I'm thinking about writing a blog entry on the experience and I wasn't even present. But all of the social media exposure generate during the time at Travaasa Austin has provided a cyber happening for me.

I'm sure there must have been several parameters for the initial selection. I am hoping to see the other 2 invitees' blogs soon (Min and Michael) on their take on this experience. I think we all got a good chance to chat with everyone, including Diane, Ben and Travaasa principals. So little time and so much to do!

My observation is Ms. McDavitt and her staff want to invite people who have been active buyers of Luxury Link travel packages and have proven to be active and savvy with various social media formats.

Otherwise, why bear the expenses of organizing an experience such as the one held at Travaasa Austin. If you are not able to qualify under those terms and to assist spreading the word across the Internet, why bring you along,

So you only get entered into the pool to be invited if your invited friends buy a package? I have sent numerous invites but none of my invitees have purchased a LL package since they do not trust auction sites - hard to convince die hard folks to buy travel online especially at an auction. No other way to be included in the pool? I have been a LL member since 2006 and have purchased a fair amount of packages over the years!

It was a great experience!! I am thankful that we were in included and hope to be considered in the future. Now, please add packages to Chile and Uruguay so I can buy more packages!!!

Wonder if the next event will be open to returning VIPs from the first event? Maybe, if we actively engage in buying trips!

We're always available to join you.

Just phone or email, we keep a 'go bag' in our bedroom!

OH--Our second FAVE city in Europe!! Diane, congrats to your family. I adore Budapest. I hope you bought enough paprika at Central Market Maybe I'll post my best meat marinade recipe in another thread...
We had a gold suite and yes, the lack of view/windows was a bit odd, so I'll take your advice and downgrade next tine we stay there. We loved the local grocery/wine shop up the street. Did you do the underground night tour nearby?
We always appreciate your blog entries and those from other LL staffers. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Oh, Diane......we always recall how important a sip or two of

Árpád Pálinka

can be following a cool nights stroll in Budapest.

Best wishes to the newly weds.

Such a nice blog and great wedding destination!!! We love Budapest. (some family from there.) Glad you posted!!

Great writeup Diane. I'm looking forward to the rest of it. My wife and I were in Indian in 1990 and your description of the Indian roads is spot on. Check out this video. It's just over a minute long:

traffic jam in India - YouTube

Thanks for the write up! India has been on my list for years.

BTW, I've stayed in a few of the Preferred hotels and always had a great experience, unique properties, with great customer service. Sure hope we continue to see them on LL.

Diane....looking forward to your next installment of your visit to India. Hope you post at least one photo of the elephant ride.

Thank you all for responding to this blog post. It’s no secret the LL Community is an outspoken bunch and I welcome hearing more from you as the “President’s Link” topics unfold. I’m buckled up and ready!

We found Luxury Link by chance through an article in the NY Times about half price safaris in Africa. We investigated the site and got hooked. We have, in the past 13 years, enjoyed some wonderful and memorable vacation packages with LL and continue to do so. Please keep up the great work.
I enjoyed seeing that the Palace in Prague is now on the LL list. We have visited there when it first opened while staying at the Hofmeister.
We have only one regret and that is that there are very few packages available in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France, Northern Italy, and Croatia. After Paris, we now spend roughly 6 months in Germany and we have found some German and Austrian sites on E-bay that, at times sell lhe same or similar packages than LL at a much cheaper rate on Auction with more inclusions, like half-pension, etc. Have a look at an auction in progress:
3 Tage Luxus Wellness Genuss Urlaub Osttirol 5* Grandhotel Lienz3 Tage Luxus Wellness Genuss Urlaub Osttirol ...EUR 112.00
The beauty of these packages is that the voucher is good for 1 year and at times, even for 3 years. It is unfortunate, that Luxury Link is no longer cashing in on these European properties, especially now, that the Euro has reached a reasonable low. You used to have a number of exquisite properties in Europe, the Hotel Fortyseven or the Raphael Hotel in Italy, the Olivelli Hotel at Lugano, the Hotel Regina in Grindlewald, Switzerland, the Hotel De La Ville in Florence, and many more. We stayed at a great many of them and enjoyed them all. I wish Luxury Link would take a second look at the European Market.
Unfortunately, we are not into South America, Mexico, and the Latin American countries, etc. I feel LL is a little top heavy in these areas and I would love to see more activity in Europe.
Nevertheless, we still find plenty of LL packages that we enjoy. So keep up the good work!
Kind Regards,
LL_Travelfan

It continues to be a wonderful ride for us.

Our only regret is not having known about Luxury Link during your first two years of operation (we'll always wonder what we missed).....but the past 13 years have been filled with so many memorable experiences in both exotic and hometown properties.

Keep up the good work and challenge our travel imagination!

I too have taken advantage of LL great deals over the past few years. The ONLY disappointment Nov./2111 was Dreams Los Cabos. Unfortunately that is still being offered despite my written assessment. I have found no problems with international travel....Paris, Rome, Puerto Vallarto.
I've recommended this site to several friends with great confidence. That you for expanding my horizons !

Great to hear from you in the forum/blog. I really appreciate more participation from LL
insiders.
I echo much of Mountie's comments, but I have my impulse days with LL. I still follow his points; I know what I am shooting for when it come to last minute or a mystery auction. I now have 25 pkgs under my belt and hope to buy more in the future. Mountie said a mouthful about the lowest price is not always the best deal...
I say, as a devoted LL choir member, Hallelujah!!
PS--I hope you enjoyed Prague as much as we have in the past 7-8 trips--2 w/Hoffmeister LL alone!

I have never made an impulse purchase with Luxury Link. I take the opportunity to seriously explore every possible comparative option for a better deal before I hit the buy button. This has included calling a property directly and advising them I would book directly with them if they could better the Luxury Link offering.

I have run my own business for years and I know enough about taking all the crumbs off the table when it comes to hammering out a deal. I must, because I have stayed in business in good times and not so good times.

If Luxury Link continues to seek out top of the line properties in interesting locations and includes perks, fees and taxes, then I look forward to continuing to do business with your company. Over the years, I have learned the hard way, the lowest price is NOT always the best deal. It just means it's the lowest price and maybe not the lowest price at the end of the day when the hidden fees pop up.

Thanks for taking the time to post this information, Diane, but in my case, you are simply 'preaching to the choir' on this subject.

One of the LL auctions I am doing in NIcaragua participates in this - I already have talked to them and said we would be bringing school supplies down. We actually did something similar when we did a Guatemala auction - they were collecting eyeglasses and since I have been wearing glasses my whole life - I had lots to send them!