Pleasant Holidays and its luxury brand, Journese, today announced the expansion of vacation package offerings in Europe with the addition of a new destination in Eastern Europe: Bucharest, Romania. Located near the port of Giurgiu, a key embarkation and disembarkation point for Danube River cruises, Bucharest has a thriving Old Town, iconic architecture and a lively nightlife. It is the cultural center of this historic eastern European country.   “Bucharest is conveniently close to a number of ports along the lower Danube River and a favorite pre- and post-cruise destination,” said Jack E. Richards, President and CEO. “Romania also boasts lush river valleys, majestic mountain ranges, historic churches and awe-inspiring palaces and castles dating as far back as the 13^th Century. It’s an ideal addition to our Europe lineup at a time when the continent is proving highly popular with U.S. travelers.”   Pleasant Holidays offers online booking and instant reservations at six Bucharest hotels ranging from 3- to 5-stars, including Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest Old Town, Moxy Bucharest Old Town and Sheraton Bucharest Hotel, while both Pleasant Holidays and Journese offer InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest, an IHG Hotel; JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel and The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection.   Pleasant Holidays and Journese offer land transfers to and from Giurgiu and other cruise ports, as well as to and from Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP), where flights are available on major airlines connecting through all of Europe’s main airports such as Amsterdam, London and Paris.   Tours and excursions available through Pleasant Holidays and Journese include: Private Day Trip to Dracula's Castle, Panoramic Bucharest Tour, Full-Day Bucharest & Parliament Palace, Sightseeing in Bucharest & Surroundings and Half-Day trip to Snagov Monastery & Mogosoaia Palace, with more being added in 2023.   With the addition of Romania, Pleasant Holidays and Journese offer 25 countries in Europe with more than 825 hotels, river and ocean cruises, plus rail travel. Pleasant Holidays and Journese highly recommend travel protection coverage for international travel with up to 100% commission protection and Cancel-For-Any-Reason options to protect travelers’ vacation investment. Travel protection coverage also is available for Europe River cruise vacations.

Pleasant Holidays luxury sister brand, Journese has added Bucharest, Romania as the newest destination in Eastern Europe: Bucharest is the cultural center of the country and located near Giurgiu, a key gateway for Danube River cruises "Bucharest is a favorite pre- and post-cruise destination," said Jack E. Richards, President and CEO. "It's an ideal addition to our Europe lineup at a time when the continent is proving highly popular with US travelers." Pleasant Holidays offers online booking and instant reservations at six Bucharest hotels ranging from 3- to 5-stars. Pleasant Holidays and Journese offer land transfers to and from Giurgiu and other cruise ports, as well as to and from Bucharest Airport. Tours and excursions available include: Private Day Trip to Dracula's Castle, Panoramic Bucharest Tour and Full-Day Bucharest & Parliament Palace. Including Romania, Pleasant Holidays and Journese offer 25 countries in Europe with more than 825 hotels.

  Journese, the luxury brand of Pleasant Holidays, today announced release of its new 2023-2024 Caribbean sales brochure, featuring a carefully curated product portfolio across 21 captivating islands. Peruse Journese’ premier four- and five-star resorts, all-inclusive and adults-only resort options, Private Retreats^SM, private resort residences, all classes of air service, luxury cruise options, and exciting activities and hand-selected excursions, including private options. Sample itineraries are featured for customized vacations Journese creates for discerning travelers.  In addition, Journese offers all 17 Sandals Luxury-Included® resorts on 7 Caribbean islands plus all Beaches Luxury-Included® family resorts in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica.   Throughout this colorful brochure, discover Journese’ innovative choices, from private resort residences, villas, luxury vacation rentals, Private Retreats with customized amenities and bespoke service to enchanting Windstar Cruises with its elegant staterooms and engaging shore excursions, sailing the waterways of Aruba, Barbados, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, St. Martin and more, for an unforgettable small ship experience. Plus, travelers can experience seamless airport arrivals and departures with VIP airport lounges in Aruba, Dominican Republic and Jamaica, plus Fastrack service across Aruba, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Saint Lucia, for a memorable Caribbean journey.   In addition, Journese offers real-time rates, room inventory and instant reservations at most hotels featured in this new brochure, as well as many value-added promotions such as special room rates, complimentary nights, daily breakfast, and resort credits for a fully immersive vacation. Plus, Journese highly recommends Cancel-for-Any-Reason trip protection plans beginning at $49 per person including COVID-19 coverage and travel advisor commission protection and, is currently waiving brand change fees on new land bookings through March 31, 2023.   The 2023-2024 Caribbean sales brochure is available for download and viewing in PDF and flipbook versions at: Journese.com/brochures.   The islands of the Caribbean bestow a unique blend of international influences, stunning beauty and carefree calypso and reggae ambience with its stellar beaches, vibrant coral reefs, exotic landscapes and compelling centuries-old colonial treasures. From beach and cliffside enclaves, luxury resorts, oceanfront villas and overwater bungalows to incredible culture, distinctive music and gastronomy, ecological wonders, championship golf and superb watersports, and more, discerning travelers can experience it all in the Caribbean.   “As travelers are looking to escape the winter cold, plan romantic getaways, honeymoons, spring break celebrations and summer family adventures, our Caribbean brochure provides an expansive portfolio to truly tailor travelers’ vacations to their specific desires,” says Amy Comparato, Senior Brand Director, Journese.  “And with our luxury vacation rentals, expedited customs and immigration service and private options, the opportunities for our travel advisor partners to wow clients is limitless.”   For further details on Journese’ exclusively four- and five-star portfolio and promotions, travel advisors can contact a Destination Specialist at 800.442.9244 or visit Journese.com. For the latest entry guidelines and health and safety protocols, plus Cancel-for-Any-Reason trip protection plans, travel advisors can visit journese.com/travelersupport.

  Pleasant Holidays and its luxury brand, Journese, today launched a new destination in Europe with the addition of Madeira Island, Portugal, featuring a collection of 4- and 5-star hotels and resorts. Pleasant Holidays & Journese offer 23 countries in Europe with over 750 hotels, river & ocean cruises plus trains.   Madeira Island represents a significant expansion of the brands’ travel offerings in Portugal, which total more than 30 hotels and resorts in Lisbon, Algarve, Cascais and Porto, along with Douro River cruises and Mediterranean or ocean cruises departing from Porto and Lisbon. Azores Airlines flies nonstop weekly from New York – JFK to Madeira Funchal (FNC), and is also easily accessible from Lisbon, Porto, Paris, Madrid and major European capitals. Commissionable airport transfers and sightseeing excursions are available as well. Pleasant Holidays and Journese highly recommend travel protection coverage for international travel with up to 100% commission protection and cancel-for-any-reason options to protect travelers’ vacation investment.   “The picturesque island of Madeira is a popular spot to include in any Portugal vacation for couples and families,” said Jack E. Richards, President and CEO. “With a subtropical climate and affordable cost of living, its appeal is made even stronger by the favorable exchange rates Americans currently enjoy in relation to the Euro. Travelers can combine Madeira Island with visits to Lisbon and Porto for a unique Portuguese experience.”   A territory of Portugal, Madeira is located in the North Atlantic Ocean and boasts a mild, spring-like climate year-round. Best known for the fortified wine that shares its name, Madeira is volcanic with stunning landscapes, rugged cliffs, exotic flora and a variety of water and mountain sports. Locals celebrate the Flower Festival annually in April and May, highlighting the vibrant colors with a mural of flowers.   The following hotels and resorts in Madeira are available for online bookings through Pleasant Holidays and Journese: Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira; Royal Savoy - Ocean Resort; Saccharum Hedonist Design Resort and Savoy Palace - The Leading Hotels of the World. Additionally, Pleasant Holidays offers Calheta Beach All-Inclusive and NEXT by Savoy Signature.   Cruise options in Portugal are plentiful and include Douro River itineraries and Mediterranean and ocean cruises departing from Porto and Lisbon, aboard Norwegian Cruise Line, Scenic Luxury Cruises, Emerald Waterways and AmaWaterways. Pre- and post-cruise stays are available including transfers from the traveler’s hotel to the cruise terminal or between the airport and hotel.

Pleasant Holidays and sister brand Journese expanded their Europe programs with the addition of Madeira vacations. It features a collection of 4- and 5-star hotels and resorts on the Portuguese island. Pleasant Holidays & Journese offer 23 countries in Europe with over 750 hotels, river and ocean cruises plus trains. Madeira vacations represent an expansion of the brands’ offerings in Portugal, which total more than 30 hotels and resorts in Lisbon, Algarve, Cascais and Porto. They also offer Douro River cruises and Mediterranean or ocean cruises departing from Porto and Lisbon. Azores Airlines flies nonstop weekly from New York – JFK to Madeira Funchal and is also easily accessible from Lisbon, Porto, Paris, Madrid and major European capitals. Commissionable airport transfers and sightseeing excursions are also available. “The picturesque island of Madeira is a popular spot to include in any Portugal vacation,” said Jack E. Richards, President and CEO.

Journese has just rolled out a New Year travel agent incentive. It rewards travel advisors with 500 Bonus TRIP Points for every new confirmed booking by February 26, 2023. It is valid for travel through February 28, 2024 with a minimum three-night stay at a romance-themed partner resort or cruise line. Travel advisors who register bookings on the same day they are confirmed receive an additional 100 bonus TRIP points. After 10 registered bookings advisors are awarded an additional 1,500 bonus TRIP points. Travel advisors can redeem TRIP points for personal travel to any destination offered by Journese. The travel agent incentive offers a complimentary two-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota Florida for the top agent. To make a booking, travel advisors can visit Journese.com

Journese announced the release of its new 2023-2024 Australia tours The sales brochure also features New Zealand trips, with a carefully curated product portfolio. It includes new hotels and activities across both countries. There are four- and five-star resorts, private resort residences, luxury cruise options, and excursions. Cruise options include Windstar Cruises. Australia tours cover the coastal waters of Cairns, Melbourne, and Sydney plus Auckland and Christchurch. Journese offers real-time rates and room inventory at many hotels and all classes of air service. Journese also offers Cancel-for-Any-Reason trip protection plans. The 2023-2024 sales brochure is available for download and viewing in PDF. Travel advisors can visit journese.com/travelersupport

  Journese, the luxury brand of Pleasant Holidays, today announced the release of its new 2023-2024 Australia & New Zealand sales brochure, featuring a carefully curated product portfolio, including new hotels and activities across the countries. Peruse Journese’ premier four- and five-star resorts, private resort residences, all classes of air service, luxury cruise options, rail expeditions and exciting activities and hand-selected excursions, including private options. Sample itineraries are also featured to showcase handcrafted experiences Journese creates for the discerning traveler.   Throughout this colorful brochure, discover Journese’ innovative choices, from private resort residences, private transfers, car rentals and ferry options to rail and cruise voyages including Windstar Cruises. Travelers can traverse the coastal waters of Cairns, Melbourne, and Sydney to Auckland and Christchurch, as well as the Tasman Sea and the iconic Great Barrier Reef, combined with incredible shore excursions, for an unforgettable small ship experience. For a luxury train expedition across extraordinary destinations, travelers can discover the Australia’s outback to its great expanse coast-to-coast or see the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park and rugged Pacific Coast to the Canterbury Plain and the Southern Alps in New Zealand, all with sleek relaxing ambience, dining options, scenic views, and unique off-train excursions.   In addition, Journese offers real-time rates and room inventory at many of the hotels featured in this new brochure, as well as all classes of air service, and many value-added promotions such as special room rates, complimentary nights, daily breakfast, and resort credits for a fully immersive vacation. Plus, Journese offers Cancel-for-Any-Reason trip protection plans beginning at $49 per person including COVID-19 coverage and commission protection, and is currently waiving brand change fees on new land bookings.   The 2023-2024 Australia and New Zealand sales brochure is available for download and viewing in PDF and flipbook versions at: Journese.com/brochures.   Enticing and welcoming, Australia and New Zealand bestows everything from exquisite cosmopolitan cities and ancient cultural experiences to wine and food regions, and stunning natural wonders and wildlife adventures. With Journese elite portfolio, endless opportunities abound for discerning travelers.   “With the opening of Australia and New Zealand and the strength of the U.S. dollar, we expect 2023 to be a banner year for these destinations,” says Amy Comparato, Senior Brand Director, Journese. “We are excited to offer an immersive portfolio of vetted hotels, resorts, excursions and more to fulfill every travelers’ bucket list dreams.  Travel is much easier since there are no testing requirements to enter the U.S. for U.S. citizens.”   For further details on Journese’ exclusively four- and five-star portfolio and promotions, travel advisors can contact a Destination Specialist at 800.442.9244 or visit Journese.com. For the latest entry guidelines and health and safety protocols, plus Cancel-for-Any-Reason trip protection plans, travel advisors can visit journese.com/travelersupport.

  Pleasant Holidays today released its 32-page 2023 Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Travel brochure, featuring 102 hotels and resorts in popular destinations worldwide ideal for destination weddings or honeymoon travel, many offering complimentary weddings, gifts for the wedding couple or honeymoon suites and amenities.   “The holiday season is also the season of engagements, with nearly half of all proposals taking place between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day, so it is an ideal time to begin thinking about 2023 destination wedding and honeymoon travel with Pleasant Holidays,” said Jack E. Richards, President and CEO. “As couples consider their wedding and honeymoon options, we wanted to offer a simple, easily accessible guide to the myriad possibilities available for a dream destination wedding in Mexico, Europe, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Bora Bora and other top destinations.”   In addition to featuring romantic hotels, couples-only resorts and cruise vacations along with their wedding and honeymoon travel offerings, the digital brochure highlights Pleasant Holidays’ Wedding Travel Desk, which features the expertise of Pleasant Holidays’ destination wedding and honeymoon travel specialists to assist Travel Advisors with their clients’ travel needs.   Pleasant Holidays’ Wedding Travel Desk features a toll-free hotline at 1-800-818-9080, flexible travel options, hotel reservations starting with a minimum of five rooms, activities and experiences, a wide range of flight options in business class and premium economy and more in one convenient location. A travel protection plan is highly recommended and available beginning at $49 per person with cancel-for-any-reason options and includes up to 100% travel advisor commission protection.   Travel Advisors can receive a destination wedding booking bonus of up to $150 per group. The bonus can be used to enhance the Travel Advisor’s commission income or as a gift to the wedding couple.   A digital version of the brochure that advisors can email to clients instantly is available online at PleasantHolidays.com/brochures.   For more information or to book destination wedding travel call our Wedding Travel Desk at 1-800-818-9080 or email [email protected].

  Pleasant Holidays and its luxury brand, Journese, today announced the addition of Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa, to their travel portfolios, along with 2-night guided mini-packages to Kruger National Park and majestic Victoria Falls Zimbabwe, representing the brands’ first-ever destinations in Africa. With their addition, Pleasant Holidays now offers vacations to 74 countries worldwide.   South Africa vacations feature 5-star & 4-star hotels – 10 in Cape Town and five in Johannesburg, NCL Cruise vacations from Cape Town, private and shared airport transfers, plus a wide range of excursions including Cape cultural tours, cooking safari, wine tasting and sunset beach dinners. Flights are available on Delta Air Lines from Atlanta and United from New York/Newark and Washington, D.C. (IAD) to both Cape Town and Johannesburg. Pleasant Holidays and Journese are partnering with Thompsons Africa for local destination management expertise.   “South Africa is a travel destination that has so much to offer for memorable African travel experiences, from luxury mountain and oceanfront resorts, countryside wineries and luxury wildlife safaris to gourmet dining and shopping,” said Jack E. Richards, President and CEO. “We are very excited to begin offering this new destination for travelers to experience as we continue our global expansion.”   In addition to hotel accommodations and flights, Pleasant Holidays and Journese also offer commissionable add-ons, including private or shared hotel transfers; included arrival service with available upgrades; one-day sightseeing tours of Cape Town and Johannesburg; and 2-night mini-packages including Victoria Falls and a safari outing in Kruger National Park. Both mini-packages include 4- or 5-star accommodations, airport transfers, on-site tours and more with flights from Cape Town or Johannesburg available as an add-on.   Travel Advisors can book Pleasant Holidays and Journese with confidence including travel protection plans with cancel-for-any-reason coverage and travel advisor commission protection. Travel protection plans are strongly recommended for all international bookings to protect against unforeseen events.   For more information or to make a booking, travel advisors can visit PleasantAgent.com or call 1-800-448-3333 or visit Journese.com or call 1-800-442-9244.

Pleasant Holidays and luxury sister brand, Journese added Johannesburg and Cape Town to their vacation portfolios. They include two-night guided packages to Kruger National Park and Victoria Falls Zimbabwe. It represents their first-ever destinations in Africa. Pleasant Holidays now offers vacations to 74 countries. South Africa vacations feature 5-star and 4-star hotels in Cape Town and Johannesburg., NCL Cruise vacations from Cape Town, private and shared airport transfers, and excursions are also included . Flights are available on Delta from Atlanta and United from New York/Newark and Washington, D.C. to both Cape Town and Johannesburg. Pleasant Holidays and Journese are partnering with Thompsons Africa for local destination management. Jack E. Richards, President and CEO said: "We are very excited to begin offering this new destination for travelers to experience as we continue our global expansion." Travel advisors can book Pleasant Holidays and Journese with travel protection plans and travel advisor commission protection.

  Pleasant Holidays and its luxury brand, Journese, today announced their exclusive Costa Rica Guided Vacations for 2023 travel are now open for booking for FITs & Groups. With accommodations, activities and most meals included, along with a licensed and certified English-speaking guide and driver, these three popular itineraries offer an immersive experience into the culture, gastronomy and natural beauty of Costa Rica.   “Our Costa Rica Guided Vacations are incredibly popular, and for good reason. Available only from Pleasant Holidays and Journese, vacations include everything a traveling party needs to explore and experience Costa Rica in all its beauty and majesty,” said Jack E. Richards, President and CEO.   Pleasant Holidays’ and Journese’ Costa Rica Guided Vacations are offered in three itinerary options:  

• Cultural Experiences of Costa Rica (9 Days/8 Nights) visiting San José, Arenal, Monteverde and Guanacaste and including a choice of touring an organic dairy farm or joining a reforesting effort
• Marvels Of Costa Rica (9 Days/8 Nights) visiting San José, Arenal, Monteverde and Guanacaste, including a tour of Costa Rica’s most important wildlife refuge
• Wonders Of Costa Rica (7 Days/6 Nights) visiting Liberia, Arenal and Guanacaste, with a visit to the hot springs of Tabacón

  Each itinerary features a choice of Superior or Deluxe accommodations, includes multiple activities and most meals, with guaranteed departures every other Saturday with no minimum number of travelers required to operate.  Pleasant Holidays and Journese also offer more than 50 hotels and all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica for an extended stay in-country, along with flights, ground transportation and travel protection coverage with cancel-for-any-reason options and travel advisor commission protection. Visit www.pleasantholidays.com/pb/guided-vacations-costa-rica or  www.journese.com/itineraries for details on the itineraries for these escorted tours.   For more information or to make a booking, travel advisors can visit PleasantAgent.com or call 1-800-448-3333 or visit Journese.com or call 1-800-442-9244. Pleasant Holidays and Journese are members of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) and an active member of the United States Tour Operator Association (USTOA) and participates in the $1 Million Travelers Assistance Program.