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Lynn Fuller

Travel News for the Week of April 6

By Blog

Hi everyone,

If you are thinking about booking a tour with Collette, they are having a spring sale now until the end of April which gives customers 40% off economy air and 25% off premium air for travel now through December 31.  Collette Vacations is my go-to tour company.

Delta Air Lines announced its fleet wide  wi-fi has expanded to include flights to Europe, Israel, and West Africa starting early this month. These rollouts are in addition to the entire domestic fleet.  Flights to South America will add wifi this summer.

If you love new challenges, the Eiffel Tower has added a new attraction: a 40 meter-long suspension bridge 60 meters above ground.  The tower welcomed 6.3 million visitors last year and now tourists have the option to walk between the pillars-AP   I will be in Paris with a group  this year so we’ll see what that looks like.

2025-26  Tours and Sailings                                            

September 5-16, 2025  America’s National Parks. This is a repeat of one we’ve done before but it is one of my favorites.  We will experience  Salt Lake City, the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places. Call or email if interested.          Collette Vacations

September 26-October 8, 2025. Peaks of Europe: The Alps to The Dolomites featuring France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein.     Postcard-perfect vistas and storybook villages. Rolling hills and the crisp scent of fresh mountain air. There is nothing in this world quite like the Alps. You’re on your way to explore Europe’s iconic peaks and valleys on an invigorating journey through France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria and Italy. , 2025.   This trip is full but if  you would like to get on a wait list, please contact me.  Collette Vacations

April , 2026  Tulips and Windmills River Cruise  From the canals of Amsterdam to the belfry of Bruges, you’ll discover the best of the Netherlands and Belgium. Stroll through colorful acres of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens to get a sense of the Netherlands’ extraordinary connection to these blooms. Wander through the picture-perfect villages of Veere, Hoorn and Enkhuizen, and the enchanting outdoor Zuiderzee Museum and much more.  Deposit now.

 May 20, 2026.  Empires of the Mediterranean. 

Join us on this spectacular cruise with Viking Cruises.  This 10 day, 9 night cruise will cruise the Adriatic and Aegean taking in all the riches of this fabled region.  On an exploration bookended by Venice and Athens, discover the ancient ruins of Olympia, and the Acropolis. Explore the medieval warrens of Zadar, Dubrovnik, and Kotor. Delight in the beauty of Corfu and for the first time, Viking will take us to Koper for an in-depth exploration of picturesque Slovenia.   Deposit now.  Viking sells out early.

September, 2026.  Sicily and Southern Italy.  Not quite ready for booking. Call to be put on an interest list.

Fall, 2026.  Colors of New England. Not quite ready for booking. Call to be put on an interest list.

Fuller Travel Service is open 9:am-6pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday.

Travel News for the Week of March 30

By Blog

Hi Everyone,

We had a major technical issue last week and could not get the blog published.  I hope we are back on track.

The summer travel season is underway. If your plans include Alaska  you may want to check out Alaska Air’s promotion that provides Clear Plus Membership to its Mileage Plan members. Clear allows you to get through security very quickly.  It’s fairly easy to join Alaska Air’s Mileage Plan which will allow you to take advantage of Clear Plus. –Travel Weekly

Marriott is expanding its footprint in Costa Rica.  They will convert the Dreams Las Mareas Resort into a JW Marriott all-inclusive resort  The property is scheduled to begin the conversion in July and join the Marriott Convoy portfolio by next spring.-Travel Weekly

A new thermal vent spewing steam in the air at Yellowstone National Park is gaining attention  mostly because it is visible from the road. When Yellowstone’s roads open to car traffic in April, tourists will be able to view the new steam column from a pullout as long as the vent remains active.   It is located in an area just north of the Norris Geyser Basin.-CNN Travel

2025-26  Tours and Sailings

 

September 5-16, 2025  America’s National Parks. This is a repeat of one we’ve done before but it is one of my favorites.  We will experience  Salt Lake City, the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places.   I have 2 seats remaining.

September 26-October 8, 2025. Peaks of Europe: The Alps to The Dolomites featuring France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein.     Postcard-perfect vistas and storybook villages. Rolling hills and the crisp scent of fresh mountain air. There is nothing in this world quite like the Alps. You’re on your way to explore Europe’s iconic peaks and valleys on an invigorating journey through France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria and Italy. , 2025.   This trip is full. If you would like to get on a wait list, please contact me.

Coming: April , 2026  Tulips and Windmills River Cruise  From the canals of Amsterdam to the belfry of Bruges, you’ll discover the best of the Netherlands and Belgium. Stroll through colorful acres of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens to get a sense of the Netherlands’ extraordinary connection to these blooms. Wander through the picture-perfect villages of Veere, Hoorn and Enkhuizen, and the enchanting outdoor Zuiderzee Museum and much more.  Deposit now.

 May 20, 2026.  Empires of the Mediterranean. 

Join us on this spectacular cruise with Viking Cruises.  This 10 day, 9 night cruise will cruise the Adriatic and Aegean taking in all the riches of this fabled region.  On an exploration bookended by Venice and Athens, discover the ancient ruins of Olympia, and the Acropolis. Explore the medieval warrens of Zadar, Dubrovnik, and Kotor. Delight in the beauty of Corfu and for the first time, Viking will take us to Koper for an in-depth exploration of picturesque Slovenia.   Deposit now.  Call for vacancy info.

September, 2026.  Sicily and Southern Italy.  Not quite ready for booking. Call to be put on an interest list.

Fall, 2026.  Colors of New England. Not quite ready for booking. Call to be put on an interest list.

Fuller Travel Service is open 9:am-6pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday.

Travel News for the Week of March 16

By Uncategorized

Hi Everyone.

This week we learned that Southwest Airlines will begin charging for checked bags.   Southwest has offered limited free baggage for years. Let year they announced that free baggage was good for their market share.  This year, leadership is saying that free  bags do not give   competitive advantage.-Travel Weekly

If you have a family of 5 you know the difficulty of finding rooms or cruise spaces that will accommodate 5 people.  If you are searching for a 5 person room, Disney has a great rooms for 5 people on the Disney Treasure.-Travel Weekly.

If you are traveling to Europe this year, you can relax a little.  The European Union has delayed the implementation of its ETIAS to the end of 2026. The ETIAS is not a visa. it is a travel authorization for short term stays in the EU for citizens of visa-exempt countries, including the U.S.

On a personal note, we have been looking at different types of bookings for our business.   We book tours, cruises, groups, weddings,  and individual travel both in the US and other countries.   As of today,  we will no longer book weddings, or individual travel in the US.   We will continue to book group activities in the US and actually have increased our tours and cruises in the US.  We will, of course, continue to service the reservations we have but we had to free up some time so we chose the most labor intensive portions of our business to eliminate.

2025-26  Tours and Sailings

May 30-June 7, 2025 Columbia & Snake Rivers   Board your river cruise ship in Portland, Oregon and cruise to  Clarkston, Idaho on a 9 day, 8night  journey.  On your journey you will  visit Ft. Clapstop, Mt St. Helens,  Cross the “Bridge of the Gods” and admire Nulnomah Falls. You’ll end your cruise in Clarkston  to fly home from Lewiston, Idaho.- American Cruise Lines                                                  

September 5-16, 2025  America’s National Parks. This is a repeat of one we’ve done before but it is one of my favorites.  We will experience  Salt Lake City, the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places. Call or email if interested.          Collette Vacations

September 26-October 8, 2025. Peaks of Europe: The Alps to The Dolomites featuring France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein.     Postcard-perfect vistas and storybook villages. Rolling hills and the crisp scent of fresh mountain air. There is nothing in this world quite like the Alps. You’re on your way to explore Europe’s iconic peaks and valleys on an invigorating journey through France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria and Italy. , 2025.   This trip is full. If you would like to get on a wait list, please contact me.

Coming: April , 2026  Tulips and Windmills River Cruise  From the canals of Amsterdam to the belfry of Bruges, you’ll discover the best of the Netherlands and Belgium. Stroll through colorful acres of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens to get a sense of the Netherlands’ extraordinary connection to these blooms. Wander through the picture-perfect villages of Veere, Hoorn and Enkhuizen, and the enchanting outdoor Zuiderzee Museum and much more.  Deposit now.

 May 20, 2026.  Empires of the Mediterranean. 

Join us on this spectacular cruise with Viking Cruises.  This 10 day, 9 night cruise will cruise the Adriatic and Aegean taking in all the riches of this fabled region.  On an exploration bookended by Venice and Athens, discover the ancient ruins of Olympia, and the Acropolis. Explore the medieval warrens of Zadar, Dubrovnik, and Kotor. Delight in the beauty of Corfu and for the first time, Viking will take us to Koper for an in-depth exploration of picturesque Slovenia.   Deposit now.  Viking sells out early.

September, 2026.  Sicily and Southern Italy.  Not quite ready for booking. Call to be put on an interest list.

Fall, 2026.  Colors of New England. Not quite ready for booking. Call to be put on an interest list.

Fuller Travel Service is open 9:am-6pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday.

Travel News for the Week of March 9

By Blog

Hi Everyone,

The National Park Service set a record for visitation in 2024.  There were almost 331.9 million recreation vistas logged at all of its 433 units. That includes famous national parks like Yellowstone but also places such as parkways, battlefields, national seashores, memorials, and historic sites.

Here are the most visited National Parks for 2024:

  1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (12.19 million
  2. Zion National Park  (4.94 million )
  3. Grand Canyon National Park ((4.91Million)
  4. Yellowstone National Park (4.74 million)
  5. Rocky Mountain National Park (4.15 million)
  6. Yosemite National Park (4.12 million)
  7. Acadia National Park (3.96 million)
  8. Olympic National Park (3.71million)
  9. Grand Teton National Park (3.62 million)
  10. Glacier National Park (3.2 million). -adapted from CNN 

When you are getting ready to take a long flight you may want to consider including  compression socks when you pack  your carry on bag.   Blood clots are no joke and when you are sitting for long periods of time, the blood can become stagnant and blood clots can form. I am not a doctor but you may want to ask your doctor about these socks.

Before going on that European trip you’ve been looking forward to for a long time, make sure that you do your research to see if your destination requires an ETIAS. it is a visa-like form that you may need in addition to your passport.  Many countries in Europe will begin requiring them sometime this year.  London has already started.  It is very easy to Google  ETIAS and the documents  can be applied for online.

2025-26  Tours and Sailings

May 30-June 7, 2025 Columbia & Snake Rivers   Board your river cruise ship in Portland, Oregon and cruise to  Clarkston, Idaho on a 9 day, 8night  journey.  On your journey you will  visit Ft. Clapstop, Mt St. Helens,  Cross the “Bridge of the Gods” and admire Nulnomah Falls. You’ll end your cruise in Clarkston  to fly home from Lewiston, Idaho.- American Cruise Lines                                                  

September 5-16, 2025  America’s National Parks. This is a repeat of one we’ve done before but it is one of my favorites.  We will experience  Salt Lake City, the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places. Call or email if interested.          Collette Vacations

September 26-October 8, 2025. Peaks of Europe: The Alps to The Dolomites featuring France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein.     Postcard-perfect vistas and storybook villages. Rolling hills and the crisp scent of fresh mountain air. There is nothing in this world quite like the Alps. You’re on your way to explore Europe’s iconic peaks and valleys on an invigorating journey through France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria and Italy. , 2025.   This trip is full. If you would like to get on a wait list, please contact me.

Coming: April , 2026  Tulips and Windmills River Cruise  From the canals of Amsterdam to the belfry of Bruges, you’ll discover the best of the Netherlands and Belgium. Stroll through colorful acres of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens to get a sense of the Netherlands’ extraordinary connection to these blooms. Wander through the picture-perfect villages of Veere, Hoorn and Enkhuizen, and the enchanting outdoor Zuiderzee Museum and much more.  Deposit now.

 May 20, 2026.  Empires of the Mediterranean. 

Join us on this spectacular cruise with Viking Cruises.  This 10 day, 9 night cruise will cruise the Adriatic and Aegean taking in all the riches of this fabled region.  On an exploration bookended by Venice and Athens, discover the ancient ruins of Olympia, and the Acropolis. Explore the medieval warrens of Zadar, Dubrovnik, and Kotor. Delight in the beauty of Corfu and for the first time, Viking will take us to Koper for an in-depth exploration of picturesque Slovenia.   Deposit now.  Viking sells out early.

September, 2026.  Sicily and Southern Italy.  Not quite ready for booking. Call to be put on an interest list.

Fall, 2026.  Colors of New England. Not quite ready for booking. Call to be put on an interest list.

Fuller Travel Service is open 9:am-6pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday.

Travel News for the Week of Mar. 2

By Uncategorized

Hi Everyone,

Behaving-badly season seems to have started early in Rome this year, with three visitors from New Zealand getting into trouble.  The trio were stopped Sunday night as they started to wade into the  Trevi Fountain. As they were being escorted away from the area, one of the tourists, a 30-year-old man, broke  free of the police and jumped into the fountain as the authorities gave chase, a spokesperson for Rome’s Capital Police told CNN they were fined the equivalent of $520.-CNN 

If your travel plans include New York City, you may want to visit  New York’s Center for Jewish History.  They are showcasing  a  tour of a  full-scale recreation of the secret annex where Anne Frank hid from the Nazis  in Amsterdam during WWII.  The exhibit was set to end on April 30 but it has been extended until October 31.-CNN

America Airlines has announced that they will begin testing free wifi on a few of their routes to try to assess customer interest.   I’ve got to believe there will be a lot of customer interest.-Travel Weekly

If you are going to Amsterdam this year, keep in mind that they  will be celebrating an amazing milestone- its 750th anniversary!  There are numerous festivities planned from cultural showcases and  festivals to historical events.-Travel Pulse 

2025-26  Tours and Sailings

May 30-June 7, 2025 Columbia & Snake Rivers   Board your river cruise ship in Portland, Oregon and cruise to  Clarkston, Idaho on a 9 day, 8night  journey.  On your journey you will  visit Ft. Clapstop, Mt St. Helens,  Cross the “Bridge of the Gods” and admire Nulnomah Falls. You’ll end your cruise in Clarkston  to fly home from Lewiston Idaho.- American Cruise Lines                                                 4 spots available due to cancellations. If you are interested, call right away as our deadline is approaching!

September 5-16, 2025  America’s National Parks. This is a repeat of one we’ve done before but it is one of my favorites.  We will experience  Salt Lake City, the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places.   I have very  few seats remaining and if they are not filled by the first of the month, Collette will take back any unsold seats.  Email me for a brochure or to get more info.        Collette

September 26-October 8, 2025. Peaks of Europe: The Alps to The Dolomites featuring France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein.     Postcard-perfect vistas and storybook villages. Rolling hills and the crisp scent of fresh mountain air. There is nothing in this world quite like the Alps. You’re on your way to explore Europe’s iconic peaks and valleys on an invigorating journey through France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria and Italy. , 2025.   This trip is full. If you would like to get on a wait list, please contact me.

Coming: April , 2026  Tulips and Windmills River Cruise  From the canals of Amsterdam to the belfry of Bruges, you’ll discover the best of the Netherlands and Belgium. Stroll through colorful acres of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens to get a sense of the Netherlands’ extraordinary connection to these blooms. Wander through the picture-perfect villages of Veere, Hoorn and Enkhuizen, and the enchanting outdoor Zuiderzee Museum and much more.  Deposit now.

 May 20, 2026.  Empires of the Mediterranean. 

Join us on this spectacular cruise with Viking Cruises.  This 10 day, 9 night cruise will cruise the Adriatic and Aegean taking in all the riches of this fabled region.  On an exploration bookended by Venice and Athens, discover the ancient ruins of Olympia, and the Acropolis. Explore the medieval warrens of Zadar, Dubrovnik, and Kotor. Delight in the beauty of Corfu and for the first time, Viking will take us to Koper for an in-depth exploration of picturesque Slovenia.   Deposit now.  Viking sells out early.

September, 2026.  Sicily and Southern Italy.  Not quite ready for booking. Call to be put on an interest list.

Fall, 2026.  Colors of New England. Not quite ready for booking. Call to be put on an interest list.

Fuller Travel Service is open 9:am-6pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday.

Travel News for the Week of February 23

By Blog

Hi Everyone, Several large tour companies are predicting another big summer for travel to Europe.  The last couple of  years Europe has seen record numbers of tourists and it looks like this year won’t be any different.   Travel companies are noticing that, based on  travel already booked for the summer, many  travelers are gravitating to some of the more northern European countries hoping to avoid a bit of the heat that Europe has experienced  in the last few years.   Virtuoso said summer bookings to Scandinavia, Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden are up 263% year over year.-adapted from TravelWeekly.   

In an effort to combat the challenges of overtourism, the Italian city of Florence has issued a mandate requiring removal of self check-in boxes from vacation rental properties by February 25. These boxes allowed guests to check in independently but has drawn criticism for aesthetic and security concerns.-Travel Pulse

With two major US airlines planning to resume service to Israel this spring, tour operators are beginning to arrange their return to the country. United and Delta are planning to resume flights to TelAviv from the New York area in the coming weeks.            -TravelWeekly

 

 

 

2025-26  Tours and Sailings

May 30-June 7, 2025 Columbia & Snake Rivers   Board your river cruise ship in Portland, Oregon and cruise to  Clarkston, Idaho on a 9 day, 8night  journey.  On your journey you will  visit Ft. Clapstop, Mt St. Helens,  Cross the “Bridge of the Gods” and admire Nulnomah Falls. You’ll end your cruise in Clarkston  to fly home from Lewiston Idaho.- American Cruise Lines                                                 4 spots available due to cancellations. If you are interested, call right away as our deadline is approaching!

September 5-16, 2025  America’s National Parks. This is a repeat of one we’ve done before but it is one of my favorites.  We will experience  Salt Lake City, the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places.   I have very  few seats remaining and if they are not filled by the first of the month, Collette will take back any unsold seats.  Email me for a brochure or to get more info.        Collette

September 26-October 8, 2025. Peaks of Europe: The Alps to The Dolomites featuring France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein.     Postcard-perfect vistas and storybook villages. Rolling hills and the crisp scent of fresh mountain air. There is nothing in this world quite like the Alps. You’re on your way to explore Europe’s iconic peaks and valleys on an invigorating journey through France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria and Italy. , 2025.   This trip is full. If you would like to get on a wait list, please contact me.

Coming: April , 2026  Tulips and Windmills River Cruise  From the canals of Amsterdam to the belfry of Bruges, you’ll discover the best of the Netherlands and Belgium. Stroll through colorful acres of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens to get a sense of the Netherlands’ extraordinary connection to these blooms. Wander through the picture-perfect villages of Veere, Hoorn and Enkhuizen, and the enchanting outdoor Zuiderzee Museum and much more.  Deposit now.

 May 20, 2026.  Empires of the Mediterranean. 

Join us on this spectacular cruise with Viking Cruises.  This 10 day, 9 night cruise will cruise the Adriatic and Aegean taking in all the riches of this fabled region.  On an exploration bookended by Venice and Athens, discover the ancient ruins of Olympia, and the Acropolis. Explore the medieval warrens of Zadar, Dubrovnik, and Kotor. Delight in the beauty of Corfu and for the first time, Viking will take us to Koper for an in-depth exploration of picturesque Slovenia.   Deposit now.  Viking sells out early.

September, 2026.  Sicily and Southern Italy.  Not quite ready for booking. Call to be put on an interest list.

Fall, 2026.  Colors of New England. Not quite ready for booking. Call to be put on an interest list.

Fuller Travel Service is open 9:am-6pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday.

Travel News for the Week of February 16

By Blog, Travel Tips

Hi Everyone,

You may remember that last year the city of Venice, Italy introduced an entrance fee for day visitors.  The entrance fee was successful and this year the fee will double from last year’s 5 euro to 10 euros.  The fee was applied last year on specific dates.  The number of dates will also double for this year. These fees will apply on specific dates with 53 dates this year, almost twice as many dates as 2024. The dates will be from April 18-May 4 and then continue every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from May through the end of July. As before, the fee will be due for visitors without an overnight reservation and will be due for visiting from 8:30am-4pm.  The 10 euro fee will be halved for those booking four or more days in advance.-CNN Travel

Tampa International Airport recently announced that its new $1.5 billion Terminal D will be anchored by Delta Air Lines, which will have access to at least six gates, and also operate a new airline lounge in the space.-Travel and Leisure

Have you checked your passport lately?  Although it is important to know when your passport expires, please also check the number of blank pages in your passport book. Many countries require a certain number of blank pages.  Different countries have different rules. Some require 4 blank pages, some only 2, and others don’t have a requirement.  If you don’t have the required number of blank pages for the country you want to visit you may be denied entry, you could be fined, or you could just be given a warning.  Every border control officer has the right to decide what should happen.HuffPost

2025-26  Tours and Sailings

May 30-June 7, 2025 Columbia & Snake Rivers   Board your river cruise ship in Portland, Oregon and cruise to  Clarkston, Idaho on a 9 day, 8night  journey.  On your journey you will  visit Ft. Clapstop, Mt St. Helens,  Cross the “Bridge of the Gods” and admire Nulnomah Falls. You’ll end your cruise in Clarkston to fly home from Lewiston Idaho.- American Cruise Lines                                                 Call for Availability

September 5-16, 2025  America’s National Parks. This is a repeat of one we’ve done before but it is one of my favorites.  We will experience  Salt Lake City, the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places.   I have very  few seats remaining and if they are not filled by the first of the month, Collette will take back any unsold seats.  Email me for a brochure or to get more info.        Collette

September 26-October 8, 2025. Peaks of Europe: The Alps to The Dolomites featuring France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein.     Postcard-perfect vistas and storybook villages. Rolling hills and the crisp scent of fresh mountain air. There is nothing in this world quite like the Alps. You’re on your way to explore Europe’s iconic peaks and valleys on an invigorating journey through France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria and Italy. , 2025.   This trip is full. If you would like to get on a wait list, please contact me.

Coming: April , 2026  Tulips and Windmills River Cruise  From the canals of Amsterdam to the belfry of Bruges, you’ll discover the best of the Netherlands and Belgium. Stroll through colorful acres of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens to get a sense of the Netherlands’ extraordinary connection to these blooms. Wander through the picture-perfect villages of Veere, Hoorn and Enkhuizen, and the enchanting outdoor Zuiderzee Museum and much more.  Deposit now.

 May 20, 2026.  Empires of the Mediterranean. 

Join us on this spectacular cruise with Viking Cruises.  This 10 day, 9 night cruise will cruise the Adriatic and Aegean taking in all the riches of this fabled region.  On an exploration bookended by Venice and Athens, discover the ancient ruins of Olympia, and the Acropolis. Explore the medieval warrens of Zadar, Dubrovnik, and Kotor. Delight in the beauty of Corfu and for the first time, Viking will take us to Koper for an in-depth exploration of picturesque Slovenia.   Deposit now.  Viking sells out early.

September, 2026.  Sicily and Southern Italy.  Not quite ready for booking. Call to be put on an interest list.

Fall, 2026.  Colors of New England. Not quite ready for booking. Call to be put on an interest list.

Fuller Travel Service is open 9:am-6pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday.

Travel News for the Week of February 9

By Blog

Hi Everyone,

In last week’s blog  I mentioned that we will most likely all have to deal with ETIAS and ETA Applications in order to travel to Europe.  One of my very astute readers told me that even though people under 18 or over 70 may be exempt, they will still need to go through the application process.  Thank you, my friend.

Have you ever wondered if your passport number actually signifies anything, like where you live or your age? the answer is no. In the United States, passport numbers are not assigned based on any particular markers.  Passport application locator numbers  are different. The numbers assigned to you when you apply for or renew a passport can be used for checking the status of your application.  American passports were previously nine digits, but since the State Department began issuing the Next Generation Passport in 2021, passport numbers are alphanumeric codes that begin with a single letter followed by  8 numbers. Every individual passport book has a unique number so if you’re renewing your passport, your new book will have a different number than your old one.-Travel and Leisure, 8/2024.

Delta. Air lines is limiting access to its airport lounges, and putting new restrictions in place this month for travelers who use a credit card membership to access the lounges.  The new rules went into effect on February 1 and and limit the number of times travelers can enter a lounge depending on the type of credit card they have. The changes are an extension of Delta’s loyalty program overhaul and an effort to address crowding at Sky Club lounges.

Just an FYI: The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) was ranked highest overall amongst “mega” airports for the second year in a row. The airport provides air travel for 36.7 million travelers per year and operates over 1,000 daily flights. (J.D. Power defines a mega airport as one with 33 million or more passengers annually.)

Have a great week!

Lynn

2025-26  Tours and Sailings

May 30-June 7, 2025 Columbia & Snake Rivers   Board your river cruise ship in Portland, Oregon and cruise to  Clarkston, Idaho on a 9 day, 8night  journey.  On your journey you will  visit Ft. Clapstop, Mt St. Helens,  Cross the “Bridge of the Gods” and admire Nulnomah Falls. You’ll end your cruise in Clarkston to fly home from Lewiston Idaho.- American Cruise Lines                                                 Call for Availability

September 5-16, 2025  America’s National Parks. This is a repeat of one we’ve done before but it is one of my favorites.  We will experience  Salt Lake City, the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places.   I have very  few seats remaining and if they are not filled by the first of the month, Collette will take back any unsold seats.  Email me for a brochure or to get more info.        Collette

September26-October 8, 2025. Peaks of Europe: The Alps to The Dolomites featuring France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein.     Postcard-perfect vistas and storybook villages. Rolling hills and the crisp scent of fresh mountain air. There is nothing in this world quite like the Alps. You’re on your way to explore Europe’s iconic peaks and valleys on an invigorating journey through France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria and Italy. , 2025.   This trip is full. If you would like to get on a wait list, please contact me.

Coming: April , 2026  Tulips and Windmills River Cruise  From the canals of Amsterdam to the belfry of Bruges, you’ll discover the best of the Netherlands and Belgium. Stroll through colorful acres of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens to get a sense of the Netherlands’ extraordinary connection to these blooms. Wander through the picture-perfect villages of Veere, Hoorn and Enkhuizen, and the enchanting outdoor Zuiderzee Museum and much more.  Deposit now.

 May 20, 2026.  Empires of the Mediterranean. 

Join us on this spectacular cruise with Viking Cruises.  This 10 day, 9 night cruise will cruise the Adriatic and Aegean taking in all the riches of this fabled region.  On an exploration bookended by Venice and Athens, discover the ancient ruins of Olympia, and the Acropolis. Explore the medieval warrens of Zadar, Dubrovnik, and Kotor. Delight in the beauty of Corfu and for the first time, Viking will take us to Koper for an in-depth exploration of picturesque Slovenia.   Deposit now.  Viking sells out early.

September, 2026.  Sicily and Southern Italy.  Not quite ready for booking. Call to be put on an interest list.

Fall, 2026.  Colors of New England. Not quite ready for booking. Call to be put on an interest list.

Fuller Travel Service is open 9:am-6pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday.

Travel News for Week of February 2, 2025

By Blog

Hi Everyone,

Passport processing times have once again returned to normal, pre-pandemic levels. Passports are now being processed within six to eight weeks for routine service and two to three weeks for expedited service according to the U.S. Department of State.  .-Travel and Leisure.

ETA fees are becoming very common for travelers.  The UK has implemented their entrance fee program, with mainland Europe soon to follow.  When the UK originally implemented a fee to travel or transit through the UK, anyone wanting to visit or merely transit through had to pay the fee. The UK has just announced that if you are just transiting through you will not need to pay the fee.

Although the start date is a bit iffy, US citizens will need to apply for an ETIAS when traveling to Europe this year, as it is a new travel authorization required for visa-exempt visitors to the European Union, including Americans.  For more information, go to ETIAS.com.   you will want to apply for an ETIAS at least 96 hours (four days) before travel.  Most ETIAS applications are handled almost immediately, but better to be safe.  It looks like people under 18 or over 70 may be exempt.  Stay tuned.

Celebrity Cruises, a division of Royal Caribbean is going to expand into river cruising.  Ten river cruises have been placed on order.  Sometimes don’t you  wish companies would stay in their own lane?  The ships are supposed to be ready by 2027
Planning a trip to Maui soon?  At the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa visitors can walk across the rooftop to a little corner set up with three large telescopes.  It’s the location of the resort’s Tour of the Stars astronomy program.  Guests and nonguests can book this tour through the resort’s concierge.
Have a great week!
Lynn
2025-26  Tours and Sailings

May 30-June 7, 2025 Columbia & Snake Rivers   Board your river cruise ship in Portland, Oregon and cruise to  Clarkston, Idaho on a 9 day, 8night  journey.  On your journey you will  visit Ft. Clapstop, Mt St. Helens,  Cross the “Bridge of the Gods” and admire Nulnomah Falls. You’ll end your cruise in Clarkston to fly home from Lewiston Idaho.- American Cruise Lines  Call for Availability

September 5-16, 2025  America’s National Parks. This is a repeat of one we’ve done before but it is one of my favorites.  We will experience  Salt Lake City, the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places.  Ready for I have a few seats remaining. Email me for a brochure.   Collette

September26-October 8, 2025. Peaks of Europe: The Alps to The Dolomites featuring France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein.     Postcard-perfect vistas and storybook villages. Rolling hills and the crisp scent of fresh mountain air. There is nothing in this world quite like the Alps. You’re on your way to explore Europe’s iconic peaks and valleys on an invigorating journey through France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria and Italy. , 2025.   This trip is full. If you would like to get on a wait list, please contact me.

Coming: April , 2026  Tulips and Windmills River Cruise  From the canals of Amsterdam to the belfry of Bruges, you’ll discover the best of the Netherlands and Belgium. Stroll through colorful acres of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens to get a sense of the Netherlands’ extraordinary connection to these blooms. Wander through the picture-perfect villages of Veere, Hoorn and Enkhuizen, and the enchanting outdoor Zuiderzee Museum and much more.  Deposit now.

 May 20, 2026.  Empires of the Mediterranean. 

Join us on this spectacular cruise with Viking Cruises.  This 10 day, 9 night cruise will cruise the Adriatic and Aegean taking in all the riches of this fabled region.  On an exploration bookended by Venice and Athens, discover the ancient ruins of Olympia, and the Acropolis. Explore the medieval warrens of Zadar, Dubrovnik, and Kotor. Delight in the beauty of Corfu and for the first time, Viking will take us to Koper for an in-depth exploration of picturesque Slovenia.   Deposit now.  Viking sells out early.

September, 2026.  Sicily and Southern Italy.  Bookings will open soon!

Fuller Travel Service is open 9:am-6pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday.