If you have planned a trip to the Caribbean or Florida, please note that Silver Airways has abruptly shut down its operations leaving people stranded at their destinations. The airline is saying that refunds will be processed but for those stranded, clients will need to find another airline to return home.-Travel and Leisure
Jeff Bezos, best known as the founder of Amazon, is planning a lavish wedding in Venice, Italy this summer and there are protests from many Venetians who don’t want his super Yacht and the accompanying yachts tying up the lagoon. Venice has been struggling with overtourism concerns for some time now. Protesters plan to block the canals. This event has become a flashpoint for Italians. -Travel Weekly
AAA predicts 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel domestically for the July 4th week. If you are traveling, leave early and pack your patience.This is an increase of 1.7 million travelers compared to last year. With the holiday falling on a Friday, travelers have the option of making it a long weekend or taking the entire week to make memories with family and friends.-AAA
The US has elevated their travel risk for travel to the Dominican Republic. Violent crime is a concern in the Dominican Republic despite an elevated police presence. if you decide to travel to the DR, do not display wealth, and avoid meeting individuals in secluded locations. Homicide, sexual assault, and robbery are violent crimes impacting guests. Those that do commit these crimes are “rarely caught and prosecuted.” You can find additional info on SaLive.com or on the Dept of State website: travel.state.gov.
Jet Blue and Brightline rail in Florida have formed a partnership that allows travelers to book both air and rail travel on the same ticket, potentially streamlining travel in the state of Florida.
Travel into the Schengen area of Europe is now a bit more expensive.The Schengen visa fee has increased or will increase soon. For adults (12 years and older) the fee will now be 90 Euro. For children 6-12, the fee is 45 Euro. Children under 6 years old are still free. This is all part of a broader update to the Schengen Visa Code which will include an Entry/Exit system for the countries that belong to the Schengen pact. If you are traveling to Europe please keep an eye on these changes to determine when they will enforce these requirements.
Note: The Schengen Area is comprised of 29 European counties. This includes 25 EU members and 4 non-EU members. These countries have abolished internal border controls allowing for free movement of people within the Schengen region.
he Schengen Area is comprised of 29 European countries.This includes 25 EU member states and 4 non-EU countries.
We just returned from a great cruise on the Columbia and Snake rivers. We spent time in both the states of Washington and Oregon. This was a very beautiful, scenic cruise on American Cruise Lines that we really enjoyed. If you are thinking of a cruise and want to stay in the country, this is a great option. The itinerary was good, the staff onboard were excellent, and the food was great as well. We enjoyed it so much we have signed a contract to take a group down the coast of Florida in January of 2027!
In other news, Jalisco, Mexico just announce that they will invest more than 1 billion dollars in 38 new hotel projects that will add almost 5000 new rooms across the state by 2028 so if you love vacationing in Mexico there will be a lot more choices. –Travel Pulse
Among the weird but true things that happened this week was a door dash delivery driver who tried to make a delivery on the tarmac in Chicago. He claimed that his GPS directed him there. The police released him after they saw his GPS
Fuller Travel Tours and Cruises
2025-Jan,2027 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.
New:January 9-16,2027. Florida Gulf Coast and Keys Cruse- American Cruise Line. 8 days, 7 nights St. Petersburg Round trip. Visit Key West, Punta Gorda, St Petersburg, Marco Island
Fuller Travel Service is open 9:am-6pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday.
The airlines have had some concern for a while now about the lithium batteries that charge all our electronics. Southwest is now requiring that power banks be visible during use. Passengers will no longer be allowed to charge things that are in the overhead bin. In the rare event a lithium battery overheats or catches fire, quick access is critical, and keeping power banks in plain sight allows for faster intervention and helps protect everyone.- Travel Weekly
A new law went into effect on May 12 that makes “junk” fees illegal. Under the law, charges like hotel resort fees or vacation rental cleaning fees must be included in the upfront price the traveler sees before booking. This law does not ban fees but they can no longer be charged by surprise once a traveler has already booked a stay.-Travel and Leisure.
We just returned from an amazing trip on Uniworld Called Paris and Normandy. We flew into Paris and were transferred to our cruise ship, the SS Joie deVivre. While cruising down the Seine we explored the ports of Honfleur, Ruen, and Versailles. At each stop we learned about the history of each place we visited. We also had a very nice tour of amazing Paris.
In other news, the new Real ID is now in effect. You must have a Real ID or another compliant document order to board a flight. It looks like for the moment TSA officers are also able to simply warn travelers that they need a real ID and are directing people to further screening before boarding. I would not rely on that lasting very long.- Travel Weekly
Delta Airlines
Delta Air Lines is switching up the names of its fare classes and making other changes to make the booking process simpler. the new fares will be called Delta Main (previously Main Cabin), Delta Comfort (previously Comfort+), Delta First (previously First Class). Long haul flights have not changed: Delta Premium Select and Delta One.
It looks like implementation of the Real ID will actually occur on May 7. On this date you will need a document that is Real ID compliant document. Most often, that is a driver’s license that is real ID compliant. If you don’t have that, you can use a valid passport. Another option are documents with the Department of Homeland Security that include Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST. Children under 18 do not need a REAL ID for domestic travel. However for international travel, children of any age will still need a passport.-Travel Weekly
One of the things people like to do when traveling to Egypt is take a camel ride. Close to 50 tour operators and travel companies have moved away from offering camel rides in front of the Giza pyramids after PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) said that the animals were being exploited in blistering heat without adequate access to food, rest, shade of veterinary care. If you are looking for a camel ride in the desert, do some research to make sure the company you use is taking care of their animals. –Travel Weekly
Royal Caribbean is again dropping its private beach destination of Labadee, Haiti from their itineraries out of “an abundance of caution.” Gang violence is continuing to spread and has placed the country in an increasingly critical position.
After years of delays, the Transportation Security Administration has finally set the date of May 7 to begin enforcing the Real ID. Beginning May 7, TSA will no longer accept state issued identifications that are not Real ID compliant. Airline passengers 18 years and older must present a REAL ID compliant identification or another acceptable ID such as a passport, or be subjected to more screening procedures and expect delays. There is also the possibility of passengers not being permitted into the security checkpoint.-Travel Weekly
If you are looking forward to going to Disney World this summer, they will open both of their waterparks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, at the same time which is the first time this has happened since 2019.-Travel and Leisure
One of the most important sites in Barcelona is the Sagrada Familia basilica. So many tourists are visiting this site that the city officials have designated a “selfie” area in front of the Basilica to try to reduce pedestrian congestion as well as allow Barcelona’s residents to reclaim their space from the throngs of visitors who crowd the sidewalks and spill into the streets. The basilica is one of Antoni Gaudi’s most celebrated architectural works and draws as many as 16,000 people each day. –Travel Pulse
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. 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.
We will not publish a blog next week on Easter Sunday. We’ll be back on the 27th.
Fuller Travel Service is open 9:am-6pm Monday through Saturday. Closed on Sunday.
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.
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.
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:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (12.19 million
Zion National Park (4.94 million )
Grand Canyon National Park ((4.91Million)
Yellowstone National Park (4.74 million)
Rocky Mountain National Park (4.15 million)
Yosemite National Park (4.12 million)
Acadia National Park (3.96 million)
Olympic National Park (3.71million)
Grand Teton National Park (3.62 million)
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.
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