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Were you at the AMAs with Discover L.A.? Or maybe you were spotted in North Queensland & more?

You Travel Agents go on so many famils and attend so many events that we’ve had to create a whole new section dedicated to your awesome adventures.

You Travel Agents go on so many famils and attend so many events that we’ve had to create a whole new section dedicated to your awesome adventures.

Check out what consultants got up to over the last seven days below, including a rail trip around Tropical North Queensland or click here to check out last week’s pics and snaps.

 

1. SPOTTED… exploring culture & craters in Tanzania

MTA Travel Agents

Agents met Maasai people in Northern Tanzania with Crooked Compass Founder and Director, Lisa Pagotto during a recent famil.

The opportunity to experience the culture and lifestyle of a traditional Maasai village formed a highlight of a recent ‘Culture & Craters’ study tour program of Tanzania organised by Crooked Compass.

The Members’ busy six-day itinerary gave them the opportunity to further immerse themselves in the local culture with traditional activities including fire making, spear throwing and archery lessons.

The tour program also included a flight over Mount Kilimanjaro, a visit to a traditional Hadzabe tribal village, Arusha, Lake Eyasi and Karatu and the opportunity to view wildlife with a drive into the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater.

 

2. SPOTTED… bringing their ‘Fantasia’ to life with MSC

MSC Cruises Flight Centre

Twelve lucky Agents from Infinity, Flight Centre, Escape Travel and Cruiseabout inspected MSC Meraviglia before embarking on a four night cruise on MSC Fantasia.

The November 5 inspection of MSC Meraviglia, included tasting freshly made Mozzarella in the Marketplace Buffet and chocolate in Jean-Philippe Chocolate and Coffee Shop, onboard facilities including the MSC Gym by Technogym, Kids Area, Atmosphere Pool, Infinity Atrium, Galleria Meraviglia for a spot of shopping and to view the longest LED skyscreen at Sea, MSC Aurea Spa, Carousel Lounge where Cirque Du Soleil at Sea perform, TV Studio and Bar, Sportslex which features a 4D cinema, F1 Simulator and bowling.

After a thorough inspection of MSC Meraviglia, the group of Agents, led by MSC Cruises Victoria Business Development Executive Angelo Stoitsis, then boarded MSC Fantasia for a cruise of the West Mediterranean.

Ports of call included Marseille, where they took in the sights of Aix-En Provence, Marseille and Avignon. Barcelona, where they toured the Gothic Quarter, La Sagrada Familia, La Rambla and Nou Camp Stadium.

November 8, saw them arrive at Ajaccio and tours included the Home of Napoleon Bonaparte and the historic district.  The last port of call was Rome where they visited the iconic sights of Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, Vatican and the Colosseum.

 

3. SPOTTED… discovering wildlife in Canada & Alaska

TravelManagers 2

Personal travel managers (PTMs) are in the business because of their love of travel: exploring new destinations and returning to old favourites. Whilst much of their work life is spent indulging this love vicariously by helping their clients to book the holidays of their dreams, one of the undisputed perks of the job is the opportunity to take part in educational trips to every corner of the Earth, without paying the Earth for the pleasure.

TravelManagers 3

Sometimes, they even get to take a non-industry travel companion with them, as was the case recently for TravelManagers’ Julie Lunn, representative for Ferntree Gully in Victoria, whose husband Daryl accompanied her on a cruise and touring famil of Alaska with Holland America Line.

TravelManagers

“Alaska had always been on our bucket list,” says Lunn, “so we were really excited that our journey offered not only a three-night cruising experience along the famed ‘Inside Passage’ but also the chance to see the untamed wilderness of Canada’s Northwest and the wildlife and beauty of Denali National Park in Alaska.”

TravelManagers 4

The Lunns researched a ‘must see and do’ list of adventures they wanted to tick off, including optional excursions offered on the cruise/tour.  These included seeing wildlife such as moose, bears, orca and humpback whales, travelling by dog sled and helicopter and hopefully experiencing the Northern Lights.

After three nights aboard the MS Nieuw Amsterdam, they left the ship in Skagway and spent their remaining time visiting Whitehorse, Dawson, Fairbanks and Denali before finishing in Anchorage.

 

4. SPOTTED…. at the American Music Awards with L.A. Tourism

American Music Awards

Discover Los Angeles recently hosted 10 lucky travel agents on a trip to Los Angeles, enjoying the ultimate Hollywood VIP experience and attending the 2017 American Music Awards (AMAs).

The star-studded trip with Qantas had agents from Flight Centre, Escape Travel and Infinity Holidays, experience the entertainment capital of the world over four days, including visits to Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and Universal Studios Hollywood.

American Music Awards famil

The group stayed at the newly refurbished Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and paid a visit to the uber-cool Mama Shelter property, both of which are a reminder of the incredible revitalisation that is underway in Hollywood. The iconic neighbourhood is bustling with activity, with 13 hotels currently in the pipeline and two that have opened this year, including the Dream Hollywood Hotel and The Kimpton Everly Hotel.

Highlights from the trip included attending the AMA’s at the Microsoft Theatre in Downtown L.A., taking in performances by superstars Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Christina Aguilera, Demi Lovato, K-Pop super group BTS and many more. The theatre is a part of the exciting L.A. LIVE sports and entertainment precinct that is home to the L.A. Clippers, Lakers and L.A. Kings.

American Music Awards famil 2

While in L.A., agents had their very own celebrity encounter with Hollywood actress Jane Lynch from the TV show Glee, while they were on the L.A. Urban Adventures tour of Hollywood. They also enjoyed some retail therapy at the revamped USD$9 billion Westfield Century City.

To finish off their visit to the City of Angels, the group indulged in sunset cocktails on the rooftop of Hotel Erwin Venice Beach, offering a glimpse of L.A.’s stunning 75-mile coastline.

 

5. SPOTTED… railing around in Australia’s North

rail 2

Infinity Holidays recently took a group of NSW retail Agents to the beautiful TNQ region, where they experienced a taste of this exciting holiday destination.

rail feature 4

Highlights included two nights of luxury at the Thala Beach Resort, a ride on the Kuranda Scenic Rail and Sky Rail, a heli-flight out to Quicksilver’s outer reef pontoon and sightseeing opportunities, including Flagstaff Hill and Four Mile Beach.

 

6. SPOTTED… exploring the beauty of Oman

Adventure World famil

The Adventure World national sales team have just returned from their annual sales conference, which this year saw them exploring the beauty of Oman in partnership with the Sultanate of Oman Tourism.

When not busy working on their 2018 strategy, the team explored Wadi Abreeyan, one of the most spectacular free flowing mountain oasis’ in the region, visited the newly opened Oman National Museum full of cultural and ancient history through the centuries as well as completing stage 2 of the challenging Via Ferrata at Alila, which recently opened in September and is not for the faint hearted.

Commenting on the sales conference, Neil Rodgers, Managing Director for Adventure World: “It’s so easy to fall in love with Oman and we are so proud to support this magnificent country with our recent sales conference. We’re excited to have our team back, well equipped to pave the way for agents and continue selling this unique part of the world.”

 

7. SPOTTED… synchronise swimming on a Viking

Viking Cruises 1

Viking Cruises recently hosted 13 Travel Agents from Australia and New Zealand on board Viking Sun to experience Viking’s 12-day Mid-Atlantic Crossing itinerary cruising between Lisbon and Miami.

The group sailed in the wake of legendary navigators during a leisurely Atlantic crossing, setting sail from Portugal’s capital of Lisbon where the Age of Discoveries blossomed.

Viking Cruises 2

In the emerald-hued Azores, they learned about the archipelago’s historic significance as a supply station for explorers, admired colourful gardens of azaleas, hydrangeas and camellias, and explored the crater of the volcano in the Sete Cidades massif.

On board Viking Sun, they indulged in the ship’s cultural offerings, the LivNordic spa, and the wide range of alternative restaurants. In the British-flavoured Bermuda they took in the island’s pastel-lined streets and breathtaking pink-sand beaches before disembarking in vibrant Miami, Florida.

Viking Cruises 3

The famil also allowed the agents to experience the Viking difference including the exclusive Culture Curriculum onboard programme of lectures, port talks and enriching performances and destination focused dining.

 

8. SPOTTED… getting Justice with L.A.

LA Tourism 2

L.A. Tourism, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood and Air New Zealand recently invited Travel Agents to get an exclusive preview at Warner Bros. latest hero movie, Justice League.

LA Tourism

Attendees were treated to a Gold Class experience in Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast and the chance to win a trip to Los Angeles.

Have you taken any recent pics from a roadshow or famil? Send them in to editor@karryon.com.au