Last Friday I came back from Mexico having successfully participated in my first in-person travel conference hosted by ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) at the Fairmont Mayakoba. There were 3.5 days of pre-scheduled appointments, educational sessions, networking, and glamorous parties.

I met with travel partners from Australia, New Zealnd, Tahiti, Croatia, Costa Rica, Peru, Colombia, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Maldives, Japan, Switzerland, Mexico, USA, South Africa, Aruba, Bermuda, Russia and many others. I approached each meeting with a client in mind and I’m so excited about the future of travel.

This event reminded me of the many years I spent on the selling side of the fashion industry attending trade shows in the US, Paris, and Milan. Part of that job I enjoyed the most was establishing relationships with buyers from all over the world. Who knew that years later I would find myself as a buyer making connections with travel suppliers from around the world. 

I’m still doing the work I’m passionate about and creating the connections that make my work meaningful. Do I believe in the Laws of Attraction? You bet I do.

Today I’m flying to Ireland, joining seven other travel advisors, on a FAM (Familiarization) trip sponsored by Index Select and Crafted Ireland.

We’re staying at several Virtuoso properties including a T+L World’s Best Awardee for best resort in the UK & Ireland. Tell me if any of these names sound familiar to you and if not, I’ll definitely be highlighting them on IG, so do follow my Irish Adventure.

Our beautiful accommodations include the Shelbourne Dublin, followed by a helicopter trip to the Isles of Aran, Adare Manor, Sheen Falls Lodge, Mount Juliet Estate and KClub. We’ll be visiting other equally stunning properties like the Ballyfin Demesne, Cashel Palace, Dunbrody House, Killarney Park and Fitzwilliam Dublin.

Crafted Ireland is a luxury DMC partner based in Dublin. They’re pulling out all the stops to show us what a luxury Ireland experience is, so that we in turn can craft a similar experience for our luxury clients. 

As this trip ends just before my birthday, I asked them to help craft my own personal exploration to Northern Ireland. Michael will be joining me on that leg and together we’ll start at Belfast, explore County Derry, Donegal & Sligo before returning back to Dublin with stays at Fitzwilliam Belfast, Bishop’s Gate Hotel and Lough Eske Castle.

After two weeks, I’ll have covered most of the country and will have gained invaluable insight, first-hand knowledge, and expertise in selling Ireland as a destination. I’ve been anticipating this trip for a long time now and am so looking forward to seeing and experiencing Ireland  with a different set of eyes.

Personal disclosure: my first trip to Ireland was eight years ago to lay a beautiful friend to rest. It was a sad occasion but I remember marveling at the beautiful landscape as we drove from Dublin to Donegal. I always hoped for a chance to return under happier circumstances. To have Michael along this time, whose maternal ancestry is Irish, makes this trip even more special.

Can you believe it’s October (my birth month) already? Stay safe and healthy.