Alexandria, VA (April 11, 2014) – Vacation.com®, North America’s leading travel services marketing organization, hosted 25 of its top members and their guests on a 7-night cruise aboard Viking Cruises’ Idun, as a way to celebrate and reward the success of its top producing members. The celebratory cruise embarked from Passau, Germany, on March 23, and took guests through four of Europe’s most captivating countries along the Danube River: Austria, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia. As part of this high-end experience, guests participated in exclusive gatherings such as a wine tour at the oldest winery in the Kamptal region of Austria and an evening in Vienna at the breathtaking Palais Auersperg.
“This was the inaugural year for Vacation.com to host our elite member event outside of the United States, and it was an absolute pleasure to reward our top performing members by touring European destinations that are renowned for their old world charm,” said Vacation.com President John Lovell, CTC. “With the assistance of Viking Cruises, along with the wonderful product and intimate setting they are known for, we were able to create a first class, unique experience for our members that I’m confident they will treasure. Hopefully this trip has inspired them to share similar experiences with their clients as well.”
While docked in Durnstein, Austria, guests were able to partake in an exclusive, three-hour wine tasting and private vineyard tour of Schloss Gobelsburg, courtesy of Viking Cruises. Schloss Gobelsburg is the oldest winery in the Kamptal region of Lower Austria with a documented viticulture history dating back to the 12th century. Grüner Veltliner and Riesling are the winery’s most important variety.
The exclusive experiences, reserved just for Vacation.com members, continued in Vienna, Austria, at a gala dinner in the Palais Auersperg (a baroque palace). Guests were greeted by a Master of Ceremonies at the Grand Staircase while a quartet played classical music. The fête continued as guests enjoyed a 4-course dinner in the Rosenkavalier ballroom, while the Master of Ceremonies explained the history of the palace. The evening concluded with guests enjoying music compliments of a live orchestra and two shows featuring ballet dancers and opera singers from the finest troupes in Vienna.
In addition to having direct access to top executives from Vacation.com headquarters, members were able to partake in a supplier panel discussion, featuring representatives from Viking Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Globus family of brands, The Mark Travel Corporation, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Royal Caribbean International.
“As a full service brick-and-mortar agency that caters to our local clientele, it is truly special to be considered among the elite Vacation.com members. The Vacation.com leadership team went out of their way to make this trip very special for me and my wife,” said Vacation.com member Alan Rosen of Boynton Beach, FL. “There were so many highlights during the journey including sailing to Budapest at night, but the most memorable moment would have to be attending the exclusive gala dinner at the Palais Auersperg in Vienna. While there, we were able to listen to classical music in the same room where Mozart had performed for royalty. It was absolutely incredible. The whole experience was truly something we will never forget.”
Agency owners wishing to learn more about becoming a Vacation.com member to take advantage Vacation.com’s tools, programs, and technology, can go to www.joinvacation.com.
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Vacation.com
Vacation.com is the largest travel services marketing organization in North America, serving independent retail travel agencies across the U.S. and Canada. Vacation.com facilitates “The Power of the Partnership” between a network of quality Preferred Suppliers and member agencies that increase profits through disciplined marketing, comprehensive training and unique vacation products.
Visit www.JoinVacation.com to learn why belonging to Vacation.com is the ideal way to inspire clients and grow your business.
Vacation.com is owned by Travel Leaders Group and maintains its headquarters in Alexandria, VA. Travel Leaders Group ranks as the #1 corporate travel management company by Business Travel News. It was listed among the top ten travel companies on the Travel Weekly Power List. Vacation.com ranks #1 in the Top 10 Consortia/Cooperatives in the Travel Weekly Power List and has been recognized with the Gold Magellan Award for excellence in Marketing.
For further information, contact Vacation.com at 1650 King Street, Suite 450, Alexandria, VA 22314; tel: 800-843-0733.