2/27/2020 The Artic: SpitsbergenI'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.
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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 VacationsWhether 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.
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. 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. 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?
Excerpt from the Ensemble October monthly magazine - written by Craig Tansley; Perhaps you’ve tasted a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc like Oyster Bay, but little else is known about the country’s wine throughout North America. While Australian Shiraz and Chardonnay hog the Australasian limelight, New Zealand is home to some of the world’s best wine in the world’s most unique vineyards. We share some of the secrets…
Photo courtesy of Princess Cruises It’s my opinion that many non-cruisers believe all cruises are the same. The image they often describe to me: big, massive ships, lots of people, 24/7 parties, an experience similar to being a sardine stuck in a can. As someone who loves cruising and knows just how great of an experience and value it is, this breaks my heart.
Those who have cruised know this description is not accurate. Sure, there are big mega-ships, and yes, some are "fun" ships. But certainly not most, and certainly not being stuck in a can. When on safari, you have several types of accommodation choices, from high end, five star luxury lodges to simple campsites and a lot in between. Following are the descriptions for the top three most common choices.
9/9/2019
Tanzania's Great MigrationDid 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 GiantsPhoto 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.
When time and budget allows I always try to add a few days before and after a cruise to explore the surrounds, especially when traveling overseas. Flights are a big investment, so you might as well take advantage when you can. I did just that on my recent Rhone River cruise, with a self-drive trip exploring Provence and the Loire Valley.
7/24/2019
The Luberon Region of ProvenceWhen time and budget allows I always try to add a few days before and after a cruise to explore the surrounds, especially when traveling overseas. Flights are a big investment, so you might as well take advantage when you can. I did just that on my recent Rhone River cruise, with a self-drive trip exploring Provence and the Loire Valley.
My pre-cruise adventure: the Luberon region of Provence. 7/17/2019
Cruising the Rhone RiverLonging to explore France's waterways for a while, I recently had the opportunity to cruise the Rhone on an itinerary from Avignon to Lyon. The three major rivers in France offer very different experiences, and this one intrigued me with the combination of Roman history, scenery and wine country.
The itinerary did not disappoint. I have to admit that am biased towards cruising. I love being on the water, love knowing the captain takes me to the next awesome port of call (meaning I'm not driving or trying catch another mode of transport), love not packing up every day, love not having to search for a great restaurant. You get the idea.
Cruising is just plain simple a great way to vacation. It also makes for great honeymoons (very stress free) and perfect for wedding vow renewals too. My top four recommended cruises are: You book a ticket. Then the airline changes the schedule. I've seen this happen often enough I consider it "normal" procedure (in the US anyway). There might be new departure or arrival times, new flight numbers, changed or discontinued routes. I'm sure there are other reasons I'm missing.
Why do they do this? Airlines make these changes for a number of reasons, including switching aircraft (which may equate to faster flight times or different seat configurations), or removing a flight from the schedule. The majority of cases I have seen had very minor changes (for example flights leaving 5 minutes earlier or arriving 10 minutes later) with little to no effect on travel. Today is the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the largest land, sea and air invasion in history, when more than 160,000 allied troops landed on the heavily fortified beaches of Normandy. A significant and historical milestone, with much attention.
As it should have. As I watch the stories of all those involved, the history, the incredible heroes and heroic actions, I find myself yearning to walk these beaches, to pay tribute to those who fought so bravely for our freedoms. My parents were teenagers during this war, and I imagine families with a direct connection to D-Day feel the same, if not more strongly, as I do. 5/16/2019
7 Great Sites To Explore In DubrovnikI was first introduced to Dubrovnik when it was still part of Yugoslavia. I remember walking along the ancient city walls that overlook the Old Town and shimmering Adriatic Sea, fascinated by the canons that once protected the city from invasions from the sea.
Switzerland has been in my memory bank for a long time, having lived near Zurich for a brief time in the 60's (yes, I'm dating myself), and having visited numerous times while living in Germany. I truly believe that my early introduction to the Alps with my family is why I have such a deep love for mountains.
The Swiss of course are well known for their watches, cheese and chocolate, but the mountain scenery, in my opinion, is the deepest connection. The Matterhorn, Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau - all iconic sites, and worth seeing. A few years ago we went up Mount Titlis and Mount Pilatus. Also worthy. Just beautiful. With popularity come the crowds. The day we went up Mount Titlis was beautiful but took 4 hours waiting in line for the cable car to reach the top. The wonderful thing about Switzerland, though, is there is no shortage of mountain scenery, from a distance or up close. To enjoy an area less crowded is not difficult. An area we discovered oh so many years ago is Meiringen - Hasliberg, a perfect spot to explore and enjoy in all seasons, as we did. These pictures are in June, but it's also a fabulous winter resort - in fact its where I learned how to ski. 5/1/2019
New Zealand's Pacific Coast HighwayWhakatane 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. 4/24/2019
A Quieter Side Of JapanWhen I think of Japan, Tokyo is generally the first image that comes to mind. A fascinating place, modern yet traditional, always changing, always on the move.
However, it is the world's largest metropolis, with over 37 million residents (9 million in the city alone). It goes without saying this means lots of crowds. And just imagine trying to cross the street at major intersections! |
Laurie Marschall - Owner and Founder
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