Well, here we are, Spring is right around the corner or at least it should be in my neck of the woods. I do hear birds chirping in the early morning and some Spring bulbs trying their hardest to show us their colors but the temps remain a bit cold for me here in Chicagoland.
Soaking up the afternoon sun sure is calling my name lately. Is a warm vacation on your mind, too? Perhaps sunny Seville or the rivers in Portugal?
Destinations like Spain and Portugal are some of the sunniest and warmest spots to visit during our cold winter months. That's why I'm headed soon to this year's Spain Tourism Summit to learn more about Spain as a destination and all it has to offer my clients. I'll be in Mallorca on April 17-21 with a pre-tour in Andalusia. Did I mention I'll check out stays in Seville and Malaga?
I'll have plenty to share! Follow my adventures via social:
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Wendy Boverini
Travel With Wendy B LLC
Owner and Travel Advisor
Affiliated with Travel Concepts, Inc.
312-213-6863
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WHERE'S WENDY
Backpacking meets luxury travel
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I did get a taste of Spring on my most recent European travels:
Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany, to be specific, and the flowering trees were blooming, spring flowers were showing their colors and the temps were amazing....no coats needed during the day, at times.
(left) Sunset in Bratislava, Slovakia
I was there attending the ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors) River Cruise Expo where travel advisors flew from around the world into Budapest to do site visits on the river cruise ships docked on the Danube. We took incredible tours and explored the city. I could talk about it for hours!
Touring the river cruise ships made me all the more excited to announce that the deadline for the AmaWaterways AmaDouro river cruise promotion has been extended until June 30, 2023. Hotel space is capacity controlled and once the hotel is at capacity, the promotion can be removed. So, don't hesitate to join the group!
Contact me to secure your complimentary 3-night land package in Portugal!
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River cruising is backpacking meets luxury travel...and you only unpack once! It's an incredibly unique way to explore Europe.
You often times get to visit multiple countries with closer access to the ports and take tours for every interest and activity level you can think of (most tours are typically included in the pricing, too). Not to mention the service on the ship is amazing with mouthwatering cuisine.
Unlike ocean cruising, the benefit to river cruise ships is that a small ship means less people. You have breathtaking views of the river banks throughout the trip and no days out at sea. It's a very laid back vibe and you can be as involved or relaxed as you want to be during your sailing. It's also a great experience for solo travelers!
Upon arrival at the Expo, I unpacked my bags on the Avalon Waterways' Envision. Then I sailed the Upper Danube with Avalon Waterways post expo. The only time I unpacked was when I embarked on the ship! My 11-day stay was an opportunity to network with the river cruise line executives, European hoteliers and tour operator partners, reconnect with many travel advisor friends and make some new friends. Each represented river cruise line let us inspect and dine in their stunning ships and meet their crew. I'm well versed on the differences between each line and ship should you have any questions.
I even won a free river cruise at one of the group events!
River cruising isn't just about Europe, though. If you have been there, done that, you can sail in Vietnam/Cambodia, Egypt, Africa and Columbia in South America. There are also special ships that sail through Europe for the Christmas Markets and there are wine-themed cruises for the wine lovers out there.
*Important fact to consider, it's not for elderly people. The demographic starts around 55+.
I love river cruising and I think you will too. If I've piqued your interest, click the link below to book your adventure today!
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Along the Danube-Wachau Valley |
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St. Peter's Cemetary in Salzburg was Inspiration for a scene in the Sound of Music |
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DREAM BOAT #1
AmaWaterways AmaDouro Group River Cruise
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Duoro River
With the deadline extension, I wanted to provide a bit more info on this incredible promo.
It is a group cruise during the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday on the AmaDouro through Portugal and Spain. We will have lots to be thankful for!
Book before June 30, 2023 and receive a complimentary 3 night pre-cruise land package in Lisbon (pictured below) compliments of AmaWaterways! A value of $900 per person, double occupancy.
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Lisbon, Capitol of Portugal
Travel Info:
Complimentary Pre-Cruise in Lisbon: November 22, 2023
Embarkation Date in Porto: November 25, 2023

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Porto, Portugal
Rest and relax post-flight with a few extra days to explore Portugal before embarking on your river cruise.
Don't Miss Out on 3 Free Nights!
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DREAM BOAT #2
French Polynesia Group Cruise
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Sail on Oceania Cruises Nautica through French Polynesia. Nautica is one of Oceania's smaller ships. Like river cruising, it will be a much more intimate sailing experience through the islands.
As part of my group, you will receive prepaid gratuities which can be a savings of up to $230 per guest.
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Travel Info:
Embarkation Date in Papeete: January 30, 2024
Disembarkation Date in Papeete: February 9, 2024
Join me on an unforgettable journey to experience the beauty and serenity of nature while indulging in luxury accommodations, exquisite dining, and endless entertainment.
Save money, plan ahead and your future self will thank you!
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MY TRAVEL "SPRING CLEANING" LIST
Prepare for your upcoming dream trip
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Is it time for a deep clean? Just like decluttering your home, going through your travel staples can save you time, money and stress preparing for upcoming trips.
The quickest way to ruin a vacation is an expired passport. Here's my quick list of items to double check:
1. Locate, Apply or Renew Your Passport
Have you gone through a recent move? When was the last time you used your passport?
Locate your passport and check the expiry date. Application and renewal times are taking even longer than initially reported in February. If you are thinking of traveling this fall and beyond, you need to apply or renew asap!
Read more on the updated processing times to apply and renew.
2. Do this Global Entry Hack
Appointments for Global Entry are so hard to get, here's how to finalize the process without making an appointment.
As you know, I am a big proponent of Global Entry, especially if you travel internationally. The fact that you can avoid the long lines to go through U.S. customs upon return back to the U.S., makes having Global Entry well worth it. It definitely is money well spent when you breeze through the Global Entry line upon arrival in the international terminal at your home airport.
This article will help you maneuver the process from start to finish.
3. Declutter, Restock and Organize Your Necessities
Do you need to go through your travel toiletries or review insurance docs? These are all things you can do ahead of time while you're in spring cleaning mode to make your life easier later on. Check out my list of necessities below.
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Our family just returned from a 2 week vacation and partial work trip to Spain, and we could have have been more thrilled with the results from working with Wendy B! Through her professionalism and expertise, Wendy guided us with creating our itinerary including Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona. We discovered so many amazing sites and adventures in 2 day trips she helped us plan. Wendy was also available during our trip with rapid response to our questions and need for support. I have already recommended Wendy's services to several friends and family!
SUZE S.
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Phone: 312-213-6863
Email: wendy@travelwithwendyb.com
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