Greetings!
The lazy, hazy days of Summer Travel
By the time you read this, we will be escorting a group to Spain, France, and Italy, ending our journey in Como. We have explored Italy many times, yet we are amazed at the many places there we haven’t seen. For example, we have never been to the island of Elba. It is Italy’s third-largest island and is part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park.
Elba boasts Gin-clear waters, white-sand beaches, and postcard-perfect villages. It is also packed with history, perhaps most famous for being the site of Napolean’s first exile. Elba is also the site of fabulous thermal baths which can be found in the thermal basin on the Portoferraio Gulf. For the adventurous, try a hike up Mount Capanne or simply lounge on any of the gorgeous beaches, with Biodola being a standout option as it is sheltered from the southern winds. Elba is perfect for snorkeling; its clear waters make viewing various species fantastic. Does Elba pique your travel curiosity? Call us!
Holland America has launched “National Geographic Day Tours, offering guests more immersive experiences on Mediterranean cruises. It allows guests to experience a day in the life of a marine biologist in Naples or to meet local families in Santorini. Other tours include “Influential Women in Turkey” in Kusadasi and “The Fascinating World of Bees” in Rhodes. Each tour is led by a National Geographic-trained guide.
As the travel rebound is now burgeoning, various countries and entities are capitalizing on the tourist, hoping to recoup their losses from the pandemic. The Bahamas is proposing hiking cruise taxes in a bid to triple the revenue it receives from the cruise industry. Under a current bill, the current $18 per passenger departure tax would increase to $23 or to $25 for vessels leaving a private island and not visiting another port in the country. If enacted, the fees would increase on January 1, 2024. In Europe, a frequently postponed Visa-type document called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is expected to roll out sometime in the future. ETIAS is a traveler monitoring system to better track visitors to the EU and Schengen Countries. The application will cost a modest $7.00, with a target launch sometime in 2024. We will advise our clients when or if they will need this visa.
This month, we feature two spectacular travel adventures. First, for those who love the Med and history, we announce a Silversea voyage beginning in Istanbul and ending in Greece. This September 2023 voyage is almost sold out, so contact us quickly if you would like to be included. Second, for those adventurers among you, we offer a second Silversea cruise, this one to Antarctica, in February 2024. This is considered an expedition cruise, as guests will be offered multiple opportunities to set foot on the continent and explore it. See details on both adventures in this newsletter.
So, Where in the World Do You Want to Go?
Betty & Frank Villani
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7-Day Mediterranean Cruise
Istanbul to Athens
September 3 - 10, 2023
Silversea Silver Spirit
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Marvel at these stunning Mediterranean ports in Turkey and Greece aboard the luxurious Silversea Silver Spirit: Istanbul, Thessaloniki, Volos, Mykonos, Heraklion, Patmos, and Athens!
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12 Day Denali Explorer Cruisetour
Sapphire Princess
September 6 - 18, 2023
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Cruise first (7 days), followed by land (5 days)
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9 Nights - Greek Isles Cruise
Roundtrip from Rome
Odyssey of the Seas
September 15 - 24, 2023
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Visiting these stunning ports:
Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Naples / Capri, Italy
Santorini, Greece
Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey
Mykonos, Greece
Athens (Piraeus), Greece
Chania (Souda), Crete
Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
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Pharaohs & Pyramids
Nile River Cruise
Roundtrip - Cairo
September 25 - October 6, 2023
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Uncover the secrets of Egypt and see the pyramids, explore the Temple of Karnak's 136 soaring pillars, Visit Queen Nefertari's tomb in the Valley of the Kings. All with expert Egyptologists on this amazing cruisetour aboard a magnificent Viking ship. |
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Other dates are available for this wonderful cruisetour, but they sell out quickly. Contact us today to book yours!
Click on the video below for some highlights.
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Danube River Cruise
October 9, 2023
Vilshofen, Germany to Budapest, Hungary
with optional extension to Prague
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Sail the beautiful Danube River with Avalon Waterways and experience breathtaking views. Travel from Vilshofen to Linz-Mauthausen, the scenic Wachau Valley, superb Vienna, on to Budapest. Add an optional extension and see the wonders of Prague. |
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11 Day Cruise
Asia: Osaka, Okinawa & Shimizu
Norwegian Jewel
Tokyo to Taipei
October 11 - 30, 2023
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11 PORTS OF CALL
- Tokyo,Japan
- Mount Fuji (Shimizu),Japan
- Kyoto (Osaka),Japan
- Hiroshima,Japan
- Miyazaki (Aburatsu),Japan
- Nagasaki,Japan
- Naze (Oshima Island),Japan
- Naha,Okinawa
- Miyakojima (Okinawa),Japan
- Hualien,Taiwan
- Taipei (Keelung),Taiwan
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Join Us!
7 Day Mexican Riviera Cruise
Navigator of the Seas
Roundtrip: Los Angeles
November 20 - 27, 2023
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Please Join Us! for this amazing Thanksgiving cruise!
3 Ports of Call:
Cabo San Lucas
Mazatlán
Puerto Vallarta
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Northern Lights Adventure
December 10 - 15, 2023
Rimrock Resort Hotel
Banff, Alberta, Canada
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See the spectacular Northern Lights while staying at the incredible AAA Four-diamond Rimrock Resort in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Let us arrange air from any destination and fulfill your dreams of experiencing this amazing sight. |
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8 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise
Wonder of the Seas
Round-trip Orlando
December 30, 2023 -
January 7, 2024
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VISITING: Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida
Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis
Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida
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Join Us!
8 Night Cruise
Eastern Caribbean Antilles
Valiant Lady
Roundtrip - Miami
January 13 - 21, 2024
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Join Us! on our first ever Virgin Voyages cruise from Miami to Puerta Plata, San Juan, St Croix, and the Beach Club at Bimini!
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Antarctica Adventure
10 Days - 5 Ports
Round trip:
Puerto Williams, Chile
Silversea - Silver Wind
February 12 - 22, 2024
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With an erudite team of experts on hand to take you through the fascinating history and wildlife of Antarctica, this is a voyage that is both educational and inspirational. See the astonishing glaciers and icebergs firsthand by kayak and Zodiac and enjoy close encounters of the penguin kind! Visit abandoned whaling stations and imbibe all the experiences possible – nothing will seem the same again. |
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10 Night Cruise
New Zealand / Australia
Celebrity Edge
Auckland to Sydney
February 15 - 25, 2024
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8 Stunning Ports
New Zealand:
Auckland
Tauranga
Napier
Picton
Christchurch
Dunedin
Dusky Sound - Cruising
Doubtful Sound - Cruising
Milford Sound - Cruising
Australia:
Eden
Sydney
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11 Night Australia Cruise
Celebrity Edge
Roundtrip: Sydney
February 25 - March 7, 2024
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Make this a back-to-back cruise with the above cruise from New Zealand, or take one of these cruises!
5 Amazing ports:
Sydney
Airlie Beach
Cairns
Port Douglas
Willis Island - Cruising
Brisbane
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Join Us!
Uniworld River Cruise
Burgundy & Provence, France
May 19 - 26, 2024
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Join Us! as we follow in the footsteps of Van Gogh, Cezanne and Gauguin on an exquisite journey of southern France. Cruise the Rhone and Saone rivers from Lyon to Arles, visiting Avignon, Viviers, Tournon and Macon with an extension to Paris.
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Join Us!
West Coast to East Coast
Rocky Mountaineer
Vancouver to Jasper
September 26 - October 5, 2024
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Enjoy this 10-day Rocky Mountaineer journey featuring 3 days on the train with Gold Leaf Service, beginning in Vancouver, going to Whistler, Quensnel, and ending in Jasper. The land portion includes a day in Jasper. a visit to the Abathasca Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk, 2 days in Banff at the luxurious Rimrock Hotel, a ride on the Banff Gondola (weather permitting), then on to Calgary.
Continue to the cruise below to complete your West Coast - East Coast adventure!
See the video below for Rocky Mountaineer highlights.
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Join Us!
Turning Leaves
October 7 - 17, 2024
Boston to Quebec
Emerald Princess
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Experience the beauty of fall and visit these stunning ports:
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