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6/30/2020 7 Incredible Train JourneysSometimes a rail trip is just what is needed to thoroughly enjoy the scenic surrounds. No driving, no constant stopping to get that photo, travel through areas where roads don't or can't go. Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery and wildlife (instead of the road). Here are 7 incredible train adventures that can be taken on it's own or even better, woven into an existing itinerary. Whether you are starting or ending an Alaskan or European cruise, a Rhine River cruise, exploring Australia and New Zealand, taking in Machu Picchu or combined with a golf package, consider adding these journeys into your plans. They'll make an already great trip exceptional. 
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 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.  Faial - The Blue Island, known for its hydrangeas The Azores - truly an under the radar hidden gem of a destination and just 4 hours flying from Boston.
Often described as the Atlantic's version of Hawaii, this archipelago of 9 beautiful and unique islands covers an area of approximately 386,000 square miles. An autonomous region of Portugal, it is full of pristine and natural beauty, unique scenery, quaint fishing villages, historical centers and so much more. 5/21/2020
5 Delicious Desserts From Cruise GalleysThere are many reasons why we take cruises - one being the culinary experiences we have onboard. We get spoiled for sure. And while I am not normally big on desserts, cruise lines make it difficult to say no. Here are 5 yummy examples (and accompanying recipes) of what you may find being served:  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.  In Central and Eastern Europe, you’ll find some of the most spectacular landscapes, architecture — castles, churches and war memorials—as well as some of the most colorful, inviting cultures in the world. But what is the best way to see it all? On a river cruise, of course!
Here's what you'll experience on a sample Danube itinerary. 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!  With fabulous rooftop pools, jacuzzies, and wellness programs, exquisite cuisine and delicious drinks available petty much around-the-cloc - it’s tempting to many to never leave the ship. But I know that the main reason travelers choose a river cruise is because of the adventure—the amazing, breathtaking stops along the way. With that in mind, the countries you’ll explore on the Rhine are historic, romantic and truly awe-inspiring.
4/29/2020
Favorite Cruise Lines Cocktails - Part 1 When I'm out cruising, I can always tell when a bartender is doing a superb job. The bar is busy, a small crowd may be gathering, lots of laughter all around (and of course, the drinks are flowing!)
Our favorite bartenders aren't making our favorite cocktails for us at the moment, but they have been busy sharing their "secret" recipes. Here are a few of my favorites: 4/22/2020
8 Great Reasons to Visit Amsterdam Amsterdam in my opinion is one of the most interesting (and fun) cities in Europe. Far too crowded, with tourists, but I can deal with that for a few days to get my fill of it's eclectic culture. It's the start and end point for a number of river and ocean cruises, so it's perfect for both pre and post cruise extensions.
 Photo courtesy of AmaWaterways - AmaMagna Ocean cruises have been a popular way to vacation for decades, and for good reason. They’re affordable, convenient and offer travelers peace of mind knowing that everything they need for a fantastic getaway is all in one place. What could be better than that? Well, consider a river cruise.
 It’s mid-April, which marks the beginning of the white asparagus harvest in Germany.
The delicious season begins in April and officially ends June 24, the feast day of John the Baptist (though you can usually get some after this date). Originally cultivated by the Egyptians, Romans and Greeks, asparagus been part of the German culture for decades, dating as far back as the 1500’s. Germans today are crazy over this vegetable – eating their way through tons of it (I’ve seen numbers between 70,000 to 138,000 tons) over a period of approximately 7 weeks. 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.  A charming town located approximately 30 minutes from our Rhine River cruise stop in Breisach, Colmar is considered to be one of the prettiest towns in France. Intrigued by this description, and wanting an opportunity to photograph half-timbered houses, I decided to take this optional tour, despite a little bit of rain. This tour did not disappoint.
Colmar was like stepping into the pages of a fairy tale. 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.
 A marriage of wine and culture, the Bordeaux wine region in Southwest France is a perfect pairing for river cruising, wine lovers and culture seekers alike.
The Bordeaux region is home to over 7000 beautiful chateaux and over 14,000 local wine  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:
2/6/2020
Three Unique Golf Vacations Whether you are looking for a short getaway, to tick off a lifetime dream experience or explore new destinations, there are no shortages of beautiful golf courses around the world for you to enjoy. Fun and exciting trips just waiting for you to create lifelong memories – for yourself, with family and friends.
1/30/2020
Sailing the Northern Cyclades Off the south eastern coast of Greece lie some of the most stunning islands of the Aegean Sea – the Cyclades Islands. Meaning “encircling”, the archipelago is named such because they form a rough circle around the island of Delos, the legendary birthplace of Zeus’ children, twins Artemis and her brother Apollo. As stated on the Visit Greece tourism site, Delos is the head priest of the Cyclades, the birthplace of immortals. Delos is not a museum. It is not there to tell a story. It is history itself.
 There’s a reason the classics are the classics. We love the romance and filtered light of Venice, Kyoto’s temples and gardens, that view of Machu Picchu. But with popularity comes the strain of overcrowding: stress on fragile environments, landmarks, and local infrastructure – and an annoying lack of elbow room. Seasoned travelers know how best to see the favorites, visiting in the off-season, taking two wheels, hiking hidden trails.
But for many iconic destination, there is a place less traveled that is just as cool. Here are 7 less-explored counterparts to popular destinations that are just as fascinating and fun – proof that when it comes to where to go next, there’s always a new hit to discover.  Every air traveler today is required to present a valid (not expired) form of identification to get though airport security and board a flight. Common forms of ID include driver’s licenses or state photo identification cards, passports, passport cards, DHS trusted traveler cards (ex. Global Entry) and military ID cards.
12/18/2019
My Favorite Cold Weather Drink Is.... When the weather outside is frightful (or even when it's not), a number of warm drinks come to mind: a hot cup of coffee (with or without a splash of "something"), hot chocolate with marshmallows and candy cane melts or maybe a chai tea. But my favorite warm winter drink is definitely a mug of Glühwein (hot spiced mulled wine).
 One of the top questions I get is how to snag the best airfare for an international trip. I’ve seen good tips and many more myths (at least in my opinion) on the internet about this topic.
So I’m sharing ones I know work consistently over time. |
Laurie Marschall - Owner and Founder
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