Category Archives: Travel

Australia Day is January 26, 2015.

January 25, 2015 12:43 pm \

Aussie beachThis year, Australia Day falls on the 26th of January. This day is intended to support and spread the values of Australians as a whole.

My youngest child and my only daughter has been living in Australia since June 2014. She has enjoyed her time there tremendously and experienced an amazing array of activities, events, travel, friendships and terrific employment opportunities. This picture is one that she sent me recently.

The only time I traveled to Australia was with my daughter on a cruise that originated in Hong Kong and traveled south, eventually taking us to Darwin, Brisbane and ultimately Sydney.

We fed koalas, kangaroos, toured the world famous Sydney Opera House, walked across the bridge and enjoyed the sights and the people.
The cost of living is tremendous there so it is very expensive to eat and drink. I remember taking us to a restaurant for ‘happy hour’ and a Smirnoff cocktail was $22 and that was Aussie dollars, which at the time was even more expensive then US dollars.

It is almost surreal when I look at her photos because the colors are so vivid and lustrous. We chatted on the telephone yesterday and she told me about all of the festivities that are involved in celebrating Australia Day.

Whether you are Australian or not, there are a variety of ways in which you can recognize the holiday, including but not limited to:

If you are interested in holding a public Australia Day event in your community, allow the Australia Day website to broadcast and promote your event!

If you are Australian, take a moment to think about what makes you proud to be whom you are. The Australian of the Year Awards acts as a nationwide celebration of the achievements of Australians.

Australians living in America can partake in an Australian Citizenship Affirmation ceremony where they can affirm their commitment and loyalty to Australia.

Are you simply an #AussieFan? Share the word on all of your social media pages describing what makes you passionate about Australia.

See Austrailia Day for more information.

Posted in: Culture, Events, Maria Sanchez Show, Maria's Musings, Podcasts, Seasonal, Travel

Thursday, August 7th, 2014 – G2G Collection

August 7, 2014 3:12 pm \

G2GWin/win/win is a goal of our program as well as attempting to help make our world a better place.  When you combine luxury travel destinations with philanthropy, you are on to something.

Please join Maria as she visits with the creator of one such enterprise.  Rob Vaka shares with Maria about an entity that he created with Adam Capes.

It is a luxury destination club targeting individuals with an opportunity to become members of an organization that will save them money and change their lives, as well as our world.

Rob explains how the business works, how one may join, how charities benefit, how it may actually save us money and the luxury properties that are available all over the world.

There are several plans to avail oneself of with locations on the beach, in the world, at ski destinations, yachts, resorts, mountains, city and voluntourism locales.

The G2G Collection’s Giving Plan Foundation gives members’ charity of choice five percent of the nightly rate each time they travel but more importantly, members contribute $7,500 to their favorite charity and receive the tax deduction.

There are more than 100 charity partners.  In a year and a half, G2G Collection has generated more than $1.25 million for these charities and they have a goal of raising $1 Billion for charity every decade! 

As Rob shares in the conversation, “life is short, I’m a 15 year cancer survivor, what we remember most about our lives is our experiences, not things.”

If you own a property that you feel might meet the standards of G2G, you may contact them about the opportunity as well.

It’s not often that we can give and get, so please listen to the conversation so you may learn more about how this is possible in today’s world. 

G2G Collection, travel beyond the destination.

Click here for their website.

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Posted in: Maria Sanchez Show, Philanthropy, Podcasts, Topics, Travel

Saturday, July 26th, 2014 – Editor-In-Chief, Jennifer McLaughlin

July 26, 2014 10:11 am \

LA Travel MagazineIn 2008, an on line magazine was created, LA Travel Magazine.  A little over a year ago, in August 2013, a quarterly print issue was launched in conjunction with the on line experience.

Please join Maria as she visits with Jennifer McLaughlin, Editor-in-Chief.  Jennifer shares with Maria what goes into creating and executing a travel magazine.  The behind the scenes experiences of a luxury periodical.

Friday, August 1, 2014 is the unveiling of the next issue at a Summer Issue Launch Party at the W Hollywood, Sunset Blvd.  to which you are invited.  Details and RSVP on their Facebook page.

Click here for their website.

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Posted in: Maria Sanchez Show, Podcasts, Seasonal, Topics, Travel