You may have seen this in the paper but I’m always amazed at people. This week, a tourist decided to pick up a baby bison in Yellowstone this past week “to help it”. The herd rejected the baby after the individual picked it up and the bison had to euthanized. I don’t know how many signs and pamphlets I’ve seen in the park telling people keep a distance from the wild animals. They are not at a petting zoo!
If you are going to France, please know that a ban on short domestic flights for journeys that can be completed in two-and-a-half hours by train was signed into law in France on Tuesday. For the ban to apply, the EU insisted the air route in question must have a high-speed rail alternative that makes it possible to travel between the two cities in less than two-and-a-half hours. There must also be enough early and late-running trains to enable travelers to spend at least eight hours at the destination.-CNN
The Transportation and Security Administration just announced that teenagers from 13 to 17 may accompany parents or guardians who are enrolled in PreCheck through security screening when they are traveling on the same reservation and when PreCheck is shown on the teen’s boarding pass.-CNN Travel
Please remember to pause sometime during this holiday weekend to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us.
Day Trip Opportunity
Before the pandemic, we used to take people on bus trips to Shipshewana for what became known as the brown bag tour. We will take this trip on Thursday, August 24. We will visit several small cottage businesses, have lunch at an Amish home, and learn a bit of Amish culture. This tour has always been popular so if you are interested, let me know.
Fuller Travel Tours, 2023
June 17-23, 2023 Viking Cruise on the Mississippi Join us as we cruise from Memphis to New Orleans on a cruise called Heart of the Delta. I was only able to get 10 cabins as Viking usually does not do groups on this cruise as it is too popular. I have very few cabins remaining. We will begin our journey in Memphis, and sail to Vicksburg, Natchez, St. Francisville, Baton Rouge, and Darrow, Louisiana before arriving in New Orleans. The cabins that I have are balcony cabins. Viking
September. 10-18, 2023 Painted Canyons of the West Highlights… Colorado National Monument, Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah’s Scenic Byway 24, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Las Vegas. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1131375 Collette Vacations. Call for availability.
September 30- October 14, 2023 Spain’s Classics and Portugal Highlights include Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia, Valencia, Paella Experience, Granada, the Alhambra, Seville,Cordoba, Madrid, Prada Museum, Toledo, Elvas, Lisbon, Belem Obidos and much more. Call me for availability! Collette Vacations https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1103746
2024
May 3-12, 2024 Milan, Venice and the Jewels of Veneto Spend 2 nights in the beautiful city of Milan before boarding the ship, the S.S. LaVenezia, in Venice. While in Milan, you will have an opportunity to take a city tour and also view DaVinci’s ‘Last Supper’. Once aboard your ship you will enjoy all that Venice has to offer but the ship will also take you to many of the Venetian Islands such as Burano (my favorite), and Torcello. you will discover Chiogga, a charming port loved by fisherman.You will also have a choice of exploring Vincenza or Padua. Savor the wines and cuisines of the region every step of the way. I just have a couple of rooms left for this cruise. Uniworld
By the way, Uniworld has a great booking incentive for people booking in 2023 for 2024.. Pay in full and get 10% off your 2024 cruise or just deposit and take 7% off your cruise. Call for more info. Our Milan-Veneto cruise qualifies for this promo.
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
September 10-19,2024 British Landscapes. An adventure fit for a Shakespearean tale takes you from verdant hillsides to bustling British cities rich with culture. Explore The Athens of the North during your stay in Edinburgh. Explore the ruins of a Roman Fort during a visit to Hadrian’s Wall. Enjoy medieval York and its historic Minster. See the picturesque village of Llangolen in Wales. Walk in the footsteps of the Bard, visiting the childhood home of William Shakespeare. Personalize your tour with a choice of included excursions in Edinburgh and Oxford. See the quintessential sights of London with a local guide. Sleepy villages, grassy slopes, mountainside lakes, and cities built upon layers of history – these are the landscapes of Britain. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1184777
September 22- October 1,2024:Lourdes and Fatima with Barcelona. Travel to two of the world’s most revered pilgrimage centers and experience the wonderful cultures and beauty of Portugal, France, and Spain. Stay a leisurely 2 nights in Fatima and spend time reflecting and exploring the famous Basilica and the tombs of Francisco and Jacinta. Travel to Aljustrel, where the children lived, and Valinhos, where Our Lady appeared after the children’s return from prison. During a 2-night stay in Burgos, visit the magnificent Cathedral, a masterpiece of Spanish Gothic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a walking tour of Lourdes and a 2-night stay there. Visit the moving Grotto where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette. End in vibrant Barcelona, and view Antoni Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece La Sagrada Familia, also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Possible Paris and Normandy River Cruise. I’m trying to determine interest for a Paris and Normandy river cruise for spring of 2025. Shoot me an email if you have any interest.
One of the most popular cultural sites in Paris, the Centre Pompidou, will close for 5 years to undergo repairs and construction that officials say are needed to ensure the building’s future. While that may be disappointing if you are planning a trip to Paris, the good news is that Notre-Dame will reopen to the public in December, 2024.
Walt Disney World in Orlando announced on Thursday that its Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will close its doors permanently on September 30. This attraction was an immersive experience. However the price tag was high for this venue. The package entitles guests to a 2 night stay in onboard cabins, inclusive dining, endless exploration on the Starcruise, side quests and more but the price of admission was approximately $4800 for 2 guests and $6000 for a cabin of four.
This week the U.S. State Department issued Level Three “reconsider travel alerts” for two countries: Jamaica and Columbia due to crime, and in Columbia’s case, terrorism. The department regularly assesses risks for Americans abroad. You can find all of the advisories at http://travel.state.gov
Most of us get excited for our upcoming trips and want to let friends know they are on their way. Some people post their boarding passes online! This can be a dangerous thing to do. The boarding pass has your flight information on it but the barcode may also have contact info, passport details, frequent flier number, and other sensitive data. Don’t share or throw away. Hang on to it until you get back home. You may need it if you have a problem with frequent flier miles being posted. Once you are finished with it, shred it.-Fodors
Fuller Travel Tours, 2023
June 17-23, 2023 Viking Cruise on the Mississippi Join us as we cruise from Memphis to New Orleans on a cruise called Heart of the Delta. I was only able to get 10 cabins as Viking usually does not do groups on this cruise as it is too popular. I have very few cabins remaining. We will begin our journey in Memphis, and sail to Vicksburg, Natchez, St. Francisville, Baton Rouge, and Darrow, Louisiana before arriving in New Orleans. The cabins that I have are balcony cabins. Viking
September. 10-18, 2023 Painted Canyons of the West Highlights… Colorado National Monument, Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah’s Scenic Byway 24, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Las Vegas. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1131375 Collette Vacations. Call for availability.
September 30- October 14, 2023 Spain’s Classics and Portugal Highlights include Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia, Valencia, Paella Experience, Granada, the Alhambra, Seville,Cordoba, Madrid, Prada Museum, Toledo, Elvas, Lisbon, Belem Obidos and much more. Call me for availability! Collette Vacations https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1103746
2024
May 3-12, 2024 Milan, Venice and the Jewels of Veneto Spend 2 nights in the beautiful city of Milan before boarding the ship, the S.S. LaVenezia, in Venice. While in Milan, you will have an opportunity to take a city tour and also view DaVinci’s ‘Last Supper’. Once aboard your ship you will enjoy all that Venice has to offer but the ship will also take you to many of the Venetian Islands such as Burano (my favorite), and Torcello. you will discover Chiogga, a charming port loved by fisherman.You will also have a choice of exploring Vincenza or Padua. Savor the wines and cuisines of the region every step of the way. I just have a couple of rooms left for this cruise. Uniworld
By the way, Uniworld has a great booking incentive for people booking in 2023 for 2024.. Pay in full and get 10% off your 2024 cruise or just deposit and take 7% off your cruise. Call for more info. Our Milan-Veneto cruise qualifies for this promo.
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
September 10-19,2024 British Landscapes. An adventure fit for a Shakespearean tale takes you from verdant hillsides to bustling British cities rich with culture. Explore The Athens of the North during your stay in Edinburgh. Explore the ruins of a Roman Fort during a visit to Hadrian’s Wall. Enjoy medieval York and its historic Minster. See the picturesque village of Llangolen in Wales. Walk in the footsteps of the Bard, visiting the childhood home of William Shakespeare. Personalize your tour with a choice of included excursions in Edinburgh and Oxford. See the quintessential sights of London with a local guide. Sleepy villages, grassy slopes, mountainside lakes, and cities built upon layers of history – these are the landscapes of Britain. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1184777
September 22- October 1,2024:Lourdes and Fatima with Barcelona. Travel to two of the world’s most revered pilgrimage centers and experience the wonderful cultures and beauty of Portugal, France, and Spain. Stay a leisurely 2 nights in Fatima and spend time reflecting and exploring the famous Basilica and the tombs of Francisco and Jacinta. Travel to Aljustrel, where the children lived, and Valinhos, where Our Lady appeared after the children’s return from prison. During a 2-night stay in Burgos, visit the magnificent Cathedral, a masterpiece of Spanish Gothic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a walking tour of Lourdes and a 2-night stay there. Visit the moving Grotto where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette. End in vibrant Barcelona, and view Antoni Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece La Sagrada Familia, also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Possible Paris and Normandy River Cruise. I’m trying to determine interest for a Paris and Normandy river cruise for spring of 2025. Shoot me an email if you have any interest.
Disney made several announcements this past week. During the pandemic, Disney made several changes at Disney World to manage crowds and deal with the types of shortages that we all encountered. Now many of those changes will soon be gone. Resort reservations for 2024 will be available on May 31. During the pandemic, it was necessary to see which parks were available before booking. Starting with park visits on January 9, 2024, that will no longer be necessary.Also, beginning January 9, the long awaited dining plan will return.-Disney Travel Agents
Delta Air Lines became the first major U.S. airline to introduce fast, free Wi-Fi for all in a partnership with T-Mobile. The experience was available on most domestic mainline aircraft as of Feb. 1 with full availability on international; and regional aircraft by the end of 2024. Jet Blue is the only other carrier offering free Internet at this point.-Insider Travel Report
If you are traveling, be aware that many venues no longer accept cash as payment. Those of us who fly frequently know that you cannot pay with cash for inflight purchases. Some airlines even require you to pay through the airline’s app. More and more venues are going cashless including sports stadiums and concert venues. From national parks to theme parks, the list of places that will not accept cash continues to grow. If you intend to pay with cash, call ahead to see if that’s even possible.-The Points Guy
Have a great week.
Fuller Travel Tours, 2023
June 17-23, 2023 Viking Cruise on the Mississippi Join us as we cruise from Memphis to New Orleans on a cruise called Heart of the Delta. I was only able to get 10 cabins as Viking usually does not do groups on this cruise as it is too popular. I have very few cabins remaining. We will begin our journey in Memphis, and sail to Vicksburg, Natchez, St. Francisville, Baton Rouge, and Darrow, Louisiana before arriving in New Orleans. The cabins that I have are balcony cabins. Viking
September. 10-18, 2023 Painted Canyons of the West Highlights… Colorado National Monument, Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah’s Scenic Byway 24, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Las Vegas. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1131375 Collette Vacations. Call for availability.
September 30- October 14, 2023 Spain’s Classics and Portugal Highlights include Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia, Valencia, Paella Experience, Granada, the Alhambra, Seville,Cordoba, Madrid, Prada Museum, Toledo, Elvas, Lisbon, Belem Obidos and much more. Call me for availability! Collette Vacations https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1103746
2024
May 3-12, 2024 Milan, Venice and the Jewels of Veneto Spend 2 nights in the beautiful city of Milan before boarding the ship, the S.S. LaVenezia, in Venice. While in Milan, you will have an opportunity to take a city tour and also view DaVinci’s ‘Last Supper’. Once aboard your ship you will enjoy all that Venice has to offer but the ship will also take you to many of the Venetian Islands such as Burano (my favorite), and Torcello. you will discover Chiogga, a charming port loved by fisherman.You will also have a choice of exploring Vincenza or Padua. Savor the wines and cuisines of the region every step of the way. I just have a couple of rooms left for this cruise. Uniworld
By the way, Uniworld has a great booking incentive for people booking in 2023 for 2024.. Pay in full and get 10% off your 2024 cruise or just deposit and take 7% off your cruise. Call for more info. Our Milan-Veneto cruise qualifies for this promo.
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
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
September 10-19,2024 British Landscapes. An adventure fit for a Shakespearean tale takes you from verdant hillsides to bustling British cities rich with culture. Explore The Athens of the North during your stay in Edinburgh. Explore the ruins of a Roman Fort during a visit to Hadrian’s Wall. Enjoy medieval York and its historic Minster. See the picturesque village of Llangolen in Wales. Walk in the footsteps of the Bard, visiting the childhood home of William Shakespeare. Personalize your tour with a choice of included excursions in Edinburgh and Oxford. See the quintessential sights of London with a local guide. Sleepy villages, grassy slopes, mountainside lakes, and cities built upon layers of history – these are the landscapes of Britain.
September 22- October 1,2024:Lourdes and Fatima with Barcelona. Travel to two of the world’s most revered pilgrimage centers and experience the wonderful cultures and beauty of Portugal, France, and Spain. Stay a leisurely 2 nights in Fatima and spend time reflecting and exploring the famous Basilica and the tombs of Francisco and Jacinta. Travel to Aljustrel, where the children lived, and Valinhos, where Our Lady appeared after the children’s return from prison. During a 2-night stay in Burgos, visit the magnificent Cathedral, a masterpiece of Spanish Gothic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a walking tour of Lourdes and a 2-night stay there. Visit the moving Grotto where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette. End in vibrant Barcelona, and view Antoni Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece La Sagrada Familia, also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Possible Paris and Normandy River Cruise. I’m trying to determine interest for a Paris and Normandy river cruise for spring of 2025. Shoot me an email if you have any interest.
Hawaii lawmakers failed to pass a bill that would have mandated that tourists pay a year long license or pass to visit state parks and trails. The revenue would have paid for the maintenance and protection of parks, coral reefs, forests and wildlife. About 10 million visitors arrive in Hawaii each year. The state’s population is just 1.5 million. This probably would have been one good way to help protect the beauty of Hawaii. I suspect this bill will be resurrected in the next session of their legislature.
Miami Beach has been in the news for several years because it is a prime spot for spring breakers. Unfortunately, Spring Break has gotten out of hand in the past couple of years. This week a judge ruled that last call for alcohol can be shifted from 5am -2am following efforts by Miami Beach officials to address complaints about nightclubs from residents.
This summer will be a banner year for travel to Europe. If you are planning on traveling this summer, be prepared for the crowds. Some cities are actually capping the number of tourists that they will admit. The region of Alto Adige (South Tyrol) will limit the number of overnight visitors to figures seen in 2019. This is a very popular region in Northern Italy. Officials stated that they had reached the limit of their resources with traffic and residents have difficulty finding places to live. Officials said that people come to enjoy the beauty of the region, not sit in traffic jams
A common question from clients who are preparing to travel to Europe: “is it safe? ” We may want to consider that several countries have posted “Do Not Travel” to the United States for their citizens. Most often cited are high crime and firearm violence as top concerns.
Sorry: I couldn’t resist this pic. Thanks to my friend, Linda. Have a great week!
Fuller Travel Tours, 2023-2024
June 17-23, 2023 Viking Cruise on the Mississippi Join us as we cruise from Memphis to New Orleans on a cruise called Heart of the Delta. I was only able to get 10 cabins as Viking usually does not do groups on this cruise as it is too popular. I have very few cabins remaining. We will begin our journey in Memphis, and sail to Vicksburg, Natchez, St. Francisville, Baton Rouge, and Darrow, Louisiana before arriving in New Orleans. The cabins that I have are balcony cabins. Viking
September. 10-18, 2023 Painted Canyons of the West Highlights… Colorado National Monument, Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah’s Scenic Byway 24, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Las Vegas. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1131375 Collette Vacations. Call for availability.
September 30- October 14, 2023 Spain’s Classics and Portugal Highlights include Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia, Valencia, Paella Experience, Granada, the Alhambra, Seville,Cordoba, Madrid, Prada Museum, Toledo, Elvas, Lisbon, Belem Obidos and much more. Call me for availability! Collette Vacations https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1103746
2024
May 3-12, 2024 Milan, Venice and the Jewels of Veneto Spend 2 nights in the beautiful city of Milan before boarding the ship, the S.S. LaVenezia, in Venice. While in Milan, you will have an opportunity to take a city tour and also view DaVinci’s ‘Last Supper’. Once aboard your ship you will enjoy all that Venice has to offer but the ship will also take you to many of the Venetian Islands such as Burano (my favorite), and Torcello. you will discover Chiogga, a charming port loved by fisherman.You will also have a choice of exploring Vincenza or Padua. Savor the wines and cuisines of the region every step of the way. I only have 10 rooms for this sailing. Uniworld
By the way, Uniworld has a great booking incentive for people booking in 2023 for 2024.. Pay in full and get 10% off your 2024 cruise or just deposit and take 7% off your cruise. Call for more info. Our Milan-Veneto cruise qualifies for this promo.
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
Coming soon: September,2024: Lourdes and Fatima with Barcelona. Please let me know if you’d like to be notified when we get our dates and pricing.
Possible Paris and Normandy River Cruise. I’m trying to determine interest for a Paris and Normandy river cruise for fall of 2024 or spring of 2025. Shoot me an email if you have any interest.
Europe has always been a safe place to visit. A few weeks ago I spoke about pickpocketing which is something to consider. If the worst happens and you find yourself a victim of a pickpocket. Here are some things that you should do asap:
Keep an emergency stash somewhere other than where your wallet or phone is. It is helpful to keep a credit card separate as well.
Call the police. It’s to likely they will be able to recover your money and cards but it helps them to know where to focus their efforts. Some areas have cameras and they may even be able to identify the perpetrators. When in Europe the emergency number is 112.
Let the policy know if you have a GPS tracker on your possessions like Apple Air Tags or Tiles
Call the Embassy or Consulate. They can hep with passport replacements or help with the policy. They can help you find accommodations or arrange flights. They may even be able to help with emergency loans.
Try not to over stress and let it ruin your entire trip. Once you’ve called your credit card companies you may as well enjoy the remainder of your trip.
The best advice is to stay vigilant and keep valuables under clothing or otherwise inaccessible.- adapted from Fodor’s 4/28/23
Holland America is jumping into the pickle ball craze. Pickle ball is the fastest growing sport in America and the cruise lines have taken notice. Several ships now sport pickle ball courts. Holland America is the latest line to add pickle ball. While not on all ships, some have been outfitted with a pickle ball court. Lessons have become very popular onboard.
Getting turned around on a cruise ship is something that happens to all of us at one time or another. Here are a couple ways to figure out which way to go:
I noticed that on Princess, the color of the hallway carpet is a bit different on opposite sides of the ship. Remember what color carpet your hall has and you’ll be able to get back very quickly.
The newer ships have added interactive way finding screens, usually located near the stairs. You can input your cabin number (don’t forget that) and the screen will show you the way home.
Norwegian ships have little fish sewn into the design of the carpet. They are always swimming to the front of the ship.
Just ask a crew member and he or she will point you in the right direction!-Adapted from Cruise Critic
Fuller Travel Tours, 2023-2024
June 17-23, 2023 Viking Cruise on the Mississippi Join us as we cruise from Memphis to New Orleans on a cruise called Heart of the Delta. I was only able to get 10 cabins as Viking usually does not do groups on this cruise as it is too popular. I have very few cabins remaining. We will begin our journey in Memphis, and sail to Vicksburg, Natchez, St. Francisville, Baton Rouge, and Darrow, Louisiana before arriving in New Orleans. The cabins that I have are balcony cabins. Viking
September. 10-18, 2023 Painted Canyons of the West Highlights… Colorado National Monument, Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah’s Scenic Byway 24, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Las Vegas. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1131375 Collette Vacations. Call for availability.
September 30- October 14, 2023 Spain’s Classics and Portugal Highlights include Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia, Valencia, Paella Experience, Granada, the Alhambra, Seville,Cordoba, Madrid, Prada Museum, Toledo, Elvas, Lisbon, Belem Obidos and much more. Call me for availability! Collette Vacations https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1103746
2024
May 3-12, 2024 Milan, Venice and the Jewels of Veneto Spend 2 nights in the beautiful city of Milan before boarding the ship, the S.S. LaVenezia, in Venice. While in Milan, you will have an opportunity to take a city tour and also view DaVinci’s ‘Last Supper’. Once aboard your ship you will enjoy all that Venice has to offer but the ship will also take you to many of the Venetian Islands such as Burano (my favorite), and Torcello. you will discover Chiogga, a charming port loved by fisherman.You will also have a choice of exploring Vincenza or Padua. Savor the wines and cuisines of the region every step of the way. I only have 10 rooms for this sailing. Uniworld
By the way, Uniworld has a great booking incentive for people booking in 2023 for 2024.. Pay in full and get 10% off your 2024 cruise or just deposit and take 7% off your cruise. Call for more info. Our Milan-Veneto cruise qualifies for this promo.
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
Coming soon: September,2024: Lourdes and Fatima with Barcelona. Please let me know if you’d like to be notified when we get our dates and pricing.
Possible Paris and Normandy River Cruise. I’m trying to determine interest for a Paris and Normandy river cruise for fall of 2024 or spring of 2025. Shoot me an email if you have any interest.
Brightline, a private rail company in South Florida, has unveiled their new station at Orlando International Airport. You can now travel to and from Orlando to Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, boca Raton, and Aventura. You can also go nonstop to and from Orlando to and from Miami. If you are looking for transportation within the State of Florida this would be worth a look.
Holland America plans
Holland America Plans First “Pole to Pole” Grand Voyage Roundtrip from U.S. in 2025. This is a 133 day sailing that will cover 5 continents. This cruise will be offered at the same time as Holland America’s Grand Voyage, a 124 day sailing. The two ships will meet in Barcelona for a grand celebration in Barcelona during the journey. These are most definitely bucket list experiences.
Italy is a hot destination for many of my travelers this year. I suspect Italy will see the biggest summer travel season they have experienced in a long time, if ever. Before you go to Italy (which I love) there are a few things that may be helpful as you navigate public transportation and restaurants:
When you take a taxi make sure that you are taking an official taxi. If the meter isn’t running, insist it be turned on. The driver may tell you they only take cash. Taxi drivers in Italy are required to accept credit cards. Many times there is a standard rate for airport transfers. Make sure you know what that is before getting in the taxi.
Italy is known for its food. It is amazing but you don’t want to go to a tourist restaurant to eat. If the menus have pictures on them or if the restaurant has someone outside trying to pull you in, you may want to go elsewhere as you’ll probably pay high prices for below average food.Find a nice little restaurant on a side street and enjoy.
Fuller Travel Tours, 2023-2024
June 17-23, 2023 Viking Cruise on the Mississippi Join us as we cruise from Memphis to New Orleans on a cruise called Heart of the Delta. I was only able to get 10 cabins as Viking usually does not do groups on this cruise as it is too popular. I have very few cabins remaining. We will begin our journey in Memphis, and sail to Vicksburg, Natchez, St. Francisville, Baton Rouge, and Darrow, Louisiana before arriving in New Orleans. The cabins that I have are balcony cabins. Viking
September. 10-18, 2023 Painted Canyons of the West Highlights… Colorado National Monument, Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah’s Scenic Byway 24, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Las Vegas. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1131375 Collette Vacations. Call for availability.
September 30- October 14, 2023 Spain’s Classics and Portugal Highlights include Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia, Valencia, Paella Experience, Granada, the Alhambra, Seville,Cordoba, Madrid, Prada Museum, Toledo, Elvas, Lisbon, Belem Obidos and much more. Call me for availability! Collette Vacations https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1103746
2024
May 3-12, 2024 Milan, Venice and the Jewels of Veneto Spend 2 nights in the beautiful city of Milan before boarding the ship, the S.S. LaVenezia, in Venice. While in Milan, you will have an opportunity to take a city tour and also view DaVinci’s ‘Last Supper’. Once aboard your ship you will enjoy all that Venice has to offer but the ship will also take you to many of the Venetian Islands such as Burano (my favorite), and Torcello. you will discover Chiogga, a charming port loved by fisherman.You will also have a choice of exploring Vincenza or Padua. Savor the wines and cuisines of the region every step of the way. I only have 10 rooms for this sailing. Uniworld
By the way, Uniworld has a great booking incentive for people booking in 2023 for 2024.. Pay in full and get 10% off your 2024 cruise or just deposit and take 7% off your cruise. Call for more info. Our Milan-Veneto cruise qualifies for this promo.
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
Coming soon: September,2024: Lourdes and Fatima with Barcelona. Please let me know if you’d like to be notified when we get our dates and pricing.
Possible Paris and Normandy River Cruise. I’m trying to determine interest for a Paris and Normandy river cruise for fall of 2024 or spring of 2025. Shoot me an email if you have any interest.
Our nation’s National Parks are truly gems. Some of the most amazing sights that I have seen in this world have been in our very own parks. If you are planning to travel to one of our parks this summer, do your homework. Some of them are requiring advance reservations in an effort to try to curb overcrowding which is a real concern.
Many of us use Google Maps or other software to help us with directions. Until now, the national parks just appeared as green blobs. Google Maps is changing that. They have started mapping the parks which will be a boon to hikers and may help people who get lost in the parks.
In the last few weeks I’ve mentioned that many locations in Europe are getting fed up with irresponsible tourist behavior. Italy is now pushing for a 5 figure fine for damage to monuments and art vandalism after several recent acts of vandalism included spending 40,000 euros to clean a 15th century sculpture someone vandalized. Cleaning also had to be done to take care of black dye that was dumped in to a fountain sculpted by Bernini at the foot of the Spanish steps. Personally, I do hope they find and prosecute these vandals to the full extent of their law.-AP
I’m sure you have all heard of the FBI advice this year warning people not to use public chargers as malware can be deposited onto your phone, iPad, or computer. While this is not new, it appears to be getting worse. If you are going to travel, invest in your own power bank and avoid charging stations altogether.
Fuller Travel Tours, 2023-2024
September. 10-18, 2023 Painted Canyons of the West Highlights… Colorado National Monument, Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah’s Scenic Byway 24, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Las Vegas. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1131375 Collette Vacations. Call for availability.
September 30- October 14, 2023 Spain’s Classics and Portugal Highlights include Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia, Valencia, Paella Experience, Granada, the Alhambra, Seville,Cordoba, Madrid, Prada Museum, Toledo, Elvas, Lisbon, Belem Obidos and much more. Call me for availability! Collette Vacations https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1103746
2024
May 3-12, 2024 Milan, Venice and the Jewels of Veneto Spend 2 nights in the beautiful city of Milan before boarding the ship, the S.S. LaVenezia, in Venice. While in Milan, you will have an opportunity to take a city tour and also view DaVinci’s ‘Last Supper’. Once aboard your ship you will enjoy all that Venice has to offer but the ship will also take you to many of the Venetian Islands such as Burano (my favorite), and Torcello. you will discover Chiogga, a charming port loved by fisherman.You will also have a choice of exploring Vincenza or Padua. Savor the wines and cuisines of the region every step of the way. I only have 10 rooms for this sailing. Uniworld
By the way, Uniworld has a great booking incentive for people booking in 2023 for 2024.. Pay in full and get 10% off your 2024 cruise or just deposit and take 7% off your cruise. Call for more info. Our Milan-Veneto cruise qualifies for this promo.
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
September 10-19 British Landscapes. An adventure fit for a Shakespearean tale takes you from verdant hillsides to bustling British cities rich with culture. Explore The Athens of the North during your stay in Edinburgh. Explore the ruins of a Roman Fort during a visit to Hadrian’s Wall. Enjoy medieval York and its historic Minster. See the picturesque village of Llangolen in Wales. Walk in the footsteps of the Bard, visiting the childhood home of William Shakespeare. Personalize your tour with a choice of included excursions in Edinburgh and Oxford. See the quintessential sights of London with a local guide. Sleepy villages, grassy slopes, mountainside lakes, and cities built upon layers of history – these are the landscapes of Britain.
September 22- October 1,2024:Lourdes and Fatima with Barcelona. Travel to two of the world’s most revered pilgrimage centers and experience the wonderful cultures and beauty of Portugal, France, and Spain. Stay a leisurely 2 nights in Fatima and spend time reflecting and exploring the famous Basilica and the tombs of Francisco and Jacinta. Travel to Aljustrel, where the children lived, and Valinhos, where Our Lady appeared after the children’s return from prison. During a 2-night stay in Burgos, visit the magnificent Cathedral, a masterpiece of Spanish Gothic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a walking tour of Lourdes and a 2-night stay there. Visit the moving Grotto where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette. End in vibrant Barcelona, and view Antoni Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece La Sagrada Familia, also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Europe is a wonderful place to visit. The history and culture cannot be beat. I have been across the pond many, many times and have never had a problem, but you do need to stay alert to safeguard yourself from pickpockets. They are particularly busy in tourist areas. Places like the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain in Italy, and the Eiffel Tower in Paris are particularly notorious for pickpockets. Other countries have similar must see sites and they are all must sees for pickpockets well. Using a travel wallet that is inside your clothing is a help. Do not carry your billfold or cell phone in your back pocket. Do not set your purse on the floor in restaurants. Be alert to your surroundings. These people are not really interested in you. They see a crime of opportunity and are quick to exploit it. You won’t even know you’ve been picked when it happens. Staying alert is the best thing you can do.
Love to cruise? Princess is set to offer the longest voyage ever with a 116 day World Cruise in 2025. The voyage will cover over 33,500 nautical miles visiting 51 destinations in 26 countries and 6 continents. Now on sale this adventure includes visits to Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, the Mediterranean, Central America, Africa, Asia, and beyond.
While most cruise lines and tour operators are ending their COVID vaccination requirements, Viking is keeping their vaccine mandate for the time being. Viking feels that their passengers are more comfortable on a vaccinated ship. They may eliminate the vaccine requirement at some point but for the time being passengers must still be vaccinated.
Lynn
Fuller Travel Tours, 2023-2024
June 17-23, 2023 Viking Cruise on the Mississippi Join us as we cruise from Memphis to New Orleans on a cruise called Heart of the Delta. I was only able to get 10 cabins as Viking usually does not do groups on this cruise as it is too popular. I have very few cabins remaining. We will begin our journey in Memphis, and sail to Vicksburg, Natchez, St. Francisville, Baton Rouge, and Darrow, Louisiana before arriving in New Orleans. The cabins that I have are balcony cabins. Viking
September 6-13, 2023 Rhine Getaway Explore one of Europe’s best-loved rivers, the Rhine. Discover the turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and spectacular scenery of the Middle Rhine—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taste the region’s renowned white wines. Savor the various culinary traditions of Alsace. From Amsterdam and Cologne to Basel, this journey reveals a rich landscape of beauty and culture. Viking
September. 10-18, 2023 Painted Canyons of the West Highlights… Colorado National Monument, Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah’s Scenic Byway 24, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Las Vegas. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1131375 Collette Vacations. Call for availability.
September 30- October 14, 2023 Spain’s Classics and Portugal Highlights include Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia, Valencia, Paella Experience, Granada, the Alhambra, Seville,Cordoba, Madrid, Prada Museum, Toledo, Elvas, Lisbon, Belem Obidos and much more. Call me for availability! Collette Vacations https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1103746
2024
May 3-12, 2024 Milan, Venice and the Jewels of Veneto Spend 2 nights in the beautiful city of Milan before boarding the ship, the S.S. LaVenezia, in Venice. While in Milan, you will have an opportunity to take a city tour and also view DaVinci’s ‘Last Supper’. Once aboard your ship you will enjoy all that Venice has to offer but the ship will also take you to many of the Venetian Islands such as Burano (my favorite), and Torcello. you will discover Chiogga, a charming port loved by fisherman.You will also have a choice of exploring Vincenza or Padua. Savor the wines and cuisines of the region every step of the way. I only have 10 rooms for this sailing. Uniworld
By the way, Uniworld has a great booking incentive for people booking in 2023 for 2024.. Pay in full and get 10% off your 2024 cruise or just deposit and take 7% off your cruise. Call for more info. Our Milan-Vento cruise qualifies for this promo.
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
Coming soon: September,2024: Lourdes and Fatima with Barcelona. Please let me know if you’d like to be notified when we get our dates and pricing.
There has been a surge in passport applications, up to 500,000 a week. the Secretary of State has said that they have increased staff and opened satellite offices to try to deal with the storm of applications. Passport wait times are now 10-13 weeks. If you have an upcoming trip, check to make sure that you will not need to renew your passport. Remember, passports should be valid at least 6 months after your last date of travel. Expedited passports may come in 7-9 weeks. these estimated times do not include 3-4 weeks for mailing.-Fodor’s
Alaska is one of those bucket list destinations. During the pandemic, cruises and tours were cancelled or postponed. However, they are back in a big way. Cruise lines will have 50 ships in Alaska this summer, a record number. The White Pass Railroad resumes their itineraries. New experiences are popping up in the cities that welcome cruises and tours. Lighthouse tours, ropes courses, a new totem pole trail (in the works), new culinary experiences will delight visitors. If you haven’t added Alaska to your bucket list, it may be time.-Travel Weekly
Earlier this year, I reported that Amsterdam was making changes to discourage bad behavior on the part of visitors. This week, the message from Amsterdam got a bit clearer. This message was aimed at British tourists who visit and become drunk and disorderly. In a startling new television add campaign, Amsterdam is telling drunken British tourists not to come to the city. In one commercial, a man is shown breaking bottles and windows. At the end of the commercial he is arrested, handcuffed and booked by the police. The ad ends with the words, STAY AWAY, on the screen.-Travel Pulse
Fuller Travel Tours, 2023-2024
May 21-31,2023 Delightful Danube and Prague. Begin your trip with two nights in the beautiful city of Prague and then be taken to your ship, the S.S. Beatrice for your cruise on the Danube. You’llvisit Nuremberg, Regensberg, Passau, Spitz, Vienna and Budapest. This is a beautiful cruise-Uniworld
June 17-23, 2023 Viking Cruise on the Mississippi Join us as we cruise from Memphis to New Orleans on a cruise called Heart of the Delta. I was only able to get 10 cabins as Viking usually does not do groups on this cruise as it is too popular. I have very few cabins remaining. We will begin our journey in Memphis, and sail to Vicksburg, Natchez, St. Francisville, Baton Rouge, and Darrow, Louisiana before arriving in New Orleans. The cabins that I have are balcony cabins. Viking
September 6-13, 2023 Rhine Getaway Explore one of Europe’s best-loved rivers, the Rhine. Discover the turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and spectacular scenery of the Middle Rhine—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taste the region’s renowned white wines. Savor the various culinary traditions of Alsace. From Amsterdam and Cologne to Basel, this journey reveals a rich landscape of beauty and culture. Viking
September. 10-18, 2023 Painted Canyons of the West Highlights… Colorado National Monument, Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah’s Scenic Byway 24, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Las Vegas. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1131375 Collette Vacations. Call for availability.
September 30- October 14, 2023 Spain’s Classics and Portugal Highlights include Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia, Valencia, Paella Experience, Granada, the Alhambra, Seville,Cordoba, Madrid, Prada Museum, Toledo, Elvas, Lisbon, Belem Obidos and much more. Call me for availability! Collette Vacations https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1103746
2024
May 3-12, 2024 Milan, Venice and the Jewels of Veneto Spend 2 nights in the beautiful city of Milan before boarding the ship, the S.S. LaVenezia, in Venice. While in Milan, you will have an opportunity to take a city tour and also view DaVinci’s ‘Last Supper’. Once aboard your ship you will enjoy all that Venice has to offer but the ship will also take you to many of the Venetian Islands such as Burano (my favorite), and Torcello. you will discover Chiogga, a charming port loved by fisherman.You will also have a choice of exploring Vincenza or Padua. Savor the wines and cuisines of the region every step of the way. I only have 10 rooms for this sailing. Uniworld
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
Coming soon: September,2024: Lourdes and Fatima with Barcelona. Please let me know if you’d like to be notified when we get our dates and pricing.
France is one of the most popular countries in the world for tourists to visit. If you are going this year, you will want to pay attention to the strikes and protests that are occurring in that country. Citizens are reacting to retirement reform which will move the full retirement age from 62-64. Transportation within France may be disrupted so you will want to have a back up plan. The good news is that strikes in France are generally planned and posted so you’ll have some advance notice that transportation may be affected. Also, some of the venues you may want to visit may close as well.
France is not alone. Frankfurt Airport is warning of a massive disruption to air travel this coming Monday after officials confirmed a 24 hour walkout. Frankfurt is Germany’s largest airport so it’s likely to affect flights within Europe and worldwide. Munich also will close their airport March 26 and 27. This dispute is about staff pay at airports across Germany.
The great hotel debate about daily housekeeping rages on even though it looks like daily housekeeping is a thing of the past. Now, more than a few people are asking themselves why they should pay for Hilton or a Marriott tier hotel when service there isn’t much better than their lower tier brands like Fairfield or Homewood Suites. Good question!
Many of us use the Global Entry program as a way of moving quickly through airport security. Last year, 8 million people were a part of this program. However, appointments for Global Entry applicant have been difficult to get. Even the Homeland Security website warns that interview appointments are limited due to the volume of applications. They are saying it could be 6-18 months for the full process to be completed!-Fodors.com
Fuller Travel Tours, 2023-2024
May 21-31,2023 Delightful Danube and Prague. Begin your trip with two nights in the beautiful city of Prague and then be taken to your ship, the S.S. Beatrice for your cruise on the Danube. You’llvisit Nuremberg, Regensberg, Passau, Spitz, Vienna and Budapest. This is a beautiful cruise-Uniworld
June 17-23, 2023 Viking Cruise on the Mississippi Join us as we cruise from Memphis to New Orleans on a cruise called Heart of the Delta. I was only able to get 10 cabins as Viking usually does not do groups on this cruise as it is too popular. I have very few cabins remaining. We will begin our journey in Memphis, and sail to Vicksburg, Natchez, St. Francisville, Baton Rouge, and Darrow, Louisiana before arriving in New Orleans. The cabins that I have are balcony cabins. Viking
September 6-13, 2023 Rhine Getaway Explore one of Europe’s best-loved rivers, the Rhine. Discover the turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and spectacular scenery of the Middle Rhine—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taste the region’s renowned white wines. Savor the various culinary traditions of Alsace. From Amsterdam and Cologne to Basel, this journey reveals a rich landscape of beauty and culture. Viking
September. 10-18, 2023 Painted Canyons of the West Highlights… Colorado National Monument, Moab, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah’s Scenic Byway 24, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Las Vegas. https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1131375 Collette Vacations. Call for availability.
September 30- October 14, 2023 Spain’s Classics and Portugal Highlights include Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia, Valencia, Paella Experience, Granada, the Alhambra, Seville,Cordoba, Madrid, Prada Museum, Toledo, Elvas, Lisbon, Belem Obidos and much more. Call me for availability! Collette Vacations https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1103746
2024
May 3-12, 2024 Milan, Venice and the Jewels of Veneto Spend 2 nights in the beautiful city of Milan before boarding the ship, the S.S. LaVenezia, in Venice. While in Milan, you will have an opportunity to take a city tour and also view DaVinci’s ‘Last Supper’. Once aboard your ship you will enjoy all that Venice has to offer but the ship will also take you to many of the Venetian Islands such as Burano (my favorite), and Torcello. you will discover Chiogga, a charming port loved by fisherman.You will also have a choice of exploring Vincenza or Padua. Savor the wines and cuisines of the region every step of the way. I only have 10 rooms for this sailing. Uniworld
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 so don’t delay if you are interested. I have a copy of the Zoom meeting we held this week to explain this trip. Contact me if interested in viewing. Collettehttps://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1149854
Coming soon: September,2024: Lourdes and Fatima with Barcelona. Please let me know if you’d like to be notified when we get our dates and pricing.
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