Ayson Travel

08/25/2026

There’s a side of travel advising clients don’t always see: the learning that happens long before the itinerary ever lands in their inbox.

Recently, a group of Pensacola-area travel advisors gathered at Bounce Beach for an evening with Kensington Tours—and it was one of those nights that reminded me why continuing education matters so much in this work.

A few things Kensington Tours offers that stood out to me:

* Private, tailor-made journeys designed around each traveler rather than a one-size-fits-all itinerary
* Personal Heritage Journeys, created in partnership with genealogy experts to help travelers explore their ancestry through meaningful cultural and historical experiences
* Private villa stays, including options for families, multigenerational groups, and couples who want space to travel together
* Exclusive “Black Book” experiences that can open doors to highly personalized access and unique moments
* Private guides and curated local experiences that allow travelers to go deeper into a destination
* Adventure and wilderness journeys that still incorporate thoughtful accommodations and elevated service
* Experiences that can range from the cultural and historic to the truly extraordinary—even journeys that reach beyond this world

I leave thinking about who each experience might be right for.

The family hoping to reconnect with their roots.
The couple who wants Croatia to feel personal, not packaged.
The multigenerational family looking for meaningful time together.
The traveler who has already seen a lot of the world and is ready for something they never imagined was possible.

And some of the best trips begin with an idea you didn’t even know existed.

If you’re thinking about your next journey and want it to feel more personal, immersive, and thoughtfully designed, send me a message. Let’s start with what matters to you—and build the trip from there.

08/20/2026

Thank you Travel Answers! I am excited to experience TAHITI and bring more expertise of this island and all of the French Polynesia to my clients!

𝗦𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗦𝗼𝗶𝗿𝗲́𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Right in the middle of a jam-packed Virtuoso Travel 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸, Travel Answers pulled 50 Travel Advisors and select Supplier Partners away from the bustle for something special: a Sunset Safari Soiré...

08/17/2026

Last day of Virtuoso Travel Week…and my destination wish list just got a LOT longer! 🌎✈️

One of the biggest reasons I invest my time in events like Virtuoso Travel Week is simple: the more I learn, the better I can advise my clients.

My final round of meetings took me around the world without ever leaving Las Vegas—and I came away with so many new ideas for future trips:

🇰🇷 South Korea — Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan & Jeju
🇮🇹 Sicily — Noto, Syracuse, Taormina and beyond
🇹🇭 Thailand — including beautiful Phuket
🇪🇸 Spain — Madrid and the incredible destinations surrounding it
🌍 Asia & Africa — including exciting new expedition and yacht itineraries
🚢 River cruising — more ideas and updates from AmaWaterways and the Globus family of brands, including Avalon Waterways
🛥️ Small-ship & expedition cruising — including what’s coming from Atlas Ocean Voyages

And that’s only a fraction of what I learned!

Virtuoso Travel Week brings together thousands of leading luxury travel professionals and providers from more than 100 countries, specifically to build these relationships, share knowledge and create better opportunities for our travelers. (Virtuoso Meetings⁠)

After a week of meetings, maps, presentations, conversations and LOTS of notes, I’m heading home with stronger supplier relationships, new destinations to recommend, and even more resources to create incredible trips for my clients.

So now I have one question: Where do YOU want to go next? 🌎❤️

Tell me a destination that’s been sitting on your bucket list. I may have just met the person who can help me make it happen. 😉

TravelWithRiza

08/14/2026

What a night with Travel Answers! 🌎✈️🎯

An incredible evening connecting with travel advisors and suppliers while celebrating destinations around the world — Australia, Fiji, Tahiti, Kenya, Thailand and more!

Huge thank you to Travel Answers for such a fun night and for bringing our travel community together. The relationships I’m building with suppliers around the world are exactly what help me create even better experiences for my clients.

Now the big question… who’s ready for Tahiti?! 🙋🏻‍♀️

TravelAnswers VirtuosoTravelWeek

08/12/2026

Where do you want to go next? 🌍

That question is at the heart of what I do—and why I invest so much time meeting directly with the destination experts, hoteliers, cruise partners, and local suppliers who can turn an idea into an extraordinary journey.

Some places I’m expanding my knowledge of:

• The Arctic — Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard & the Canadian Arctic
• Mongolia — remote landscapes, nomadic culture & meaningful immersion
• Italy & Switzerland — Lake Como and beyond
• Portugal & Spain — from the Douro Valley to Andalucía and lesser-known discoveries
• Thailand — including Koh Samui and experiences beyond the expected
• Hawaii — refreshed resorts and new ways to experience the islands
• Cruising — new ships, destinations & ways to explore by sea

I’m looking beyond the obvious—learning the off-the-beaten-path places, unique accommodations, local connections, and experiences that I can match to the right traveler.

Because when you ask me, “Where should I go next?” I want to have an answer you may not have considered.

So… where do you want to go next? ✈️

08/11/2026

THIS is why I’m at Virtuoso Travel Week! 🌎❤️

Meeting the people behind some of the world’s most incredible travel experiences, strengthening relationships with suppliers, discovering what’s new AND reconnecting with amazing travel advisors from across the country.

These relationships matter. When a client comes to me with a dream trip, I don’t just want to search for something online—I want to know the people who can help me make it extraordinary.

That’s what this week is about: learning, connecting, growing and investing in my business so I can be an even better advisor for my clients.

And somewhere between all those meetings…there has been A LOT of laughing and hugging too. 😂❤️

I seriously LOVE this industry and the people in it!

08/08/2026

✨ I’m here! Virtuoso Travel Week 2026! ✨

There is something pretty incredible about being surrounded by some of the best people in the travel industry from around the world.

This week, I’m especially excited to connect face-to-face with hotel partners, cruise lines, tour operators, destination experts, and fellow travel advisors—building relationships, discovering new experiences, and learning about destinations and properties that I can bring back to my clients.

Because this is what being a travel advisor is really about. It’s not just booking a beautiful hotel or putting together an itinerary. It’s about relationships, access, knowledge, and having the right people around the world to help create something truly special for my travelers.

And I LOVE this part of my job! ❤️🌎

I’m ready for a week of meetings, conversations, learning, reconnecting with old friends, making new ones—and probably coming home with about 500 new travel ideas. 😂

Virtuoso Travel Week 2026… let’s go! ✈️🌎

CustomTravel LuxuryTravelPlanning AysonTravel TravelWithRiza

07/29/2026

There was a time when frequent travelers could reasonably hope that loyalty might lead to a complimentary upgrade. That experience is becoming increasingly rare—not necessarily because travelers no longer value loyalty, but because more people are choosing to pay for premium seats from the beginning.

A recent Good Morning America article shared that airlines are seeing continued growth in premium economy, business-class, and first-class bookings. What began as a post-pandemic shift has become something more lasting.

Travelers are placing greater value on comfort, personal space, and how they feel when they arrive. And I understand why.

On a long international journey, the flight is not simply transportation. It shapes the beginning and end of the entire experience. Arriving rested can mean being present for that first dinner, enjoying the first day instead of recovering from it, and stepping into the destination with more energy.

This does not mean every traveler needs a first-class ticket. But it does mean we should think more intentionally about where comfort matters most.
Sometimes premium economy offers the right balance. Sometimes an overnight business-class seat is worth prioritizing. And sometimes economy remains the best choice because the investment is better placed in the destination itself.
The important thing is to make that decision thoughtfully—and not build a travel plan around an upgrade that may never come.

As premium cabins become more popular, planning early and considering the complete journey will matter even more. When you travel internationally, where do you prefer to invest: the flight, the experience on the ground, or a thoughtful balance of both?

Airlines are expanding their premium offerings and lowering prices as a result.

07/22/2026

There are investments you make that never show up on an invoice—but they make all the difference for your clients.

I am incredibly honored to have been personally selected to attend Viking’s Executive Retreat. It was an inspiring few days of intensive training, collaboration, and learning alongside some of the top Viking advisors in the country.

A special thank you to Michele for leading us with such passion, wisdom, and encouragement. Your leadership made this experience unforgettable.

I believe exceptional travel advisors never stop learning. That’s why I continually invest my time, energy, and resources into opportunities like this. The deeper my knowledge, the better I can guide my clients and create extraordinary Viking experiences they’ll never forget.

I’m leaving with stronger relationships, fresh ideas, and even more confidence in helping my clients choose the perfect Viking journey.

Thank you, Viking, for this incredible opportunity. I can’t wait to put everything I learned into action!

If a Viking river, ocean, expedition, or Mississippi cruise is on your bucket list, let’s make it happen.

RiverCruise ExecutiveRetreat TravelAdvisor

07/19/2026

Day 2 ✔️

What. A. Day. 🙌

From learning directly from Viking’s leadership team to collaborating with some amazing travel advisors, today was packed with inspiration, laughter, and learning.

I’m officially part of Team Viking One! ⚓ We spent the day working on a project we’ll present tomorrow… and the winning team gets a FREE Viking cruise! 🚢🤞

Feeling incredibly grateful to Viking for this amazing opportunity and thankful to be surrounded by so many talented people who love travel as much as I do.

Wish us luck tomorrow! ❤️

LuxuryTravel TravelAdvisor CruiseLife RiverCruise OceanCruise ExpeditionCruise