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River Cruising: A Surprising Take. Amsterdam: Obsessed. Client Travel: Thailand!!


Hey Everyone!


This past month I went deep into the world of river cruising.... explored one of my new favorite European cities, and helped a client completely pivot their honeymoon into something even better than what they originally imagined. Keep reading to hear how it all played out.



River Cruising: A Surprising Take From Someone Who Tried It



So I went to Amsterdam to attend the ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors) river cruise conference to learn all about river cruising, which… okay, for a 32-year-old, that might sound a little questionable. Like, river cruising? Honestly, it might have been. But I went, I kept an open mind, I partied it up with the most fabulous group of 60- and 80-year-olds, and I have some thoughts.


During the five-day conference, I toured 15 boats everything from the high-end lines like Tauck and Uniworld all the way to the more budget-friendly options like Viking. And I genuinely wanted to love it. I wanted to come home saying, “Oh my gosh, river cruising is cool, I get it now!” But my honest take? Not quite…



Here’s the thing, I don’t want to bash river cruising at all, because I know it’s a massive and growing market, and clearly so many people love it. But for my clients? I just can’t picture any of them being herded through tiny villages in a group of 30 people following a lollipop stick. That’s just… not posh.

And the coffee on the boats… when did I become such a snob?! I used to be a nurse. I used to be humble. But somewhere along the way, I became someone who genuinely cannot start the day without a good cup of coffee. The coffee on these boats was just… not it :/


I will say this, though if you ever need a confidence boost, go on a river cruise. Everyone is so nice. The vibe is incredibly warm and welcoming, and I genuinely had the best time socially. It’s just not a Posh Trips recommendation right now.


What I am waiting for is a real luxury disruptor to enter the river cruising scene like a Four Seasons or Six Senses experience on the water. The day that happens, I am fully in. Until then...





BUT WAIT.....There's One Exception: Aqua Expeditions


Okay so here's where it gets exciting, because there was one company at the conference that completely stopped me in my tracks: Aqua Expeditions!



Aqua was recently acquired by Ponant,  one of the most prestigious names in luxury expedition cruising,  and honestly that acquisition alone tells you everything you need to know about where this brand is headed.


But here's what makes Aqua genuinely different from everything else I saw: it's actually posh. And it's going to really cool, exotic destinations. The Amazon. The Mekong River. The Nile. Places that are already incredible on their own  but seeing them by river somehow makes the whole experience feel even more local, more intimate, more "let me tell you what I did at dinner" kind of cool.


The boats themselves? Think Belmond or Four Seasons level, but boutique. On a riverboat.

What I love for my clients is that you get all the ease of river cruising unpack once, everything is seamless, completely relaxed  but you're not floating through Europe doing the same stops everyone else has already done. You're in remote, off-the-beaten-path places that most travelers simply never reach. And because you're on the river, you're accessing smaller, more local spots that big ships just can't get to.


Also, the boats are small enough that you could fully charter one. A big family trip, a milestone birthday, multi-gen travel... honestly how incredible would that be?


I loved them so much I actually had a follow-up meeting with them this week because I wanted to learn everything. And the best part  I'm now a partner, which means I can get you perks on top of the experience.


So if the Amazon or the Mekong or the Nile is even remotely calling your name, reach out. I'll walk you through all the destinations, help you figure out what's the best fit, and make sure you're taken care of from start to finish!



Book a complimentary consultation call with Posh Trips here.

Amsterdam: Obsessed Doesn't Even Cover It


Okay so the silver lining of my river cruise adventure, other than partying with the most fabulous retirees I've ever met, was Amsterdam, and I need to talk about it for a second!


If you know me personally, you know I used to be a West Village girlie through and through, before I grew up and moved to the Upper East Side! But I still love those cobblestone streets, the cutest boutiques, amazing food, the most walkable neighborhood energy.


Amsterdam is the West Village, but even cuter with canals and the most incredible shopping (which honestly surprised me so much)! It's clean, it's stunning, it's charming in any season  dreamy in the summer obviously, but even in winter with the Christmas markets? Absolutely magical. I am already obsessed with recommending it!


And here's the travel advisor move I'm now telling all of my Africa-bound clients: fly KLM through Amsterdam and add a couple of days. KLM is one of my favorite airlines for getting to Africa right now  especially with everything that's been happening with Middle East routing, and Amsterdam is such an incredible city to spend a few days in. It helps with jet lag, it adds a beautiful layer to your trip, and it gives you a real taste of Europe without doing a full Europe trip. The perfect add-on!


While I was there I did what I always do  toured all the top hotels, because matching clients to the right property is my absolute favorite thing. I visited the Dylan, the Pulitzer, the Grand, the Mandarin Oriental, the Rosewood, and Hotel De L'Europe  and honestly every single one is so different. If Amsterdam is on your radar, reach out and I'll match you to the perfect one!



Where my clients traveled in March: Thailand!!

This couple came to me wanting to go to Japan for their honeymoon, and don’t get me wrong, Japan is incredible, but with the budget they had in mind, they weren’t going to experience it in that true posh, five-star way they were envisioning. So I did what I often do and suggested we pivot the destination.


This is something I do all the time, Italy in July might become Corsica, Japan might become Southeast Asia because at the end of the day, I want my clients to have a true five-star experience, not just go somewhere popular and feel like they’re compromising.


For this couple, we switched to Thailand, and it was amazing. Ten days, fully private and guided, all five-star hotels, start to finish. Transfers, experiences, incredible food, every detail handled, within a $15,000 budget.


That’s honestly my favorite part of what I do: taking a dream trip and making it work in a way that still feels posh, instead of forcing a destination that doesn’t match the budget. There are so many places in the world that offer incredible value while still delivering that high-end, poshhh experience.


So if you’ve ever thought, “that trip is too expensive,” you might be right for that specific destination. But if you’re open to something a little more adventurous or unexpected, you might be surprised what’s actually possible :) 

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Thank You Again

Thank you so much for reading!

I'll be back next month with more destination highlights, client stories, and a few things I'm working on behind the scenes that I cannot wait to share!


If you're dreaming about something big for 2026 or 2027 reply to this email. It's never too early or late to plan something Poshhhh. Or forward this to a friend who needs a vacation!



Talk soon, Natalie


 
 
 

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