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.

This episode features John Werner, President & COO of MAST Travel Network, and Morgane Beltaief, Sr. Director, Strategic Accounts at Oceania Cruises about their Alaska cruise offerings. Oceania Cruises, known for its upscale, small-ship experience, focuses on delivering unique, immersive Alaskan itineraries that combine luxury, culinary excellence, and authentic travel experiences. Morgane highlights the distinctive advantages of Oceania’s Alaska sailings, such as smaller vessels (with capacities of 656 to 1200 guests), extensive 10 to 12 day itineraries, and visits to both popular and boutique ports like Sitka and Ketchikan. The cruises emphasize inclusivity with specialty dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities, soft drinks, and spa access all included, offering an exceptional value proposition. Shore excursions are diverse and adventurous, including helicopter glacier landings with dog sledding, ziplining, whale watching, and cultural tours. Onboard, guests benefit from expert naturalists, engaging lectures, experiential learning classes, and a strong focus on Alaska-inspired cuisine led by renowned chefs. Morgane encourages travelers to view Alaska as a destination worth multiple visits due to its ever-changing experiences and rich offerings.