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11/25/2021
Expedition Cruises A few weeks ago I shared the first of small ship cruise types - adventure style experiences. Another type of cruising is Expedition style - where I like to say a lot of WOW happens. Extraordinary opportunities for curious and adventurous learners. What is an expedition cruise? A small ship experience (generally under 200 guests on purpose built ships) focused on the nature, wildlife, history and culture of the areas they visit. The ships are very comfortable with plenty of amenities to suit all tastes. Onboard entertainment is focused on lectures, lively discussions, photography and science centers (no casinos or show productions). Photo courtesy of Quark Expeditions
11/23/2021
Adventure Style Cruises You want more access, more intimate environments, fewer crowds, a quieter experience, a higher level of service and personalization. Private or small group land tours, river and small ship cruises provide all of these things for you.
River, luxury and expedition cruises are ones I share with you regularly, but these are just three of a number of different small ship styles. This week I'm sharing a few of the Adventure style experiences you can have on the water. Adventure cruises are not your typical cruise experience. No, not crazy and wild, but perfect experiences for those who are seeking something a little different. I know travelers who really enjoy these experiences, especially with their families, then also take time to be spoiled on the luxury ships too. 11/15/2021
9 Reasons To Visit Chile When thinking of South America, Peru, Brazil and Argentina often get the most attention. But don't overlook Chile, a country with a diverse landscape north to south and ample things to see and experience.
It's no secret. I fell in love with this country over 10 years ago when I visited via a cruise from Valparaiso to Rio de Janeiro. Warm and friendly people, great food, wine, interesting history. The absolute best for me was the amazing scenic beauty and wildlife. There is no doubt I'll be returning. My top 9 reasons to visit:  Seeing wildlife in their natural habitats can be a life changing, soul stirring experience, not only for animal lovers but all types of curious and adventurous travelers.
Wildlife themed itineraries are best experienced in small group settings – whether they be private or small group land tours or small ship cruises, taking you into areas less visited, less accessible. Small groups lend themselves perfectly to a better learning environment while contributing to the conservation and protection of species. Sustainable tourism - the best way. Following are 7 top itinerary picks – one on every continent. Photo credit above: Lindblad Expeditions  For nature and wildlife enthusiasts, Costa Rica is a perfect destination. The landscapes are ecologically diverse, filled with rainforests, lakes, volcanoes, cloud forests and a wide array of plant, bird and wildlife, from chattering howler monkeys and slow-moving sloths to scarlet macaws, toucans and blue morpho butterflies, one of the largest butterfly in the world. With some luck you may even spot an elusive jaguar or rare tapir.
Stunning, tropical, an amazing experience for sure. And popular. To get away from the crowds (and additional reasons), I recommend visiting on a small ship cruise: luxury yacht, clipper ship, adventure or expedition style, you have a number of great choices.  South Africa is Africa's 9th largest country according to its landmass. The reasons to visit this vast and culturally diverse nation are seemingly endless, and that's why it makes it on so many people's bucket lists.
To encourage you a little more and to further enhance your excitement, here are five reasons you should make it to South Africa at last once in your life. 9/14/2020
9 Reasons To Visit Greenland On flights from Europe back to the US I have had the opportunity to see Greenland numerous times from above. It’s amazing to see this massive landscape, especially on very clear days. The largest island in the world, bigger than France, Great Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium combined. Imagine what you’ll experience being there in person. Here are my top 9 reasons to visit. Photo courtesy of Quark Expeditions
9/1/2020
Galapagos Islands Wildlife Photo courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions Visiting the Galapagos Islands is unlike any other travel experience. This remote archipelago of volcanic islands west of mainland Ecuador has long attracted travelers interested in Darwin, evolution, volcanoes, nature and wildlife. The biodiversity of the region is incredible.
The biggest draw by far are the unique and iconic species of this protected UNESCO World Heritage site. The animals are completely unafraid of humans, which makes them easier to find and observe. Encountering fur seals on the beach or snorkeling with the frisky sea lions can be especially fun! 8/20/2020 Unforgettable Bavaria Bavaria, Germany's largest state, is home to spectacular events, great cities, fairy tale castles, two national parks and 8 UNESCO world heritage sites. And that's just the beginning.
Bavaria is a breath-taking region, and a perfect journey to add before or after a Danube river cruise. Take a look at a few of Bavaria's highlights along with several tour ideas.  Welcome to Tassie! Australia’s smallest state, it is often overlooked as a destination. It shouldn’t be, with so much to see, do, experience. It also boasts having the cleanest air on earth. That in of itself sounds especially inviting.
Here are my other top reasons why you should visit (not listed in any order of importance).  Over 10,000 waterfalls, 130 volcanoes (30 active), 800 hot springs, 269 named glaciers and a population of 334,00 fun and friendly residents, all in an area smaller than the state of Kentucky. This is Iceland.
If you love open spaces and nature mixed with a little adventure (or a lot), then a visit here might just be for you, because Iceland can be simply described in one word - WOW! To really experience all that Iceland has to offer, you need 7-10 days to explore the country. But if you only have a few days (maybe you are on a stopover to/from Europe or you are on a cruise), day trips in and from Reykjavik will have you leaving with WOW memories. My top suggestions include the following: 6/3/2020
Alaska By Land - Part 2 (Road Trips) Alaska is a top bucket list destination for many. The stunning beauty, nature and wildlife is just amazing. People are friendly, indigenous experiences are exceptional and the regional foods outstanding.
Part 1 of this article offers day trip ideas using Anchorage as a base. Today I share three 5-7 day road trip options, perfect on their own or added as a pre/post trip to an Inside Passage cruise. 5/13/2020
Alaska by Land - Part One (Anchorage) Anchorage Visitor Center (JodyO. Photos) Alaska is a top bucket list destination for many. The stunning beauty, nature and wildlife is just amazing. People are friendly, indigenous experiences are exceptional and the regional foods outstanding.
When discussing Alaska trips with clients, it almost always includes sailing through the Inside Passage. And it should. With all the experiences available, what an amazing region! But I’m here to tell you a land only vacation is equally amazing. 5/7/2020
Sailing North American Waterways My advice has always been “Travel as far away as you can, for as many years as you can.” Get the long distance travel done while the body and mind can manage it. THEN start traveling in your own backyard.
And North America has plenty to marvel at. If you enjoy cruising as much as I do, there are plenty of options. Of course there are all the Caribbean choices, but do you know about sailing on inland and coastal waterways? Take a look at what’s waiting for you! 3/19/2020
Vancouver Island - Nature at its best A land of extremes. Vast wilderness, exceptional walking and hiking trails, rugged coastlines, cozy beaches, abundant wildlife (furry, feathery and finned), quaint towns, small harbors, golfing, world class wines, beers and spirits, farmers markets, culinary delights, indigenous cultures, marvelous gardens, boutique inns, seaside lodges and elegant hotels.
This is Vancouver Island, British Columbia. 3/5/2020
Three Active Family Vacations That Have You Disconnecting From Technology (and not even missing it!) Photo courtesy of Adventures by Disney Do you ever ask yourself what happened to all that time you thought you had? I sure do - every year seems to zip by faster and faster. And I find this especially apparent when I see friends and family with children. Seems like one day they have toddlers and the next day they have young adults headed off to college (or out on their own).
2/27/2020 The Artic: Spitsbergen I'm not sure exactly why I am so fascinated by the polar regions. Maybe it's the beauty of the mountains, snow, fjords, glaciers and icebergs. Having flown over/near the arctic circle a number of times on my way home from Europe, I always wondered what these islands below looked like at sea level. It could also be the allure of the polar bears.
 Courtesy of The Brando The world is full of amazing destinations, amazing accommodations and amazing experiences that come along with them, by land and by sea. Here are 7 of my favorites:
 Honeymoons and romance are what most often come up to describe these destinations. And rightly so. Serene and sublime – perfect places to relax, play, unplug, a chance to be together. A spectacular tropical getaway.
 Who knew there were so many options to think about when planning a Galapagos cruise? Cruise vs land? Sailing yacht or small ship? Which itinerary? What time of year?
9/9/2019
Tanzania's Great Migration Did you know that Tanzania's great migration of wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and other migratory animals is a year round event in the Serengeti? Constant movement of nearly 2 million animals – following the rain and fresh green pastures in a clockwise direction.
Serengeti National Park is a vast ecosystem covering over 5700 square miles. Where the herds are depends on the time of year. And because the animals are unpredictable, one never knows the exact time of arrival in a particular region, but they do eventually arrive. 7/31/2019
Swimming With Gentle Giants Photo courtesy of Tourism Australia I love the ocean. I am fascinated by the creatures that call it home. I enjoy snorkeling, and someday I'll learn how to scuba dive to get an even closer look. As with many other places on this earth, some things you need to see with your own eyes. Pictures just don't do it justice.
5/1/2019
New Zealand's Pacific Coast Highway Whakatane Ohope International Golf Club - photo courtesy of NZ Tourism - taken by Strike-Photography Despite being a relatively small country (about the size of Oregon or Colorado), it's quite easy to spend months exploring New Zealand's north and south islands. So much to see, experiences to take in, food, wine and people to meet.
One special touring route is a drive down the beautiful east coast on New Zealand's Pacific Coast Highway. Check out this itinerary between Auckland and Napier. 10/3/2018
Zodiak Moments As the saying goes, big surprises come in small packages. Zodiak excursions do just that - surprise, excite and treat you to once in a lifetime experiences.
There are a number of special places in the world that are only accessible by zodiak, or skiffs - small boats designed to take a small number of people into places that bigger ships (and even small ships) just can't get to - places where there are no ports or no docks.  For most people, their first introduction to Alaska includes a cruise through the Inside Passage, with stops most often in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway. Icy Straight, Haines and Sitka are occasional replacements for one of the "big 3", as I call them.
Each of these stops offer unique experiences that highlight the best things about Alaska: Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, salmon fishing and the 14,000 totem poles in Ketchikan, Russian history in Sitka, bears in Icy Straight and exploring the Yukon from Skagway. These are just a few examples of special memories that are created in the Last Frontier. While I often recommend these cruises, I also point out that when 3-5 ships are in port at the same time, especially during the peak summer months, it does get crowded. And thus it would be remiss of me not to mention the quieter ports of call. |
Laurie Marschall - Owner and Founder
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