Yet another city, Barcelona, is proposing a plan that will eliminate short term rentals in their city. The short term rental market has increased by nearly 70% in the last 10 years and the cost of buying a home has risen 40%, pricing out many Barcelona residents. I hope a workaround can be found because Barcelona is a treasure.-Travel Pulse
Last week I mentioned that there are opportunities to renew your passports online. If you live in the Lansing/Delta Township area, they have posted dates for their upcoming passport drives. The drives help those of you who cannot get to the Township office during regular working hours. You will be able to get assistance applying for your passport but must call in advance for an appointment. Upcoming dates are.
Wednesday, July 10th – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday, August 15th– 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Monday, September 9th – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, October 8th– 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, November 20th – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday, December 19th – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
I am often asked how early I think people should arrive at the airport. The rule of thumb is two and a half hours for domestic and three hours for international. Those numbers can be affected by how much baggage you have, or if you have TSAPrecheck or Clear. It can also be affected by the time of year. When you are trying to travel during the holidays, all bets are off. Better to be safe than sorry.
According to AAA, over 1.7 million Michigan residents are expected to take a trip of 50 miles or more between June 30 and July 4, surpassing last year’s holiday travel record by 76,000. Stay safe out there.
Upcoming Tours and Cruises
January 19-31,2025 Grand Hawaiian Adventure Get out of the cold and join us for this magnificent tour of Oahu, Kona (Big Island), Maui, and Kauai. This trip is a leisurely tour of four of Hawaii’s magnificent islands. We understand that you don’t want to spend all day on tour buses when you go to Hawaii so this tour has an easy pace with free time built in for a some beach time or individual exploration.My deadline for booking will close in just a few weeks.https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1250841 Collette
May 3-11, 2025 Paris and Normandy River Cruise. This cruise will begin and end in Paris. Cruise from Paris through Normandy’s countryside, uncovering its many charms: Chateau de La Roche-Guyon, the medieval capital of Rouen, Monet’s beloved home in Giverny and the famed Normandy beaches. Experience a different side of Northern France’s history with a tour of the majestic palace of Versailles, once home to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Uniworld River Cruise. Ready to deposit. A few spots remain.
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 tour the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places. Ready for deposit now.
September 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. We d0 not have a definite date yet but have asked for the second or third week of September. This trip will be limited to 24 participants. We should have more info in the next couple of weeks.
The following trips are not quite ready for deposit but if you are interested in either of these, just shoot me an email and I’ll put you on the interest list. No obligation but I’ll be able to let you know asap when it is time for deposits.
Coming: April , 2026 Tulips and Windmills River Cruise Not quite ready for deposits
Coming September, 2026. Sicily and Southern Italy. Not ready for deposits
Fuller Travel Service hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:00am-6pm, Closed on Sunday.
Online passport renewal is back, but only for a limited time and and limited number of applicants. If you need to renew your passport, the State Department has opened the online portal for renewals but will only accept a limited number of daily applicants. The program is scheduled to run for several months. It will open every day at midday and accept a limited number of applications. Make sure you are not planning to travel for 8 weeks when you apply as it still takes several weeks to receive a new passport. you can go totravel.state.gov/…e-passport/renew-online for more info.
If you have the National Parks on your wish list, you may be interested in the fact that Apple Maps is actually mapping the National Parks that will make spending time in the National Parks easier. Apple is also adding place cards that tell you trail length, difficulty, and elevation variations. The App should be released this fall.-Travel and Leisure
I am frequently asked if passports are needed for a cruise. Technically, if the cruise is a closed loop cruise (coming and going from the same US port), you do not need a passport. However, if there is a problem with either the ship itself and it has to divert to a foreign port to disembark, or if you should become ill outside of the US and need to be flown home, you will need that passport. Even on cruises where passports are not required, you will still need proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate and a government -issued photo ID.
2024-25 Tours and Cruises
August 10-17, 2024 Iceland’s Natural Beauty. Discover Iceland’s majestic shores as you explore this northern isle’s coastal towns. Encounter unparalleled natural beauty and witness cascading waterfalls amid pristine fjord landscapes. Discover Viking heritage as you follow in the footsteps of intrepid explorer Leif Eriksson. Or observe the wealth of wildlife, from puffins to the gentle giants of the sea. Join us for a truly immersive experience that brings you closer to nature and all her splendor.-Viking Ocean
January 19-31,2025 Grand Hawaiian Adventure Get out of the cold and join us for this magnificent tour of Oahu, Kona (Big Island), Maui, and Kauai. This trip is a leisurely tour of four of Hawaii’s magnificent islands. We understand that you don’t want to spend all day on tour buses when you go to Hawaii so this tour has an easy pace with free time built in for a some beach time or individual exploration.My deadline for booking will close in just a few weeks. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1250841 Collette
May 3-11, 2025 Paris and Normandy River Cruise. This cruise will begin and end in Paris. Cruise from Paris through Normandy’s countryside, uncovering its many charms: Chateau de La Roche-Guyon, the medieval capital of Rouen, Monet’s beloved home in Giverny and the famed Normandy beaches. Experience a different side of Northern France’s history with a tour of the majestic palace of Versailles, once home to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Uniworld River Cruise
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 tour the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places. Ready for deposit now.
September 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. We d0 not have a definite date yet but have asked for the second or third week of September. This trip will be limited to 24 participants.
The city of Juneau in Alaska just announced that they will be implementing restrictions on the numbers of cruise ship passengers that can disembark in their city. The requirement will not go into effort until 2026 bur Juneau is trying to strike a balance between hosting people in their city and the effect that thousands of people have on the quality of life of its residents. Cruisers will still be welcome but with restrictions.
I frequently get asked how much time must remain on a passport for it to be valid for travel. I usually tell people 6 months as that is the safe thing to have, but each country has a different timetable for passport validity. Some may only require three months while others require 6 months or more. It is really important that travelers understand the rules for their destination country. and also the fact that there may be more requirements than just the passport. You may also need a visa or an electronic entry ticket. For instance, the Dominican Republic requires an entrance e-ticket. It doesn’t cost anything but you must go online to apply for it before travel.
Brightline West broke ground this week on a high-speed rail that will connect Vegas and Southern California. It is expected to open in 4 years. The train will span 218 miles. The train will be fully electric and capable of reaching speeds up to 200 miles per hour. Brightline already has trains in Florida so good to see they are expanding to another area of our country. The high speed train I rode last month in Italy reminds me that have a long way to go to provide good, fast rail travel in this country.
2024-25 Tours and Cruises
August 10-17, 2024 Iceland’s Natural Beauty. Discover Iceland’s majestic shores as you explore this northern isle’s coastal towns. Encounter unparalleled natural beauty and witness cascading waterfalls amid pristine fjord landscapes. Discover Viking heritage as you follow in the footsteps of intrepid explorer Leif Eriksson. Or observe the wealth of wildlife, from puffins to the gentle giants of the sea. Join us for a truly immersive experience that brings you closer to nature and all her splendor.-Viking Ocean
January 19-31,2025 Grand Hawaiian Adventure Get out of the cold and join us for this magnificent tour of Oahu, Kona (Big Island), Maui, and Kauai. This trip is a leisurely tour of four of Hawaii’s magnificent islands. We understand that you don’t want to spend all day on tour buses when you go to Hawaii so this tour has an easy pace with free time built in for a some beach time or individual exploration.My deadline for booking will close in just a few weeks. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1250841 Collette
May 3-11, 2025 Paris and Normandy River Cruise. This cruise will begin and end in Paris. Cruise from Paris through Normandy’s countryside, uncovering its many charms: Chateau de La Roche-Guyon, the medieval capital of Rouen, Monet’s beloved home in Giverny and the famed Normandy beaches. Experience a different side of Northern France’s history with a tour of the majestic palace of Versailles, once home to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Uniworld River Cruise
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 tour the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places. Ready for deposit now.
September 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. We d0 not have a definite date yet but have asked for the second or third week of September. This trip will be limited to 24 participants.
As the summer travel service ramps up, the National Park Service is warning people to keep a distance from wildlife. National parks are not zoos and there are no barriers between humans and wildlife such as bear, elk, or Buffalo. Just this week a visitor to Grand Teton surprised two bear. That person had to be airlifted to a hospital. Also, if you are planning a trip to the National Parks, many of them are now requiring reservations due to overcrowding so you will want to check with the parks you want to visit.
Remember to read the fine print when you agree to a hotel stay, a flight, an excursion, etc, Junk fees are becoming costlier and more ridiculous. Fees should either be disclosed at the time of booking if you book by phone, and they are required to be included in print if you book online. The problem is that they are usually in the fine print and many of us don’t have the patience to read that small print. Take the time as some of these fees are just nonsense and can be costly. USA Today had a great article about these junk fees this week.
If you love to cruise with Royal Caribbean, note that they have 2 sister companies that you can get status with if you sail. Travelers who typically sail with either Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity, or Silversea will now be able to attain the equivalent status on all three brands.
Just a note,…If you are thinking of one of our upcoming tours, don’t wait too long to sign up. Tours are filling faster than ever. Most of our tours are with Collette Vacations that comes with a money back guarantee if you have to cancel your trip. It’s good until 24 hours before you leave as long as you have the Collette insurance.
2024-25 Tours and Cruises
August 10-17, 2024 Iceland’s Natural Beauty. Discover Iceland’s majestic shores as you explore this northern isle’s coastal towns. Encounter unparalleled natural beauty and witness cascading waterfalls amid pristine fjord landscapes. Discover Viking heritage as you follow in the footsteps of intrepid explorer Leif Eriksson. Or observe the wealth of wildlife, from puffins to the gentle giants of the sea. Join us for a truly immersive experience that brings you closer to nature and all her splendor.-Viking Ocean
January 19-31,2025 Grand Hawaiian Adventure Get out of the cold and join us for this magnificent tour of Oahu, Kona (Big Island), Maui, and Kauai. This trip is a leisurely tour of four of Hawaii’s magnificent islands. We understand that you don’t want to spend all day on tour buses when you go to Hawaii so this tour has an easy pace with free time built in for a some beach time or individual exploration. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1250841 Collette
May 3-11, 2025 Paris and Normandy River Cruise. This cruise will begin and end in Paris. Cruise from Paris through Normandy’s countryside, uncovering its many charms: Chateau de La Roche-Guyon, the medieval capital of Rouen, Monet’s beloved home in Giverny and the famed Normandy beaches. Experience a different side of Northern France’s history with a tour of the majestic palace of Versailles, once home to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. I am taking deposits as this is a very popular cruise and I am concerned the cruise will sell out. Uniworld River Cruise
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 tour the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places. Ready for deposit now.
We are finally home from an amazing trip to Europe. We left on April 30 to spend a few days in Rome with a portion of our group before meeting the entire group in Milan. We then spent three days in Milan before being transferred to our river cruise in Venice. We spent 8 days exploring all that Venice and the Venetian islands offered. From Murano, Burano, and down to Chioggia, we found much to enjoy. From glassblowing, the colorful island of Burrano where all the homes are painted a different color, and a luncheon at a ranch complete with beautiful horses, each day was different and delightful. When our group flew home on May 12 or scattered to their own adventures, we flew to Dublin to meet our next group.
After a rocky start for the group (air delays) we finally started to explore the wonders of the Emerald Isle. Starting in Dublin we quickly transitioned to the countryside with a stop at the Irish Stud Farm. We learned how racing horses are bred and raised. As we got close to these amazing animals, it was clear how well taken care of they were. We continued our trip to a little tasting at the Jamison Distillery,and enjoyed an afternoon in the beautiful coastal town of Kinsale. From there we visited the Garnish Island, and on to the small town of Dingle where we spent two nights enjoying this little town. I think one of the highlights of the trip was our stay in Inishmore on the Aran Islands. We were all delighted to stay in small pods with great views of the Atlantic. We visited a goat farm and held baby goats who had been born that week. On our way back to the mainland we cruised by the Cliffs of Moher to see the cliffs from the sea. Both of our trips were awesome, certainly because of all the amazing sites we saw but also because both tours included great people who enjoyed one another. It is really great to watch groups come together and become friends, not just fellow passengers.
In other news, we know that lithium batteries can be a potential fire hazard. This week a transAtlantic flight needed to be diverted as a laptop got stuck between the seats. It is unclear where or why it couldn’t be retrieved but the plane had to be diverted to Ireland to retrieve the laptop. Any item with a lithium battery — including cell phones, laptops, tablets, or smart watches — can be a potential fire hazard, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as the batteries are capable of overheating and ultimately catching fire, particularly if they are damaged trying to retrieve them. I know that I have seen the warnings on flights informing people that they should not try to extract electronics if they get stuck in the seat but had not thought much about why.
2024-25 Tours and Cruises
August 10-17, 2024 Iceland’s Natural Beauty. Discover Iceland’s majestic shores as you explore this northern isle’s coastal towns. Encounter unparalleled natural beauty and witness cascading waterfalls amid pristine fjord landscapes. Discover Viking heritage as you follow in the footsteps of intrepid explorer Leif Eriksson. Or observe the wealth of wildlife, from puffins to the gentle giants of the sea. Join us for a truly immersive experience that brings you closer to nature and all her splendor.-Viking Ocean
January 19-31,2025 Grand Hawaiian Adventure Get out of the cold and join us for this magnificent tour of Oahu, Kona (Big Island), Maui, and Kauai. This trip is a leisurely tour of four of Hawaii’s magnificent islands. We understand that you don’t want to spend all day on tour buses when you go to Hawaii so this tour has an easy pace with free time built in for a some beach time or individual exploration. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1250841 Collette
May 3-11, 2025 Paris and Normandy River Cruise. This cruise will begin and end in Paris. Cruise from Paris through Normandy’s countryside, uncovering its many charms: Chateau de La Roche-Guyon, the medieval capital of Rouen, Monet’s beloved home in Giverny and the famed Normandy beaches. Experience a different side of Northern France’s history with a tour of the majestic palace of Versailles, once home to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. I am taking deposits as this is a very popular cruise and I am concerned the cruise will sell out. Uniworld River Cruise
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 tour the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places. Ready for deposit now.
We have had a great visit to the emerald isle. Here are a few of the places we visited:
Irish National Stud. Beautiful green Ireland. The Killarney Lakes on a foggy day.
The airlines are starting to publish the new rules under which they must refund passengers for things that are the airlines’ fault. The reimbursement is to be automatic and the funds returned to the passenger within 7 days of a problem. You will want to get on a particular airline’s site to read their statements.
This summer Uber will launch its Uber Shuttle service to airports in the US. We don’t yet know which airports will be included but when the service becomes available, customers will be able to see the shuttle option in the Uber app. Customers will be able to book up to 5 seats from 7 days in advance. They’ll be able to pay for and track their shuttle within 25 minutes of their departure.
A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that Venice was instituting a daily for visitors just coming for the day. Venice has an army of workers trying to help visitors navigate this. When approaching Venice you will see many, many workers trying to help visitors navigate the free process and helping them accomplish this online. There are no gates or turnstiles. People are expected to have taken care of the online before arrival. At this point, the fee is just a pilot program but I think we will see this become the norm for cities that are experiencing overcrowding and affecting the way that the locals must live.
A fifth US tourist has been arrested in the Turks and Caicos for carrying ammunition. Hard to feel much sympathy for someone who doesn’t check the rules for a particular country before travel.
2024-25 Tours and Cruises
August 10-17, 2024 Iceland’s Natural Beauty. Discover Iceland’s majestic shores as you explore this northern isle’s coastal towns. Encounter unparalleled natural beauty and witness cascading waterfalls amid pristine fjord landscapes. Discover Viking heritage as you follow in the footsteps of intrepid explorer Leif Eriksson. Or observe the wealth of wildlife, from puffins to the gentle giants of the sea. Join us for a truly immersive experience that brings you closer to nature and all her splendor.-Viking Ocean
September 28-October 7, 2024 Best of Greece Take advantage of group pricing on this amazing cruise. Visit the ports of Athens, Santorini, Ephesus, Turkey, Mykonos, Volos, Thesaloniki, and Kavala before disembarking in Athens.-Celebrity Infinity.
January 19-31,2025 Grand Hawaiian Adventure Get out of the cold and join us for this magnificent tour of Oahu, Kona (Big Island), Maui, and Kauai. This trip is a leisurely tour of four of Hawaii’s magnificent islands. We understand that you don’t want to spend all day on tour buses when you go to Hawaii so this tour has an easy pace with free time built in for a some beach time or individual exploration. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1250841 Collette
May 3-11, 2025 Paris and Normandy River Cruise. This cruise will begin and end in Paris. Cruise from Paris through Normandy’s countryside, uncovering its many charms: Chateau de La Roche-Guyon, the medieval capital of Rouen, Monet’s beloved home in Giverny and the famed Normandy beaches. Experience a different side of Northern France’s history with a tour of the majestic palace of Versailles, once home to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. I am taking deposits as this is a very popular cruise and I am concerned the cruise will sell out. Uniworld River Cruise
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 tour the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places. Ready for deposit now.
October 2025Colors of New England. We should get dates very soon.
April , 2026 Tulips and Windmills River Cruise Not quite ready for dates.
Fuller Travel Service hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:00am-6pm, Closed on Sunday.
After a wonderful time investigating Rome, we took the high speed train to Milan for a few days and then we made our way to Venice and enjoyed an 8 day cruise around the Venetian Lagoon. We saw glass being blown, saw the ancient art of lace making, viewed the steps that are taken to fashion a Gondolier’s Oar, took a gondola ride, enjoyed a luncheon at a very old Italian estate, complete with horses, and much more.(see below). Our ship, the S.S. LaVenezia was our home away from home with great accommodations, wonderful food and wine and great travel companions.
If you are planning to take a cruise, book early. The cruise lines are experiencing a major increase in the number of bookings and are now booking into 2025 and even 2026.
Gondolas- Perfect Day. Luncheon at Italian Estate. ]]
2024-25 Tours and Cruises
August 10-17, 2024 Iceland’s Natural Beauty. Discover Iceland’s majestic shores as you explore this northern isle’s coastal towns. Encounter unparalleled natural beauty and witness cascading waterfalls amid pristine fjord landscapes. Discover Viking heritage as you follow in the footsteps of intrepid explorer Leif Eriksson. Or observe the wealth of wildlife, from puffins to the gentle giants of the sea. Join us for a truly immersive experience that brings you closer to nature and all her splendor.-Viking Ocean
September 28-October 7, 2024 Best of Greece Take advantage of group pricing on this amazing cruise. Visit the ports of Athens, Santorini, Ephesus, Turkey, Mykonos, Volos, Thesaloniki, and Kavala before disembarking in Athens.-Celebrity Infinity.
January 19-31,2025 Grand Hawaiian Adventure Get out of the cold and join us for this magnificent tour of Oahu, Kona (Big Island), Maui, and Kauai. This trip is a leisurely tour of four of Hawaii’s magnificent islands. We understand that you don’t want to spend all day on tour buses when you go to Hawaii so this tour has an easy pace with free time built in for a some beach time or individual exploration. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1250841 Collette
May 3-11, 2025 Paris and Normandy River Cruise. This cruise will begin and end in Paris. Cruise from Paris through Normandy’s countryside, uncovering its many charms: Chateau de La Roche-Guyon, the medieval capital of Rouen, Monet’s beloved home in Giverny and the famed Normandy beaches. Experience a different side of Northern France’s history with a tour of the majestic palace of Versailles, once home to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. I am taking deposits as this is a very popular cruise and I am concerned the cruise will sell out. Uniworld River Cruise
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 tour the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places. Ready for deposit now.
October 2025Colors of New England. We should get dates very soon.
April , 2026 France, Belgium and Paris. This tour is on our radar screen but we are too far out to contract with Collette quite yet.
Fuller Travel Service hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:00am-6pm, Closed on Sunday.
Hi Everyone, This is a very short blog this week as we are traveling. We have had a whirlwind few days. more pics next week.
Train from Rome to Milan. Duomo in Milan Vatican
Trevi Fountain
2024-25 Tours and Cruises
August 10-17, 2024 Iceland’s Natural Beauty. Discover Iceland’s majestic shores as you explore this northern isle’s coastal towns. Encounter unparalleled natural beauty and witness cascading waterfalls amid pristine fjord landscapes. Discover Viking heritage as you follow in the footsteps of intrepid explorer Leif Eriksson. Or observe the wealth of wildlife, from puffins to the gentle giants of the sea. Join us for a truly immersive experience that brings you closer to nature and all her splendor.-Viking Ocean
September 28-October 7, 2024 Best of Greece Take advantage of group pricing on this amazing cruise. Visit the ports of Athens, Santorini, Ephesus, Turkey, Mykonos, Volos, Thesaloniki, and Kavala before disembarking in Athens.-Celebrity Infinity.
January 19-31,2025 Grand Hawaiian Adventure Get out of the cold and join us for this magnificent tour of Oahu, Kona (Big Island), Maui, and Kauai. This trip is a leisurely tour of four of Hawaii’s magnificent islands. We understand that you don’t want to spend all day on tour buses when you go to Hawaii so this tour has an easy pace with free time built in for a some beach time or individual exploration. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1250841 Collette
May 3-11, 2025 Paris and Normandy River Cruise. This cruise will begin and end in Paris. Cruise from Paris through Normandy’s countryside, uncovering its many charms: Chateau de La Roche-Guyon, the medieval capital of Rouen, Monet’s beloved home in Giverny and the famed Normandy beaches. Experience a different side of Northern France’s history with a tour of the majestic palace of Versailles, once home to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. I am taking deposits as this is a very popular cruise and I am concerned the cruise will sell out. Uniworld River Cruise
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 tour the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places. Ready for deposit now.
October 2025Colors of New England. We should get dates very soon.
Fuller Travel Service hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:00am-6pm, Closed on Sunday.
Smarter Travel published an article this week about Passports. Here are the key takeaways: that I found interesting:
In 1996, the US Government issued5.5 million passports. Every year since then the number of passports issued has risen, with the exception of 2020, when we had a pandemic related shutdown of the passport office. Last year the US issued 24 million passports! Even factoring in population increase, that’s a log of passports.
When it’s time for renewal and you have to send in your old passport, the Department of State recommends a trackable shipping method like Priority Mail Express. Use a strong Tyek envelope.
Don’t wait too long to renew your passport. Many counties require six months remaining on your passport to allow entry.
If your passport was issued after August 2007, you most likely have a chip in the back cover that stores your passport info and a biometric identifier based on your photograph. There are also metallic elements embedded in the cover making it impossible for the passport to be read until it is open.
If your appearance has changed, you may need a new passport. If you’ve gained or lost a great deal of weight you may need a new passport. The same is true if you’ve undergone significant facial surgery or trauma or if you have added or removed large facial tattoos or piercings.
When you apply for a passport it is important to know the rules: You must take your photo within 6 months of your application date and the photo must reflect your current appearance. You must look straight into the camera with a neutral expression on your face. Applications with exaggerated expressions are forbidden as well as any type of uniform.
Passports come with 28 pages. You can request one with 52pages at no additional charge. If you do use up all 52 pages you will have to apply for a new passport.
Normal wear and tear is okaybut if you have a damaged passport, water damage, or unofficial markings on the date page, you will need to get a new passport.
Finally, if you are running low on blank pages you may need a new passport. Some countries require that a certain number of empty pages remain. If you are planning a trip to multiple countries make sure you check to see what the rules are in the countries you’ll visit –Smarter Travel 4/16/24
The Department of Transportation issued new rules this week that actually spells out what airlines must do if they significantly change or cancel flights. Airlines must now tell passengers what refund is due them and the refunds must be made within a specified amount of time. It cannot be in the form of a voucher but must be an actual refund. These rules also include timeliness of bags
The Department of Transportation issued new rules for airlines. These rules address delayed or cancelled flights, delayed or missing baggage, and the way refunds must be handled. The full article can by seen on the website of the Department of Transportation: http://Transportation.gov
2024-25 Tours and Cruises
August 10-17, 2024 Iceland’s Natural Beauty. Discover Iceland’s majestic shores as you explore this northern isle’s coastal towns. Encounter unparalleled natural beauty and witness cascading waterfalls amid pristine fjord landscapes. Discover Viking heritage as you follow in the footsteps of intrepid explorer Leif Eriksson. Or observe the wealth of wildlife, from puffins to the gentle giants of the sea. Join us for a truly immersive experience that brings you closer to nature and all her splendor.-Viking Ocean
September 28-October 7, 2024 Best of Greece Take advantage of group pricing on this amazing cruise. Visit the ports of Athens, Santorini, Ephesus, Turkey, Mykonos, Volos, Thesaloniki, and Kavala before disembarking in Athens.-Celebrity Infinity.
January 19-31,2025 Grand Hawaiian Adventure Get out of the cold and join us for this magnificent tour of Oahu, Kona (Big Island), Maui, and Kauai. This trip is a leisurely tour of four of Hawaii’s magnificent islands. We understand that you don’t want to spend all day on tour buses when you go to Hawaii so this tour has an easy pace with free time built in for a some beach time or individual exploration. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1250841 Collette
May 3-11, 2025 Paris and Normandy River Cruise. This cruise will begin and end in Paris. Cruise from Paris through Normandy’s countryside, uncovering its many charms: Chateau de La Roche-Guyon, the medieval capital of Rouen, Monet’s beloved home in Giverny and the famed Normandy beaches. Experience a different side of Northern France’s history with a tour of the majestic palace of Versailles, once home to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. I am taking deposits as this is a very popular cruise and I am concerned the cruise will sell out. Uniworld River Cruise
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 tour the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places. Ready for deposit now.
October 2025Colors of New England. We should get dates very soon.
Fuller Travel Service hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:00am-6pm, Closed on Sunday.
The National Parks offers free entry 5 times a year. They just had their first free entry day but there are four more this year:
Wednesday, June 19. Juneteenth National Independence Day
Sunday, August 4. Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 28. National Public Lands Day
Monday, November 11. Veterans Day
Some of the more popular parks can change up to $20 per person to enter on a normal day. If you are planning to take advantage of one of these free days, it would be wise to arrive early and check for potential timed entries. -CNN
Amsterdam just passed tight restrictions on hotels. A new hotel cannot be built unless another closes and the new hotel must be more modern and sustainable than the one that closed. –Travel Weekly
If you are thinking of traveling to Canada, you will need to make sure you have nothing on your record. Having a DUI in your past may very well mean that you will be refused entry into Canada. Double-check your situation before you travel. -Travel Weekly
Walt Disney World and Disneyland recently updated their policies for guests with disabilities, and those who lie and misuse the program will be banned for life. The resorts announced changes to their Disability Access Service last week to keep up with the rapidly growing number of requests and continue to accommodate those who truly need the service. Requests for Disability Services have tripled over the past 5 years.-USA Today
2024-25 Tours and Cruises
May 12-22, 2024. Countryside of the Emerald Isle. If you have traveled to Ireland and loved it, this is part two. If you have never been to Ireland, this is an amazing journey that will instill that love for the Emerald Isle. This is not the same tour that we normally do. This explorations tour is limited to 24 people going slightly off the beaten path. We will fly into Dublin and then head south. We will head to the National Stud Farm where you will see amazing thoroughbreds and opulent gardens. Stand at the rock of Cashel where St. Patrick is said to have preached. Visit the coastal town of Kinsale to enjoy the shops and galleries before heading to the Old Midletown distillery, home of Jameson Whiskey. Visit the Garnish Islands and move on to Dingle where you’ll enjoy a drive along the Dingle peninsula. Take a ferry over to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran islands. where we will spend an amazing night. See the Cliffs of Moher from a ship before ending our trip in Ennis and flying home from Shannon. Truly a spectacular trip. Maximum number of passengers is 24. Collettehttps://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1149854
August 10-17, 2024 Iceland’s Natural Beauty. Discover Iceland’s majestic shores as you explore this northern isle’s coastal towns. Encounter unparalleled natural beauty and witness cascading waterfalls amid pristine fjord landscapes. Discover Viking heritage as you follow in the footsteps of intrepid explorer Leif Eriksson. Or observe the wealth of wildlife, from puffins to the gentle giants of the sea. Join us for a truly immersive experience that brings you closer to nature and all her splendor.-Viking Ocean
September 28-October 7, 2024 Best of Greece Take advantage of group pricing on this amazing cruise. Visit the ports of Athens, Santorini, Ephesus, Turkey, Mykonos, Volos, Thesaloniki, and Kavala before disembarking in Athens.-Celebrity Infinity.
January 19-31,2025 Grand Hawaiian Adventure Join us for this magnificent tour of Oahu, Kona (Big Island), Maui, and Kauai. This trip is a leisurely tour of four of Hawaii’s magnificent islands. We understand that you don’t want to spend all day on tour buses when you go to Hawaii so this tour has an easy pace with free time built in for a some beach time or individual exploration. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1250841 Collette
May 3-11, 2025 Paris and Normandy River Cruise. This cruise will begin and end in Paris. Cruise from Paris through Normandy’s countryside, uncovering its many charms: Chateau de La Roche-Guyon, the medieval capital of Rouen, Monet’s beloved home in Giverny and the famed Normandy beaches. Experience a different side of Northern France’s history with a tour of the majestic palace of Versailles, once home to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. I am taking deposits as this is a very popular cruise and I am concerned the cruise will sell out. Uniworld River Cruise
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 tour the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion Canyons, and Mt. Rushmore among other places. Collette is not quite ready for Fall of 2025 but we are in the system and I will publish the dates as soon as I have them. September 5-16, 2025
October 2025Colors of New England. We should get dates very soon.
Fuller Travel Service hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:00am-6pm, Closed on Sunday.
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