Linda Gallagher-Notes From A Wandering Agent

08/29/2024

Curious about Italy? Join us Tuesday!
Sept. 3rd, 12-12:30
https://tinyurl.com/soitalywithlinda
Don't miss out on this zoom about our Southern Italy and Sicily tour. Italy is absolutely one of my very favorite countries. It's so beautiful and the food, the food!. Join us for an informative zoom with Katie Ganshert from Collette. We will answer all your questions about this tour. Katie was on it last year and loved it, she'll tell us all about the highlights, there are many!
I was in Italy last November and loved it so much I knew I'd be back. Zoom with us next Tuesday and let's talk about why Italy is one of my favorite countries to tour.

Join us on Linda's birthday to learn more about her upcoming trip to Southern Italy & Sicily! Pleaes pre-register for the Zoom by entering your name & email so we know to expect you. April 27th - May 9th, 2025 Check out the itineary or sign-up at: https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1249963 Question...

08/28/2024

I've got the ball rolling, and working on the details with the river cruise line I've chosen, expect details soon about our first group river cruise for 2025!

08/27/2024

Pompeii is one of the most impressive historical sites I've ever been to. Walking through the streets built around 740 BC, you really get a sense of what it was like to be one of the 10,000 or so residence of the town. We will be stopping in Pompeii for a guided tour on my Southern Italy, Sicily, Amalfi Coast tour.
Join us at 12:00 Sept 3rd for zoom with Katie from Collette. We'll be talking about the many highlights on our next Italian adventure! Follow the link to sign up. https://tinyurl.com/soitalywithlinda

The photo is from Pompeii while on my Nov. 2023 Italian Vistas tour.

08/26/2024

We just got our travel docs for Greece and depart in about two weeks, to say we are excited is an understatement. I know many of you were disappointed that it sold out before you could sign up.

Don't miss out on our Southern Italy and Sicily tour. Italy is absolutely one of my very favorite countries. It's beautiful and the food is an experience in it's self. Join us for an informative zoom with Katie Ganshert from Collette who will answer all your questions about this tour. Katie was on it last year and loved it, she'll tell us all about the highlights, there are many! To sign up follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/soitalywithlinda

Sept. 3rd, 12pm

Join us on Linda's birthday to learn more about her upcoming trip to Southern Italy & Sicily! Pleaes pre-register for the Zoom by entering your name & email so we know to expect you. April 27th - May 9th, 2025 Check out the itineary or sign-up at: https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1249963 Question...

08/15/2024

What's the number 1 destination this fall according to many agents? No surprise here it's Italy! Next year is a Jubilee year, there will be lots of special events happening in and around Rome. Italy is so lovely I really look forward to going back and doing more exploring (and eating). Many of us from my previous Italy tour are signed up for my upcoming 2025 Southern Italy and Sicily adventure. There is minimal overlap on the itineraries with my previous Italy tour and the places we're revisiting are some of my favorites including Rome, Pompeii, and Sorrento. I don't need to see the Trevi fountain again but I'd love to sit in the bar that overlooks it and people watch while sipping a Aperol Spritz. Join me!

P.S. I'm hosting an Italy zoom Sept. 3rd at noon with Katie Ganshert from Collette, she was recently on this tour and happy to share her experience with us. More info and sign up info to come!

08/14/2024

Everyone is traveling. I had clients on River Cruises (which I'm working on for an upcoming group) and another in Ireland.
We're in the final 30 days before my group leaves for Greece. Some of us are trying to learn Greek...my word it's a tough language.

It's time to shift gears back towards my Southern Italy and Sicily group.
I'm going to schedule an upcoming zoom with Katie Ganshurt my rep from Collette. She was on this tour last year and is happy to answer any of your questions and offer insight. Sept. 3 high noon.

More info to come.

Travel while you can,

Opa!

07/24/2024

Always pack your patience, and save some for your travel agent too.
When issues like this come up it throws our world upside down. I've had travelers traveling this week and they have to be my priority. Patience and kindness always.♥️

Delta flyers pay a premium for an airline that's supposed to shield them from big problems, but that's not the case for countless Minnesotans this week

07/19/2024

Why I always encourage my clients to plan on flying in the day before your cruise or tour if possible. I’m grateful to not have travelers flying today.

07/18/2024

I've been stressing since we got back from Alaska. All because of a bag. If you've traveled with me you know I always do carry-on. Back when I was traveling for work, my clothes fit in a backpack and my other bag was gear and film. I was trained to always have at least one hand free. Having both hands occupied is distracting and dangerous because it leaves you vulnerable. I'm a pretty good packer by now.

My tried and true carry-on Little Brownie, finally started to fail, it was retired after many thousands of miles and more trip than I can remember. So as much as I've been traveling these days being without a bag has made me a little nervous. I'm been searching for over a month and narrowed it down to two. Did you know there is both domestic carry-on dimensions and international? So I reached out to fellow agents and the same brand came up again and again. I'll post an update when my new "Away" bag arrives!

Photo is of Little Brownie embarking on a Avalon river cruise.
We had some fun times together.

07/17/2024

Charlie travel humor: https://fb.watch/tnu0mYfvYe/

07/16/2024

I have clients that are currently sailing on their first river cruise and I'm thrilled for them. I found them a great deal on Viking that included air from MSP. Switzerland to Paris on the Rhine. I can't wait to hear how they liked it.

07/15/2024

I'm so easily influenced when it comes to travel.
Today I've been wrapping up final payments and details for Greece. My traveling buddy Char asked about the 4 day, 3 night Istanbul extension. I've been to Istanbul several times for my previous occupation but I never got the chance to see as much of it as I wished. So today Char asked, "why wouldn't we"? So we've both opted for a little added adventure at the end of our adventure.

07/15/2024

Greece! Can’t wait for September. It’s going to be beautiful.

07/14/2024

I really enjoy experiencing other countries. Tasting local cuisine and learning about other cultures and civilizations is so enriching. Last night we watched a movie that was set in Rome. It was really fun to see the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Coliseum, Vatican and other locations we experienced first hand.

Greece has been on my radar for a long time and I'm very excited to see Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. This is a bucket list tour for sure.

My groups are fun, we watch out for one another and it's as stress-free as international travel gets.
Travel while you can, always. ✈️🛶⛵️🛳🏝❤️

07/13/2024

LAST CHANCE ON A LAST MINUTE ADVENTURE!
JOIN ME ON MY GREECE HOPPER AS WE EXPLORE
ATHEN'S, MYKONOS, AND SANTORINI!

SEPT. 13-23, 2024

I have one seat open for sure, due to a medical issue.
(if you are a double, we may be able to make it space for two)

I am so excited about this tour. Collette's Greece Island Hopper has was sold-out to groups for all of 2024 with just a small smattering of seats available on a few of dates for this year. So earlier this year my rep from Collette, Katie G. called to let me know that a group had cancelled, I happily jumped on it! Also Katie had just been on the Island Hopper with her family and after seeing her photos and reading her posts I knew this tour had everything I wanted and more. It's a good mix of sightseeing and free time.
I just had a cancellation due to a medical issue so I have one seat but we think we can make it a double. Air from MSP is included in the price other departure airports available cost may vary. Follow the link for more info. CONTACT ME BY MONDAY IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.

Let's go hop some Greek islands!
https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1197013

07/11/2024

PARADISE AWAITS! MORE FLIGHT SERVICE OPTIONS TO MEXICO & THE CARIBBEAN FROM MINNEAPOLIS!!!!

I book a lot of Delta Vacations, I also take a lot of Delta Vacations. From MSP you can't beat their fun & sun getaways. And hallelujah they have increased nonstop flight service options beginning December 2024 from Minneapolis to top destinations in Mexico & the Caribbean including Cancun, Punta Cana, San Juan, Grand Cayman, Turks & Caicos, Belize, Aruba, and St. Maarten. Where do you want to go for winter beach get away?

This photo is from one of our winter trips in Costa Rica.

07/09/2024

Last Minute Greece Island Hopper Travel Opportunity Alert!

We depart for Greece on Sept 13th.
I just had one seat open up when someone had to cancel due to the health of a family member. This tour has been sold out for quite a while. This tour ticks all the boxes. If you are interested in joining us please let me know asap and I'll send you the details. My groups are fun and inclusive.

Athens, Taverna, Acropolis, The Parthenon, Mykonos, Santorini and so much more!

06/29/2024

Four of us are going back to the Minnesota owned Coco LaPalm. I really love this little resort, apparently so do many others. I was getting ready to send out an sign up email about our annual winter " Thaw and Chill" I did one last price check and it's sold out!

I know many of you were getting ready to sign up, our winter groups are so fun.
I really look forward to relaxing at Coco LaPalm but that doesn't mean I can't put together another affordable winter group get away. Belize? A cruise? Stay tuned!

06/28/2024

Arancini (pronounced “aran-chini”) is an Sicilian street food made of risotto that's rolled into a ball, stuffed with cheese, breaded, and gently fried.

I discovered my love for arancini on my last tour of Italy. Sicily is the home of arancini and on my upcoming tour I plan on becoming a arancini expert.

Join me as we explore Southern Italy, Sicily and the beautiful Amalfi Coast. Space is limited.
April 27th-May 9th, 2025

For more information and to sign up follow this link. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1249963

06/26/2024

https://conta.cc/3XGRdaW

Join me on this unique Italian adventure.   UPCOMING ADVENTURE ALERT! Pack your bags and join me as we get ready for an unforgettable journey through Southern Italy, Sicily, and the Amalfi Coast, Apri

06/25/2024

I need a vacation after my Margaritaville at Sea cruise on the Islander. The Islander is an older ship that has been refitted and has a fun vibe. Though they are still working out the kinks (I was on the 2nd sailing) overall the cruise was a great little vacation. The Islander's home port is Tampa, it's a quick ride to and from the airport. My Breezy Balcony room was beautiful, and the crew couldn't have been more attentive. The drinks at the 10 bars onboard were fabulous and the entertainment was top notch. Would I go again? Absolutely! I hope to take another voyage on the Islander before the year is over and see if those kinks have been worked out. 😉

Below are two of my favorite places on the ship, the Flip Flop Bar deck 2 midship and the outdoor Tiki Bar in the adults only section deck 9 aft.

06/19/2024

Good morning from day 2 on the Margaritaville Islander! We should be docking in Key West around noon today and I plan on doing a Hop on, Hop off tour of KW.

Last night my business development manager (BDM) for Margaritaville at Sea Jo-Ann had a get together for all the agents on board at the Tiki Bar. There are about 10 of us. My BDMs are absolutely the foundation of my success as an agent. They have the answers and they are always willing to jump in help when things don’t go as planned. Jo-Ann takes care of all of us at at my host agency KHM and we have a direct line to her.

06/18/2024

Not Holland America…oh my. Time to get our groove on.

06/18/2024

We made it onto the ship, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander. Since this is only the 2nd sailing we knew there was going to be kinks to work out and there was. The wait to board was longer than we anticipated and a little chaotic. I love my room and the ship has a lot to offer. We’re looking forward to exploring once we get settled. Our rep from the cruise line (BDM in agent speak, business development manager) has scheduled a cocktail party for all the travel agents on board tonight and I’m looking forward to meeting her. Below is fellow agent Paul and his sister in law Lucy. Paul and I are both independent agency owners under the same host agency KHM.

06/16/2024

This will be the first time I’ve opted for the drinks package. I did a lot of math before deciding. It turns out to be between 4-5 drinks a day to break even but the package includes unlimited soda, bottled water and the 18% per drink gratuity so in this case it’s worth it. I don’t think I have to worry about hitting 15 drinks per day maximum! I am going to try a different drink every day and post it.

06/14/2024

I'm finally getting caught up from our Alaska adventure. We enjoyed discovering Alaska with tour manager Ann from Collette and most of all I enjoyed the shared experiences my group had and friendships made. During the day we often went our separate ways but joined up for happy hour and dinner to talk about the best part of our day. There was always so many highlights!

I leave on Monday for a 5 day cruise that is the polar opposite in most every way. Margaritaville at Sea's Islander is leaving port today on its anugural cruise from Tampa. I'll be on its second voyage from Tampa to Key West to Cozumel and back to Tampa. No group this time, I'm traveling solo to check out the new ship for future bookings. From seeing the posts and videos other agents are posting from onboard it's going to be an interesting time. I'll post when I'm able...yes on this cruise I did get the drinks package. It's five o'clock somewhere!

Below was our Holland Am ship Nieuw Amsterdam
Below that is the MAS Islander

06/12/2024

I'm all in on this. I love street performers, music and unique experiences so I couldn't pass this one up. Plus...Ireland.

There are only a few spots open. Contact me for more info if you would like to join me for this very memorable experience!

05/31/2024

My group is very active. Yesterday In Juneau some went whale watching (they saw a lot of whales!) some did an overlook and garden tour. Some went to museums. Mike and I explored on foot, right into the gold rush era Red Dog Saloon for a beer and margarita…at 10:30am. When in Juneau!

05/30/2024

Our Holland America ship is an adult ship. Sure they have a kids club and a daily kid friendly activity. There are maybe a couple dozen kids on board max. But really Holland Am caters to adults and I appreciate that. Our ship has about 2000 passengers. The Norwegian Cruise Line boat next to us in port has double the capacity as the Nieuw Amsterdam and the Princess ship to the right in the photo is about a 25 percent bigger. For me it serves as a reminder that in cruising bigger is not necessarily better. Smaller ships are easier to navigate and less people is a plus when it comes to service. For my future cruises I’m going to continue to think small. I would absolutely book on Holland America again.

05/29/2024

We made to Skagway then took a tour into the Canadian Yukon. Alaska is such a beautiful place photos and words don’t do it justice. This Collette/Holland America tour has been a 10 out of 10 experience and we’re not done yet!