Red Orchid Women's Travel Club

08/03/2025

👉 As a long-standing member of CLIA and a Master Cruise Specialist, I couldn’t agree more with this message!

⚓ 50% of mariners at sea are women.
🌊 Their dedication, resilience, and leadership shape the cruise industry every day.
🙌 Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate them!

I’m proud to be part of a community that uplifts and supports women in travel—but most of all, this incredible Red Orchid Women’s Travel Club. 🌺

To all the amazing women here:
I see you, I celebrate you, and I welcome you.

For years, I’ve said, let’s keep making the table longer and bringing in more chairs—and that will always be true. Some of our luncheons definitely show this to be true. :)

You’re very welcome here.
Wishing you a marvelous International Women’s Day! 💜✨

07/03/2025

⚡Voltage Converter vs. Travel Adapter – What’s the Difference?

Traveling soon? Don’t get caught off guard with the wrong plug! Here’s a quick breakdown:

🔌 Voltage Converter – Changes electricity voltage (e.g., 220V to 110V). Needed for single-voltage appliances like hairdryers.

✈️ Travel Voltage Converter – A compact version designed for travelers, often with multiple plug types.

🔋 Travel Plug Adapter – DOES NOT change voltage, just lets you plug into different outlet shapes. Perfect for dual-voltage devices like phones & laptops!

🌍 5-in-1 European Adapter – Covers multiple European outlets in one device, often with USB ports.

📌 Tip: Always check your device’s voltage before plugging it in!

04/03/2025

🎅🚢 Ho, Ho, Ho… Did you know?! 🎅🚢
In just 8 months, we’ll be sailing down the legendary Rhine River in our own Hallmark adventure, sipping glühwein, strolling through magical Christmas markets, and soaking up the fairytale views of castles, twinkling lights, and festive cheer! ✨🏰🌟

🇳🇱🇩🇪🇫🇷🇨🇭 This 7-night cruise from Amsterdam to Basel touches Holland, Germany, France, and Switzerland—a true holiday dream! 🎄❄️

BUT WAIT… 🎤 I have NO idea how, but I’ve somehow managed to hold on to the last TWO rooms! 😱 They could disappear any second because the rest of the ship is sold out already, so before they do… WHO’S IN?!

⏳ Act fast before Santa’s elves come and sn**ch them away! 🎁🎄

📅 December 9-16, 2024
👯‍♀️ An amazing group of women
🍷 Mulled wine, castles, twinkling lights… and YOU?!

🎄🏰🎅(Solo or double occupancy) More information in the comments with links to a video presentation, and webpage with all of the details.

03/03/2025

✨ Welcome back, Donna! ✨
Ladies, let’s all say hello and send some love to our wonderful Donna! 👋 She’s been on two cruises with us now, always bringing her fun, vibrant energyand that contagious smile wherever she goes. It’s truly a joy to have her along on our adventures!

As one of our Ottawa girls, Donna embodies the spirit of our Red Orchid Women’s Travel Club - laughter, friendship, and a love for exploring the world together. Any time spent with these ladies is time well spent!

Drop a hello or some ❤️ in the comments to Donna - can’t wait for more adventures ahead!

28/02/2025

📌Ladies, you may have noticed I’ve been a little MIA this week… and for good reason! Right now, I’m in Morocco with my youngest daughter, checking off one of her biggest dreams—riding a camel in the Sahara at sunset. 🐪🌅

- The experience? Absolutely magical. - The weather? Perfect.
- And the country? A total surprise in the best way possible.

But I’m not just here for the adventure—I’m also here for research. While I’ve sent many travelers to Morocco, I’ve never officially offered a hosted women-only journey here.

The blend of Arabic, Berber, and French influences has been fascinating. One minute I’m enjoying fresh croissants for breakfast 🥐, the next I’m indulging in a fragrant tagine under the stars. 🌌✨

And the architecture, colors, and landscapes? A complete feast for the senses. 🎉

Would this be something for you? Let me know in the comments below! And in the meantime, enjoy a little glimpse of my travels. 📸💫

PS Be an armchair traveler?
I’m still traveling, so if you woukd like to follow along with my Instagram stories (Red Orchid Travel) or page - Red Orchid Travel in the stories, I’m posting lots on those.

20/02/2025

✨ FINAL CALL: Amazing Ireland Adventure!
This is your *last* chance to join our incredible Ireland & Northern Ireland tour with our 🇨🇦 Canadian-owned G-Adventures!

After March 5, 2025, this tour will be closed for booking!

📅 Dates: September 6–14, 2025
🏨 8 wonderful nights in hotels
🌍 Private local guide throughout
💚 Explore the best of Ireland & Northern Ireland

🍀 Don’t miss this fabulous land journey through Ireland!
🍀 Check out the links and presentation video in the comments below! Top of the morning to you!
🍀 Email Renee at [email protected] to secure your spot.

19/02/2025

‼️FINAL CALL, LAST SPOTS!
🌲Guess what?🎄
🎉Do you love Christmas?
🎄Do you love exploring festive markets?
🎄Do you love the magic of the holiday season in storybook settings?

Ladies, this is your chance to experience a magical Christmas Markets River Cruise on the Rhine!

🙌👉I just called in and learned that there’s **TWO** cabins that came available on our sold out river cruise from December 9-16, 2025 sailing from Amsterdam to Basel.

‼️They won’t be available for long, but I’ve put a temporary hold on both to see if someone would love to join us!

These cabins can accommodate two people or if preferred, a solo traveler—so if this sounds like your perfect holiday adventure, don’t wait!

✨ Imagine this:
🎁 Wandering through enchanting Christmas markets in five different countries
🏰 Sailing past fairytale castles and the stunning Rhine Gorge
🚢 Enjoying the luxury and ease of an Avalon Waterways river cruise
🗺️ Exploring Europe’s rich history, culture, and traditions
💫 And just enough of a dusting of snowy magic to make it perfect!

The ship is completely sold out otherwise, so if you want to claim these last cabins, call or email me today and let’s make your holiday travel dreams come true!

🌺 Your hostesses; Melanie & I would love to welcome you onboard.💖 Check out this fun video below, and more links are in the comments to peruse.

📩 [email protected]
📞 705-791-1519

🎅✨

18/02/2025

❄️ Snowy Days & Binge-Worthy Nights! 📺☕
Okay, ladies - it’s snowy, cold, and blowy out there! If you’re staying in, grab a hot cup of tea and settle in for some quality binge time—whether it’s a good book, a movie, or a great series (no judgment here!).

No matter what you style of binge, it's amazing and fascinating all in one to watch a series unfold in a book, or on screen, and then see the "real world impact" it has on travel.

My grandmother used to say, she loves to get lost in a good book, or a good movie because she doesn't have to leave her armchair, she can travel the world, and learn something new about a geographical area every time.

17/02/2025

❄️ !! Lunch Canceled !! – Stay Safe & See You in March! ❄️
Hello, ladies! After experiencing Ontario's Winter Snowmageddon, and now facing today’s snow squall warning with 50 to 100 cm of snowfall 🌨️, I’ve decided to cancel our lunch this Wednesday.

While the forecast calls for cloudy skies, the extreme cold anticipated for Wednesday's lunch (-10°C to -17°C) makes it less than ideal for getting together. 🥶

Some of you have assured you'll be at the lunch no matter what, and several of you already reversing your RSVP. I know everyone is making the best decision for themselves, but your safety is a priority for me.

On the bright side - and rather than anyone maybe feeling a little disappointed because it's been a while, let’s look ahead with a big smile to next month's date for our luncheon!✨:)

🗓️Mark your calendars, our next lunch is set for;

❄️Date; March 19, 2025
❄️Time; 12:00 PM
❄️Where; Cora’s Restaurant, South Barrie
❄️RSVP to Renee ahead of time so we can offer courtesy to the restaurant for numbers. ☕

[email protected]
705-791-1519 (if you text your RSVP, please offer your name so we know who you are)

In the meantime, I’d love to plan a coffee hour ☕ or casual lunch during the first week of March, again weather permitting, of course! Stay tuned for details, I will post the impromptu invitation on here as we get closer to the timing.

Wishing all of you a wonderful and happy Family Day if you're in Ontario, yes, it's a holiday Monday here today. 💕

Stay safe, stay warm, and I look forward to catching up soon. ❄️

13/02/2025

Are You a Reader During Winter?❄️📚☕

After a full evening of snowblowing (a solid 2.5-foot wall accumulation from being away, yikes! 💪), it called afterwards for something a little cozier.

A hot cup of tea ☕, a warm fire 🔥, and a good book 📖 while the snow drifts outside—pure winter magic. ✨

Right now, I’m diving into *Wintering* by Katherine May. She beautifully captures the idea of embracing rest and solitude, much like nature does in winter—a perfect read! ❄️💙

Calling all book lovers! 📚 What’s on your winter reading list? Drop your recommendations in the comments—I’d love to hear what’s keeping you company this winter? 👇

12/02/2025

✈️ATTENTION; If you've booked your own flights for one of our tours in 2025, changes ahead for carry-on rules for Air Transat, Air Canada, Westjet, depending on your choice of cabin ticket pricing. My advice to you, just expect all airlines will follow suit, many worldwide already have.

Flights have become more complex, grab a cup of tea and read on... 🧳

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15Az9bKKDq/

✈️ Flying Soon? Let’s Talk Recent Airfare Changes!
Air travel has shifted, it's more complex than ever, and if you’ve booked a flight recently, you’ve probably noticed!

*** Put your seatbelt on ***
Here’s what’s happening with baggage fees and flight classes:

✅Big news (but not-so-big news!):
- WestJet, Air Canada, and Air Transat are now charging for carry-on bags—but it only applies depending on your ticket class. Here'/s the new Air Transat policy for not applicable YET for Europe, Morocco or Peru...

🔹Eco Budget: Passengers may bring one personal item (e.g., a handbag or small backpack). Any additional baggage must be checked for a fee.

🔹Eco Standard: Passengers may bring one carry-on bag and one personal item. Checked baggage will now be subject to standard checked baggage fees. The fees will range from $35 to $50.

✅**BUT! If you’re flying with one of our group flights, this doesn’t apply to you!
Groups have separate luggage allowances as per the contract that we sign for our groups in tandem with the airlines, so we will keep our personal item, carry on, and/or checked luggage inclusions intact. No extra fees for you!🧳

✅ Booked your own flight? Check with your airline to see how this affects your trip in 2025 and beyond.

✅ Have your booked your flights with Red Orchid Travel? We’ve got you, and our promise to you;

🔹Flights booked through us (for our clients, groups, and women’s tours) include full service values and our expertise:
🔹Real-time tracking for delays, gate changes, and rebooking if needed.
🔹Seamless connections and backup plans before you land.
🔹Direct support from takeoff to touchdown.

✅Our (new, not so new) flight service admin fee we implemented for our full front and back flight service, and for your seamless travels is as follows.
✈️ $50pp for domestic flights
✈️ $75pp for international flights
✈️ $100pp for complex/multi-city flights
✈️ No charge for children under 16 traveling with parent/family!

✅** IMPORTANT; ✅
This is not an extra flight cost, we don't mark up flights—just offer expert support for smooth journeys! Rest assured for example; if there's trouble on a connection, we handle it while you're still in the air. Schedule or Gate change - we use What's app to remain with you throughout the journey.

✅ ** Booking flights yourself when attending one of our tours?
No worries!
We know everyone loves to use their points, or fly on different flight suppliers. Just send us your flight info, and we’ll track your arrival to keep the group on schedule.
However, you'll be required to carry your flight carrier's support information as we won't have access to your file, nor have the ability to assist on your behalf.

✅**Are you a DIY traveler, and just need a second opinion?
If you’ve booked on your own but want an expert review, we offer a one-on-one itinerary check to set you up for a smooth journey, and supply a travel timeline itinerary for your reference with everything in one place, either digitally, or printed. There is a small fee for this service - our expertise, your peace of mind = priceless!

At Red Orchid Travel, we do it all whether you want full-service planning or just expert advice. 🛫🌎

You pack, we handle the rest!

Any questions?
Reach our through a DM, schedule a complimentary consultation, or email us at [email protected]

12/02/2025

🌿🚣‍♀️ Attention all active ladies! 🌟 Would you love to join us for adventures like walking the iconic Camino de Santiago in Portugal, exploring the wild on an African safari, discovering Machu Pichu, unwinding with a weekend or longer wellness retreat, an immersive culinary experiential tour with a cultural deep dive, or paddling through a wondrous lake? 🏞️

We’re considering adding these types of exciting experiences to our upcoming women-only trips, and we’d love to know if YOU’RE interested! 💬

Are you ready for adventure, wellness, and travel that refreshes and rejuvenates your mind, body, and soul? 💪🌸

Tag a friend who’d be up for the journey and let’s see if we can make these trips happen!

Drop a comment or tag a friend who’s ready to explore and relax! Let’s see if we can make this happen!

11/02/2025

🌺🎉LUNCH DATE; You’re Invited to; The Original “Chat Room”
Before the internet and social media, this is how we connected—women gathering, sharing stories, and supporting each other. And we’re keeping that tradition alive!

Join us for a fabulous afternoon of laughter, conversation, and connection at our next Red Orchid Women’s Travel Club Luncheon!

📍 Barrie - Cora’s Restaurant, South Barrie
🕛 12:00 PM
📅 February 19th, 2025

💎 Special Guest Speakers & Bling! 💎

RSVP: [email protected] or call/text 705-791-1519

Come one, come all—I already have RSVPs, and we’d love for you to join us! Bring a friend! Let’s enjoy great company and a little extra sparkle. ✨

🚨 Weather Note: If there’s a weather warning, we’ll cancel and regroup for next month (boohoo!). Fingers crossed for smooth roads and safe travels for everyone!

06/02/2025

💙💙UPDATED! 💙💙
Loads of interest, 17 ladies have already booked/or in the process for their staterooms!
For our solo travelers, you'll not want to wait long as the ship only allows a percentage of solos on each of their sailings. .....................................

🌞 Your January, 2026 Trip to Sunshine—You’re Invited! 🚢✨

Join us for an another unforgettable, authentic tall ship sailing adventure aboard the Star Flyer—January 17-24, 2026! 🌊

☀️ With just nine months to go, now’s the perfect time to dream, plan, and say YES to this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

🏝️ No international flights needed!
Fly round-trip from Toronto to Saint-Martin, come in a day early (because winter ❄️), explore the island, then board our beloved Star Flyer—the same ship from our sold-out June 2025 Mediterranean sailing! 🌟

✨ Why join?
✅ 65% off current pricing (yes, you read that right!)
✅ $100 onboard credit + gratuities included 💰
✅ Five-star luxury, incredible meals, and pampering all the way with a fraction of the regular pricing! (65% off!) 🍽️💆‍♀️
✅ Solo travelers welcome! (Limited availability—secure your spot ASAP!)

💫 Rooms are selling fast—I’ve already booked five amazing ladies this week alone!

Secure your stateroom with a deposit and set sail on turquoise waters with us! 💦

📩 Email me at [email protected] or check out the details in the comments.

Love to have you experience this amazing sailing with us! 💙

02/02/2025

✨Let’s give a big hello and welcome to Margaret! She took a *huge* leap, joining us for her first solo adventure on our January ABC Islands cruise—and what a joy it was to have her! 💕

Not only is she the sweetest soul, but she also proved just how brave she is by going *SNUBA* diving with a 70-pound helmet under the water! 🤿💪

Margaret’s enthusiasm was absolutely contagious, and we’re thrilled she’ll be sailing with us again in June *and* on our Christmas Markets river cruise! 🚢🎄

Can't wait for more adventures with this all of our wonderful woman! 🌺

31/01/2025

🌟 Welcome to the Sisterhood, Lori!
Let’s all give a BIG Red Orchid welcome to Lori, who took a giant leap of faith and joined us on our cruise—without knowing a soul! 😲💃 She traveled from Winnipeg, booked in solo, and bravely agreed to share a cabin with a total stranger. And guess what? It turned out wonderful. 🌎✨

Not only did she have a fantastic trip, but she also found new friendships and unforgettable memories along the way. And for those of you joining our June sailing—good news! Lori will be with us again! 💙 Can’t wait to sail with you again. ⛵️ 💦

💬 Thinking about joining a group trip but feeling nervous? Let Lori’s story inspire you—sometimes, the best experiences start with a little bravery! ❤️

28/01/2025

Wow! I remember loving the bright colors and hats! You too?