By Eric Hrubant, Founder & CEO of CIRE Travel
It’s February! Is it me, or did January disappear in the blink of an eye? It’s been a snowy winter up here in the Northeast, so it seems fitting to welcome you to my fireside – ahem, CIREside – chat! Let me begin by thanking you, our clients and readers, who have shared amazing feedback on the first CIREside chat I did last month. I am so happy you love it!
I’m thrilled to share that we’re kicking off 2025 with a prestigious honor—our very own YinYin Petersen has been named one of Luxury Travel Advisor Magazine’s 30Under30 superstar travel advisors! YinYin has been at CIRE Travel for over two years and is among our rising stars. She spent her first year learning all about luxury vacations before moving to our corporate team. YinYin hit the ground running wearing her new corporate hat (or shall I say beret, if you clicked on the article!). She has helped curate and support a group of 50 travelers from all over the world to Oaxaca, Mexico, AND another group of 75 people from all over the world to North Sulawesi, Indonesia! Keep up the great work, YinYin!
A big highlight for me this past month was receiving a special invitation from a prestigious Pennsylvania investment firm to inspire their clients with expert travel insights and unforgettable destination ideas. Nothing makes me happier than connecting with travelers and sharing my passion and love for exploration and unforgettable journeys worldwide. This year, I’m working to launch my own speaking business, creating more opportunities to connect with you and dive deeper into all things travel. It’s the perfect complement to my work with CIRE, allowing me to share even more expertise, inspiration, and insider insights.
You may have seen this on the news or social media, but don’t forget REAL ID starts May 7th. Your driver’s license or state ID will need to be REAL ID compliant, meaning it meets federal security standards for air travel. Check the upper portion of your card for one of these markings: a star, a black or gold circle with a star inside, or a similar approved symbol, depending on your state.
By the way, if you are looking for somewhere special to break in that new ID, get some luxury travel inspiration from our globetrotting, contributing writer Jamie Edwards with her list of “100 (Amazing) Places to Go)”. Dream your way through this wish list of fabulous destinations. Which spot would you like to make a reality for 2025? I think I hear Passalacqua, Lake Como, Italy, calling my name right now!
As you all know – my weakness is luxury, so imagine my excitement when I learned about the debut of Cunard Cruise Line’s new ship, the Queen Anne. I’m imagining the most breathtaking views from one of the many opulent suites on this striking new ship that boasts numerous voyages to unforgettable locations.
I’m also excited about Lufthansa Airline’s new Allegris Cabins. The cabins provide a personalized experience designed to ensure comfort for fliers on long-haul routes. You can choose the type of cabin space that best fits your needs, as well as seat types, temperatures, and, of course, meals. I’m personally intrigued by the shoulder-sink-in function on their backrests. This truly gives a whole new meaning to traveling in style!
Until next month…all the best and safe travels!
Eric
CIRE Travel is a full-service travel agency headquartered in New York, NY. Our expert corporate travel planners, honeymoon travel agents, and luxury travel planners support clients across the country and around the world.