Theodore? … or is it Butters?

It’s springtime here.

The iris are in bloom. Baby bunnies populate our back yard (to the delight of my step-daughters who have recently rescued two little critters from the curious cats, quickly naming them “Butters” and “Theodore” in hopes that Scott will relent and allow them to keep them . . . which he most definitely will not).

It’s trying to be springtime in other parts of the country. I’m always amused by the Facebook posts from my sister-in-law and cousins back in Michigan!

Back in Michigan, my relatives are posting on Facebook . . .

As a travel planner, however, I’m rarely in the moment. Always planning ahead for some travel adventure or another. In two weeks, I’m leaving for Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Istanbul. Yes, that’s quite an unusual combination! I’ve been invited on an industry “fam” (familiarization) trip hosted by Turkish Airways and the Taj Hotel Group.

A month after that, I’ll be in Maui with my favorite group of electrical contractors (NECA), with whom I’ve been collaborating for their Western Region meeting since 1989! Yes, I’ll be “working” on that trip! Creating a memorable travel experience at a “been there, done that” place like Maui is a professional challenge that I look forward to!

July is wide open at the moment. Maybe I’ll take a “normal” summer vacation like most people?? We shall see . . .

That’s me (the cute one on the right) with my brother, Bobby

In August, I’ll play southern California tourist with my two young nieces from Michigan who are coming to visit their favorite Aunt Marilyn.

The travel calendar gets kicked up a notch in September. First, I’ll be leading an incentive group to Slovenia & Croatia, with a finale in Venice, Italy – exposing some delightful clients to a new and unexplored destination that will blow their socks off (another favorite professional challenge of mine!).

And later in the month of September, I’ll be on-board the world’s best ship on a fabulous fall foliage cruise from Quebec City to some places I’ve never heard of (another of my favorite things to do!) along the St. Lawrence Seaway. The ship will cruise through a region recognized as one of the five best places in the world to see whales.

Did you know there’s a French Territory in North America? Neither did I! Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, just south of Newfoundland, is a self-governing territory of France. It’s the only remnant of the former colonial empire of New France that remains under French control with a population of about 6,000 people – who speak French, use the Euro and (I’m hoping) whip up some killer crepes! Researching further, I’ve learned it’s a photographer’s delight – a cross between France & Iceland – with colorful houses and a mix of North American and French architecture.

The rather “eclectic” flag of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon

Wanna come with me? I’m putting together an awesome deal – really awesome . . . and will soon be launching a special promotion for Mother’s Day. If you’re searching for the perfect way to honor your mother or your wife (or yourself!) – this might be the answer to your prayers! Quebec City is one of North America’s prettiest. Take a few extra days and combine it with Montreal and/or Niagara Falls.

And just wait till you taste the waffles on-board this fantastic cruise ship! You’ll never have tasted such delicious, lighter-than-air waffles in your life!

Stay tuned!  The big promotion starts next Friday with a limited-time discount of $400 per person off a 7-night cruise on Crystal Serenity (“World’s Best”). PLUS a shipboard credit (a massage for Mom?). Cruise dates are Sept 29 – Oct 6.

And then a month later I’ll be leading my invitation-only “Cuba: Connection & Culture” journey. Dates are Oct 31 (enjoy Halloween in South Beach, Miami!) – Nov 8, 2014. Space is extremely limited, as it’s really hard to get hotel rooms outside of Havana, but I’ve got connections! This will be trip #7 for me… With the opportunities I have to travel anywhere in the world, I wouldn’t go back over and over and over again if I didn’t have the most extraordinary experiences with each and every visit to this fabulous, forbidden isle. See the flyer for details:  WOW Cuba 2014

Thanks, as always, for reading!

Marilyn Murphy

p.s.  If you’re reading this – you’re invited on any of my WOW journeys … as long as you agree to the WOW! Vows: