August 19, 2019 – Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Travel Leaders / Destinations Unlimited announced today new categories of experiential travel program offerings while teaming up with local “celebrity experts”. The announcement was made by agency President Anne Jasper.
The full-service agency, which announced their new Coralville location (708 5th Street #5) last December from the Iowa City office, formerly known as Winebrenner Red Carpet Travel, is branching out. New for 2019 and 2020 are five travel experiences: wellness, adventure expeditions, foodie trips, new custom travel (a hybrid of independent and guided travel) and literature/arts/culture.
“We’re excited to offer even more types of travel for our clients. What we’ve discovered is that there are people of all walks of life in the Corridor that are interested in these types of travel,” Jasper exclaimed. “We want to plan it for them with our expertise and deliver life-changing trips.”
Wellness Travel
Their new wellness offerings include a vast portfolio from Pravassa, the true pioneer in the field of wellness travel and an award-winning tour operator. Featured in the New York Times, USA Today, Forbes, and on Bloomberg TV, Pravassa and Travel Leaders / Destinations Unlimited offer: unique wellness travel based on the principles of stress reduction, unique accommodations, local food, expert-led education, time to recharge and commitment to sustainability. Experts in regional culture, history, spirituality, meditation and movement will serve as guides on the rejuvenating treks into wellness. Luxury, Adventure and Wellness Travel Specialist Aimee Langlas has been exclusively accepted as Iowa’s travel advisor for Pravassa. More details on wellness travel can be found here. Langlas is presenting “Experience the World of Wellness Travel” on Sunday, August 25, 2019 during the three-day yoga festival held at NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids, Fields of Yogis. Tickets are available for purchase here.
“I look forward to serving as a travel advisor, resource and advocate for local wellness communities, yogis and other clients looking to explore the world with an open mind and open heart by creating journeys that will transform them,” Langlas stated.
Adventure Expeditions
The agency is also establishing an annual expedition trip with former Active Endeavors founders/owners Mark and Eadie Weaver, traveling in July 2020 to Machu Picchu in Peru. The 10-day custom-itinerary from National Geographic Journeys features a unique experience in the Amazon Rainforest, Cusco city visit, the Sacred Valley of rural agricultural communities and of course the Inca Trail leading to Machu Picchu (however less active adventurers can opt to take the train instead of the hike). Each year the Weavers will work with the agency to select an experience and develop an incredible itinerary. They will also work with Active Endeavors to provide supply lists and training programs for travelers. By traveling with National Geographic Journeys, travelers will be supporting community projects and initiatives to improve local livelihoods as well as researchers and explorers all over the world. Full details on Machu Picchu in 2020 can be found here.
“It is our hope that our active community will join us on the adventure of a lifetime in Peru,” says Mark Weaver. “It is certainly a bucket list adventure for us and our new active endeavor as we navigate retirement.”
Adventure travel is not new to the agency, as they have an established partnership with Cedar Rapids-based SOKO Outfitters. The partnership includes an April 2019 sold-out Grand Canyon trip lead by SOKO co-owners Steve Shriver and Dr. Ryan Sundermann. On the calendar for April 2020 is another sold-out adventure trip to Patagonia, which features a Torres del Paine National Park five-day hike. Together, plans are being developed to further service adventure travelers from the Corridor on future bucket list adventure trips.
Foodie Trips
Foodie trips, tagged Taste the World, through the agency will also launch in 2020, with an Ireland Restaurant and Pub Crawl hosted by Corridor restaurateurs Brian & Cara Flynn and Matthew & Cayla Swift. This custom trip will be hosted annually by a Corridor chef/restaurant owner to a new destination. Travelers will soak in the culture of the destination’s region as they indulge their palettes and senses with food and drinks all over the world. They will tour wineries and distilleries, embark on legendary pub crawls, participate in cooking classes, sample enticing delicacies and dine in some of the world’s most elegant and more unusual restaurants.
“While we were trying to cross off an item on our bucket list, we expressed our interest to Aimee (Langlas) about our passion to travel to Ireland,” Brian and Cara Flynn remarked. “Aimee was incredibly receptive and designed a special trip for us that we can share with our friends, family and partners in the restaurant business! We are so excited to host the launch of the “Taste the World” series in the beautiful country of Ireland in 2020!”
New Custom Aim for Travel
Offering what the agency is calling a hybrid of independent and guided travel, this new custom travel is embarking with a trip to Switzerland. Langlas is leading Aim for Switzerland in September 2019. The annual Aim trip will feature a new destination each year. This is not a typical group trip. Ideal for multigenerational travelers, the agency has covered all of the logistics of the trip and offers suggestions for activities and sights, but provides the flexibility for travelers to explore at their own pace. Full itinerary and details can be found here. Also new, Langlas is leading Aim for Costa Rica – Spring Break from March 13 to 21, 2020, where she will host travelers in three of Costa Rica’s most incredible regions, the rain forests, cloud forests and mangrove forests. Langlas will customize travelers’ personal daily itineraries based on their interests. From eco-friendly wellness spas and thermal hot springs, to exotic birding, and thrilling adventures like canopy tour zip-lining, jungle suspension bridges, hiking and waterfall rappelling, there is something for every member of the family on this extraordinary spring break experience. Full itinerary and details can be found here.
Literature and Arts/Culture
Exciting 2020 travel itineraries with an emphasis on Literature and Arts/Culture will be announced soon.
Travelers interested in opting into any of the new trips or types of travel should contact Aimee by email at aimee@duagency.com, call her at (319) 351-4510 or visit her in office at 708 5th Street #5 in Coralville.
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About Travel Leaders / Destinations Unlimited
Travel Leaders / Destinations Unlimited is privately owned and operated with offices in Cedar Rapids and Coralville, Iowa and is dedicated to helping clients with their travel needs. Founded more than three decades ago, Travel Leaders / Destinations Unlimited assists travelers with corporate travel programs, incentive travel programs, vacations, destination weddings, honeymoons and guided tours. For more information on Travel Leaders / Destinations Unlimited, visit www.duagency.com or call (319) 393-1359.