Suites, Two Bedroom Residences and The Ritz-Carlton Suite.
- Complimentary basic Wi-Fi daily
- Early check-in/ late check-out, when available
- Complimentary upgrade,subject to availability
or
Call to secure the perfect suite for your trip! This is a great location for a friends trip to New York City!!
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Curious about a destination or have questions about travel - Let's chat!
- Let's talk about your trip - set up a time to speak about a specific trip or travel
- Join my Open Q&A on Travel: Join me on the third Monday of the month for a Q&A about travel. Get free advice about the trip you're working on. Register here
Need to book a quick HOTEL? Use this link to book on your own and still get all those Virtuoso Amenities because of our partnership with Virtuoso.
Travel Insurance - Use the link to purchase a travel insurance policy with Travel Insured, my preferred travel insurance partner.
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General Travel Tips and ideas | Check out the website section Travel Tidbits for more travel tools and information -> the page is getting a refresh so it's not as pretty as the other options.
👇Follow Opal and Finch on social media, come join our small but growing party 👇
Complimentary Checklists
What should you pack? Here's the lists we've put together to help get zippers shut.
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Complimentary Mini-Planner
~ use it for your next trip or just to figure out what your travel style really is
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Virtuoso, The Magazine
The new Virtuoso, The Magazine is out, and it’s full of useful tips from Virtuoso travel advisors who, like us, can’t stop fantasizing about the next exotic getaway.
World Style and Design
My expertise and access to Virtuoso's network of the world's best travel brands, perks, and experiences mean your most memorable trips are yet to come.
THE WORLD'S TOP ADVISORS ARE VIRTUOSO!
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Hello. I’m Martha Day, owner and head travel designer at Opal&Finch, a boutique luxury travel company based in Dallas, TX, and (spoiler alert)
I LOVE travel. It is a joy to assist others with their travel needs.
My design goal is simple: that you return from your journey refreshed. Whether you. hit up a far-flung exotic destination, choose to relax deck side on a ship, or need your feet in the sand kicking back by the sea, whatever you choose, my desire is for you return home rejuvenated with great stories that bring smiles.
Opal&Finch exists to inspire connections through travel. We provide effortless travel planning, management, and concierge services to busy people so they can take memory-filled vacations even when schedules are packed and it seems impossible to get away.
If you’re looking to travel, I’d love to help bring your travel dreams to life.
#ImagineWhatCanBe #SoVirtuoso #BringingTravelToLife
Member of the following Virtuoso Adventure and Cruise Communities
*Proud to be a certified Virtuoso Voyages Host* (ask me what this means for you!)
Bringing Travel to Life
Opal&Finch is an independent affiliate of Montecito Village Travel - a Virtuoso® Member Agency | MVT is registered with CA 2019108-10
