VIAKU Curated Travel Experiences

18/06/2024

17/06/2024

Long travel day that started and continues with a cocktail! MSP-CPH via KEF… Looking forward to a few days rediscovering this beautiful city! 60 days of travel in my 60th year continues…

28/05/2024

VIAKU clients who are fans of the series had a real treat on their recent 40th anniversary trip to Yorkshire as the series was filming during their stay!

27/05/2024

“Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run it is easier. We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just one step at a time.” Eleanor Roosevelt

01/05/2024

Maybe I should have started working in travel back in 1982 when I wrote that college essay on “The Future of Technology in the Travel Industry”... But after several career “detours” and a global pandemic today I have a successful independently-owned travel consultancy helping clients (who have become friends) travel the world. I love what I do! MANY THANKS to those who have helped me along the way. From Heather Kindred of Travel Leaders of Tomorrow, Ellie Noyes and Ann Gray who mentored me and got me started; Heather Parker at Bliss Travel Experiences for joining me on this crazy ride from the beginning; Jim, Linda, Liz and Kris at Pique Travel Design for showing me how impossible travel experiences are made possible; Jose and Bob at Riverdale Travel Partners for imparting their business knowledge and friendship; Sandy at The Sulit Experience for her partnership and encouragement. Thank you. I literally wouldn’t be here without you.

03/04/2024

Spring Break then and now. Iceland 2023. Japan 2024. They’ve taken my wish trips!

02/04/2024

Spring break request - visit Wrexham and attend Premier League football match…Below meeting the Wrexham coach and attending a Premier Football match between Manchester City and Arsenal. ✅✅

02/04/2024

Fishing or water sports anyone? VIAKU clients in Puerto Rico and Costa Rica enjoyed tarpon and offshore fishing adventures over Spring Break!

02/04/2024

VIAKU clients are taking full advantage of Spring Break to explore… Family style in Italy! How about that view…

10/03/2024

The internet has turned us all into our own travel planners, but for complicated itineraries or milestone trips, an adviser can save you money and headaches.

26/02/2024

My husband and I recently came back from a fabulous 10 day trip to Peru. Peru offers something for everyone. The beautiful scenery ranges from the caps of the Andes Mountains, the magic of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu to Lake Titicaca, the Amazon rain forest and the northern tip of the Atacama desert. Organically grown farm to table cuisine is served in Michelin-starred and local family-owned restaurants. And after all that activity you can lay your head at some of these excellent accommodations.

A curated selection of unique luxury hotels in Lima, Cusco and the Sacred Valley.

08/02/2024

Europe on my mind....

Europe offers a diverse range of journeys. Awe-inspiring sights, great cuisine, and rich cultural experiences make the perfect backdrop for a life-changing trip. Get in touch with the classics and bring home stories to tell. We’ll guide you through this adventure.

28/01/2024

Just returned from Portugal - a great destination for travelers who enjoy beautiful countryside, historical urban centers, outdoor activities, food and wine and pastries! Here is a link to see some of the great boutique hotels I experienced on my travels...
https://www.viaku.com/portugal24hotels

17/01/2024

Nothing like a morning run to go with the coffee. Yes I got to the gate first. Never, ever book less than a 2 hour connection through a major European airport. Those pesky 1 hour mechanical delays can burn you…At the gate with 15 minutes to spare because incoming flight was late. Now on to Lisbon. Glad I didn’t check a bag!

27/10/2023

Looking for a quick getaway from the Twin Cities? Consider a drive down along the river and an overnight at in LaCrosse! Dinner at

18/10/2023

Update on Delta Skymiles program... I believe that the changes to the program as initially proposed WILL eventually happen. They are just making adjustments to the timing to make ripping off the band-aid more like a slow pull back - still painful, but a bit less immediate. I DO think the change to the Million Miler program IS a step forward for those loyal to the airline over time.

Over the past few weeks, many of you have shared feedback about the changes we announced to Delta’s SkyMiles® Program. Your loyalty matters. We've made changes and added new benefits to make sure you’re rewarded for your loyalty to Delta. Tap this link to learn more: http://dl.aero/618290ePo

03/10/2023

Sometimes you get lucky! Thank you .medallion

15/09/2023

Looking for an alternative to Provence? Consider Languedoc and specifically . Located an hour south of Montpelier this 4-star property features luxurious hotel style rooms and 40 villa style accommodations in the middle of vineyards. A relaxing spa, endless pool, several restaurants and a tasting room are just a few of the onsite amenities! There are bikes available for those seeking a bit more activity. Perfect for those seeking a relaxing, food and wine-forward destination. Lots of local vineyards and tasting rooms and the town of Narbonne with it’s fabulous market. More on that tomorrow!

14/09/2023

Still not enamored with Delta’s Premium Select. LIKE: F&B and amenities have finally been upgraded vs Main Cabin. Nice pillow and blanket. Wide video screen. Good seat pitch and width. DISLIKE: Seat backs 💺 have almost no personal storage area. While upgraded the F&B is still decidedly Main Cabin quality. A menu doesn’t make the food better and the presentation is still Main Cabin standard. Also not a particularly comfortable seat. Glad I tried it again but unless it’s priced favorably I’d probably stick with Comfort Plus.

09/09/2023

This past week Signature Travel Network agency owners held their annual meeting at the Grand Wailea in Maui. This meeting had been planned in advance of the fires and they were reassured their presence was welcomed. They brought over 7,000 lbs of supplies for toiletry kits and raised over $400K for local charities. The message they received was PLEASE send your clients to Maui. 85% of Hawaii's economy is related to the travel industry. Hotels on Maui are at 12% occupancy and unemployment is high adding to the challenges on-island. If you are considering travel to Hawaii generally and Maui specifically, now may be the perfect time.

02/09/2023

Travel during the summer? Not for me… Minnesota summers are the reward for the winters… ❤️ being in the garden, early morning walks with light at the dog park, cooking up summer bounty…

01/07/2023

Happy Canada Day to my friends who celebrate! 🇨🇦

27/06/2023

What Cameron Hewitt describes in this post is not just the case in the UK. I have noticed the same thing in other countries where small independently-owned gites, pensions, gasthauser and the like are harder and harder to find. Clients now seem to gravitate between the extremes of self-catering a la Airbnb/VRBO or full service hotels. It's truly a shame for those who want something in between and more of an interaction with and a feel for the local way of life. Good read.

21/06/2023

This article is spot on! If you want to make sure you have that trip of your dreams in 2024 NOW is the time to start planning AND booking!

Getting your reservation first doesn’t always mean you’ll get the lowest fare, but it does have many advantages.

06/05/2023

Pura Vida for sure!

04/05/2023

Today a private guided hike near the base of the Arenal Volcano with Jairo from Nothing beats a knowledgeable local guide!

01/05/2023

Great new G-Concourse Delta Sky Club at MSP! Favorite things - sky Deck, gelato, cool artwork and multiple bars! Great seating and workspaces too. Nicely done

09/04/2023

Although the Ancient Greeks, Romans and Saxons all baked a type of bun to mark the changing seasons, it was Brother Rocliffe who made the Alban Bun in 1361. A sweet, fruity bake bearing a cross on top, the buns were given to the local poor on Good Friday. Happy Easter 🐣

04/04/2023

Haven’t seen this before in MSP… it was taking people 20 minutes to reach the 40 minute line for US citizens to get through customs. If you are traveling internationally I can’t recommend Global Entry enough. I was out of customs with my bags in 15 minutes even with waiting in line to GET to the Global Entry area!

02/04/2023

It was as good a day as you can have for the Cinque Terre. Off season, we had great weather, no traffic in either direction and light crowds… For hikers I see the appeal. As a day trip from Florence (2 hours each way) it seemed like a long way to go for a lunch by the sea with hundreds of others.