Expert advice on top travel destinations, deals, and tips to enhance your vacation experience.
Valarie D’Elia, a renowned travel reporter who explored 102 countries across all seven continents, passed away on September 10 in Manhattan at the age of 64. She succumbed to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Valarie was well-known for her informative travel segments on the local cable TV station, now called Spectrum News NY1, where she hosted “Travel With Val” from 1998 to 2017. Additionally, she hosted a syndicated radio show, “The Travel Show,” and maintained a popular travel blog featuring her signature “D’Elia’s Deals” section, reflecting her mantra of “Travel with VALue.”
Valarie’s expertise in travel provided valuable insights to her audience, sharing tips on destinations, transportation options, budget-friendly deals, and packing essentials. For instance, she would inform her followers about the early opening of ski resorts in the Canadian Rockies due to snowstorms, special honeymoon offers at a hotel near London, or discounted winter rates at a resort in the Florida Keys during school vacations in January. Her advice was highly sought after, with her emphasis on packing light and leaving behind unnecessary items like blow-dryers resonating with many travelers.
Valarie’s passion for travel was evident in her work, earning her accolades such as winning first place in the North American Travel Journalists Association’s travel video competition in 2018 for her documentary “The Making of a Maestro: From Castelfranco to Carnegie Hall,” which chronicled the journey of conductor Sir Antonio Pappano.
In conclusion, Valarie D’Elia’s legacy as a respected travel reporter and her dedication to providing valuable travel insights to her audience will always be remembered. Her passion for exploring the world and sharing her experiences will continue to inspire travelers for years to come.
Source: The NY Times
