This episode features an insightful interview with Diana Harris, Managing Director and Partner of Arts and Leisure USA, a luxury travel company specializing in bespoke, high-end travel experiences primarily across Europe but also extending to other global destinations. Diana shares the company’s origins, values, and how they meticulously craft personalized travel itineraries through a hands-on, collaborative approach with travel advisors. Arts and Leisure prides itself on blending “arts” — encompassing diverse passions such as culinary arts, archaeology, and photography — with “leisure,” emphasizing relaxation and enjoyment of the moment rather than rushed sightseeing. The company’s travel designers work closely with advisors and clients to tailor trips that reflect individual interests and needs. Their robust network of trusted partners, including hotels, land operators, and service providers, is carefully vetted to ensure quality, safety, and consistent luxury service.

Diana also highlights the extensive resources Arts and Leisure offers travel advisors, including inspirational itineraries and direct consultations, ensuring confidence and expertise even in unfamiliar destinations. The company offers a broad array of services such as private transfers, shore excursions, villa rentals, luxury yachts, private jets, and specialized tours, including accommodations for travelers with disabilities and personalized experiences for the LGBTQ community. Furthermore, Arts and Leisure provides exclusive amenities through their ANL Collection, enhancing client experiences with added-value perks like early check-in, complimentary dinners, or unique local treats.

The company’s proactive customer service is exemplified by their 24/7 emergency support and a dedicated customer resolution department that swiftly addresses any issues to avoid disruptions during trips. Diana shares captivating examples of highly specialized trips they have arranged, such as a client’s dream to tour pen factories across Europe, a historical costume experience in Paris, opera-themed journeys, and customized tours for collectors and enthusiasts. Arts and Leisure’s portfolio has expanded beyond Europe to include the Caribbean, Mexico, North and Central America, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, offering comprehensive luxury travel options worldwide. Throughout the interview, the emphasis remains on personalized service, attention to detail, and creating unforgettable, meaningful travel experiences that go beyond the ordinary.

In this episode, John Werner, President & COO, MAST Travel Network and Dawn Burtch, Key Accounts Manager, North America from the Armstrong Collective discuss the unique luxury rail journeys offered by Rocky Mountaineer and Canyon Spirit. These rail experiences focus not just on transportation but on immersive, scenic travel through some of North America’s most breathtaking landscapes, including the Canadian Rockies and the American Southwest. Dawn explains the company’s 35-year legacy, its family-owned origins, and the recent expansion and rebranding efforts under the Armstrong Collective umbrella. She highlights the iconic Canadian routes—First Passage to the West, Vancouver to Jasper, and Rainforest to Gold Rush—and details the popular US Rockies to the Red Rocks route, extended to Salt Lake City under the Canyon Spirit brand.

The experience is characterized by daylight-only travel to maximize sightseeing, overnight hotel stays for comfort, and premium onboard amenities such as glass-domed rail cars, locally inspired gourmet meals prepared fresh in each rail car’s kitchen, and engaging onboard hosts who enrich the journey with storytelling and wildlife spotting. The US route crosses the Rockies, showcases vineyards, travels through Ruby Canyon’s red rock formations, and incorporates ghost towns on the newly added extension to Salt Lake City. Dawn emphasizes the seamless logistics, including luggage transport and hotel check-ins, designed to ensure guest comfort and convenience.

The video concludes with a discussion of the appeal of the American Southwest’s landscapes and culture, encouragement to work with MAST professional travel advisors, and current promotions offering significant discounts for past guests. The rail journeys operate seasonally with high demand, underscoring the importance of early booking.

In this episode, John Werner, President & COO, MAST Travel Network and Archy Arushanyan, National Director, Globus family of brands discuss Avalon Waterways’ innovative approach to river cruising, emphasizing new evening experiences, diverse daytime excursions, wellness programs, and themed cruises designed to enhance guest engagement and satisfaction. Avalon Waterways is pioneering the “Avalon After Dark” program, which transforms the traditional quiet evenings on river cruises into vibrant social and cultural experiences, including dinners under the stars, signature cocktails crafted by an award-winning mixologist, live music, dance parties, and interactive games. The cruise line also offers thoughtfully organized late-night shore excursions in iconic European cities, providing guests safe and memorable ways to explore local nightlife.