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Montecito Village Travel was among those Invited to Join Exclusive Group Traveling to Cuba as Part of “People to People Educational Exchange”

Montecito Village Travel Joined with Globus for Four-Day, U.S. Government-Sanctioned Journey

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Chris Weatherhead & Connie Miller from Montecito Village Travel at 3329 State Street were among a highly select group of only 50 travel advisors nationally who have just returned from an exclusive Globus Cuba Experience to Havana and beyond. The unique people-to-people educational exchange enabled Montecito Village Travel – including Chris Weatherhead locally – to experience the groundbreaking Globus program that has been sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

“When we ask our clients which destinations are on their wish list, the one place that a growing number of them tell us is Cuba. That’s why we accepted the invitation to join with a very select number of our fellow travel colleagues from across the United States in making this extraordinary journey in which we could thoroughly understand the options we can legally offer,” explained Chris Weatherhead, Chief Information Manager of Montecito Village Travel. “We were very excited to take advantage of this rare opportunity that Globus provided to experience a cross-section of Cuba as few other Americans have. The cultural exchange has been truly enlightening by providing us with an understanding for what travelers from California can expect when they participate in one of these government-sanctioned tours.”

Highlights of the Globus Cuba Experience included:

 Saturday, February 22, 2014 – Miami–Havana–Varadero The Globus Group Leader briefed participants prior to departing for Miami’s airport. After a short flight to Havana, we were met by their Cuban National Tour Director. Participants continued through Cuba’s countryside and arrived at their Varadero hotel for a welcome dinner with music.

 Sunday, February 23, 2014 – Varadero. Excursion to Matanzas & Cardenas The group met with members of the Danzon Club to learn about Cuba’s national dance and enjoyed an interactive dance lesson. They then traveled to Matanzas, known as the “Athens of Cuba” for the many renowned artists and intellectuals it has produced. They visited the Triolet Pharmacy, which dates back to 1879 and is preserved in its entirety.

Following lunch, the group interacted with the workers at Ediciones Vigía, a print and binding shop, where they learned about a traditional craft that is still done by hand. They continued to the historic town of Cardenas, where the Cuban national flag waved for the first time on May 19, 1850. They next visited an artist’s gallery to interact with the artists and musicians. That evening, they enjoyed a banquet dinner at Casa du Pont, built in 1926 by American millionaire Irénée du Pont.

February 24, 2014 – Varadero to Havana

The group traveled through the heart of Cuba’s agricultural and sugar cane-growing industry to Havana, where they explored Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From graceful 16th- century castles to modern high-rises, Havana is acclaimed as one of the world’s most visually diverse cities. They participated in a discussion with a local architect on topics including Havana’s unique architecture, the challenges of renovating the city’s exquisite historic buildings, and the future of these restorations.

They started their evening with a discussion and choir performance at Casa de la Amistad, then capped their day with dinner at the illustrious Hotel Nacional de Cuba – a landmark hotel long identified as a symbol of history, culture, and Cuban identity.

February 25, 2014 – Havana

We met with a former Cuban baseball player and joined in a discussion regarding the history and the love of this favorite pastime in Cuba and in the U.S. This was followed by an examination of Nobel Prize-winning novelist Ernest Hemingway, whose 30 years in Cuba provides an enduring legacy.

During lunch at a local organic farm, the group joined a discussion with the owners and learned about organic urban farming in Cuba. Then they returned to Havana and Callejón de Hamel, a neighborhood known as “Salvador’s Alley” showcasing eclectic artwork, vibrant street music, Santeria shrines, and colorful murals by local artist Salvador Gonzales. They discussed how the artist gives back to the community and the beliefs of the Santeria religion.

Prior to dinner, we met members of the local Old Styler Car Club and heard why Havana’s streets are filled with vintage American automobiles, as well as how these cars are obtained and what it takes to keep them running. The group then rode in an Old Styler car to their farewell dinner at Café del Oriente, considered one of the city’s finest restaurants.

February 26, 2014 – Havana to Miami

“While travel to Cuba remains heavily restricted, our sincere hope is that it is only a matter of time before this nation – that’s only a mere 90 miles away from the southernmost part of the Continental United States – opens up completely,” Chris Weatherhead stated. “When that day inevitably comes, we will be prepared to help guide our clients on what they can expect through our first-hand knowledge.”

To begin your journey, contact Montecito Village Travel at 3329 State Street Santa Barbara, CA 93105 or online at www.ytc.com or simply call 805.969.5096.

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See what the team thinks

Robin sanchez - president.

“I’m thrilled and excited with the direction Montecito Village Travel is taking for the future. We’ve been a long-standing team with diverse talents that complement one another. This natural progression will allow us to expand our advisor services and talent, ensuring that our core company philosophy remains the same.”

Chris Weatherhead - Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Product & Partnerships

"With the goal of  supporting and driving Montecito Village Travel forward, I will continue to lead our marketing efforts while establishing industry leading partnerships to provide the best travel experiences."

Connie Miller - Chief Relationship Officer (CRO) and Business Development

“I cannot wait to see what happens with the restructure of this already tight-knit team. These changes will only bring our team closer together, and we will be able to broaden and expand the scope of services and programs provided to all MVT advisors and employees. Good things are on the way!”

Geana Bielenda - Chief Accounting Officer (CAO)

"I’m looking forward to bringing enhanced advanced technology, automation and innovation to the accounting department and envision a bright and prosperous future for MVT."

Shane Lefeber - Chief Operating Officer (COO)

“The reorganization of our management team enables each of us to collaborate even more effectively, ensuring that MVT will continue to offer exemplary service and support to all who work with us now and who choose to work with us in the future."

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Montecito Village Travel Launches Endless Luxury Collections

Montecito Village Travel

By Connie Miller, CTIE, CRO

This summer, recognizing the needs of its advisors for unique client experiences, Montecito Village Travel released a series of new partnerships known as their Endless Luxury Collection.

This collection honors a 50-year legacy of worldwide industry connections through a collection of new luxury partners around the globe and readies Montecito Village Travel advisors for a new age of travel where unique experiences, sustainability, and local insight is second to none.

Currently, the Endless Luxury Collection includes over 30 prestigious, destination management companies (DMCs). Each member of the Endless Luxury DMC Collection achieves the highest level of service in luxury travel, accommodating every type of traveler. The Endless Luxury Collection will continue to grow in 2023, providing even greater access to unique client experiences throughout the world.

The new collection was spearheaded by Chris Weatherhead, Montecito Village Travel’s Chief Marketing Officer, Product & Partnerships. Weatherhead explains that “the Endless Luxury Collection represents 50 years of industry connections and every DMC accepted into the program has been an integral provider of luxury travel in the destinations they represent. They [Endless Luxury members] are vital ambassadors for the authenticity and culture of their regions.”

Created by Montecito Village Travel, The Endless Luxury Collection is just one more resource for MVT advisors to access the best-of-the-best experiences for their clients.

Article written by Connie Miller, CTIE, CRO

Your Travel Center/Montecito Village Travel, Santa Barbara, CA

Montecito Village Travel is a host agency with over 650 Independent Contractors and several branch offices. Connie is responsible for growing the agency through Independent Contractors and Agencies. Her career path includes work as a Sales and Marketing Director, Corporate Travel Account Manager, Office Manager, Group Travel Coordinator and Travel Consultant. Connie's passion for travel is evident and it underscores her personal philosophy is travel is the perfect way to bring the peoples of the world together.

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January 15, 2018

Destination Wedding Guide from Apple Vacations

Chris Weatherhead

VP, Hotel Relations & Marketing

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life.

That’s why Apple Vacations has selected the resorts that offer everything you’re looking for in a destination wedding – professional wedding coordinators that take the stress out of planning, an incredible setting for your ceremony, whether indoors or barefoot on the beach, and the most romantic honeymoon you could ever imagine!

Montecito Village Travel Wedding Department has a team of experienced Destination Wedding Specialists who are devoted to making the planning process for your special day fun and stress-free. We will set up a reserved block of rooms for your group, and we will put you directly in touch with a wedding coordinator at your resort who will help you plan the wedding ceremony and reception. Plus, when you book with a Montecito Village Travel Advisor, you’ll receive many extras that will make your destination wedding more affordable for you and your guests.

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Established as a single storefront travel agency in 1972, Phil and Louise Emrich ventured into the world of travel by opening Your Travel Center. Together they turned that dream into a reality, creating a full service travel agency and that grew into 16 locations serving the California Central Coast. Since then and without wavering in their loyalty to their employees, independent travel consultants or travelers, Your Travel Center, now better known as Montecito Village Travel has blossomed into a full scale agency with sales of 400 million dollars annually.

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Current owner, Colin Weatherhead, joined the organization in 1988 and officially purchased the agency from Phil & Louise Emrich in 1995. By embracing technology and accepting the changing landscape of travel during the early '90's, the agency not only remained relevant, but prospered under Colin’s leadership with sales growing from 18 million to 400 million annually.

As one of the principal upscale travel companies in the United States, Montecito Village Travel has provided clients with extraordinary travel experiences for over 50 years. And as a member of Virtuoso, the world's oldest and most prestigious leisure travel association, Montecito Village Travel agents and independent contractors have access to some of the world's most elite travel companies. It is the people, connections and leadership that set Montecito Village Travel apart from the rest, making us the agency of choice for leisure, luxury leisure, corporate travel consultants and partner agencies.

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