From the Desk of Heather Christopher: November Updates

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I want to take a moment to say, no shout, thank YOU! Thank you for helping make my first full year with HCTC so full. Over the past year, I’ve had a hand in proposals, babymoons, “souvenir” babies, first trips taken as newlyweds, weddings, family milestones, celebrations, and so much more. Nothing makes me more grateful than the opportunity to be welcomed into the lives of my clients, making their lives richer through travel.

Okay, enough with the gushy-ness 😉 Before you wade into a turkey-and-stuffing-induced coma next week, I have a quick update for you:

Out of Office Nov. 28 — Dec. 7:

I won’t be checking email between the dates above, so if there’s any travel business pending between us please note these dates. I’ll be heading to Oahu with one of my preferred travel suppliers for a special education event. While there, I’ll get to network and meet with a slew of awesome Hawaiian hotels that are sponsoring the event!

In fact, my family will be coming with me, and we’re fortunate to get to stay at the newly re-branded Alohilini Resort before moving on to the Four Seasons Oahu. This is my first time staying at a Four Seasons … and yet my kids get to check that off their lists at just 2 and 4 years old! I’ll definitely be reminding them of this for years to come.

Moving on from updates, scroll down to see an incredibly cute boutique hotel in Portugal and a trend forecast of destinations you should have on your radar for 2018.

CURRENTLY: TRAVEL TRENDS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Expect air savings on previously pricy routes — to bucket-list destinations: Has Tahiti been on your bucket list for ages? Now’s a good time to plan a special trip for a major milestone, like honeymoons or anniversaries. Airfare to the South Pacific paradise has been trending lower than in years past. Also worth noting: Southwest Airlines will soon begin flying to Hawaii! Typically, when the beloved budget airline starts flying to a new destination, that brings down the airline prices there across the board. I’m just as anxious as you are to see what kind of affect this has on pricing for Hawaii flights.
Your next family vacation destination: Add Sweden and Norway to your family vacay bucket list, because traveling to the land of Norse legends just got a whole lot easier. Norwegian Air is now flying non-stop from New York to Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, and Bergen. Your tweens or teens will love this bucolic, funky estate in southern Sweden.
Luxe “Luz Houses” in Portugal: Fatima is a holy city about an hour outside of Lisbon, home to a famous Catholic pilgrimage site. But there’s another reason to visit this gem of a town: a fabulous boutique hotel property, dubbed the Luz Houses. My very lucky friend Jenna just spent a surprise honeymoon in Portugal, with a stay here. Her thoughts? “The property was our absolute favorite hotel! Everything had a meaning and was done in a detailed, purposeful manner. The goal there is for you to open your mind and heart and just relax.” Check out a few of Jenna’s pics of the property below — and definitely watch the dreamy, wanderlust-inducing video on the Luz House’s website.