We’re just connecting the dots
WINTER TEXAN Volume 10 • Issue 14 January 22, 2025
Your Connection to the Rio Grande Valley
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Did you know I love the month of January? Of course it’s always great to start a new year, but it’s more than that. This week, we get to host the “you-don’t-want-to-miss-this” Winter Texan Expo, January 21 and 22 at the McAllen Convention Center and January 23 at the Brownsville Event Center. It’s hard to explain to someone who has never gone, but let me just say that those who have-keep coming back. Our WTE is this perfect combination of vendors (restaurants, excursions, apparel, health care, Valley museums, spots for you to check out on your way back up north, and much more), as well as entertainers specially chosen for you. Whether you like to dance, tap your feet, sing along—or all of the above—get ready! Then, at the end of the month, we set sail on Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas on the sold-out Cruise with Kristi. Stopping in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and other ports in Mexico, this senorita and my amigos are ready for another fabulous cruise. January is just the beginning of another great year! I look forward to seeing you soon!
Thank You
SEASON SPONSORS 2024-2025
The Land & Sea Christmas Tour celebrated the holidays with an Ugly Sweater Party the last night of the cruise out of Galveston, Texas.
Value and Fun by Land and by Sea
by Eryn Reddell Wingert Photos by Sarah Denzer and Kristy Meyer
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here are three things that set Welcome Home RGV’s Land and Sea Tours apart from other available options, according to tour director Sarah Denzer: the itinerary, concierge-style service, and value. “We don’t just sign you up and send you off,” says Denzer. “We’re all about elevated experiences at a great price point.” There is plenty of evidence to support this claim in the direct feedback from travelers. Travel by Welcome Home, based in McAllen, follows up with a questionnaire after each trip, asking travelers what was enjoyable and what could be improved upon. For the most part, the ratings are 5 out of 5, with positive feedback provided. Responses to the question, “What would you tell your friends if they asked how Travel by Welcome Home RGV was to vacation with?” after one tour included, “Fun, organized, inexpensive and safe.”; “Superb, outstanding, caring and fun, fun, fun!!”; and “The best way to travel.” Denzer says a lot of effort goes into planning each excursion, and positive feedback is a great motivator to continue to go above and beyond. Once all the details are set, the team incorporates special touches to enhance the fun. During last December’s Land & Sea Christmas Tour, Denzer and travel director Kristy Meyer accompanied a group of 47 to explore Galveston (Texas) and beyond aboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas. Their care and attention stood out as a highlight for Ned Vlach, a first-timer with Travel by Welcome Home. “They took care of us, always asking if we needed anything; they went above and beyond.” “We had little surprises along the way,” says Denzer. Those surprises
Carolyn Hein and Roxy Cordes during dinner aboard the ship.
Tootie Madden took part in decorating ornaments during the Cozumel excursion.
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