Lucy Marshall: Travel Broker, Virtual Assistant & Expert Organiser

11/06/2026

Such a wonderful contribution to the local.economy, and a superb event! 👏
https://www.facebook.com/share/1P5qGqMD9e/

THE NUMBERS ARE IN and they're impressive!!!! The Economic Impact of Warbirds Over Wanaka 2026 has been put at $57.1million up 40% on 2024. Some 84% of visitors were from outside the local reegion including 8.6% from overseas. Total bed nights exceeded 130,000 and the average length of stay was an impressive 4.6 nights. Local tourism boss Mat Woods says the numbers show how important Warbirds Over Wanaka is for the region.

23/05/2026

Take Balinese luxury to new heights with 5 nights at Paradisus By Meliá Bali, freshly reopened after a complete transformation of the former Meliá Bali – and equally as iconic. This beachfront oasis is a destination in itself, where ‘all-inclusive’ takes on a whole new meaning. From free-flowing drinks and dining to late night room service: whatever you want, whenever you want it, it’s all yours. With an adults-only wing, Nusa Dua’s best water park for families, and daily excursions to the island’s iconic attractions, everything you need is within reach.

Dive into unlimited dining across 10 restaurants and bars from sunrise to sunset, starting with coffee with a view at Kopi Petani then choosing from Spanish flavours at Peseta Restaurant, Japanese masterpieces from Tokimeku, and so much more. Sip on free-flow cocktails by the pool, challenge friends on the tennis or futsal courts, or explore Bali’s stunning temples, beaches and rice paddies.

Parents can drop the little ones at Kidsdom before heading for a massage at YHI Spa, while couples and honeymooners can escape to The Reserve wing, complete with adults-only accommodation and facilities, its own pool with cabanas, and exclusive perks for guests staying in the wing. Paradisus By Meliá Bali caters to every type of traveller, with Nusa Dua’s pristine shores and tranquil sunrises right on your doorstep for when you manage to peel yourself away from your private slice of heaven.

Let's check flights for your preferred travel dates, and take advantage of this amazing 5-night all-inclusive opening offer...

22/05/2026

Set sail and SAVE in 2026 & 2027 with Ponant & SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS...

WHAT ARE SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS?

The Smithsonian is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it includes 21 museums, 21 libraries, the National Zoo, and numerous research centers. It is dedicated to education, science, history & research. These exclusive sailings with PONANT, feature WORLD renown Smithsonian lecturers onboard for the entire journey to truly enrich the experience.

PONANT EXPLORATIONS and Smithsonian Journeys, the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution, have formed a unique alliance to offer themed sailings featuring experiences that embrace local cultures and dive deeper into a destinationʼs history, cuisine, language, environment and wildlife.

In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, these voyages include transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each stopover that immerses guests in the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of each destination, and helps provide a deeper understanding of the places we explore.

What’s included on your voyage:

• Luxury accommodation with private balcony*
• Gourmet meals on board at selection of restaurants.
• Hand-crafted afternoon teas including signature experiences.
• Captain's cocktail welcome reception and farewell gala dinner.
• Complimentary 24-hour room service.
• Open Bar including Champagne, wine, beer, spirits.
• Non-alcoholic beverages.
• Complimentary in-room mini bar restocked daily.
• Complimentary Unlimited Wi-Fi.
• Guided Shore Excursions.
• Informative lectures, talks and entertainment in theatre.
• Complimentary access to wellness area: fitness room, sauna, & heated pool.
• Complimentary Butler Service in select Suites.
• Opportunity to visit the ship's bridge.
• Port taxes and national park entry fees.
• Arrival and Departure Transfers
• Gratuities

With 60 PONANT Smithsonian Themed Voyages available to choose from, all with BONUS Shipboard Credit Offers, make sure to contact me today if you'd like to go deeper into a destinationʼs history, cuisine, language, environment and/or wildlife.

There really is something to interest everyone, so do check out the brochure here: https://www.calameo.com/books/0081915543003718fbbcf and then call me to curate you next adventure...

Terms & Conditions apply.
Offer for sales until 30JUN 2026.

AUSTRALIAN EDITION 2026 –2027 SMALL-SHIP EXPLORATIONS TO INSPIRE YOUR SENSES

19/05/2026

It was wonderful to be part of the 60th birthday celebrations for National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions today, and to be hosted by Neil Rodgers, GM Adventure World, at the exclusive Northern Club in Auckland. I was privileged to be sat next to the dynamic Natalya Leahy, CEO National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, for lunch and to have the opportunity to chat with her prior to her presentation. We also enjoyed hearing from Gabriela Rolden, a Historian, Naturalist and social scientist specialising in Antarctica. Her stories of awe and wonder really helped explain just how special expedition cruising can be. I'm already making plans for 2027 😉

17/05/2026

Tuesday and Wednesday this week saw me at CLIA Live, Auckland, an amazing (and extremely busy) event where we have the opportunity to hear from upwards of 28 different cruiselines over two days to learn about their offerings, their inclusuons and exclusions, and what demographic they suit.. Even though I, and many of my industry friends, have been selling cruises for more years than we care to count, we can't rest on our laurels in this ever changing, growing industry, where new ships are launched, old ships change hands and where refurbishments are frequent.
If you’re looking for your next escape, and even if you don't think cruising is for you, challenge me to find an option you'll love!

17/05/2026

Uniworlds S.S.Emilie, isn't just a ship, she's a work of art While I was at CLIA Live this past week (a cruise training event as part of my CPD) learning about the personalities of each.of the cruise lines and which clients would match best with each experience (because as we know there is a cruiseline for everyone!), I had clients cruising the Danube from Vienna to Belgrade on this beautiful new ship.

Named for 20th-century Austrian fashion designer Emilie Flöge, the muse and life partner of painter Gustav Klimt, this 154-passenger river ship is a true mas...

06/05/2026

Today, 6MAY, is Global Travel Advisors Day!

The day recognises the trusted experts who go above and beyond to make travel seamless, safe, and stress-free. From navigating disruption to saving clients thousands, a Travel Advisors impact is often unseen — but always felt. We connect New Zealanders to the world, and we’re there when plans change, when things don’t go to plan, and when it matters most.

With this in mind, I received this on Saturday, a lovely message from a dear client...

"Hi Lucy, intended to message you last night to let you know that I had arrived safely! Great journey- had middle seat empty on 1st leg (I was by the window). Into Singapore 1/2 hr early, so plenty of time to make my way by sky train to terminal 2. Then walked to my gate, so got a leg stretch and time to relax b4 Osaka flight! Early arrival there, also (good tail winds!). Had my QR code for immigration entry on the phone, and while I was queuing, an Inside Japan rep came and found me and accompanied me through immigration, customs, bag pickup etc! And although we were early, the driver was in the expected place with his sign! Very efficient and supportive and much appreciated by me!

Drive to Kyoto took less time than anticipated, and I was checking in to the hotel by 5.15pm! Received my information pack there. The hotel has complimentary food and drinks available in the lounge at different times of the day, so a couple of glasses of bubbles for a sundowner was appreciated. Then had a soak in the ladies only communal bath b4 a light dinner of rice and broth with pickles and tasty toppings! Settled to sleep by 10pm in my comfy bed and good to go to the Golden Pavillion and gardens this morning!

Just wanted to say a huge THANKS for the great start, and a big thumbs up to Inside Japan!" CR.

If you would like a seamless getaway, and are worried about all the what ifs, and hows, message me today with your trip ideas and I will help you bring it to fruition.

29/04/2026

Emirates Travel Rehearsals: Supporting youth with Autism and neurodiverse customers...

Emirates has continued its commitment to making travel more accessible for all, by successfully arranging bespoke Emirates Travel Rehearsals across more than 40 cities globally over the past year. With more than 250 families positively impacted, Emirates Travel Rehearsals are designed to support children and young adults with autism, allowing them to practice the journey through the airport to prepare for real flights - easing travel anxiety and empowering them to fly with more confidence.

After the initial Emirates Travel Rehearsals in Dubai resulted in positive feedback from families, schools and autism organisations; the Emirates Office of Accessibility & Inclusion formulated the travel rehearsal into an official programme, to be rolled out across its global network.

Since April 2025, Emirates’ Airport Services teams have come together to arrange more than 40 of these travel rehearsals across airports like Accra, Athens, Bali, Bangalore, Barcelona, Bologna, Brussels, Cairo, Christchurch, Da Nang, Delhi, Dubai, Dublin, Durban, Düsseldorf, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Harare, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, Luanda, Madrid, Mauritius, Milan, Newcastle, Nice, Orlando, Oslo, Paris, Peshawar, Port Luis, Rome, Stansted, Stockholm, Sydney, Toronto, Trivandrum, Venice and Vienna.

More than 35,000 Emirates staff have been trained to support customers with autism and can help facilitate travel, and Travel Rehearsals. Emirates teams work very closely with airport authorities and partners to make sure each rehearsal is a supportive and successful experience for the families.

What is an Emirates Travel Rehearsal?

As the world’s first autism certified airline, Emirates is aware that for many families, international air travel is a highly challenging experience, or something to be avoided completely due to the high level of sensory stimuli that is involved. A survey on AutismTravel.com revealed that 78% of families are hesitant to travel or visit new locations for these reasons. For many people with autism, planning and predictability is critical – and an airport represents a world of unknown processes and stimuli.

Emirates Travel Rehearsals are a purposeful community collaboration and learning exercise arranged by Emirates, with the support of international airport teams, Border Control and Security teams, and schools and centres for autism based all around the world. The travel rehearsals empower neurodivergent people to participate in a real-time journey through the airport, practicing the actions of checking in, dropping baggage, going through immigration and security, and experiencing the hustle and bustle of retail and dining areas. While familiarising themselves with the airport, participants are also issued mock boarding passes and given the chance to meet the many uniformed staff encountered along the way. In some airports, Emirates’ teams managed to arrange access to real aircraft for the children and young adults.

Positive feedback from participants

Now on an international level - parents, therapists, teachers, young adults and children involved in the travel rehearsals so far have reported to Emirates that the experience has been invaluable in helping them have a safe and successful flight, by offering the comfort of preparation and familiarity, as well as trained staff to support.

Emirates’ continuous support for neurodiverse customers

Emirates will continue to arrange Travel Rehearsals across its global network throughout 2026, inviting more schools and centres to participate.

Emirates’ range of sensory products and fidget toys for customers of all ages continue to be available onboard in all cabin classes, for passengers who are neurodiverse, anyone who is struggling onboard or is a nervous traveller.

Emirates Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on Emirates.com has been designed to contain all the information needed for accessible and inclusive travel, featuring accessibility-friendly navigation that allows customers to find information easily and explore the many ways that Emirates can provide travel assistance and support.

Aiming to reduce anxiety before travelling, customers can choose to view and explore sections by disability, including Hidden Disabilities. If preferred, customers can search by looking at specific parts of the journey, which have been clearly arranged – Before your flight, Departure from Dubai, Onboard your flight, Connecting in Dubai and Arriving in Dubai. A third option allows customers to browse by specific needs, including Prepare for travel with the autism-friendly guide and Explore Dubai Airport (DXB) Map and Sensory guides.

29/03/2026

I read this today... fascinating! This is why you take walking tours when you arrive in a city as these are the things people walk past, unnoticed!

"If you’re sitting at a café in Paris and notice a small round bronze disk on the ground marked ARAGO, you’re literally resting on a piece of scientific history.

These are called Arago Medallions, and there are 135 of them hidden across the city. They’re discreet — often placed in unexpected spots like sidewalks, gardens, or even under café tables like this one. But once you know about them, you start seeing them everywhere.

They trace the path of the Paris Meridian, a north–south line that once served as France’s main reference for maps and navigation.

Before the world adopted the Greenwich Meridian in London, France used its own system — and this line ran straight through the heart of Paris, from north to south, crossing major landmarks along the way.

In the 19th century, French astronomer François Arago studied and refined this meridian. His work helped improve measurements of the Earth and played a key role in the development of modern geography and navigation.

The medallions themselves were added much later, in 1994, by Dutch artist Jan Dibbets. Each one is about 12 cm (4.7 inches) wide, made of bronze, and marked with “ARAGO” along with “N” and “S” to show direction.

Today, the Paris Meridian is no longer used officially, but it still exists — invisible, cutting through buildings, streets, and even places where people sit, eat, and pass by without noticing.

And that’s what makes it fascinating."

The Arago Medallions are a series of 135 bronze, 12-centimeter markers installed in 1994 by artist Jan Dibbets to mark the historic Paris Meridian line. Installed to honor astronomer François Arago, they span over five miles from north to south, bearing his name with N/S pointers.
The trail cuts through Paris from Montmartre (north) to the Cité Internationale Universitaire (south), including areas in the Jardin du Luxembourg, Palais Royal and the Louvre.

Let me know which city you're heading to next and I'll help you plan your walking tours!

25/03/2026

Picture a holiday with no maps, no planning, no stress—just effortless discovery. Imagine waking each day in a new place, enjoying unique experiences without lifting a finger. Return home restored, relaxed, and overflowing with memories.

Let Uniworld handle everything.

Why a river cruise is the ultimate holiday:

Visit multiple destinations without unpacking—charming villages and vibrant cities on one itinerary.
Ever-changing, postcard-perfect views from your suite.
All the comforts of a traditional cruise with the intimacy and culture of inland travel.
The most luxurious river cruise experience is with Uniworld.
Special offer: Save up to 50% on select 2026 cruises for Uniworld’s 50th Anniversary, enjoy waived solo supplements on select departures, and take advantage of early-booking discounts for 2027. Terms & conditions apply.

Contact me today to secure your suite and lock in these 50th birthday fares!