December 18, 2024 • 8 mins
Jonny Talks with Ida D'Errico of the 2025 Pittsburgh Travel Showcase
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Welcome in. This is the Heart of Pittsburgh podcast. I'm
your host, Johnny Heartwell, let's say hello to an old friend.
We're talking travel with one of my passion projects. II
the Dirico of the Pittsburgh Travel Showcase presented by Triple
A Travel. Good to see Ida, How are you always?
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Great to see you. I'm fantastic. How are you Johnny today?
Speaker 1 (00:26):
So the Travel Showcase tell us everything. It's coming up
at the end of January, tell us everything we need
to know.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
It will be here, bigger and better than ever. The
eighth annual Pittsburgh Travel Showcase, presented by Triple A Travel,
is three big days of travel extravaganza January twenty fourth.
Later this year, it's one week later in the David L.
Lawrence Convention Center. It's going to be an exciting showcase.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
For the people who are aware it's you know, they
get there early, they line up early. But for the
people who aren't familiar with the showcase, what do they
need to know? What can they expect?
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Well, we will eat everyone's expectations. We promise that we
will host the world's top travel suppliers spanning all seven continents,
and we'll also host driving destinations and attractions which are
near and far, motor coach trips, railway trips. We have
seventeen cruise lines. You name a cruise line, ocean and river.
They will be at the showcase with top representatives ready
to speak to you about planning, travel over ten Caribbean
(01:23):
islands and all inclusive resorts, twenty five driving destinations, and
so much more. Our destination Wedding team, our family travel
planning team, our group team, They'll all be there and
everyone will take their time and use their knowledge to
help individuals plan their vacations to any budget level.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
That's what I love going going to the showcase is
that I can travel the world in one spot here
in Pittsburgh, and so you could maybe talk to somebody
about Jamaica than maybe an Amtrak trip and just a
variety of destinations. It's one of the best events of
the year.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Thanks so much. We spend a whole year trying to
put it together. We start as soon as it ends,
and we like to say vacations begin here and the
world awaits find your adventure. So we have three destination
theaters filled with forty two presentations packed with knowledge of
information for any type of destination or any type of
travel supplier, we'll be there. We have layered discounts not
(02:20):
only from Triple A but also from these suppliers who
are there, who will provide Showcase exclusive only discount travel
offers good just for those three days. And you don't
need to be a Triple A member to attend. The
showcase is open to members and non members. Everyone's invited
to join us.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
All right. If I need to tickets or more information,
do you have a website?
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Absolutely so. Details are available at Pittsburgh Travel Showcase dot com.
Get your tickets there as well.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
All right, So what are some hot vacations? What are
some great tips that you can give us?
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Well, the Europe has continued to be extremely hot, and
ever since COVID passed us by, everything is hot in travel,
but Europe is a very very hot destination. You name
a country, people want to go to that country, but
particularly out of Pittsburgh. The Three Eyes are still extremely popular,
which is Iceland, Italy and Ireland. We will have all
(03:11):
of those represented at the showcase. In addition, the cruise
industry continues to be so powerful. Cruising has always been
a hot ticket, but river cruising in particular out of Europe,
which were destinations on the Rhine, the Danube, the sin
and more. But also river cruising can take you to China, Egypt,
Antarctica as well as ocean liners. We will have seventeen
(03:34):
cruise lines represented at the showcase.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
These ocean liners are getting bigger and bigger and bigger.
It's like floating cities.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Amazing, that's absolutely right. So Royal Cribbean is the king
of big ocean liners, with the Icon of the Seas
and the Star of the Seas coming out soon, as
well as five more Icon classes. The world's largest ships
are Royal Caribbean as well as the Oasis class ships
of which there are six, and Royal Cribban will be
at the showcase representing all of their great brands. And
again they are floating cities. As you say, the ship
(04:02):
is actually the destination.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
So is there any chance of getting discounts or savings
by going to the showcase.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Absolutely, we have Triple A member discounts, but we also
have exclusive discounts that are showcased only three days, opportunities
that the travel suppliers will provide. But you don't need
to be a Triple A member to attend. The showcase
is open to members and all members. Everyone's invited.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
What about trips here in the continental US, maybe on
rail or maybe destination places here in the US.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
We have twenty five US destinations represented at the showcase.
We have motor coach opportunities. But what is a very
popular means of travel out of Pittsburgh bookings is rail travel.
So we'll have Rocky Mountaineer which will take you through
the Canadian Rockies and out of moab Utah. We'll have
Amtrak vacations which span the United States as well as
railbookers crossing Europe via rail. And we have rail Explorers
(04:56):
which do wonderful trips through West Virginia, tennissee the Great
Smoky Mountains, and many other wonderful opportunities.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
All right, so I just got engaged. Maybe I want
to have like a honeymoon package. What kind of options
would I have at the showcase.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
We have every type of option for a destination wedding
as well as a honeymoon. Our travel advisors are highly
experienced to plan from start to finish, including the entire
destination wedding. But we have over ten Caribbean islands who
will be represented at the Showcase as well as all
inclusive resorts, and again those destinations are highly popular for
(05:34):
weddings and honeymoons, but we also have destinations across the
United States that will be very much involved in that
type of particular aspect of planning your honeymoon or destination wedding,
including resorts nearby such as Nema, Colon and the Greenbrier
will be present as well.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Yeah, that's true. So in the Travel Store, tell us
a little bit more about that.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
The Travel Store is before you enter the doors of
the big Showcase floor where every time type of travel
accessory is available for purchase at various discounts as well
if you're a Triple A member. Again, you don't need
to be a member to attend. But we have luggage,
we have security wallets, we have security purses, we have
beach attire, beachware, beach bags, you name it, we have
it and it flies right out the door because it's
(06:16):
all of those accessories, by the thousands, all in one
location for shopping.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
I know you have discounts, but do you have travel
destinations for at different price points?
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Absolutely, at the Showcase, we can plan a vacation at
any budget level. Our Triple A advisors will spend the
time to research it, they will use their personal knowledge,
and they will spend the specific time needed to plan
that vacation exactly as you want. It shows your vacation,
your way at the Pittsburgh Travel Showcase.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
All right, we only have about a minute left. Let's
kind of recap everything people need to know about the
Travel Showcase.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Well, Pittsburgh Travel Showcase, presented by Triple A Travel is
where we say vacations begin here and the world awights.
Find your adventure with us at the Pittsburgh Travel Showcase
David A. Lawrence Convention Center, Three Big Days Global Travel
Extravaganza January twenty four, twenty five, twenty six. There are
discount coupons available at Triple A branches for admission, and
you can also stop by at any of our destination
(07:13):
theaters and sit through forty two information pack presentations where
world's top travel suppliers will present their expertise in first
hand knowledge. And then you can go off to our
advisors on the showcase floor and actually plan and book
that vacation on the spot. It's convenient one stop vacation shopping,
all under one roof with the very special opportunity of
(07:34):
exclusive savings. Showcase only discounts available for those three big days.
Triple A additional member discounts available, and if you book
a trip at eighteen ninety nine or higher, you're going
to get free luggage from Triple A Travel. How about
all of that?
Speaker 1 (07:47):
I love it? Okay, wait all right, David L. Lawrence
Convention Center coming up on January twenty fourth, twenty fifth,
and twenty six. Get more information at their website Pittsburgh
Travel Showcase dot com. I will see you at the showcase.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
You at the showcase, Johnny, this has.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Been the heart of Pittsburgh Podcast. I'm Johnny Heartwell, thank
you so much for listening.
Welcome in. This is the Heart of Pittsburgh podcast. I'm
your host, Johnny Heartwell, let's say hello to an old friend.
We're talking travel with one of my passion projects. II
the Dirico of the Pittsburgh Travel Showcase presented by Triple
A Travel. Good to see Ida, How are you always?
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Great to see you. I'm fantastic. How are you Johnny today?
Speaker 1 (00:26):
So the Travel Showcase tell us everything. It's coming up
at the end of January, tell us everything we need
to know.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
It will be here, bigger and better than ever. The
eighth annual Pittsburgh Travel Showcase, presented by Triple A Travel,
is three big days of travel extravaganza January twenty fourth.
Later this year, it's one week later in the David L.
Lawrence Convention Center. It's going to be an exciting showcase.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
For the people who are aware it's you know, they
get there early, they line up early. But for the
people who aren't familiar with the showcase, what do they
need to know? What can they expect?
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Well, we will eat everyone's expectations. We promise that we
will host the world's top travel suppliers spanning all seven continents,
and we'll also host driving destinations and attractions which are
near and far, motor coach trips, railway trips. We have
seventeen cruise lines. You name a cruise line, ocean and river.
They will be at the showcase with top representatives ready
to speak to you about planning, travel over ten Caribbean
(01:23):
islands and all inclusive resorts, twenty five driving destinations, and
so much more. Our destination Wedding team, our family travel
planning team, our group team, They'll all be there and
everyone will take their time and use their knowledge to
help individuals plan their vacations to any budget level.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
That's what I love going going to the showcase is
that I can travel the world in one spot here
in Pittsburgh, and so you could maybe talk to somebody
about Jamaica than maybe an Amtrak trip and just a
variety of destinations. It's one of the best events of
the year.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Thanks so much. We spend a whole year trying to
put it together. We start as soon as it ends,
and we like to say vacations begin here and the
world awaits find your adventure. So we have three destination
theaters filled with forty two presentations packed with knowledge of
information for any type of destination or any type of
travel supplier, we'll be there. We have layered discounts not
(02:20):
only from Triple A but also from these suppliers who
are there, who will provide Showcase exclusive only discount travel
offers good just for those three days. And you don't
need to be a Triple A member to attend. The
showcase is open to members and non members. Everyone's invited
to join us.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
All right. If I need to tickets or more information,
do you have a website?
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Absolutely so. Details are available at Pittsburgh Travel Showcase dot com.
Get your tickets there as well.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
All right, So what are some hot vacations? What are
some great tips that you can give us?
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Well, the Europe has continued to be extremely hot, and
ever since COVID passed us by, everything is hot in travel,
but Europe is a very very hot destination. You name
a country, people want to go to that country, but
particularly out of Pittsburgh. The Three Eyes are still extremely popular,
which is Iceland, Italy and Ireland. We will have all
(03:11):
of those represented at the showcase. In addition, the cruise
industry continues to be so powerful. Cruising has always been
a hot ticket, but river cruising in particular out of Europe,
which were destinations on the Rhine, the Danube, the sin
and more. But also river cruising can take you to China, Egypt,
Antarctica as well as ocean liners. We will have seventeen
(03:34):
cruise lines represented at the showcase.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
These ocean liners are getting bigger and bigger and bigger.
It's like floating cities.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
Amazing, that's absolutely right. So Royal Cribbean is the king
of big ocean liners, with the Icon of the Seas
and the Star of the Seas coming out soon, as
well as five more Icon classes. The world's largest ships
are Royal Caribbean as well as the Oasis class ships
of which there are six, and Royal Cribban will be
at the showcase representing all of their great brands. And
again they are floating cities. As you say, the ship
(04:02):
is actually the destination.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
So is there any chance of getting discounts or savings
by going to the showcase.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Absolutely, we have Triple A member discounts, but we also
have exclusive discounts that are showcased only three days, opportunities
that the travel suppliers will provide. But you don't need
to be a Triple A member to attend. The showcase
is open to members and all members. Everyone's invited.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
What about trips here in the continental US, maybe on
rail or maybe destination places here in the US.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
We have twenty five US destinations represented at the showcase.
We have motor coach opportunities. But what is a very
popular means of travel out of Pittsburgh bookings is rail travel.
So we'll have Rocky Mountaineer which will take you through
the Canadian Rockies and out of moab Utah. We'll have
Amtrak vacations which span the United States as well as
railbookers crossing Europe via rail. And we have rail Explorers
(04:56):
which do wonderful trips through West Virginia, tennissee the Great
Smoky Mountains, and many other wonderful opportunities.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
All right, so I just got engaged. Maybe I want
to have like a honeymoon package. What kind of options
would I have at the showcase.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
We have every type of option for a destination wedding
as well as a honeymoon. Our travel advisors are highly
experienced to plan from start to finish, including the entire
destination wedding. But we have over ten Caribbean islands who
will be represented at the Showcase as well as all
inclusive resorts, and again those destinations are highly popular for
(05:34):
weddings and honeymoons, but we also have destinations across the
United States that will be very much involved in that
type of particular aspect of planning your honeymoon or destination wedding,
including resorts nearby such as Nema, Colon and the Greenbrier
will be present as well.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Yeah, that's true. So in the Travel Store, tell us
a little bit more about that.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
The Travel Store is before you enter the doors of
the big Showcase floor where every time type of travel
accessory is available for purchase at various discounts as well
if you're a Triple A member. Again, you don't need
to be a member to attend. But we have luggage,
we have security wallets, we have security purses, we have
beach attire, beachware, beach bags, you name it, we have
it and it flies right out the door because it's
(06:16):
all of those accessories, by the thousands, all in one
location for shopping.
Speaker 1 (06:21):
I know you have discounts, but do you have travel
destinations for at different price points?
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Absolutely, at the Showcase, we can plan a vacation at
any budget level. Our Triple A advisors will spend the
time to research it, they will use their personal knowledge,
and they will spend the specific time needed to plan
that vacation exactly as you want. It shows your vacation,
your way at the Pittsburgh Travel Showcase.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
All right, we only have about a minute left. Let's
kind of recap everything people need to know about the
Travel Showcase.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Well, Pittsburgh Travel Showcase, presented by Triple A Travel is
where we say vacations begin here and the world awights.
Find your adventure with us at the Pittsburgh Travel Showcase
David A. Lawrence Convention Center, Three Big Days Global Travel
Extravaganza January twenty four, twenty five, twenty six. There are
discount coupons available at Triple A branches for admission, and
you can also stop by at any of our destination
(07:13):
theaters and sit through forty two information pack presentations where
world's top travel suppliers will present their expertise in first
hand knowledge. And then you can go off to our
advisors on the showcase floor and actually plan and book
that vacation on the spot. It's convenient one stop vacation shopping,
all under one roof with the very special opportunity of
(07:34):
exclusive savings. Showcase only discounts available for those three big days.
Triple A additional member discounts available, and if you book
a trip at eighteen ninety nine or higher, you're going
to get free luggage from Triple A Travel. How about
all of that?
Speaker 1 (07:47):
I love it? Okay, wait all right, David L. Lawrence
Convention Center coming up on January twenty fourth, twenty fifth,
and twenty six. Get more information at their website Pittsburgh
Travel Showcase dot com. I will see you at the showcase.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
You at the showcase, Johnny, this has.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Been the heart of Pittsburgh Podcast. I'm Johnny Heartwell, thank
you so much for listening.
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