Bringing Travel to Life
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Happy week before Christmas! โ
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Only 7 days until the presents under the tree get unwrapped, I'm betting the race is on to get those last minute stocking stuffers and presents in place.
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One of the fun things for me at Christmas is pulling out all the bits and baubles I've picked up on my travels. To me it is always nice to see some small markers which reminds me of my journeys around this globe. As I write, I'm drinking my coffee from a cute creamy colored mug I bought in Tallinn. I can picture the artists shop where I picked it up; sitting right between the upper and lower city, about halfway up the cobblestoned path on the right. I was tempted by the black walnut earrings but decided on this little hand thrown mug.
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Behind me on the wall is this beautiful small watercolor, by a local artist Rita Talalaev (@rita.talalaev) from the island of Saaremaa in Estonia, above it is a triplet of finches by an artist in Fishguard, Wales.
All around my home are travel memories but there are always more at the holidays as I pull out my ornaments and hang them on the tree. Each has a story - the little wooden skier from Vienna, an angel from Paris, reindeer from Sweden, and the little glass balls from the UK.
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This year all Christmas decorations are on hold as two kittens, Steele and Magnolia, now reside in my home. I needn't mention kittens and Christmas trees don't mix well, typically ending in a very large crash. So this year I have foregone all things Christmas to save them from being batted about the floor.
I do miss seeing the ornaments and Christmasy things sitting around my apartment. I love remembering the stories of where each is from, who gave it to me, and thoughts on the joy of traveling.
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So what's the biggest mistake to avoid in travel for 2025?
DON'T WAIT to plan your travel. Waiting is the mistake too many people are making.
Start NOW and get that trip on the books.
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Last minute travel planning is really going to be a challenge in 2025, it's become more difficult here at the end of 2024. Across the industry prices are higher for everything from hotels to tours to flights, added to that is the reality that availability is increasingly limited. More countries are requiring pre-arrival paperwork and e-visa's, and the process for most everything is simply taking longer.
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We have entered a season where planning your trip in advance is the smartest way to find the best value for your travel dollars (and by advance planning I mean 4-6 months at. minimum, best pricing will be 9-12 months out).
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Travel is simply more complicated at the moment and it looks like 2025 will continue to see this trend while we wait for the world to find its center once again. We should be talking NOW about Summer and Fall 2025 travel. For anything this coming Winter and Spring - time to get on that now!
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Making some changes in response to the current challenges:
I know planning fees can be a barrier to working with a travel advisor and I really want you to have the value and expertise I can add to your trip. So, for 2025 I will not be charging a planning/booking fee when you know exactly where you'd like to book. Yay! Free is such a great price - and that free includes all my services.
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For all custom trips, I am offering for a limited time 50% off my planning fee. I want you to be able to get on that trip you've been dreaming about. Purchase between now and February 1, 2025 and you'll get my fee at a discounted price for a future trip, and it'll be good for travel through June 2026, giving you time to make plans. This offer is good for current and future clients.
- If you pre-pay the fee in full by December 31, 2024, you'll receive a 50% discount.
- If you pre-pay in full by January 15, 2025, you'll receive a 30% discount,
- If you pre-pay by February 1, 2025, you'll receive 20% off.
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If you know you're going to be traveling in 2025, this discount is a great opportunity to save yourself some money and get a fully customized trip. For those of you who have been wanting to use a travel advisor, this is a way to see what all the fuss is about at a great value. I'd be pleased to work with you
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Use these links to purchase - feel free to forward to friends or colleagues.
Choose Your Travel Fee Gift ๐
~ Let's get travel on your calendar ~
For more information about my fees,
here's a link to my Welcome Guide. โ
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๐Some inspiration from clients who have already booked for 2025...
- โSpain and Portugal โ2025 - This is as 14-day tour of Spain and Portugal, exploring the vibrant cities of Madrid, Lisbon, Seville, Sintra, and Cordoba. Spain is a beautiful country to visit in the Spring and Fall. Summer is a bit busier but still a great time to wander these wonderful cities with Tauck.
- -> Tauck Limited-Time Inclusive Air Package - this limited time only exclusive offer provides unparalleled value only Tauck can deliver. Take Off With Tauck is valid on all European Land, River and Small Ship Cruises departing March 1 - November, 30, 2025 (excluding September departures). Book between December 16, 2024 โ February 28, 2025; certain restrictions apply.
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โGreek Islands 2025 - a 7 day cruise from Athens to Athens through the best of the Greek islands. I did a very similar sailing last year. If you don't know which island you want to spend a couple nights on, a cruise is a great hors d'oeuvres platter to find out.
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-> Explore Without Limits - Get up to $5,000 savings per suite on more than 500 voyages most of all. To take advantage of this limited-time offer, let's get your suite booked these industry-leadingโall-inclusive fares by February 28, 2025.
- โDiscover Peru 2025 - An action-packed 9 day adventure through Peru, from Machu Picchu to the beaches on the northern coast. Immerse yourself in the Sacred Valley culture, trekking Machu Picchu, experiencing Pre-Andean culture, and then an adrenaline rush at Sky Vertical Suites. Tour the city of Cuscos and see how the history, culture, and traditions intertwine with the lives of artisanal fishermen communities before embarking on a whale-watching excursion. End the action with a visit to Peruโs largest mangrove forest and national protected sanctuary of Tumbes Mangroves.
- โAntarctica 2025 - 14 days through Antarctica with National Geopgraphics and Lindblad. Discover remote. Untrammeled. Spectacular. Exploring Antarctica is one of the most exhilarating adventures on Earth. There are many reasons to go. See scores of penguins and whales. Fall under the spell of sculptural ice: an entire museum of colossal and magical ice forms defying description. And add the dashing history of the Heroic Age of Exploration. (Still some space for the 24/25 season)
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If you're thinking about a trip of any kind, email me - I'd love to help make it easy to get out of town.
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Thank you for allowing me to pop into your email. I look forward to helping you fill your passport with stamps from journeys that create memories for a lifetime.
Here is a photo of the two new kittens. Meet Steele and Magnolia - also known as Batty and Nola. and yes, Batty lives up to his name. His midnight attacks are not cool or sanctioned.
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Not sure what I was thinking when I got them, but they're here now and it's a little bit of serious mayhem at the moment.
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Be sure to check out my website at www.opalandfinch.com for updates. And I appreciate your sharing with your friends and family.
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Have a beautiful week.
If you aren't following @opalandfinch๐ here are the links ๐ and I always love it when you tag me on your trips with @opalandfinch or #opalandfinch
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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.
โTravel INSURANCE - Use the link to purchase a travel insurance policy with Travel Insured, my preferred travel insurance partner.
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-> Some other Land Based Travel ideas <-
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DISCOVERY TRAVEL
- Tauck in Australia/ New Zealand | Your adventure begins here! Marvel at both natural and monumental throughout this "dreamtime" land down under tour. From the monolithic Ayers Rock (Uluru), to a foodie tour in Sydney, and the waters that make up the the Great Barrier Reef. Tauck tours drop you into the heart of the destination.
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SOLO TRAVEL
- โSolo Travel with Exodus | Solo travel is no longer considered a niche pursuit. Every year, more travelers are finding reasons to pluck up the courage and adventure alone, but when you travel solo with Exodus, youโll also have an expert leader and a group of new friends to share the experience with.
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ACTIVE TRAVEL
- Let's talk about Backroads, Intrepid, UnCruise, and DuVine and so many others and see which is a fit for you.
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โGeneral 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.
- Starting in January 2025, 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. Sign up through Meetup or email for the link into the Teams.
- If you join the Meetup group, you'll have access to other conversations I'll be having on various destinations, partners, etc.
Hello. Iโm Martha Day, owner and head travel designer at Opal&Finch, a boutique luxury travel company based in Dallas, TX, and (spoiler alert)
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I LOVE travel. It is a joy to assist others with their travel needs.
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My design goal is simple: that you return from your journey refreshed. Whether you head to 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.
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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.
- We believe travel is a means to bringing positive change to the world and its communities
- We believe meeting our global neighbors, through personal experience, benefits us individually, locally, and globally
- We support suppliers who are continuing to support the destination they operate in towards a positive future
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If youโre looking to travel, Iโd love to help bring your travel dreams to life.
#ImagineWhatCanBe #SoVirtuoso #BringingTravelToLife
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Proud Member of the following Virtuoso Communities: Wellness, Adventure, Culinary, Cruise, Sustainability
*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 Gifted Travel Network - a Virtuosoยฎ Member Agency | Gifted Travel Network, Inc is registered with the following state licenses: California - Seller of Travel Registration No. 2113317-40, Washington - Seller of Travel Unified Business ID (UBI) # 603 308 394, Florida - Seller of Travel Registration No. ST39093.
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