Travel by Marion

03/11/2023

Just booked! Happy clients will be spending New Year’s weekend at fabulous Oceans Edge Resort & Marina Key West! All spacious rooms have balconies facing the marina and ocean beyond, and with six intimate swimming pools, restaurant, tiki bar, and onsite water activities, there is no reason to leave! For those who prefer the action of Key West, a complimentary shuttle is offered on the hour to the heart of historic downtown.

This property is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, and here we are pleased to offer our clients:
🌴a possible upgrade at check-in if available
🌴daily breakfast for two
🌴$100 resort credit

Let us know if you too would like to ring in the new year somewhere special!

09/09/2023

“Within National Parks is room — glorious room — room in which to find ourselves, in which to think and hope, to dream and plan, to rest and resolve.” —Enos Mills

The weekend is here, and our lucky clients are spending it everywhere from Cape Town to the French Riviera, to right here in the breathtaking Tetons. What’s on your weekend bucket list?

06/08/2023

Memphis friends: you know you are getting old when the “new bridge” is turning 50!! Happy half century to our beautiful Hernando DeSoto Bridge!

18/07/2023

“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison.” -Nelson Mandela

As the world remembers this visionary leader today, we reflect on a special moment during our recent trip to South Africa. We were treated to an intimate dinner with Christo Brand, who, at the tender age of 18, was assigned to guard Nelson Mandela in prison and eventually became his confidant and lifelong friend. Brand shared his touching personal insights into his unique relationship with this brave man who would change the course of history forever.

I cherish my signed book and memories of that special evening in Cape Town. Thanks to our friends at Africa Inscribed Private Travel for this life-changing experience. Add it to your own bucket list!
Brownell Travel Nelson Mandela

14/07/2023

ACTION NEEDED!
Many of us rely on generous credit card rewards programs to offset the rising costs of travel. I am personally using a free companion airline certificate for my children this week, and I just saved a client thousands of dollars by redeeming long saved points for biz class air to Europe. The reality is that travel would be out of reach to many without such benefits. Sadly, newly introduced legislation is posing a serious threat to the future of credit card rewards programs. I urge you to make your voice heard to your Congressional Representatives and Senators by taking a few seconds to sign this petition below and share it with others.

If you love your credit card rewards, tell your lawmakers, “HANDS OFF MY REWARDS!” Tell them to oppose the Durbin-Marshall credit card routing bill!

02/06/2023

As a lifelong self-proclaimed Broadway ju**ie, I am very excited about this new tour and cannot wait to check it out next time I am in the Big Apple!

The Broadway Studios Tour will begin daily private tours of active rehearsal studio complex Open Jar Studios later this month.

24/05/2023

Travel is back with a vengeance, but unfortunately some are turning to deals on the Internet that are better than they seem. I’ve had several reach out to me over the years asking if I had any connections to get their money back or fix a mistake they had made online or a trip that got botched up. That “deal” find may be trouble in disguise.

One client attempted to save money by going directly to a tour company in Africa for her dream trip in 2020. When the world shut down, apparently they went AWOL with all of her money. At the same time, I had some clients who had just made final payment on a very expensive trip there. My longtime onsite partner got all of their money back and was able to roll the deposit towards a fabulous trip two years later!

I have said this many times, but why would you entrust your hard-earned dollars and precious vacation time to some unknown entity on the internet? Please consider working with a seasoned travel advisor next time you make your important plans!✈️

Brownell Travel Virtuoso Travel ASTA - American Society of Travel Advisors

Amid record inflation and a cost-of-living crisis, vacationers worldwide are looking for ways to save, which a new study suggests may wind up increasing their risk of falling for travel scams.

17/05/2023

Dreaming of seeing your faves in concert? Consider doing it on your next trip to Europe. Over the years, we have personally nabbed front row seats to Michael Bublé In London and have helped music-loving clients with epic trips. They have included a 40th birthday at the Rolling Stones in Nice, grooving with Alicia Keys in Barcelona, and chasing Bruce Springsteen across Europe! This year’s hot European tickets include Beyoncé, Michael Bublé, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli, and Coldplay. Pick one and go!

A world tour for THE world tour.

15/05/2023

“Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.” -Ernest Hemingway

Remembering a very special 1991 Southeast Alaskan trip with a lady who instilled me with a great sense of adventure. Cherish your travel memories on this Mother’s Day and always!
Brownell Travel Virtuoso Travel The Boat Company

06/05/2023

“Experience, travel – these are as education in themselves.” -Euripides

Cherishing happy memories of a very special trip with my twins today as we celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.
Brownell Travel Virtuoso Travel

02/04/2023

Someone once wisely noted that “nothing soothes the soul like sunset on the beach.” Happy to be celebrating Sunset Sunday once again in breathtaking Malibu…

29/03/2023

Happy Nevada Day! One of our favorite places in this beautiful state is the divine . Over the years, we have spent many hours mesmerized by the iconic fountain show from our floor-to-ceiling room window. With synched fountain show music on your TV and 24/7 room service, why would you ever want to leave these luxurious digs?

If you’re tempted by a quick getaway to Sin City, we are pleased to offer the following bonus amenities to all of our clients:
🎲 possible room upgrade at time of check in
🎲 daily continental breakfast for two
🎲 $100 in extra resort credit (we last used ours on fountainside dinner at Spago!)
🎲 early check in/late checkout based on availability

27/03/2023

This is real, people! We just barely got a client on spring break even with expedited measures. Memphis-area travelers, ask me about our workarounds.  If you are even halfway considering leaving the country in the next year, please, please check your passport to make sure you’ve got at least six months validity, which is required by many countries. Online passport renewal is now available and I cannot stress to you enough how important it is to get on top of this ASAP. TSA Precheck and Global Entry interviews are also backed up for months, but I have an inside tip for that as well…

The processing time for US passport applications and renewals has increased again, as State Department employees scramble to keep up with an unprecedented number of submissions.

13/02/2023

Contrary to popular belief, we are not yet extinct!

09/02/2023

We are SO excited about this grand opening in a city that has not seen any new luxury hotels in a long time. Why not take advantage of the recently reinstated Delta Air Lines nonstop service from Atlanta to Nice and the hotel’s introductory rates and check it out this summer?

The 19th-century building underwent a lengthy two-year renovation to debut the new hotel.

03/02/2023

What an amazing welcome back to one of the most fascinating places we have ever visited! Get in on this free ticket deal and let us help you plan the rest of an incredible adventure. Visit Hong Kong

The "Hello Hong Kong" campaign will start doling out free plane tickets on March 1, for the airlines Cathay Pacific, HK Express and Hong Kong Airlines.

24/01/2023

As travel continues to bounce back from the pandemic, we are thrilled to hear about these new international routes from our number one airline partner Delta Air Lines! Auckland is long overdue, and we happily welcome back the Atlanta-Nice service as the French Riviera and Provence are always top sellers! We have already booked clients on the brand new Atlanta-Tel Aviv service! What an exciting time to travel!

Delta Air Lines is adding new routes including a brand new flight from LAX to New Zealand.

16/01/2023

Timeless words of inspiration…

Marion McDonald shared a post on Instagram: "Today we find inspiration in the the powerful words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebrate every moment you have on this earth and face obstacles head on, always moving forward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...

13/01/2023

ad·dic·tion
/əˈdikSH(ə)n/

noun
the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity.

Follow us on our Instagram account at for more highlights of our epic three week African adventure!

Marion McDonald shared a post on Instagram: "ad·dic·tion /əˈdikSH(ə)n/ noun the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity. Who else feels this way about experiencing the miracle of flight? Even after decades of travel for us, this absolutely never gets ol...

09/01/2023

Wishing you lots of adventures in the new year to come! For 37 seconds of inspiration from our paddles around the world, check out our Instagram page and let us know if you would like help planning your own adventure!

Marion McDonald shared a post on Instagram: "Someone once wisely noted that “paradise is a paddle away,” and we could not agree more. Over the years, we have been blessed to paddle in some of the most incredible places around the world, and we are looking forward to many more adventures this yea...

14/10/2022

The weekend has arrived! Where will the road take you? Follow us on our Instagram account for more worldwide travel inspo!

24/09/2022

Who says beach days end just because fall has arrived? Now is actually the best time to hit the beach when the kids are back in school and the weather is absolute perfection. We are blessed by fabulous hotel partners worldwide who treat our clients like VIPs. Why not plot your own beach getaway ASAP? In the meantime, crank up the volume and take a 26 second break at some of our faves! Brownell Travel Virtuoso Travel

21/09/2022

ATTENTION NYC FLYERS: Important and disappointing news about Newark. This could mean significant fare increases as Newark negotiates its own rates and sadly no more co-terminal status, making it harder for us to re-accommodate passengers into/out of NYC. Brownell Travel Virtuoso Travel ASTA - American Society of Travel Advisors

Starting October 2022, Newark Airport will be removed from IATA’s NYC city code  

20/09/2022

So excited about this news! Memphis flyers, what other nonstops are on your wishlist?

American Airlines announced it will launch nonstop service between MEM and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) starting in January.

09/09/2022

30/08/2022

This is LONG overdue good news for those needing to renew passports. Hoping this happens early next year! In the meantime, if you are even considering traveling internationally in the not-too-distant future, please renew yours the old fashioned way!

Starting early 2023, those difficult-to-get appointments will be a thing of the past.

23/08/2022

So very happy for clients experiencing the breathtaking Columbia Icefield this afternoon! This is as close as most will ever get to an active glacier and is the crown jewel of the Icefields Parkway, one of the most spectacular scenic drives of the world!

We are already planning Canadian Rockies adventures for next summer, but we are also big fans of this gorgeous area in the winter! Let us send you to our favorite mountain paradise!
Brownell Travel Virtuoso Travel Canada Keep Exploring Parks Canada

16/08/2022

GOOD NEWS: Memphis is finally getting upgraded CTX scanners which will mean no more removing laptops or taking off shoes!

BAD NEWS: For the next 10 weeks, TSA will be moving equipment around and security could be disrupted, so they are asking that passengers arrive at least TWO hours prior to check in even for domestic flights.

PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY!!

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is expanding its use of state-of-the-art, computed tomography – or CT x-ray scanners.

21/07/2022

Sadly, we had clients whose luggage was caught up in this mess yesterday. The good news?

✈️They had trip insurance (a first for these corporate travelers but I insisted)

✈️They were able to use their $29 Apple AirTags to locate their bags in Amsterdam

✈️They had a seasoned travel advisor who got right on it so they could attend their meetings while I took care of things.

PLEASE do not check bags if you are heading through Amsterdam or Heathrow for the forseeable future!!

Brownell Travel Virtuoso Travel ASTA - American Society of Travel Advisors

Schipol airport has advised passengers connecting to European flights that a baggage malfunction means they can only bring cabin bags on Thursday.

14/07/2022

I am strongly recommending to my clients that they learn how to pack efficiently and CARRY ON all luggage. This situation shown below is not unique to Heathrow. I have never seen as much lost luggage in nearly 27 years in this industry. One client told me he saw exactly one baggage handler unloading the entire jumbo jet in Amsterdam last week! Icelandair flew some of their own employees into Amsterdam just to offload their passengers’ bags! We are also happy to make recommendations for luggage forwarding services. Please do not let this be you! Brownell Travel Virtuoso Travel

The London airport’s capacity troubles because of staff shortages and soaring demand have contributed to delays, cancellations and lost bags.

12/07/2022

This is huge news for our clients, whom we are sending to Europe in droves right now. We currently have travelers in France, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey, while others are soon heading to Portugal, Germany, the UK, and Switzerland. Start planning your own escape soon and strike while the fire is hot! To avoid fluctuations, we can lock in prepaid rates now for future travel even if you are thinking further down the road.

For the first time in 20 years, the exchange rate between the euro and the US dollar has reached parity -- meaning the two currencies are worth the same.

10/07/2022

I was up literally all night dealing with multiple last-minute client BA flight cancellations. Sadly, one of their traveling companions booked online and was unable to be reaccommodated. Why would you entrust your hard earned dollars and precious vacation time to some website where you are treated as just another number? Have you tried lately to actually get through to a human on the phone to handle your flight disruption? Next time you leave home, please consider the merits of using an experienced travel advisor and always purchase trip insurance!! Brownell Travel ASTA - American Society of Travel Advisors Virtuoso Travel

Britain's biggest airline will ground another 10,300 short-haul flights until the end of October as the travel chaos intensifies.

28/06/2022

I am SO very proud to be affiliated with Brownell Travel, an agency which has weathered the storm and come out stronger than ever! 135 years and counting, and I am blessed to have spent the last 15 of my travel career with them. Why would you entrust your precious vacation time and hard-earned dollars to anyone else?

Our annual ranking of the largest, most successful retailers in the travel industry, based on full-year 2021 sales.

27/06/2022

These are incredibly difficult times for air travelers, the airlines, and those of us caught in between. Please understand that we are truly working 24/7 and if we are hard to reach, it is because we are assisting other clients. It can often take us many hours just to assist one passenger. One young man finally got home today after three straight days of cancellations and multiple unwanted stopovers overseas. We are bracing ourselves for a very, very busy holiday weekend. Please, please arrive extra early and carry on luggage!

Heading into the busy July 4 holiday, airline analysts suggest factors like staff shortages will disrupt passengers' plans and say CEOs need to act.

23/06/2022

I believe it when they say that last Friday, June 17th was the single busiest travel day so far this year. Yes, there are indeed some hurdles to travel these days but with these exchange rates so incredibly low, why not go to Europe right now?! Today clients are currently traipsing across the Continent in five countries…

Despite rising costs, the strikes, the cancellations and the heatwaves, now might be a good time for Europe travel—travel restrictions in Europe are at the lowest in 2 years and the USD and EUR currencies are reaching parity.

10/06/2022

Our prayers have been answered! No more need to worry about getting stuck while vacationing overseas! We currently have clients traveling across three continents and 11 countries and five states. What’s on your bucket list?
Virtuoso Travel Brownell Travel

The Biden administration is expected to announce Friday that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will lift its requirement for travelers to test negative for Covid-19 before entering the US, according to a senior administration official.

06/06/2022

Thanks to our friends at Delta Air Lines for this first ever commercial carrier flight directly to Normandy. For this historic trip, they have paired 30 World War II vets with Delta employees who have also served our country. We are sending record numbers of clients to France this year, and some will also be exploring the D Day sites.

The charter marks the first time a US passenger airline will fly directly to Normandy.

05/06/2022

Great news this morning for those who have had Cuba on their bucket list! So happy they are rolling back the travel restrictions which actually only hurt the people we’re trying to help. Vamos!

So where should we go!?